OG Review: Samsung Corby S3653
October 6th, 2009 by Annkur
While the iPhone 3Gs continues to have a hold on the high-end touchscreen market, the battle ground for the other end of the market spectrum is getting hotter by the day. The plethora of cheap touch phones by Nokia, LG and Samsung sure leaves consumers confused on what to buy and what not to buy. Nokia has its little handsets (5230, 5530, X6) rolling out, and the 5800 recently got a hefty price cut. Samsung is aggressively promoting its Star Series that comes in three variants, viz. the Star, Star 3G and Star 3G WiFi. LG has its Cookie on the lower-end that’s doing pretty well in sale numbers, while the GD510 will be releasing in stores soon.
We got a chance to take a look at the Samsung Corbi, aka the S3653 (also referred as S3650) which has just joined the touchscreen brigade. The “Corby” brings you the goodness of a bright capacitive touchscreen, thus competing with the stylus-powered LG Cookie KP500 and the Samsung Star. Perhaps Corby is the only non-stylus phone costing less than INR 9000 (USD 190) in India.
Design:
The Corby has a nicely curved body and a very appealing design. It feels much smaller than the iPhone, Cookie or my Nokia E63, and quite light weight as well. The left side of the phone has the volume keys and charger / headset slot, while the right side has the hold (keyboard lock) and camera buttons. The MicroSD slot is below the battery cover and is hot swappable.
The body is plastic, but compared to the feel of the LG Cookie and Samsung Star, the Corby looks much more rich in hand. This one certainly has more appeal in terms of its looks and design, especially when compared to the other handsets we have seen.
Features and usability:
The S3653 is no smartphone, with the software being good for basic navigation, music, text messaging and the like. The phone lacks WiFi, but comes with a web browser. Unfortunately (or not?) we failed to find the “as-seen-on-TV” Orkut and Twitter integration. The Corby features an FM radio and Bluetooth 2.1 AD2P. It is currently selling in India with a free 2GB MicroSD card, which nicely complements the handset’s 50mb internal memory.
Corby has 3 homescreens, and you can pull out icons from the sidebar to any of the screens. The menu similarly has 3 pages. You can ‘flick’ around the screens and pages like the iPhone, but the experience isn’t as smooth as is on the iPhone. This is not an issue with the touchscreen but rather with the UI behavior. Many times a swipe just makes the page go half the distance on either side and then back to the same page (Update: Incidentally I ran into a Samsung demo guy on my second visit to the market to get some pictures for this. And he managed to use this flawlessly in front of me. Guess I am addicted to the iPhone). I would rate this as: can be better! On the other hand, the screen is much more responsive and comfortableto use than the Nokia 5800 or the LG Cookie – that’s because of the capacitive love 
The text messaging is done with a standard virtual keypad, and T9 comes into good use here. This ensures that non-touchscreen users don’t find the typing experience too alien. A couple of walk-in customers I saw playing with the keyboard found it very comfortable to begin with. A full qwerty keypad (IMO) wouldn’t have worked on such an LCD touch anyway.
A couple of games I looked at were Cricket and Asphalt 4 demo (both of which is preloaded). The graphics and gaming experience aren’t great, but touchscreen is put to some use when playing them. An absent accelerometer doesn’t help the Corby much either.
We couldn’t get a demo of the Internet or music usage on this, but the Samsung guy at the store tells us that it plays music for 15 hours and offers 10 hours of talktime.
Camera:
Corby features a 2MP camera compared to the 3.2 megapixels that most its competitors house. Lack of flash might be another concern for you the user, but the camera clarity looked good enough to us. The Corby LCD looks much richer compared to the LG Cookie and thus the images appear very bright on screen, giving a better experience.
A couple of indoor shots taken with the camera (Disclaimer: The store managers pictured in this story were promised a feature on OnlyGizmos in exchange for us being able to demo the Corby 
)
In the Box:
Standard accessories include a power adapter, a soft cover, headset, free 2GB MicroSD card and an extra battery cover (apart from the S3650 handset and its battery of course).
At one local dealer (Fine Connections) where we had checked out the Corby, just 2 pieces were left out of the total stock of 10 pieces received a day earlier (and was sold out the next day when we went back to take some pictures). That’s very impressive compared to the other touchscreen handsets selling at the same store. The best bargain price for the Samsung S3650 currently is around INR 7000 (the same as the Samsung Star). So if you are looking to grab one, you know what price to look for!
Compared to the LG Cookie KP500 and the Samsung Star, the Corby is certainly the better one in our opinion. You may wait for the Nokia 5230 to launch, but if you are buying a handset for your girl, get the Corby now.
