Samsung Galaxy Chat smartphone

Photo: Beamish4 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Chat

August 2012 4/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Samsung Galaxy Chat (GT-B5330) was a budget Android smartphone released in 2012, notable for its combination of a 3-inch touchscreen and a physical QWERTY keyboard. Running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, it was designed for users who preferred tactile keys for messaging and social interaction.
Display3.0-inch QVGA TFT touchscreen
ChipsetBroadcom BCM21654 with 850 MHz CPU
Main Camera2 MP fixed-focus
Battery1200 mAh removable Li-Ion
Starting from $5,561

💰 Samsung Galaxy Chat Price

The Samsung Galaxy Chat lowest price is $5,561, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeTFT capacitive touchscreen, 256K colors
Size3.0 inches
Resolution240 x 320 pixels
Pixel density~133 ppi

Platform

OSAndroid 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)
ChipsetBroadcom BCM21654
CPU850 MHz Cortex-A9 (single-core)
GPUBroadcom VideoCore IV

Memory

Internal4 GB storage
RAM512 MB
Card slotmicroSDHC, up to 32 GB (dedicated slot)

Main Camera

Single2 MP
FeaturesFixed focus
VideoQVGA@25fps / 480p@25fps

Selfie Camera

SingleNo

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1200 mAh
Stand-byUp to 520 h (2G) / Up to 380 h (3G)

Body

Dimensions118.9 x 59.3 x 11.7 mm
Weight112 g
KeyboardPhysical QWERTY
SIMMini-SIM

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot
Bluetooth3.0, A2DP
GPSYes, with A-GPS support and GLONASS
RadioStereo FM radio with RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0

Launch

AnnouncedJuly 2012
StatusDiscontinued (circa 2013)

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Physical QWERTY keyboard for fast and tactile typing
  • Compact and easy to handle form factor
  • Affordable price point at the time of its launch
  • Access to the Android app ecosystem (at release)
  • Expandable storage via microSD card

Cons

  • Very low-resolution display (240x320 pixels)
  • Limited internal storage (4GB) and RAM (512MB)
  • Basic 2 MP main camera with no front-facing camera
  • Severely outdated Android version by current standards (Android 4.0/4.1)
  • Single-core processor offers modest performance
  • Lack of display protection like Gorilla Glass
★ Our Verdict

While innovative for its time with the QWERTY keyboard and Android, its specifications are severely outdated, offering a very basic user experience by modern smartphone standards.

The Samsung Galaxy Chat is a relic of a bygone era in smartphones, primarily appealing to collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience with a physical QWERTY keyboard. For practical daily use in 2026, it is entirely unsuitable due to its extremely outdated operating system (Android 4.1 Jelly Bean), which means no support for modern apps, significant security vulnerabilities, and poor web browsing capabilities. Its low-resolution display, minimal RAM, and basic camera further limit its utility for contemporary tasks. If you require a functional smartphone, even a budget model from the last few years will offer a vastly superior experience in every aspect, including app compatibility, performance, and camera quality. Avoid this device for anything other than historical interest or as a non-functional display piece.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Samsung Galaxy Chat Handset
  • 1200 mAh Battery
  • Charger
  • USB Cable
  • Wired Headset
  • User Manual

Samsung typically offered a one-year limited manufacturer's warranty for its smartphones at the time of release.

❓ Questions & Answers

What is the Samsung Galaxy Chat?

The Samsung Galaxy Chat (GT-B5330) is a budget Android smartphone released in August 2012, notable for combining a 3-inch touchscreen with a physical QWERTY keyboard.

What operating system does the Samsung Galaxy Chat run?

It originally launched with Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich and was upgradable to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

Does the Samsung Galaxy Chat have a physical keyboard?

Yes, one of its defining features is a full physical QWERTY keyboard, designed for efficient texting and messaging.

What are the camera specifications of the Galaxy Chat?

The phone features a single 2 MP main camera with fixed focus and no front-facing camera.

Is the Samsung Galaxy Chat still a viable smartphone today?

No, due to its extremely outdated operating system and hardware, it is not suitable for modern smartphone use, including app compatibility and security.

Can the storage on the Samsung Galaxy Chat be expanded?

Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Chat includes 4 GB of internal storage and supports expandable storage via a microSDHC card, up to 32 GB.