In a recent press release Samsung has announced the launch of their first dual-SIM phones with qwerty keypad. Named Chat 322 and 335, these phones come with features like DUOS, QWERTY keypad, optical trackpad, facebook and twitter integration and Active Sync.
Announcing the launch, Mr. Ranjit Yadav, Country Head, Mobile & IT, Samsung India Electronics stated: “Consumers are increasingly wanting to stay connected with friends and family through SNS, IM and messaging while being on the move. These new qwerty phones from Samsung meet their needs through convenient messaging features and at the same time offer differentiated features like Optical track pad, ActiveSync or the Dual SIM Standby feature (Chat 322) that make them stand out from other messaging phones.”
Here is a quick overview of these SNS phones:
Samsung Chat 322
Key Specs:
- Dual SIM (GSM/GSM)
- DUOS UX
- QWERTY keypad with optical trackpad
- 2.2” 256k color display with 220×176 pixel resolution
- 45MB internal user memory, microSD expansion supported upto 8GB
- 1.3mp camera with 15fps QCIF video recording
- 1000mAh battery, talktime upto 12hrs 49mins
- GPRS/EDGE for internet connectivity
- Bluetooth 2.1/USB
- FM Radio
- Music playback with DNSe enhancement
- 109.5 x 60 x 12.3 mm, 95 gms weight
Given the specs, it looks like Samsung is targeting the entry level qwerty market with Chat 322 and is probably the successor to their super hit CorbyTXT. The full black body with chromed border looks appealing and the inclusion of spacious qwerty with optical trackpad should make this a hot product among text addicts. The new UX of DUOS offers a plethora features that include hassle-free management of dual SIMs, Smart home that lets you organize/display all the necessary info on the home-screen with one click access to favourite social networking sites and chat and buddy lists, push email functionality that keeps your mails up-to-date. The only drawback of this phone is the lack of 3G. Chat 322 is available in black and white colors and is priced at 5k INR.
Chat 335
Key Specs:
DUOS UX
QWERTY keypad with optical trackpad
2.4” 320×240 QVGA Display
60MB internal user memory, microSD expansion supported upto 8GB
2mp camera with 15fps QCIF video recording
1000mAh battery, talktime upto 6 hours
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
GPRS/EDGE for internet connectivity
Bluetooth 2.1/USB
FM Radio
Mobile Tracker
111.2 x 61.2 x 11.9 mm, 100 gms weight
Compared to Chat 322, 335 offers better and bigger display, more internal memory, better camera and mobile-tracker. The inclusion of 802.11b/g wi-fi gives the phone ability to provide high speed Internet access when connected to a hot-spot. This phone is powered by DUOS UX and the UI is similar to what Chat 322 has. One great feature of this phone is the ability to program shortcuts for qwerty keypad for one click access to favourite applications. This phone is now available in the market and you can pick among black and white colors.
Priced at 5.8k INR, Chat 335 is a direct competition to Nokia’s super-hit C3 albeit better in few areas but with wider keypad, better social networking integration, compatibility with Samsung Apps and better multimedia, Chat 335 holds upper hand against C3.