Samsung i780 impresses
January 30, 2008

With i780, Samsung enters the top tier of Windows mobiles. It is stuffed with functionalty, yet doesn't feel bulky or hard to handle.

I780 is unquestionably a step up from Samsung's previous i600. At a glance, i780 looks very much like its predecessor, put the touch screen makes the user experience different. The Operating System in i780 is Windows Mobile Professional. That usually means you have to use the stylus a lot to navigate the menu system of the phone, but that's not the case here. The size and shape of the phone makes it easy to use the thumb to press the screen, and then there is the excellent touchpad below the screen. It looks and works like the touchpad on a laptop. At first I was sceptical to this solution, but after adjusting the sensitivity and getting used to a new way of navigating a mobile phone I realize just how good this is. The pointer moves freely on the screen, and after just a little practice, I can steer it with precision.

Another detail that sets i780 apart in a positive sense is the keyboard. The buttons are actually slightly smaller than those on the predecessor i600. But at least for me with small hands, the difference in actual use is insignificant. If you like big sturdy buttons, none of the Samsung qwerty-mobiles are to recommend, though. A big plus is the support for national letters with umlauts without having to press a special function key. Samsung also deserves credit for making a phone that is considerably less bulky than HTC:s Tytn II to name one, but still packs comparable functionality. I780 is not exactly small, but thanks to being thin and not too wide to be used with one hand, it feels really comfortable. Add to that the fact that Samsung has crammed a GPS receiver under the hood.

But of course there are some compromises in a phone of this type. The 2 megapixel camera for one. If you're looking for a phone with a good camera, look elsewhere. Unfortunately, this is a trend with Windows mobiles. Buyers of these phones are assumed to be uninterested in good picture quality, which is a pity.

By: Henrik Thoresson