Released for Verizon Wireless, the Samsung FlipShot uses a unique twisting design to snap photos. At first it looks first like a phone but when the screen is rotated 180 degrees, turns into a camera with a high resolution screen with features such as a flash and in-camera photo editing software. Allowing photo enthusiasts to take high-resolution pictures of a similar print quality as a standalone digital camera, the Samsung FlipShot offers an integrated 3.0-megapixel camera with autofocus, zoom, and video recording capabilities. Other media features from Verizon Wireless include VCAST Video to view high-quality shows and VCAST Music to download music directly to the phone... [Continue reading Samsung FlipShot (U900) Review]
Samsung FlipShot (U900) Features
Built-in 3.0-megapixel resolution camera with Flash to help capture the picture in low light, Auto-Focus to ensure sharp photos, and camcorder functionality to capture life's more active moments
VCAST Video service to download and view video on this multimedia capable phone, and VCAST Music capable to download and play music, ringtones and more
Supports the following Bluetooth profiles fore handsfree functionality: mono headset, stereo headset, handsfree, serial port, dial-up networking, object push for vCard only, phonebook access, basic image (for pictures only) and basic print (for pictures only)
MicroSD external memory port to store pictures, videos, sounds and music
Integrated with Verizon Wireless' VCAST Video, and Music service to catch the latest music videos and listen to and download songs
Optional Location Based Services such as VZ Navigator
Samsung FlipShot (U900) User Reviews
1. Posted by CYAN
Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:14 pm
This phone is Samsung's upgrade for the A-990. I bought this after deciding it was time to replace my Motorola E815. I have only had this phone a few days, so this is a preliminary review. Some of the features I can't comment on yet as I haven't tried them.
Pros:
Great camera - This is truly the best camera I've had on a cell, but make no mistake - it cannot replace a true digital camera. This is great for taking spur of the moment shots and you'll get really nice quality (but only if the camera isn't in motion when you shoot - there's also a somewhat annoying shutter delay), but this just can't compare to a true camera. To be fair, no cell camera can, and of all the ones currently out there, I'm pretty sure this is the best. Has a flash, optional auto-focus, and several other nice options. Camcorder is average for a cell phone - some blurriness, sound quality so-so.
Great reception, no problem yet with dropped calls.
Headset volume is good and loud if you have problems understanding the person on the other end of the call, as I often do.
Ringer often isn't loud enough even on the loudest setting. You may have to download a very loud ringtone if you have trouble hearing your phone ring when it's in a pocket or purse (undoubtedly you'll download at least one anyway, as the ones that come pre-loaded are terrible).
Holding down the pound button will switch vibrate on and off, but if you want to change from ringer only to ringer plus vibrate (or vice versa), you have to go through the menus to the sound settings.
Battery life is not that great if you use your cell often or play games/download stuff often. For more infrequent users, it'll probably be fine. I haven't gotten around to noting specific talk times yet.
Front cover smudges easily.
Styling is too boxy for my taste - far from creative or sleek.
Games are still quite limited for this phone. I'm hoping that changes soon as I LOVE playing games on my cell. The 2 poker games available for this phone have displays that are WAY too small, making them extremely frustrating to play.
The most annoying drawback: the navigation controls. The OK button is FAR too small and the left and right controls are placed waaay too closely to the soft touch buttons next to them, making it quite difficult at times to hit the right button. The times you'll notice this most are when you are navigating between menus (once you are already in a menu, you can use a number key to select the option you want), and when playing games. If you play games a lot on your cell phone, think really hard before you get this phone. I have average size fingers and often end up hitting the wrong button if I'm not very careful. It's actually for this reason alone that I've been thinking of returning the phone - it's just that annoying. For now I'll see if I can live with it, as I do generally like the phone otherwise.
Features I can't comment on:
Music player - Apparently this model can play both MP3 and WAV files (unlike the A-990 which could only play WAV), although I can't verify that for certain and can't speak to quality of the music, as you have to purchase a separate music essentials kit before you can transfer music files onto the cell. Note - if you will be listening a lot to music, you are most likely going to have to invest in an extended battery and be prepared to charge the phone often. The battery drains pretty quickly just using Get It Now, so I can only imagine what listening to music for extended periods would do.
Speakerphone - Haven't tried it yet (I very rarely use speakerphone).
