Hands-on with the new Samsung i900
John Chan | Jun 05, 2008
Leaked images and specifications have led to much speculation about the new Samsung SGH-i900, a Windows Mobile 6.1 PDA-phone. We had one in our hands for a few brief moments, and bring you this quick and dirty hands-on.
When we put it beside an iPhone (see more pictures of that after the jump), it was uncanny how similar its shape was to Apple's product. It's thicker than the iPhone but shorter in length. Typically Samsung, the i900 feels solidly built and has a brushed metal finish all around.
Most of the specifications posted online have been accurate. The i900 does indeed come with HSDPA, 16GB internal storage, a 5-megapixel camera and runs Windows Mobile 6.1. Aside from that, we also know it has a 624MHz Marvell processor, 128MB of RAM and haptic feedback.
For the uninitiated, haptic feedback in a mobile phone is designed to make the feeling of pressing an onscreen virtual button more realistic. If you use your finger on the i900, it buzzes slightly to let you know it has registered that touch. This was very useful when we tried out the custom Samsung text input applications--making it almost like typing on a real keypad.
Like the SGH-i780, the i900 also has an optical sensor for a directional pad. This can be used in two modes--as a regular four-way directional pad or as an onscreen mouse pointer. Pressing on this optical sensor selects.
Though we were not able to get pictures of the custom interface, Samsung seems pretty confident of the i900's usability with just fingers. We know this because the i900 doesn't have a stylus slot. It still has a stylus, but this is attached to the carrying case that will be bundled with the device.
An orientation sensor is built into the i900. When rotated, it does this fancy transition whereby the display shrinks and expands back to fill the screen in a different orientation. The 240 x 400 display does seem a little weird, but is not unheard of--we've seen it in the ASUS M930's internal display. It makes sense, too, if you are to use it as a media player because the aspect ratio is much closer to the 16:9 aspect ratio commonly seen in movie files. To that end, the i900 also comes with a media application that supports DivX and Xvid out of the box.
Listed below are the key specifications of the i900. This device will be available soon, we believe. Surely Samsung will not delay it and let the HTC Touch Diamond hog the limelight. Our source suggested that it will be priced similar to the Diamond, which has an RRP of S$1,098.
- 7.2Mbps HSDPA
- GPS
- 624MHz Marvell PXA312 processor
- 128MB RAM, 256MB ROM, 16GB internal memory
- microSD expansion
- 5-megapixel camera with autofocus
- FM radio
- 1,480mAh battery
- 112 x 56.9 x 12.5mm
- 122g
Click for more images
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Talkback
johnchan says...
Actually, Marvell's mobile processor line was bought from Intel. You may be familiar with the name--Xscale. Wouldn't really consider them a new entrant, just that we have been more used to calling them Intel processors even after it changed hands.
Jun 05, 2008 20:39
Actually, Marvell's mobile processor line was bought from Intel. You may be familiar with the name--Xscale. Wouldn't really consider them a new entrant, just that we have been more used to calling them Intel processors even after it changed hands.
Jun 05, 2008 20:39
multan says...
Can't wait for this new toy and let my old dopod retire...
Hahaha...
Guess it's going to be a good fight between Apple, HTC or even MWG...
Hopefully the prices will be as competitive too...
Jun 05, 2008 22:20
Can't wait for this new toy and let my old dopod retire...
Hahaha...
Guess it's going to be a good fight between Apple, HTC or even MWG...
Hopefully the prices will be as competitive too...
Jun 05, 2008 22:20
arthemus30 says...
WoW nice toy, it is available in asia? I want to buy it now.
Jun 06, 2008 03:04
WoW nice toy, it is available in asia? I want to buy it now.
Jun 06, 2008 03:04
ferdiei says...
so iy was Marvell who bought the Xcale line of processors & not that they're developing on their own (which is not their strength really). but as Intel is marketing the atom now may mean that this line of cpu's might get stuck in the niche segment of pda or on sole category of smartphone or to pdp's, as new form factors in netbooks are emerging to compete with (left/right)other segment in the mobile computing world.
Jun 06, 2008 07:39
so iy was Marvell who bought the Xcale line of processors & not that they're developing on their own (which is not their strength really). but as Intel is marketing the atom now may mean that this line of cpu's might get stuck in the niche segment of pda or on sole category of smartphone or to pdp's, as new form factors in netbooks are emerging to compete with (left/right)other segment in the mobile computing world.
Jun 06, 2008 07:39
LouisAlferez says...
look at the difference in the screen brightness and graphics quality. i don't think it's an iPhone killer yet.
Jun 06, 2008 14:48
look at the difference in the screen brightness and graphics quality. i don't think it's an iPhone killer yet.
Jun 06, 2008 14:48
russin says...
Is this the improved version of samsung F700? That samsung F700 is too soft. i cant hear the phone rings. It really sucks.
