First impressions of the Samsung Armani
January 10, 2008

This is a small and stylish mobile indeed. We noticed that already last autumn when Giorgio Armani himself showed the phone at the fashion week in Milano. The phone gives an impression of high quality with its sober combination of metal and matte plastic. The colour scheme and the little details, courtesy of Armani, add to the impression.

In the start screen, the calendar or clock is shown, as well as the music player if active. To get the menu, you just press the screen.
The leather case that comes with the phone has a slot for the camera lens.

As expected, the phone arrives in an appropriately stylish box, containing a multitude of little covers, folders and accessories in addition to the actual phone. Every detail is costly, and to name one a Bluetooth headset is included. Probably what you should expect from a phone in the price range of 700 euro. Of course there is a protective leather case to store the phone.

The colours of the outside is repeated in the menus, and like the LG Prada and Apple Iphone, everything is controlled by fingers directly on the screen. In addition to a complete icon-menu, there is a shortcut screen with just four alternatives. The phone call list, messages, music player and contacts. From the start screen you can get to either of the two menu screens. The start screen also shows the calendar or the clock, depending on your choice. If the music player is active, you will also see the current track and album cover here.

The music player seems to be one area where Giorgio and his designers have had something to say. A graphical pattern shows where on the track you are and the current volume. Not exacly intuitive at first look, but it works well.

The response of the touch screen is not perfect, and sometimes you have to press twice on the screen to get the phone to react to your commands. In lists, you scroll by drawing your finger across the screen. You can also scroll with the volume button on the side, which is especially helpful in the web browser. It's easier when you want to step one screen at a time.

The greatest asset of this phone is, not surprisingly, the form and design. It is of course also what sets it apart from other phones.

By: Erik Mörner