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Samsung BlackJack-SGH-i607 Cell Phone
 One look at Samsung's Blackjack and it's clear who the electronics giant has got in their sights. Like the Motorola Q, the Blackjack is a Windows Mobile Smartphone Edition device that features a full QWERTY keyboard and high-speed data capabilities. Blackjack is thinner, lighter, and narrower than the Q, but it's keyboard and controls had to be a bit cramped in order to fit onto that narrow frame. On the other hand, Blackjack's processor is a hair faster than the one found inside of the Q - but did it make a difference in real world usage?
Currently available only on Cingular, the Blackjack is a quad band GSM handset that's compatible with the network's new 3G HSDPA data services, which are currently available in most major metropolitan areas in the US. If you live outside of a 3G area, you can use Cingular's slower EDGE network for Email, Web, and other data services on Blackjack. Unfortunately, Blackjack does not include an 802.11 antenna for WiFi compatibility. Windows Mobile is Windows Mobile, but Cingular has packaged a few extras with the Blackjack much as Sprint did with the Q. Is the Blackjack the answer to your slim, sleek, smartphone needs? Much of that depends on how big a power user you are. Blackjack is great for those with smallish fingers and smallish smartphone needs. Bigger Cingular users (literally and figuratively) will likely be happier with the HTC-made 8525. Measuring 113 x 59 x 12 mm and weighing just 99 g, Blackjack is a few millimeters shorter and narrower, .5 mm thinner, and 16 grams lighter than the Q. Blackjack fit comfortably into pants and jacket pockets, and was generally even less noticeable than the Q when not in use. The one caveat to this lay in Blackjack's rear panel design: a noticeable bulge around the camera housing detracts from an otherwise sleek, flat design. A 2.25" screen sits at the top of the front panel just beneath a silver earpiece grill. A Samsung logo frames the screen on the bottom edge, and beneath that you'll find a two-row horizontal array of controls: A centered five-way D-pad is flanked on the left by Call, Home, and soft key buttons, and on the right by a second soft key along with Hang Up and Back buttons. Beneath this array is a full QWERTY board made up of slim oval shaped keys fanned out at a slant (the left side keys slant to the upper left, the right side to the upper right). Buttons are finished in black save for the ten that double as a dialing pad - these are finished in grey and spaced over every other column to stand out. A scroll wheel and back-button combination on the right panel of the Blackjack allows for one-handed access to many functions, and an excellent programmable shortcut menu is accessible by pressing and holding the scroll wheel. A rubber-capped microSD memory card slot lies just above the plastic ridge which sets the wheel and back button off from the rest of the side panel. Samsung's infamous single-port USB/charger/headphone jack (also rubber-capped) can be found on the left side panel along with a volume rocker switch. The back panel of the handset is largely given over to the battery cover, which also conceals the SIM card slot. Centered near the top of the panel is the aforementioned camera sensor bulge, which also houses a self-portrait mirror and speaker. Overall, I found the Blackjack's design very nice but it also led to some usability issues for me. The QWERTY board was simply too small - and a bit too slippery - for me to get used to. My hands and fingers are a bit larger than average, but not exactly huge, and I really had to work hard to make sure I hit the buttons I was trying to hit. This lead to numerous typos while composing messages or entering Web URLs, and eventually to my having to slow down while typing lest I get lost in a sea of frustration. The flush-mount D-pad caused similar problems, if on a much smaller scale. On the flip side, the small, thin, light form factor of Blackjack is excellent, and the soft-grip plastic finish was very easy to hold for extended periods of time. I would definitely recommend getting this phone in hand for a few minutes before ordering one for yourself. If you find the keypad comfortable to use, you'll love the design. But if you're like me, the small, cramped buttons will effectively turn using Blackjack into a very frustrating experience. Our fancy algorithm says this stuff is related...Best phone ever!Overall Rating: By: Sally Hills on Saturday, September 13, 2008 5 out of 5From: Bawn, TN (United States) Experience: 8 Weeks Pros: Easy to use OS. Fast. The task manager makes it easy to stop programs running in the background, making for faster use. Camera works great. Attractive.Cons: Reception.Summary: Best phone Ive ever owned. I didnt get good reception at my house with it, out in the country, but that is samsung phones in general, not just this phone. I have previously owned other samsung phones that gave me the same problem. I bought an antenna booster, which seems to have fixed the issue effortlessly. I would say that the battery life that most have complained about is not that bad. Then again, I NEVER go to sleep without plugging in my phone to the charger anyways, regardless of how much battery is left. I suppose if you were going to be in a dessert, or in the wilderness, without power or a car charging outlet for 3 weeks, you might not like how fast the battery dies. But in my case, Im always at work (where there is an outlet if needed), or in my car (where I have a car charger). Im glad I didnt decide against this phone due to people reviewing it as having a "horrible battery life". So far I havent been disappointed. It hasnt frozen on me, and its relatively easy to use. I think the people who havent been pleased are CEO's who have owned 2,000 dollar smartphones prior to this one or something, because honestly, I havent found a problem with any of its features, or battery life. 
GreatOverall Rating: By: Justin Heflin on Saturday, December 15, 2007 4.8 out of 5From: Fort Wayne , IN (United States) Experience: 6 Months Pros: Smart key pad. Even though the key pad is small, the phone programs the letter buttons that sit next to the numbers to display the number if you hit it while dialing in the call screen. Camera and video is amazing. Cons: Have to go through too many steps to turn on silent. Summary: This has been a great phone. I have had it for about 6 months. I am a Realtor and this phone has everything I need to make my job a breeze! Not only can I store my daily calender, I can even pull up listings on the interent while I am with a client. Fantastic! 13 out of 28 people found this review helpful
MadnessOverall Rating: By: Lisa Mayer on Thursday, November 29, 2007 3 out of 5From: Brisbane, Queensland (Australia) Experience: 6 Months Pros: Just like every other phone I used. Thank god, because there is no user guide to find out how to use the extrasCons: User guide. What user guide? Try to download it on your computer when your sitting in a park or the backyard or a shopping centre. Print it out and waste a ream of A4 paper (not environmentally friendly). Try to get a user manual and be charged $15 AUD after paying $1000AUD for the phone. Useless without a user manual. Summary: I've had my phone now for 6 months and still have not a clue how to use it. If I need to know something I want to reach for the User guide, not turn on the computer go to the internet or CD Rom scroll through 500 pages. What a waste of time this phone is. 16 out of 32 people found this review helpful
Love love love this phone!Overall Rating: By: DAWN DUNNING on Monday, February 19, 2007 4.5 out of 5From: NILES, MI (United States) Experience: 1 Months Pros: Just about everythingCons: Can't seem to find the tone alert to remind me that I have a voicemail or a call.Summary: All I can say is that it is very sexy and serious looking at the same time. Very nice to hold up to your ear for a long time. Very bad manual though...call quality is excellent! 40 out of 89 people found this review helpful
Im loving it...Overall Rating: By: James Silva on Friday, January 19, 2007 4.7 out of 5From: Flower Mound, TX (United States) Experience: 2 Months Summary: I have had the blackjack for a couple of months and love it. Im still trying to figure out several of the options and the user guide is no help. The screens are very user friendly. Once you start service on this phone, everything else, and I mean everything else cost extra. I just wish I could load music from my computer. 53 out of 87 people found this review helpful
Buying choicesWith new service  This item is not being sold with a service plan by any online merchant. With pre-paid service This item is not being sold with a pre-paid service service plan by any online merchant. Ringtones & Media Shop for compatible mobile content for this phone |
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