Style over Substance (Samsung SGH-E900)

Member Name: chazzabelle

Product:	Samsung SGH-E900
Date:	19/11/07 (129 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Neat and stylish. Good camera

Disadvantages: touch screen

Where to start when it comes to the Samsung E900? I have had the phone in red/pink for the past 6 months or so, and I must say, it hasn’t wowed me. Admittedly, there are some good features. The slick design, funky colour and easy-to-use menu format. I also like the sliding feature on most Samsungs. However, I do think that the positive points stop there. I’ve never been a big fan of Samsung – I don’t like that you have to choose between vibrate and ringtone for incoming calls and text messages. I don’t like that you can’t have a normal alarm, but have to choose an overly-complicated tune (incidentally, a colleague of mine has his ringtone as my alarm – it does make one somewhat uncomfortable to be reminded of waking up whilst awake!). But the real trouble with this phone is the touch screen – it’s really a matter of style over substance.

At first glance, the touch screen is pretty – it looks neat and clean. However, it does seem to be trying to solve a problem that isn’t really there. Granted, if the touch screen was similar to that on the i-phone, used to browse your phone on-screen, then fair enough. However, the touch mechanism is limited only to where the buttons would normally be. They’re not very touch sensitive and it takes a while to get used to how it works. Once you are used to it, the fun doesn’t stop there –taking a photo – especially if taking a photo of yourself – is a bit of a nightmare, as if your finger grazes across the cancel button for instance, then you’re back to square one. Trying to get anyone else to take a photo is a bit of a waste of time also – unless they have mastered the touch screen, it will be an interesting sight watching them attempt to use the phone!

Overall, although the Samsung E900 is in a pretty red colour and looks nice whilst you’re ringing your mum, I wouldn’t recommend it. The touch buttons are hard to use and frustrating, and I have yet had a Samsung phone which hasn’t broken – this one has taken on the charming habit of letting other people hear me when I ring them, but I can’t hear them. If you’re going to get a touch screen phone, make it an i-phone.

Summary: It wouldn't be my first choice

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