Samsung SGH-T109 (T-Mobile)

Summary: I have been using the Samsung SGH-t109 for a year now. I would give the Samsung SGH-t109 5/5 stars except for one thing: the headset is very low quality. My previous phone, which was a Samsung SGH-e335, was actually nearly perfect. However, the e335's headset plug gave out and I was forced to buy the SGH-t109.

With the SGH-t109, when I use the headset people on the other end cannot understand me. The headset microphone and speaker inside the earpiece both have a poor frequency response and the conversation is muffled on both ends. Also, the microphone has poor sensitivity and the volume level on the other end is too low. Furthermore, Samsung changed the shape of the earpiece from the e335 to the t109 and it won't stay in my ear. It keeps falling out. Because Samsung changed the plug, I cannot use the old earpiece. I doubt I can even find a third party replacement, although I haven't looked. I have better things to do with my time than to look for an earpiece with a proprietary Samsung plug!

In California, while driving it is required by law that an earpiece be used for hands-free driving. How Samsung could have used such a poor quality earpiece is beyond me. The thing keeps falling out of my ear when I'm in the car or doing anything else!

I do not use text messaging. I do not need a camera on my phone. I do not need to use the internet from my phone. I have my computer for that. All I need is a basic phone. Other than the earpiece, the phone itself is actually quite solid except for two problems mentioned below. The phone has a good menu system. The t109 feels solid and not flimsy. Although a step down from the e335's individual silver metal colored buttons, the t109's buttons are fine once you grow accustomed to the change. The t109's buttons also light up when they are pressed or the phone is opened. Although the e335's graphics were better, the t109's are functional. Battery life is good and are within stated specs.

2 PROBLEMS WITH THE SGH-T109:
1) My individual street, within my neighborhood, has poor coverage. Moreover, I often travel to another city which also has poor coverage. Both the e335 and the t109 antennas have lower quality reception compared to Nokia. Even though the t109 is 3 years newer than the e335, Samsung never improved their antenna sensitivity. I often have trouble getting more than 1 bar out of 6. I have a 2 story home and sometimes calls are dropped on the first floor because I lose all bars and phone is "SEARCHING" for a signal.

2) Because Samsung changed the shape of the t109 from the e335, when I open the phone and place the t109 next to my face, when I end the call I often have a mark on my cheek where the phone is placed. When opened, the bridge of the t109 is sharper compared to the e335. This never happened with the e335.

I can live with the 2 above problems. However, I do require a better quality headset. I cannot believe Samsung used such a low quality headset. How can Samsung go from the e335's good quality headset to the T109's poor quality headset? Samsung really must improve the T109's headset ASAP.

Summary: T Mobile has poor phones