Camera

Through the integrated 1.3-megapixel camera, the CU320 can take pictures of people or events while on the move. The rotating lens, positioned on the top of the CU320, is activated with the press of the dedicated Camera Key. Able to capture photos at up to 1280 x 960 px, image quality is high enough in resolution to make prints, something not previously possible with VGA cameras in prior generation phones. To conserve memory, users can also lower resolution to VGA (640 x 480 px) or QVGA (320 x 240 px). All photos are stored in the JPG file format.

With the popularity of camera phones, manufacturers have saturated the market with a broad range of imaging devices. Trailing pioneers like Sony Ericsson that push mobile imaging technology with 2.0- and 3.0-megapixel cameras, the CU320 is in the middle of the pack, outperforming entry-level devices that still put in VGA (0.3-megapixel) cameras too grainy for much practical use.

Offering bundled filters, a standard set of effects come with the CU320 including adjustments to Quality (Normal, Fine, and Super Fine), View (Reverse and Full), Flash, Multi-Shot, Self-Timer, White Balance (Auto, Daylight, Incandescent, Cloudy, Fluorescent, and Night), Color Effect (Color, Sepia, Mono, and Negative), Shutter Sounds, Brightness, and Zoom (Up to 4X depending on resolution).

Also able to record clips, users can store video at QCIF (176 x 144 px) resolution, with the option to adjust Quality, View, Flash, Brightness, White Balance, and Color Effects Settings. Encoded in MPEG-4 and 3GP formats, video is recorded at 15 fps (frames per second) and can be stored on the CU320's internal memory or removable TransFlash memory cards.

Good for the impromptu moment, users shouldn't expect much more from video capture, being a bit sporadic in accuracy and clarity.

Basic Features

Providing tri-band (850 / 1800 / 1900 MHz) GSM support, the CU320 is compatible with most networks in Europe and Asia. Additionally the CU320 comes with dual-band (850 / 1900 MHz) frequencies for UMTS. However, since other countries use the more common 2100 MHz standard, the CU320 is incompatible with 3G networks abroad.

Released exclusively for Cingular, the CU320 is unfortunately locked by default, a common carrier practice to prevent customers from taking discounted phones (purchased in conjunction with a plan) to other carriers. However, good-standing customers can usually request the unlock code after 90 days of service. Only after it's unlocked will users be able to take it to other networks.

Rating the CU320's 1000 mAh Li-Ion battery at a mediocre 2.5 and 200 hours (8.3 days) of talk and standby times respectively, real world usage times will be less. Below average among usage times, handset manufacturers often list talk-time and standby-time ratings with disclaimers about variable performance, often referring to the times they publish as maximum times.

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