Price and specifications of Samsung S8600 Wave 3 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Samsung S8600 Wave 3

The Samsung S8600 Wave 3 was introduced to the market in October 2011 as part of Samsung's Wave series, characterized by its bada operating system. This device was designed to cater to users who were looking for a mid-range smartphone with a decent performance without paying a premium price. While the series was eventually discontinued, the Wave 3 stood out due to its sleek design, robust performance, and an efficient Super AMOLED display.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Wave 3 was appreciated for its design, which features a brushed metal aluminum body that exuded a premium feel. With dimensions of 125.9 x 64.2 x 9.9 mm and weighing just 122 grams, it was a phone that could easily be handled and carried around without any hassle. It was slim and elegant, fitting comfortably in the hand. The build quality was robust due to the usage of an aluminum chassis which added durability while maintaining a smooth finish.

Display Features

The device boasted a 4.0-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels (approximately 233 ppi pixel density), ensuring vibrant colors and sharp images. The Super AMOLED technology provided high contrast ratios and deep blacks, which enhanced media consumption experiences. Additionally, the screen was protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which added a layer of durability against scratches and minor impacts.

Performance and Platform

Under the hood, the Samsung Wave 3 was powered by a 1.4 GHz Scorpion processor. While it may seem modest compared to today's standards, it was capable of handling multiple tasks smoothly and provided stable performance for the time. The device ran on Samsung's bada 2.0 OS, a unique selling point that, while not as versatile as Android or iOS, provided a unique user interface experience with its own set of applications.

Camera Quality

For photography enthusiasts, the Samsung Wave 3 offered a 5 MP rear camera with autofocus and an LED flash, capable of capturing decent images in various lighting conditions. It also supported 720p video recording at 30fps, which was quite satisfactory for a mid-range phone released in 2011. On the front, it had a VGA camera, sufficient for video calls although not suitable for high-quality selfies by today’s standards.

Memory and Storage

The device came with an internal storage capacity of 4GB, which could be expanded via a microSDHC card slot. This expansion option was crucial for users needing more space for apps, music, and other media. However, the RAM specifications weren't explicitly mentioned, but the phone managed to deliver a reasonable user experience with the available resources.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, the Samsung Wave 3 was designed to offer longevity. It provided up to 535 hours of standby time on a 2G network and up to 517 hours on 3G, along with a talk time of up to 14 hours and 15 minutes on 2G and 8 hours and 40 minutes on 3G. These figures ensured that the phone catered well to daily use without frequent need for recharging.

Connectivity and Network

The Samsung Wave 3 supported GSM and HSPA technologies, which allowed for reliable connectivity. It featured 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 900/2100) with speeds of up to 14.4/5.76 Mbps. For local connectivity, it supported Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, UMA, and hotspot functionalities. Additionally, it featured Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP and EDR, as well as GPS with A-GPS for location services, along with a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging.

Miscellaneous Features

The Samsung Wave 3 came with a 3.5mm audio jack and stereo FM radio with RDS and recording capabilities. Sensory inputs included an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and a digital compass. It was available in a classic black color. Additionally, the phone's SAR values were reasonable (0.53 W/kg for the head and 0.82 W/kg for the body), meeting safety standards.

Audio and Loudspeaker

The device housed a decent loudspeaker system with satisfactory audio output levels. The voice, noise, and ring decibel levels clocked in at 68dB, 65dB, and 69dB respectively, ensuring decent audio quality during calls and media playback. Furthermore, the audio quality metrics indicated quite low noise and crosstalk levels, underscoring relatively clear sound reproduction for its time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung S8600 Wave 3 marked an important entry in the mid-range smartphone market back in 2011. It was commended for its stylish design, efficient AMOLED display, and decent performance. While its bada operating system did not gain widespread adoption, it provided a unique and functioning ecosystem for its users. For its price point—approximately 150 EUR—it was an appealing choice for users seeking a robust device with good multimedia capabilities and an elegant build during its release period.