Samsung Knack SCH-U310 (Verizon Wireless)
Manufacturer: Samsung Part number: SCHU310BLKVZW
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Samsung Knack SCH-U310 is one of the best basic phones on the market. If you need a handset for making calls, you can't go wrong.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Samsung Knack SCH-U310 (Verizon Wireless) price range: $39.99 - $299.99
- Reviewed by: Kent German
- Reviewed on: 09/09/2008
- Released on: 09/03/2008
The good: The Samsung Knack SCH-U310 has a simple, easy-to-use design and outstanding call quality. The functional feature set includes voice dialing.
The bad: The Samsung Knack SCH-U310's external display is small and its OK button is cramped. Also, there's no Web browser and you can't organize callers into groups.
The bottom line: The Samsung Knack SCH-U310 is one of the best basic phones on the market. If you need a handset for making calls, you can't go wrong.
In a world where gadgets strive to impress, it's comforting to see a phone that has absolutely no pretensions--a phone that doesn't fall over itself to have the flashiest features, or sport a runway-worthy design. The new Samsung Knack for Verizon Wireless is one such device. Also called the SCH-U310, the Knack (no, we don't get the name either) is one of the best basic phones we've seen. Behind an extremely well-built and intuitive design are excellent call quality and a solid, functional feature set that includes voice dialing. While this is an ideal phone for anyone looking for a basic phone for communication, large keys and simple menus also position it as a great option for seniors or cell phone newbies. You can get it for just $39.99 with a two-year contract. To find accessories for this phone, see our cell phone ringtones and accessories guide.
Design
The Samsung Knack won't win beauty contests, but its straightforward, no-nonsense design is one of its greatest attributes. We were struck immediately by the simplicity of its style. The silver face is nicely offset by the dark gray skin while the sturdy construction gives the flip phone a comfortable, solid feel. The hinge, in particular, feels very nice; the Knack opens and closes with an audible click. The SCH-U310 is on the bulky side (3.78 by 2.01 by 0.74 inches) but its slim profile means that it can travel well. And at 3.63 ounces it won't weigh you down too much.
The Knack's one-inch external display is a bit smaller than we'd like, but it shows all the information you need, including the time, battery life, signal strength, and numeric caller ID. The display is monochrome (96x96 pixels), so it won't show photo caller ID, but that's not a problem on this caliber of phone. The text on the screen is relatively large but it's too bad the font size isn't adjustable. Also, we'd prefer being able to adjust its backlighting time.
A large, silver volume rocker sits on the left spine of the SCH-U310; we had no trouble finding it when on a call. On the right spine are the charger port, voice dialing control, and a 2.5mm headset jack, which are colored red, silver, and blue, respectively. Presumably the colors are meant to make the items more visible, but whatever the reason, we like the effect. We also like that the top half of the voice-dialing button gives convenient one-touch access to call your voice mailbox. The Knack's single speaker sits at the top of its rear face.
Inside the phone is the large (2.25-inch), eye-catching display. Though it supports 65,000 colors (220x176 pixels), you'd hardly know it. Colors were vivid, graphics were sharp, and the entire screen is very bright. Fortunately, you can adjust the backlighting time and font size. But the best thing about the display is that--at least for the Knack--Verizon has ditched its confusing and much-maligned standardized-menu interface. Navigation was a breeze, as all options are arranged in a simple format. The arrangement should be particularly simple for anyone new to cell phones. We also like the SCH-U310's nifty "Phone Info" menu, which puts a host of useful information at your fingerprints, including your phone number, the battery life percentage, the numbers of voice mails and messages, the volume setting, and an explanation of the onscreen icons. Again, it's all very straightforward and simple for a first time cell phone user.
The spacious navigation array is well-designed, too. We also like how the silver keys compare with the black toggle. The array consists of two soft keys, a dedicated "911" key, a speakerphone button, Talk and End/power controls, a clear key, and a user-programmable "ICE" (in case of emergency button). The large, tactile keys should limit misdials, even for clumsy fingers. Indeed, we had no issues during our test period. The Knack's toggle is spacious, as well, though it could be just a bit more tactile. On the downside, however, the central OK button is almost too small. The SCH-U310's keypad buttons have large numbers with a bright backlighting. Given their large size and tactile definition we had no problems dialing, testing quickly, or dialing by feel.
