The Motorola SPICE Key and Samsung Gravity TXT T379 represent a pivotal moment in mobile technology – the transition from feature phones to early Android smartphones. While the SPICE Key embraced the nascent Android ecosystem with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, the Gravity TXT T379 likely remained within Samsung’s proprietary feature phone OS. This comparison examines how these differing approaches impacted user experience and performance in the late 2000s/early 2010s.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users seeking even basic smartphone functionality, the Motorola SPICE Key is the clear winner. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 chipset, while dated, provides a significantly more capable platform than the Samsung Gravity TXT T379, which likely offered a limited feature phone experience. The SPICE Key’s Android OS opens doors to app compatibility and future updates, a benefit the Gravity TXT T379 simply cannot match.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 | HSDPA 1700 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, July. Released 2011, Q3 | 2011, August. Released 2011, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116.5 x 58 x 13.5 mm (4.59 x 2.28 x 0.53 in) | 112 x 53 x 14 mm (4.41 x 2.09 x 0.55 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 110 g (3.88 oz) | 112 g (3.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~164 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~35.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.44 inches, 18.4 cm2 (~31.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| | Moto Switch UI
| - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | - |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227-1 Snapdragon S1 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | - |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) | - |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 512MB 256MB RAM | 115MB |
| Phonebook | - | Yes, Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 3.15 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 480p@24fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | - |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | - | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, IM |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | - |
| | MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
MP4/H.264 player
Document viewer
Photo viewer
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | SNS integration
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
MP4/H.264 player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 720 h (3G) | Up to 450 h |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h 16 min (2G) / Up to 8 h (3G) | Up to 6 h 30 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1420 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 100 EUR | - |
| SAR | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.62 W/kg (body) |
Motorola SPICE Key
- Android OS provides app compatibility
- Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 offers basic smartphone functionality
- Potentially larger and higher-resolution display
- Snapdragon S1 is a dated processor
- Battery life likely shorter than feature phones
- Limited storage capacity
Samsung Gravity TXT T379
- Long battery life due to simple hardware
- Familiar feature phone interface
- Potentially more durable construction
- Limited functionality compared to smartphones
- Proprietary OS restricts app access
- Small, low-resolution display
Display Comparison
Without specific display details for the Samsung Gravity TXT T379, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given its feature phone lineage, it likely featured a small, low-resolution LCD screen. The Motorola SPICE Key, while also modest by today’s standards, benefited from being designed as a smartphone, suggesting a larger display size and potentially better color reproduction. The SPICE Key’s display was likely optimized for the Android interface, offering a more engaging visual experience than the Gravity TXT T379’s likely text-focused screen.
Camera Comparison
Information regarding camera capabilities for both devices is limited. However, it’s reasonable to assume the Samsung Gravity TXT T379, as a feature phone, had a very basic camera, likely with a low megapixel count and limited features. The Motorola SPICE Key, being a smartphone, likely included a more capable camera, though still modest by today’s standards. The Snapdragon S1’s image signal processor (ISP) would have offered some level of image processing, potentially resulting in slightly better image quality than the Gravity TXT T379’s camera.
Performance
The Motorola SPICE Key’s Qualcomm MSM7227-1 Snapdragon S1 chipset, featuring a 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU, represents a significant performance advantage over the Samsung Gravity TXT T379. The Snapdragon S1 enabled basic web browsing, email, and app usage, functionalities likely unavailable on the Gravity TXT T379’s proprietary OS. The ARM 11 architecture, while primitive by modern standards, provided a foundation for multitasking and more complex operations that a feature phone processor simply couldn’t handle. The Gravity TXT T379’s performance was likely limited to call handling, texting, and basic organizer functions.
Battery Life
The Samsung Gravity TXT T379 likely boasted superior battery life due to its simpler hardware and feature phone OS. The Motorola SPICE Key, with its Snapdragon processor and Android OS, would have consumed more power. However, the SPICE Key’s added functionality – web browsing, email, apps – offered a trade-off: shorter battery life for a more versatile experience. The Gravity TXT T379 prioritized longevity, while the SPICE Key prioritized capability.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola SPICE Key if you need a functional, albeit basic, smartphone experience with access to early Android apps and a more versatile operating system. This is for users who wanted to step beyond the limitations of a traditional feature phone. Buy the Samsung Gravity TXT T379 if you prioritize simplicity, long battery life, and a familiar feature phone interface, and have no need for app ecosystems or advanced mobile features. This is for users who wanted a reliable texting device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Was the Motorola SPICE Key a good phone for its time?
Considering the era (late 2000s/early 2010s), the Motorola SPICE Key was a reasonable entry-level smartphone. Its Snapdragon S1 processor allowed for basic web browsing and app usage, offering a step up from traditional feature phones. However, it was quickly surpassed by more powerful Android devices.
❓ What kind of apps could you run on the Motorola SPICE Key?
Due to the Snapdragon S1’s limited processing power and the early stage of the Android Market (now Google Play Store), app compatibility was restricted. Users could run basic apps like email clients, simple games, and basic productivity tools. More demanding apps were unlikely to function smoothly.
❓ Is the Samsung Gravity TXT T379 still usable today?
The Samsung Gravity TXT T379 is likely still functional for basic calling and texting, assuming it has been well-maintained. However, its lack of modern features and limited compatibility with current networks make it impractical for everyday use. It's primarily a collector's item now.
