Samsung u520

I actually chose the u520 over the Moto KRZR K1m and have been very pleased
with it so far.

These notes apply to the Alltel version (CDMA) of the Samsung SCH-u520 and
it's particular software interface.

Some pros:
* Very small, bot not so small you loose it.
* Great battery life, though I will probably be purchasing the extended
battery soon.
* Less expensive then the KRZR by ~$149 (after Alltel rebates). My u520 was
only $99 after the rebate, the KRZR would have been $249 after rebates
* Great reception..nearly as good at my old-skool 5100 series Nokia with its
whip antenna
* The volume on the handset can be as soft or LOUD as you need it to be
* The 1.3MP camera (1280x960 max resolution) produces very clean images for
this resolution.
* The
* Tons of settings for the camera and video camera...nearly like having a
real digi-cam in your hand.
* GPS! It really works! It found me and presented a 3D-ish road map of
precisely where I was when I enabled it.
* EVDO... need I say more?
* The display screen is very well made and is easy on the eyes. Great
graphics...like looking at an LCD television.
* The slot for the microSD card is externally located...easy to swap out
cards.
* The u520 comes with 64MB internal memory that can be used to store pics,
video, messages and music.
* The controls are on the outside of the phone just under the mini display.
And unlike the KRZR, they are actual buttons, not a touch sensitive buttons
that are under the shell.
* You can answer the phone without opening it up by using the "hands free"
button located on the side of the phone.
* You can control how long the main screen and keypad stay lit up: 7
seconds, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, always (literally) on and always
(literally) off.

Some cons
* There doesn't seem to be a way to give a given contact more than two email
addresses.
* There doesn't seem to be a way to record misc. information (like street
addresses, birthdays, etc) in the form of simple text notes for each
contact.
* The four way circular button that surrounds the OK button is small for my
fingers...maybe I just need to practice more :-)
* When texting, the button that allows you to insert "spaces" between words
has been moved from being associated with the 0 (bottom row, center column
on the keypad) to being associated with the # symbol (bottom row, right
column). I am too accustomed to it being center-bottom, and I keep
accidentally inserting "0" instead of spaces between words. Doh!
* So far as I have been able to find out, the size limit for micro SD cards
is 1GB.

Other notes:
* The u520s camera has a self timer, though I don't know how you would use
it since there is no way to set this phone up on a tripod or set it up in
some way to steady it.

I hope this helps you out!




"Jack" <Jack@aol.com> wrote:
> Anyone using the Samsung u520?
> I am thinking about getting this instead of the motorola V3.

Good input!
Thanks Paul.

"Paul_in_NC" <paulwilliamsREMOVETHIS@THISTOOnc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:U3Teh.272$dD2.255@tornado.southeast.rr.com...
> I actually chose the u520 over the Moto KRZR K1m and have been very
> pleased with it so far.
>
> These notes apply to the Alltel version (CDMA) of the Samsung SCH-u520 and
> it's particular software interface.
>
> Some pros:
> * Very small, bot not so small you loose it.
> * Great battery life, though I will probably be purchasing the extended
> battery soon.
> * Less expensive then the KRZR by ~$149 (after Alltel rebates). My u520
> was only $99 after the rebate, the KRZR would have been $249 after rebates
> * Great reception..nearly as good at my old-skool 5100 series Nokia with
> its whip antenna
> * The volume on the handset can be as soft or LOUD as you need it to be
> * The 1.3MP camera (1280x960 max resolution) produces very clean images
> for this resolution.
> * The
> * Tons of settings for the camera and video camera...nearly like having a
> real digi-cam in your hand.
> * GPS! It really works! It found me and presented a 3D-ish road map of
> precisely where I was when I enabled it.
> * EVDO... need I say more?
> * The display screen is very well made and is easy on the eyes. Great
> graphics...like looking at an LCD television.
> * The slot for the microSD card is externally located...easy to swap out
> cards.
> * The u520 comes with 64MB internal memory that can be used to store pics,
> video, messages and music.
> * The controls are on the outside of the phone just under the mini
> display. And unlike the KRZR, they are actual buttons, not a touch
> sensitive buttons that are under the shell.
> * You can answer the phone without opening it up by using the "hands free"
> button located on the side of the phone.
> * You can control how long the main screen and keypad stay lit up: 7
> seconds, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, always (literally) on and always
> (literally) off.
>
> Some cons
> * There doesn't seem to be a way to give a given contact more than two
> email addresses.
> * There doesn't seem to be a way to record misc. information (like street
> addresses, birthdays, etc) in the form of simple text notes for each
> contact.
> * The four way circular button that surrounds the OK button is small for
> my fingers...maybe I just need to practice more :-)
> * When texting, the button that allows you to insert "spaces" between
> words has been moved from being associated with the 0 (bottom row, center
> column on the keypad) to being associated with the # symbol (bottom row,
> right column). I am too accustomed to it being center-bottom, and I keep
> accidentally inserting "0" instead of spaces between words. Doh!
> * So far as I have been able to find out, the size limit for micro SD
> cards is 1GB.
>
> Other notes:
> * The u520s camera has a self timer, though I don't know how you would use
> it since there is no way to set this phone up on a tripod or set it up in
> some way to steady it.
>
> I hope this helps you out!
>
>
>
>
> "Jack" <Jack@aol.com> wrote:
>> Anyone using the Samsung u520?
>> I am thinking about getting this instead of the motorola V3.
>
>

