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Samsung Galaxy Discover review

4.9/10 AVG.
RATING
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Samsung Galaxy Discover
Samsung Galaxy Discover
Samsung Galaxy Discover
Samsung Galaxy Discover
Samsung Galaxy Discover
Samsung Galaxy Discover
Samsung Galaxy Discover
Samsung Galaxy Discover
...


4.9/10
Informr score
The Samsung Galaxy Discover currently has an Informr score of 4.9 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 17 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The Samsung Galaxy Discover differs from other Samsung smartphones in that it does not have the standard Samsung TouchWiz Overlay. Instead, the phone runs stock Android 4.0.

It offers rather underwhelming hardware specs: an 800MHz single-core processor, 512MB of RAM and 2.75GB of onboard storage. The 3.5” display offers a measly 480 x 320 resolution, which CNET notes is not good enough to view websites, photos or video. They also go on to mention that while the colors on the screen often lack “punch” and the contrast is low with poor black levels. Since the display is not IPS, the phone suffers from poor viewing angles. Reviewers go on to mention that the phone itself is cheaply made. Ultimate Media Reviews notes the plastic is flexible and “can easily break if stressed to the limit.”

Despite the poor specs, there are a few saving graces of the Galaxy Discover. While the battery life on the phone is unimpressive - Samsung touts 8.5 hours of talk time - it is removable so consumers can keep an extra battery on hand. In addition to a removable battery, the phone also comes equipped with an SD slot, which can be expanded up to 32GB.

Overall, most reviewers agree that despite the relatively low cost of the Galaxy Discover the phone itself is not worth purchasing. The poor quality display, measly specs and poor build quality make other phones like the Kyocera Hydro a better option.

The Good: Removable battery, expandable SD card, runs stock Android 4.0 user interface.

The Bad: Poor resolution screen, very low-end hardware specs, poor build quality.


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
800 MHz
Processor
Processor
800 MHz
3.5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
3.5"
3+ MP
Camera
Camera
3+ MP
1300 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Cnet
Cnet

On the surface the Samsung Galaxy Discover looks like a pretty good smartphone deal with no strings attached. Factor in its slow performance, fuzzy call quality, and short battery life though and the Discover loses its luster quickly. Sure it does offer all the power of Android, admittedly from an o...

- Brian Bennett, Cnet


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


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


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


If your Galaxy Discover 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
3.5"

The Samsung Galaxy Discover's screen size is 3.5 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
800 MHz

There is a Single Core 800 MHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system (OS).

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
4 GB

Internal memory is 4 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1300mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1300 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 18.5 days standby time, 390 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Galaxy Discover Specs

Overview
Release Date November 7, 2012
Regions Available USA, Canada
Operating System Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Single Core 800 MHz
Internal Storage 4 GB
RAM 512 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 0.85 W/kg
Body: 0.77 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Data Cable, Headset, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA 7.2
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 3.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
3+ Megapixels
Zoom
4x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Geotagging, ISO, White balance, Exposure value, Scene mode
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
VGA (640 x 480 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density 165 pixels
Size 3.5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1300 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 540 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 390 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Unknown
Standby Time Up to 18.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 11.3 x 6.2 x 1.1 cm (4.5 x 2.4 x 0.4 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 Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, Google Talk
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Wallpapers
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Swype
Voicemail Key: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
Audio Formats: MIDI, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, AMR, WAV
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Maps, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Samsung SGH-S730M

- SCH-R740C model has 1500 mAh battery capacity
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Samsung Galaxy Discover Reviews
Where to buy Samsung Galaxy Discover
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