Conclusion
ConclusionI'm something of a geek and something of a style freak when it comes to gadgets, and mobile phones, of course, are just about the ultimate gadgets right now. I want my mobile phones to do everything - voice calling, messaging, email, Web, music and video playback, games - and I want them to pack all of that functionality into slim, lightweight packages that look good. I'm perfectly happy to deal with a bit of a learning curve in order to master a do it all handset that requires a number of menus or multi-functional buttons in order to put everything plus the kitchen sink into my hip pocket.
Given that self-assessment, the Samsung SCH-u740 for Verizon Wireless is definitely the kind of phone I like. It's a flip phone that opens in two directions. It's got more than 40 buttons and two screens but is only 15mm thick. Best of all, it's a messaging powerhouse that looks like a regular old phone to the unknowing outsider.
All in all I really liked the u740 despite Verizon's best efforts to put Samsung's clever hardware design to shame. While perhaps a bit too complicated for the basic phone user, the u740 neatly packs a full QWERTY keyboard into a sleek form factor while being comfortable to use. Unfortunately, Verizon's user interface is less than comfortable to use, and their messaging and email applications definitely don't make the most of the hardware they run on. Still, if you're looking for a great texting phone without the bulk of a true smartphone, the u740 is well worth a look. Just be sure to sign up for an unlimited messaging plan when you get one!
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