On Sun, 10 Dec 2006 12:28:36 GMT, Paul_in_NC wrote:
> I actually chose the u520 over the Moto KRZR K1m and have been very pleased
> with it so far.

> These notes apply to the Alltel version (CDMA) of the Samsung SCH-u520 and
> it's particular software interface.

[snip good summary]

I posted a summary of my impressions of the phone on PhoneScoop.com:

http://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/f...ff=7&fi=932307

-alan

--
Alan Hoyle - alanh@unc.edu - http://www.alanhoyle.com/
"I don't want the world, I just want your half." -TMBG
Get Horizontal, Play Ultimate.

On Sun, 10 Dec 2006 12:28:36 GMT, Paul_in_NC wrote:
> I actually chose the u520 over the Moto KRZR K1m and have been very pleased
> with it so far.

> These notes apply to the Alltel version (CDMA) of the Samsung SCH-u520 and
> it's particular software interface.

> Some pros:
[snip]
> * You can answer the phone without opening it up by using the "hands free"
> button located on the side of the phone.

You can also do the same thing with the camera and it displays the
viewfinder image on the screen instead of having a mini-mirror. It looks like it
saves the image in reverse as well: seems like that's a bug to me.

[snip]

-alan

--
Alan Hoyle - alanh@unc.edu - http://www.alanhoyle.com/
"I don't want the world, I just want your half." -TMBG
Get Horizontal, Play Ultimate.

On 19 Dec 2006 22:11:24 GMT, Alan Hoyle wrote:
> On Sun, 10 Dec 2006 12:28:36 GMT, Paul_in_NC wrote:
>> I actually chose the u520 over the Moto KRZR K1m and have been very pleased
>> with it so far.

>> These notes apply to the Alltel version (CDMA) of the Samsung SCH-u520 and
>> it's particular software interface.

> [snip good summary]

> I posted a summary of my impressions of the phone on PhoneScoop.com:

> http://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/f...ff=7&fi=932307

Here are some additional cons I've found that are all issues because
Alltel choose to cripple the functionality of the phone:

1. Bluetooth profiles are limited. It won't do file transfer
(MP3/MID/JPG/etc) or accept contact information. You can't transfer your
images/videos off the phone unless you either buy a card or pay $.25 for a
multimedia message.

2. It won't allow you to select a ringtone (MP3 or MID) that's stored
on the card. It also won't allow you to transfer MP3/WAV/MID to/from
a card. The only way to get non-factory standard tones is to go
through the Alltel AXCESS store at something like $2 a pop, and then
only whatever tones the provider offers. Noting that I've had custom,
free WAV ringtones on phones for several years (and even could do
rudimentary non-polyphonic tones on previous phones), I consider this
to be a huge step backward.

I'm not sure if I'm going to settle for this phone. Mostly it's very
nice. There are no technical reasons those features couldn't be in
this phone. Basically, I wish providers didn't provide phones as a
loss-leader and I could get something off-the-shelf with the features
I want, and not crippled at the behest of the provider. Not that
Alltel is in any way unique in this.

-alan


--
Alan Hoyle - alanh@unc.edu - http://www.alanhoyle.com/
"I don't want the world, I just want your half." -TMBG
Get Horizontal, Play Ultimate.

Alan Hoyle <alanh@unc.edu> wrote in news:4uvpl6F19c2dtU1
@mid.individual.net:

> Alltel choose to cripple the functionality of the phone

Alltel is damned determined to get me out of my V60i with AMPS/CDMA and
more power and into a GPS-tracker CDMA only phone with a peanut whistle
transmitter, this week. I've gotten SMS messages, snailmail brochures and
a phone call.

I think it'll stop, now. I showed up at the main store to get my free, new
phone, which isn't going to fly, of course. It was rapidly determined I
was not going to have my service cut off, after I asked some pointed
questions, and was taken off the spam list, I hope.

When I called her from my Skype Netgear SPH101 wifi phone hooked up to the
restaurant's free wifi next door, selling me a new phone was quickly
forgotten....(c; Right inside the Alltel store there's now 3 free wifi
signals to use....hee hee.

