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- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 211 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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51 out of 51 people found this review helpful
3.5 stars
"Packed full of features, but has some interface issues"
Pros: The Swiss Army Knife of smartphones. Power users only apply.
Cons: Heavy, poor U/I, difficult to use, proprietary cables.
Summary: Just coming off a T-Mobile Dash and I already miss it's UI. However, I'm happy to be back on the Verizon network! The i760 has everything: Touch screen, full keyboard, Wi-Fi, bill screen and more. But, they missed the mark on the UI. For example, you often get to a screen where in order to close it, you need to either use the stylus to hit the tiny "X", or use the OK key. The problem is; the OK key is only on the slider keyboard. Why didn't they just make the OK the center button on the navigation wheel or use the "CLR" key? (Note: you can use the Red END Key on the side of the phone to go back to the HOME screen, but that doesn't close the application.) Next, the keyboard doesn't have a num-lock function, so you either have to use the key pad or have to keep hitting the num function. The keyboard is also missing the apostrophe character. You can only get to it from a special symbol list and pick from the screen. Lastly, the # key defaults to a space, even when you are in a form that requires numbers.
Also, when you press a key for a short period of time on other Smartphone and the Blackberry, it gives you the shifted character, not on this phone.
I also found keyboard very tight, especially when pressing the Y or U key, which often resulted in me press the green call key on the side of the phone!
Now, this may sound like I'm being picky, but I'm a "power user" and expect these obvious UI functions on a expensive Smartphone as i760.
It also missing Profiles, which I found to be very useful on the Q and Dash.
I found the phone slippery. Because of it's weight, I'm affraid that I may drop it. I wish it had a "sticky" finish like the Dash.
Lastly, the USB cable that comes with phone, won't charge the battery! I called Samsung and they said they plan to have a USB data/charging cable in the future. Also, the audio jack is not standard.
Now, you may ask why I gave this phone a 7. The phone is powerful, fast, battery life is good and the touch screen (with a stylus) is nice, especially with cut & paste features.
Being on the Verizon network, and having WiFi moved my rating from a 5 to 7. So, being that I disliked the Q for many reasons, moved to the T-Mobile Dash because it is best Smartphone for its size and price, but couldn't get service inside my home, I'm left to with the i760 on the Verizon network. So, I'll have to get used to this un-intuitive UI. Hopefully, they read these posts.Updated
Since I first submitted my review, I found out how to perform a num-lock. Also found that one of the side buttons performs the "OK" function. without having to sliding out the keyboard by assigning one of the buttons to perform this function (I used the button camera side key). I find this useful when using Google maps while the i7650 is mounted horizontally in my car.Updated
Since I submitted my review, I found out how to perform a num-lock function by holding don't the key until I see an up-arrow with lines through it on the screen. I also found out that one of the side buttons performs the OK function.
A new function I learned is how to rotate the screen while the slider keyboard is closed. I find this useful when mounting the phone horizontally in my car when using Google maps.Updated
I learned where to find the apostrophe charater is on the main keypboard: Num + B key. It is shown as a backquote on the keyboard.
I also recommend buying the egrips.com sticky grip strips to help you hold the phone. They don't have an set for the i760 yet, but the standard set will do. I also, purchased an invisibleSHIELD screen protector from ZAGG as recommended by another reviewer - a must have!
After a week now, and I'm still having issue keyboard and the bulk of this phone, but I'm very happy with sound and reception.
- 2 replies to this review
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this is probably one of the best phones verizon currently offers. great performance and verizon finally giving more phones wi-fi is having me stay with them. invisibleSHIELD is a must with any phone...
~Patrick -
Unfortunately this phone still seems experimental at best. I refer to it as a phone, but that is last on it's list of features. One of the most unbeleiveable faults with the phone is that when you are on a phone call, apparently it does not realize that you are using the phone. ???
Every phone that I have ever owned has Voicemail programmed as speed dial #1. So does the Samsung. If you call a business or the most annoying time is when I call my Bank, when you choose #1 from the automated list it dials your voicemail. It of course cuts off your call to the bank. Therefore you cannot use speedial if you have any numbers stored in positions 1-9. If you reach an automated system that requires you to select one of these numbers, the phone will dial the corresponding speed dial number
when you press that number.
My second biggest complaint is the number of key strokes required to do simple functions. It is definately a pocket PC first and a phone as an afterthought. I am actually quite sick at spending $350 for this.
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