Visually appealing, the Samsung E950 is a feature-rich handset that takes Samsung’s idea of touch sensitive interface one step further. Fitted into a compact slider body you get a 3 megapixel camera, microSD card slot, FM radio, stereo Bluetooth and a 2” TFT display with a QVGA resolution. The handset is equipped with a novel input solution – a dedicated touchscreen that serves as a navigation D-pad. That feature alone was enough to get us itching with impatience to lay our hands on one of those phones. Join us as we explore the Samsung E950 slider.

Samsung E950 official photos

Key features

Unique touchscreen navigation solution
Compact size and weight
3 megapixel camera
262K color TFT display with a QVGA (320x240 pixels) resolution
Bluetooth with A2DP
microSD memory card slot
FM radio
TV out
MS Office documents viewer
Data cable and a 512MB card included in the retail package
Nice web browser

Main disadvantages

Touchscreen navigation sensitivity is dodgy
Camera lacks autofocus and produces average quality photos
Office documents viewer is slow
Choppy animation in the main menu
Java applications can be installed only through WAP
Only preset message ringtones

The Samsung E950 is obviously the successor of last-year’s Samsung E900. Both handsets feature full touch sensitive navigation throughout the phone’s interface. Besides being among the first handsets with touch-based navigation, the E900 failed to impress with technical specifications when compared to the other high-end Samsung handsets at the time. The same holds true for the E950 now. Samsung have more advanced handsets currently, so we guess the E950 will mostly count on exciting technology (unique touchscreen pad) and fashion appeal (this baby just looks great).

Having had our deal of Samsung reviews in the past month, we were still excited to see how far Samsung would go with that touch-pad, touch-screen and touch-everything extravaganza. So, we got busy with an early pre-release version of the Samsung E950.

Perhaps this is the right place for a little disclaimer. Being a pre-sales piece , our Samsung E950 suffered from some serious bugs. We do hope though they‘ll be fixed in the retail version .

You know the drill

The Samsung E950 measures 98 x 46 x 15 mm, which doesn’t make it the slimmest slider currently available, but in terms of size the Samsung E950 is pretty compact and even light. The mobile makes good use of metal and matt black plastic. We like the design and the construction itself seems pretty solid. Thanks to the touch-sensitive elements on the front panel, the surface is smooth and there are no keys sticking out. The touch-sensitive navigation display is inside a silver frame at the lower end. A slight recess above the display nests the earpiece.

Samsung E950 makes good use of metal

When the handset powers up you will see that the touchpad display has red backlighting and white fonts unlike the one shown on advertisements (black with white fonts). Personally, we don’t like the choice of red for the backlighting. Our guess is that they used it to match the dark red styling of the user interface, but, who knows…

Samsung E950 lighting all up • the red touchpad display looks strange

The alpha-numeric keypad is really flat, but keys are large enough and have sufficient press feedback, so typing is easy and precise.

The keypad is really flat but comfortable enough

The left side of the handset features the volume rocker and the universal port for plugging the charger, the headset, and the data cable. Samsung don’t offer a 3.5 mm audio jack or even an adapter which is a definite downside, since the originally included headset isn’t always the best there is. The same port is used for connecting the TV-out cable – the availability of this cable in the retail package is region dependent and you might end up buying one separately in order to use the TV-out feature. In the upper corner of the left side you will also notice a wrist/neck strap eyelet.

Left side offers a volume rocker and a universal connectivity port

The bottom and top sides of the handset are completely bereft of controls. On the top however you will notice the fine brushed texture of the metallic parts of the Samsung E950. More of that is to follow when we review the back panel. The right side of Samsung E950 sports an On/Off key and the dedicated camera release button. The On/Off key can also be used to unlock the handset when the slider is closed or even wake up the touch-sensitive keypad if you let it turn off.

Bottom and top parts are free of controls • On/Off key and the camera key on the right

The back panel looks great – the metallic finish is remarkably tasteful and pleasant to the touch. As usual with sliders, the camera on the back is only revealed when you slide the handset open. The camera module sits next to a self-portrait mirror and a LED flash. The metallic back panel features a really stylish loudspeaker grill.

Wonderful back styling • the camera comes with a mirror and a LED flash

Releasing the back panel is an easy task – slide it up and there it goes. The battery cover doesn’t seem to hold firm enough, but it should do its day-to-day job just fine. Removing it reveals the battery, the SIM card holder and the memory card bed. The microSD memory card bed is hot-swap enabled – you can exchange cards without turning the phone off. The Samsung E950 features a pretty much standard Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 900 mAh. So far, there is no word from the manufacturer on the expected battery life, and we can’t tell for sure. In our hands it lasted no more than a day, but that may well be attributed to our test handset being a pre-sales unit. Or best guess is that the battery will keep the E950 running for around 3 days when used moderately.

