SPH-M610 by Samsung (Sprint)

Pros: Size (small), Great UI, Metal Case

Cons: Lack of powersave options, no control for external LCD

Summary: Whoa!!! Going from a tank of a Sanyo to this streamlined beauty was one of the smartest moves i have ever made!
Where to begin? Exterior: The phones innards are wrapped up in a metal shell with a very thin coating of “rubber” (for lack of better terms). Well constructed and sturdy to the feel. Opens easily with one hand, closes confidently, yet gently at the same time.
External LCD is simple, FINALLY NOT A POWER WASTER! Tells time, signal, and what accessories are accessed one the phone. Its blue hue is cool and easy to read in any light or situation. My only gripe about this part is there is no time control as to how long the display stays on (pre-set to 8 seconds.)
Battery is easy to access via removable back panel. And for all you who moaned about the location of the SD card, How often are you gonna switch it out? If your answer is less than once a month, don’t knock the location cause it’s not that big a deal!!
DISPLAY OWNS!! This is without a doubt the brightest, clearest display ever seen. Again my only gripe about the display is trivial. Screen saver settings cant be turned “Off”, merely switched to another saver. This is also no big deal since I use the open to answer, close to end call feature. The saver is not even seen when this mode is on, so the gripe is basically a moot point.
Key pad is very easy to use, thanks to large buttons (I have very large hands) this phone is easy to navigate and the UI is so very simple to use. This is one area where this phone HANDS DOWN blows ant Motorola product out of the water. Keys are lit with a white (refreshing change from green/blue) light with full time customization. Also the 4-way navigation button is customizable to anything on the menu.
More on the User Interface (UI). Nearly every part of the user interface is customizable. From the look of menus, to font color (I think there 4 options), to font size can be customized. Text Messeging is fast, and simple. Word selection is an awesome feature which cuts down on time and finger soreness. Just about the only gripe I have with the UI is in contacts, when you select the first letter of the name you are looking for, there is a 1 second delay to make sure you are done typing. This is not at all like all the Motorola UI for the RAZR and KRZR where ALL UI functions have a 3 or longer second delay, so please don’t get that impression.
The speaker is a little lack luster compared to some bigger flips. But the quality is stunning compared to other flat phones, and even some phones larger than this one! Volume is no problem, contrary to what others may say.
The earpiece is excellent. I think the editors of CNET didn’t take the time to move the phone around to find what I call the “sweet spot” over the ear. Trust me, this is loud enough. If you turn it up all the way, watch out!
There is only one port for charging, earphones, etc. I have no problem with this because if it happens to be on the car charger, BLUETOOTH! Again, this was another area that was knocked by editors without using a sense of practicality and using the phones options.
This phone also comes with earphones to listen to music and does all the power vision options. But this review is about how the phone works, not how many extra goodies it has, which it has all of them, but still sticking with how the phone works.
Yes it has a camera. No there is not a flash. If you want hi res pictures to remember BRING A DIGITAL CAMERA!!! If you want fun pictures to keep on your phone to remember your last escapade with your friends, this camera does the job superbly!
CNET nocked this phone for mostly media related items (which seems to be a growing trend with this site….sad.). If you want a phone that is SMALL, well built, easy to use, simple and not overly gaudy and overbearing, then this is your phone.
I have tried to review this based on a sense of practicality and every day use of the PHONE! Not the once in a while use of the media options and gadgets it come with. This phone is the most awesomely-outrageous phone I have had the pleasure to own in a long time. Treat yourself to one!