Not so long ago, Samsung unveiled a new smartphone Samsung SGH-i710 based on Windows Mobile 5.0 Phone Edition, which became the first Korean manufacturer of the device under control of the OS. In addition to catching design, the inherent mobile products brand in general, the device has good hardware, interesting software solutions, as well as a very extraordinary photographic opportunities. In the same mobile photography in general, our hero is able to press the recognized leaders. As usual, compare the new device we will be closest to the functionality of the products of other market players. On this basis with the Samsung SGH-i710, we will compare the compact HTC P3350 (Love) and the HP iPAQ rw6815. However, to call them direct competitors i710 can not, despite the fact that they have much in common.
Completion
In the lab HPCru visited an engineering sample i710, complete with that supplied only charger. Nevertheless, the manufacturer's web site declared a worthy equipment, namely:
- standard battery (1800 mAh)
- Slim Battery (1300 mAh)
- More cover for the battery High Capacity
- charger
- Battery Charger,
- stylus
- Stereo,
- set of synchronization with a PC (cable and CD with software)
- Quick Reference Guide,
- CD with the added software.
Separate credit goes to the fact that traditionally for Samsung device comes with an additional battery. However, the image phone device, which is the i710, still would not prevent a stylish leather carrying case or bag. As a result, a complete set of apparatus can be confident to put the Quartet.
Design and Ergonomics
The first thing that catches your eye - an extremely compact size, i710. Indeed, the thickness of i710 outperforms its main rival HTC P3350 (13,5 mm to 17 mm). True, some manufacturers slukavil, as usual, indicating the thickness at the thinnest point of the communicator. According to our measurements, the maximum thickness of the machines is about 15 mm, which, incidentally, in any case exceed the achievement of HTC.
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| Samsung SGH-i710 and the HTC P3350 |
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| Samsung SGH-i710 and the HTC P3350 |
It is encouraging that Samsung remains true to herself, paying sufficient attention to the design of their vehicles. Externally, the i710 confused with communicators from other manufacturers is virtually impossible. The front panel is made of matte black plastic, in combination with metallic trim on the sides. In addition, the metal strip is made under the display, which are keys context menus Windows Mobile (incidentally, also metal). This combination of colors and materials must be familiar to readers of the Mobile Phone Samsung. This is probably why all of whom fell into the hands of i710, suggested that this new mobile phone Samsung (last but not least, thanks to compact size) and were surprised to learn that this is a communicator. Separately, I want to note the increased attention to the i710 from the fair sex. Once again recently suffered a blow to the stereotype that the communicator - something bulky, ugly and certainly not for girls. "
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Under the screen of the communicator focused basic controls. In addition to the aforementioned buttons are present context menu key the menu Start («Start"), the backspace key, marked "OK" button and the standard of reception and hang up the call. "Green" key is combined with power on the speakerphone (on Hold), and red on Hold allows you to lock your device.
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Four-way navigation button is designed as a wheel with a barely visible engraving, its center is decorated with a metal button confirmation. Each of the directions of the wheel a little LED lights up a milky-white color. All items have a good move, pressing a key accompanies the characteristic soft click. At the top is the speaker of the communicator, to the left is the LED displaying the status of the device. Consider the side of the device. On the left side, below, you can find the camera button. Located just above the slot for today's popular card format microSD. The upper part of the left side is decorated with the recorder activation button, which when pressed once, causing a pop-up panel of Windows Media Player, which certainly lovers use the communicator as a player. Directly above the hole is a soft reset.
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On the opposite side of the i710 you can find the volume keys and a connector for the charger, data cable and headphones. Exactly: and storage, and cable, and headphones plugged into the same non-standard connector. To listen to your favorite music through quality headphones, have to buy a special adapter. The solution, of course, not the most convenient. Once again, the sacrifice of compactness was brought ease of use. The back of the device is made of high-quality matte plastic with soft-touch coating, so that machine is excellent in his hand, not slippery, and indeed, very pleasant to the touch. At the top of the window is 2-megapixel camera with autofocus, which is considered a little later, and a small mirror for self portraits. To the left of the camera can find the hole dynamics.
