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Samsung Galaxy Spica review

7/10 AVG.
RATING
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Samsung Galaxy Spica
Samsung Galaxy Spica
Samsung Galaxy Spica
Samsung Galaxy Spica
Samsung Galaxy Spica
...


7/10
Informr score
The Samsung Galaxy Spica currently has an Informr score of 7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 6 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

Named after the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, the Samsung Spica is a spicy touchscreen cell phone and the latest in an aggressive franchisee.

The Galaxy Spica offers a spacious, 3.2 inch capacitive touchscreen, featuring 320 x 480 pixel resolution. The result is amazing color representation, but the screen suffers from, well, fingerprints. Fingerprints show up on this screen more dramatically than on other phones. But don’t let this stop you if you love the phone, and I’m speaking as someone who polishes my phone display daily. Touchscreens attract fingerprints, so clean the damn thing. And stop complaining.

On the front of the phone you will find a D-pad, or directional pad, and slight but important changes in the remaining frontal keys make for a better overall experience. For example, the new key on the Spica, on the left, is translucent and can be used for pulling up various applications, such as phone contacts and messaging. It feels right and feels intuitive. It brings a smile.

You can arrange the home screen in a variety of ways to fits your style, and the powerful operating system allows you to customize considerably. This is a phone that blends personality and functionality, and the net result is something that feels less like metal and more like home.

Less slippery than its predecessor, the Spica feels comfortable in the hand. It offers a 3.2MP camera, certainly enough pixels to capture a killer shot of Bigfoot or that UFO that’s been buzzing your cabin for months.

When put up against the top tier touch screens currently available, this writer believes the Spica falls short overall. However, that is only because of a hyper-sensitivity to what is available, what is currently possible and pricing.

Having owned Samsung phones in the past, I am well aware of their quality, durability and reliability. If I had to pick, this phone in this tier would not be my first choice, but it is an excellent device nonetheless. Less prudish and perhaps more practical customers will enjoy the many benefits offered by the Samsung Galaxy Spica.


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
800 MHz
Processor
Processor
800 MHz
3.2"
Screen Size
Screen Size
3.2"
3+ MP
Camera
Camera
3+ MP
1500 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


CNET
CNET

Hot on the heels of Samsung's first Android phone, the Galaxy, comes the company's latest offering, the Galaxy Portal. The Portal is essentially a cut-down version of the Galaxy with less memory and a TFT, rather than AMOLED, screen. This is reflected in the price, though. The Portal can be picke...

- James Dylan, CNET
PhoneArena
PhoneArena

The Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700 is worth it, despite its minor shortcomings, because it offers something that no other Android handset does – proper multimedia functionality.

- PhoneArena Team, PhoneArena


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


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


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


If your Galaxy Spica 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
3.2"

The Samsung Galaxy Spica's screen size is 3.2 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
800 MHz

There is a 800 MHz 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
180 MB

Internal memory is 180 MB. An external, MicroSD (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1500mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1500 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 19 days standby time, 690 minutes.

Galaxy Spica Specs

Overview
Release Date November 15, 2009
Regions Available USA, Canada
Operating System No

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor 800 MHz
Internal Storage 180 MB
RAM 128 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 0.55 W/kg
Body: 0.61 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA 7.2, HSUPA
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 2.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
3+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Geotagging
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, DivX
Video Recording Parameters
CIF (352 x 288 pixels), 15 fps
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 Unknown
Size 3.2 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Motion / Accelerometer
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features -
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1500 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 690 minutes
Standby Time Up to 19 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 11.5 x 5.7 x 1.3 cm (4.5 x 2.2 x 0.5 in)
Weight 124 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers No
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type D-pad
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS, IM, Google Talk
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact:
Contact Groups: Yes
Auto Answer: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
Audio Formats: MP3, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, Real Audio, WMA
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, DivX
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Currency Converter, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Samsung Galaxy Portal, Galaxy Lite, Samsung GT-I5700
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Samsung Galaxy Spica Reviews
Where to buy Samsung Galaxy Spica
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