Samsung M400 is a Feature Phone Aimed at Those Seeking the Basics

Samsung Telecommunications America and Sprint recently released a new mobile device designed to address the ageing Baby Boomer population in America. As this generation settles into retirement age, a large segment of the population is likely to require a device which offers basic, straightforward functionality at a minimal price point.

As such, the Samsung M400 boasts accessibility features designed specifically to meet the needs of senior citizens and people with disabilities. A basic wireless phone for those who simply wish to talk, take pictures and send messages, the M400 is available for free with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement — after a $50 mail-in rebate.


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Specific features of the Samsung M400 include: a 2.4-inch internal display, a 1.07-inch external display that displays notifications, adjustable font sizes for optimal readability, an oversized keypad, a dedicated 911 key and In Case of Emergency (ICE) button, voice dialling, and the Nuance VSuite version 4.0 text-to-speech client that reads menus, submenus, text, dialed numbers, caller ID and missed calls to the user.

“Samsung M400 is designed to be easy to use and offers a variety of features that make it an extremely attractive phone for customers who primarily use their phone for voice calls, text messaging and pictures,” said David Owens, vice president of Product Development at Sprint. “This is a great device that meets the needs of anyone who wants to stay connected and just wants a simple device to do it.”

The Samsung M400 also features more technical aspects, such as its 1.3-megapixel camera, Web browsing, Bluetooth support, threaded text messaging and inbuilt GPS.

While Samsung is typically associated these days with producing high-end Android devices, the company has long been producing feature phones such as the M400 and, with the recent loss of a top engineer to rival Apple, the Korean hardware manufacturer may have to rely more on its feature phones going forward.

In other news, Samsung was recently revealed to be Google's hardware partner in the creation of a 10-inch Nexus tablet, following up on the success of the seven-inch Asus-manufactured Nexus 7.