CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 06/22/2007
- Released on: 06/01/2007
When we saw the first pictures of AT&T's Samsung SGH-A727, we did a double take, as we knew we'd seen such a design before. We've seen it in three other phones, to be exact: the unlocked SGH-X820, Alltel's SCH-R510, and T-Mobile's SGH-T519 Trace. Like its predecessors, the SGH-A727 capitalizes on its thin, candy bar design. Features are generous to begin with, but the SGH-A727's 3G capability brings support for AT&T Music and AT&T Video. Yet, we had issues with the flat navigation controls and the patchy sound quality. You can get it for $99 with service rebates or $299 if you pay full price.
Design
Considering that the SGH-A727 is not the first handset from the company to show off such a design, it is clear that Samsung loves the phone's trim profile. At 4.5x1.98x0.35 inches, it's one of the thinnest phones around, and at 2.82 ounces, it remains one of the lightest as well. The SGH-A727 also has a comfortable feel in the hand, but some users reported that it was almost too thin and light. In other words, they wanted something with a chunkier profile.
The display measures 1.8 inches diagonally and supports 262,000 colors. As with the previous versions of the phone, the screen is bright and vivid and displays everything beautifully, from the easy-to-use menus to graphics and photos. You can change the backlighting time; the brightness; and the dialing font size, style, and color.
The SGH-A727 navigation array and keypad buttons show some slight differences from those of the previous models, though they're not changed for the better. The four-way toggle and OK button are morphed into a single control, which makes it difficult to use. Besides being rather slick, the control is flat with the surface and somewhat small. The other navigation controls are plentiful but are rather cramped as well. There are two soft keys, a music player shortcut button, a Clear control, and the talk and end/power keys. There's also a Swap button that activates a nifty pop-up menu with extra shortcuts. Unfortunately the keypad wasn't exactly ideal. It's also rather slick and a little too cramped for larger fingers.
The SGH-A727 has the same camera lens as its predecessors', located on its rear face without a flash or self-portrait mirror. The volume rocker and a covered headset jack/charger port lie on the right spine. The former is easily accessible when you're on a call. A camera shutter and the microSD card slot sit on the right spine; we're glad to see Samsung didn't stash the slot behind the battery.
Features
The Samsung SGH-A727 has a 1,000-contact phone book, which is equal to the SGH-T519's and double that of the SCH-R510. Each entry holds seven phone numbers, two e-mail addresses, an instant messaging handle, and notes, while the SIM cards holds an additional 250 names. You can organize callers into groups and pair them with a photo and any of 10 polyphonic ringtones. Essential features include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, a world clock, a calculator, a currency and unit converter, a tip calculator, a stopwatch, an alarm clock, a task list, a notepad, and a calendar. Higher-end offerings include instant messaging, a speakerphone, a voice recorder, and Bluetooth.
As a 3.5G HSDPA phone, the SGH-A727 supports the full range of Cingular broadband multimedia applications. Cingular Video brings a satisfying range of streaming video clips from such channels as NBC, Comedy Central, ESPN, The Weather Channel, VH1, and CNN. There's a special channel for kids as well, with programming from The Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, The Cartoon Network, and Muppets Mobile. Premium entertainment is offered from HBO Mobile and Music Choice for an extra charge. For a full analysis of the offerings, see our AT&T Video review. MobiTV applications are integrated as well.
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