Samsung S5630C A Comprehensive Review of Specs Price Pros & Cons

Overview of Samsung S5630C

The Samsung S5630C is a feature phone that was announced in November 2009 and released in Q4 of the same year. Although it has been discontinued, the phone was aimed at users who desired a device that fills the gap between simple mobile phones and smartphones. Its sleek design and lightweight construction made it appealing to those who valued portability without sacrificing basic multimedia capabilities.

Design and Build

The Samsung S5630C measures 113.6 x 54.5 x 12.8 mm and weighs 102.7 g, making it compact and easy to handle. It features a modern design with a Mini-SIM slot and a physical navigational keypad beneath the touchscreen display. Despite its entry-level status, the design exhibited a robust feel with a touch of elegance, especially notable with its "China Red" color option which added a vibrant aesthetic.

Display

The phone is equipped with a 2.8-inch TFT resistive touchscreen display capable of displaying 256K colors. The screen resolution is 240 x 320 pixels, which may seem modest by today’s standards but was adequate for a feature phone from that era. The touchscreen allowed users to interact with the phone's interface in a more intuitive manner compared to non-touchscreen phones of that time.

Camera

On the camera front, the Samsung S5630C is equipped with a single 3.15 MP autofocus camera. It was capable of recording video at 320p@15fps. While it lacked sophisticated features found in contemporary smartphones, it sufficed for basic photo taking and occasional video recording, particularly for users who did not prioritize photography as a primary function.

Memory and Storage

The device comes with 80MB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSDHC card slot. This feature allowed users to store more media files, contact information, and messages beyond the initial capacity. The phonebook could hold up to 1000 entries and supported photo call functionality, showing contact photos when receiving a call.

Network and Connectivity

Samsung S5630C supports GSM technology, with 2G bands covering GSM 900, 1800, and 1900, and 3G on TD-SCDMA. For data connectivity, it supports GPRS and EDGE, both class 10. It lacks Wi-Fi but includes Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP support, allowing wireless audio streaming. It also features stereo FM radio with RDS, providing additional entertainment options. Connectivity options are rounded off with a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Battery Life

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 960 mAh battery, which offers up to 340 hours of standby time on 2G networks and up to 300 hours on 3G. The talk time extends up to 7 hours and 30 minutes on 2G and 9 hours and 30 minutes on 3G, providing reliable battery life for daily communication needs without frequent recharging.

Software and User Experience

As a feature phone, the Samsung S5630C ran a proprietary operating system designed to provide essential functions without the complexities of a full smartphone OS. It supported SMS, MMS, Email, IM, and Push Email for communication. The device came with a WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML browser, enabling basic internet browsing. Java MIDP 2.0 support allowed users to download and install simple Java-based applications and games, enhancing the device's functionality.

Additional Features

Noteworthy is the inclusion of an accelerometer, which was a rare feature for feature phones of that era, adding an element of interactivity to supported applications. The lack of a 3.5mm audio jack was a limitation, but users could rely on Bluetooth for wireless audio solutions. The absence of GPS positioning meant users could not utilize location-based services, which were still nascent at the time.

Market Position and Pricing

Upon release, the Samsung S5630C was priced at approximately 150 EUR, placing it within the reach of budget-conscious consumers who desired more than a basic phone. Its blend of form factor, touchscreen capabilities, and multimedia features made it a favorable choice for users transitioning from basic phones to more advanced mobile technology.

Legacy and Conclusion

Although the Samsung S5630C has been discontinued, its contributions to the feature phone market are notable. It bridged the gap between simple functionalities and the emerging trend of touchscreen interfaces, laying the groundwork for future innovations in mobile technology. It remains a testament to Samsung's ability to design devices that cater to various market segments and user preferences.