The Samsung Star series of phones keeps on improving with every new release and three models have enough features to keep any techie happy. These are the GT-S5230, the II S5263, and the Next S5233V and they seem to offer everything you might want from a phone and multimedia device. Your budget and preferences will determine which model is best for you.
The GT-S5230 includes a 3.2 megapixel camera, as well as GSM Bluetooth capability, which is compatible with both AT&T and T-Mobile. There is also a voice recording feature and the device is compatible with GPRS/EDGE, MP3 and MP4, which means that audio and video files can be downloaded and you can receive and send MMS, FM radio transmissions and e-mail. The phone can accept up to 16GB of SD memory.
The II S5263 features a fast TouchWiz sytem allowing fast and easy Internet access, as well as having the latest advances in touch screen mp3 player technology at your finger tips. There is an integrated phonebook and Internet access is always available, thanks to the expanded WiFi coverage area. Different social network accounts can be displayed at the same time, and the Star II phone also features Microsoft Office and easier typing due to Quicktype.
The Next S5233V costs less than the Star II, but boasts many of the same features, as well as a slightly lower resolution camera. The camera also features Smile Shot, which allows you to only take a picture if the subject is smiling. The phone boasts a 3 inch color screen and typing is easy, thanks to the standard keyboard layout and TouchWiz 1.0. There are several options to edit and organize photos and the phone also features plenty of widgets allowing access to weather, news, stock prices and many more applications.
The big question is which of these Samsung touch screen mobiles is the better buy? The original Samsung Star phone had problems including the fact that its screen did not work after about eight months of use, a sound quality that was rated as average or poor, and problems when trying to download games or apps. Not good!
The II S5263 did have these problems fixed when it was introduced and it was generally faster, with better audio, video and photo features and quality. However, the screen on the II S5263 is very basic and there is no flash or image stabilizer on the camera. Other issues are a keyboard that is quite difficult to use as it can only be used horizontally, and a slow music player.
Despite their limitations and the fact that these phones do not have features that are commonly found on other phones, Samsung Star phones are far more popular in other countries around Europe than they are in the United States, perhaps because of their lower price. To sum up, these phones are generally a good buy and offer a lot for the relatively low price, although it seems that future updates should have better connectivity and more updated software.