Samsung YP-T9 (4GB)
Despite a few minor issues, the stylish Samsung YP-T9 is a no-brainer: It's easy to use, packed with features, and sounds fantastic. What more could you ask for?
| The good | User-friendly interface; video playback; gaming capabilities; impressive battery life. |
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| The bad | Processor is slow; side buttons take some getting used to; proprietary USB port. |
CNET Editors' Rating
The Samsung YP-T9 looks good in pictures, but it's even hotter once you get your hands on it. It's smaller than an iPod nano and yet it boasts a noticeably larger, 1.8-inch screen. Like the YP-T7, the YP-T9 vaguely resembles a cell phone, though we prefer the T9's slimmer profile and shiny black case. What's more, the player manages to look good and not sacrifice usability.
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The device's ergonomic five-way control pad makes navigation a breeze (and reminds us of the Rio Carbon). We love the large, center select button, which is nicely indented. However, we're not as crazy about the buttons located along the device's right spine. While the play/pause/power key is fine in this location, we'd prefer to have the Back and Menu buttons located on the front, as it can be tough to hit the correct buttons on such a thin device.
Also, the Menu key is a bit misleading: It only pulls up only contextual menus from within the various playback screens (with different options for music, photo, and video), rather than taking you back to the main menu. Once you get used to this, though, it's OK. The context menu during audio playback allows you to quickly set EQs, Play Mode, Play Speed, and background (either album art, your own images, or pulsating graphics).
We're completely taken with the YP-T9's beautiful screen and colorful, animated interface. Samsung took some care in offering an aesthetically pleasing, modern design without sacrificing usability. As with the K5, the device's top menu features function-based icons that morph into a written description of the selection. It's a little hard to describe, but it's definitely cool. The menus are generally intuitive, with music selections sorted by artist, album, and so on.
Features
The YP-T9, which plays MP3s and WMA files, certainly isn't hurting for features. The only things missing are line-in recording and Mac support (as the YP-T9 is an MTP device). Of course, we'd love to see gapless playback.
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We dig the photo organization, too. Rather than offering a standard thumbnail grid, the YP-T9 photo display shows you a larger photo preview box, bordered by three thumbnails. Another impressive touch: The player automatically sets the screen in landscape mode when you start a video.
Transferring content is also a snap. Simply use the included Media Studio software or a WMA jukebox, such as Windows Media Player or Rhapsody. (Note: you'll need to use Samsung's software to transfer video, as it automatically codes video into the proprietary SVI format supported by the YP-T9).
The YP-T9 does have an FM tuner with autoscan and 30 preset slots--we were pleased to note that the autoscan did an excellent job at picking only the strongest stations, though you can still tune in to weaker stations if you choose. The FM recorder can record up to 192Kbps in MP3.
The player also has a built-in microphone for voice recording and even includes a couple of simple games: Baseball and Pizza Delivery. And true to the Samsung legacy, the YP-T9 offers a ton of audio playback features, including the standard shuffle and repeat modes, and 12 EQ presets--Normal, Rock, House, Dance, Jazz, Ballad, Rhythm & Blues, Classical, 3D-User, 3D-Studio, 3D-Stage, 3D-Club--and a nine-band user EQ. The unit also includes a volume limiter feature.
Finally, there's the Street Mode function, which "allows you to enjoy the music outdoors more clearly," according to Samsung. The only thing we really noticed while in this mode was a volume boost.Performance
Other than navigational lags--a split second when shuttling through menu items and a noticeable delay when skipping tracks--the YP-T9 performed excellently in our tests. It can be tough to browse through a long list of tracks, though you can scroll backwards (a list is essentially a loop, so you can start from the top of a list and search from the bottom up).
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Photos looked bright and were well-defined on the color screen, and video looked great--so good that we might even consider viewing a 30-minute short on the small screen. Music sounded fabulous with rich mids, clear highs, and a defined low-end. We recommend swapping out the included earbuds, though, as they get uncomfortable quickly.
Samsung also managed to pack in a decent battery. CNET Labs squeezed 25.9 hours of music out of the rechargable cell, which is less than the rated 30 hours but impressive nonetheless. At just more than seven hours, video battery life proved to be excellent as well.
Even with the slight processor lag, the YP-T9 is a joy to use. With good looks, a user-friendly interface, an excellent array of features, and great sound quality, this is a hard device to pass up.
