Reviews icon Samsung Glyde Review

Samsung Glyde Review

Published on: 22 May, 2008 by PhoneArena Team

Performance:

Click to see a large image.
Regardless of how nice a phone looks, or how many features are packed into it, the most important aspects to consider are the reception and call quality. Unfortunately, the Glyde’s reception is not up to par with most other phones, including the Voyager, enV2, and V9m. The phone would fluctuate between 1-2 bars in areas where a strong signal is present, while most other Verizon phones would have between 3-4 bars. When traveling into fringe areas, it would not show any bars and could not pickup service, while the enV2 and V9m were still able to place and receive calls. Because of this, we cannot recommend the Glyde for anyone who does a lot of interstate road traveling, as the possibility exists of it not being able to locate and maintain a signal in fringe areas.

The call quality, while in strong signal areas, was quite good though the earpiece speaker and lacked any background noise or interference. Turning the earpiece volume up to high was not a problem, as it is on the Voyager, and did not produce any noticeable distortion. People that we called on a landline also agreed that the Glyde produced good sound quality, with our voice being clear and lacking any interference. However, when using the speakerphone we did have to keep the volume down to level 5, otherwise the stereo speakers would cause distortion.

The included 1000 mAh battery is rated by Samsung to provide 3.5 hours of talk time or 10 days of standby time on a full charge. During our testing, we were able to achieve 5 hours of continuous talk time by fully charging the battery, dialing a landline, and keeping the Glyde connected until the battery was depleted. This means that the Glyde is capable of 1.5 hours more talk time that the Voyager. Standby time was a mediocre 4 days and was measured with the battery fully charged and the phone left on (yet unused) until the battery was depleted.


Conclusion:

Despite the numerous features and sleek appearance offered by the Glyde, we find it difficult to recommend the device based upon the countless problems we encountered while using the touchscreen interface. At this point, we honestly cannot see the Glyde used as someone’s primary phone, not only due to those issues, but also due to its poor signal reception. If you are in the market for a touchscreen Verizon phone, than the Voyager is a better choice at this time, as it is possible that a future firmware upgrade may alleviate the problems that we experienced. However, if you do not require a touchscreen, but still want the convenience of a QWERTY keyboard, then the enV2 may be your ticket.


UPDATE: We've tried to fix the problems with the touch screen - please check out our article here.




Pros

  • Smaller and sleeker than the Voyager
  • Large 2.8” WQVGA display
  • HTML browser
  • QWERTY keyboard
  • 5 hours of talk time on a full battery
  • Can use 8GB microSDHC cards

Cons

  • Continuous problems when using the touchscreen
  • Reception is weak
  • Speakerphone causes distortion at high volumes
  • Camera flash range

PAppeal

Christian Dior:
5 of 10
Average

The Glyde is more attractive and smaller than the Voyager.

Average Joe:
1 of 10
Very low

The Glyde is not for the average consumer that is looking for a basic or mid-range phone. The problems with the touchscreen are a concern, as it makes using the device more difficult than it should be.

Corporate US:
1 of 10
Very low

Not a smartphone and lacks an advanced E-Mail program.

High-Tech junkie
9 of 10
Very high

The Glyde is as high-tech as you can get without going to the Voyager, iPhone, or smartphone.

expand ratings

PA phone rating

  • Design 8.5
    • Keyboard 8
    • Build Quality 8.5
    • Look 8.5
  • Display 5
    • Quality 7
    • Resolution 10
    • Size 9
  • Camera 6.5
    • Resolution 7
    • Quality 6
    • Features, Comfort 6
  • Sound Quality 5
    • Incoming 8
    • Outgoing 8
    • Ringing 7.5
    • Signal Reception 2
  • Battery 7
    • Talk time 8
    • Stand-by time 6
  • Connectivity 7
    • Local 6
    • Internet 7.5
    • Data 8
  • Multimedia 7
    • Interface Comfort, Options 7
    • Quality 8
    • Supported formats 6
    • Connectors (3.5/A2DP) 7.5
  • Organizer 7
    • PIM 6
    • Phonebook 6
    • Messaging 8
Average
6
out of 10
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User comments

