Move over iPod: These Multimedia Cell Phones are Making Some Noise

The first phone, a Samsung A920, packs a punch with numerous entertaining media features built into a solid smooth clamshell. The second, an LG 9800, better known as “The V", opens into a stunning keyboard, 320 x 256 pixel screen and two speakers that collectively resemble a miniature laptop.

Killer.

First up, the Samsung. Upon first touching it, I’m welcomed by a smooth dark blue exterior that is addicting to rub. It doesn’t have the silky shell of Motorola’s latest PEBL handset, but it sure feels spectacular to flip in my palm. This phone is, to say the least, indestructible. I’m undeniably aware of the consequences of breaking this baby, but I’m skeptical as to how easy that would be. For weighing in at the average 3.8 ounces, this phone has a solid structure. One downside is its bulkiness, however: it has a little more girth then desired.
The slick Sumsung A920 competes with the LG 9800 for the top spot in current multimedia, multi-functional cell phones. Courtesy of samsung.com
Upon flipping this phone open, I am greeted by a brilliant LCD 18-bit color display and a bright standard keypad. The menu was easily accessible, showing a grid of 3D icons that could direct me anywhere I pleased. I do not use the term “anywhere" lightly; within minutes I found a detailed weather forecast over the next week in Ithaca, downloaded two mp3's, glanced at the top U.S. news headlines and took a picture of myself, which I then set up as my wallpaper. It took less than five minutes.

At the top of the Samsung is a 1.3 mega-pixel camera, complete with LED flash, brightness control and a self-timer for those solo poses. Below that is a colored 128 x 96 pixel external screen, which I found particularly useful as a viewfinder for the camera. Then, at the bottom, there’s a smooth keypad to navigate, shuffle and play song lists in a black ring that’s all too similar to the Apple iPod. Although it can’t hold 10,000 tracks, this handset sure can play a tune. Boasting a built-in 32 MB drive with a Transflash 512 MB card insert, this phone satisfied my mp3 download cravings.

One surprising feature of the Samsung model is its set of speakers, located on the top corners of the hinge. I cranked up the volume and was immediately blown away by their power.This phone pitilessly drowns out the efforts of my laptop at full volume."

- Michael Lurie, iMPrint Contributor, on the Samsung A920.
One pitfall of this feature, however, is the price. Although the handset itself is only $100 with a two-year contract, the songs off the Sprint music store are $2.50 each, plus tax. It’s not the best incentive if you want 50 songs (costing more than $125) on your handset.

This phone really has touched upon all forms of media. One night I downloaded a monthly subscription to Adult Swim cartoons (which took only two minutes) and sat cross-legged on my bed, hooting in laughter at the cartoons that paraded on my handset. The television streams, however, weren’t as smooth as I imagined – there were times when it was choppy and even barely visible.

Another evening I was tempted to bid on an electric guitar with the free eBay trial feature, but that might’ve caused some dismay from the folks at Sprint, who would’ve had to foot the bill.

I felt like a giddy child, fiddling with features, shooting movies and searching for the hottest ringtone of the moment. Most have called the A920 a music phone, but I call it the music/internet/camera/video/television phone. I’ll think of a better name when they take away so many delicious features. Overall, Samsung has really pushed their media convergence forward with this model.