Design and Build
The Samsung S8500 Wave was introduced at a time when design was a crucial differentiator among smartphones. Featuring dimensions of 118 x 56 x 10.9 mm and weighing just 118 grams, the Wave was both compact and robust, making it easy for users to carry around without any discomfort. The sleek body, coupled with its rounded edges, gave the device a modern and sophisticated look.
Display
One of the standout features of the S8500 Wave was its 3.3-inch Super AMOLED display. This technology was relatively new at the time and offered vibrant colors and deep blacks, providing an excellent visual experience for users. With a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 283 ppi, the display was sharp and crisp. Moreover, the inclusion of Corning Gorilla Glass offered protection against scratches and minor impacts.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the Samsung S8500 Wave was powered by the Hummingbird chipset, which included a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU and a PowerVR SGX540 GPU. This combination offered a smooth and responsive user experience, capable of handling various tasks and applications efficiently.
Initially running on Samsung's proprietary Bada OS, the Wave supported upgrades up to version 2.0 and came with the TouchWiz UI 3. The Bada OS was designed to provide an intuitive and user-friendly interface, with a focus on social networking integration and multimedia capabilities.
Camera
The device was equipped with a 5 MP rear camera featuring autofocus and LED flash. This setup allowed users to capture images and record video at 720p resolution at 30 frames per second, which was quite impressive for its time. Although the phone had a secondary camera for selfies, it was not as advanced as the main camera but still served basic self-portrait needs.
Storage and Memory
The internal storage of the S8500 Wave was limited to 390 MB, but users had the option to expand storage via a dedicated microSDHC slot. This allowed the storing of additional media files, applications, and data without running out of space too quickly.
Connectivity
Connectivity options included GSM and HSPA technology, offering decent network speeds for browsing and data transfer. The device also supported Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capabilities, as well as Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming.
For navigation, the phone was equipped with GPS and A-GPS, along with Samsung Mobile Navigator, providing accurate location services. Stereo FM radio with RDS and recording feature added to the multimedia capabilities, while microUSB 2.0 facilitated data transfer and charging.
Additional Features
The Samsung S8500 Wave incorporated various sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and a compass, enhancing its functionality in areas like screen auto-rotation and navigation applications. The browser supported WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML, facilitating web browsing and online activities.
Battery Life
Powering the device was a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, which delivered a respectable battery life. It offered up to 600 hours of standby time on 2G networks and up to 550 hours on 3G. For talk time, users could enjoy up to 15 hours on 2G and up to 7 hours on 3G networks, with music playback lasting up to 35 hours.
Sound and Audio
With a built-in loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, the S8500 Wave catered to audio needs efficiently. The audio quality was notable, offering good noise cancellation and audio clarity. The loudspeaker was capable of delivering strong audio output, making media consumption on the device a pleasure.
Market Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, the Samsung S8500 Wave was priced at around 160 EUR, positioning it competitively in the smartphone market. It was well-received for its display quality, build design, and innovative software, although the limited app ecosystem on Bada OS posed a challenge. Despite this, the S8500 Wave holds a place in history due to its introduction of the Super AMOLED display and its role in paving the way for future Samsung smartphones.
Key Features of Samsung S8500 Wave
- Features Super AMOLED display for vibrant and clear visuals.
- Equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass for enhanced screen protection.
- Runs on Bada OS, upgradable to 2.0, featuring TouchWiz UI 3.
- Packed with a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 processor and PowerVR SGX540 GPU for efficient performance.
- Includes a 5 MP main camera with autofocus and LED flash, plus 720p video recording capability.
- Offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot functionality for easy connectivity.
- Comes with Bluetooth 3.0 and A2DP for convenient wireless connections.
- Built-in GPS with A-GPS and Samsung Mobile Navigator for easy navigation.
- Fitted with a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery providing up to 15 hours of talk time on 2G.
- Features stereo FM radio with RDS and recording capabilities for entertainment on the go.
- Lightweight design at only 118g, making it easy to carry.
- Includes essential sensors: accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass.
Drawbacks of Samsung S8500 Wave
- Discontinued Status: The device is no longer in production or supported.
- Limited Internal Storage: Only 390MB of internal storage, which may be insufficient for modern apps and media.
- Outdated Operating System: Runs on Bada OS, which is outdated and lacks support for many modern apps and services.
- Limited 3G Speed: HSPA speeds of 3.6/2 Mbps are quite slow compared to today's standards.
- Mini-SIM Requirement: Uses the older Mini-SIM format, which could be inconvenient for users with modern devices.
- Low Screen-to-Body Ratio: The display covers only approximately 46.9% of the body, which is less than newer smartphones.
- Average Camera Performance: Although it has a 5 MP camera, the features and photo quality may not meet current expectations.
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