Unveiling Samsung P260 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction to the Samsung P260

The Samsung P260 was released in July 2007 as a feature phone, which preceded the era of smartphones. It represents a transitional technology phase between basic mobile phones and smartphones, integrating a range of functionalities that were considered advanced at the time. The device was eventually discontinued, but it still holds value for those who appreciate retro technology.

Network and Connectivity

The Samsung P260 was built to operate on GSM networks, supporting 2G bands across GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 frequencies. The phone featured GPRS Class 10 technology for mobile data transfer and came with EDGE support, providing users with an essential level of connectivity suitable for browsing and simple internet tasks. While it didn’t support 3G or 4G technologies, it was adequate for the communication needs of its time.

Design and Build

The device sports dimensions of 108 x 50 x 16.5 mm, making it compact and handheld-friendly. With a weight of 116 grams, it strikes a balance between being lightweight and sturdy. The Samsung P260 uses a Mini-SIM format, and its aesthetic design includes a black color variant, appealing to users who prefer classic and straightforward designs.

Display Characteristics

The Samsung P260 features a 2.1-inch TFT display with 256K color depth, enabling colorful and reasonably clear visuals given the technological constraints of the era. The screen resolution stands at 176 x 220 pixels, providing a pixel density of around 134 ppi. This specification ensures that users experienced a decent display quality for tasks such as reading messages or viewing images.

Memory and Storage

For a device in the mid-2000s, the Samsung P260 offered a memory setup that included a microSD slot, allowing for expandable storage. Internally, the device came with 25MB of storage, which could hold essential applications and a reasonable number of contacts. The phonebook capacity supported up to 1000 entries, featuring photo call capabilities. Call records could maintain logs for 20 dialed, received, and missed calls, making it suitable for regular communication needs.

Camera System

The Samsung P260 is equipped with a single 2MP camera, which was a decent offering for a feature phone at the time. It allowed users to capture still images and record videos at QCIF resolution, providing basic multimedia recording capabilities. Although not comparable to modern smartphone cameras, it sufficed for simple photography and video recording activities.

Audio and Sound

Audio features on the P260 did not include a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm jack, suggesting that users would rely on polyphonic and MP3 ringtones for notifications and calls. The alert types included vibration and downloadable ringtones, giving users the option to personalize their audio notifications to some extent.

Communication Features

The Samsung P260 incorporated several communication technology features, including Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless data transfer and peripheral connectivity. Despite lacking integrated positioning services and FM radio, it supported USB 1.1 for physical data transfer. Notably, it included Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11 b/g) and UMA, offering a forward-looking feature for wireless internet connectivity.

Software and Functionality

The phone operates on a feature phone OS, delivering basic phone functionality without the app-rich environments of modern operating systems. It supports SMS, MMS, and Email messaging, catering to diverse communication modes. The browser is WAP 2.0/xHTML compliant, adequate for accessing simple web pages. The inclusion of Java (MIDP 2.0) enabled basic game functionality and downloadable content, enhancing the phone's entertainment offerings.

Battery Performance

Powering the Samsung P260 is a removable Li-Ion 960 mAh battery, which offered competitive performance for its time. It supported up to 220 hours of standby time and up to 3 hours of talk time, balancing usage and standby for regular engagements without frequent recharges. The removable design also allowed users to replace the battery if needed, extending the device's lifespan.

Conclusion

The Samsung P260 holds its place as a significant device from an era where mobile technology began to shift towards more integrated functionalities. Although discontinued, it reflects a technological bridge, offering insights into the progression of mobile devices from basic communication tools to smartphones embedded with multi-functional capabilities. For retro technology enthusiasts, the Samsung P260 represents a slice of mobile history worth examining and appreciating.