Introduction

Few designs have revolutionized the mobile marketplace as the clamshell. Functional yet pocket-sized, the flip phone managed to fit a large screen and surface area with a reduced size, optimizing the tradeoff between robust multimedia and compact design. It's no wonder flip phones are North American favorites.

Introducing the MM-A940, Samsung put a "twist" to the clamshell standard. Turning heads figuratively and literally, the A940 puts a new perspective to common characteristics.

As one of the few devices to reach the 2.0-megapixel barrier, the A940 amazingly includes optical zoom, allowing consumers true zoom capabilities without the loss of resolution. Coupled with an MP3 player and Sprint's new EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized) wireless high-speed multimedia network, the A940 is a multimedia powerhouse.

Available through Sprint PCS, the A940 represents a new generation of "Power Vision" devices. Unlike previous phones with strengths in imaging, audio, or connectivity, the A940 combines all three, allowing users the access to digital music, video, and entertainment at just a few keystrokes away.

Design

The A940 looks like any other ordinary clamshell. Folded, it measures 93 x 46 x 26 mm and weighs 139 g; average, but a bit on the bulky side. Featuring a conservative silver exterior, the A940 is a good fit for professionals.

Housing a 96 x 96 px screen, the A940's front panel features a 65K-color LCD allowing users to quickly glance at basic and incoming information. Below, Rewind, Play / Pause, Stop, and Fast Forward Keys control the built-in MP3 player. Through dual stereo speakers on the bottom corners, the A940 becomes a portable speaker system, letting users experience music through an open air environment.

Pressing the Voice Command / Speakerphone Key on the right activates voice and hansfree functionality. And located nearby, the Camera Option Key offers additional functions when Camera Mode is active.

Personal music listening can be enjoyed through the Headset Jack on the left, also doubling for handsfree headphones. Additional storage is available through the adjacent TransFlash card slot.

Opened, the main 262K-color LCD is discovered. Standard 5-way directional and numeric keypads offer comfortable navigation and text messaging through T9 predictive text.

Hidden within one end of the hinge, the A940's camera lens is positioned to provide 2x optical zoom. Rather than digital, consumers will be able to zoom in rather than the phone merely cropping the photo. On the other end the Camera Key is positioned to take photos sideways. Through a revolutionary twist design, the A940's screen turns to position like a camcorder for 2.0-megapixel photos.

Out of the box, the Samsung A940 comes with a standard 1000 mAh Li-Ion Battery, Desktop Charger, Data Cable, 32 MB TransFlash Card and Adapter, Stereo Headset, and User Manual.

Next >

This article is Copyright 2002-2009 Mobiledia Corp. and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from Mobiledia. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact us.