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At the upper end of the push buttons off, fastening for a strap and stylus holder. The stylus is located on the left, which initially causes some inconvenience. Needless pen holds quite original. A highlight is that the stylus is not two-piece, as we are accustomed, and consists of three tribes. However, no inconvenience in operation does not cause, the pen is very convenient, quality production - at altitude.
In general, the quality of housing deserves an excellent rating. Nor is there the slightest hint of a backlash, all controls are perfectly fit into the overall design of the communicator, and their performance also did not raise any problems. As a result of the ergonomics of the i170 can supply 5-minus. "Minus" - for the location of the stylus on the left. Otherwise, no complaints. Communicator is convenient to manage with one hand, all the necessary keys are present. In addition, most functional buttons can be reassigned to your taste using standard device.
Screen
i710 is equipped with a screen diagonal of 2.8 "320x240 pixels and supports up to 262144 colors. The screen quality - just perfect: a beautiful color, excellent viewing angles (the subjective feeling, somewhere near 180 degrees). The display has a reflective surface, which adds to the attractiveness of the device off. However, it should touch on this screen, more noticeable than usual. Sensitivity matrix is also at altitude. Backlight settings include five levels of brightness:
- ultra-high brightness
- high brightness
- average brightness
- low brightness
- energy savings.
Interestingly, for everyday use, the device will be sufficient minimum level of illumination and in bright sunlight is quite enough for the average. Before us is a rare case: a new communicator lacks backlighting levels in the smaller side. This would make a more comfortable reading books with weak or no coverage, and would extend the "life" apparatus on a single charge. It is not excluded that this feature of the current firmware i710, and commercial copy brightness level will vary over a wide range.
Speed and memory
In the i710 installed processor Intel PXA 272 processor with a clock frequency of 416 MHz. As has been repeatedly stated, this is more than sufficient for the needs of the mobile device. Results of testing using Spb Benchmark package you can find below, but for now only say that during normal use of any "brakes" is not observed. Thus, small items, Word Excel and Power Point opened immediately, the processing of files of large files takes more time (for example, opening a text file volume 8.5 MB took about 20 seconds).Now look at the test results:
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| Spb Benchmark: summary indexes |
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| Spb Benchmark: the speed of the graphics |
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| Spb Benchmark: test results |
As can be seen on many of the indicators, i710 leaves far behind the HTC P3350 and lasts about the same level of performance with the HP iPAQ rw6815. Similar results were predictable, and mostly the decisive factor was the CPU. Intel PXA272 superiority is particularly noticeable when working with graphics, with respect to this parameter Samsung SGH-i710 is superior in some tests, the HP iPAQ rw6815, which operates on the same stone. But in tests, CPU Samsung slightly inferior to HP. Low rates HTC P3350 is also not surprising, given its slower stone TI OMAP 850 CPU at 200 MHz. Video playback, we tested the tradition of using popular player TCPMP (The Core Pocket Media Player) version 0.72RC1. Test clips downloaded from the official site TCPMP, encoded the two most popular codecs (DivX and XviD) in the common resolutions. Testing results can be found in the following table. Recall that the normal rate is 120%. In comparison chart video capabilities, we decided to add one of the leaders of last season - ASUS P535, as well as his rival Glofiish X500.
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| Test results TCPMP |
The hero of our review on the head passes nearest rivals and came close to records ASUS P535 (520 MHz, with its "engine") and sometimes even avoids it. The conclusion is simple: Samsung i710 perfectly cope with the unconverted video playback. This fact, of course, will appeal to those who do not like messing with numerous programs for video processing, and prefers to throw off the original file on the device. Built-in memory Samsung SGH-i710 64 MB RAM and 128 MB ROM. Figures similar to most modern smartphones. In practice, the situation is as follows.Under the memory system allocates 54.86 MB of them free after the first switching device remain approximately 33.67 MB. This amount of memory is enough to work with almost any application.
