Samsung YP-K3 (2GB)

By Edvarcl Heng, CNET Asia
Feb 21, 2007

For Samsung, 2007 is the year of reckoning for its MP3 player division and its promise to knock the iPod off its pedestal. By the end of 2006, the firm had cobbled together the YP-K5 and the YP-T9, MP3 players that bear the looks and functionalities that would place the electronics firm in a strong position to challenge Apple in 2007.

Slick has been a big draw for MP3 players. In fact, the entire iPod series is counting on that factor to keep a distance from its competitors. Samsung recognizes this and has worked on achieving it beginning with the YP-Z5. The YP-T9 was a latter refinement.

The YP-K5, on the other hand, may turn out to be a staple design for Samsung MP3 players. The cool blue lighted touch sensor controls on a jet black body is a strong counterpoint to the uber white iPod and its Click Wheel. Pundits, however, disdain it for being too thick. Even the inclusion of built-in speakers failed to ward off the detractors.

Design
We don't know if the speaker-less YP-K3 was a planned product, or one that was quickly designed after criticisms of the YP-K5's heft. But historically, Samsung has shown a preference to release two versions of the same product. Take the Bluetooth-enabled YP-T9B and the toothless YP-T9; the FM-equipped YP-Z5F and the radio-less YP-Z5; the camera-equipped YP-D1 and the lens-less YP-T8.

	Red letter day for Samsung?

The YP-K3 is a very slim number. While it is still a hair thicker than the iPod nano and a tad longer, its piano-black finish, gentle curves and chrome metal highlights make it an engaging sight to behold.

Turn it on and you will find the YP-K3 retains the same pleasing visual experience of the YP-K5--electric blue lights and a screen display with the same bluish theme. It's understated cool and it's clear to see that Samsung is seriously considering using beauty to tame the iPod beast.

The layout of the buttons, on the other hand, is not revolutionary. A center select button sits in the middle of four arrows arranged in compass directions. A Back and Menu button rests on the adjacent two corners, while the bottom edge of the player houses the headphone jack and a proprietary USB port. Even though the touch-sensor buttons are spaced out, be prepared for the occasional accidental activation. The lack of tactile input also makes "blind controlling" (while the K3 is in a pocket) unfeasible.

Fingerprint smudges on the YP-K3 are a problem. Though it's nothing that a swift wipe on the shirt sleeve wouldn't remedy, it's still a deal-breaker for some nonetheless.

The screen on the YP-K3 is larger (1.8 inch) than its K5 counterpart (1.71 inch), and brighter, too. But for a display that would not be taxed for more than the occasional picture viewing, the larger panel adds more to the user experience than serving as an important feature.

Controls on the K3 are minimal yet offer decent functionality. We find the graphics user interface (GUI) to be organic, much akin to the iPod and Creative Zen players. There's a button that calls up a contextual sub-menu based on the current active feature. And unlike the Creative Zen V Plus which does not include sound equalizer controls in the sub-menu, the YP-K3 does.

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