Samsung SPH-M240 – vertical external display
For:
Simple design and average feature set.
Against:
Lacks Bluetooth; mediocre call quality
The Whiz Kid Speaks:
The Samsung SPH-M240 is based on CDMA2000 1X technology that supports dual-band of CDMA2000 1X 800/1900. The additional features are T9 intelligent typing, E-911 compliant, and TTY compatible.
The external monochrome display is vertical in shape. The 1.75-inch internal display has 160×128 pixels that support 65,000 colors.
The 960mAH lithium ion battery has a life of 390 minutes talk time. Accessories supplied inside the package are wired headset, user manual, battery, and power charger.
Razzle Dazzle:
The Samsung SPH-M240 has folder type design. It is 1.9 inches wide, 0.7 inch deep and 3.6 inches tall and weighs 3 ounces. It comes in black and silver color. The handset has simple streamlined shape with curved sides.
Inside Dope:
The Samsung had quietly released the Samsung SPH-M240 for Sprint on the same day of launching the Samsung Rogue. The M240 looks like the Samsung SGH-T329 and the SGH-A237. However, the SPH-M240 lacks the color accents like previous handsets. It is completely centered towards simple communication. It costs $19.99 with a service agreement, but does not feature Bluetooth. The battery cover on the back is textured. The plastic skin cannot withstand the bumps, but the hinge is sturdy enough. You will find the 2.5mm headset jack and standard micro-USB port on the right side; while the volume rocker is on the left side. We like that the SPH-M240 has vertical external display similar to that on Samsung SGH-T239. It displays numerical caller ID and date/time. As the M240 is not a multimedia phone so there is no camera and 3.5mm headset jack. You can flip open the phone to access the internal color display and alphanumeric keypad. If your office does not allow for camera phone, then the SPH-M240 is a good basic phone to purchase.
Display
The 1.75 inches display of the Samsung SPH-M240 has 160×128 pixels that support 65,000 colors. It does not exhibit sharp pictures, graphics and color. The menu interface is simple and easy to use. You can adjust the dialing font size, the brightness, and the backlight time.
Navigation Array and Keypad
The navigation array is located beneath the internal display. It consists of two soft keys, hexagonal toggle with middle OK button, Talk key, a back button, and End/Power button. The toggle is only raised above the surface, while others have enough space for easy usage. You can instantly access the messaging application and phonebook through the soft keys. The keypad has spacious and backlit keys.
Phonebook and PIM features
The Samsung SPH-M240 can store 500 contacts in its phonebook. Each entry can store six phone numbers, one email address, a company name and job title, a birthday, a street address, notes, and one IM handle. You can categorize the contacts into caller groups and pair them with one ring-tone and a photo for caller ID. Please remember that the M240 does not have a camera and photo caller ID does not appear on external display.
The basic feature set includes threaded text and multimedia messages, voice dialing, a voice memo record, a world clock, a tip calculator, a memo pad, a calculator, and a calendar. As already mentioned, the SPH-M240 is centered towards communication. However, there is no Bluetooth support for hands-free calling.
Games and Personalization
The Samsung SPH-M240 comes with three Java games: Downtown Texas Hold’Em, Brain Exercise, and Super Street Fighter. It can be personalized with greeting, available alert tones, screensaver, calendar and clock formats. More options and games can be downloaded through WAP 2.0 browser.
Call Quality
We made few calls through dual-band based Samsung SPH-M240 via Sprint service for calling. The overall call quality was good, but not spectacular. We received natural and loud sound at our end with some static. The callers received good sound at their end with similar level of static. The speakerphone call quality was only average.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Samsung SPH-M240 is 6.5 hours of talk time. Its digital SAR rating is 0.867 watts per kilogram in accordance with the FCC radiation tests.
Verdict:
The Samsung SPH-M240 is only works for simple communication. If you can work without Bluetooth and camera, then the M240 remains a good choice to buy.
