Passable performance with mid-range feature set; user-friendly and comfortable design.

Against:

Low internal memory; no flash for camera.

The Whiz Kid Speaks:

The Samsung Strive SGH-A687 is based on WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM technology that supports WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 bands. The SGH-A587 has 80MB internal memory and micro-SD card slot for external storage.

2.6 inches LCD display has 240×320 pixels resolution that supports 18-bit (262,000) colors. 2-megapixel camera features multi-shots, geo-tagging, and video-recording. The supported video formats are H.263 video with AMR audio, MPEG4, and WMV.

The additional features are voice mail, HTML Web browser, Mobile email, Instant messengers, EDGE, GPRS, and Java applications.

100mAH lithium ion battery has a life of 180 minutes talk time and 250 hours of standby time.

Razzle Dazzle:

The Samsung Strive SGH-A687 is 2.15 inches wide, 4.17 inches tall and 0.58 inch deep and weighs 3.99 ounces. It has plastic shell and comes in two colors: purple and black. The cell phone feels very light while holding in hand.

Inside Dope:

The Samsung Strive SGH-A687 was announced to be launched at CTIA 2010 with the Samsung Sunburst. Both are messaging handsets and the Strive SGH-A687 provides a different approach to hot messaging phones trend. It has all the features which you need from a mid-range messaging phone. It costs $19.99 with two-year AT&T contract and also available unlocked for $169.99. Like the Samsung Flight, the Strive has a chunky slider design. It provides access to the latest AT&T cloud services, like the Sunburst. The SGH-A687 supports both WCDMA (UMTS) and GSM, while the Sunburst supports only quad-band GSM. Its camera does not have a flash to improve the picture quality and the internal memory is limited. Our test model had purple color on the sliding front face and gray color at the other one. It casts appealing look to attract the other’s attention. You can select the Samsung Strive SGH-A687 if you need a latest and attractive messaging phone.

Design

The display and navigation array is on the front face. You can slide down the phone to access the QWERTY keyboard. The sliding mechanism is smooth and locks the display securely in place. You will find the camera shutter key and micro-USB port for USB cable/charger on the right spine. The volume rocker sits on the right spine, while camera lens is on the top left corner at rear side. As usual, the micro-SD card slot is behind the battery cover.

Display

2.6 inches LCD display of the Samsung Strive SGH-A687 has 320×240 pixels resolution that supports 262,000 colors. It is enough vibrant and bright to exhibit good pictures and text. You can change the color, size and type of the dial font; the background color, the backlight time, the display theme, and the wallpaper. The menu interface can be arranged in both grid and list styles. We like that the menu interface is user friendly and very simple.

Navigation Array

The navigation array is located beneath the display and consists of two soft keys, four-way toggle with middle OK button, Talk key, shortcut menu button, Back button, and Power/End key. You can set the toggle with user-defined shortcuts, while the OK button launches the Web browser in standby mode.

QWERTY keyboard

The QWERTY keyboard has four rows of flat and small keys. We like that it is relatively comfortable for continuous usage. The numbers and symbols share the space with the alphabets. It is good that numbers are highlighted by purple background. The top row is not squashed to the bottom of slider. You will also find dedicated messaging shortcut and space bar in the center of bottom row.

Phonebook and PIM features

The Samsung Strive SGH-A687 can save 1000 contacts in its phonebook. Each contact can save six phone numbers, notes, two email addresses, a job title with company name, a birthday, a nickname, and two street addresses. You can organize the callers into groups and pair them with one ring-tone and a photo for caller ID.

The basic feature set includes text, multimedia and instant messaging, a stopwatch, a timer, a world clock, a tip calculator, a currency and unit converter, a notepad, a tasks list, a calendar, and an alarm clock. The advanced highlights are a voice recorder, USB mass storage, PC synchronization, and Bluetooth.

AT&T has debut the Samsung Strive SGH-A687 and the Sunburst, as next generation messaging device. It adds AT&T Mobile Email service and a reply-all feature for maximum 10 recipients. The Email service allows POP3 access to Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, and others. However, this service has a clunky Web-based user interface.

