The Samsung Galaxy Chat is an Android 4.0 ICS smartphone with an unusual feature: a physical keyboard, which makes it the only QWERTY-equipped Android 4.0 device from a major manufacturer that we know of.
The BlackBerry-style keyboard means that the screen on the Galaxy Chat is a relatively small 3" 240 x 320 pixel touchscreen panel. On the back is a 2 megapixel camera, and inside is an 850MHz processor plus 4GB of flash storage.
It's hardly a high-end device, the Galaxy Chat seems to be targeting consumers who may be moving from a BlackBerry Curve. As a result, we would expect to see this sell for something in the region of €250 in retail channels.
All the standard features are here including GPS, WiFi, 3.5G support, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, plus the Galaxy Chat has an FM radio, microSD slot and it also supports the GLONASS positioning system.
As well as the standard Android 4.0 operating system, Samsung have bundled QuickOffice and their own S Planner and Game Hub applications. Of course, you can pick from thousands of other applications in the Google Play market.
Inside is a 1200mAh battery quoted as giving up to 5 hours talktime and 15 days standby time. The Galaxy Chat measures a fairly standard 119 x 59 x 12mm and weighs 120 grams.
The Samsung Galaxy Chat is a useful choice for a particular market segment, although we would prefer to see an Android 4.0 device with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard as another choice (something like an updated Motorola Milestone).
Samsung say that the Galaxy Chat should be available in July in Spain followed by most other markets except North America after that.
Samsung Galaxy Chat at a glance
| |
Available:
|
Q3 2012
|
Network:
|
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
UMTS 900 / 2100
|
Data:
|
GPRS + EDGE + UMTS (3G) + HSPA + WiFi
|
Screen:
|
3.0" 240 x 320 pixels
|
Camera:
|
2 megapixels
|
Size:
|
Messaging device
119 x 59 x 12mm / 112 grams
|
Bluetooth:
|
Yes
|
Memory card:
|
MicroSD
|
Infra-red:
|
No
|
Polyphonic:
|
Yes
|
Java:
|
Optional
|
GPS:
|
Yes (and GLONASS)
|
OS:
|
Android 4.0
|
Battery life:
|
5 hours talk / 15 days standby (3G)
|
.jpg)