ezbuyblog

After nearly six months in waiting to get rid of my old and broken Audiovox cellphone, I received my Samsung SCH-u740 from Fed-Ex. But, for the six months of waiting, I had some big choices to make. I am a texter. Verizon offers a $10 IN 500 text message plan that I have been using for a while now. But I hate how I have to use the classic cellphone text: three or four letters per number and painful headaches. Texting should not be a headache. And that's where the u740's QWERTY keyboard offering comes in handy...

The u740 is a dual hinge phone. It opens two ways: one like a standard flip phone and two like a laptop, from the side. When you open it like a standard flip phone, you'll see a nice D-Pad with a big "OK" button in the middle accompanied with two gray pre-set buttons to access Menu and Contacts or choose options while using the camera, etc. You'll also see small numbers with the standard texting system (pqrs, etc.) highlighted in gray. These buttons are also on the keyboard once you flip it the other way, revealing a full-scale QWERTY keyboard. When you're not typing a text message or in memo form, the gray buttons will act as numerical buttons in order for you to call people from the sideways-opening feature. It's a bit of a problem here, because calling people from the sideways feature requires you to remember your numbers all over again because they're sideways. (See the next paragraph for solutions...) The QWERTY keyboard is accompanied by a num lock button, which allows you to type in buttons to access symbols and numbers while texting. It makes it an easy and fluid feature.

The keyboard is a bit cramped, though, but there are some new features that come with the phone that make life a lot easier. For one, most new VZW phones come with VoiceSignal, a voice command feature that allows you to speak through the speakerphone to call people and translate your voice into a text message. "Dictate Message" allows you to say words you'd like to include in a text without typing--it requires a 3 minute session for VoiceSignal to become familiar with your voice. And, as long as you train it properly, it will say basic words right. But, longer words (such as "banana") take so much time. It took me 13 words to actually get banana, which was actually pretty sad. The feature isn't the best, but it's a step up. VoiceSignal allows you to call out numbers and people and have your phone immediately call them. This works great when you flip the phone sideways so you don't have to memorize typing numbers sideways.

Like most Verizon phones today, the u740 includes the full workings of the popular (argumentatively) VCAST service, which features Music, Video, Games, and News for download (for a fee). It also allows you to buy ring tones through applications for small fees and use VCAST Song ID, Verizon's latest technology that allows you to identify songs that are playing. This feature is rewarding and handy when you're on the road and here something you like, but it takes some time (I'd say about a minute in total). Unless you're an absolute music junkie, you might just want to go along your way and forget about it. The VCAST service only works in the sideways flip form, which is a bit odd. This phone has a nice speaker and could serve as a great music phone, except for the exclusion of the standard 2.5mm port. It comes with a headset adaptor that you plug in to the charger slot. Then, you must find the smaller headphones (or even get a different adapter for the standard port), which seems too much of a hassle to me. And, to download music from your PC to the u740 requires a VCAST Music package, which retails for $30.

The u740 has a decent camera (1.3MP) that takes great photos when the lighting is right. It also has a teeny stamp screen on the front, and I think that Samsung should have made the front screen a bit bigger. (The LG VX8600 has a lovely front screen that allows you to view texts from the front) And, it includes pre-set play, next song, and previous song buttons that are nice to use if you're listening to music. But, like all Verizon phones, you can't listen to any music while using other components of the phone, so it ain't that rewarding. On the sides of the phone, you have the charger slot, a handy microSD slot (for storing video, music, photos without having to go through the hassle of buying the VCAST music pack), a dedicated VoiceSignal button, a dedicated HOLD button, a volume rocker, but no dedicated camera button. This was quite surprising.

If you're looking at the u740, you've probably also looked at the VX990. If you have fat fingers and need to type on a full scale keyboard, the VX990 is probably for you, but at the same time, the u740 can fit in your pocket without revealing a big bump. The LG enV/VX990 cannot do that. This is why the phone is so enticing.

Overall, the u740 is a great phone that has really been good to me so far. Available in two colors, Champagne Gold or Black, the phone is sleek and sexy, thanks to its dual-hinge technology, QWERTY keyboard, and RAZR-like thinness. It's an attractive package and Verizon's best phone for texters. Right now, it retails for about $100.

