Samsung SGH-i600.(product evaluation)(Product/service evaluation)

Byline: Emil Larsen

Samsung SGH-i600

Outstanding mobile broadband, but is the screen too small?

Bluetooth, 802.11g Wifi and 1.8Mbits/sec HSDPA are all big-hitting features on SamsungA-s business phone, the SGH-i600, and everything fits into a package weighing just 105g. The HSDPA reverts to 3G for data transfers in poor coverage areas, but it means youA-ll almost always be within range of a reliable internet connection with this phone.

Windows Mobile 5 runs the show, allowing easy viewing of Word, Powerpoint, Excel and PDF documents. ThereA-s a heavy emphasis on media when you first start the phone up, but this isnA-t followed through by Samsung which only provides a proprietary headset connector and no 3.5mm jack.

The internals include 64MB of Ram and 128MB of internal storage, which can be increased using the Micro-SD card slot.

A 1.3-megapixel camera at the rear lets you take impromptu photos, while the 0.3-megapixel camera on the front is for videoconferencing.

Despite being clear and vivid, surfing the web isnA-t a particularly pleasurable experience on a 2.3in screen. Indeed, the small screen puts some of the mobile broadband functionality to waste, since itA-s not big enough to browse most standard sites. A better use of the SGH-i600A-s high-speed connection is perhaps to hook it up to a notebook with a bigger screen.

Samsung provides two batteries, quoting 300 hours standby time and 6.5 hours talk time for the standard battery. Using the extended battery adds a bit of bulk, but it only lost half its charge after a whole weekend of usage, including a full day with the Wifi turned on a a truly exceptional feat.

Audio quality for calls was fine and the keyboard is one of the best Qwerty models available, making the SGHi600 a well made, feature-rich phone. Emil Larsen

Details

Price [pounds sterling]250

Best price www.pcw.co.uk/bestprices

Contact Samsung 0870 726 7864 www.samsung.co.uk

Specifications Triband A[macron] UMTS/Edge/HSDPA A[macron] Windows Mobile 5 A[macron] 802.11 b/g A[macron] USB 1.1 A[macron] 1.3- and 0.3-megapixel cameras A[macron] 2.3in screen (320x240) A[macron] 59x12x113mm (wxdxh) A[macron] 105g

Verdict

Pros Excellent battery life; HSDPA; Wifi; compact

Cons Small screen; no 3.5mm audio jack

Features HHHHH

Performance HHHHH

Value for money HHHHH

Overall Great build quality and fast internet access, but the small screen hampers usability

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