Samsung SGH-i780 Preview

Introduction:

Samsung i780 is one of the few recent models of the manufacturer, running on the Professional edition of the Windows Mobile 6 Operating System. Thus, it has a touch-sensitive display, but yet utilizes the slim candybar form-factor with a full hardware QWERTY-arranged keyboard. If we paraphrase the Samsung model line as a ‘family’, the i780 is the bigger European cousin of the BlackJacks.

As specifications, the SGH-i780 has everything, one would desire from such a phone (except global roaming), yet all this is packed in a slim and pretty body, way smaller than the top models of other companies.


Design:

Honestly, we fell in love with the i780 from the first (live) look. The combination of the piano black finish (on the front) and the fake leather (on the back) is just astonishing. The display is flat (not concaved) and a glass-like surface goes over the navigation buttons bellow it. We are rather disappointed by the image quality, but even if the final version doesn’t improve this, it is still OK for work.



You can compare the Samsung SGH-i780 to many other phones, using PhoneArena's Visual Size Compare tool.

The device is very good looking, yet its functionality cannot be hidden: once you look at the keyboard, you realize this thing is meant for work. This BlackBerry-like form factor reminds you that you have a powerful organizer and messaging client. Unfortunately, too many keys in too small area means each button is too small. After all, it’s all about balance of compromises.




Samsung is innovative with the navigation method: there is no D-pad, joystick, or even trackball. There is a ‘touchpad’ as in a portable computer, through which you must sweep a finger to control an on-screen pointer and press it to confirm. If this method is not your favorite, it can be turned into a ‘virtual’ 4-way controller and in addition, the 2.55” 320x320 pixels touch screen and the stylus are present, of course.



Software

Samsung SGH-i780 is running on Windows Mobile 6 and, therefore is identical to many other smartphones. If you’ve used such, this won’t surprise you. Our unit is branded by Orange (European carrier) and is slightly personalized, to be more user friendly. Instead of shortcuts situated in a vertical list, there is a narrow column on the left, which expands with sub-options. The icons in the Programs and Settings menu are also slightly redesigned, but kept in the spirit of the system.


The Windows Mobile system may not be perfect, but is an excellent solution for a business oriented phone. It has neat messaging and email clients, a very good phonebook system and an excellent organizer. Since it is a smartphone, the OS can be personalized additionally with third party applications, so its functionality isn’t limited.