Recently, touch screens seemed like something of a supernova, and no one could have imagined that they would enter our daily lives so quickly. If earlier only premium-class devices were equipped with them, now any, even budget, smartphone model has a touch screen. However, a similar approach was noticed at one time with support for such an audio format as MP3. Why all this? Moreover, the Samsung La Fleur GT-S5230, the characteristics of which will be given in this review, belongs to this type of device.
Main technical parameters
The device works in cellular networks of the second generation. The screen diagonal is three inches. The device is equipped with one camera module, its resolution is 3.2 megapixels. The amount of built-in memory for storing user information is 50 megabytes. It is possible to expand withuse of external drives MicroSD up to 8 gigabytes. A lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1000 milliamp-hours was used as a source of autonomous work. The smartphone is presented in a classic form factor.
History of the creation of the device
We used to draw a line of demarcation between phones and smartphones right at the moment when the first devices were equipped with touch screens. However, this is not entirely accurate. The fact is that smartphones have their own operating systems with a large set of distinctive features. But the model that we are talking about today is nothing more than a phone with a touch screen. At one time, LG released a device that literally undermined the inaccessibility of touch phones for the vast masses of buyers. It was the KR500 model. Actually, for the South Korean company, this has become a starting point. A symmetrical response to the promotion by LG of the device under the name KP500 was the creation in 2011 of the Samsung La Fleur GT-S5230 phone, the description of which the reader can find in today's review.
Exterior
Samsung La Fleur GT-S5230 phone can be called compact. It is this opinion that arises already at the first acquaintance with the model. Most likely, this feeling is created due to the fact that the case is quite thin. People who decide to try using the device have been surprised for a long time by how light it is. Most likely, many of them expected that the touch screen would increase the dimensions, but in reality everything turned out differently. There is no need to talk about management: it is convenient to use the phone with one hand and two.
Materials of production
La Fleur Samsung GT-S5230 is mainly made of plastic. It is not of very high quality, it will not be difficult to smear fingerprints on the back or front panel. However, the cover has a fancy pattern, and thanks to this, the prints are not striking. But here's the problem: what to do with the front panel? It has no pattern on it. And we have no choice but to endure or simply ignore this lack of attention. A few other elements are made of metal. This, in particular, the insert under the display, as well as the frame of the front panel.
Controls
La Fleur Samsung GT-S5230 doesn't have many controls. Among them there are traditional keys. They are intended, as you might have guessed, to receive or reject a voice call, return back, take a picture while the camera application is active, and also lock the screen. Of course, not without a paired key, designed to adjust the volume or sound mode. These controls are located under the screen of the device, as well as on its side faces. The communication connector is located under the volume buttons.
Screen
The TFT matrix in La Fleur Samsung GT-S5230 is made using resistive technology. To be honest, this is a bit of a surprising fact, because manufacturers at that time tried to implement capacitive displays to the maximum. It is even more interesting that the matrix in the closest competitor of the model is also resistive. In general, this does not lend itself to a logical explanation, one can only guess why the Koreans decided to keep up with their competitors, and not step over them in this direction. In any case, it should be noted that the resistive matrix has not only its disadvantages, but also its advantages. In our case, this is a response to touch with other objects, and not just fingers. However, a stylus is not included for this purpose.
Resolution and quality
The display resolution of the La Fleur Samsung GT-S5230 is 240 by 400 pixels. The picture is output as WQVGA. For mid-range phones that are equipped with touch screens, this resolution becomes standard. Color rendition is at the level, the shades look quite natural. Of course, the display is not the best of those that competitors in the segment have. The brightness is sufficient when working indoors, however the screen will definitely fade when switching to bright sunlight.
Functionality
The basis for the phone was a platform that is standard for many devices of the South Korean manufacturer. There is a set of widgets that can be marked up onscreen in standby mode. By the way, their set is also standard for Samsung devices. We are talking about widgets for displaying time and date, about links to the most frequently used functions. Developers and online standard services did not bypass. This is, first of all, news and weather. Additionally, there are smaller versions of the player and notes.
Differences
What has changed from other versions? Probably, the fact that the screen with widgets cannot be scrolled from the bottom up or vice versa. Now it scrolls both left to right and right to left. Is this solution practical? Quite, since now you can create three sets of widgets at the discretion of the user, and at the same time they will not overlap each other, because the place and placement will be optimized with the maximum coefficient. To move between pages of widgets, literally one slide with your finger to the side is enough. Already here the first makings appeared, later implemented in the Android operating system. These are three small squares that are located at the bottom. They are needed so that the user can accurately determine which page he is currently on.
Efficiency
Another argument that gives us reason to positively evaluate the work with widgets is the speed of their work and movement on the screens. Processing does not last so long, everything is within the bounds of decency, lags or “brakes” were not noticed during multiple tests. In similar devices, working with widgets takes more time. Here we can draw another conclusion: to a greater extent, work withthese elements does not depend on how powerful the filling of the device is, but on what version of the firmware is installed in this device.
Typing
There is no physical keyboard block in this device. And this means that you can only type text using the touch screen. The user can select one of the input options. The most popular and convenient is the layout, consisting of 12 positions. By the way, it should be noted that the keys themselves are quite large. You can hit them even using only your fingers, what can we say about working with a stylus? There should be no false clicks.
The phone is equipped with an accelerometer, it works when you turn the device. The keyboard will be automatically redrawn. However, this will make the keys a little smaller. In order not to make mistakes when entering, you can follow the hints that will notify the user about which character was entered.
Packaging Samsung La Fleur GT-S5230
Instructions, phone, charger, battery and wired headphones - the equipment is almost minimal. We won't find anything else here.
Owner Reviews
What do buyers of this phone model say? In their opinion, it leaves a rather pleasant impression. The capabilities of the touch screen for that time were fully realized by the developers. Due to the fact that they managed to improve the interface, add popular widgets, the device has become very popular.
