Samsung HM1610 Review

Introduction and Design:

Nowadays, just about every company has some kind of inexpensive Bluetooth headset aimed at the budget conscious consumer out there, but not all actually go beyond just simply allowing you to make conversations. Fortunately for the Samsung HM1610 Bluetooth headset, its $39.99 sticker price manages to carry along contemporary features like near end enhanced audio technology, wind noise reduction, multipoint technology, and hi-fidelity audio streaming. Although it only skims the surface on what we see implemented with other respectable Bluetooth headsets, let’s just hope that its inexpensive cost doesn’t translate to a sub-par experience. Included with the packaging are 3 ear gels, 2 ear hooks, wall charger, and user manual.


Unmistakably, the Samsung HM1610 is completely constructed out of plastic, which makes it relatively light weight, and fittingly complements its cheap cost – though, it doesn’t come out to be cheap feeling at all. Combining some hard lines and curves to its design, it’s mostly one normal sized headset that we wouldn’t mind having clinging to our ears. Luckily though, its blue and black paint job contrasts nicely to prevent it from blatantly sticking out to attract attention.


Whether you utilize its ear hook or not, the ear gel at the tip of its earpiece literally suctions tightly onto our inner ear – thus providing a solid sealed fit. However, we find it rather irritating after using it for less than half an hour since it’s constantly brushed up against the sides of our inner ear.


Straight along the front side of the headset, we find its distinguishable long and narrow multi-function button that’s raised to allow our finger to easily feel it out. Moreover, the volume rocker that’s placed on the left edge also provides a solid feel and response when pressed. However, the same cannot be said about the dedicated power button in the rear – which brushes too close to our ear to sufficiently make out. Finally, both the LED indicator and microUSB port are position along the right side of the headset. 

Performance:

Fancying some kind of voice control and guidance features, are you? Well, you’re not going to find them with the Samsung HM1610 as you're literally left out on your own in what to do. Although it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to find that holding down its power button will place it in pairing mode, issues arose when trying to pair it with a second device – since it features multipoint technology. After reading the manual, we finally got both an iPhone 4 and HTC Incredible S to connect simultaneously. Since it’s delegated as being the primary phone, we’re able to access the voice control service of the iPhone 4. Now as long as the phone has its own built in voice control program, pressing the multi-function button on the headset will activate it.

Unfortunately, the headset doesn’t announce incoming calls by name or phone number, but instead, it basically emits a notification tone to inform you. Volume output appears to be boisterous enough through the earpiece and provides ample tones for general conversations, though, it becomes extremely sharp when it’s placed at the highest setting. Regardless, it still proves its worth under noisy conditions.

While walking briskly, our callers say that our voice is rich and distinctive on their end of the line. However, it begins to sound choppy in tone under windy conditions or while driving in the car with the window down. At times though, it seems to adjust accordingly with the wind for a brief moment, where it clears things up, but it’s soon lost and we’re left with choppy voices once again. Ultimately, it doesn’t quite manage to completely drown out the background noise.


Thankfully though, it’s able to retain a solid connection since we’re able to stream music from an iPhone 4 that’s placed 30 feet away in another room.

In our testing, we were able to get 7.5 hours of continuous talk time with the Samsung HM1610 after fully charging it – which slightly edges out the 7 hours of talk time stipulated by the manufacturer. Albeit, it would’ve been nice to get actually hear announcements about its current battery level, simultaneously pressing down the volume down and talk button will light the LED in three distinct colors to indicate its level – blue for above 80%, violet for 80% to 20%, and red for below 20%.

Conclusion:

You really can’t ask too much out of a $39.99 Bluetooth headset, but with the Samsung HM1610, it seems to be making a futile attempt in being a feature rich headset. In fact, it very much decides to take the typical approach that we’d come to expect out of any headset on the market, but it doesn’t quite excel when noise or wind are present. However, for stationary use or music streaming, it’ll get the job done without much falter. All in all, we can overlook its mediocre performance and minimal set of features primarily because you won’t be spending a fortune on it.

Samsung HM1610 Video Review: