Screen

Displaying a vivid 65K-colors, the E635's spacious 128 x 160 px screen is bright and clear. Built with advanced TFT (Thin Film Transistor) technology, circuit transistors placed directly on the glass allow fast refresh rates from not having to scan pixel locations.

Advanced functions, such as making calls and navigating the menu, can be accomplished with the use of the directional keypad and soft keys; allowing users to perform useful operations without ever opening the E635. The backlit can be activated by pressing and holding the unlock key, or simply sliding the E635 open.

Audio

Supporting up to 64 chords, the E635 plays polyphonic ringtones beautifully. It comes with 30 basic ringtones and 5 MegaTones (more advanced polyphonic ringtones), and the option of purchasing more through T-Zones. Additionally, a melody composer is included so users can create unique ringtones right on the E635. Utilizing the MIDI file format, consumers compose melodies by writing "musical notes" played through a local synthesizer.

But the Samsung E635 also supports the much more advanced MP3 format. Now the new standard, MP3s are short clips of real music as recorded by the original artists, with most including vocals. Regrettably the E635 doesn't include any MP3 ringtones (or as T-Mobile calls them, HiFI Ringers), but they are conveniently available for purchase through T-Zones.

The E635 doesn't feature a fully-functional MP3 player either. Since full songs would require significantly more memory, the E635 is ill-equipped without an expandable memory card slot.

Messaging

The keypad is revealed by sliding the E635 open. Featuring all the standard text messaging formats, SMS (Short Messaging Service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service), and MMS (Multimedia Message Service) is supported.

Aside from just using SMS to send words, EMS lets users to format their messages with attributes such as style, size, alignment, and paragraphs. Going one step further, MMS lets users add graphics, sounds, and time-based sequencing.

With T9 predictive text, users save time when typing. Instead of having to press keys several times for a letter, the E635 chooses from a dictionary of words and phrases and anticipate what is being written.

Also supporting the latest instant messaging platforms, the E635 comes with AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ, and Yahoo! Messenger. Going beyond traditional SMS-based chat, the E635's preinstalled chat applications allows consumers to quickly send instant messages; keeping in touch with friends and family no matter where users are on the road.

< Prev 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.