Samsung SCH-U740 Cell Phone
 A few years back, Motorola generated a lot of buzz in the mobile phone community with their ultimately ill-fated MPx (MPx300) dual-hinge clamshell. The mpx packed a full QWERTY keyboard into a standard flip phone form factor, and opened both the "long" and "short" ways for use either as a traditional phone or widescreen device. While that phone was a little ahead of its time (it's big problem was not enough horsepower for its intended functionality), the idea of a dual-hinged clamshell handset was, and still is, very intriguing.
Apparently the folks at Samsung also find the dual flip phone interesting, because they've released a handful of them over the past few years. The most recent is the SCH-u740 for Verizon Wireless. The u740 packs a full QWERTY board along with a 1.3 mp camera, color display, and a 3G VCAST music and video player with external display and media controls into a slim, stylish flip phone design. Though some may be put off by the abundance of buttons on the handset's main panel, if you're a messaging maven the u740 might just be the next best thing to a full-blown smartphone.
I really, really like the design of the u740. It's detractors will say that there are too many buttons, the buttons are too small, and the button layout is too confusing. I'd counter that if you're interested in this phone, you're interested in getting a full QWERTY board in a small flip phone's body, and you won't be too put off by having to learn its layout. At 97.5 x 52 x 15 mm, this handset is much smaller than any QWERTY-wielding smartphone out there, with the (possibly lone) exception of HTC's new S710 "Vox."
When closed, the u740 looks much like any other slim clamshell handset, with the exception of its somewhat thick hinge. The front panel houses the camera sensor and LED flash assist light along with an external display and three touch-sensitive music player controls. From the closed position, the front panel can be flipped open the "regular" way for voice calls, or twisted up the "long" way for access to messaging, Web, and video functionality. The design is somewhat similar to Samsung's D307 (Cingular) or Nokia's n93 and n93i phones. My review unit was finished in a glittery champagne colored plastic with black trim, though an all-black version is now available as well. Open the phone and you'll find a 2.2" display flanked by twin (stereo) speakers on the top panel, and the aforementioned "chock full O' buttons" layout on the bottom panel. Looking at the handset as you would a traditional flip phone, the layout basically consists of a navigational array - 5-way D-pad flanked by two softkeys and dedicated Send and End/Power keys -positioned above a QWERTY layout. There is an extra softkey in the lower left corner of the panel - this button serves as the right softkey when the phone is in widescreen mode (it winds up in the lower right corner when the handset is rotated).
I found the keys pretty easy to use despite the somewhat crowded layout of the QWERTY board. Held in widescreen mode, the u740 fit comfortably between my hands and left my thumbs well-positioned for typing. The buttons themselves are long, slim ovals with a nicely rounded "raised bubble" shape that made for easier and more accurate typing. While the sheer abundance of keys and somewhat confusing UI system (we'll get to that later) will probably leave the novice cell phone user cold, the u740 really isn't made for that user, anyway. Its intended audience should delight in wiling away the hours tapping out SMS messages in widescreen/QWERTY splendor.
The left panel of the phone houses a rocker switch for volume and plastic-capped headset/charger port on the lower half, and a hold key on the upper half. On the right side you'll find a speakerphone button and another plastic capped port, this one for removable microSD memory cards. The back of the handset is largely given over to a battery cover.
All in all, the U740's design will appeal strongly to a relatively small subset of mobile phone users: frequent text-messagers who want a full QWERTY keyboard but don't need the power of a smartphone or even the bulk of Verizon's LG VX-9900 "enV." While the enV packs more features and a roomier Read full review » Noah unboxes the Samsung Alias VCAST messaging phone for Verizon. This update to the U740 features a dual-flip design with QWERTY keyboard, 1.3 MP camera, and media player with access to VCAST music and videos. PhoneDog and Samsung are proud to announce the winner of our user review contest, Jeff Davis of Nebraska. He will be receiving a new Samsung SCH-U740 for his review he left about his Verizon Motorola RAZR V3c.