Similar Posts:
- OG Review Samsung Corby Pro (GT-B5310)
- Hands-on with the Samsung Corby TXT: Quick Review
- Quick Review: Samsung Star Superb (GT-S5560)
- OG Review: LG Cookie Pop / Pep GD510
- OG Review: Nokia 5233 (+ video)
Categories: First look, Reviews, samsung | Tags: capacitive touchscreen review, corby, corby india, corby mumbai, corby s3650 review, review, s3650 review, samsung corbi review, samsung corby, samsung corby india, samsung corby price in india
Seems Like a Nice Phone!
[...] of course, consumers would pick the 5230 above the likes of the LG Cookie and the Samsung Star and Corby, simply because it offers so much more on [...]
The best mobile among all those I had previously & the price tag Rs. 9,600 surprisingly cheapest comparing to others having all those coolest features in the market till date.I had checked all the features running very well as they have seems to do.I can,t say the details about so many features here ,but about the look I can simply say COOLEST & STYLISH .This phone actually obtains the highest marks in both ‘hot & cool features’ and ‘looks’ ,which shoots upon all personality or all situation you likes.
[...] youth for its support of popular social networks. In India, the Samsung Corby S3653 (full review here) has already found a place in thousands of pockets. Now Samsung is all set to roll out another [...]
I just purchased this phone in the us (: had it for a few hours and loving it! Music is great and everything else! Reminds me of a mytouch & iphone combo. sucks how there’s no qwerty board but its fine! I have a blackberry also and loving my full keyboard phone & my touchscreen corby! got mine in pink and for such an awesome price!
[...] Samsung Corby has certainly done great with a reasonably priced (actually really well priced) product that gives the right blend of style and features for the massed. It may rightly be called the poor man’s iPhone and perhaps the cheapest phone with a capacitive touchscreen out there currently. Seeing the great reception of the Coby handset (and the cheap touchscreens in general); Samsung has gone ahead and announced a funky Corby branded bluetooth headset (WE490). [...]
[...] a single version of the Star selling over 10 million units in 6 months. With the warm reception the Corby S3653 / 3650 has received; Samsung has released a new 3G variant for the Korean market with a larger touchscreen [...]
Is the data cable enclosed with the phone or is need to be bought separately?
[...] Samsung Corby phones have always been in news for their great number of sales and acceptance from the people for its great design and, of course, cheaper price. What worked in Corby’s favor were the phone’s good features at a cheap price. Something that could be afforded by all; without burning their pockets. [...]
[...] Samsung Corby phones have always been received well by the users and acceptance from the buyers for its great design and, of course, low cost. What worked in Corby’s favor were the phone’s good features at a cheap price. Something that could be afforded by all; without burning their pockets. [...]
[...] Samsung Corby phones have always been received well by the users and acceptance from the users for its great looks and, of course, cheaper price. What worked in Corby’s favor were the phone’s good features at a cheap price. Something that could be afforded by all; without being hit hard on pockets. [...]
[...] Samsung Corby phones have always been received well by the users and acceptance from the people for its great looks and, of course, low cost. What worked in Corby’s favor were the phone’s good features at a cheap price. Something that could be afforded by all; without burning their pockets. [...]
[...] working fabulously for the Korean consumer electronics giant. The Star and original Corby did well and Samsung has officially announced that it has sold over 50 million touchscreen mobiles [...]
[...] phone. And now Samsung tried to copy Blackberry’s best feature – the black keypad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a while ago became popular among youth for its trendy design . The new Samsung Corby TXT again is a [...]
[...] Samsung Corby phones have always been received well by the users and acceptance from the buyers for its great design and, of course, cheaper price. What worked in Corby’s favor were the phone’s multiple features at a cheap price. Something that all could afford; without being hit hard on pockets. [...]
Nice phone, on ebay it is available for Rs.6999/- whereas in Karol Bagh’s Gaffar Market it is available for only Rs.6300/-.
Hmmmm…… I think its worth more than that.
Will surely buy one.
Thanks Chetan,
The rates have fallen since we originally reviewed. The pricing is attractive, but remember: Internet on this device is impossible.
[...] Samsung Corby: Probably the cheapest touchscreen device in the market to sport a capacitive display. This is trendy and cheap, but don’t expect to do any serious internet on this. Corby is no smartphone, but a good handset to carry around, if you aren’t a power-user. [...]
[...] phone. And now Samsung tried to copy Blackberry’s best feature – the black keypad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a while ago became popular among youth for its trendy design . The new Samsung Corby TXT again is a [...]
[...] phone. And now Samsung tried to copy Blackberry’s best feature – the black keypad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a while ago became popular among youth for its trendy design . The new Samsung Corby TXT again is a [...]
[...] and Orkut. But the reality is that using any of these services or even plain internet on the Corby/Star browser is a PAIN. So here comes the solution from Samsung: Bada OS. Instead of sticking to [...]
