Posted by amnesia
Many apologies for the delay in this review. I have had it for a week now and have been busy sorting some odd jobs now I'm back from vacation.
I'm recentely reviews the X820, an amazingly thin phone as many would agree. However, I'm the person who wants to take nice snaps now and then. I tend to always need to take a picture when I don't have my T7 Cybershot with me, even though that cam is equally as slim.
So you want to have the ability to take photos, plug it into a tv, have a fast UI and not sacrafice bulkiness I hear you say? Good thing Samsung have graciously given us the D900.
The Ultra range's boxes are all the same. Slim and nano like. The front of the box lifts up to 'reaffirm' that "yes you've just gone and bought a super slim phone".
Alright, lets open the box. Slipping the package out, we see that the contents are nicely packed in. You are greeted with the traditional configuration of plastic in plastic in plastic. No problem, I don't care about the plastic, give me the phone!
Holding it in your hands compared to the X820 isn't fair. It's double the thickness. Nevertheless, seeing it laying flat on the table is amazing as it's super slim. Add to the fact that it feels oh so rubbery (like the D600) and you've got a phone you just want to rub while it's in your pocket. Be carefull though!! You don't want people getting the wrong idea.
So who is this phone for? It's pretty much for anybody to be honest. Someone who wants to turn a few heads (before it's well known). It takes great snaps with it's 3MP camera, has an amazing crisp and smooth screen (QVGA), and a some features which you can't help but smile at.
The design is slim, as you should already know by now, it's a bit wide, but that's only because of the 'Razr effect'. You want something slim? It's got to be a bit wide. It's a mesh of rubber and gloss. The gloss does look nice, however as we all know, it's a finger print magnet. I wouldn't touch the phone with oily fingers either since you'll stain the rubber.
The screen is very very nice. The images are vibrant and very smooth. The brightness is also very good and reading messages in direct sunlight is good.
The new UI system is also something I like alot. The icons look nice and everything is organized. You no longer have the option of four color 'skins', you now have a dark theme and a light theme. It seems as if you may be able to install OTHER themes onto it. It comes with a theme called 'theme'. This makes the main wallpaper change depending on the time of day AND by country. Yes you heard me correctly. When I was in Qatar, it was a picture of a Sand Dune with a clear blue sky in the morning (how stereotypical, ah well), on my flight to the UK, it changed to a picture of Big Ben with birds flying in the sky. I was quite impressed to see that. When there is NO signal detected, the wallpaper changes to a green hill with blue sky. Additionally, when dialing a number, the background turns into a 'polaroid' and the numbers appear to be written underneath it with a pen. Very nice. I'd like to see some of the other themes though.
The 3 MP camera has a fast refresh rate and is indeed a marvel, this is only the case with alot of light. In low light areas, there is a lag. Yes there is a video option built in. The compression ratio is also improved compared to older models. You have the usual special effects and frames to mess with. Pictures do look very nice on the phone. I've yet to transfer any, I hope to add some soon though. You can change shutter sound, zoom sound, frames, effects, size, etc... The usual.
The speaker is very loud although, and this is a big although, some people do not like to REMOVE the plastic off the screen. If you do NOT remove the plastic off the screen, you'll end up blocking the speaker and the sound will not be clear at all. This means the speaker is also the ear peice, so sadly you'll either have to remove the plastic or cut it and place it back.
One of my favourite functions of the phone is that you can lock the menu. You can either lock it so that if someone tried to access the whole menu they need to enter a code, or you can lock the messages area only (or the files specifically). I love such a function! I don't know why other phones don't have this feature. It's now common with the new Samsungs.
It also has features such as Sonic Wellness (which plays a song and clip on your phone) which is supposed to make you feel better and relax you. It has a built in answering machine, for those who don't want to use their voicemail. Hmm oh, you'll notice, if you buy the phone, that the screen turns off and doesn't display a clock. They've done this to save battery. Holding the volume battery, you'll get the date, clock, missed calls and signal level. Nice little summary.