So if you're in to texting and don't mind the cramped keyboard, take the u740 in stride and enjoy. I'm sure you will!

Pros:
*Dual-hinge flipping
*Full-scale QWERTY keyboard with symbols available through NUM LOCK
*Access to Verizon's large multimedia service, VCAST
*VCAST Song ID Capable
*microSD slot
*VoiceSignal/Dictate Message Service
*Sleek, sexy, and THIN like Motorola's RAZR.
*Great speakerphone

Cons:
*QWERTY keyboard is a bit cramped.
*No dedicated camera button on the outside of the phone.
*Stamp front screen that can only show the time.
*No standard headphone jack, even with adapter.

For the texting savvy: Recommended
For the phone user: Not Recommended
For the businessman replacing his smartphone: Not Recommended
For the teenager: Recommended

Absolutely the best phone I've ever had!!! I have rather large hands, but the keyboard is still easy to use. I get lots of looks while typing messages, especially from the younger crowd who are really into texting.

I questioned my purchase because I don't use text messaging too frequently -- until I found out about Google SMS. Basically, you send key phrases like the name of a business or directions or flight information to the address "46657" (which spells GOOGL on a phone keypad) and Google replies with results. Now I use text messaging all the time!

I love it!

Update 12/12/2008: I dropped this phone in a river while fishing and killed it. I liked it so much I got another one even though I was offered a great deal on a different phone.

Update 10/12/2009: Still loving it.

I've had this phone for 3 months, after using mostly blackberrys and Samsung flip phones for the past 7 years. Samsung makes very good phones. Overall: I am generally happy with the phone. The battery life is good, and the Verizon network is the best I have experienced ever. The phone looks great, and has many functions. However, I have not explored everything on this phone yet. The basic web function is good. The screen is excellent. I love the voice recognition software - it is excellent and works well. The speakerphone function is okay - not great, but useable. I have dropped it a few times, without a problem thus far. It is thin and the weight is acceptable. Complaints: It is easy to drop and rather slippery due to its very smooth and glossy exterior. The keypad is mediocre; Blackberry still has the best keypad for emails or other text. With this keypad, I need to use my nails. If I had no nails, I would find it very challenging. The calendar & calculator functions could be better integrated. Bottom line: I was hoping to use this as a PDA/phone, and am finding it difficult at times. I guess it was not truly designed to be used as a PDA, although it has the basic functions of a PDA. I haven't used the music function, so cannot speak to that.

I have had this phone for about a week, and I have been impressed overall. Since I don't use my phone for texting or music, some of its best features are probably wasted on me.

PROS:
* The 2 ways to flip it open make it totally unique and cool.
* The battery lasts longer than other phones I've had.
* The call quality is consistently good.
* It's slim like a RAZR in spite of the full keyboard perk.
* You can use voice recognition to compose a text message.

CONS:
* Many features only work in 1 orientation or the other.
* The smallest digit dial font is still huge - privacy issue.
* The Samsung calendar application has limited functionality.

This last liability is the reason I will be switching phones. I used the calendar on my old LG VX8100 a lot to keep track of my schedule and alert me with alarms. I don't want to carry a separate PDA or an oversized smartphone when I have a calendar in the phone I'm already carrying that does everything I need. In fact, I chose the U740 in hopes that the keyboard would make calendar entries faster, but it was not to be.

You can't use the Samsung calendar to make an appointment repeat in a useful way. For example, if you plug in Memorial Day on May 28 and set it to repeat every year, LG asks if you want it to repeat every May 28th, the 4th Monday in May, or the last Monday in May. Samsung figures you want it on the 28th of May every year and there's no alternative. Likewise, I keep my biweekly payday on my calendar. LG let me set it up for a given day every other week; Samsung makes it repeat every single week or not at all.

I called Verizon and they said that was the only calendar available for the Samsung and offered to let me switch phones. Mark it down in your diary, Verizon gave good customer service today.

At the Verizon store, I discovered that all Samsung phones use the weak application, while all LG phones use the calendar that I prefer.