[...] Samsung tried to copy Blackberry’s the most unique feature – the black keypad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a while ago became popular among youth for its trendy design . The new Samsung Corby TXT again is a [...]
[...] Samsung Corby phones have always been received well by the users and acceptance from the users for its great looks and, of course, affordable price. What worked in Corby's favor were the phone's multiple features at a cheap price. Something that could be afforded by all; without burning their pockets. [...]
[...] phone. And now Samsung tried to copy Blackberry’s best feature – the black keypad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a while ago became popular among youth for its trendy design . The new Samsung Corby TXT again is a [...]
[...] Samsung Corby phones have always been in news for their popularity and acceptance from the people for its great design and, of course, cheaper price. What worked in Corby’s favor were the phone’s good features at a cheap price. Something that could be afforded by all; without being hit hard on pockets. [...]
[...] now Samsung tried to copy Blackberry’s the most unique feature – the black keypad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a while ago became popular among youth for its trendy design . The new Samsung Corby TXT again is a [...]
[...] tried to copy Blackberry’s the most unique feature – BlackBerry’s typing pad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a little time ago became popular among youth for its fancy looks . The new Samsung Corby TXT again [...]
[...] Samsung Corby phones have always been in news for their great number of sales and acceptance from the buyers for its great design and, of course, cheaper price. What worked in Corby’s favor were the phone’s good features at a cheap price. Something that could be afforded by all; without being hit hard on pockets. [...]
[...] Samsung Corby phones have always been in news for their popularity and acceptance from the buyers for its great looks and, of course, affordable price. What worked in Corby’s favor were the phone’s multiple features at a cheap price. Something that could be afforded by all; without burning their pockets. [...]
[...] to copy Blackberry’s the most unique feature – BlackBerry’s typing pad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a little time ago became popular among youth for its trendy design . The new Samsung Corby TXT [...]
[...] phone. And now Samsung tried to copy Blackberry’s best feature – the black keypad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a while ago became popular among youth for its trendy design . The new Samsung Corby TXT again is a [...]
Hey Annkur!
Thanks a tonne.
This is gonna be my first Touch screen phone and so I wanted to make sure it’s alright. May get mine in a couple of days. Still a little more market research to be done.
You write nice
Thx Nolana
Do let us know how Corby turned out for you.
cheers
Annkur
[...] Samsung Corby phones have always been in news for their popularity and acceptance from the people for its great design and, of course, low cost. What worked in Corby’s favor were the phone’s multiple features at a cheap price. Something that could be afforded by all; without burning their pockets. [...]
[...] phone. And now Samsung tried to copy Blackberry's best feature – BlackBerry's typing pad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a little time ago became popular among youth for its fancy design . The new Samsung Corby TXT again [...]
[...] And now Samsung tried to copy Blackberry’s best feature – the black keypad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a little time ago became popular among youth for its fancy design . The new Samsung Corby TXT again [...]
[...] to copy Blackberry’s the most unique feature – BlackBerry’s typing pad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a while ago became popular among youth for its trendy design . The new Samsung Corby TXT again is a [...]
[...] And now Samsung tried to copy Blackberry’s best feature – the black keypad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a little time ago became popular among youth for its trendy design . The new Samsung Corby TXT [...]
[...] tried to copy Blackberry’s the most unique feature – BlackBerry’s typing pad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a while ago became popular among youth for its fancy looks . The new Samsung Corby TXT again is a [...]
[...] to copy Blackberry’s the most unique feature – BlackBerry’s typing pad. Yes, the Samsung Corby that came to market a little time ago became popular among youth for its fancy looks . The new Samsung Corby TXT again [...]
I just bought it and didnt find any data cable in the set.
Is it not the part of standard packing or what ?
how do you use it to transfer data ?
Datacable is indeed included. Ask your vendor!
[...] Its no news that Samsung has gone crazy with the Corby. After the initial Corby we have already seen the Mate and the TXT. This time we got our hands on the Corby Pro and the Corby Plus that adds a physical keyboard to the Corby. The Corby Pro features a 3.2MP camera, 3G and WiFi where as the Plus only adds a physical QWERTY to the original Corby S3650 / S3653. [...]
[...] You could check out the specifications and reviews of these phone here- Corby Pro (GT-B5310), Samsung Corby S3653 and Review of LG Cookie [...]
[...] Star Superb doesn’t add any better UI, software or touchscreen to what we have seen with the Corby / Corby Pro. The usual homescreens (3 of them), widgets that can be placed on the screen or hidden [...]
[...] far we have seen full touch candybar, full QWERTY and even the Corby headsets. Now, Samsung has officially introduced the [...]
The problem with Corby is its design.. It suited much with female and not with male.. sorry but the designsucks..
Nonin,
Agree, you might like the LG cookie Pop