Reviews icon Samsung U700 Ultra 12.1 Review

Samsung U700 Ultra 12.1 Review

Published on: 05 July, 2007 by PhoneArena Team

Performance:

We didn’t really get used to the touch-sensitive keys of the U700, and performed most operations slower than normally. The lag between key “press” and the action takes its time and if you want to do everything fast, skip to another phone.

In the reception test we put all phones through, the U700 performed best among the three Ultra phones (U100, U300, U700) but that doesn’t mean it is a signal-beast. It has just average reception and we rate it 5 out of 10.

The call quality is way better, and is one of U700’s strongest sides. The microphone is sensitive and your voice is strong and very clear on the other side. You sound realistic, but little muffled. Incoming sound is extremely strong, if we can rate it more than 10 out of 10 we would! Most people will turn the volume down a few levels and will than realize that the quality is also excellent.


Conclusion:

The Samsung U700 left us with mixed feelings – we are definitely not keen on the touch-sensitve keys, but some people may think they are just normal. The design is attractive, but the dimensions are not ultra-small as with the U100 for example. The software has its pros and cons, good music player (still worse than the one of U100 and U300) and mediocre camera. We really like that the sound quality during a call is very high, which increases the phone’s overall rating significantly.

If you NEED 3G for either fast retrieving of the emails (as the browser is mediocre) or for video calling, this is the only Ultra slim Samsung with it. But if not, the U600 will offer you sexier design and quad-band GSM that can be used anywhere a network of this type is present. If you don’t need lots of memory and don’t plan to use the phone as a music player, better check the U100 which comes at half the thickness.

Pros

  • Sexy design
  • Excellent sound quality
  • 3G and microSD slot

Cons

  • Touch keys cause problems
  • Mediocre camera quality for 3-megapixel unit
  • Tri-band only

PAppeal

Christian Dior:
10 of 10
Very high

A shine slider with glossy surface combines perfectly with the touch sensitive keys

Average Joe:
2 of 10
Very low

I’d prefer something with ordinary keys and shell that doesn’t attract fingerprints like crazy

Corporate US:
1 of 10
Very low

This is definitely not the phone for you

High-Tech junkie
3 of 10
Low

It’s a 3G slider with 3-megapixel camera, but lots of compromises

expand ratings

PA phone rating

  • Design 9
    • Build Quality 8
    • Look 10
  • Display 8
    • Quality 8
    • Resolution 9
    • Size 7
  • Camera 7
    • Resolution 10
    • Quality 5
    • Features, Comfort 7
  • Sound Quality 8
    • Incoming 9
    • Outgoing 9
    • Signal Reception 5
  • Connectivity 6
    • Local 5
    • Internet 6
    • Data 9
  • Multimedia 5
    • Interface Comfort, Options 7
    • Quality 5
    • Supported formats 5
    • Connectors (3.5/A2DP) 6
  • Organizer 7
    • PIM 7.5
    • Phonebook 7
    • Messaging 7
Good
7.1
out of 10
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Comments icon User comments

User comments

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0
1.
Stylish
This is the most stylish phone I have seen. All the fones I have owned were Samsung and just when I thought u couldnt do better. Along comes the U700. Cant wait to get my hands on one.
Reply to this comment
0
2.
design wise it's cool, however, i have problem synchronizing outlook appointments to the phone. n the touch pad really sucks, i've never been able to successfully sent a sms without having to exit n re-type the msg again. n the soft touch key cant b changed, n i will always be surfing the net unintentionally.
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0
3.
Excellent (as i have purchased it now)
Ofcourse U700 is stylish with a stunning look...but some aspects need further improvement. the speaker (which is earpiece too) is not so powerful which makes it difficult to hear the incoming call alert in noisy environment (Nokia N73 is quite loud & even other cheaper Samsung sets are louder than my phone is). touch keys is a great idea but i have to be extra-careful while pressing left or right on jog dial (required in sub-menus) to avoid starting touch key related programs.
Reply to this comment
0
4.
u700
so far so good. nice style. came from se p990i. using it as a modem is much faster then the se.probably because of the 3.5g.
have to adjust much further if you came from a stylus type of phone.
buttomline, its a great phone
Reply to this comment
0
5.
One thing is sure: the design is excellent. BUT...the touch pads are extra sensitive when you dont intend to use them (very easy to accidentally touch some of them while e.g. writing an SMS and you suddenly find yourself on the main screen...) but sometimes clumsy when you really want to access the function. The fix internet links are also things that drive me crazy, I surf the net very often although I didnt mean to. Due to such annoyances it was a few times very close to perish by my hands on the floor. I find it also too quiet.
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  Total: 5 post(s)
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