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Unveiling the Samsung S5250 Wave525 Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Release Date
2010, October
Camera
3MP
Battery
1200mAh
Screen
3.2"
Storage
100MB , microSDHC slot
Operating System
bada OS

Design and Build

The Samsung S5250 Wave525, released in October 2010, brought a sleek and compact design catering to users who preferred smaller devices. It measured 109.5 x 55 x 11.9 mm, fitting comfortably in the hand, with a weight of only 100 grams, making it highly portable. Featuring a Mini-SIM slot, this device was easy to operate and suitable for day-to-day tasks.

Display

The Wave525 came with a 3.2-inch TFT display, offering 256K colors for vibrant visuals. With a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels and a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 48.4%, it provided adequate brightness and color quality for casual use. Despite the lower pixel density (~146 ppi), the screen was functional enough for browsing and media consumption in its time.

Performance

Equipped with the bada OS, Samsung’s proprietary operating system, the Wave525 was designed to cater to non-power users. While details about the processor and RAM aren't specified, the performance was likely modest, focusing on running basic applications and handling simple multitasking. The bada OS was Samsung's attempt to create an ecosystem competing with other smartphone operating systems at the time.

Camera

The device featured a single 3.15 MP main camera, which was standard for phones released during this period. Though it did not offer advanced photography features, it was capable of capturing still images and recording videos, serving basic documentation needs for users.

Storage and Memory

With an internal storage of 100MB, the Samsung S5250 Wave525 required users to utilize the microSDHC slot for expanding storage capacity, a necessity for saving more photos, music, and applications. This feature underscored the importance of cloud and external storage expansions to optimize device utility.

Battery Life

The device packed a removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery, which supported standby time up to 1200 hours and talk time up to 14 hours. This was quite impressive for users who required prolonged battery life for calls and messaging without frequent charging interruptions.

Networking and Connectivity

Supporting GSM technology with 2G bands (GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900), the Wave525 was meant for standard network connectivity. It included GPRS Class 12 and EDGE Class 12, allowing users to connect to the internet at slower speeds compared to 3G and later technologies.

For wireless connectivity, the phone supported Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, which were commendable for personal connectivity and media sharing. The inclusion of GPS and A-GPS allowed for basic navigation and location services.

Sound and Multimedia

The phone featured a 3.5mm audio jack, which made it compatible with most headphones and external speakers. Its loudspeaker allowed for decent audio playback, suitable for casual audio and FM radio, augmented by stereo FM with RDS.

Additional Features

The Wave525 was equipped with an accelerometer sensor, assisting in various applications, from gaming to user interface navigation. It also supported WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML browsers, providing basic web browsing capabilities suited for its user's needs. Despite its discontinued status, the device's practicality and design once made it a favorable choice for many seeking simplicity.

Market Reception and Legacy

When launched, the Samsung S5250 Wave525 was priced around 120 EUR, targeting budget-conscious consumers looking for a functional yet straightforward smartphone. Despite the subsequent discontinuation of the model and Samsung's bada OS, the Wave525 remains part of the company's rich history in mobile device evolution, paving the way for future models with more advanced technology and features.

Conclusion

In retrospect, the Samsung S5250 Wave525 exemplifies an era of mobile phones where simplicity and essential functionality were key. While it lacked the sophisticated features of modern smartphones, its user-centric design, and practical features served its purpose well. Enthusiasts who collect older models may find the Wave525 an interesting piece reflecting early 2010s technology milestones.

Key Features of Samsung S5250 Wave525

  • Compact Design: Dimensions of 109.5 x 55 x 11.9 mm and a weight of 100 g for portability.
  • Display: 3.2 inches TFT screen with 256K colors and a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels.
  • Operating System: Powered by bada OS.
  • Camera: 3.15 MP main camera capable of video recording.
  • Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, and GPS for navigation.
  • Audio: Equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack.
  • Radio: Stereo FM radio with RDS.
  • Battery Life: Long-lasting removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery with up to 14 hours of talk time.
  • Storage: Expandable memory via microSDHC card slot.
  • Price: Affordable, with an initial price of about 120 EUR.

Drawbacks of Samsung S5250 Wave525

  • Operating system: Uses Bada OS, which has limited app support and updates compared to Android or iOS.
  • Display: The 3.2-inch screen with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels results in a low pixel density (~146 ppi), affecting display clarity.
  • Internal storage: Offers only 100MB of internal storage, which is very limited for installing apps and storing media without relying on a microSD card.
  • Camera: Basic 3.15 MP main camera with no front-facing camera, limiting photo and video quality and selfie functionality.
  • Connectivity: Lacks support for 3G or 4G networks, limiting mobile internet speed.
  • No Selfie Camera: Absence of a front camera restricts video calling and selfies.
  • Screen-to-body ratio: Offers a lower screen-to-body ratio (~48.4%), which may result in larger bezels.
  • Status: The device has been discontinued, meaning no official support or updates from the manufacturer.
Network
Technology GSM
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS Class 12
EDGE Class 12
Launch
Announced 2010, June. Released 2010, October
Status Discontinued
Body
Dimensions 109.5 x 55 x 11.9 mm (4.31 x 2.17 x 0.47 in)
Weight 100 g (3.53 oz)
SIM Mini-SIM
Display
Type TFT, 256K colors
Size 3.2 inches, 29.1 cm2 (~48.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 240 x 400 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~146 ppi density)
Platform
OS bada OS
Memory
Card slot microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal 100MB
Main Camera
Single 3.15 MP
Video Yes
Selfie camera
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 3.0, A2DP
Positioning GPS, A-GPS
Radio Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB microUSB 2.0
Features
Sensors Accelerometer
Browser WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
Battery
Type Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery
Stand-by Up to 1200 h
Talk time Up to 14 h
Misc
Colors Black, White/La Fleur edition
SAR 0.63 W/kg (head)     0.52 W/kg (body)
SAR EU 0.69 W/kg (head)
Price About 120 EUR

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