I realize most peope don't care about the phone's calendar as much as I do, so I rated the phone a 4. With one notable exception, the phone is the best I've ever had, and I'm really disappointed about that one feature that's my dealbreaker.

My first phone when I switched to Verizon was the Motorola SLVR L7c, horrible little phone, very little about it was positive. My prior phones have always been Samsung so I went back and have not regretted it. This little phone is cool, compact, very functional, and fun to use. I love the dual hinges and the full qwerty keyboard. Yes, the keys are rather narrow and take some getting used to, but I love the functions. Easy to use, great phone, clear calls, compatible with Acura's HandsFree bluetooth too. My only complaints, my prior Samsung (SCH A900) had a message indicator light that flashed red, this one doesn't, you gotta wake this one up by pressing and holding any one of the side keys when it's closed to see its status. The other thing, don't know if it's a Samsung flaw or Verizon's weirdness, I can't assign different ringers to blocked and unblocked calls. I could with all my other phones but could not with the 2 Verizon phones I've had.

Pro's:
small but easy to use
full keyboard
slim profile

Con's:
no message indicator light
Verizon's need to alter their phones' factory software/displays/setting options

Some complaints here - like the calendar sync problems -- can be resolved with a little investigation. If you purchase the Verizon data office software program - it comes with a sync chord and will sync with MS Outlook on your computer with no problems. If you buy it soon after you buy your Samsung u740 you get a discount from Verizon. It's worth it - I think I paid $24.00 with no shipping charge. With this software you can only sync your contacts and calendar in MS Outlook so be aware of that but that's all I needed.

As for the complaint regarding sound - I drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee and crank the music up when I drive. I can hear the ring perfectly - it's very loud - even my downloaded ringtones which are crystal clear - the default ringers that come with the phone are very loud too. I don't even keep it on the loudest setting. So perhaps the person who complained had some hearing issues. My hearing is fairly acute - however - the ringtones are very clear and loud as far as I'm concerned.

There also is a way to get your own ringtones with the same data cable I mentioned above - if you use a free software called "BitPim". It now supports the u740 and with this program you can take any wav file you might have or made yourself and put it on your phone through BitPim. BitPim will automatically place it in the proper file. I suggest however you get a 2 Gig media card if you want to add your own ringtones. I used wav files that were ripped from CD's I bought (they are huge files) then ripped to my PC then synced with the u740 using BitPim. I don't know how this will work for MP3's - I do CD's - but BitPim has a "convert" option so I'm guessing it will work for these files as well.

With BitPim you can also transfer photos from your PC as the camera on the phone isn't nearly as crisp as my 10mpg HP camera. I just resize the photos down and then transfer to my phone - again via BitPim.

Re the complaint about the email - through Get it Now and choosing Mobile Email. For a nominal fee - I can access my Comcast email anywhere any time and it was a snap to set up and use. I think in less than 3 minutes including downloading from Get it Now - I was checking my email.

The u740 for me - is the very best phone I've ever used. The keyboard is bit small - so if you have big fingers - it might be tough for you - but for a small woman like myself - it's a PERFECT phone. It's sleek, opens clamshell style or horizontally - and you can buy really cheap feminine covers for the phone as well. I've had a lot of LG's and my last phone was a very bulky Audiovox XV6700. I've never used a Samsung before but I knew almost all the features in a very short time.

Two quirks to note - if you dial using the horizontal mode - you'll be on speaker phone. However, if you close the phone you will NOT be disconnected. You either have to hit "end" or go back to clamshell mode and re-close the phone. So be careful what you talk about if you close the phone during a horizontal conversation.

Also a sort of strange quirk - when adding text - if you are in horizontal mode you can NOT use the "v". It's just a bad quirk. You must be in clamshell mode in order to add text and use the old fashioned keypad style i.e. for the letter "c" you'd have to hit the number "2" three times.

Otherwise - while not a perfect phone, it's perfect for me and I think almost any non-business users. Even business users could love it - it's just not going to do the things a Smartphone or Blackberry will do.

