Samsung B5310 CorbyPRO and B3210 CorbyTXT preview: First look

First look

GSMArena team, 24 September 2009.

This article is outdated. We have already published a full review.

Samsung B3210 CorbyTXT

If you are a really heavy texter in need of a QWERTY keyboard but don't want (or have) much to spend on your next handset your choices are pretty limited. Luckily here comes Samsung to the rescue releasing another no-nonsense handset that should take care of your messaging just fine.

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Samsung B3210 CorbyTXT live photos

As you can see from the list below there is hardly anything to increase the price of Samsung B3210 CorbyTXT insensibly with the features covering nothing but the bare minimum. The 2 megapixel cameras are now probably worth pennies to manufacture, while the number of other unessential features has been brought down as much as possible.

Samsung B3210 CorbyTXT at a glance:

  • General: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, GPRS/EDGE class 10
  • Form factor: Full QWERTY bar
  • Dimensions: 112 x 59.6 x 12.9 mm, weight 94 grams
  • Display: 2.2" 256K color TFT display, 176 x 144 pixel resolution
  • Memory: 40MB storage, microSD card slot (up to 8GB)
  • Camera: 2-megapixels fixed-focus camera, video recording
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, USB 2.0
  • Misc:Fashion Jackets (changeable battery covers), 3.5mm audio output jack, FM Radio with RDS
  • Battery: 800 mAh Li-Ion battery
  • Expected release: September 2009

So with the Samsung B3210 CorbyTXT being such a no-nonsense handset there is very little room for surprises really. The Samsung proprietary non-touch UI is well time-tested and even if not the most up-to-date can cover all your needs.

Probably our biggest regret about the CorbyTXT is the low-res display unit that it utilizes. The QCIF resolution is long outdated and even if it certainly is really cheap to manufacture we would have preferred a QVGA screen instead. Considering that the QVGA equipped Nokia 7100 Supernova retails for 125 US dollars the screen alone cannot be that expensive.

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The CorbyTXT in white

2.2 inches in diagonal is also smallish but on the positive side it has allowed the CorbyTXT body to remain compact. Indeed the handset is really easy to squeeze in your pocket, the slim 12.9mm waistline counting big time here.

Quite naturally typing on the CorbyTXT isn't nearly as nice as on the CorbyPRO but this is only because the bar was set too high. For a bar full QWERTY handset, the Samsung B3210 CorbyTXT fares more than decently.

The keyboard is an almost exact copy of the one on the Samsung B7330 OmniaPRO and you know how much we liked that one. Even the ergonomics are pretty similar providing nice tactile feedback for each key for maximum typing convenience and speed. In fact for a moment we had a deja vu holding the CorbyTXT but thinking of B7330 OmniaPRO. But we digress.

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Typing on the Samsung B3210 CorbyTXT

Undoubtedly the coolest value added feature of the Samsung B3210 CorbyTXT are the interchangeable back panels that provide a quick and easy way (not to mention relatively cheap) of customizing the handset's looks. Of course this feature is present on all the devices from the Corby family but it's the most important for the CorbyTXT as it gives the otherwise entry level handset some character.

Leaving the cool fashion jackets aside, the Samsung B3210 is basically a what-you-see-is-what-you-get handset that one will be able to find on the really cheap. It is one of those devices that are the easiest to decide for or against purchasing.

If there isn't anything missing on the specs sheet that you cannot live without and you like the design, then just go ahead and grab yourself a shiny new B3210 CorbyTXT. The performance is surely going to provide on the promises (extremely limited as they may be) made by the features.

Reader comments

  • Anonymous
  • 11 Oct 2013
  • 98W

super cell but low bettrey picup

  • NINO
  • 22 Jun 2011
  • q}h

I have a B5310 and the on-off button no longer works---about 6 months old

  • cLowie
  • 31 Jul 2010
  • whB

7,499php for B5310 CORBYPRO??waaaa where did you but it??