Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH Features Pricing & Verdict

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH stands out with its distinct design that combines both elegance and functionality, featuring a slide-out form factor. The slim dimensions of 110 x 51.5 x 12.7 mm and a weight of just 105 grams make it a compact and lightweight option for those seeking portability without compromising on style. The device is available in three elegant color options: Platinum Red, Platinum Blue, and Gold, providing users with a variety of choices to suit their personal taste.

Display

The phone boasts a 2.8-inch AMOLED touchscreen, which offers a vibrant display experience with rich colors and deep contrasts. The resolution of 240 x 400 pixels results in a pixel density of approximately 167 ppi, delivering clear and sharp visuals. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, ensuring durability against scratches and minor impacts, an essential feature for any touch-based device.

Camera

For photography enthusiasts, the Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH features an 8 MP rear camera equipped with autofocus and an LED flash. This setup allows users to capture high-quality photos, even in low-light conditions. Additionally, it supports video recording at 480p resolution at 30 frames per second, enabling users to capture their memorable moments in motion.

Performance

Under the hood, the UltraTOUCH is driven by a Qualcomm MSM6281 chipset with a CPU clocked at 500 MHz. While this specification may seem modest by today's standards, it was quite capable for its time, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks such as calling, texting, and basic multimedia playback.

Memory and Storage

The device offers an internal storage capacity of 80MB, which can be expanded using a microSDHC card slot, providing ample space for storing photos, videos, and music files. The UltraTOUCH also supports a comprehensive phonebook database, accommodating up to 2000 contacts with additional features like photo call capabilities.

Battery Life

Powering the Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH is a removable Li-Ion 880 mAh battery. While this may not offer extensive usage hours like modern smartphones, it provides sufficient standby time of up to 350 hours and talk time of up to 4 hours, which should cater to daily needs effectively.

Connectivity

On the connectivity front, the UltraTOUCH supports GSM and HSPA technologies, offering 2G and 3G bands for mobile communication. It also includes Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming and microUSB 2.0 for charging and data transfer. Unfortunately, there is no WLAN support, but it does come with GPS and A-GPS for location services, with optional navigation software to aid in navigation.

User Interface and OS

Operating as a feature phone, the Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH features a proprietary user interface designed to optimize its touchscreen capabilities. The intuitive interface supports a variety of messaging options including SMS, MMS, and Email, alongside a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML browser for basic internet browsing.

Additional Features

The UltraTOUCH is equipped with a stereo FM radio with RDS and recording capabilities, adding another layer of entertainment options for users. Additionally, the device's accelerometer and proximity sensors enhance user interaction, while Java support (MIDP 2.0) allows for further application and games expansion beyond what's pre-installed or downloadable.

Sound and Audio

The device includes a loudspeaker, though it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack which may necessitate the use of Bluetooth or an adapter for personal listening experiences. Individuals looking for device flexibility might find this limiting, but the device compensates somewhat with its capable ensemble of audio features.

Network and Communication

The network communication capabilities of the Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH, including HSPA providing up to 7.2 Mbps download speeds, cater well to fast browsing and download needs of that era, ensuring a fairly seamless experience for accessing online content with what was available then.

Conclusion

The Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH successfully merges style, functionality, and decent performance into a single compact feature phone. While it may no longer stand toe-to-toe with contemporary smartphones, its nostalgic appeal and classic functionality embody the innovation and forward-thinking design that Samsung was known for at the time. Users who experienced this model often reflect fondly on its unique feel and touch interface, as it captured the essence of an evolving mobile industry stepping into touch-screen territories.