Jun 06, 2008 15:38
Is this the improved version of samsung F700? That samsung F700 is too soft. i cant hear the phone rings. It really sucks.
Jun 06, 2008 15:38
sylclh says...
wait till iphone 3g is here then ..we will have a dog fight...
Jun 06, 2008 16:12
wait till iphone 3g is here then ..we will have a dog fight...
Jun 06, 2008 16:12
guynax says...
hopefully Samsung can come out a new and better UI that can be on par with HTC's touchflow 3D, and software compatible with VGA app...
Jun 06, 2008 18:27
hopefully Samsung can come out a new and better UI that can be on par with HTC's touchflow 3D, and software compatible with VGA app...
Jun 06, 2008 18:27
isaac976 says...
wow .. that came unprepared after the launch of i780 ? whats the deal, killing your i780 model for a upper model just to compete with touch diamond? tsk tsk tsk .. just like stabbing your brother in the back !
Jun 06, 2008 23:36
wow .. that came unprepared after the launch of i780 ? whats the deal, killing your i780 model for a upper model just to compete with touch diamond? tsk tsk tsk .. just like stabbing your brother in the back !
Jun 06, 2008 23:36
tlquek says...
The i900 was on internet news for a while but this is the first confirmation from CNET. So, it got to be a valid device.
It's still not on www.gsmarena.com but can find the specs on pdadb.net
Great specs except the colour display doesn't looks great.
And hopefully, it's basic function are up to expectation.
Jun 07, 2008 16:44
The i900 was on internet news for a while but this is the first confirmation from CNET. So, it got to be a valid device.
It's still not on www.gsmarena.com but can find the specs on pdadb.net
Great specs except the colour display doesn't looks great.
And hopefully, it's basic function are up to expectation.
Jun 07, 2008 16:44
johnchan says...
Just to clarify, the screen was on low brightness. I saw the i900 with the brightness turned up and it looks much better than what you see in these photos.
Jun 09, 2008 11:04
Just to clarify, the screen was on low brightness. I saw the i900 with the brightness turned up and it looks much better than what you see in these photos.
Jun 09, 2008 11:04
osl2606 says...
Internally, they call this the "iPhone Killer". Heard from internal sources saying that it will be announced in CommuniAsia 2008 and will launched 2 weeks from now. Can't wait to get my hands on that. It has 16 G internal memory + 5 MB cam, etc with full touch-flo capabilities. I am glad i didn't get the HTC Diamond.
Jun 09, 2008 15:08
Internally, they call this the "iPhone Killer". Heard from internal sources saying that it will be announced in CommuniAsia 2008 and will launched 2 weeks from now. Can't wait to get my hands on that. It has 16 G internal memory + 5 MB cam, etc with full touch-flo capabilities. I am glad i didn't get the HTC Diamond.
Jun 09, 2008 15:08
ferdiei says...
whatever the issue screen brightness or not, the latest iphone will kill this guy, now gasping even before catching breath.
Jun 10, 2008 22:58
whatever the issue screen brightness or not, the latest iphone will kill this guy, now gasping even before catching breath.
Jun 10, 2008 22:58
Chix4Phones says...
I've been using this phone for a couple of weeks. Really impressed at all the cool things you can do.
I'm still finding new features and it continues to impress me. Couple of annoying things, like when you're in your photo files, you can't just say SEND TO... or SET AS... if you want to message it to someone or set it as your homescreen. You have to go out of photos and start a new message and then put it in. Also, if you put pix onto your memory card from another device, you can't make these your homescreen. It has to be photos you have taken with the phone.
For anyone put off by the iPhone's 2MP camera, as I was, this is a perfect substitute. Photos look great and there are heaps of settings you can pick before you take the photo.
I was also really impressed with Office Mobile. Even PowerPoint. This is an AWESOME phone for business people on the go.
Oct 26, 2008 08:45
I've been using this phone for a couple of weeks. Really impressed at all the cool things you can do.
I'm still finding new features and it continues to impress me. Couple of annoying things, like when you're in your photo files, you can't just say SEND TO... or SET AS... if you want to message it to someone or set it as your homescreen. You have to go out of photos and start a new message and then put it in. Also, if you put pix onto your memory card from another device, you can't make these your homescreen. It has to be photos you have taken with the phone.
For anyone put off by the iPhone's 2MP camera, as I was, this is a perfect substitute. Photos look great and there are heaps of settings you can pick before you take the photo.
I was also really impressed with Office Mobile. Even PowerPoint. This is an AWESOME phone for business people on the go.
Oct 26, 2008 08:45
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ferdiei
nice spec on paper, but would it fare enough to give the same user-experience as iphone. besides, marvell is a new entrant in the cpu market & that is not their strength.
Jun 05, 2008 19:24