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View Full Version : Samsung i320 Review on MobileTechReview


Jerry Raia
09-26-2006, 01:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobiletechreview.com/phones/Samsung-i320.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.mobiletechreview.com/phones/Samsung-i320.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"I love MS Smartphones; the functionality is great but with standardization comes a feeling of “sameness”. Enter the Samsung SGH-i320 to mix it up, the new candy-bar qwerty phone dubbed as the Motorola Q killer! Its direct competition is the Motorola Q right? Perhaps, it’s a slim qwerty phone but this one is the size of the SLVR; maybe that is its competition?"</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Jerry-i320&Q.bmp" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />I don't think this will be a Q killer. I will admit that Samsung makes, as is pointed out here, a more solidly constructed device. However, I think the smaller keyboard and lack of a scroll wheel on the i320, are negatives. I've seen several references in this and other reviews on the lack of a backspace key on the Q keyboard. Somehow having to use the back arrow key on the Q is a problem. What problem? We are talking about a tiny keyboard! Are any of you touch typing on these things? At anyrate I'm sure the i320 is a solid device. I think it's too little and too late to the party however.

DaleReeck
09-26-2006, 01:10 PM
Not so sure about the lack of a scroll wheel being a negative. Personally, I think the scroll wheel (as well as the side "back" button) on the Q are useless. The center rocker and front "back" key function just as well and, IMO, are more comfortable to use than the side controls. The device is too thin to comfortably and safely (in terms of it slipping out of your hand) use side controls, at least for me.

I wonder if there's an app that can reassign those side controls? :)

mbranscum
09-26-2006, 01:21 PM
I think it's too little and too late to the party however.

That depends. If Cingular gets ahold of the Samsung, you may be wrong. :wink:

HalM
09-26-2006, 02:52 PM
I think it's too little and too late to the party however.

That depends. If Cingular gets ahold of the Samsung, you may be wrong. :wink:
Isn't Cingular rumored to be going with the i607, not the i320? That said, are the 320 and 607 just different configurations of the same platform?

mpaquette
09-26-2006, 07:31 PM
I like the looks of the Samsung, I wish my Q was black. I find the scroll wheel pretty useful especially with long email.

sbono13
09-26-2006, 08:32 PM
I think having a Java runtime out of the box is a pretty big deal. Gives you access to nice mobile apps like Opera Mini and Google Maps Mobile. People with Q's know that adding the IBM websphere MIDP has been hit or miss.

Tim Williamson
09-26-2006, 11:36 PM
Guess I'll wait until October when hopefully the Samsung and HTC will be in the States and I'll be able to compare both firsthand. I'd get the Samsung over the Q though from reading that review.

edgar
09-27-2006, 12:06 AM
The I607 is Quadband, has a scroll wheel and is HSDPA - and the backspace :)

That kicks the Q - if its ever released

Jerry Raia
09-27-2006, 12:06 AM
I use the scroll wheel constantly. I would miss not having it. Like I said I'm sure the Samsung is a solid device, I'm just seeing so many Q's everywhere I can say unscientifically; it is very popular. I would think Cingular will also carry the Q at some point. I even met a bartender who had one behind him at the bar. :mrgreen:

scottb
09-27-2006, 01:31 AM
These two devices can be compared to each other, but are not in direct competition with each other (at least not yet), so labeling the Samsung the "Q killer" is really pointless. Since the Q is CDMA and the Samsung is GSM you don't have a choice of one or the other--it depends on your operator.

I like the look of the Samsung, but the keyboard looks like it would take some getting used to. It appears in the picture that you have to press either the top or the bottom of each key to get the different characters. Can anyone who's used one confirm this? Makes for good one-handed use, but seems a bit awkward.

Tim Williamson
09-27-2006, 01:34 AM
I don't get why there's so much empty space between the bottom of the screen and the d-pad? Why didn't they remove that space and make the device slightly shorter?

Mike Temporale
09-27-2006, 03:18 AM
Isn't Cingular rumored to be going with the i607, not the i320? That said, are the 320 and 607 just different configurations of the same platform?

yup, pretty much.

Jerry Raia
09-27-2006, 03:51 AM
I say hold out for a Cingular Q. :)

Mike Temporale
09-27-2006, 04:03 AM
I don't get why there's so much empty space between the bottom of the screen and the d-pad? Why didn't they remove that space and make the device slightly shorter?

Operator branding. :(

saru7755
09-27-2006, 08:24 AM
i'm a i320N user, i can say that this is pretty much a Q Killer, its very small &amp; lightning FAST. the only downside is the battery life, it lasts barley a day, but good thing is that it comes with 2 batteries &amp; a separate battery charger so honestly the battery life is not an issue at all. &amp; yes keyboard is small but not as small as ppl thinks, it would take an hour to get used to but its pretty usable.

i would recommend it any time &amp; over the Q. 8)

cortez
09-27-2006, 09:24 AM
i'm a i320N user, i can say that this is pretty much a Q Killer, its very small &amp; lightning FAST. the only downside is the battery life, it lasts barley a day, but good thing is that it comes with 2 batteries &amp; a separate battery charger so honestly the battery life is not an issue at all. &amp; yes keyboard is small but not as small as ppl thinks, it would take an hour to get used to but its pretty usable.

i would recommend it any time &amp; over the Q. 8)

i'm using the i320n, have larger than average hands and have no problem using the keyboard. this is the most responsive smartphone i've had, including the Q and the 3125. i agree that battery life is not the best and may turnaway prospective users. it's really a sweet phone...

edgar
09-27-2006, 04:59 PM
Thats another difference

The I607 (US model - hopefully!) is showing a larger by 50% battery in the specs I saw in the other thread.

Rocco Augusto
09-28-2006, 02:23 AM
Thats another difference

The I607 (US model - hopefully!) is showing a larger by 50% battery in the specs I saw in the other thread.

thats cause we americans need more power! ;)

edgar
09-28-2006, 02:48 AM
Thank you GWB Jr :roll:

The I607 just looks like the best of the 320 and Q and features. Make it happen Rocco, *snap snap*

Tim Williamson
09-28-2006, 06:20 AM
thats cause we americans need more power! ;)

Thank you GWB Jr :roll:

Yep blame everything on Bush. :roll: :roll: :roll:

Mike Temporale
09-28-2006, 11:06 AM
Thank you GWB Jr :roll:

Yep blame everything on Bush. :roll: :roll: :roll:

Just a friendly moderator comment - Let's try and keep the politics out of the phones. ;)

Tim Williamson
09-28-2006, 03:54 PM
Thank you GWB Jr :roll:

Yep blame everything on Bush. :roll: :roll: :roll:

Just a friendly moderator comment - Let's try and keep the politics out of the phones. ;)

Hey he started it! ;) No problem.