Samsung B3210 Genio QWERTY Review

What Samsung do well is produce multiple handsets across all spectrums of the mobile industry, from cheap, low level entry devices that are ideal for granny to use in an emergency, to low cost first time devices that are ideal for emerging markets, right up to the top of the range devices, the type of handset that is usually on ever early adopters shopping list. Whilst it is the Smartphone that usually grabs the headlines, it is the bread and butter devices that capture market share, and Nokia have been using this strategy for years. Where Samsung are a threat, is that they are now producing low cost devices, that have innovative designs, and offer some real choice to the more budget conscious user. The Samsung B3210 Genio QWERTY is such a device.

You can get a lot from the name of the handset, the suffix QWERTY clearly indicating that this handset is aimed at a younger audience, those members of the mobile community who send unimaginable amounts of text messages every month, in their thousands. Where they get the time from, who knows, but globally mobile users are sending more than 1 Billion texts, every day! The phenomenal growth in text messaging is even more surprising when you consider that for years messages were composed on handsets with traditional alphanumeric keypads. The invention of T9 was a great boon for many, in helping keep down the number of key presses required to compose a message, but there is still a good number of users who do not ‘get’ the concept of predictive text and still persevere with the traditional multi tap method. To seal the credentials of the B3210 as a serious texting device, Samsung have included a full four row QWERTY keyboard, which helps improve the speed of data entry. QWERTY keyboards are comfortable for most people, as the keypad layout is familiar, and allows those who choose to use real words or those who choose to use txt spk to type as they prefer.

There will be other devices bearing the Genio name, as Samsung look to create an identity of fun, funky devices that fit in with their overall market strategy. The Genio QWERTY sits firmly at the lower end of the spectrum, in terms of pricing, but still manages to offer an acceptable range of features. As well as focussing on text messaging, the B3210 is capable of connecting to Instant Messaging services, and also has a built in email client, with up to 5 email account supported. A built in document viewer will also allow you to view email attachments, such as Word documents, although there is no edit option. The Genio has a 2.0 Megapixel fixed-focus camera, which is capable of recording short video clips, which can easily be sent either via MMS or as an email attachment.

There is a built in media player, which is fairly basic, but manages MP3, AAC and WMA audio files, which covers the most popular formats used. To accompany this, the B3210 has a stereo FM radio, with RDS, which allows you to preset your favourite radio stations, so you can easily switch between them. The inclusion of a 3.5mm audio jack allows you to listen to music while using your own favourite headset. The Genio also has the option of Fashion Jackets, much like the Genio S3650, which allows you to change the back panel of the device to add a bit of colour. As well as those provided, different fashion jackets can be purchased online, and no doubt there will be places where you can get personalised jackets from, to offer your device that unique look.

The Genio QWERTY is not the ideal product for web browsing, with no high speed data connection included, although there is GPRS, HSCSD and EDGE, with Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP included for local connectivity. The TFT screen on the B3210 is also rather small, with a resolution of 176 x 144 and measuring in at 2.2 inches, and supporting up to 256,000 colours. Despite the inclusion of the QWERTY keyboard, the Genio QWERTY remains rather compact, weighing in at 94g and measuring 112 x 60 x 13mm.

Overall, nothing spectacular, but the Genio Qwerty is ideal for the market it is aimed at, and will no doubt be popular with younger users who are perhaps buying their first QWERTY enabled device. The Samsung B3210 Genio QWERTY is now available on pay as you go.

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