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0
1.
I disagree, i've had this phone for about 2 weeks and i haven't had any problems with this phone. It works great, the camera is nice (auto focus), and i have no problem w/signal strenght. I have not had any problems w/ the touch screen and it has been working great, its just like the Voyager's touch screen. The only problem is that the vibrate and Tone volume could be a little bit louder, but thats not even a huge problem. It is the perfect size and overall a very great phone, i would suggest this to anybody looking to get a nice phone w/touch and qwerty key board.
0
15.
It could just be where you live that you don't have any problems. The phone I have from Verizon right now only gets one or two bars in my area, when I call somebody my calls almost always get lost if they're not quick conversations. And I went to the VZW store a couple of days ago looking for a new phone, I called my house and I talked to my dad and the reception was horrible, it took about one minute before the call was lost.
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Reply to anonymous Hide 1 replies to this comment
0
2.
even mobile youtube can't work? now THAT is lame..
stereo speakers both on one side? LOL! WTH was Samsung thinking!!

I own a Voyager and have played with a Glyde @ a VZW store recently. I think the Glyde feels cheap as if I could break it with one hand. It's also not as eye catching as the LG Voyager but rather looks more like a kids toy.

IF ANYONE reading this is debating on whether to get a Glyde or a Voyager, go w/ LG. Hands down.. The Voyager has all the functionality of the Glyde but better implementation and even more features if you consider Mobile TV.
0
3.
DON"T GET EITHER...GET THE LG DARE(VX9700) comes out July 4th (at least thats what the rumors say)
Reply to this comment
0
16.
I agree, I'm looking forward to the LG Dare, but it'll probably come out a week later then when it's supposed to. Almost every phone does except the env2
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #3 ( Show )
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0
4.
I've seen many reviews criticizing the touch screen performance and I cannot agree with those who say it's buggy to a fault. Can someone please post a detailed description of a known, reproducible bug that is a product of the touch screen malfunctioning.

My expectation of the touch screen is based on using my girlfriend's iphone. The accuracy of the glyde touch screen is on par with her iphone experience. Sometimes the targets are small and that is difficult on both phones. I turned down the sensitivity of the touch screen when I first got the phone and that is how it has remained.

From my experience with the glyde I would say that touch screen problems are ultimately a user problem and not a design issue. Look at it like this: A $2500 Les Paul guitar in the hands of a qualified operator sounds great. A $2500 Les Paul guitar in the hands of a beginner will sound like a beginner. Where does the fault reside? Ultimately a phone is a communication instrument.

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0
5.
I usually agree with phonearena.com, but this happens to be the worst review I've ever seen for any phone. I have been demo'ing this phone all week and went with my car club to Carmel California to the beach cause I figured it would be a good test through mountains and long driving time. We were in Aptos, California right next to a resort on the beach and the Glyde was the only phone that got reception. My LG Chocolate 8550 (My personal) was searching for service and I was able to complete a call on the Glyde.

I think personally the Glyde is just not as "optamistic" about it's reception, and shows signal of what it's really getting. It definetly does hang around the middle range of 2-3 "bars". But defintely has never dipped as low as the chocolate so far.

Sound quality is excellent. I totally agree with review.

Touch screen is excellent. I dissagree big time with phonearena.com. I've had no trouble even using HTML or just browsing around the phone. It's definitely an huge step up in screen from the Voyager. I have no Idea what this reviewer is talking about.

Outside phone conditions for screen brightness is similar to any other phone. And can be turned up out of the box. Voyager can not and in a side by side test outside in sunlight. It is defintely better with the samsung with it's brightness turned up from medium to high.

