Key features:
* Quad-band GSM/EDGE
* Dual-band UMTS support with HSDPA
* 2.8" resistive TFT touchscreen of QVGA resolution
* Four-row side-slide QWERTY keyboard
* 150 MB onboard storage, microSD card slot (up to 16GB)
* 3.15 megapixel fixed-focus camera with smile detection, QVGA video @ 15fps
* FM radio with RDS
* Find Music recognition service
* TouchWiz and Cartoon UI
* Social networking integration with direct file uploads
* GPS with A-GPS support
* Wi-Fi and GPS
* 3.5mm audio jack
* Accelerometer sensor for screen auto rotation
* Office document viewer
* Excellent web browser
* Push email
* Smart unlock
* Replaceable rear covers (Fashion Jackets)
Main disadvantages:
* Disappointing sunlight legibility
* The camera has no autofocus or flash
* Video recording maxes out at QVGA@15fps
* All preinstalled games are trial versions only
* Google Maps is the only GPS navigation app
* microSD slot is under the battery cover
The original Corby and the Samsung B5310 CorbyPRO which showed up less than a month later are like brothers from different mothers. They are so much alike, yet so different. And it is exactly this versatility that keeps the Corby range up and running. A glance at all the Corby devices reveals something this article started with: there is a Corby for everyone.
But, having seen the CorbyPRO in action, we can safely conclude: there is a Corby that wants to be the top Corby. If you are into texting, into web surfing, into music and pictures, and want to give touchscreen a try but don’t want a smartphone, the CorbyPRO is a nice choice. Yes, the Samsung B5310 CorbyPRO has a lot to offer, but why does it get the PRO label?
Well, it's definitely not because the B5310 is the ultimate feature phone. There are some downsides but none of them are a deal breaker. It's all plastic and looks and feels a bit cheap, the camera lacks autofocus and the screen could have been a lot better (both in terms of size and image quality).
If there’s one reason why it deserves to be called a Pro it’s a darn good one. The CorbyPRO has a QWERTY keyboard it can be proud of. In fact, it’s an absolute surprise given the relatively low cost, the plastic build and the not-too-demanding target audience.
The current street price of the Samsung B5310 CorbyPRO is somewhere below 300 US dollars. In its price group there are quite a few competitors to match it. Some of them have a side-slide QWERTY keyboard, while the others are candybar messengers.
If you are keen on sliders, before you head for the store to buy a CorbyPRO you should also consider the following threesome: the LG GW520, the Samsung B3410 and the Nokia 6760 slide. All of them skimp on Wi-Fi support (the B3410 has no 3G either), the 6760 slide is a non-touchscreen phone and the GW520 has no 3.5mm audio jack. On the other hand, the B3410 is considerably cheaper, the 6760 slide is a smartphone and the GW520 comes with a much larger screen.
The other group of competitors feature the Samsung B3210 CorbyTXT, LG GW300 and the Nokia E63. None of them is a touchscreen and the CorbyTXT display is on the small side and has a shockingly low resolution. The GW300 has a worse camera and loses points due to its limited connectivity options. The E63 is a powerful yet affordable smartphone with rich connectivity capabilities so you might be willing to forgive the disappointing snapper.
So, as you can see, there is a long list of competitors waiting to stand face to face with the Samsung B5310 CorbyPRO. Some of them hold some really strong cards up their sleeves while the greatest strength of some others is simply that they cost a lot less.
Honestly though, the CorbyPRO has the form factor and the feature set to find itself right in the thick of heavyweight smart messenger action. No, we’re not saying it’s a viable alternative for QWERTY touchscreen smartphones – no way. But it seems capable of carving its own niche and serving it well.
Labels: Samsung
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