Samsung S8000 Jet Comprehensive Specs Pricing & Review

Design and Build

The Samsung S8000 Jet marked an ambitious venture into the mid-2000s touchscreen market. Its dimensions, measuring 108.8 x 53.5 x 11.9 mm, provided a compact yet robust form factor. Weighing in at 110 grams, it was lightweight enough for easy portability while maintaining a premium feel. Its construction was both sleek and slightly rounded, making it comfortable to hold. Samsung chose a Mini-SIM configuration for this model, typical for its time.

Display Technology

The 3.1-inch AMOLED resistive touchscreen was one of the Jet's significant draws. With a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 301 ppi, it offered vibrant and sharp imagery, rivalling some entry-level smartphones of that era. The screen supported 16 million colors, making photos and videos vibrant and engaging. Despite the resistive technology, which now seems a bit out-of-date compared to capacitive touchscreens, it worked adequately for most user interactions of that time.

Performance and Hardware

At its core, the Samsung S8000 Jet was powered by a Qualcomm MSM6246 chipset paired with an 800 MHz CPU. This setup, while modest by today's standards, was sufficient for the phone's feature phone operating system requirements, ensuring smooth operation for basic tasks like calling, messaging, and multimedia consumption. The device came with internal storage options of 2GB or 8GB, expandable via microSDHC, which ensured that users had sufficient space for apps and media.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera of the S8000 Jet was a 5 MP shooter complete with autofocus and a dual-LED flash. This allowed users to take decent-quality photos in various lighting conditions. The camera could also record VGA video at 24fps, meeting the basic video capture needs of users at the time. Unlike modern models, it did not feature a front-facing camera, which was not uncommon for phones launched in 2009.

Battery Life

The phone was equipped with a removable Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery. Estimated standby time was up to 422 hours on 2G and up to 406 hours on 3G, with talk time extending to approximately 8 hours and 20 minutes on 2G and 5 hours on 3G networks. These figures ensured that the Jet could last a full day with moderate use, a crucial factor for users who relied heavily on mobile communication throughout the day.

Software and Features

Rather than using a smartphone operating system, the Samsung S8000 Jet ran on a feature phone OS. Despite this, it was packed with functionalities such as GPS with A-GPS and support for Route 66 software, which enhanced its navigation capabilities. For connectivity, it supported Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP, and microUSB 2.0—the standard array of options for the time. The inclusion of an FM radio with RDS and recording capabilities added to its multimedia features.

Networking and Connectivity

The Jet supported GSM and HSPA network technologies. It operated on various 2G bands (GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 900 / 2100). Capable of speeds up to HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps, it provided relatively fast internet browsing experiences through its WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML browser—adequate for checking emails and basic online services.

User Interface and Experience

Samsung emphasized user interaction with the inclusion of an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. This was particularly innovative for its time, providing a more interactive user experience. The phone supported various message formats—SMS, MMS, Email, and IM, in addition to push email, keeping users connected efficiently.

Conclusion and Legacy

The Samsung S8000 Jet holds a place in mobile technology history as a bridge between basic phones and more advanced smartphones. Priced around 120 EUR at launch, it provided a balance of features and affordability. The dual color options of Black and Mystic Purple added a touch of personality, while the SAR values were kept reasonably low at 0.42 W/kg for the head and 0.49 W/kg for the body in the US, with slightly higher values in the EU.