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Samsung Brightside review

5.5/10 AVG.
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Samsung Brightside
Samsung Brightside
Samsung Brightside
Samsung Brightside
...


5.5/10
Informr score
The Samsung Brightside currently has an Informr score of 5.5 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 2 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The line between smartphones and feature phones started to blur a long time ago. And at the intersection of both mobile phone segments, it’s not unusual to find something like the Samsung Brightside. It’s a phone that looks like a good entry-level smartphone, but in reality, it’s actually nothing more than a souped up feature phone that lacks the chops to compete with the likes of the Lumia 920 or the Galaxy S III.

The Brightside comes with a very basic feature-set. It has a 3.1-inch QVGA touchscreen display, 3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, GPS, and support for EV-DO Rev. 0 data. While it doesn’t offers HSUPA or LTE data speeds, it does have dualband CDMA network support. And its limited amount of internal storage space can be expanded further with microSD cards.

As a feature phone, the Brightside can’t do much for users who intend to multitask. At least it comes with a 1,000 mAh battery that lasts up to 6.5 hours of talk time per charge. It’s also comfortable for messaging thanks to its built-in, slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

The market has no shortage of phones like the Brightside. Its small, low-resolution touchscreen display is made tolerable thanks to a handy hardware keyboard. And compared with many touchscreen-only entry-level Android handsets, it’s a far better deal for the money. But as long as we’re talking money, then it’s worth noting that much cheaper models exist with similar or better features.

Need to Know: Samsung Brightside

1. Slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a touchscreen display for user input. (The Good)

2. Battery life is quite long at 6.5 hours of talk time per charge. (The Good)

3. Limited amount of onboard RAM and a slow processor, which affects performance. (The Bad)

4. Touchscreen display has a low native resolution. (The Bad)


Custom
Operating system
Operating system
Custom
Unknown
Processor
Processor
Unknown
3.1"
Screen Size
Screen Size
3.1"
3+ MP
Camera
Camera
3+ MP
1000 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


PC Magazine
PC Magazine

The Brightside is actually just an overly ambitious feature phone. It pairs a nice slide-out keyboard with a responsive touch screen and decent call quality.

- Alex Colon, PC Magazine
Cnet
Cnet

The Brightside is a bizarre little feature phone, mostly because it reminds me of a throwback device more than it does a new entrant to a highly cutthroat device market. The fact that today, entry-level smartphones (and better) can cost less than Verizon's full-retail $100 asking price for the Brigh...

- Jessica Dolcourt, Cnet


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Brightside user manual here.


Samsung backs up the Brightside with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Brightside has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
3.1"

The Samsung Brightside's screen size is 3.1 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
Unknown

There is a processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
3+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 3+ MP camera.

There's no secondary front camera.

Storage
No

Internal memory is No. An external, MicroSD (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1000mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1000 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 14.5 days standby time.

Samsung Brightside Specs

Overview
Release Date March 1, 2012
Regions Available USA
Operating System No

Compare Custom Smartphones

Processor
Internal Storage No
RAM 128 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 0.75 W/kg
Body: 0.75 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Data Cable, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
1xRTT, EV-DO Rev. 0
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
No
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Yes
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth 2.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, BPP, DUN, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi No
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
3+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Rear Camera Info
Effects, ISO, Multi-shot, Night mode, Panorama, Self-timer, White balance
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, 3G2 / 3GPP2, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 262k
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 3.1 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features -
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1000 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) No
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Unknown
Standby Time Up to 14.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Slider
Material Plastic
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 11.1 x 6.0 x 1.4 cm (4.4 x 2.4 x 0.6 in)
Weight 122 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type QWERTY, Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS
ROM: 256MB
Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voicemail Key: Yes
Any Key Answer: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Auto Answer: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
Brew Applications: Yes
Audio Formats: MIDI, MP3, CMX, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, WMA, QCP, M4A
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, 3G2 / 3GPP2, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Viewable document types: BMP, DOC, DOCX, GIF, HTML, JPG, PDF, PPT, PPTX, XLS
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Calculator, Currency Converter, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Samsung SCH-U380
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Samsung Brightside Reviews
Where to buy Samsung Brightside
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