Camera Phones Plaza

Samsung's plans are clear. The manufacturer is at the middle of the 2008 - 2010 time frames, in which it will continue to launch touch screen phones for all the ranges. In 2008, Samsung revised its high tech range and releasing all sorts of models in different series (camera phones, music phones or just all in ode phone with excellent features). In the beginning of 2009, Samsung started to re-invent the entry level and middle level range of phones. And until now Samsung succeeded not only with its devices launch but also in terms of sales, product placement, and marketing efficiency.

When you think which manufacturer has the most good featured touch screen phones on the market, you don't think Nokia, Apple, HTC, not at all, you think Samsung. One of these great devices, with youth being the main target, is the S3650 Corby. The S3650 has all what it takes to become a best seller (youth as a target audience, small list price, and excellent features). This touch screen phone was developed for active social people, and for potential clients who seek full customizable features in their phones. The specs list includes normal features from the middle range.

The Samsung S3650 can also be considered a good phone for first time touch screen users. At first look, you will be able to position identify correctly what S3650 is all about, normal spec list, distinctive design, and customizable features, all offered at an affordable price. A great feature offered is the integration of several social networking web pages, such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. The main disadvantages you can find on this phone are rather frustrating. You don't get 3G network, the micro SD memory card slot is placed under the battery, no smart dialing, no universal connectivity port, no auto focus, no flash, no inbuilt sensor accelerometer, and no QWERTY keyboard layout on display.

The Samsung S3650 comes, well, in all sorts of back cover colors. Basically, the front cover sports a glossy black plastic, while the rear back cover is customizable (in the shipping box you get three back covers, black, dark blue, yellow). In terms of build construction, the S3650 looks solid, but only looks. It actually doesn't match the other Samsung quality build.

The Samsung S3650 has a height of 103 mm, wide of 56.5 mm, deep of 12 mm, the S3650 weights about 92 g. this are great values, especially the weight value of under 100 g, making the S3650 one of the lightest touch screen phone. On the front side, above the display you will only find the earpiece. No point in looking for a ambient light sensor because you are not going to find one on the S3650. At the other end, you get (like any other touch screen phone, from any other manufacturer portfolio - with only one exception - iPhone) three buttons. In the middle you get the four directional pads with the center ok / function key. On the right side of the D - pad you have the end call key, while on the other side you get the call key. Also in front but almost impossible to see is the microphone piece. On the left side the S3650 sports the volume control keys, and the multifunctional proprietary connectivity port (you have to use the same port for charging the phone, or to connect a data cable, and even a headset).

It is less desirable to find that the S3650 lacks a 3.5 mm jack port for your favorite headset and the micro USB connectivity port. On the other side, the S3650 includes the shutter button, but also the key that you will use to lock or unlock the touch screen. You don't have to look for the memory card slot, because it is built under the battery cover. On top and on the bottom, the Samsung touch screen phone sports neither a port nor a key. On the changeable back cover you get the digital camera lens (upper center), while the loudspeaker can be found on left bottom of the case. You probably still can't imagine a Corby S3650 in your hands. Anyway keep in mind that this phone is quite small for a touch screen device. Therefore the included touch screen might seem bigger than it really is.

The S3650 is equipped with the same display found on Samsung F480, 2.8 inches TFT capacitive touch screen, with a 240 x 320 pixels resolution (QVGA), featuring up to 16 million colors (the F480 only sported up to 256.000 colors). The display accommodates up to eight text lines and three service lines. However, this is a variable number, because in other sub menus or applications the display can accommodate up to 16 text lines (for instance when you read a short text message). In terms of visibility, the S3650 performs poorly. Under broad daylight sun, the display will get washed. However, in darker environments (or at least not under sun light) the display will offer excellent quality of rendering, vibrant colors, and good contrast. Another nice feature is the built in sensor accelerometer. This feature works extremely fine and improves the overall quality inspired by the Samsung S3650.

Samsung ships the S3650 with a standard Lithium Ion battery with 1000 mAh. This is an average battery, but then again S3650 is oriented for the average user. You get about 250 hours in standby mode and 5 hours of talk time (these values are only for the 2G networks since the S3650 lacks 3G connectivity). For the average user, the values written above should mean 2 days of usage without charging the S3650. However, if you use the email function, or the web browser, or even both, you should be aware that the S3650 battery life will last only one day. It will only take about 2 hours to completely charge the S3650 battery. The connectivity department is ensured by the Class 10 (with the normal by now slots, 4+1/3+2) GPRS with speed between 32 - 48 kbps, HSCSD, EDGE Class 10 with speed up to 236.8 kbps, and Bluetooth version 2.1 with A2DP. You shouldn't expect to find great memory built in value in the S3650, about 90 MB, but can also be expanded with micro SD memory cards (or Trans Flash) up to 8 GB. However you might be surprised to find out that this Samsung phone can read up to 32 GB micro SD memory cards.

Samsung ships the S3650 with a 2 megapixel digital camera, with a maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels with only one feature (smile detection). The S3650 camera can also take shots at 1280 x 960 pixels resolution, and 640 x 480 pixels resolution. You get four shooting modes (single shot, multi shot, panorama shot and smile shot), five white balance presets (cloudy, fluorescent, incandescent, auto, daylight) and only four pre installed effects.

Basically it offers the same quality pictures offered by the built in iPhone 3G digital camera. The only difference between these two phones (regarding the camera department) is the enabled video recording of the S3650. Even so, the quality video recording is poor (QVGA - 320 x 240 -resolution at 15 frames per second). If you are interested in the user interface than you should know that the S3650 sports exactly the same Touch Wiz interface found on the Samsung S5600 or S8000 Jet. In terms of interface and menu, you get excellent quality from the S3650. Also the menu is fully customizable making it desirable for so many people. The phonebook, organizer and music player offer great performances for this range. Offered at a price list of 150 Euro, the Samsung S3650 offers excellent quality for a middle range phone. If you are looking for your first touch screen phone, but you want good quality for less money, then the S3650 is for you.

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