The Samsung Smooth also offers a variety of messaging options, including standard text messaging with predictive text, multimedia messaging, e-mail, and chat. Yet, the last two options require a clunky wireless Internet connecting. For instance, selecting "chat" takes you to a selection of social networking options as opposed to the standard services (such as AIM or YIM). As you would expect, using these data features will cost extra.
The Smooth's GPS data feature also will incur data charges. The Samsung Smooth has Verizon's VZ Navigator app , which offers maps, voice directions, and a points-of-interest database. There's even up-to-the minute traffic info, but utilizing VZ Navigator will cost you $10 per month.
Performance
We tested the dual-band (CDMA 1900/800) Samsung Smooth over the Verizon network throughout San Francisco and didn't experience any significant issues. However, we noticed that mobile-to-mobile calls sometimes sounded garbled and audio quality was not the cleanest in general. As such, the Smooth is probably not the best option for heavy callers. On the upside, it fared better with landlines, with both the tester and caller claiming a clear but slightly tinny response. The speaker phone also performed adequately; although we noticed a slight echo. Callers noted no difference between this and the standard handset call.
The Samsung Smooth has a rated battery life of 5 hours talk time and 14 days standby time. We had a talk time of 6 hours and 53 minutes in our tests. The Smooth has a digital SAR of 1.09 watts per kilogram. In all, this handset is far from head-turning in terms of its design and performance, but given the affordable pricing and inclusion of several useful extras, the Smooth is a solid option for budget-minded folks who want something reasonably easy to use.
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