Samsung i300: Could This Be Your Next Phone & Audio Player?

[Jason Dunn]

We've mentioned the Samsung i300 previously, when it was known by it's code-name, "Thor". If you watched the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/events/executives/billgates.mspx">MEDC 2005 keynote speech</a> (and if you haven't, you should) you would have seen a brief showing of the i300. I was really intrigued by the use of the scroll wheel for moving quickly through songs, along with the ability to use a smart filter to find a song. Amazing! I did a little digging, and after contacting a Samsung PR rep I was sent a press release and some photos (though I wish the photographer focused more on the phone and less on the model). Enjoy!<img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/i300-2-small.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/i300-1.JPG"> Image 1</a> - <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/i300-2.JPG"> Image 2</a> - <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/i300-3.JPG">Image 3</a><i>"Samsung Electronics, a premium provider of mobile phones, exclusively unveils the world’s first 3GB HDD embedded music smartphone, the SGH-i300, at CeBIT 2005. This development follows its 2004 introduction of the world's first 1.5GB hard disk drive phone. This 3GB handset is the first phone featuring “Plug &amp; Play Files-to-go,” which allows the phone to function as a removable hard disk drive. Businessmen and students can easily transfer files to / from their computers, as well as store and transfer files in any format conveniently. Capable of storing up to 1,000 music files and featuring scroll-wheel navigation, this handset enables users to easily search files. It is perfect for people with a passion for music as the device supports 3D-sound through its stereo speakers. The i300 also enables users to download and enjoy music from not only online music services but also from OTA music services provided by mobile operators. Also featuring a 1.3 megapixel camera, the i300 supports external memory (TransFlash), which can be installed without the use of a CD via its Easy Install function."</i>You can also download a PDF of <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/samsung-i300.pdf">the whole press release</a>. MGN also has a <a href="http://www.mpx200.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=8373">couple of low-res pictures</a> taken from MEDC 2005.<b>UPDATE:</b> I can't see to get a clear answer as to when and where this device will be released. It's definitely not coming out in North America first, so we're looking at Asia or Europe. I'll keep digging...

[jfreiman]

I really like this phone, but really don't want to consider it until it, or a version of it supports the 850MHz band.

All in all, it's stylish, has a great resolution screen, plenty of storage (is their ever enough?) has a flash for the camera - which for me is more important than the resolution and uses the latest version of Windows Mobile.

I really hope that MS, Samsung and possibly HTC (when they release a HDD capable model phone) show Nokia and Sony/Ericsson how to make a great all-purpose product.

Competition is good, especially when you're winning. Keep on Truck'n.

[jfreiman]

Uk, oh!

Is that a proprietry headphone jack? That really bites.

I can't even get a replacement headphone for my SMT5600 which uses a 'standard' 4 conductor connector, now I have to hope that a vendor makes one for the i300. :cry:

[Mark Larson]

That was going to be exactly my point, jfreiman. As long as I can't use my own headphones with the phone, i won't like using the mp3 player function. Mostly because the included headsets are always crap and don't fit my ear well.

The LCD is kinda small - the phone is huge compared to the Typhoon. We have to see pics of it with a Nokia N91 or whatever to judge though.

[Damion Chaplin]

I thought the song was 'In Da Club'... :wink:

As a portable hard drive, the device intrigues me. As a music player not so much. My collection is 60+ GB (that's 31 days worth of music according to Winamp). 3GB is just not enough room for anything except a sampling of good albums. Carrying files with me would be cool. It would be even cooler if I could download the pics from my camera onto it...

And then there's that proprietary headphone jack. No thanks.

[MatthewNCB]

I think we should cut Samsung some slack here.
Frequently we critisice Mfr's for lack of inovation.

Ok so its a bit bigger than the latest SP, but 3Gb Storage!!!!!!
That is in my opinion one of the biggest transformations we have seen. Its gone from Mb to GB and if this sets the standard then all Mfr's will have to follow suit, if they want to succeed.

IMO, good on Samsung!

[edgar]

proprietary jack and no 850Mhz band? Not for me then.

And where are pictures of the phone? All I see is some beautiful blonde. :twisted:


-Edgar

[rbrome]

More pics here:

http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/ctia_2005/index.php?p=s4

http://www.infosyncworld.com/productguide/image.php?manufacturer=Samsung&amp;name=Samsung%20SGH-i300&amp;image_type=i&amp;number=1

[Janak Parekh]

Is that a proprietry headphone jack? That really bites.
We'll have to see. I'd bet there's a standard stereo 2.5mm jack, but an additional attachment for remote control. If so, you could use your headphones, but may or may not be able to with the remote...

--janak

[madsb]

Hmmm... the press release says 1.5 Gb HDD, but the specifications on page 2 of the press release says 3 Gb HDD - which is it? I think I'll go with 3 Gb, since that figure is mentioned twice... :?

[Mike Temporale]

Hmmm... the press release says 1.5 Gb HDD, but the specifications on page 2 of the press release says 3 Gb HDD - which is it? I think I'll go with 3 Gb, since that figure is mentioned twice... :?

Ya, it's 3GB. The 1.5 must be a typo or something. It' 3GB for sure. 8)

[Mike Temporale]

I think we should cut Samsung some slack here.
Frequently we critisice Mfr's for lack of inovation.

...IMO, good on Samsung!

I agree. I like the phone, and would love to see it released here in North America. 8)

[jfreiman]

Hmmm... the press release says 1.5 Gb HDD, but the specifications on page 2 of the press release says 3 Gb HDD - which is it? I think I'll go with 3 Gb, since that figure is mentioned twice... :?

I was thinking that it was a 1.5GB HDD and another 1.5GB of flash.

[Graffiti]

It's a 3GB drive, as far as Asia Pacific's concerned. I wouldn't expect it to be any different worldwide, really.

The jack you see pictured on the phone goes to an in-line remote controller. You then get to plug in a standard 3.5mm stereo jack to that remote. This is the standard practice for all high-end Samsung phones capable of music playback.