Paul, Now that you have had time with the phone, how is the reception?

"Paul_in_NC" <paulwilliamsREMOVETHIS@THISTOOnc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:U3Teh.272$dD2.255@tornado.southeast.rr.com...
> I actually chose the u520 over the Moto KRZR K1m and have been very
> pleased with it so far.
>
> These notes apply to the Alltel version (CDMA) of the Samsung SCH-u520 and
> it's particular software interface.
>
> Some pros:
> * Very small, bot not so small you loose it.
> * Great battery life, though I will probably be purchasing the extended
> battery soon.
> * Less expensive then the KRZR by ~$149 (after Alltel rebates). My u520
> was only $99 after the rebate, the KRZR would have been $249 after rebates
> * Great reception..nearly as good at my old-skool 5100 series Nokia with
> its whip antenna
> * The volume on the handset can be as soft or LOUD as you need it to be
> * The 1.3MP camera (1280x960 max resolution) produces very clean images
> for this resolution.
> * The
> * Tons of settings for the camera and video camera...nearly like having a
> real digi-cam in your hand.
> * GPS! It really works! It found me and presented a 3D-ish road map of
> precisely where I was when I enabled it.
> * EVDO... need I say more?
> * The display screen is very well made and is easy on the eyes. Great
> graphics...like looking at an LCD television.
> * The slot for the microSD card is externally located...easy to swap out
> cards.
> * The u520 comes with 64MB internal memory that can be used to store pics,
> video, messages and music.
> * The controls are on the outside of the phone just under the mini
> display. And unlike the KRZR, they are actual buttons, not a touch
> sensitive buttons that are under the shell.
> * You can answer the phone without opening it up by using the "hands free"
> button located on the side of the phone.
> * You can control how long the main screen and keypad stay lit up: 7
> seconds, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, always (literally) on and always
> (literally) off.
>
> Some cons
> * There doesn't seem to be a way to give a given contact more than two
> email addresses.
> * There doesn't seem to be a way to record misc. information (like street
> addresses, birthdays, etc) in the form of simple text notes for each
> contact.
> * The four way circular button that surrounds the OK button is small for
> my fingers...maybe I just need to practice more :-)
> * When texting, the button that allows you to insert "spaces" between
> words has been moved from being associated with the 0 (bottom row, center
> column on the keypad) to being associated with the # symbol (bottom row,
> right column). I am too accustomed to it being center-bottom, and I keep
> accidentally inserting "0" instead of spaces between words. Doh!
> * So far as I have been able to find out, the size limit for micro SD
> cards is 1GB.
>
> Other notes:
> * The u520s camera has a self timer, though I don't know how you would use
> it since there is no way to set this phone up on a tripod or set it up in
> some way to steady it.
>
> I hope this helps you out!
>
>
>
>
> "Jack" <Jack@aol.com> wrote:
>> Anyone using the Samsung u520?
>> I am thinking about getting this instead of the motorola V3.
>
>

The reception is excellent, quite possibly the best reception I have
experienced with a cell phone that does not have a telescoping antenna. I am
continually amazed as to the places where I can get useable reception where
others cannot.