I paid $199 plus tax for this phone. Is it worth it? I really don't know. The main drawbacks for me are the not so great battery life and the horrible, horrible navigational buttons (and the very plain, boxy styling). If just the navigational controls were improved, I'd probably feel better about the phone, but as it is, I can't say I'm very enthusiastic yet.
Was this review helpful? ::
87 out of 92 people found this review helpful.
2. Posted by Chrysalyze
Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:59 am
About a month and a half ago I purchased the Samsung Flipshot phone. When I attempted to store significant dates, both weekly and yearly, I noticed the phone altered the information irreparably. Some data was wiped out altogether, but most dates were changed nonsensically. Believing this was a problem with my particular phone, I returned it for an exchange only to realize it is a programming bug that is applicable to every Samsung Flipshot. I notified both the Verizon store and Samsung but to date this issue has not been corrected. If you depend on your calendar as heavily as I do (for all appointments and reminders) you may want to wait until this programming issue has been corrected before purchasing this phone. Please note this information was submitted to Samsung a month and a half ago, though I was told the problem would have been fixed two weeks from submission. To date the problem remains.
Was this review helpful? ::
17 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
3. Posted by CYAN
Thu Dec 06, 2007 4:50 pm
As it turns out, I returned this phone. For the price, I just didn't feel it was worth the hassle. Unfortunately, before I did, I wasted $30 on the music essentials kit. So, for all those wondering what the music quality is like: not good when listening on the external speakers, pretty good when listening through my headphones - not the ones that came with the kit - (although the volume wasn't always as loud as I wanted, even on the loudest setting).
Can it replace an mp3 player (assuming you pay for a MicroSD card)? No, although it's not really because of the phone. Rather, the fault lies in Verizon's horrid Music Manager software. Once you sync your files from your pc to your phone through Music Manager, you can only group your files by album, song title, artist name, or genre. You can't create folders (only playlists). I'd even be willing to put up with that, except that I prefer to search by genre, and MM didn't recognize a lot of my songs' genres, even though I made sure each one was carefully tagged before synching. There is also no repeat function, something I found very annoying. If they can manage a shuffle option (which they did), there should be no problems with a repeat function.
Again, that isn't specific to the phone, but Verizon's terrible music software. Which, by the way, would often stop synching songs - it would give an error saying it was unable to transfer the files. Turns out, you have to unplug the USB cable, close out MM, reopen it and plug the cable back in, then it will work. Except that this happened many times (it also happened when I was synching music with a different cable on an LG phone - the software is extremely buggy).
Until Verizon fixes these problems and limitations, their phones just can't take the place of an mp3 player, no matter how much extra memory you add. So, considering that the phone can't really substitute as an mp3 player or a digital camera, and the battery life without an extended battery is poor (especially if you play games or use Get it Now a lot) and the navigation button is atrocious, I just couldn't justify $200 on it (plus the extra $50 I would have needed to spend on an extended battery).
I switched it for the LG VX 8350, which came to $50 (plus an extra $50 for the extended battery - it seems poor battery life is rampant among all Verizon phones now). It does what I need it to do, for substantially less.
Too bad I can't stop thinking about the LG Venus.
Was this review helpful? ::
40 out of 46 people found this review helpful.
4. Posted by jubar
Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:44 pm
I traded up from a Samsung 640 to the Flipshot. I wanted the camera feature. I don't use the phone for music.
To go from a .3 mp to a 3 mp cell ph camera - wow! Absolutely great photos - in focus from up close to afar. What previous says is true - gotta hold the phone still while taking the shot; the shutter delay is irritatingly long. Landscapes - no problem. People - adults holding still for the photo - no problem. Candids? Not gonna get the shot. Pets? Only if they are sleeping or obey a 'stay' command (!ha!).
It takes a bit to figure out the camera controls, but after reading the fine print, no problem.
Quality of phone - I think the 640 is better for audio quality on phone calls. Flipshot is tinny. The speakerphone - very poor.
Was this review helpful? ::
31 out of 36 people found this review helpful.
Write a review and share your opinion about the Samsung FlipShot (U900).
Consumers interested in the Samsung FlipShot (U900) also considered these cell phones:
* Compare with other phones side-by-side, or Search by features. We always try to make sure our specs are accurate and
complete; however there may be times when information is not known. If you come across
any missing details or mistakes, please
contact us so we can help
other consumers.
Join the discussion in the
Samsung Forum or Verizon Forum. Read what
others are saying about the Samsung FlipShot (U900), get
knowledgeable answers, and read comments and comparisons about similar devices.