ROM-accessible memory on your device about 72 MB. Expand the volume by using microSD cards.
Battery
Testing was conducted with standard battery 1300 mAh. As always, the estimated time of the device in three basic modes: 1. Maximum load. The brightness set to maximum, the speaker volume - also included Bluetooth. Through Windows Media Player in the cycle is played a "heavy" video. Battery life in this mode was - 4 hours 21 minutes. 2. Normal operation. All wireless modules are disabled. The brightness is set to the first division of the account. On the PDA was started reading the text in Haali Reader with automatic scrolling. Time work was - 13 hours 14 minutes. 3. MP3 Playback. Bluetooth is turned off. Illumination is installed at a minimum level. Listening through headphones at maximum volume. We used a Pocket Media Player and files with bitrates 192 KB / c. Hours - 11 hours 21 minutes.
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| Results of testing on battery life |
Prior Record i710, of course, by far, however, the device proved to be very good. His slight superiority over the HP rw6815 for testing at the maximum load due to the fact that the only means of wireless communication, except for GSM-module, for it is Bluetooth, while rivals like HTC P3350 and HP rw6815 were "burdened" more and a Wi -Fi. Also, do not forget that in addition to the standard battery, the kit will be delivered yet another battery, 1800 mAh.
Sound
I710 audio capabilities are quite common for a communicator. External speaker volume is average. And if you do not want to miss a call, it is best to choose a value close to the maximum. Vibration alert for i710 - is also quite soft. He works not only when an incoming call, but when dialing, but on this below. The external speaker gives out enough clean sound, bass is not enough, it's not surprising, given the small diameter of the diffusers used in mobile devices. Assess the quality of the packaged headset failed, but it is unlikely to be dramatically different from most standard earphones supplied with the communicator. Again, that i710 applies its own connector, which is designed to connect the headset, charger and cable. Against this backdrop, even ExtUSB, offered by HTC's models 3300/3350, seems preferable. However, such a connector is used in many recent phones Samsung, and problems with the acquisition of standard accessories, the user will not arise.
Wireless interfaces
First on the fly in the ointment. Lack of Wi-Fi in the i710 frankly disappointing. Holding a device that represents a business or a fashion segment (as anyone on the soul, i710 can be safely attributed to both groups), with excellent build quality and materials of the shell, ultra-compact dimensions and honed the design does not fit in my head that in the Wireless interface has only Bluetooth.Therefore be considered in this section, we will telephone part of the communicator and the above-mentioned wireless module and Bluetooth. Manage wireless interfaces by the familiar program of Wireless Manager.
Phone
Part i710 phone supports quad-band GSM, 850/900/1800/1900. In the settings we can choose one of three modes:
- GSM 900/1800
- GSM 1900
- Quad.
Such a list of options is justified, given the extremely low prevalence of GSM 850. High speed data transfer technology with EDGE, which allows a three-fold increase in data rates in GSM networks. In a word, the telephone part of the i710 is equipped to the max. Interestingly, Samsung has offered an alternative to the standard program Phone to Windows Mobile. Functionally, the firmware application does not differ much from the program that is built into the operating system, but has a few nice "chips". First, the buttons for dialing are large enough so that it will be difficult to miss. Keys "1" and "#" by holding activate call your voicemail and mode vibration, respectively. Secondly, there is a choice of colors of dialed numbers from several options proposed. Well, the most interesting thing that pressing the numeric keys followed by soft enough vibration force which can be configured in the properties of the utility. The solution is very good, nice to feel each dialed digits. Running a little ahead, I want to say that such modifications of standard features in the Windows Mobile i710 there a lot. On them will be discussed in the chapter devoted to software.
