Price and specifications of Samsung Wave Y S5380 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Samsung Wave Y S5380

The Samsung Wave Y S5380 was announced in August 2011 and officially released in November of the same year. As an entry-level smartphone, it operated on Samsung’s own bada 2.0 operating system. The device catered primarily to users looking for basic smartphone capabilities at a competitive price. Although it has since been discontinued, the Wave Y remains a noteworthy example of Samsung's efforts to diversify its smartphone offerings during that period.

Design and Build

The Samsung Wave Y S5380 features a compact design with dimensions of 110 x 58.2 x 12.3 mm, making it comfortably handheld and easy to carry. Weighing in at 102.4 grams, this device is lightweight and convenient for users who prefer a pocket-friendly smartphone. It comes equipped with a Mini-SIM card slot, and its design is both practical and aesthetically pleasing, available in standard black and a special LaFleur edition for those seeking a more distinctive look.

Display Characteristics

The device is fitted with a 3.2-inch TFT display, offering a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels and achieving a pixel density of approximately 180 ppi. The screen-to-body ratio of about 47.6% suggests broader bezels compared to more modern designs. However, for the time it was released, the contrast ratio of 676:1 was fairly typical, which provided an adequate viewing experience for an entry-level smartphone.

Platform and Performance

Operating on Samsung’s bada 2.0 OS, the Wave Y S5380 is powered by an 832 MHz processor. While not competitive with top-tier smartphones of its time in terms of raw processing power, the phone could handle basic applications and functionalities expected from an entry-level device in that era.

Memory and Storage

The Samsung Wave Y S5380 offers 150MB of internal storage, which was quite limited even for 2011 standards. Nevertheless, it supports microSDHC cards for expandable storage, with a 2 GB card included, allowing users to store additional media and applications. This expandability was crucial given the modest internal memory capacity.

Camera Capabilities

The Wave Y S5380 comes equipped with a single 2 MP rear camera capable of capturing videos at 480p resolution at 30fps. This basic camera setup was common among lower-range smartphones at the time, offering just enough functionality for simple photography tasks and casual snapshots.

Sound and Connectivity

For audio, the phone includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, which was—and remains—a valuable feature for users wanting to connect wired headphones. In terms of connectivity, the phone supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, and can function as a hotspot. Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP support, along with A-GPS for positioning, ensures decent wireless communication capabilities. The presence of stereo FM radio with RDS rounds off its multimedia offerings, allowing users to enjoy radio content on-the-go.

Sensors and Additional Features

The device is equipped with an accelerometer and proximity sensor, which contribute to basic gesture and orientation functionalities. Though minimal, these sensors enhance the user experience by facilitating features like auto-rotate and turning off the display during calls to prevent accidental touches.

Battery Life and Efficiency

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery, the Wave Y S5380 delivers a standby time of up to 570 hours, and approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes of talk time. These battery specifications provide ample usage time for light to moderate users, particularly given the device's focus on power efficiency.

Price and Market Positioning

Upon release, the Wave Y S5380 was priced at around 90 EUR, positioning it as an affordable choice within Samsung’s lineup, designed to attract customers in emerging markets or users entering the smartphone space for the first time. Its affordability, coupled with basic yet reliable features, contributed to its appeal.

Conclusion

The Samsung Wave Y S5380, while no longer available on the market, serves as an example of Samsung’s strategy to offer a broad range of products catering to diverse consumer needs and price points. Its specifications reflect the priorities of budget smartphone buyers of the time, emphasizing core functionalities and the value of affordability. Although it lacks the advanced features and capabilities of modern smartphones, it provided a functional entry point for users familiarizing themselves with smart technology in the early 2010s.