"Jack" <Jack@aol.com> wrote in message
news:SuCdnfz7r-VSAAbYnZ2dnUVZ_h-vnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Paul, Now that you have had time with the phone, how is the reception?
>
> "Paul_in_NC" <paulwilliamsREMOVETHIS@THISTOOnc.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:U3Teh.272$dD2.255@tornado.southeast.rr.com...
>> I actually chose the u520 over the Moto KRZR K1m and have been very
>> pleased with it so far.
>>
>> These notes apply to the Alltel version (CDMA) of the Samsung SCH-u520
>> and it's particular software interface.
>>
>> Some pros:
>> * Very small, bot not so small you loose it.
>> * Great battery life, though I will probably be purchasing the extended
>> battery soon.
>> * Less expensive then the KRZR by ~$149 (after Alltel rebates). My u520
>> was only $99 after the rebate, the KRZR would have been $249 after
>> rebates
>> * Great reception..nearly as good at my old-skool 5100 series Nokia with
>> its whip antenna
>> * The volume on the handset can be as soft or LOUD as you need it to be
>> * The 1.3MP camera (1280x960 max resolution) produces very clean images
>> for this resolution.
>> * The
>> * Tons of settings for the camera and video camera...nearly like having a
>> real digi-cam in your hand.
>> * GPS! It really works! It found me and presented a 3D-ish road map of
>> precisely where I was when I enabled it.
>> * EVDO... need I say more?
>> * The display screen is very well made and is easy on the eyes. Great
>> graphics...like looking at an LCD television.
>> * The slot for the microSD card is externally located...easy to swap out
>> cards.
>> * The u520 comes with 64MB internal memory that can be used to store
>> pics, video, messages and music.
>> * The controls are on the outside of the phone just under the mini
>> display. And unlike the KRZR, they are actual buttons, not a touch
>> sensitive buttons that are under the shell.
>> * You can answer the phone without opening it up by using the "hands
>> free" button located on the side of the phone.
>> * You can control how long the main screen and keypad stay lit up: 7
>> seconds, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, always (literally) on and always
>> (literally) off.
>>
>> Some cons
>> * There doesn't seem to be a way to give a given contact more than two
>> email addresses.
>> * There doesn't seem to be a way to record misc. information (like street
>> addresses, birthdays, etc) in the form of simple text notes for each
>> contact.
>> * The four way circular button that surrounds the OK button is small for
>> my fingers...maybe I just need to practice more :-)
>> * When texting, the button that allows you to insert "spaces" between
>> words has been moved from being associated with the 0 (bottom row, center
>> column on the keypad) to being associated with the # symbol (bottom row,
>> right column). I am too accustomed to it being center-bottom, and I keep
>> accidentally inserting "0" instead of spaces between words. Doh!
>> * So far as I have been able to find out, the size limit for micro SD
>> cards is 1GB.
>>
>> Other notes:
>> * The u520s camera has a self timer, though I don't know how you would
>> use it since there is no way to set this phone up on a tripod or set it
>> up in some way to steady it.
>>
>> I hope this helps you out!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Jack" <Jack@aol.com> wrote:
>>> Anyone using the Samsung u520?
>>> I am thinking about getting this instead of the motorola V3.
>>
>>
>
>

On Wed, 3 Jan 2007 12:27:02 -0500, Paul_in_NC wrote:
> "Jack" <Jack@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:SuCdnfz7r-VSAAbYnZ2dnUVZ_h-vnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> Paul, Now that you have had time with the phone, how is the reception?

> The reception is excellent, quite possibly the best reception I have
> experienced with a cell phone that does not have a telescoping antenna. I am
> continually amazed as to the places where I can get useable reception where
> others cannot.

Reception was pretty good for me as well. I returned mine as the
limitations on Bluetooth profiles, ringtones, and lack of ring/vib
profiles (i.e. you couldn't set it to low-volume ring with vibrate)
were too much for me.

Other than those limitations, I really liked everything about

Right now, I'm debating between the Motorola RAZR and the Nokia 2865i.
I've heard mixed things about the RAZR's reliability and nothing about
the Nokia, though I've been pleased with the previous Nokia's I've
owned.

Camera isn't important for me (though a fun toy sometimes), I never
used the MP3 player (except as ringtones), and 1xRTT was fast enough
for the WAP browsing I've done in the past.

Does anyone have any opinions they'd be willing to share about either?

-alan

--
Alan Hoyle - alanh@unc.edu - http://www.alanhoyle.com/
"I don't want the world, I just want your half." -TMBG
Get Horizontal, Play Ultimate.

What are the Bluetooth limitations?

"Alan Hoyle" <alanh@unc.edu> wrote in message
news:502a9qF1e4lhhU1@mid.individual.net...
> On Wed, 3 Jan 2007 12:27:02 -0500, Paul_in_NC wrote:
>> "Jack" <Jack@aol.com> wrote in message
>> news:SuCdnfz7r-VSAAbYnZ2dnUVZ_h-vnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>> Paul, Now that you have had time with the phone, how is the reception?
>
>> The reception is excellent, quite possibly the best reception I have
>> experienced with a cell phone that does not have a telescoping antenna. I
>> am
>> continually amazed as to the places where I can get useable reception
>> where
>> others cannot.
>
> Reception was pretty good for me as well. I returned mine as the
> limitations on Bluetooth profiles, ringtones, and lack of ring/vib
> profiles (i.e. you couldn't set it to low-volume ring with vibrate)
> were too much for me.
>
> Other than those limitations, I really liked everything about
>
> Right now, I'm debating between the Motorola RAZR and the Nokia 2865i.
> I've heard mixed things about the RAZR's reliability and nothing about
> the Nokia, though I've been pleased with the previous Nokia's I've
> owned.
>
> Camera isn't important for me (though a fun toy sometimes), I never
> used the MP3 player (except as ringtones), and 1xRTT was fast enough
> for the WAP browsing I've done in the past.
>
> Does anyone have any opinions they'd be willing to share about either?
>
> -alan
>
> --
> Alan Hoyle - alanh@unc.edu - http://www.alanhoyle.com/
> "I don't want the world, I just want your half." -TMBG
> Get Horizontal, Play Ultimate.