Removing the battery cover • you can see the SIM and memory card beds

Using the Samsung E950 was generally a nice experience. The sliding mechanism was not the best we’ve seen, but we are pretty confident that it will change in the final retail version. It was as if the handset had “beta version” written all over. Nevertheless ignoring all the little bugs, it gave us a pretty clear idea of how the final product will work and feel. Speaking of feeling, holding Samsung E950 is a pleasant experience – it fits great in your hand, there’s no trouble sliding it open or closed with your thumb.

Samsung E950 held in hand • the design is sleek, when you open it

Sony Ericsson W580

Finally, the Sony Ericsson W580 arrived at our test site - a music phone featuring a slim sliding construction, light effects and a pedometer to fulfill all your daily music and sports needs. The handset comes complete with a 2 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, FM radio and a flashy design. Hop on the review express and take a trip with the latest music-minded Sony Ericson W580 - it might just turn out your next mobile handset.

Sony Ericsson W580

Key features

Intriguing design at only 14 mm thickness
Comfortable keypad
2" 262K color TFT display with a QVGA resolution
Light effects
2 megapixel camera
Memory Stick Micro card slot
Walkman 2.0 music player
FM radio with RDS
Bluetooth with A2DP support
GPRS and EDGE
Pedometer and fitness application
Data cable, quality headphones and 512MB memory card in the package

Main disadvantages

Only 12MB of integrated memory
Sliding mechanism little shaky
No notification of missed events
Camera lacks flash and autofocus
Records video in the outdated QCIF (176 x 144 pixels) resolution only
Phone won't operate without SIM

The Swedish-Japanese maker has added another slider to its Walkman lineup. The Sony Ericsson W580 joins the more feature-rich but older Sony Ericsson W850 in the company's music slider portfolio. The flagship in this form factor will be the fashionable W910, with sales likely to begin in September 07.

Sony Ericsson W580 is the S500 W-twino the yet-to-come high-born relative: Walkman W910

Design for the young

As most members of the Walkman family, W580 has sprung from a non-music phone: the Sony Ericsson S500. As regards design, the new W580 follows the latest style trends. Shedding weight is obviously on most makers' minds. The Sony Ericsson W580 stands at the pleasantly comfortable 99 ? 47 ? 14 mm, while its weight of 94 g is also sure to stir up a cheer. The bodywork is dominated by round shapes and curved edges. The fresh contemporary looks will likely appeal to a younger set of users. The handset will be available in three colors: white, black and gray. In all color variants however, the sides will be lined in black.

Pleasant to hold in hand • compared to a credit card: can't frown at size

In closed position, the handset has an almost perfectly rectangular shape. A backward curve at the bottom, right under the D-pad, is a nice touch. Sliding the phone open reveals the alphanumeric keys. The slide moves in plastic grooves, and the handset opens with a rustling sound. Sliding is easy, as the jutting out nest of the navigation key provides a comfortable pushing point. The spring loaded case needs but a touch of the thumb. When the handset is slid open, the top does appear slightly ajar but that's a minor issue unlikely to affect daily use.

The gray color combo is enhanced by blue highlights

The sides of the body hold a few essentials. On the left side of the sliding front is the volume rocker. The top of the sliding half is the rather unusual location of the memory card slot (Memory Stick Micro or M2). The slot has a plastic cap, which is affixed to the handset's body. The retail package contains a 512 MB card.

Pleasing 14 mm, fat is so passé

The Fast port connector is on the right side this time. The On/Off button is at the top of the lower part of the handset. It's well sunk into the body, and not exposed to accidental presses.

The backward curve at the bottom livens up the dull rectangle

All along the dividing line of the two parts of the slider there are light effect LEDs. They emit blinking light in five different colors to signal an incoming call. It's somewhat disappointing that the speed and pace of blinking aren't user-configurable, only the color is.

Curve at the bottom • Fast port connector • Volume rocker • Memory card slot

The rear side of the handset is very neat and practical. There you'll only find the manufacturer logo and the Walkman series symbol. Half of the rear panel is taken by the battery cover. Removing it is quite an ordeal, the cover just won't move. Under it is a 930 mAh Li-Pol battery. It's officially quoted at 370 hours of stand-by time and 540 minutes of talk time. The SIM card holder is right above the battery bed. You'll be forced to use a pointed tool or rather long nails for inserting and removing the SIM card.

Releasing the battery cover • Small on/off button • Vibration motor beside the battery