Samsung SGH-i780 review
I promised we’d do it today, so let’s go.
As I said yesterday, the Samsung i780 looks very much like a Blackberry but does is cut the ice?
For a start, this is definite move by Samsung into the pocket PC market. Previous products such as the i600 were smart phones. The i780 represents a move that could entice users to switch from Blackberry to Samsung.
Design
Simpley put; very Blackberry. The i780 feels very comfortable, not at all bulky considering the size (61.3 x 115.9 x 13.3 millimetres). The Samsung SGH-i780 features a full QWERTY keypad plus Windows ‘Start’ and ‘Ok’ keys. Samsung really are trying to make this device appeal to Microsoft users. Just about all keys are dual function allowing you to invoke a different function or symbol using the Fn key. Along the bottom row are two nice additions: dedicated GPS and Message buttons which simplify the ease of use. In all, the keypad is actually very easy to use one handed when sending texts or composing emails.
Below the screen is an optical mouse. This is a marked difference from Blackberrys trackball which can easily clog up with dirt and become unresponsive. No such problems with the i780. The optical mouse was a breeze to use although we did find that dirt left on the pad made it a little jerky. That said, the Samsung mouse is considerabley easier to clean than Blackberrys trackball.
The i780 320 x 320 touchscreen display is more than adequate for a device of this size. The are two issues here:
- the screens reflective finish made the screen difficult to see in bright sunlight
- touchscreen sometimes took a fair amount of pressure, or even double taps, to register an action
On the left side of the SGH-i780 is a volume rocker and on the right a flap under which you’ll a socket for the USB cable of headphone jack. A microphone socket is located on the bottom of the device. All fairly standard.
On the back of the i780 is a 2 Megapixels camera. “Only 2 Megapixels?” Yes, that’s right but we’re not talking poor images here. Pictures taken using this camera are clear and crisp. Note to other manufacturers: Why can’t you do this?
The Windows Mobile 6 Professional is as you’d expect. A full productivity suite from Microsoft which is aimed squarely at the business sector. There are some nice extras such as a mini player which allows you to play media without invoking the screen hogging Windows Media Player. Also, you get the Opera browser. I’m biased here. I like Opera and I’m really pleased to see it being shipped with the i780.
The GPS device is a really nice touch. And it’s fast. This is, in part, due to the Assissted GPS (AGPS) feature. Data can be downloaded even if you don’t have a data card. The device can even use ActiveSynch for downloads. Very nice.
Battery life is good. Samsung claim 7 hours of talk time on a full charge. We got pretty close to this; 6hrs 50 mins maximum. No complaints there.
Conclusion
I like the Samsung SGH-i780. There were some minor niggles but these wouldn’t stop me from buying an i780 even at a rough price of around £300 - it’s definitely cheaper than some of the options out there and better by far.
Specifications
Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Professional
624 MHz Marvell CPU
256 MB ROM / 128MB RAM
2.5 ” 320×320 TFT Touchscreen
GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS2100
CSD, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
Built-in QWERTY-type keyboard, 37 keys
microSD card slot
Bluetooth 2.0
WiFi: 802.11b/g
Built in NMEA 0183 GPS
2.0mp camera
Downside
I have to be fair, there was nothing that would stop me buying this device. True, there are some things that could be improved such as: the keypad has a slightly cramped feel and the reflective display is difficult to see in bright daylight. The most annoying feature is Samsungs use of proprietary connecctors - lost cable replacement isn’t cheap.
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