First impressions: Samsung G800
December 12, 2007

With the look and feel of a real compact camera, Samsung challenges the camera mobiles of the competitors, and the difference is noticeable. Especially compared to Samsung's own G600 that is just out. Here are our first impressions.

We have some first impressions of the new Samsung G600.
The metal casing gives a solid feel.
Example picture from G800. Click for a full-size picture(warning, 2,4 MB)

The first thing you'll notice is the metal surface that gives G800 the look and feel of a camera. It is also reminiscent of the more expensive Nokia models with metal shells, and their attention to detail. When you open the lens protector, you hear a distinct ”clonk”, and the slide function for the keys is flawless.

Unlike it's current competitors, G800 has optical zoom, and like some of the competition, it has a real Xenon flash. The advantage over the simpler G600 from the same manufacturer is noticeable. But you can also notice some of the same weaknesses. People in weak lighting as a motif works fine with G800, the flash illuminates well and the colour tone of the faces look natural. With G600, the photo-LED tended to drown out the colour of faces. The colour representation in landscape photography is also fine, and here the real optical zoom shines.

As for other functions, Samsung G800 is well equipped. It is one of the very first mobile phones that can handle HSDPA in the higher 7,2 Mbps speed. To go with the function, Samsung has an integrated blog-function called Shozu. With a few clicks, you can send your photos and films to Flickr or Youtube.

By: Erik Mörner