Price and specifications of Samsung S8530 Wave II advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Samsung S8530 Wave II

The Samsung S8530 Wave II is a remarkable smartphone that was announced in October 2010 and released in November of the same year. It is a part of Samsung's 'Wave' series and is known for its robust features and user-friendly interface, making it a popular choice at the time of its release. Although it has been discontinued, the Wave II still holds a special place in the hearts of many technology enthusiasts due to its innovative design and capabilities.

Build and Design

The Samsung Wave II boasts an elegant design with dimensions measuring 123.9 x 59.8 x 11.8 mm and weighs approximately 135 grams. The device supports a mini-SIM format and features a durable build quality that includes a Corning Gorilla Glass to protect the display. Its sleek design is crafted in an 'Ebony Gray' color, giving it a premium look and feel.

Display

One of the most impressive features of the Wave II is its display. It sports a 3.7-inch Super Clear LCD with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 252 ppi. The display offers vivid colors and sharp details, making it suitable for watching videos and viewing images. The screen-to-body ratio is around 52.6%, providing ample screen space for navigation and viewing.

Camera Capabilities

The Samsung S8530 Wave II is equipped with a rear 5 MP autofocus camera that includes an LED flash for better photography in low-light conditions. The camera is capable of recording videos at 720p@30fps, capturing clear and detailed videos. While it includes a front-facing camera for selfies, it does not offer the sophisticated capabilities you might find in more recent smartphones, yet it served its purpose well during its time.

Performance and Software

The performance of the Wave II is powered by the Hummingbird chipset, featuring a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU and PowerVR SGX540 GPU, which were quite capable during the phone's heyday. The phone ran on Samsung's bada 1.2 operating system combined with the TouchWiz UI 3 interface. These components together provided a smooth user experience for the applications and software available at that time.

Memory and Storage

The device includes 2GB of internal storage with the ability to expand through a dedicated microSDHC slot. Samsung thoughtfully included a 2GB card with the device to ensure users had additional storage space from the onset. Although modest by today’s standards, the storage capacity was fairly adequate for the era, allowing users to store important data, music, and photos conveniently.

Battery Life

The Wave II is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery. It offered a standby time of up to 600 hours in 2G and up to 500 hours in 3G. The talk time was notable too, with up to 13 hours on 2G and up to 6 hours on 3G. This ensured that users could rely on the phone for prolonged usage without frequent recharging.

Connectivity and Communication Features

The device came with a host of connectivity options, including GSM/HSPA technology offering a speed of HSPA 3.6/2 Mbps. Users could connect wirelessly via Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, and GPS supported with A-GPS. It also featured a stereo FM radio with RDS and recording capabilities, providing entertainment on the go. The device's communication suite was rounded off with a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging.

Additional Features

The Samsung S8530 Wave II included several additional features aimed at enhancing the user experience. It featured sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, which added to the usability of different applications. The browser supported WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML, providing a suitable web browsing experience for users of that time.

Sound and Audio Quality

The audio capabilities of the Wave II included a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which ensured users could enjoy their music and calls comfortably. The audio quality was impressive, with test results indicating noise levels at -90.9dB and crosstalk at -92.3dB. This level of quality assured that users had a pleasant listening experience whether they were on a call or listening to their favorite tracks.

Market Relevance and Discontinuation

Upon its release, the Samsung Wave II was priced at around 120 EUR, making it an affordable option for many consumers looking for a feature-rich smartphone. Despite being discontinued, it remains an interesting subject of discussion for tech fans, primarily due to its unique operating system and the landmark it represented in Samsung's smartphone development history.

Conclusion

The Samsung S8530 Wave II is a standout device from its time, offering a balanced mix of performance, design, and functionality. While technology has significantly advanced since its release, the Wave II remains a testament to Samsung's commitment to innovation and quality. It serves as a reminder of early smartphone developments and the progress we have witnessed over the past decade.