Yes there is loud speaker.
Yes you can choose vibrate and ring and the same time.
Yes you can select custom ringtones.
No you cannot select custom text message tones.
I also have quite a few greyed out menus which is strange.
Now I've covered the basics and given you all the story, I'll mention a few of the specs.
Specs:
80 MB internal memory, micro SD support.
Quadband
Features: mp3 player, bluetooth, PC Sync, Sound recording.
3MP Camera
Screen: 262K internal screen (QVGA)
System: Generic Samsung
Sound: one speaker.
Main feature: slim.
Battery Life Talk: 6.50 hours (390 minutes)
Standby: 260 hours (10.8 days)
Alright, what's in the box? You get the charger, cable to plug the phone into the tv, headphones, battery cover, battery, and syncing cd. Sadly, no micro card comes with it. I purchased one for around 20 pounds for a 1gb. I thought I'd need some more room.
When you first switch it on, you see a smooth animation and the phone automatically searched for the appropriate settings, if not available, it'll set the default.
It appears that this phone comes in grey and black. This is the black version which I have.
As mentioned, the keypad is great. It's nice to press, has a glossy surrounding and is easy to get used to the keypad layout. All is well.
When I slid the phone up, I noticed that sometimes it does not 'lock' into place. It may be the phone that I have, but when it doesn't lock up, it wiggles. Pressing firmly when sliding up solves this.
Sound Quality on the phone is great. No thinness of bass, no tinny sound, no problems that I could notice.
Video:
Video was actually pretty good. It was smooth and didn't show much pixelation. Good thing it has a high frame rate. 29fps I think.
Organizer.
Calendar, tasks, notes, secret memo, alarms, timer, stopwatch, record sound, calculator and world times, and a few games. Oh and don't forget the menu lock.
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
Amazingly thin..
Fast bluetooth.
Great screen.
Very fast menu system. (VERY VERY VERY fast)
3MP
Cons
No radio (not really needed but would have been nice)
Slide doesn't lock all the time (might be just my phone)
My verdict? It's battery holds on long enough for me, it looks nice, has a great screen. What else could you want. Get this now or wait for the 3G version in december.
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.
TIP:
to everyone, there IS a full screen view. Samsung just doesn't mention it on the phone.
Pressing 1 changes the phone to full screen view
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áÇÝä ÈäÛÍÈÉ - Qatar is with you Lebanon
[ This Message was edited by: amnesia on 2006-08-21 03:10 ]
Posted by fatreg
my review not good enough for you??
fatreg
Posted by amnesia
there's always room more reviews. I personally can't get enough of them.
I love seeing loads of pics and various opinions when researching.
Posted by fatreg
fair point..
one thing i find fooking annoying is i cant out the charger in that easily.. i cant get the cover off with ease at all..
think its coming off for good soon..
fatreg
Posted by amnesia
mine is alright, but then again, I've got small hands.
Does yours not 'click' properly when you slide it up sometimes?
Posted by Miss UK
Whats it like in comparison with the D600? Is it the same or bit different
Posted by axxxr
call me narrow minded but i just can't seem to get into these funny looking slim samsungs that are hitting the market at the moment...not my cup of tea at all.
I'd rather stick with my phones with some pedigree..no prizes for guessing which ones.
Posted by amnesia
@miss uk, it's much better than a D600, think of it as a major upgrade.
(side note: sorry for not getting back to you about the perfumes, I only had a few days left and a ton of jobs to do)
to everyone, there IS a full screen view. Samsung just doesn't mention it on the phone.
Pressing 1 changes the phone to full screen view
Posted by Miss UK
Amnesia,
It's looks alot like a pancaked out D600..
it also has similar specs aswell of what ive read upon it only thing thats different is the camera (Correct me if im wrong)
has it got the animated menu?
what about option to change and download more sms tones?
that really bugges me about the D600 but nothing else tbh...
