Samsung S7330 Preview

Interface:

There’s nothing surprising here, especially after we’ve become familiar with the Soul line and most models of the manufacturer. Only small additions to the touch sensitive pad are present. You are now able to store your own themes and even select ones with color “arrows” (figuratively speaking; if we look at it as a D-pad).Unfortunately, you won’t be able to create such a colorful theme and will have to be satisfied with the monochrome ones. Pressing the central part of the pad when at the homescreen now opens a shortcut menu with 12 positions, which can lead to a group of options from the main menu (e.g. settings) and/or to features one step below them (e.g. display settings).



The phonebook has the popular option to search for number matches upon digit input. This could be done in the names as well, but you have to select the first position of the options. Unfortunately, there’s no second name filter. Nevertheless, all organizer functions such as alarms, calendar, notes, and calculator are present.


Since S7330 is a quad-band (850/900/1800/1900) GSM, it can be used worldwide. Unfortunately, it supports only the Asian and European 3G frequencies with maximum speeds of up to 3.6 Mbit/s. We are very much disappointed seeing a WAP browser, considering the fact that a cheap model like L770 is equipped with a full HTML one, and it gets very good results. It still loads heavy pages but the navigation is sluggish due to the lack of pan view.


The camera is 3-megapixel with autofocus, and LED flash and is run on software identical to Soul’s; the most frequently used functions are accessible via the touch pad. Overall, working with it is quite easy. Unfortunately, the phone is able to record only videos in the outdated QCIF (176х144) resolution, suitable only for MMS. The model offers all other multimedia functions, including a user-friendly music player, FM radio and video playback.


Although Samsung S7330 looks like the top-fashion model Soul, it left us with the impression that is more of a regular phone for the mass consumer. Its massive construction and the multiple shortcuts, which can make your life easier, are a proof for that. If we are right or wrong, we’ll find out in the in-depth review of a final unit.