Features
The Knack has a 500-contact phone book with room in each entry for four phone numbers. There's no space for extraneous information like e-mail addresses or job titles, but that's perfectly fine on a basic phone like this. You can't set caller groups, which is a bit of a disappointment, but you can pair individual contacts with one of 23, 32-chord polyphonic ringtones.
Other features on the SCH-U310 include a vibrate mode, text messaging, a calendar, an alarm clock, a calculator, a world clock, a stopwatch, a tip calculator, a unit and currency converter, and a speakerphone. There's no Bluetooth but the Knack offers speaker-independent voice dialing.
You can personalize the Knack with a variety of banners, wallpapers, and alert tones. There's no Web browser, so you can't download additional options. Though we understand the omission of the browser, it would be nice to have it just the same. The SCH-U310 doesn't come with any games.
Performance
We tested the dualband (CDMA 800/1900) Samsung Knack SCH-U310 in San Francisco using Verizon Wireless service. Call quality was very good by all accounts. The signal was clear and free of static, the volume was loud and voices sounded sharp and natural. Indeed, we had no complaints, and callers had only positive things to say. They could hear and understand us nearly all of the time and a few couldn't even tell we were using a cell phone. It was only when we were talking in a store with a loud PA system that callers had trouble with the connection. Automated-calling systems had trouble understanding us under the same conditions. The Knack is compatible with M4/T4 hearing aids.
Speakerphone calls were almost as satisfactory. The volume on our end was very loud, even though the speaker faces the rear of the phone. Voices sounded a bit tinny, but that's not unusual. On their end, callers reported few problems, as long as we were using the speakerphone in a quiet room.
The Knack has a rated battery life of 4.5 hours talk time and 14 days standby time. It has a tested talk time of 4 hours and 37 minutes. According to FCC radiation tests, the SCH-U310 has a digital SAR of 1.14 watts per kilogram.
User reviews
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Good solid phone
by kamarokrazy on October 22, 2008
Pros: Feels well built and sound quality is excellent. Display is easy to read and well laid out. Buttons are large and easy to use for large fingers. Buttons on side for common features are easy to find and use.
Cons: The "OK" button and rocker are a little cramped, as mentioned in cnet review. No bluetooth
Summary: If you're looking for a cell phone to talk on, it's great. The menu system is a piece of cake. The sound quality is top notch. If you'...
Summary: If you're looking for a cell phone to talk on, it's great. The menu system is a piece of cake. The sound quality is top notch. If you're 40-something like myself you'll appreciate the large screen and buttons as well. I used a Treo at my job for 3 years and hated having to put on reading glasses just to make a call. This is a really nice telephone - if you want to play games, surf the web, or most other things that weigh most cell phones down, then look elsewhere. This phone won't be popular with kids. If you need a phone that is small but present, clarity in your conversations, and occasional text messaging, then this little number does the trick with ease. It even comes with a small dock for charging, if you want to use it - A thoughtful addition. I also appreciated the salesperson at Verizon listening to what I wanted and showing me this phone first. A $40 phone nestled in between several others costing much more, yet he showed me what i was looking for and not what he could sell me. The phone can only be as good as the provider, so I am happy and impressed all the way around.
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Super for older and nontechie folks.
by ltss3yr2 on February 14, 2009
Pros: PERFECT for my 85 yr old mother and my younger nontechie husband! My mother can SEE THE KEYS! The voice commands work perfectly, and the different ringtones are still available for different people, which is good.
Cons: Will miss Bluetooth for joining to our Garmin, but that's all and my husband counts the phone well worth that!
Summary: The clarity of the displays is first rate. I stayed with my higher-end cellphone with bells and whistles I like and have to admit I too would love to have ...
