Samsung SCH-u740PROS Stylish dual-flip design; solid feature set; comfortable Qwerty keyboard; supports Verizon 3C services: excellent call quality.
CONS No dedicated camera key; pixelated streaming video; onboard camcorder produces low-quality video
With its one-of-a-kind design. Qwerty keyboard, and impressive feature set, the Samsung SCH-u740 is one of the best handsets Verizon users can buy. It's available for $149.99 when purchased with a two-year service agreement. At 3.8x 2x 0.6 inches and 3.6 ounces, the SCH-U740 is slim and light enough to slip into most any pocket. On its stylish champagne-and black exterior, you'll find a 1.1-inch display, touch-sensitive music player controls, and a MicroSD card slot. The case also has an innovative dual-flip design that lets you open it either vertically {like a traditional clamshell phone) or horizontally along its sturdy side hinge. Inside, you'll find a spacious Qwerty keyboard, dedicated navigation controls, and a 2.2-inch color display that's viewable in either portrait or landscape orientation.
Samsung packed in a substantial feature set, including e-mail, wireless syncing, a speakerphone, and a Web browser.Bluetooth is onboard as well, including profiles for head sets and dial-up networking. Asfor entertainment, this dual-band CDMA phone supports the full range of Verizon 3G services, including the V Cast video service and mask store. Samsung also equipped the cell with an integrated music player, as well as a 1.3-megapixel camera and camcorder though no dedicated camera button. In our tests, call quality was loud and clear, even when we activated the speakerphone. Web browsing was speedy using Verizon's Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) network, but stream ing video looked pixelated. Video recorded by the built-in cam corder looked poor, as well. The SCH-u740 has a Samsung-rated talk-time battery life of 3.5 hours (about average) and a rated standby time of 8.3 days.
