Samsung SGH-D900 Review - Introduction & Design

Introduction & Design

Early this summer Samsung introduced their Ultra Edition line of super-slim cellular phones aimed at fashion and technology-conscious users.  The three phone Ultra Edition lineup features a 6.9mm thick candybar-style handset, a 9.9mm clamshell phone, and the 12.9mm thick D900 slider.  Samsung is billing the D900 as "the world's slimmest slider," and while that distinction may be short-lived in the wake of ever advancing technology, the impression this phone makes when taken out of a pocket or laid upon a table is sure to be long lasting.  The Ultra Edition 12.9 is one sexy piece of mobile technology.  But Samsung would have you believe the D900's beauty is more than skin deep, with a spec sheet featuring a quad band GSM phone, 3.13 megapixel camera and music player with onboard digital amplifier. The question is, is the D900 as good in the hand as it is on paper?

Samsung has been making a splash as of late with their new breed of ultra-thin slider phones.  The D900 is similar to the T-Mobile branded T809 in overall looks, but is noticeably wider, thinner, and somewhat more rounded at the edges.  With dimensions of 103.5 x 51 x 12.9 mm and weighing just 85g, the D900 is a true featherweight that won't weigh down your purse nor mess up the lines of your pants when you tuck it away in a pocket.

The D900 is dominated by the 2.1” 240x320 262K Color TFT screen, which is framed by glossy black plastic.  This is in contrast to the rest of the handset, which is finished in a very nice matte black soft-touch plastic that's easy to grip and resistant to fingerprints.  A small speaker cut out is centered above the screen, while a Samsung logo and a two-row group of controls lie below.  The top row features left and right soft keys flanking a central button surrounded by a four-way directional pad, while the bottom row has three keys: Pick-up/Send, Clear, and Hang-Up/Power On-Off.  Being a slider phone, the front panel extends to reveal a standard 12-button keypad hidden beneath.  Slots cut out in the center of the bottom front of the phone allow a built-in microphone to pick up the user's voice during calls.  The design allows for calls to be received when the phone is in the "closed" position as well as when slid open.

The back panel of the D900 slides off to reveal the battery and SIM card slots.  When the phone is fully extended, the sensor, "flash" light, and self-portrait mirror for the built-in camera are revealed at the top edge of the handset's back.  While this design lacks the swiveling camera feature of Samsung's T809, it works well and affords the camera protection from dust, fingerprints, and scratches when the phone is slid shut.

A rocker switch on the left side of the phone controls volume for calls, ringtones, and music/media playback, and a rubber cover below that opens to reveal the microSD memory card slot.  A single button on the right side of the handset activates the camera, and the accessory port below that (also covered with a rubber flap) houses a single jack to which the included AC charger and stereo headset are connected.  Other accessories, including a TV Out cable (for displaying photos on a television) also plug into this jack.  While multi-use accessory ports are the trend right now on mobile handsets, I must say that I prefer a dedicated charging jack alongside a separate accessory port.  Phones like the D900 can't be charged while the handsfree headset is in use, which is an annoyance on a $400 handset.

Being a longtime fan of candybar-style phones, but having tried clamshells and other styles (including larger PDA phones), I must say that I really like the D900's slider form factor.  Sliding the phone open to dial or accept a call is a very intuitive motion, as is sliding it shut to hang up.  Fully extended, the phone is very comfortable to hold to one's ear, and the extra length of the "slid open" handset provides something of a more satisfying experience than talking into the air an inch or so away from a standard candybar phone does. When closed shut the D900 is nice and compact, but the main screen is still accessible at a glance.

The overall look of the Ultra Edition 12.9 is one of business chic.  Samsung has been criticized by some for making too many phones that look too much alike, and the D900 is very similar to the T809, D600, and other of the company's line of all black slim sliders.  However, to me it's a great look.  The D900 is as much at home in a corporate board room as it is in a trendy club.  And the phone's good looks are backed by its extensive feature set.

Anyone considering this phone should be prepared to baby it to some extent.  While the phone feels solid (relative to its diminutive weight) and held up well in testing under normal usage, it is a very thin, light electronic device with a sliding mechanism and large, front-mounted screen. As such, it's a little more prone to wear-and-tear type damage than larger, heavier handsets. When fully extended, the D900 feels a little vulnerable as if the screen could be snapped apart from the main body with a little force applied in the right place - but, again, the phone didn't show any signs of breaking down during testing.  Use of a screen protector and/or case is highly recommended.

Next: Features »