Samsung's new Galaxy J2 Pro Android smartphone has one thing notably different from other smartphones: it blocks internet access.
Most modern smartphones nowadays, whether or not they pack entry-level or high-end specs, enable users to go online and use various mobile apps. In this respect, the Galaxy J2 Pro is quite the opposite.
Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro Specs
Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy J2 Pro in its home market of South Korea, marketing it as a perfect handset for elder users who worry about potential data charges.
The handset looks like a regular smartphone featuring a 5-inch QHD AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor clocked at 1.4 GHz, 1.5 GB of RAM, 16 GB of native storage space, and a micro-SD card for expandable memory of up to 256 GB.
Other specs include a 5-megapixel main camera on the back and an 8-megapixel selfie camera on the front, as well as a 2,600 mAh battery to keep things up and running. On the software side, the handset runs Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box.
Galaxy J2 Pro Internet Access Blocked
While the specs so far hint at a regular smartphone, apparently it's not. As previously mentioned, it's targeting senior users, young children, or people who want a basic phone with no distractions such as students who need to study without being tempted to go online.
As such, the Galaxy J2 Pro allows users to make phone calls, send SMS, take photos, or check out media content from storage or the microSD card, but it won't be able to access the internet.
The Galaxy J2 Pro can't even connect to free Wi-Fi networks, let alone 3G or 4G data plans. Simply put, it looks like a modern smartphone, but with the functions of a basic phone from yesteryears.
Those who are looking to go online or run mobile apps that require an internet connection such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, or others might want to consider a different smartphone.
The Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro costs 199,000 won, which would translate to about $185, and comes in black or gold avatars. It remains unclear whether the company will eventually release the Galaxy J2 Pro in other markets besides South Korea or it will be successful with no internet access.
Most smartphone users rely on their handsets to do much more than just basic phone tasks, including to access web pages and mobile apps that require an internet connection. Mobile browsing is on the rise and it's unlikely to slow down, so will there be a market niche for this handset? Would you get one? Let us know in the comments section below.
