Samsung Ch@t 222 plus is so similar to the predecessor, the Samsung Ch@t 322 that you can barely tell the difference. The main phone specifications for the Samsung Chat 222 are:
- Qwerty bar form factor
- Edge connectivity
- Java
- 2.2″ TFT
- Video Recording at 15fps
- 1000mAh battery
- 92g
- VGA Camera, 2x digital zoom, no flash
- SMS, MMS, T9
- Email (POP3, IMAP4, SMTP, SSL)
- Bluetooth 2.1, KIes 2.0
- 54mb internal memory, 8GB MicroSD capacity, 1000 phonebook entries
- Mobile Tracker 1.0
- ChatON
The biggest add-on to the Samsung Chat 222 is the ChatON chat application that seeks to bring cross-platform chatting to feature phones. Yes, the value you get on other platforms like iMessage, BBM, whatsapp all in the feature phone. Means you can chat with friends on Android, Iphone and soon to go to Windows phone and web. ChatOn gives the value of group chat with contact syncing, meaning if you have a good data plan you can chat long hours with buddies on your contact list and avoid calling or texting them.
Main differences between Samsung Ch@t 222 and Samsung Ch@t 322:
Camera: The camera on the Chat 322 is a 1.4MP and on Chat 222 its a VGA one, output for the latter is pretty impressive though, for a VGA camera.
Trackpad: Chat 222 misses the trackpad.
Data: The Chat 222 doesnt have EDGE, its GPRS class 10 so browsing is a little slower
Keypad: The buttons on the Chat 222 are abit flatter compared to Chat 322, I like those on 222 better.
Side buttons: The sim switch in the Chat 322 is on the side, on the Chat 222 its laid out on the front, next to the call button.
ChatON: Thats a plus for the Ch@t 222 as it gives a feature only available to smartphones. The UI presented by ChatON is amazing.
What you can do with Samsung Ch@t 222
Chat 222 has ChatON application meaning you have chat feature which gives you ability to send several types of files including voice recordings, video, images, contacts etc. The fact that its a dual sim phone means you have to select the master network that you will use for the ChatON application. No two way here. Its also a dual sim dual standby phone meaning you can accept calls from two networks at without any effort on your side, as for dialling you have to select the network to do so at the moment with the sim switch. But once you are on an active call you get a subscriber unavailable message. With the 54 MB internal memory you have to be abit choosy what applications to install, you can prioritize opera mini to up your browsing experience.
It has a good battery life of 2 days on average use, even when chatting, I read somewhere of a hack that allowed you to get an extra day off the 1000mAh battery, where you charge it to full for the first time, disconnect and reconnect to charge again immediatelty for like another hour.
You can have group contacts of upto 20 contacts per group but no threaded view sms. There is USB cable connect feature that allows you access to Samsung KIES, but you will require to get your data cable as it doesnt come out of the box.
Bottom line
I would recommend this phone to a person wishing to get the dual sim, dual standby feature on a svelte phone. It has a lower price point than the Chat 322, a whole 1000 bob lower at Kshs. 7000, thats around $72. The ChatON feature is worth the word it has out. However if you are keen on fast data, I would advise you go for an actual smartphone. Has a good battery life and is easy on the hands. See some of the pictures of the device.