Talk time is very very good, Standby and music/web browsing battery life is short. If i'm on the phone all day and do 2-3hrs of web browsing and light use of text and calling my battery will be dead after about a 16-18hr day. When I just used the phone for just phone calls, i was able to get approx 3.5hrs, and my phone had just went down to 1 bar of battery after I made it home from a local bar having cocktails with friends at 2am in the morning and I had the phone on since 7am that morning. (Sorry trying to give real world scenarios. lol)

I hope this helps those who were concerned with the terrible review this was given. This is one of the best phones I've used in year. I think I might get one once I have to give this back.
0
26.
I agree, I've had the Glyde now for almost two months and I love it. I had a LG Chocolate and that was the biggest piece 'o crap LG ever squeezed out! I've been with VZW for about 7 years now and have had nothing but rage with LG phones. The Chocolate was so bad that they offered me an early upgrade with another $80 promo for the Glyde. So basically I got my Glyde for FREE! I don't care who ya are...that's a great deal and I couldn't pass it up.

When I first got the Glyde I was a little skeptical if I liked it. But after playing with it for about a day and learning tips and shortcuts and such, I decided I loved it and STILL DO! So do the chics...lol. Cell phones are such an intregal part of us...like our car. If you are a basic person you most likely have a basic car. If you are sophisticated and refined so is your car...our cell phones are the same. I saw a commercial for some prepaid junk called 'jitterbug'...as basic as it gets. Obviously that is for the Ford Taurus people!!!!
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0
6.
PHONE ARENA get ur facts right this phone doesnt have a full HML browser the only verizon none pda phone thats has this is the voyager! u need to read ur facts and not just post what ever u think the phone has!
0
7.
Ah, yes it does! The Glyde and Voyager both have an HTML browser. It sounds like you are too much in love with your Voyager to admit that another phone has this as well.
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0
8.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selected PhoneId=3727&changingCompletedOrder=

"Services
HTML Browser with touch navigation"
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0
9.
Unfortunately I don't think many of you truly understand the problems with this phone. The phone has many issues concerning the touchscreen and that is the main reason that I am returning it. The bug I consistently experience isbthat the send button on text messages never works. Every time I use it I need to press it multiple times. On the Internet I experience issues getting links to work. And for the person who said that is it on par with an iPhone, I very much disagree. I have an iPod Touch and the touch works so much more better on the iPod. This review is very correct except that I have had good experience regarding reception. The battery dies for me after only maybe an hour of browsing, twenty texts, and ten minutes talking after about 12 hours. I have also experienced issues regarding testing when switching from front touch to qwerty.
0
14.
I had a problem a that when I touched the calculator icon the phone would do a reset. I also had a problem with the space bar when texting. I exchanged the phone and so far none of those issues had shown. I think that you have a defective phone. The issues with the touchscreen, I think has to do where you do the tapping. I have learned this after playing with the phone. I still have to tap a couple of times, but to me that is the problem with the touchscreen. When tapping and it doesn't work just tap it slightly to the side. It will work just fine.
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0
27.
I have this phone and wondered what everybody was talkin' about with software and firmware issues. I've never had any. Then the guy at Verizon told me that I have the newer release Glyde that got the software updates. Take your Glyde to Verizon and ask them if it has the software updates. If not, they will do it for you for free.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #14 ( Show )
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0
11.
I have benn using this phone since it was first launched. So far, I had no problem with Glyde at all. The touch screen is very responsive which works better than Voyager. And qwerty keypad is easy to tap and comfortable. Even though Voyager has more features like Mobile TV, I doubt that not many people actually use Mobile TV. Overall, this is a great touchscreen & messaging phone with attractive price.
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0
12.
Well, now that I have had it for a few weeks its little problems are easily managable... My only real issue is the call quality.. I'm not sure if it is the phone or the network. I came from ATT and havn't used other phones on the verizon network... There is a significant difference, I just hope its the coverage in my area and that it improves...
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0
13.
Well, I just picked up this phone and really compared the voyager to it. I wen with the glyde because the phones are almost exactly the same. I Don't reallneed a phone that has a mp3 player for it but something that is more sleek and comfortable in my hand, the glyde was just that even when texting I thought the keyboard was better on the glyde. Dont get me wrong the voyager is a great phone too, but for 100 dollars more, not that great.
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0
17.
I disagree with this review too. I've played with this phone for a good length of time. It worked perfectly- the touch screen, sounds, reception, and everything. I actually like it and up against the Voyager-it's a hard call for the winner. I"m upgrading soon and the only bad thing I can think of is that the Voyager has FTP and the Glyde only has OBEX
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