LG KC 550

Introduction:

The cell phone market offers a variety of models, targeting the different consumer groups. Some people look for music centric devices, others are interested in such that have advanced Internet capabilities, cameras etc. In this review, we will discuss a model targeting the last group.

This is LG KC550, the first budget 5-megapixel cameraphone from a leading manufacturer. It is a mid-level slider and is equipped with Schneider-KREUZNACH autofocus lens, which places it next to the pretentious cameraphones. The manufacturer claims that the model has a fast processor for faster picture viewing and reproduction of videos in DVD resolution (720x480 pixels). In addition, the LG has a built-in TV-out and an accelerometer with which to play the preloaded games.




Design:
The design resembles the one of the modern digital cameras and is more convenient for taking pictures than attractive. The materials used to make the phone create a nice feeling of a quality product.

The TFT display is 2.4” with resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and supports 262K colors. In darker environments, they are well-saturated and lively, and the screen is even brighter than usual. Unfortunately, due to the mirror like effect, it is almost useless in direct sunlight.




Interface:
HomescreenFor homescreen background, you have preloaded static and flash animated wallpapers. Part of the second type rotate influenced by the accelerometer, but the more interesting thing here is that you can use one of the games (Dart, Maze or Magic Ball) for a background and play it.




Conclusion:
As a 5-megapixel cameraphone, LG KC550 performs worse than the best ones available on the market. However, the pictures are good for such a low price. Multimedia wise it has the advantage to reproduce videos in DVD resolution on a big screen via the TV-out.

At the end of the day, the combination of a “not so bad camera”, good multimedia features, and affordable price, transform KC550 in a quite good offer for the average user. The closest alternative in price is Viewty, which delivers a similar picture quality but on a larger screen and DivX support. However, if you are only interested in a good camera and not such functionality as we mentioned above, Samsung G600 is a better choice at an even lower price.

Samsung SGH-F400

Intoduction:
Nowadays, you can often see people on the street with earphones or just playing music from a loudspeaker. For that purpose, some of individuals do not use music players but their mobile phones. With F400, its stereo loudspeakers and the Bang&Olufsen ICEpower amplifier, Samsung targets precisely that group. It is a dual slider, presented by the manufacturer with quite a few superlatives and should provide a “highest-quality sound”, immediately making it an attractive solution even for the most pretentious consumers.




Design:
It looks like a cute phone for young people, but that’s it. Unfortunately, the materials used for the make create the feeling for something cheap when you hold it in your hand. At least it is comfortable, despite its size and weight.




Interface:
Samsung SGH-F400’s interface is nice and user-friendly. It is similar to the one seen in the other models of the manufacturer and nothing will surprise you. Only when choosing the Violet scheme, the main menu changes its appearance similar to the Espresso theme in G600.

The phonebook can store up to 1000 contacts, including multiple numbers for each, e-mail, additional information, picture, ringtone, group and date of birth. Unfortunately, there is no second name search. .





Performance:
Samsung F400 is fast without any lag during the “walks” in the menus and when starting various applications.

Unfortunately, the sound quality during a talk is average. You and the collocutor will hear everything with a good volume, but the voices will be monotonous and quite sharp at times. Also, there is a permanent background noise. The most annoying thing however, was the inexplicable fading away of the sound at your end of the line, because it makes every word hard to understand and the collocutor will have to repeat everything. On top of that, the loudspeaker is useless.

Sony Ericsson W595

Introduction:



Design:
The phone’s appearance is quite nice and the gentle gradation of its shapes is notable. This makes it look monolith when closed.

The 2.2-inch QVGA display supports 262k colors. The miniature light sensor can be found over it.
On the D-Pad, there are markings of the functions it has in the musical player as well as a camera shortcut. The keyboard has an interesting shape as if carved out.



Interface:
Main menuThe software is the latest offered by the company and is identical with the one of W902, announced at the same time. Thanks to one of the applications, you will be able to bring The King of Rock 'n' Roll to life on the homescreen by using the accelerometer. The other option available is to see how many steps you have made during the day, which is a quite interesting, especially if you are into sports.




Description:
Sony Ericsson W580 is one of the most successful models from the Walkman series of the manufacturer. A proof for that are the multiple color versions it is offered in. Not long ago, its successor was announced. It supports 3G, the camera now offers more options and its resolution has increased, there are stereo speakers and the interesting 'share jack', which will be a ...

