Samsung Wave M S7250 Comprehensive Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of Samsung Wave M S7250

Released in December 2011, the Samsung Wave M S7250 was part of Samsung’s Wave series, a line that was built to showcase Samsung's proprietary OS, bada. As smartphones were rapidly evolving with the introduction of advanced platforms like Android and iOS, the Wave M served as a mid-range option for users who valued affordability without sacrificing essential smartphone features.

Design and Build

The Samsung Wave M S7250 measures 113.8 x 63.3 x 12.2 mm and weighs 121 grams, making it comfortable to hold. Its design featured the classic look of mobile devices from the early 2010s with a mini-SIM slot. The handset sported a 3.65 inches TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 158 ppi — not spectacular by today’s standards but sufficient for the time.

Display

The Wave M had a 3.65-inch TFT display that occupied around 55.1% of the phone’s body. With a 3:2 aspect ratio and a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels, users could expect basic clarity suitable for daily use. The colors and brightness featured in the screen were designed to function properly under various lighting conditions, although direct sunlight could pose a challenge due to its lower pixel density.

Performance and Software

Powering the device is a 832 MHz processor, paired with the bada 2.0 operating system. Samsung's bada OS aimed to integrate a feature-rich experience akin to its Android counterpart but with less complexity and more accessibility. While not as robust as Android in terms of app ecosystem, bada provided users with essential applications and functionalities.

With only 150MB of internal storage, expanding the memory was almost a necessity. The device supported microSDHC cards, and it often shipped with a 2GB card included. Users could add cards up to 32GB for additional storage, allowing for more applications and media storage.

Camera Capabilities

The Samsung Wave M S7250 was equipped with a 5 MP rear camera with autofocus capabilities and an LED flash. Video recording was possible at a resolution of 480p at 30fps. While it didn't offer high-definition video capturing or complex camera settings by today’s standards, it served everyday photographic needs adequately.

For video calls, a basic VGA front camera was also included, which underscored the phone's alignment with the feature needs of the time, offering functionality that was growing in demand as social media and video call applications gained popularity.

Network and Connectivity

Around the time the Wave M S7250 was released, mobile connectivity was expanding. The device supported both 2G and 3G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 900/2100), enabling broader usability across different regions. Though 4G was on the horizon, 3G was still prevalent, making this phone compatible with existing networks.

For wireless connectivity, the phone featured Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, and hotspot capabilities, alongside Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP. Another notable feature was the inclusion of GPS and A-GPS support, making navigation apps functional. Some versions also included NFC — a forward-thinking feature for contactless exchanges, dependent on the carrier.

Battery Life

The phone housed a removable Li-Ion 1350 mAh battery, providing up to 480 hours of standby time and approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. This was reasonably effective for a device of its category, allowing users to comfortably use their phone throughout the day without constant recharging.

Additional Features

The Samsung Wave M S7250 had a set of utility features such as stereo FM radio with RDS, making it a versatile entertainment device. It also included a 3.5mm headphone jack which was standard at the time, giving users the freedom to use various headsets.

Everyday sensors such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor were equipped to support basic phone functions and applications. Also notable was the SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) value which was within the safe limits at 0.96 W/kg (head) and 0.93 W/kg (body) for the model.

Conclusion

Primarily available in black and priced around 120 EUR at release, the Samsung Wave M S7250 now serves as a reminder of smartphone evolution. The device catered to users who wanted reliable functionality without committing to high-end devices, fulfilling a niche for affordable yet competent mobile technology of its time. While discontinued now, it highlights Samsung's effort to diversify beyond Android during the early 2010s.