Posted by amnesia
I thought it was about time that somebody released a nice review of the M600, so here I am yet again with a Fluid Mobile trade-mark review
Many people have been fans of SE's P-series. Thanks to the easy to use and navigate UI and the large amount of applications, why not use something that wont freeze as much as a Windows Mobile?
Hello M600. We've been waiting for your bigger brother, the P990, but you'll do for now.
I should start off by mentioning that I've been using the Samsung 6.9 X820 for a while now. It is amazingly slim, feels great, has an amazing screen and a 2 megapixel camera. So naturally, I began to wonder. Why couldn't they place a camera into the M600?
The answer? The could have done it. SE didn't want to. The M600 is a business oriented phone. Most business places do not allow camera phones to be used. So this fills the void perfectly.
So why should you buy one? I don't know. Do you want UIQ with easy to use PIM syncing? Want to store your photos and movies for on the go? Simply want a beautiful business phone? Go on grab a M600
The design is great. They've definately taken a page out of Apple's book. Nice and simple. The design is slightly curvey, yet sharp. The buttons feel nice to click, but best of all, their choice of keypad backlight is amazing. When it's dim, it's slightly green, when it's on full brightness, it eminates a cool blue aura from the sides and a sharp cyan in place of the digits.
Of course, we graciously welcome the scroll wheel. Sadly, I feel that it's too far back which means scrolling makes your thumb in an awkward position. It is also to deep in the fascia, so clicking is hard. I think it should have been a little bit more outward. Perhaps a bit softer as well.
You'd think that it takes some time getting used to, but in fact, the buttons are intuitive and I never made a mistake when trying to press a button. The screen is MUCH more sensitive. The slightest bit of pressure will cause it to click. Don't worry, this is a good thing since it's much more accurate.
Now if you're reading this, your probably know that it runs off of UIQ 3. It's supposed to be much better than UIQ 2. I found it to be a bit more confusing. It seems they've gotten rid of the "hold to right click". It's just gone. I don't like that omission but lets understand why. Say you want to go to the 'properties' of image number 2. So you need to select image 2, then click MORE (found at the bottom of the screen). However if you select image 2 using the touch screen, you'll open the image. You don't want that, so you have to scroll down with the wheel, THEN tap MORE.
I think this is a big mistake, they should have at least enabled a 'double-tap' mode. Meaning you click once to select, then again, to open if you want to.
It has a bit more than the basic features, a high color screen which is extra smooth, lovely loud speaker, and a full keyboard similar to blackberries. Oh there is also 3G. (not for video chatting, but for high speed net access).
So, if you want an unbiased review, enjoy this one.
Specs:
62 MB internal memory (has 66mb for the phone in addition to that),
64 MB memroy card
Triband UMTS
Features: mp3 player (customizable hard button), bluetooth, PC Sync, Sound recording.
Screen: 262K internal screen (TFT)
System: UIQ 3
Sound: one speaker.
Main feature: touch sensitive screen.
The box is nice and simple and it gives you a subtle clue as to the gift waiting inside. Opening it up you find nothing but the phone. Nicely packed underneath it you will find a charger (new design), memory card, usb wire, battery, battery cover, manuals and syncing cd and headphones.
No camera. Why oh why. Imagine if it had a removable camera, that would be ideal. You'd at least hope for wifi. I guess this makes it a stripped down version of the P990.
When you first switch it on, the wizard is automatically launched. You then view a simple demo and get started straight away. Simple enough.
I'm an SE fan, but it doesn't necessarily mean that I'll be talking about the good things, I'll be having high expectations as well, so it should balance out my opinions.
It comes in two lovely flavours to satisfy most people. Black or White. I love white, so I was pleased. White also hides oil marks and fingerprints, so that's my logic anyway. It looks pearlescent in the sun, sadly the sun isn't this phone's friend. In direct sunlight, the screen is hardly visible, and that's with maximum brightness. However the phone is VERY bright in regular light.
It's keyboard shape is very nice, it's curved so your fingers feel nice and snug. When first using it, I didn't understand how to use the keyboard, I thought it was a system similar to T9 predictive input, however I was wrong, if you press the left side of a button, it types the character on the left and if you tilt it to the right, it displays the character on the right.
