Samsung Knack Review

Published on: 25 September, 2008 by PhoneArena Team

Keywords:
Verizon
Samsung
Budget

Review index:

Performance:

Regardless of how many features a phone has, or does not have, in the case of the Knack, the most important aspect is the reception and call quality. The reception was marginal at best, with it sometimes showing no bars and “searching for service” inside buildings, where all other Verizon Wireless phones we have tested had no problem maintaining a signal. When used outside, we were able to get 2-3 bars of solid reception, but in fringe areas the signal drops again. This is a disappointment, as the Knack is partly marketed as an “emergency use phone”. Call quality through the earpiece speaker is good, as long as the volume isn’t turned up to high, thus resulting is distortion to be heard. The biggest surprise was in the volume of the speakerphone. When turned up to high, it sounded louder and had less distortion than most other phones. This is beneficial to people who use this option frequently. However, due to the reception issues, the U550 and Gleam are a better choice, as both are able to maintain a more solid signal in buildings and fringe areas.

The included 1000mAh battery is rated to give 4.5 hours of talk time or 14 days of standby time on a full charge. Our testing revealed 4 hours talk time on a full charge, which is better than the 3 hours of talk time we achieved on the Gleam and U550.

Conclusion:

Overall, the Knack is designed for someone who wants a basic cell phone with the ability to make and receive calls and the occasional text message. Unfortunately, the poor reception we experienced is cause for concern. Even though we were in a high-coverage area, we did experience moments of no service with the Knack, where other Verizon phones did not. Because of this, we believe the Samsung U550 and Gleam to be a better and more reliable choice, as both are in the same price category, even though they have more features than a basic user may want.

Pros

Easy to use
Simplistic design
Large dial pad
Loud speakerphone

Cons

Reception is lacking
No additional programs or customizations
Does not have a camera

PA rating

Design 5.5
Display 4.5
Sound Quality 5.5
Battery 6
Organizer 4.5

Average

out of 10

How do we rate?

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User comments

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1.

anonymous @ 27 September, 2008 12:03:06 AM

now i understand why there is a phone coming out called the knick

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2.

anonymous @ 03 October, 2008 10:35:15 PM

Its just a sad attempt by the cell phone companies to expand their markets. Sell to old people. They started targeting kids and now the first words most little babies speak now is "cell phone". We might as well start implanting them while the babies are still in the womb. We could offer "unlimited parent to fetus talk" so that the baby can hear the parents' voices and its only an extra $9.99 a month! (9 month contract required). Who are they kidding? Nobody wants this crap! Why spend $40 on a phone that does nothing when you can get one that's better (with a camera) for FREE. Its because old people are retards when it comes to cell phones and the corporate pigs know it. They don't care about anyone. They only care about money.

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3.

anonymous @ 09 October, 2008 02:48:11 PM

My god you are an idiot...to many of us "old folks" dont have a clue how to operate these things. A simple plain vanilla phone is all I want and need. Maybe you need to grow up a little and get a clue. The 60+ croud is a thriving target market with plenty of disposable income who want to embrace technology....what's wrong with developing a product that will aloow us to do that. I wish more companies would think along these same lines. See you at the AARP meetings...I'll be dead by the time you join. Help!!! I've fallen and I can't get up!! You idiot....respect your elders

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4.

anonymous @ 10 October, 2008 08:04:48 PM

What a moronic statement. "Targeting" old people? Are you serious. Of course they are. Did it ever occur to you that old people might like a cell phone themselves? Did you ever consider emergency situations? That's what cell phones are ... a CONVENIENCE. The industry is doing what all smart business people do ... sell to the masses. If you didn't do that, you wouldn't be in business long my friend. So tell me, what is your solution? Release a product and don't advertise it? Is that it. God I would hate to "brainwash" people. I bet if we left it up to people like you, we'd still be communicating via Pony Express. I'm glad Samsung released another simple phone.

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6.

tutututu @ 07 November, 2008 09:46:04 PM

I have been a cellphone user for a decade and am nowhere close to being a senior citizen. The Knack is ideal for me because I do not want a camera on my phone (I think of a camera as a negative not a positive on the phone), I do not want to listen to music and I do not wish to send text messages. I have no desire for a GPS function. And I don't want to spend time playing games on it. My phone is not a toy. I use my cellphone extensively to make and receive calls. There is value in the absence of clutter. Simplicity has its virtues. In other words, I would rather pay $40 for simplicity than get some multi-faceted widget for free. I hope you learnt something from this instead of making bad assumptions about what the Knack is meant to do (serve people with my type of needs).

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8.

anonymous @ 20 November, 2008 03:08:51 PM

#3 is my new hero

Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #6 ( Show )

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5.

anonymous @ 29 October, 2008 11:03:37 AM

I think its great that verizon offers a plan for seniors and know they are getting more and more phone options for them too. its a great phone with a loud speaker.....i luv it.

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7.

anonymous @ 18 November, 2008 01:25:18 PM

I am so glad that Verizon came out with the Knack. I've been looking for a very basic replacement cell phone for my 80+ year mother. I was planning on purchasing the Coupe, but the Knack is much better and the reviews have been positive. Sometimes simplicity is key.

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9.

brenz @ 17 March, 2009 11:04:21 PM

The reviewer must have gotten a defective phone, because I haven't had any reception problems with my Knack. The reception is very good. In fact, I have gotten reception in unexpected places, like an underground parking garage, and a rural area far out of the city. This phone does everything a phone is supposed to do quite well. The sound quality is excellent, battery life is very good, and it has proven durable so far. It survived one drop onto concrete (not by me). The only thing I don't like is the over emphasis on emergency numbers. And to the previous comment about this phone doing "nothing." Wrong. It sends and receives phone calls very well. That is what a phone is supposed to do. The fact that it doesn't have an inferior camera attached to it is a plus in my book. The poster was doubly wrong in saying this phone is for "old retards." I am 40 years old, and I use very advanced video equipment and computer software on a daily basis, so I have no problem with understanding and using technology. I simply have no need to impress people with my phone. Bottom line, if you want a reliable, no-frills cell phone, look into the Knack.

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