Did you buy the Micro SD from your hols?
£20 is cheap for a 1GB I paid "25 for a 256 enn at start of yr when I got the D600
Bout the perfume,
Thats was al'rite you couldn't get it cos as it was my birthday last tuesday my friend bought me a bottle of it
Posted by fatreg
@ amensia is yours a european model?
i didnt get a tv cable with my phone...
fatreg
Posted by Miss UK
is your's on orange reggie?
if so perhap they nicked it out the box lol
my D600 has a Tv cable int even touched any of the wires/headphones with it tbh, but it is unlocked good thing about o2 that
Posted by fatreg
well its fro orange miss uk but its generic...
so i dunno..
fatreg
Posted by Miss UK
o2 seem to have the sim free boxes of phones and all they do is add a few o2 startups onto there handsets so becoz orange like diddling bout I guess they have got there own box and have took the cables out
that has always put me off bout orange that,
even with the sims they charge you £15 if you loose emm rite?
ive had 2 sims this yr off o2 nil charge
btw get back on this phone,
is it really that better that I should upgrade to it December?
it looks nice buit it looks to much like a D600 still and it's basically the same features
Anyone know if Samsung is bringing anything else out before I upgade bigger internal memory or sumat? or 5 Megapix camera lol I'll be lucky
Laters
Posted by amnesia
@miss uk, the UI is completely different from the D600, has quite a few nice options as mentioned above.
The screen is also QVGA, super smooth. I think it's a major jump compared to the D600. However if you can hold out to december and can sacrafice .6mm wait for the 3g version
@fatreg, it's the middle east version. Asia and Middle East models have the tv cable. Europe and US dont get it. Strange, the phone is 190 pounds in Qatar, it costs less than the UK and we get more
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áÇÝä ÈäÛÍÈÉ - Qatar is with you Lebanon
[ This Message was edited by: amnesia on 2006-08-21 23:33 ]
Posted by Mulder7
I wonder how this would look compared to the LG chocolate? I have been eyeing up an upgrade and I have gone from the K800 to either this or the LG. Still not sure and reviews like this really do help me. Thankz amnesia
Posted by marlonski
@amnesia - nice review mate, a friend of mine has just got the E900 which looks nice but i have to say that the touch sesitive buttons are a bit of a pain. This not only looks good but probably much less fiddly to use. I want one!
Posted by amnesia
I'm glad I could have helped people gain a better understanding of the phone.
You all know where to get a great unbeatable deal from
someone at mobile-review doubted me when I said you can record voice convos and there is a built in answering machine.
Here is a video proving this
http://www.lol-rofl.com/content/phoned900.mp4
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áÇÝä ÈäÛÍÈÉ - Qatar is with you Lebanon
[ This Message was edited by: amnesia on 2006-08-22 00:35 ]
Posted by korbindallis
I am thinking of getting this phone in a months time, just wanted to ask if the phones softwear needs to be upgraded how do u do that, how good is the pdf on it and how long long is the stand by time
Posted by amnesia
apparantly some versions in the UK (could be Europe) do not have some options, so you must update your firmware to sim-free.
Posted by Miss UK
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I'll have alook at it instore when I upgrade,
it will be cheap I guess but if theres something else by Samsung thats got bigger mem and higher pix camera i'll jump at that chance
Posted by JAGUY85
How does this answering machine work on the phone? Idea sounds good. I'm still not gonna trade my K750 because there is no radio. How does one update a Samsung? Is it as easy like SE? By the way, I finally saw
Posted by amnesia
You don't update the Samsung firmware like SE. It's like all the other phones, it has to be done at a store or center.
The answering machine answers the phone call, they record a message onto your phone. So your phone basically answers for them to leave a message.
Posted by fatreg
where do you find that setting amnesia?
canny see it on my D900....
fatreg
Posted by IRFCA_WDG-3A
Hmmm, can we have a photo quality duel with the k800, mate?
