Samsung's latest slim phone debuts on T-Mobile store shelves. Designed to go head-to-head against the Motorola SLVR L6, the new SGH-T509 hopes to improve and enhance features lacking in Motorola's iconic phone to dominate the "credit card" phone market.
Adding improvements over the SLVR L6, the T509 features high-speed EDGE connectivity and a large 262K-color screen. With external similarities with the SLVR, comparisons are undoubtedly going to be made.
Currently Motorola has three SLVR-family handsets available, the high-end L7 (with iTunes), the mid-level L6, and the entry level L2. Since the T509 is a mid-level device priced competitively with the L6, further references to the SLVR will mean the SLVR L6.
Going against Motorola's SLVR L6, the T509 hopes to offer consumers another fashionable choice when deciding which ultra-thin phone to go with.
Design
Providing another slim and sleek fashion phone, Samsung managed to create the T509 at 117 x 46 x 9.8 mm in size. Measuring about 0.4-inches, it's remarkably even thinner than the SLVR, and the slimmest handset launched in North America. As the latest entry into the growing market of "credit card" phones (similar in shape and size, albeit slightly longer and narrower), the T509 may make even iPod Nano owners envious. Featuring clean lines and a particular attention to aesthetics, the T509 offers an improved LCD screen and tactile keypad compared to the SLVR.
Prominently displaying a brilliant 262K-color LCD screen, consumers can view images at 176 x 220 px in resolution. With standard navigation using a 5-way keypad, the front of the T509 also features standard Send, Power / End, Clear, and Left and Right Soft Keys. And unlike the one-piece wafer numeric keypad of the SLVR, the T509 provides more conventional individual keys for faster text messaging and improved feedback.
Providing a minimalist approach to design, the left edge only contains Volume Keys, while the right side houses the Camera Key.
Turned around, the lens to the built-in VGA camera resides on the back, with a mirror nearby to take self-portraits or group shots. For loud and clear handsfree speakerphone operation, a dedicated speaker grill is adjacent to the lens.
Samsung took great care to minimize not just the T509's thickness, but also its weight. And at only 2.7 ounces, consumers may just forget they're carrying the T509 in their pocket.
But Samsung may have been too successful. As a consequence, the T509 almost feels too lightweight. Lacking the heft which conveys quality materials, the T509 suffers in build-quality compared to the SLVR L7's heavier hybrid glass-filled body; added to enhance stability and rigidity. The T509 feels fragile, but consumers shouldn't worry. For everyday wear and tear, the T509 is deceivingly resilient, standing up well to the accidental bump or drop.
Out of the box, the Samsung SGH-T509 comes with a standard 800 mAh Li-Ion Battery, Charger, Handsfree Headset, and User Manual.
Basic Features
The tri-band (850/1800/1900 MHz) T509 (released for T-Mobile) operates on GSM frequencies worldwide, provided it is unlocked.
By default the T509 is locked to the T-Mobile network (since it's an exclusive device). As a common carrier practice to prevent customers from taking discounted phones (purchased in conjunction with a plan) to other carriers, good-standing customers can usually request the unlock code after 90 days of service. Only after it's unlocked will users be able to take it to other GSM networks worldwide.
Samsung rated the T509's 800 mAh Li-Ion battery at a mediocre 3.5 hours and 168 hours (7 days) of talk and standby times respectively, slightly less than the SLVR's optimal times. However, when manufacturers and carriers list talk and standby times, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Actual talk and standby times are lower. Camera
Pressing the dedicated Camera Key activates the T509's integrated VGA (0.3-megapixel) camera. Identical in quality to the cameras found on the Motorola SLVR and RAZR (released last year), the picture resolution is usable at best, only able to capture photos at up to 640 x 480 px. Picture quality can also be lowered to QVGA (320 x 240 px), QCIF (176 x 132 px), or Sub-QCIF (128 x 96) px, but at those resolutions the images are practically unusable. Consumers will probably stay with VGA (640 x 480 px) since approximate image file sizes are only 50 KB; almost insignificant compared to the storage space available.
With imaging technology on phones pushing past 1-megapixel to 2- and above, the T509's camera is quite poor, using outdated imaging technology. However, the T509 is a fashion phone. And similar to the other ultra-thin devices, the T509 was never meant to have strong features in imaging. At best, consumers can expect grainy photos unfit for prints, ideal for phone wallpapers or a quick snapshot when users leave their digital camera at home. Controlling Brightness Levels (Up / Down) and the 4X Zoom (Left / Right) with the directional keypad, users can quickly adjust basic functions.
Surprisingly the T509 also comes bundled with many useful filters found on high-end camera phones. Aside from common functions such as Effects, Timers, and Frames, the T509 contains various Shooting Modes (Single Shot, Multi-Shot, and Night Shot), Spot Focus, and ISO Settings (Auto, 100, 200, 400).
For full-motion capture, the T509 produces videos in 3GP format. Grainy and choppy, mobile video up to 15 seconds in length can be recorded at QCIF (176 x 144 px) or Sub-QCIF (128 x 96 px), a slight improvement in resolution to the L6.
Overall the T509's camera is best suited for taking snapshots, but not for print. VGA cameras were found on phones two years ago, several generations in terms of cell phone advancement.
Oddly though, the filters and effects are quite good. But pairing them with outdated technology makes them pretty much useless.
Audio With limited memory and the lack of an expansion card slot, audio capabilities are virtually nonexistent. Unlike Motorola which still included an MP3 Player on the L6, not enough memory was available to make it particularly useful.
