Samsung E2370 review
In an event as large-scale and exciting as the MWC in Barcelona it is no surprise that a number of good new handsets and concepts seemed to slip almost unnoticed under the radar of many. Such was the case with the new Samsung E2370, one of the new members of the range of phones and smartphones unveiled at the conference by the South Korean electronics company.
Samsung's E2370 does not have the new-fangled combination of a touch-screen and QWERTY keyboard so beloved of many contemporary smartphone devices, instead opting for a simple, basic user-friendly appearance that would clearly appeal to users not wishing to be dazzled by high-end specifications. The E2370's major selling point instead is its rubber body that primes it for shock resistance. It both looks and is extremely durable, and will no doubt take plenty of heavy wear and usage in a variety of different conditions before breaking – perfect for those who may have had problems with other devices in the past. Also, not looking like the idealised image of the shiny, sleek smartphone in appearance might also not attract the nefarious roving eyes of thieves.
Samsung are touting the E2370 as a more simple and basic version of the B2100 Explorer, and although no definite price has been announced as yet it is widely anticipated that the eventual price tag will not be overly excessive - especially in the smartphone market. The handset itself is fully IP54 certified and features a 1.77-inch screen, a microSD card slot for memory upgrades, a VGA camera and Bluetooth connectivity. With regards to connectivity - one of the principle considerations of any phone, and especially a smartphone - the Samsung E2370 fully supports the dual-band GSM network, making it fully operative for both European and Asian markets.
There is no support on the device for 3G although the GSM 900/1800 network is fully supported, providing decent connectivity for an entry-level phone. EDGE connectivity is also provided and affords a connection speed of between 236.8 kbps. Despite the fact that the E2370 does not offer Wi-Fi or 3G connectivity users can undertake data transfer via the integral microUSB port as well as the integral Bluetooth c2.1. As a result of these additions data can be transferred either wirelessly or through wire connections, though many people may not be pleased with the lacking connection features present on most other smartphones out there.
In terms of its basic appearance the device has gone for a combination of tough and colourful, with its rugged, rubbery design and its appealing colour combinations working together to create a subtle yet unique look. One look at the device tells you that it will definitely be a hard-wearing phone and will probably take quite a bit of rough handling if need be. In a further nice touch the keys are orange in colour, making for quite a striking contrast for the device. Following the traditional bar phone structure the keypad is located on the lower half of the device with the screen at the top - again, nothing particularly flashy, just tough user functionality.
The screen itself packs a 128X160 pixel resolution on the device's 112x49x19mm dimensions, making it comfortable to handling and carry. With regards to memory storage yet again the Samsung E2370 is not overly-burdened by high-end smartphone specifications and so does not require high-spec memory to support the high end applications and features found on other devices. Still, the device's internal memory can store up to 1,000 contacts in its integral phone book and the capacity can be upgraded via a microSD TransFlash card.
Unlike a high-end device the E2370 doesn't pack a very high-spec integral camera, although the mere presence of one does put it above most other entry level phones. The integral VGA camera packs a 640x480 pixel resolution and is capable of shooting VGA videos. Whilst this is a nice surprise for such an entry-level device it may have been more forward-thinking for Samsung to have opted for including a low-res megapixel device instead as many users may have found it more functional and appropriate to their particular needs. The device also packs an integral music player as well as video playback capacity with the ability to support MP3, WMA, eAAC and MP4 files. To top it all off the phone supports an excellent battery life, with up to 20 hours of talk time in standard mode or up to 1,000 hours in standby mode – good news for those looking to spend long hours on the phone each day without needing to worry about power levels.