AT&T Services

AT&T has also included its cloud and broadband multimedia services. AT&T Address Book – lets you to back up the phonebook contacts at online address book and then retrieve them via Web-based account. AT&T Mobile Share – allows sharing pictures and videos with contacts and uploading them to PC, Web-based storage locker, and social media Web sites. You will get online 250MB space for locker without any cost, but you have to pay additional 35 cents per file transfer.

The Samsung Strive SGH-A687 also has AT&T Mobile Music to download wireless songs via partners, and AT&T Mobile Video for streaming video content including weather reports and news recaps. The Mobile Music also has some music capabilities such as: XM Radio Mobile; music community section with access to download and fan sites; and Music ID app. AT&T Video Share allows one-way live video transfer to compatible phone.

Camera

2-megapixel camera of the Samsung Strive SGH-A687 features digital zoom, multi-shot, self-timer, geo-tagging and video recording. The still capture options are shooting modes including Mosaic, Panorama and multi-shot, 20 fun frames, four white-balance options, adjustable brightness tool, three color effects, night-mode, three quality settings, and four resolutions. You can record video clips for 30 seconds for MMS and longer in normal mode. The recording video options are same as that of the still capture. We are disappointed that the digital zoom can only be used in the highest resolution.

We captured some still photographs and recorded clips for testing. The overall picture and video quality was average. The colors looked a bit muted. You can save the video and pictures on internal 90MB memory or at micro-SD card. These pictures and clips can be shared via MMS and AT&T Video Share.

Games and Personalization

The Samsung Strive SGH-A687 comes with four demo games: Bubble Bash 2, Tetris, Diner Dash 2, and Ms. Pac Man. AT&T have also included App Center as its cloud service that offers numerous applications. It has Where 2.1, My-Cast Weather, WikiMobile, Mobile IMDb, MobiVJ, MobiTV, Yellopages Mobile, Mobile Banking, Loopt, AT&T Social Net, AT&T Navigator, and AllSort GPS.

Call Quality

We made few calls through the Samsung SGH-A687 via AT&T service for testing. The overall call quality was average. We received natural and loud, but a tad robotic sound at our end. The callers received good sound with few audio cuts. They could tell we were calling through a cell phone. The speakerphone calls were distorted, while the Bluetooth headsets calls were good.

Video & Music Quality

The streaming video quality is only good with a bit pixelation, but the video loaded instantly. The video frame acquired full size in landscape mode. The music quality was passable on speakers and better on headsets.

Battery Life

The Samsung Strive SGH-A687 has battery life of 19.41 days idle standby time and 3 hours of talk time. Its digital SAR is 0.58watt per kg in accordance with FCC radiation tests.

Verdict:

We will recommend you to purchase the Samsung Strive SGH-A687, only if you need an eye-catching messaging phone and can use camera without flash.

Multimedia and text messaging, Bluetooth, spacious keypad, big font size, bright display, option to change service provider.

Against:

Pricey Jitterbug service, especially if you go for premium services. The phone book is limited to only 50 contacts and text messaging is difficult.

The Whiz Kid Speaks:

Samsung Jitterbug J is based on CDMA 20001X technology. It has folder type design.

1-inch monochrome external display sits on the lid. 2.1 inches internal LCD display has resolution of 176×220 pixels that supports 18-bit (262,000) colors.

The battery life of Samsung Jitterbug J is 180 minutes of talk time and 300 hours of standby time.

Razzle Dazzle:

Samsung Jitterbug J is 4 inches tall, 2 inches wide and 1 inch thick and weighs 4.4 ounces. The cell phone is available in white and dark gray colors. It feels comfortable while taking in as well as on holding it against the ears due to its rubberized body.

