Released in 2010, the Samsung Wave M S7250 and Galaxy Gio S5660 represent two distinct approaches Samsung took in the burgeoning smartphone market. The Wave M championed Samsung’s in-house Bada OS, while the Galaxy Gio embraced the rapidly growing Android ecosystem powered by Qualcomm. This comparison dissects their hardware and software to determine which device offered the better experience for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a more versatile and future-proof experience, the Samsung Galaxy Gio S5660 is the better choice. While the Wave M boasts a slightly faster CPU clock speed, the Galaxy Gio’s Snapdragon chipset and access to the Android ecosystem provide a broader range of applications and long-term support.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, December | 2011, January. Released 2011, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 113.8 x 63.3 x 12.2 mm (4.48 x 2.49 x 0.48 in) | 110.5 x 57.5 x 12.2 mm (4.35 x 2.26 x 0.48 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 121 g (4.27 oz) | 102 g (3.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~158 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.65 inches, 39.7 cm2 (~55.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~48.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| | TouchWiz UI | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 832 MHz | 800 MHz |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm QCT MSM7227-1 Turbo Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | - | Adreno 200 |
| OS | bada 2.0 | Android 2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread), TouchWiz UI 3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 150MB | 158MB 278MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 3.15 MP, AF |
| Video | w480p@30fps | 320p@15fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Carrier dependent | - |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Samsung ChatON
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
MP4/DivX/H.264 player
Organizer
Photo editor
Voice memo
Predictive text input | MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
ThinkFree document viewer/editor
Photo/video editor |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 480 h | Up to 610 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 30 min | Up to 10 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1350 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1350 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Silver White |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.96 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.66 W/kg (head) | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -83.7dB / Crosstalk -82.2dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 70dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 70dB |
Samsung Wave M S7250
- Slightly faster CPU clock speed (832 MHz)
- Samsung’s Bada OS offered a unique user experience
- Potentially smoother performance within the Bada ecosystem
- Limited app availability compared to Android
- Bada OS lacked long-term support
- Snapdragon chipset absent, impacting graphics performance
Samsung Galaxy Gio S5660
- Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 chipset for better graphics
- Access to the Android ecosystem and a vast app library
- More robust software support and updates
- Slightly slower CPU clock speed (800 MHz)
- Android OS could be resource-intensive on limited hardware
- Resistive touchscreen may feel less responsive than capacitive displays
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, display specifications are missing for both devices. However, given their market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both featured resistive touchscreen displays, common for the time. The lack of detailed display information makes a direct comparison impossible, but the Galaxy Gio likely benefited from Android’s more mature display calibration options. The Wave M’s display quality would have been heavily reliant on Samsung’s Bada OS implementation.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having a 'Photo' camera, lacking specific megapixel counts or features. Considering the era, both likely featured basic 3.2MP or 5MP cameras. The Galaxy Gio’s camera performance would have been influenced by Android’s camera APIs, potentially allowing for more third-party camera app support and image processing options. The Wave M’s camera would have been limited to Samsung’s Bada OS camera software. Without further details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Android ecosystem generally offered more camera flexibility.
Performance
The Samsung Wave M S7250 features an 832 MHz CPU, marginally faster than the Galaxy Gio’s 800 MHz processor. However, the Galaxy Gio utilizes the Qualcomm QCT MSM7227-1 Turbo Snapdragon S1 chipset. This is a crucial distinction. The Snapdragon S1, while also based on an ARM architecture, benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized chipset design and GPU, offering a more balanced performance profile. The Snapdragon’s GPU would have provided a noticeable advantage in graphics-intensive tasks, making the Gio a better choice for early mobile gaming. The Wave M’s CPU speed advantage is likely offset by the Snapdragon’s architectural efficiency.
Battery Life
Battery capacity data is unavailable for either device. Given their similar form factors and target markets, battery life was likely comparable. However, the Snapdragon S1 chipset in the Galaxy Gio is known for its relatively efficient power consumption. This efficiency, combined with Android’s power management features, could translate to slightly longer battery life for the Gio, especially during moderate usage. The Wave M’s Bada OS power management would have been a key factor in its overall battery performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Wave M S7250 if you prioritize a potentially smoother experience within the limitations of the Bada OS and appreciate a slightly faster processor on paper. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Gio S5660 if you value access to a wider app selection, the flexibility of Android, and the benefits of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform, even if it means a slightly slower CPU clock speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Bada OS on the Samsung Wave M still receiving updates?
No, Samsung discontinued support for Bada OS several years ago. The Wave M will not receive any further software updates, leaving it vulnerable to security risks and incompatible with newer apps.
❓ Can I install custom ROMs on the Samsung Galaxy Gio to get a newer version of Android?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Gio has a relatively active custom ROM development community. You can find various custom ROMs based on newer Android versions, offering improved performance and features. However, installing a custom ROM requires technical expertise and voids your warranty.
❓ Which phone is better for running older Java apps?
Both phones should handle older Java apps reasonably well, as Java was a common platform for mobile applications at the time. However, the Galaxy Gio’s more robust processor and memory management might provide a slightly smoother experience.
❓ Does the Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 in the Galaxy Gio support any form of 3G connectivity?
Yes, the Qualcomm MSM7227-1 Turbo Snapdragon S1 chipset in the Galaxy Gio supports 3G connectivity, allowing for faster data speeds compared to 2G networks. This was a significant advantage at the time of release.
