Review GSM phone Samsung SGH-D500

Memory. The question about the memory size in the phone rouses always and so it should be considered. There is a fixed memory type for a phone book, organizer, memos. At the same time dynamic memory is shared between all other applications including MMS. The total memory size is 92 MB. And besides 4 Mb are preserved for Java-applications. Why other resources indicate 80 MB is not clear to me, preset melodies, pictures, headbands do not correspond with this memory and there is not so much of separate content taking it (about 5 MB).

Bluetooth. This is the first phone by Samsung equipped with Bluetooth and we could expect some faults especially against a background of some European manufacturers. The practice showed the phone has not any evident problems with the function. All the existing protocols are supported and work properly. Any information may be transferred to and from the phone via Bluetooth.

We used D500 to access the Internet from a notebook, checked its work with handsfree headsets by various manufacturers, coupled the phone with models by other companies. The phone worked correctly in all the cases.

Realization of security settings should be stressed as a peculiarity, the code is required when connecting for the first time. The second connection may be established without the procedure (if the device is kept in a list). When incoming inquiries and setting security mode the code is always required, unless you put the device into the trusted list. The realization is logical and rouses no any cavils.

Data transmission speed via Bluetooth-connection is about 30-35 KBps and loading 15 MB takes about 10 minutes. Unfortunately, low data transmission speed is characteristic for the phone and it doesn't allow loading much information at once. I'd like to note that the majority of the phones by other manufacturers do have this limitation, information via Bluetooth and especially mp3 files are transmitted slowly.

We tested a headset in the same style by Samsung coupled with D500.Coupling process makes no problems and the devices work correctly. The fact that disappointed is when the headset is on a blue work indicator blinks permanently. The headset is of small size and that allows wearing it comfortably both on the left and on the right side. A loudspeaker has a silicon covering that makes wearing the headset more comfortable in some kind.

There are Call/End call and a coupled volume control buttons. A battery connecter is protected with a sliding cover. A charger adapter is included into a package and it is similar to the one for the phone.

The headset works for about 2 days in case of 2 hours of talking, the result is not bad and is typical for this class. It is similar to Sony Ericsson HBH65 in some kind and impressions are also the same. The quality of voice transmission rouses no cavils, when strong wind in the street noises appear. That's impossible to say the headset differs from other manufacturers' ones for the better or worse, it's typical. Its design is a doubtless advantage.

Voice Clarity. The latest phones by Samsung provide Voice Clarity function that may be activated from a pop-up menu during a call. The manual tells the function allows getting considerably better voice quality. If testing the function in the place where your interlocutor is heard well you'll get disappointed in it, no any changes will be noticed. But it is intended for working in places with poor coverage when gnashes and wheezes appear the phone tries to clear them away. The realization is rather simple and banal, that is a preset equalizer.

Phones by other manufacturers do have some algorithms for improving the sound and they all start working without any actions from the user's side. Here a user may choose when to turn the function on and when to turn it off. That makes some advantages especially considering that standard sound optimization is present in the phone.

Synchronization with PC. Synchronization is made using IrDA, Bluetooth and a cable. Easy GPRS 2.0 will be included into a delivery kit (or provided on the manufacturer's site) that is a renewed version. There are many changes comparing to the first version and we won't tell about all of them. I'll only note that this software is similar to programs for synchronization by other manufacturers in some kind (in a maximal configuration) but also provides its own capabilities.

PIM Manager allows loading all the contacts, messages, organizer entries, call lists to and from a PC. Here you may compose new messages on your PC and send them at once using the phone. The program provides enough capabilities for the majority of users. Synchronization with MS Outlook is not offered and thus many people may say the program looses its attraction. But it could be this way if a special phone and MS Outlook data converter was not included into the package, it works correctly and no problems appear, notebook, organizer, mail data is transmitted correctly. Mail program has strict limitations on the length of a letter and the number of attachments and that is quite clear.

Melody and picture editor are represented in separate programs. Here you may create whatever you like and send it all to the phone at once. File manager is also included into the package, it allows viewing internal memory, transmitting between a PC and the phone. I'll note that any files with any extension may be transmitted using the manager. That means the files that are not accepted from other devices are saved this way perfectly.

In fact even when the own software is absent installing D500 rouses no troubles. Operating system offers a standard set of drivers that allows using all the capabilities of the phone including viewing file system on it (only dynamic memory).

Drawbacks of the phone

There are not so many of them but they are present, that's not an ideal phone. The first and the main one for some users is the absence of voice dialing and using the Bluetooth headset in a car is rather hard. The fact that a dictaphone doesn't work during a conversation disappoints much and is also a drawback.

This software version is interesting for the fact that in some cases switching to Russian language you got less characters in a line. For instance, a field is 20 characters in length and switching to Russian you get 17 (20 remain entered). The company knows about the drawback and promises to correct it in a commercial version.

The fact that activating a flash with one press without running a camera application is impossible is also a slight disadvantage. It's useful when trying to open a door in the dark, the phone serves as a lamp. In other models a flash is on the outer surface but here you need to open a slider and that is evidently why the function is not provided.

It's impossible to assign a personal signal to SMS, organizer events and alarm clocks, you may choose one of preset. That's not a serious disadvantage but it exists. Considering the fact the choice is realized for the phone book we may hope it will appear in other functions in future.

In all the rest the phone works surprisingly well. And that's hard to call the device a prototype. I really tried to find mistakes but failed. No doubts, slight shortcomings may be noticed using the device every day, but serious disadvantages are absent. That is not characteristic for the device of this class and is a pleasant exception.

Impressions

The quality of connection is rather good and no any cavils appear. The volume of 64-tones polyphonic call signal is maximum for today and the phone may be heard in various sound conditions. The power of vibrating alert is average or a bit higher and it may be felt in the majority of cases.

Sample melodies (mp3, 364 KB)>>>

So after several weeks of using the phone one plain conclusion comes to my mind. Samsung D500 is not only the leader of the line but also one of the most interesting devices in the market. It has no any rivals close in functionality in its form-factor. As for me, Nokia 6230 and Siemens S65 are either inferior or look similar but not better when compared with it.

D500 won't suit those who need full synchronization with MS Outlook they'd better buy a smartphone. Those who consider Korean phones ones of very low quality also shouldn't change their opinion. All the others should pay attention to the model, it is one of the best in the first half of 2005. And as for me that is true and it's even the best in its class.

The sales are intended for the end of December (retail in various countries). The price may be any in the first days of sales that will fall before the New Year and Christmas that depends on how many retail companies get the model. The real price is about 480-500 USD in the first weeks after the start of sales, that is counted following a standard retail margin.

The company will represent a modification of D500 in a clamshell form-factor. This model will be a cut version though comfort using an mp3 player will be twice higher thanks to a number of constructive solutions. D500 could be considered the leader of the product line but the company will represent its successor on CeBIT or a bit later. The difference is in a camera, more memory, a bit changed software and very well characteristics (improvement of the majority of functions). D500E version will also be available from the beginning of the year. EDGE will be realized in the model but as for me, it's not so necessary for the majority of users.

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