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Bluetooth
Samsung i710 supports Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), which in theory allows us to obtain data rates up to 3 Mbps. All necessary profiles are also in place, including the popular current A2DP, you can listen to music through Bluetooth stereo headset. To control the standard Bluetooth stack from Microsoft. Besides the usual features, the i710 is a small add-on Samsung, which allows direct printing via Bluetooth. Simply select a photo and when you try to pass it, we will see an additional item, offering to print a graphic file.
Overall, no complaints Bluetooth does not work aroused, synchronize your device with Microsoft ActiveSync, easily share files from your phone Sony Ericsson W300i, Nokia 6131 and Communicator Voxtel W520. Interaction with the Bluetooth-headset Jabra and Sony Ericsson have also been successful.
Soft
Samsung SGH-i710 is running the operating system Windows Mobile 5.0 with Service Pack AKU 3.4. Samsung has wisely come to the question of software, offering not only a solid package of additional software and add-on OS, some of which we spoke above. Enumerate all the improvements will be quite problematic. Dwell only on the basic "cosmetic" changes, and consider some software preinstalled on the i710: - reworked the program Phone, a description which gives a slightly higher
- Add to the program "Phone", allows you to calculate the cost of calls
- Advanced alarm clock with the ability to create more than three reminders to individual melody and the schedule for each operation,
- Option "parameter of the operator, allows you to upload the automatic settings for the major Russian mobile operators,
- Option "Start screen, allowing you to create multiple Today screen settings and switch between them,
- "Mini-Player" that displays a small control panel Windows Media Player (the default function is tied to a single push of a button "Voice")
- Today-Plugin to display digital or analog clock with the ability to display data on two time zones simultaneously,
- Today-Plugin to display speed dial numbers (12 pieces), with the ability to assign photos and assign various actions (voice call, SMS, MMS or email)
- In the settings of the phone several new features "Signal Connection" and "signal after a minute."
In addition to all of the above, one of the most enjoyable innovations is the emergence of additional menu-based navigation without a stylus. In the list of application programs is called simply and succinctly - "Menu". By default, invoked by pressing the left soft key. The implementation is similar to what we saw in the program, Spb Mobile Shell: nine major categories with subcategories, covering everything we could find in the standard menu of the operating system. Large software buttons and a clear bright signature large font make it easy to use the communicator, even forgetting about the stylus. The opening of the animated menu is accompanied by a half-second delay. It does not cause discomfort, however, note that the delay is noticeable on the background of the overall speed of the i710.
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Also among the additional programming device, you can find a simple converter, program to work with contacts stored on SIM-card, business card recognition software for BCR, which is considered under the camera and a small task manager, called key pressed "OK". To work with images on the device preinstalled software Picsel File Viewer, which allows you to not only watch pictures, but, for example, to reduce them in size. The menu communicator program is called "My Files". There is an emulator Java, nothing stands out against the background of those that we have seen in other communicators.
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Pleasantly pleased that pre-installed programs and add-ins so harmoniously fit into the operating system interface that is sometimes difficult to know where "home" and where "side". Despite the lack of software for data backup or a launcher, such as, for example, communicators Glofiish, famous for its package of additional software, you can put the i710 model, an excellent rating for a competent collection of useful add-ons and utilities that complements the capabilities the OS.In addition to the preinstalled applications, complete with the communicator will be available to drive additional software from company Paragon Software, comprising: a program for handwriting recognition software PenReader, dictionary SlovoEd, a demo version of Weather and game demos and AnotherBall Solitaires.
Luggage
I710 camera capabilities surpass the achievement of many similar devices on the market, and the image quality new Samsung device can be safely put on a par with the recognized leaders in this field, in particular, communicators Asus P525/P535. Last but not least the quality of images affected the presence of AF. Autofocus system works well, mistakes happen from time to time, but still we do not even consider digital cameras, and built-in camera device. So in its class autofocus is beyond praise.
