Samsung's new Galaxy phone has no online connectivity

[midian182]

There are a few functions that now come as standard in modern smartphones; one of them is being able to go online. But owners of Samsung’s new Galaxy J2 Pro aren’t going to be using it for social media, email, or the internet as it lacks any mobile data connectivity.

The tech giant's Korea-only announcement says that the J2 Pro “is a product that blocks mobile data such as 3G, LTE, and Wi-Fi, and needs to focus on learning and needs of senior users who are sensitive to data charges.“

The J2 Pro comes with some fairly entry-level specs: a 1.4 GHz quad-core CPU, 1.5 GB of RAM, a microSD slot, a 5-inch qHD (960 × 540) screen, an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 5-megapixel front camera, and a removable 2,600 mAh battery. While it does have an LTE modem, its only function is for making calls and texts. It also comes with a music app and a radio app, as well as a voice recorder and a Korean-English dictionary.

The target audience for the J2 Pro are teens taking South Korea’s “College Scholastic Ability Test,” or suneung. The exam is seen as vitally important and can have a massive influence on the rest of a student’s life. Teenagers are expected to study for the test for a year, which is where the J2 Pro comes in. Its lack of online connectivity means Korean kids can focus on studying without distractions.

The device costs around 200,000 won, or about $190, which seems quite expensive when you consider some of the other low-end handsets available. However, Samsung is making the J2 Pro an appealing buy for students with a promotion: once someone has completed either the 2019 and 2020 suneung exam, they can trade in the handset for a Galaxy S, Note, or an A-series phone released after 2018 and have the J2 Pro’s cost reimbursed.

Unsurprisingly, it seems that the J2 Pro is only being released in Korea.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/74167-samsung-new-galaxy-phone-has-no-online-connectivity.html

 

[Cycloid Torus]

At first glance, it seems about as smart as a car without a steering wheel or brake pedal.

 

[VitalyT]

The device costs around 200,000 won, or about $190, which seems quite expensive when you consider some of the other low-end handsets available

Yeah, like Apple's iPod, for twice as much, although that's kind of an opposite crap, being able to go online, but no phone calls. Now it does seem really stupid. Oh wait, you buy iPod + this Samsung phone, and you've got it all, easy!

Funny how the world goes, first everybody wants a phone to go online, and now they want the exact opposite, so much for the online community.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

So.....why would you buy this over, you know, a dumb phone, which is cheaper and smaller with way better battery life?

This is like those apps that do things like "turn off your data connection for you when you are behind the wheel" because your typical user is so addicted to the internet they have 0 personal responsibility.

All this phone says about you is "I have literally no self control, and must rely on products from corporations to act like a normal human being"

 

[Antispy]

If this phone will not connect to the internet, it is perfect for people who don't want to be spied on(google,Us govt) and like long battery life.I hope they sell it world wide.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

If this phone will not connect to the internet, it is perfect for people who don't want to be spied on(google,Us govt) and like long battery life.I hope they sell it world wide.

It still has the LTE radio, it can still be tracked just like a normal smartphone. Google will still now where you go, what you buy, ece from your signal telemetry, because you are still on android with an always on connection.

 

[Nobina]

Well, it is built specifically for those students in Korea. If it's ok to them, fine.

 

[tipstir]

Word with all these Android OS and Chrome OS like Google wants to merge the two into a new OS from ground up. So all these Android OS phones will disappear. Since they can't fix Android OS issues and Chrome OS seems functional at best. Samsung just keeps dreaming up new ideas for the same cover up issues that the phone never seems to be. Now No WiFi phones so what are you suppose to do when without WiFi..

 

[Athlonite]

Yup the J2 Pro Korean bought version is the only one that does this the international versions do not block mobile data or WiFi

 

[Jerry Lynch]

The device costs around 200,000 won, or about $190, which seems quite expensive when you consider some of the other low-end handsets available

Yeah, like Apple's iPod, for twice as much, although that's kind of an opposite crap, being able to go online, but no phone calls. Now it does seem really stupid. Oh wait, you buy iPod + this Samsung phone, and you've got it all, easy!

Funny how the world goes, first everybody wants a phone to go online, and now they want the exact opposite, so much for the online community.

Did you even read the article? It has a very specific Korean high school kid market. Only kids in grade 11 will be getting this phone because they are the ones studying for that exam. Those kids often study more than 20 hours a day because their result on that 1 day test determines their entire life career and the last thing they need is to be distracted by videos and Facebook etc.

 

[lchu12]

Can't wait for these phone to be listed as "$300 - Samsung Smart Phones!" on craigslist/ebay.

 

[justbs]

Its about damn time that they came up with this type of phone we cant forget about our elderly. some of our seniors don't much about the technology and texting and talking is a very good idea. thank you Samsung thinking about all the senior citizens and the kids. I would love to know when it be release in the states.