Samsung i450 review

Mobile-review have posted a really in depth review of the Samsung i450. As usual the review is full of pics and videos. Overall, they were pleased with the phone and it has a relatively low price. Here is the final impression.

Impressions
The volume level produced by the loudspeaker is pretty high, being in line with those Nokia-branded smartphones equipped with stereo-speakers. We also liked the i450’s solid vibro alert. In terms of voice calls and microphone sensitivity, its performance is up to par, nothing that we would whine about.

The company isn’t trying to present this is a “do-it-all” solution or highlight some particular departments – all focus is on one feature alone, music. And it is a great thing, especially given the fact that the i450 is one of the market’s finest music playing offerings. Regrettably, it doesn’t pack a slew of music-related settings, which makes it somewhat dated in this sense. On the other hand it comes with all the essentials, and that’s exactly what many are craving for. As far as music quality is concerned, this smartphone is in fact the best thing you can get hold of these days. In my opinion, when put up against the Nokia N91, the Samsung i450 comes out on top in this battle of music departments. The same goes for the Samsung i450 vs Apple iPhone derby. But at the same time, a multitude of tiny details can get you thinking a lot. For instance, I don’t like the i450’s 10-point volume level bar, it would be better off with 20 scales on it, like Sony Ericsson and Nokia do these days. Digging deeper, some applications found in the i450 are poorly integrated with their primary functions; its radio is also pretty unsophisticated.

As a juke box, specifically when in the speakerphone mode, the Samsung i450 does very well too. While it is still not a portable stereo system, it is not just another mobile phone either. When I was comparing it with the Nokia N95 I caught myself thinking that the i450 sounded clearer, didn’t go insane, creaking and gurgling at full volume (even though it was just as loud). All up, there is a whole lot of hardware-related things setting the Samsung’s creation from Nokia-branded phones – take its speeds over USB alone.

The rest of the feature pack is pretty much par for the course, in a way the i450 is merely a basic S60 smartphone, yet it packs the latest version of the OS and enjoys all its benefits. While the default interface theme feels so Samsung, there is a great assortment of extra themes available and you can pick up whatever suits you the most. The i450 has some menu views disabled (like the V-Horse), but in my opinion, there aren’t of much use anyway.

In fact, what Samsung has created is a music playing phone coming packaged with a number of core abilities. You can always expand its functionality to the point when it will match the Nokia N81 (except for its gaming department) or any other phone from Nokia. It is a pity, though, that the i450 doesn’t pack Wi-Fi connectivity under its hood, actually it is one of the major things marring the device. On the other hand, if you don’t really need an always-on high-speed data connection, you won’t feel too bad about having no WiFi onboard. The camera in this phone is more of a makeweight rather than the real deal, and can make fairly good snaps only as long as you are in good light conditions.

Considering its decent music skills, I was surprised to find the i450 retailing for 350-370 Euro in Europe (starts shipping in November) – this is an adequate price for a phone that sounds so good.