Review: Samsung's D900 3MP Slider

Samsung SGH-D900

Samsung SGH-D900

Samsung SGH-D900

When Samsung announced the D800, everybody thought that sliders had achieved their maximum thinness; and they were probably right. If sliders couldn't get any thinner, the next step would be trying to squeeze even more advanced technology into the same dimensions. So the company added the SGH-D900 to the Ultra series. We are excited because not only is this the thinnest slider, but in that little package Samsung has packed a decent 3 Megapixel camera with autofocus - without forgetting to add a memory card expansion slot. Today we will see how it measures up.

[The device reviewed here is a SGH-D908 made for the Hong Kong market, some minor features will be different on devices made for other parts of the world. -editor]

Physical Aspects

The first thing that catches your attention with the D900 would be its 12.9mm (0.5") thickness, which is almost half that of the D600. If the phone has to be thin, chances are it might be wide too, as we learned from the RAZR. The SGH-D900 is indeed wider than average, with its proportions running 103.5mm x 51mm (4.07" x 2"). The good news is that the wider body provides space for a better grip and a better keypad. The bad news is that the 2.12" screen looks bitterly small now.

As opposed to its grey prototypes, the final production model has a completely black color scheme. Black is the Samsung color this year, it seems. My female colleagues are hoping for a white version to come out, similar to the silver-pink X820 that was just introduced.

The D900 is extremely flat, the slight protrusion under the screen gives an anchor for pushing up the screen with one's thumb. Ergonomically it does not feel as natural as the older and curvier D800. Opening the D900 is almost like wiping the external screen on the Motorola V3 with your thumb. The half-auto sliding mechanism it uses is quite mature now, and it feels very solid. The anti-slip texture of the plastic back cover and the evenly spread weight make the device stable in the hand. The D900 slides easily into a pocket, and doesn't weigh things down thanks to a relatively low 93g (3.28oz) weight.

It is good to see that Samsung has listened to and addressed the complaints concerning the D800's keypad. The D900's keypad is surprisingly user-friendly and even better than that of the X820. The buttons are large and the tactile feedback is crisp. The softkeys, d-pad, and power buttons are large and easy to access. The backlight is white, as usual, but this time the lights are not too evenly spaced.

Controls on the sides are minimal, with the volume controls on the left and the camera shutter button on the right. The power port on the side is also marked as a data cable and handset connector. The microSD slot found under the volume keys is covered by a sturdy soft plastic door.

I have to say that I am very happy with the physical aspects of SGH-D900. You will understand how solid this thing is when you open the battery cover, all the parts are packed and they don't squeak at all. Kudos to Samsung.

 

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