As I mentioned the new UIQ system is indeed pretty however it's not as nice as UIQ 2 I feel. They also seemed to be careless with the M600 since they left some camera folders on it. Makes you sad to see you 'could' have had a camera.
Sound Quality on the phone is great. There is a nice equalizer with mega bass.
Video:
Video was actually pretty good. It was smooth and didn't show much pixelation.
Since it runs UIQ3, you'll have loads of themes to choose from. We all love themes. The ones that come with it are pretty basic though, not at all what the 'previews' show.
You are also able to customize the hard button and the softbuttons on the main screen. It's nice.
Organizer.
Calendar, tasks, notes, secret memo, alarms, timer, stopwatch, record sound, calculator and world times, and a few games.
Phonebook
The phone book is nice and simple. A few taps and you're away.
Settings
Also known as the Control Panel. Anything is accessible. From brightness of the screen to sound quality.
You are able to change skins, wallpapers, ring tones, and even the sound the phone makes when you dial a number, switch the phone on, or cycle through menus.
Pros
Beautifully simple design.
Thin for a UIQ device.
Fast bluetooth.
Well built.
Touch sensitive screen.
Amazing screen.
Sound is loud.
Cons
New memory card shape
No camera or wifi
not enough support.
My verdict? Buy it now if you can't wait for the P990 or need something business oriented.
the best place to get a great deal is Fluid Mobile
http://www.fluidmobile.com
or Compare a Deal
http://www.widgx.net
Here's a bunch of pics.
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Posted by scottt
Woah , v.nice review as ever Amnesia, with some lovely pics i must say
Quick question, whats one handed operation like? is it comfortable typing a text with one hand?
Mine should be here tommorrow cant wait specially after reading this
Posted by nijgraham
I understand that this is a business phone, and as such doesn't have a camera. But it is precisley that which has put me off, otherwise I would snap it up. That aside though, it does look like an excellent phone.
Posted by amnesia
@scott, I wouldn't advise using the keyboard using one hand, although it is possible.
It simply doesn't have excellent balance, plus the side buttons are a bit on the high side.
Posted by shaliron
Nice review
Posted by amnesia
thank you
Posted by Bambino
I'm get one tommorow. a black one, is it really worth buying?
i am just curious about uiq3 interface.
Posted by Skrue
@amnesia - good review bro. And its from Axiom hehehe
Posted by scottt
Well got my black one today and must say i am very impressed by it more than i thought i was going to be, i have no regrets getting rid of my k800i at all for it, its made me realise i dont really need a camera in a phone
The phone itself is gorgeous, its so slim and so sleek and sexy and the backlighting on the keys is very alluring. The screen is stunning and i have got to grips with the new UIQ interface quite well. After not really liking the P910i/P900 i am surprised i like this so much.
I have also got to grips pretty quickly with typing with the new keys which are very easy and comfortable to use
All in all a fantastic little device which is going to keep me happy i am sure for a good while
Posted by fatreg
good old axiom telecom eh amensia?
got my 8910i and 9500 from them...
do they have a website at all that you know of? ie jsut for phone prices etc?
cheers
fatreg
Posted by Miss UK
Must say that phone is growing on me,
it's jus a shame no camera tho
Posted by Skrue
@fatreg - www.axiomtelecom.com where did you get your Axiom warrantied phones from? cheers
Posted by amnesia
i ended up going with axiom because my friend had a friend who gave me his workers discount. cost me 1330 aed or qatari riyals oe 133 bd.
The warranty is for emirates only though.
On a side note, I just sold it right now for 1500. I'm too scared that the P990 will come out and I don't want to be stuck with the M600.
As I mentioned it is beautiful. I just wish wish wish it had a camera and wifi (basically I wish THIS was the P990's design)
To those who go to Dubai don't go to Axiom straight away, try the Computer Mall. I saw it there for 1400, where as other stores like axiom sell it for 1600.
If you are going to Bahrain, go to the Gossi Center.
If you are going to Qatar, go anywhere, the roads a full of mobile stores!