Samsung U810 Renown Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of the Samsung U810 Renown

The Samsung U810 Renown, launched in November 2008, is a feature phone that held its own in a market that was on the brink of the smartphone revolution. With its solid build and essential features, the Renown catered to users who sought reliable communication without the complexities of modern smartphones.

Network and Connectivity

The Samsung U810 Renown was designed with global connectivity in mind, featuring both GSM and CDMA2000 1x EV-DO technology. This allowed for widespread usage in various regions. The phone supported 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) and 3G capabilities with CDMA2000 1x EV-DO, which was particularly beneficial for users frequently traveling across regions with different network standards. Although it did not offer WLAN or GPS, it supported Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio connections and featured traditional USB connectivity through a proprietary port, catering to basic data transfer needs.

Design and Build

The phone's design is characterized by a compact and ergonomic form factor, with dimensions of 98.3 x 49.5 x 17.5 mm and a weight of 115 grams. Its relatively light and manageable size made it comfortable to hold and use. The body allowed for a Mini-SIM card, a common standard at the time, keeping the phone accessible to a broad user base. The exterior featured an understated ‘Brick’ color, which contributed to its professional appearance.

Display

The Samsung U810 Renown was equipped with a 2.2-inch TFT display that supported 256K colors, offering decent visual clarity for the era. The screen's resolution stood at 240 x 320 pixels, with a 4:3 aspect ratio achieving a pixel density of approximately 182 ppi. While modest by today’s standards, the display was adequate for basic tasks such as viewing contact images, messages, and using pre-installed applications.

Storage and Memory

Storage capabilities of the Renown were typical for feature phones of its time. It included a dedicated slot for microSD cards, allowing users to expand the storage to accommodate music, photos, and other files. The phonebook could store up to 1000 contacts with photo call integration, which was advantageous for users who wanted a quick visual identifier for their contacts. Additionally, it maintained call logs for 20 dialed, received, and missed calls, which was sufficient for most users’ needs.

Camera Capabilities

The Samsung U810 Renown came with a single 2 MP rear camera. While it lacked advanced photography features, it served its purpose in capturing basic photos and videos, suitable for social sharing and preserving simple memories. The absence of a selfie camera indicated its design intention as a utility-focused device rather than one for social media enthusiasts.

Audio and Sound

Audio capabilities on the U810 Renown included a loudspeaker for hands-free calls and alert sounds. Although it lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack, a common feature in phones at the time, users could still enjoy wireless audio through its Bluetooth connectivity. This limitation was part of the trade-offs for maintaining the compact design and affordability.

User Experience and Interface

As a feature phone, the Samsung U810 Renown operated on a basic proprietary operating system. Its user interface was simple, focusing on essential functions like messaging (SMS, MMS, Email, and IM), and a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser for minimal web browsing. It included games for entertainment but did not support Java applications, limiting the range of additional software enhancements.

Battery Life

The device was powered by a removable battery, offering a standby time of up to 320 hours and a talk time of up to 5 hours. This battery performance underscored its efficiency for standard communication tasks, ensuring that users could rely on the device for extended periods without frequent recharges.

Market Position and Pricing

Pricing for the Samsung U810 Renown was around 90 EUR, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers seeking a dependable handset without the complexities of a full-fledged smartphone. Despite its limited lifespan in the market, the Renown captured the essence of practical mobile communication during its time.

Conclusion

The Samsung U810 Renown represented a segment of mobile technology focused on simplicity and reliability. It served users who valued conventional telephony alongside essential digital capabilities. While it has since been discontinued, its impact as a part of the evolution towards more globally connected mobile devices remains noteworthy in the history of mobile technology.