Posted by amnesia
I don't own a K800.
@fatreg, Euro and American versions have functions removed for some odd reason, such as the Conversation record and answering machine. (obviously to make more money for the networks).
I've made a video showing where the options are
www.lol-rofl.com/content/phoned900.mp4
Posted by amnesia
You can find various photos here.
Daylight, Indoor, Bright Colors, and the smallest photo is the lowest quality.
Posted by Miss UK
Good pics..
you should stick emm in the Samsung photo thread
can't view the video tho only hear sound
Hey Fatreg,
I think this is next out for SAMSUNG
looks pretty don't it
btw it says it's got 90MB internal memory
so atleast thats gone up abit
http://www.mobiles.co.uk/samsung-z700.html
Posted by amnesia
that's been out for a couple of months already in the Middle East.
You have to view the video with Quicktime or VLC player.
Posted by korbindallis
hi
can u answere a call just by sliding the phone open and can u cancel a call just by closing the slide
and how is the pdf viewer on the phone
Posted by amnesia
yes you can, and I haven't tried the pdf viewer.
Posted by Miss UK
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you should've brought it back with you it's not out in the UK as of yet unlike the D900 which will be common as soon
Posted by amnesia
I personally think it's very ugly.
Posted by korbindallis
i think its ugly tooo,
ps thanks for that info about the call answering and canceling
will be getting this phone soon
Posted by amnesia
glad I could help
Posted by Miss UK
It's a change from Sliding phones tho
it's not ugly at all.... besides it's not as common as the D900 will be...
every contract is offering it as a free phone what does that say?
it ain't got 3G Z700 has
Posted by amnesia
tbh I'd rather have something that's common and looks alright than something that's clunky and not appealing.
Posted by Miss UK
true but it is different...
actually I mite go for a NOKIA N93 it's got better photo's compared with the Samsungs
Posted by crude75
Yeah but the n93 is huge and weighs a ton, oh i am sorry make that 2 tons
This message was posted from a T290i
Posted by Miss UK
it does but it's looks really different!
if samsung int gonna bring something out with Higher MB space then I int gonna bother with emm, the D900 is just to much like my D600, don't get me wrong but there nice phones but I want something abit different
now
Posted by QVGA
Just read the review on mobile-review.com, some of the GUI modifications are just awsome. Eg. the animated numbers that comeup when dialing.
Posted by Miss UK
bout the N93 @ QV
Posted by amnesia
be sure to post us some pics of it then!
Posted by Miss UK
that phone looks so kewl,
hey amnesia ta for that link via pm
Hope I can sell my D600 over £130
when it's nearer the time to upgrade
Posted by korbindallis
wow thats a really big investment u made miss uk
hope you enjoy it to the maxx
post some pics and is there a photo trade of the n93 so that we can see how the pics are and compare between k800
Posted by Miss UK
yeah I have to wait till december to get it,
I think it will cost £250 on upgrade, hope I can flog my D600...
to cover some of it
Posted by Johnnyg
Hey guys,
Sorry, but I need alittle help. I just got a Samsung D900, and I can't turn off predicting text! I have a memory of someone saying you have to turn it off for evey text, but I can't find how even to do that! :'S
Can you help? Thanks,
Mr JohnnyG, UK
Posted by sneesh
Press and hold the * key to switch between predictive text and manual entry
The D900 is awesome...be nice to have different themes though
Posted by nabeel amin
one of the initial posts said something about some options being disabled/grey. e.g. the keypad tone option in settings.
u have to change font for that (settings>display settings>dialling display), which means u have to go out of the theme. don't know why but that's what the book says. some other options like calendar are still disabled.
Posted by amnesia
you need to disable 'theme'.
Posted by procterdc
Does anyone know whether you can actually change themes with the D900? Just got mine, i'm actually not to sure wether I like it or not. Heard a few bad things about the screen.