Camera

Pressing the dedicated Camera Key activates the T509's integrated VGA (0.3-megapixel) camera. Identical in quality to the cameras found on the Motorola SLVR and RAZR (released last year), the picture resolution is usable at best, only able to capture photos at up to 640 x 480 px.

Picture quality can also be lowered to QVGA (320 x 240 px), QCIF (176 x 132 px), or Sub-QCIF (128 x 96) px, but at those resolutions the images are practically unusable. Consumers will probably stay with VGA (640 x 480 px) since approximate image file sizes are only 50 KB; almost insignificant compared to the storage space available.

With imaging technology on phones pushing past 1-megapixel to 2- and above, the T509's camera is quite poor, using outdated imaging technology. However, the T509 is a fashion phone. And similar to the other ultra-thin devices, the T509 was never meant to have strong features in imaging. At best, consumers can expect grainy photos unfit for prints, ideal for phone wallpapers or a quick snapshot when users leave their digital camera at home.

Controlling Brightness Levels (Up / Down) and the 4X Zoom (Left / Right) with the directional keypad, users can quickly adjust basic functions.

Surprisingly the T509 also comes bundled with many useful filters found on high-end camera phones. Aside from common functions such as Effects, Timers, and Frames, the T509 contains various Shooting Modes (Single Shot, Multi-Shot, and Night Shot), Spot Focus, and ISO Settings (Auto, 100, 200, 400).

For full-motion capture, the T509 produces videos in 3GP format. Grainy and choppy, mobile video up to 15 seconds in length can be recorded at QCIF (176 x 144 px) or Sub-QCIF (128 x 96 px), a slight improvement in resolution to the L6.

Overall the T509's camera is best suited for taking snapshots, but not for print. VGA cameras were found on phones two years ago, several generations in terms of cell phone advancement.

Oddly though, the filters and effects are quite good. But pairing them with outdated technology makes them pretty much useless.

Basic Features

The tri-band (850/1800/1900 MHz) T509 (released for T-Mobile) operates on GSM frequencies worldwide, provided it is unlocked.

By default the T509 is locked to the T-Mobile network (since it's an exclusive device). As a common carrier practice to prevent customers from taking discounted phones (purchased in conjunction with a plan) to other carriers, good-standing customers can usually request the unlock code after 90 days of service. Only after it's unlocked will users be able to take it to other GSM networks worldwide.

Samsung rated the T509's 800 mAh Li-Ion battery at a mediocre 3.5 hours and 168 hours (7 days) of talk and standby times respectively, slightly less than the SLVR's optimal times. However, when manufacturers and carriers list talk and standby times, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Actual talk and standby times are lower.

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