Samsung Wave Y review

Key features

• 3.2" HVGA capacitive touchscreen (320 x 480 pixels)
• Bada OS 2.0 with Samsung Apps
• 832 MHz single-core CPU
• Quad-band GSM support with dual-band HSPA
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, Wi-Fi Direct support, Wi-Fi tethering
• Built-in GPS receiver with A-GPS support, digital compass
• 2 GB microSD card bundled in, support for up to 32 GB via hot-swappable slot
• Standard microUSB port and Bluetooth v3.0 with A2DP
• Standard 3.5mm audio jack
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• Webkit-based Samsung Dolphin Browser
• YouTube client, Facebook and Twitter integration, including Samsung's ChatON messaging app
• Shake-to-unlock and turn-to-mute
• H.263/H.264/MP4 video support with subtitles, AC3 audio support
• Voice recognition for both dictation and commands

Main disadvantages

• Bada OS has limited number of available applications
• Fixed focus 2 MP camera, no flash
• No screen haptics
• No proper Smart Dialling
• SatNav software only a 30-day trial
• Poor loudspeaker performance

For people coming from Android, the limited supply in Samsung's app store will be a major question mark. But the Bada app store has been slowly building up content. And to be honest, the likely Wave Y buyers are not coming from another smartphone. Samsung's Y models are targeting the young and the Wave Y will most probably compete with the Galaxy Y for the favor of the brand's loyal users looking to replace a feature phone.