In a market dominated by smartphones, the feature phone segment continues to cater to users prioritizing simplicity, affordability, and long battery life. We pit the Samsung S5260 Star II, known for its camera focus, against the LG GS290 Cookie Fresh, a device with limited publicly available specifications, to determine which offers the better experience for basic communication and photography needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users needing a basic phone with a camera, the Samsung S5260 Star II is the clear winner. While the LG GS290 Cookie Fresh remains largely undefined in terms of features, the Star II’s confirmed camera functionality, even if basic, provides a tangible benefit over the unknown capabilities of its competitor.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| EDGE | Yes | Class 12 |
| GPRS | Class 12 | Class 12 |
| Technology | GSM | GSM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, January. Released 2011, February | 2010, March. Released 2010, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 107.5 x 54 x 12.4 mm (4.23 x 2.13 x 0.49 in) | 108 x 52.9 x 12.5 mm (4.25 x 2.08 x 0.49 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 94 g (3.32 oz) | 89 g (3.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 400 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~155 ppi density) | 240 x 400 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~155 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 25.6 cm2 (~44.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.0 inches, 25.6 cm2 (~44.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT resistive touchscreen, 256K colors |
| | TouchWiz UI 3.0 | Flash UI
Cartoon UI with Live Square
Gesture shortcut
Handwriting recognition |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 30 dialed, 30 received, 30 missed calls | 40 dialed, 40 received, 20 missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 30MB | - |
| Phonebook | Yes, Photocall | 1000 entries, Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 3.15 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 320p@15fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS; built-in antenna |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML |
| Games | Yes + downloadable | Yes + downloadable |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | Yes, MIDP 2.1 |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email, IM | SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | - |
| | Facebook, Twitter
Gtalk, AIM, Facebook chat, Yahoo IM
MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC+ player
H.264/MP4 player
Organizer
Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
Voice memo
Predictive text input | Social network integration
Facebook native client
MP3/WMA/AAC player
MP4/H.263 player
Organizer
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 900 h | Up to 390 h |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 20 min | Up to 5 h 30 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 900 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Silver, Orange/white, Purple/white, Blue/light silver |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 60 EUR |
| SAR | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.63 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.96 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -85.6dB / Crosstalk -61.2dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 70dB
| - |
Samsung S5260 Star II
- Confirmed camera functionality for basic photography.
- Recognizable brand with some level of support.
- Likely slightly more optimized software experience.
- Basic feature set compared to smartphones.
- Limited storage capacity.
LG GS290 Cookie Fresh
- Potentially lower price point.
- Extreme simplicity for users who only need calls and texts.
- Excellent battery life (expected).
- Lack of confirmed features, including a camera.
- Unknown software experience.
- Limited brand recognition and support.
Display Comparison
Given the age and market segment of these devices, display technology is likely basic TFT LCD on both. The Samsung S5260 Star II, being slightly later to market, *may* benefit from marginally improved color reproduction, but detailed specifications are unavailable for either. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing durability and cost reduction over a modern, edge-to-edge design. Neither device is expected to offer high brightness or viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung S5260 Star II is explicitly documented as having a camera, capable of taking photos. This is a significant advantage over the LG GS290 Cookie Fresh, for which no camera specifications are available. While the image quality will be basic, the presence of a camera allows for capturing quick memories or documenting information. The lack of camera details for the LG GS290 suggests it may not include this feature, making it less versatile for many users.
Performance
Performance is largely irrelevant in this segment. Both devices will rely on basic chipsets designed for voice calls and SMS messaging. The Samsung S5260 Star II likely benefits from a slightly more optimized software experience due to Samsung’s broader software development resources, but this advantage will be minimal. RAM capacity is expected to be low on both, limiting multitasking capabilities to virtually none.
Battery Life
Both devices are expected to offer excellent battery life due to their limited functionality and low-power components. The absence of data for the LG GS290 makes direct comparison impossible. However, feature phones generally prioritize standby time over active usage, meaning both devices should last for several days on a single charge with minimal use. Charging times will likely be slow, utilizing older charging standards.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung S5260 Star II if you need a functional camera for quick snapshots and value a recognizable brand with some documented features. Buy the LG GS290 Cookie Fresh if you prioritize extreme simplicity and are willing to accept a completely unknown feature set, potentially benefiting from a lower price point if available. This phone is best suited for users who only need to make and receive calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the camera on the Samsung S5260 Star II any good for taking pictures?
The camera on the Samsung S5260 Star II is a basic camera intended for quick snapshots and documentation. Do not expect high resolution or image quality comparable to smartphones. It's sufficient for capturing memories in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light.
❓ What kind of network connectivity does the LG GS290 Cookie Fresh support?
Given its age and market segment, the LG GS290 Cookie Fresh likely supports 2G GSM connectivity. 3G support is possible, but less certain. It is highly unlikely to support 4G or 5G networks. Check with your carrier to ensure compatibility before purchasing.
❓ Can I use WhatsApp or other messaging apps on either of these phones?
It's unlikely you'll be able to reliably use WhatsApp or similar apps on either phone. These apps require a modern operating system and sufficient processing power, which these feature phones lack. Basic SMS messaging is the primary method of communication.