Inside Dope:

The very first Jitterbug phone had set a market trademark due its great hit. The previous ones to hit the floor are Samsung Jitterbug One Touch and Samsung Jitterbug Dial. Now, company has launched the new – Samsung Jitterbug J. The two new additions are Bluetooth, and send/receive messages. Previously the Jitterbug was available for only Jitterbug service (a virtual network operator). Now, the Jitterbug has made the deals with major CDMA service providers and you have the freedom to change the carrier. The Jitterbug J is available for $147 plus additional $35 for one time setup fee. It has round and clamshell design like original Jitterbug phone. Jitterbug claims that the ear cushion is so built that that it can fit the hearing aids also. What’s more – Jitterbug is not charging for any contract or cancellation fees. The cell phone features large keypad for easy work and powerful speakerphone for loud/clear sound. On purchasing the J phone, Jitterbug is also providing free 24/7 U.S. Based customer service and free car charger plus its free activation.

Design

Rubberized volume rocker is located on the lid beneath the external display. It may be an odd place to find out when you are on a call. You will hear a dial tone while opening the Samsung Jitterbug J phone to access the internal display and alphanumeric keypad.

Display

1 inch monochrome external display shows basic information such as caller ID, and date/time. 2.2 inches internal LCD display supports 65,000 colors. It is bright enough to exhibit colorful main menu screen. There is no annoying wallpaper or animated menu icon. You can customize the display by changing colors of lower and upper borders. On the contrary, you cannot change the font size, backlight time, and brightness level. There is no need to change the font size as the Jitterbug J already has large font size.

Navigation Array and Keyboard

The navigation array is simple and located beneath the internal display. It consists of up-and-down toggle for scrolling, Yes and No buttons, speakerphone key, and power key. The numeric keypad sits underneath the navigation array. All the keys are spacious enough for easy usage and are bordered with a circle that is raised above the surface. You can dial and text quickly and accurately by feel.

Phonebook and PIM features

Samsung Jitterbug J can store 50 contacts in its phonebook, like the Jitterbug Dial. The other basic features include voice dialing, voice mail, multimedia and text messaging, and Bluetooth. We do not like that the cell phone does not include T9 smart input for auto word completion.

Call Quality

We made few calls through Samsung Jitterbug J via Jitterbug service for testing. The overall call quality was impressive. We received loud and clear sound with strong signal strength at our end. The callers also received clear and loud sound without any static at their end, but the sound was not natural. They could tell that we were calling from a cell phone and not from a landline. However, they could not tell us the difference between normal and speakerphone calls. We received good quality of sound at our end from speakerphone.

Battery Life

Samsung Jitterbug J has a battery life of 8.3 days of idle standby time and 3 hours of talk time. The digital SAR is 1.22 watts per kg as per the FCC radiation tests.

Verdict:

If you need to purchase a cell phone for a senior person and can afford extensive services, then you can purchase – Samsung Jitterbug J.

Samsung SGH-T139 has flip design and offers good call quality, Bluetooth, GPS and VGA camera.

Against:

The external display is small as compared to phone’s size. There is no video recording feature.

The Whiz Kid Speaks:

Samsung SGH-T139 is based on dual-band CDMA 800/1900 MHz. 1-inch external display is black & white with 96×96 pixels resolution. Moreover, 1.7-inch internal display has 128×160 pixels resolution that supports 16-bit (65K) colors.

Samsung SGH-T139 has VGA camera of 640×480 pixels resolution with 4x digital zoom. It can capture images in four resolutions from 120×96 to 640×480. The SGH-T139 supports Java platform. The supported wireless interface is Bluetooth 2.0 and the phone has inbuilt XHTML based WAP 2.0 browser.

The feature set of Samsung SGH-T139 includes video messaging, video streaming, video wallpaper, 40 polyphonic ring-tones, embedded wallpaper, voice memo and voice mail, predictive text input T9, instant messaging feature, GPS, Bluetooth, HTML browser, stop watch, calculator, converter, alarm, world-time, clock, to-do list, scheduler and calendar.  The SGH-T139 stores logs for dialed, received and missed calls. The other features are speakerphone, multiparty, video caller ID and voice recognition.