Sony Ericsson W902

Introduction:
The key feature for all devices in Sony Ericsson’s Walkman series have always been its music features with the camera always staying in the shadows. Apparently, it’s time for a change and the new W902 is the messenger of a new era. It is a high class phone equipped with a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and „photo flash”, accelerometer and many musical features, which are in combination with the SE new headphones (HPM-77) included in the package.




Design:
The phone doesn’t have an attractive appearance, but the designers’ aspiration to add interesting elements is apparent. It looks massive and reliable, but it still is quite slim.

The display is 2.2 inches and supports 262k colors, which is standard for phones of such class. Interestingly, only the right edge is rugged and we see that as an attempt to freshen up the classic design. In addition, it helps the phone not to slide from your hands.




Interface:
The software is identical to Sony Ericsson W980’s or in other words, it’s the latest one offered by the company. The only application available to be placed on the homescreen is the „Standby World Clock 3D”. It has 3 changing clocks, indicating the time in London, New York and Tokyo and to our regret, these cities cannot be changed.




The Internet browser is also very promising, because it opens heavy pages without a problem and there is pan view as well, which greatly facilitates navigation. Thanks to the accelerometer, you can easily switch from portrait to landscape view. It is also used as a game control, which is quite entertaining.

Samsung OMNIA

Introduction:
Translated from Latin, the name of Samsung’s new model means “everything” and its main purpose is to fully satisfy the needs of the modern cell phone user. This is a phone with a unique combination of characteristics such as 5-megapixel camera, large touch display and GPS, taking advantage of the Windows Mobile 6.1 platform. In addition, this is the first device with a built-in support of not only DivX, but XviD video. The logical question „Can it cook?” comes to mind…




Design:
Nowadays, the design is everything. Even a very good product would quickly be forgotten if it doesn’t come in a shiny package. Luckily, OMNIA is well prepared in this aspect. It is one of the most attractive Windows Mobile devices.



Connectivity:
Samsung OMNIA is a quad-band GSM, which makes it a World phone, but regrettably, because of the single band UMTS, it is not suitable for high-speed Internet in the U.S. It supports GPRS, EDGE and HSDPA speeds with the last one getting up to 7.2Mbit/s, when used in Europe.

The phone packs a Wi-Fi b/g radio to allow for data transmission when off the cellular network. For data transfer on short distances, the phone supports Bluetooth 2.0.




Conclusion:
Samsung has done a wonderful job in creating an all-in-one device. OMNIA truly performed very well in every aspect and offers a wonderful combination of a 5-megapixel camera, media player, internet browser and GPS navigation. All that in an attractive package with quality sound during a talk, including the extensive organizing options characteristic for a smartphone.

The only more serious drawback is the interface, which should have been much easier to use for the mass consumer, and not only personalized Windows Mobile.

Samsung OMNIA

Introduction:
Translated from Latin, the name of Samsung’s new model means “everything” and its main purpose is to fully satisfy the needs of the modern cell phone user. This is a phone with a unique combination of characteristics such as 5-megapixel camera, large touch display and GPS, taking advantage of the Windows Mobile 6.1 platform. In addition, this is the first device with a built-in support of not only DivX, but XviD video. The logical question „Can it cook?” comes to mind…




Design:
Nowadays, the design is everything. Even a very good product would quickly be forgotten if it doesn’t come in a shiny package. Luckily, OMNIA is well prepared in this aspect. It is one of the most attractive Windows Mobile devices.


Connectivity:
Samsung OMNIA is a quad-band GSM, which makes it a World phone, but regrettably, because of the single band UMTS, it is not suitable for high-speed Internet in the U.S. It supports GPRS, EDGE and HSDPA speeds with the last one getting up to 7.2Mbit/s, when used in Europe.

The phone packs a Wi-Fi b/g radio to allow for data transmission when off the cellular network. For data transfer on short distances, the phone supports Bluetooth 2.0.




Conclusion:
Samsung has done a wonderful job in creating an all-in-one device. OMNIA truly performed very well in every aspect and offers a wonderful combination of a 5-megapixel camera, media player, internet browser and GPS navigation. All that in an attractive package with quality sound during a talk, including the extensive organizing options characteristic for a smartphone.