The contest began March 12, 2007 and ran through April 30th, 2007. Jeff's review was selected randomly out of many approved during that time period. We would like to thank everyone who submitted a review and... A few years back, Motorola generated a lot of buzz in the mobile phone community with their ultimately ill-fated MPx (MPx300) dual-hinge clamshell. The mpx packed a full QWERTY keyboard into a standard flip phone form factor, and opened both the "long" and "short" ways for use either as a traditional phone or widescreen device. While that phone was a little ahead of its time (it's big problem was not enough horsepower for its intended... While messaging is the u740's true raison d'etre, it's also a full-featured multimedia phone compatible with Verizon's VCAST 3G network. The handset can play music in stereo from microSD cards either over its built-in stereo speakers or via wired or wireless headphones. Music can be controlled from the main keypad or using three touch-sensitive controls mounted on front panel of the phone. The controls (like most touch... I'm not entirely sure why Samsung opted for a relatively low-res main display on the u740, given its VCAST compatibility and stereo speakers. The 2.2" TFT main screen can display 262,000 colors, but only at 176 x 220 pixels. While this is fine for reading and writing messages, it makes for lousy full-screen viewing of images and video clips, which is really too bad considering that holding the handset in widescreen orientation makes... Messaging on the u750 includes SMS and MMS as well as IM support for AIM, MSN, and Yahoo!; Email is handled through Verizon's optional WAP-based system (Mobile Web 2.0) or Wireless Sync application, which I found overpriced and underpowered. The handset's hardware is so well tailored for a quality messaging service, it's a shame to see it as hampered as it is by Verizon's software. Photos and Videos can be attached to MMS messages... ConclusionI'm something of a geek and something of a style freak when it comes to gadgets, and mobile phones, of course, are just about the ultimate gadgets right now. I want my mobile phones to do everything - voice calling, messaging, email, Web, music and video playback, games - and I want them to pack all of that functionality into slim, lightweight packages that look good. I'm perfectly happy to deal with a bit of a learning... Pros: every thing Cons: the keys on the phone can leave marks and scratches on the screen Summary: I would recommend this phone who is looking in to it. The hinge works great and the phone has been on the market for 3 years and has been improved 3 times with every color. The overall phone scratches easy and most visible on black. Pros: Scheduler, memos, and lots of other handy features Cons: Some of the features, such as the memo are not available in landscape mode Summary: I'm just re-entering the cell phone world after a 10 year hiatus. I thought this phone would have too many bells and whistles that I would never use, but the price was right so I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did. I don't text, but I do email a fair amount from it. With my weird work schedule and the kids' appointments I find always having my schelduler with me to be very handy. I recently dropped my phone in a snow bank, brushed it off, and have had no problems at all. It has definately exceeded my expectations. 1 out of 1 people found this review helpful Pros: sleek duel flip flash full qwerty key board Cons: 1.3 megapixel camera small buttons Summary: this phone is good if you are a texting type of person, sleek and fits right into your pocket 1 out of 1 people found this review helpful Pros: The dual flip screen, styling, slim and fashion-forward Cons: The hinge is VERY delicate, extremely small buttons Summary: The "alias" is a decent phone for younger people who text a lot, but there are some things that I just don't like about it. The buttons are very small and somewhat hard to press, (if I didn't have long nails, it would be really hard to deal with) sometimes when it's open one way, and then opened the other way, the screen is still flipped around. I think it's a good "filler" phone. If you just want it for texting and making calls, then go for it, but anything else will KILL the battery. Heaven forbid if you dropped it, the back will come flying off and the battery will pop out, so be careful and make sure you get the insurance!! 1 out of 3 people found this review helpful Pros: QWERTY, ingenious form-factor - can use as reg phone and transforms into a qwerty text friendly messenger, small and thin yet durable and functional for both calls and texting Cons: Camera is very weak (but you didn't inquire about this phone for it's camera anyway - it's the QWERTY you want - screen could have been a little bit bigger - did we really need to have a half inch black space with *verizon* label and a few milimeters with *samsung* smacked on it? Poor use of screen real estate there especially since the landscape mode could have rivaled or been up to par of a sidekick - and tho you can use speakerphone with the phone closed, the speakers are inside so it comes Summary: Overall, I LOVE this phone! It was my first introduction to a QWERTY keyboard on a phone and now I know I can never go back to any phone that does not have this wonderful feature. NOTE: It DID take me 2 weeks to get used to the keyboard and landscape mode, but now that I've had the phone for over a year, I will be sad to have to choose another phone when it comes time to upgrade - GROW YOUR THUMB NAILS just a little bit and you will never have any problems texting on this phone (I have big hands too). I keep looking to see if Samsung or another brand comes out with more *dual flip* phones like this one. The pivot is incredibly sturdy with no signs of *weakness* - it does feel slightly stiff in the beginning and then slightly *loosens* afte a few weeks but it's almost as if a little bit of oil has been applied and it pivots from flipphone to landscape mode flawlessly. I've dropped it on tiles, concrete, marble floors and in the street and it doesn't even show any signs of ever having been dropped! Phone reception in both receiving and sending are excellent as well - other verizon customers sound like they are standing right next to me, and non- verizon people merely sound like you can tell they are on a phone. It's thin and can slide into pockets w/o a huge bulge and because it is so light and thin, you actually can lose it in a medium sized purse if yo just drop it in there. I suggest an external leather case that clips to your pants or some light-up stick-ons accessories so you can find it easier. I do like strong vibrate phones since I suffer from nerve deafness and rely on vibrate mode to let me know I have a call, but it isn't so weak so I only miss a few calls this way. The loudest ringtone it has is the musical funky tone everyone has nowadays. Usually I have it near me in view so I can tell if I am getting a call. If you want QWERTY, a unique design, excellent reception and small/thin with clear LCD, this is the phone for you. just give the keyboard 2-3 weeks chance before you toss it lol. Oh, btw, most new phones coming out now, like the LG Lotus from Sprint, have a similar keyboard layout. 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful Done!!! Sweeeeeeeeeet phone [:D] I don't have Verizon, but I'll take the phone if I win [:] Buying choicesWith new service  This item is not being sold with a service plan by any online merchant. With pre-paid service This item is not being sold with a pre-paid service service plan by any online merchant. Purchase phone only Accessories Purchase compatible accessories for this phone Ringtones & MediaShop for compatible mobile content for this phone
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