Summary: The clarity of the displays is first rate. I stayed with my higher-end cellphone with bells and whistles I like and have to admit I too would love to have the kind of display of contacts and menu features available on this simple, elegant Samsung. My husband acts like he just swallowed the canary. And my mother's hearing aids are no longer an impediment for her.
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good phone - no frills
by MrPeterkins on December 15, 2008
Pros: I bought this for my elderly father. He likes the utilitarian nature of the phone, the call and voice quality, and misses none of the features often found at this price point save for Bluetooth. A corded earpiece will work just fine though.
Cons: Ringer volume not loud enough on any of the provided ringtones. OK and surrounding rocker buttons are cramped. Side volume rocker is positioned so that opening or simply holding the phone one will often inadvertently turn down the ringer volume.
Summary: I bought this for my elderly father. He likes the utility, the very good call and voice quality, and even the heft of the phone. I just wish phone manufacturers ...
Summary: I bought this for my elderly father. He likes the utility, the very good call and voice quality, and even the heft of the phone. I just wish phone manufacturers would spend more time getting the ergonomics and functionality right, and less time spewing out a frantic parade of new models. In that same vein, My father's major complaint is that the ringer simply isn't loud enough. For an elderly person with typically compromised hearing, this is a major issue.
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Phone became available on Verizon, Oct. 2008.
by lindamdup on October 20, 2008
Pros: The phone has worked fine on the Verizon nework in Houston. I like the ease of use and basic phone style. The buttons large, sound is good. The inside screen is large and easy to read. I love the cradle charger.
Cons: The OK button is a little small. There is a poor selection of ring or music tones. I would like to have seen a variety of colors available. Goes on roam inside school classrooms.
Summary: I'm very happy with this phone.... so far since I've only had it a little more than a week.
Summary: I'm very happy with this phone.... so far since I've only had it a little more than a week.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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samsung knave awesome
by darc on October 24, 2008
Pros: loudringers, loud volume earpieceand speaker ,huge fonts feels really solid. Now this is a BASIC cellphone no frills .
Cons: none that I can think of.
Summary: This is the beast basic cellphone to hit the market in a long time finally a phone co understands the some people dont want any bells and whistles just good ...
Summary: This is the beast basic cellphone to hit the market in a long time finally a phone co understands the some people dont want any bells and whistles just good call quality volume and fonts you can read.
3 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Does not work with Verizon network
by littlej2003 on October 17, 2008
Pros: I loved the idea of a simple phone: no extra features that I won't use, just make calls with good sound quality. I wasn't able to test the sound quality, but the design of the phone looked very nice, and the interface seemed quite good.
Cons: The phone does not work, at least on Verizon. You can't make outgoing calls. I called Verzion, they had other reports of the same problem and said they had reported the issue to Samsung.
Summary: After activating the phone, I couldn't make outgoing calls. I would get a Verzion error message recording. I called VZW support, and they re-activated it and were able to ...
Summary: After activating the phone, I couldn't make outgoing calls. I would get a Verzion error message recording. I called VZW support, and they re-activated it and were able to make a test call to me, so they said it was fixed. But I still couldn't make outgoing calls, so he sent me up to a second support person. They couldn't fix it, and after looking through their system saw that they had a few other support calls logged with the same issue on this model of phone. They said they had contacted Samsung about the issue. I asked if this was likely to get resolved soon, or if I should just pick another phone, and the support person (very diplomatically) suggested that I probably want to just look into another phone model.
Bottom line: do not buy this phone, until Verizon or Samsung says they've fixed the problem. It's frustrating to me that they were still selling it if it's a known issue. It's really too bad, because it looked like I was going to like the phone a lot.4 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
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phone locks up cannot make or recive calls
by thomasls on March 9, 2009
Pros: love the large display and adjustable font size. very simple and easy to use. would be great for a non techie or elderly person.
Cons: This phone would be great if Samsung or Verizon could figure out why it locks up.
Summary: My husband bought this phone late December and has been back to VZW twice. The first time the phone locked up and he was unable to call out unless he ...