This phone is great for what it is. If you are looking for a smartphone at a cheap price and expect the world, stop being cheap and spring for a smartphone. I recently got rid of a Palm Treo I had bought because it turned out to be one of the worst phones I ever had. My GF and I merged our plans and ended up getting two of these for $31.99 and to be honest, we couldn't be happier.

We text alot and the QWERTY keyboard makes this a breeze. Yeah it is not a full size board but we are talking about a phone no bigger than a RAZR. How big do you expect it to be? The numbers are not all that difficult but who actually dials numbers anymore? 9 times out of 10 you are browsing to your contacts, which is not difficult.

The headphone jack? I honestly cannot believe that this is a complaint. Who doesn't use Bluetooth these days? Not to mention that you do have an adapter for those older headsets that works just fine.

The sound quality is much better than my pervious Treo. With my Treo I could not use it in my house without hanging my head out of the window. The reception was god awful. I dropped 2 out of every 5 calls without warning. This phone has been performing suprisingly well in my house reception wise. No dropped calls.

It amazes me that people complain about ringtones. Do you honestly expect a phone to come with the exact tone you want? This is why we have online options to download our own personalized tones.

So this phone is what it is. It is a realiable phone with a great texting feature, the ability to check e-mail and great reliability. After having every phone from smartphones to small compact flip phones, this gave me the best of both worlds rolled up into one tight little package.

Samsung is fastly becoming the industry leader in all things technology and their phones are obviously no different. I won't be so bold as to say go get it now. I do however urge everyone to at least give it a glance or two in the store before deciding to ignore it.

I just got this phone today. I looked on here for reviews of this and a few other phones before making my final decision. The cons I read weren't bad enough for me not to get it. Funny thing is when I started playing around with it I noticed a lot of the cons were not true:

1. You can display more than just a picture on the front screen...go to the clock format in tools and you can change it to digital (which then the picture will be in the background) or you can turn the clock off completely and have the total photo.
2. I don't know what the other reviews meant by not being able to use the standard headset jack even with the adapter, but I could use the headset I had for my LG 8300 with the adapter provided.
3. The ringer is just as loud as all my other phones, if not louder.
With all that said...I love it so far. Time will tell

I recently just got this phone and I have to say, it is by far one of the best phones out there today. Aside from the iphone this samsung is in a league of it's own. Basically, it's a laptop in the palm of your hand. I read all the previous reviews to get a clear understanding of what other people think of this phone, and I would agree with most of them. The only thing I don't get is the fact there isn't a standard head phone jack. Even though it came with an adaptor I have to find a pair of head phones that will fit. No biggie. The other thing that could use some improvement are the ring tones and wallpaper. I mean, come on! This phone is a cool piece of technology with lame rings. But with the use of the microSD card I can download any ring tone I want. Other than those two things I would recomend this phone to any one. The keys on the qwerty are just right. The letter P is in a spot a little hard to get to but it's fine. If you ever typed on a computer you will get used to texting on this phone right away. I looked at the LG envy too but loved the flip options on the samsung and the size. It's the same size as the RAZR.

PROS-Unique design and great sound quality.
Great price through Amazon. A $400 phone sold for FREE.
Camera quality is good for camera phone.
Easy to text and can access Vcast, Internet, email.

CONS-No standard head phone jack.
Weak ring tones and wallpaper.

OVERALL- I give this phone 4.5

When I saw the neat flip display, the small size, and the wireless sync capability, I was excited. I ordered this phone for work to replace my Motorola Q. I just wanted a regular phone so I wouldn't have to carry my cumbersome Smartphone anymore. While it does Sync with Microsoft Exchange, the smallest interval it will update email is hourly. I even visited a Verizon associate who said you could not bypass this option with the online "push" feature for the consumer version of the phone. You can manually sync as often as you want, but that isn't very practical. A 15 minute interval would have worked, but I had to send it back because of this. It also syncs with the Exchange Calander, which is a work around for some of the problems some folks were having in some of the reviews I read. My problem with the calendar after it is synced though, is that I could not find any way that it would give you a tone or alert to notify you 15 minutes prior like my Q will. It's probably a great phone for your average user, but the wireless sync options does't make it very practical in the professional world.