Samsung SGH-T139 has inbuilt standard lithium ion battery. The accessories in the package are USB cable, AC adapter and car charger, mobile cover and headset.

Razzle Dazzle:

Samsung SGH-T139 is a flip phone that measures 3.7 inches tall, 1.9 inches wide and 0.7 inch thick. The phone weighs around 2.98 ounces. The test model had a blue-gray color. The SGH-T139 has plastic skin and bears compact shape with smooth lines. There is a diamond pattern on rear cover.

Inside Dope:

The new Samsung SGH-T139 for T-Mobile offers VGA camera and basic features. This Samsung SGH-T139 phone has standard flip design with a bit style. The SGH-T139 has better appeal with comfortable controls and good call quality. The advanced feature set of the phone includes voice-recording, facility to send audio post-cards with photos, inbuilt WAP 2.0 browser, instant messaging and Bluetooth. The Samsung SGH-T139 has two displays – black & white external display and color internal display. You cannot use the external display as camera’s viewfinder, which is negative point for the Samsung. Moreover, there is no integrated email application in the phone. The SGH-T139 has digital SAR of 0.59 watt per kilogram according to FCC. The phone is pretty basic; you can use it just for sending text messages and calling your friends. The design of the handset is easy to use, the call quality is decent and it comes with Bluetooth. Let us have a look what Samsung has offered in its new phone.

Design

The external display is located on the phone lid. The volume rocker is on the left spine, whereas lock control/camera shutter and combined charger port/headset jack are on right spine. It is quite annoying that the Samsung continues to include its proprietary combined jack in the SGH-T139 for both headset and charger.

Display

1-inch external display of 96×96 pixels resolution displays date/time, numeric caller ID, signal strength and battery life. You cannot use this external display as self-portrait viewfinder for the camera. 1.75-inch internal display supports 65,000 colors and it is small as compared to the size of Samsung SGH-T139. You can change the display options such as backlight time, standby text color and style, and dialing font size.

Navigation Array and Keyboard

The navigation array is located beneath the internal display. It has diamond-shaped and silver-colored four-way toggle button with central OK key. It also has a Clear Control, a Talk Key, an End Key and two soft keys. The array buttons and keys are comfortable. We were able to dial and text accurately without any problem.

Phonebook and PIM features

Samsung SGH-T139 has a phone book of 300 contacts. Each contact entry can save notes, e-mail address and five phone-numbers. You can create groups of these contacts and pair them with photo and one of 40-polyphonic ring-tones.

The basic features of Samsung SGH-T139 are stopwatch, unit and currency converter, timer, world clock, tip calculator, task list, multimedia and text messaging, calculator, calendar and alarm clock.

Camera

Samsung SGH-T139 has VGA camera that takes photos in four resolutions from 120×96 to 640×480. The camera has features of digital zoom, exposure metering, brightness settings, four-color effects, white balance and self-timer. You can customize the phone by selecting different sounds for shutter, brightness and zoom. The phone does not record video. The photo quality is good for VGA shooter. We captured some photographs through it. The colors were looking natural, but they had little image noise.

Games and Personalization

Samsung SGH-T139 has demos/trials of four-games: Family Guy Uncensored, Midnight Pool 2, Fifth Grader and Tetris. You can also purchase the full versions. For personalization, you can change the alert tones, greetings, background colors and wallpaper. You can find more options on T-Zones service of T-Mobile.

Call Quality

We made some calls through Samsung SGH-T139 via T-Mobile service. The call quality was satisfactory good. The signal strength was clear and we received sound with little metallic distortion at our end. We could hear our friends clearly even in high noise environments. The callers received good sound at their end with same metallic tinge. They could tell that we were using cell phone.

Battery life

Samsung SGH-T139 has lithium ion battery of life up to 7 hours of talk time and 6 days of idle stand by time.

Verdict:

Samsung SGH-T139 does not have many features because Samsung has designed it only for simple communication. We recommend this phone if you are looking for an entry-level basic handset.