Pleasantly pleased to see that the automatic white balance exists in the chamber is not just "make it" (as in most mobile devices), but actually works pretty well to cope with their tasks. However, if the automatic detection does not suit us, we can choose a preset value:
- Daylight
- Cloudy
- Tungsten (incandescent)
- Fluorescence.
The size of images you can also choose from several options:
- 1600x1200
- 1280x960
- 1024x768
- 640x480
- 320x240.
As well as the quality of the pictures:
- Excellent
- High
- Normal
- Economical.
See Shooting with a timer (3, 5 or 10 seconds), and the user can apply one of several effects of the proposed interface of the camera:
- Black and white
- Negative
- Sepia
- Aqua
- Green.
It also provides night mode, sequential shots. In the latter case, the maximum resolution photos can not exceed 640x480. The only thing lacking in the chamber i710, so this outbreak.
In addition, very pleased with color. Colors fairly saturated, and thus the picture does not lose its naturalness. Photographing texts objectively, one of the greatest strengths of the camera i710, not in vain in the list of applications you can find a program BCR, designed to recognize business cards. True, the practical use of this program is problematic. Smartphone recognizes only the classic business card when on a light background data out clear, large type. In this case, most fields are displayed correctly, including e-mail and Web pages. If the card is not sufficient contrast or the font is too small, the recognition occurs with numerous errors.
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Interestingly, the program also provides for recognition of Cyrillic. Even if the device was unable to correctly interpret the data received from the camera, it is always possible to view the original cards.Photographs taken from the application are stored in a separate folder and, if desired, can be reused to hold their "scan", selecting the appropriate option in the interface. Not without its ability to shoot video. Communicator is able to shoot video with or without sound, with a maximum resolution of 320x240. Video format - 3GP. The video quality - usually from the pros can again note a good color. With examples of photos and video can be found below.
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| Samsung SGH-i710: an example of the photo (jpg, 1280x960, 228,4 KB) |
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| Samsung SGH-i710: an example of the photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 573,9 Kb) |
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| Samsung SGH-i710: an example of the photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 300,3 Kb) |
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| Samsung SGH-i710: an example of the photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 353,5 Kb) |
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| Samsung SGH-i710: an example of the photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 349,3 Kb) |
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| Samsung SGH-i710: an example of the photo (jpg, 1280x960, 184,9 KB) |
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| Samsung SGH-i710: an example of video (3gp, 320x240 10 fps, 983,74 KB) |
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| Samsung SGH-i710: an example of video (3gp, 320x240 10 fps, 1,41 MB) |
Price and Availability
Samsung SGH-i710 should appear on the shelves at approximately the end of May - early June at a price of about $ 500.
Conclusions
Samsung SGH-i710 - a very interesting device. Communicator boasts good performance, excellent camera and sound program stuffing. Nevertheless, one of the main advantages of machine is stylish and ultra compact size. The device certainly be interested fans mobile phones brand Samsung, who want to try in a more advanced version.And here at hand to play not only resemblance i710 with the business models of mobile phones from this manufacturer, but also all sorts of software upgrade from Samsung, really eases the transition from a regular phone to Windows Mobile. And in general, Samsung i710 is perfect for the role of the first communicator, especially given the stated price at the time of start of sales. Lack of Wi-Fi in the contemporary realities - an absolute flaw, clearly adds to his score. Nevertheless, many users have a fast processor, EDGE and camera quality is more important built-in Wi-Fi. In short, Samsung has turned out quite controversial device which does not carry the category of "mass" devices, which, however, does not detract from his merits, which we now list, along with the negatives.
Pros: - compact size
- excellent build quality and ergonomics
- different set of preinstalled programs
- One of the best camera among competing products
- good performance
- good battery life
- high quality display
- EDGE support
Cons: - single non-standard headphone jack, cable and charger (adapter for standard headphones 3,5 mm optional)
- too bright lights, even at a minimal level.
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