Price and specifications of Samsung M350 Seek advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Design and Build

The Samsung M350 Seek is designed as a compact and practical device. With dimensions of 105 x 53 x 15 mm and a weight of 109 g, it is lightweight and easy to carry. The phone features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, which makes typing messages more convenient compared to using the on-screen keyboard. The device is built with a focus on simplicity, with available color options in blue, red, and pink, allowing users to choose a style that best matches their personality.

Display

The 2.6-inch TFT display on the Samsung M350 Seek is capable of showing 256K colors. Although modest by today’s standards, the screen was suitable for its time with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. The display has a 4:3 ratio and a pixel density of approximately 154 ppi. It provides a decent viewing experience for basic tasks like reading messages and browsing through contacts.

Network and Connectivity

This device operates over CDMA / EVDO networks, supporting 2G bands on CDMA 800 / 1900 frequencies and 3G bands with CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology. It supports basic data speeds up to 153.2 Kbps with EV-DO Rev.0 capability. For connectivity, it includes Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP but lacks advanced built-in connections like Wi-Fi or GPS. Nonetheless, it supports microUSB 2.0 for wired data transfer and charging needs.

Camera

The Samsung M350 Seek features a basic 1.3 MP rear camera. Designed primarily for casual snapshots, this camera was typical for feature phones during its release period. The camera supports basic video recording capabilities. However, it lacks a front-facing camera, which means it is not suited for video conferencing or selfies.

Hardware and Performance

Inside, the M350 Seek is powered by a standard processor typical for feature phones from this era. It comes with 128MB of RAM to support multitasking of simple applications. Internal storage is limited to 256MB ROM, but users can expand memory via a microSDHC card slot. This allows users to store additional contacts, media, and data efficiently given the era’s expectations.

Battery Life

The phone is equipped with a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, which was sufficient for its straightforward functionalities. It offers a talk time of up to 5 hours and 40 minutes, making it suitable for users who need a basic communication device with reliable battery performance throughout the day.

Software and Features

Operating as a feature phone, the Samsung M350 Seek includes various messaging features such as SMS, MMS, email, and instant messaging for basic communication needs. The web browsing experience is facilitated via a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, ideal for simple internet tasks. Java support (MIDP 2.0) is present for running compatible applications and games.

Additional Features

Additional features include a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio output via standard headphones. Audio settings are supported by a built-in loudspeaker. While the phone lacks a built-in radio, WLAN, and advanced positioning features, its core functions focus on communication and media playback. The device also includes color-customizable themes, enhancing the user interface aesthetics.

Price and Market Position

Upon its release in May 2010, the Samsung M350 Seek was positioned as a budget-friendly device, with a price of about 130 EUR. It targeted consumers looking for a no-frills communication device with an emphasis on messaging through its QWERTY keyboard and compact form factor. As a feature phone, it was ideal for users who did not require the advanced capabilities of smartphones but still wanted some multimedia options.

Conclusion

The Samsung M350 Seek serves as a testament to an era where feature phones bridged the gap between traditional mobile phones and emerging smartphones. It offered a solid mix of practical features focusing on communication for a budget price, which made it appealing at the time. Despite technological advancements, it remains a piece of mobile history, representing design principles and consumer needs of its time.