Samsung instead decided just not to include it. Still supporting MP3 ringtones, the T509 users can download "HiFi Ringers" from T-Mobile for real clips of music.
Messaging
Something that isn't mentioned much about phones is well-designed numeric keypads. And as a drawback to optimizing its profile, the SLVR's wafer-keypad was difficult to type on.
Offering a conservative layout with individual keys (rather than a wave-layout on the SLVR), users will comfortably sending text messages on the T509. Providing tactile feedback necessary for quick and efficient typing, the T509 offers all the standards on present day cell phones including SMS (Short Messaging Service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service), and MMS (Multimedia Message Service).
As standard with T-Mobile devices, the T509 also comes preinstalled with AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger. Providing real-time chat from a wireless device, consumers no longer need to end the conversation with family and friends. With the T509, users can keep the conversation alive just as if they were sitting in front of a PC. Airtime charges may apply.
Internet
The T509 comes with GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Class 10 to allow users to surf the web at up to 48 kbps. But customers will probably opt for EDGE (Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution) technology, T-Mobile's 3G high-speed network.
EDGE allows the T509 to transfer 3 to 4 times faster than traditional GPRS networks by achieving realistic rates of around 70-135 kbps.
For convenience, T-Mobile gives its customers access to T-Zones, its online multimedia service. Through the service, users can connect to send messages, check email, or purchase multimedia, or access a variety of premium services.
Should users need information on the road, 411 directory assistance comes in handy. By calling live operators available 24/7, customers can get movie listings, weather reports, horoscopes, sports scores, restaurant listings, stock quotes, and more. Three listings cost $1.49.
Storage
Without an expansion card slot, users will need to practice memory management should they run out space. But lacking memory-intensive applications such as an MP3 player, and only a VGA camera, consumers should be fine with what they have.
Connectivity
Capable of transmitting and receiving data wirelessly through Bluetooth within a 10 meter range, the T509 can pair with peripheral devices including headsets, car handsfree systems, PCs, printers, PDAs, and digital cameras. As the already-popular Bluetooth standard grows even more popular, more and more devices in a wide range of industries are adopting the standard.
Conclusion
It's fairly obvious that Samsung spent much of its efforts on the T509's design. Building a device even thinner than Motorola's iconic devices was no easy task, and Samsung also managed to improve usability and features. However, as appealing as the exterior is, the T509 only rather mediocre on function.
By integrating a past-generation VGA camera and the lack of audio capabilities, the T509 doesn't stand up to the multimedia phones on the market today. With the absence of an expansion card slot, the limited internal memory cripples any significant multimedia applications consumers could use. But then again, the T509 and Motorola's ultra-thin devices weren't really designed to offer robust functionality. Instead focus was placed on getting the aesthetic appeal to lure fashion-conscious consumers. The T509 is undoubtedly sexy, and being initially priced at around $50 with a plan, surprisingly affordable as well. Competing directly against Motorola's SLVR L6 (similar in features), the T509 moves slightly ahead as the better value by offering a higher-resolution LCD screen and EDGE broadband technology. While the L6 contains an MP3 player (which the T509 does not), its limited memory makes it practically useless.
For consumers who can spend a lot more (about $200 with a plan), the SLVR L7 with iTunes should be considered. But realistically the SLVR L6 is more within the price range of the T509. And in comparison, the T509 looks to be the better value, offering a head-turning profile for consumers desiring fashion at an affordable price.
Samsung T509 Features
* Stylish and super-slim profile measuring just 9.8 mm, even thinner than the Motorola RAZR and SLVR
* Bright and vivid 262K-color screen for clear and crisp imaging
* Integrated VGA camera with 4x zoom and dedicated one touch video capture and playback
* Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free conversations
* Enhanced T9 for text messaging via Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and instant messaging on the most popular platforms (AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger)
* WAP 2.0 compliant browser with EDGE for high-speed data transmission
Samsung T509 Specs
Technical Specifications
Network: GSM 850 / 1800 / 1900
Form Factor: Block
Dimensions: 117 x 46 x 10 mm
Weight: 77 g
Antenna: Internal
Navigation: 5-Way Keypad
Battery Type: 800 mAh Li-Ion
Talk Time: 3.50
Standby Time: 168
Memory: 7.0 MB
Expandable Memory: No
Imaging
Main Screen: 262000 colors (TFT)
176 x 220 px
External Screen: No
Camera: 0.3 MP / 640 x 480 px / 4X Zoom / Multi-Shot / Self-Timer / Video Recorder
Audio
MP3 Player: No
FM Radio: No
Speakerphone: Yes
Push-To-Talk: No
Multimedia
Wallpapers: 176 x 220 px
Screen Savers: 176 x 220 px
Ring Tones: 40 chord / MP3
Themes: Yes
Games: J2ME
Streaming Multimedia: Yes
Messaging
SMS: Yes
EMS: Yes
MMS: Yes
Email: Yes
Chat: AOL / ICQ / MSN / Yahoo!
Predictive Text: T9
Applications
Phonebook Capacity: 1000
Calendar: Yes
To-Do List: Yes
WAP: 2.0
Voice Commands: Yes
Calculator: Yes
Connectivity
Bluetooth: Yes
Infrared Port: No
High-Speed Data: GPRS (Class 10) / EDGE
Wi-Fi: No
GPS: No
PC Sync: Yes