Latest comments
Pros: nothing
Cons: unreliable product
Summary: Samsung YP-T9 (4GB) worst ever mp3 player i have seen
I have bought this product in currys digital UK in august (august end) at nottingham store in UK.I gave this as a gift my fiancee who is in india.It worked fine for few days and then stopped.Went to samsung authorised service center in india.Service man said that the total board has to be replaced.This was my first gift to my wife one day before marriage.I hate samsung products now.They are not reliable.There is no life for those products.During marriage,we misplaced waranty cards..So now, no way,we ll get this product worked.wastage of #150 pounds nearly (INR12000).. Raju
Pros: any body can notify me about new models T9
Cons: GKI
Summary: good as multimedia device but i have two problems
DEAR FRIENDS. My name is Georgios Karavasilis and living in Greece. I use T9JQB 2GB as multimedia device. I also use it works as a BLUETOOTH headset for my mobile phone. I listen through my headphones and I talk through the T9's mic, but I have 2 problems. The 1ST problem is very serious. When i dial a number I can see on display of T9 (dialling) but I can not hear the ring call tone or busy call tone. I can hear the voice after I have answer of my opposite. (no matter if i dial trough T9 or trough my mobile) DO YOU HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM? The 2ND problem is that I have problem to hear in good quality if my mobile is far just 2 meters. All other normal bluetooth have ability for a good quality about 10 meters. Please let me know if the same problems exist with T9 4GB. I hope in that new brand model the problems got solutions. YOU CAN EMAIL ME DIRECTLY TO MY EMAIL. gk@polisconvention.gr Thanks advance. GEORGIOS KARAVASILIS.
Pros: User friendly, great sound & picture quality, B A S S ! ! !, long lasting batt life, videos are sharp & clear, and lets you switch from listening to music to talking to your boss in a flash!
Cons: Screen is small and more memory please!
Summary: Media player-bluetooth wonder!
I bought this nifty little gadget (over Sony's W-A810) and my was there no regrets! I got the hang of using it only for 30-45 mins right after I took it out of the box. What took me from buying this little wonder is it's bluetooth feature. Not only does it let you use a bluetooth headset, it also works as a headset for your mobile phone! You listen through your headphones and you talk through the T9's mic. Perfect for those driving and hitting up on the tunes! You can also dial a phone number through the T9 and browse through cellphone files and copy them (but not vice-versa). Sound quality? Topnotched. Clear, tweakable bass. And the stock headphones did well too! It has a range of different EQ presets and a 9 band Equalizer. All in all I have praise for the T9. But to have all of these media files brought into play one must have great storage space which the T9 lacks precipitately. Say, a 20 gig version anytime soon?
Pros: Bluetooth, awesome display, pitch-perfect sound, voice recorder, FM and video
Cons: Creating your own albums isn't easy/software a tad slow
Summary: Much, much better than a Nano
I did a lot of thinking and finally bought this at an airport after my iPod Nano battery died unexpectedly (as usual). The Samsung YP-T9's radio entertained me and the voice recorder saved my life when my old tape recorder died on me just before I had to interview the cast of Spider-Man 3 in LA. The display on this MP3 player is awesome, the sound brilliant and the features are many. Transfering music from the computer is slower than an iPod, and creating folders like 'Romantic' etc still eludes me. But the pros far outweigh the one or two faults this gem has. A 20GB version please!
Pros: great Bluetooth connectivity and nice sensory experience
Cons: different UI from K3 and K5 but still cool
Summary: coolest video player, free from wires
I am beginning to like Samsung MP3's. Everyone of them are like shouting for attention. This T9B that I got for my brother has a cool blue tooth connection that lets you pick up call. The UI is pretty cool, liked that sensory sound they added there, and on start up and shut down. Think i heard it in their NY brand store. Playing my ff10 amv on it, T9B rocks!!
Pros: Easy User Interface, Perfect sound quality & tone
Cons: side-located Button but that's good
Summary: Really Stylish and easy to use, Close to perfect sound
You want to enjoy more qulified and specified sound quality? You want to give yourself airs to friends? You name it.... All answers are T9
Pros: small, easy to use, stylish
Cons: sometimes it will freeze
Summary: Excellent MP3 player
It is a pretty handy device for listening to music, showing off pictures, and watching videos. I have had the problem of it freezinfg when transferring songs a couple times and had to wait till the battery died for it to reset which was pretty fustrating.
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