Summary: My husband bought this phone late December and has been back to VZW twice. The first time the phone locked up and he was unable to call out unless he removed the battery. He took it to a VZW store and they supposedly "fixed" it. The phone still locked up only the second time he couldn't recieve or make calls. He took the phone in a second time and it was replaced with the same model. He has had the phone 2 days and it is still has the same issue. The people at VZW are very helpful but they can't fix the phone. Hopefully Samsung will realize there is problem with this model
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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All verizon phones have the same problem.
by samandjoeshow on January 15, 2009
Pros: Good sound quality.
Cons: The problem with this phone is that Verizon does not allow you to sync it up with your computer so that you can keep all addresses and calendar appointments updated. Why? Because they want you to buy ringtones and art work etc. from Verizon.
Summary: Don't use Verizon.
Summary: Don't use Verizon.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I think this phone is terrible.
by JordaanBrown on December 3, 2009
Pros: It's small and lightweight. It's one of the cheapest phones you can get. Good if you're on a budget and/or all you care about is placing/receiving calls.
Cons: Texting is really slow. It has almost no extra features and the default ring-tones are terrible. There's no camera either. It's way too basic for my taste.
Summary: Bottom-line, the only people who are going to buy this phone is someone who doesn't want to spend a lot or is an old person.
Summary: Bottom-line, the only people who are going to buy this phone is someone who doesn't want to spend a lot or is an old person.
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Neither phone I got works right!
by lixiwei on November 23, 2009
Pros: It was free. That's the only pro. Guess you get what you pay for.
Cons: Two-hundred-fifty characters are just not enough.
Summary: Where to begin? Each and every ring tone is as ugly as each and every kid in my 8th grade class photo. There are only three alarm choices and the ...
Summary: Where to begin? Each and every ring tone is as ugly as each and every kid in my 8th grade class photo. There are only three alarm choices and the best of those is entitled "Belly Dance." My God, I'm a 55-year-old woman and, trust me, you do NOT want to see me do a belly dance. But by far the most heinous transgression of what I thought would be an easy-to-operate, basic phone with no bells and whistles, is that (after exchanging my first phone, whose alarm would magically turn itself off apparently as the mood took it) my SECOND phone does the same thing! And I depend on it to take medication. As a matter of fact, it just did it again and I am so hacked off I decided to add my two cents' worth. Do NOT buy this phone. Do NOT even let Samsung pay you to take one off their hands. It's the worst.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Samsung
- Part number: SCHU310BLKVZW
- Description: The Samsung Knack lets you get all kinds of things done faster. The distinctive keypad lets you move around faster. Dedicated hot keys let you dial important numbers faster. The big, clear display and larger fonts let you read information faster. And this phone is so good looking and smartly designed, you'll choose to buy it faster. Get the Knack. Get faster.
General
- Product Type Cellular phone
- Service Provider Verizon Wireless
- Width 2 in
- Depth 0.7 in
- Height 3.8 in
- Weight 3.6 oz
- Body Color Black
Cellular
- Technology CDMA2000 1X
- Band CDMA2000 1X 1900/800
- Phone Design Folder type phone
- Antenna Internal
- Vibrating Alert Yes
- Polyphonic Ringer Yes
- Call Timer Yes
- Conference Call Capability Yes
- Voice Recorder Yes
- Caller ID Yes
- Speakerphone Yes
- Additional Features World clock, TTY compatible, E-911 compliant, Intelligent typing (T9)
Phone Memory
- Phone Book Capacity 500 names & numbers
Messaging & Data Services
- Short Messaging Service (SMS) Yes
- Internet Browser Yes
- Messaging / Data Features Text messages, Enhanced messaging service (EMS), Voice mail
Ring Tones
- Polyphonic Ring Tone Voice Qty 32
Organizer
- Alarm Clock Yes
- Calendar Yes
- Reminder Yes
- Calculator Basic
- Conversion Metric, Currency
- Additional Timer Functions Stopwatch
Display
- Type LCD display
- Technology TFT
- Display Resolution 176 x 220 pixels
- Diagonal Size 2.2 in
- Color Support Color
- Color Depth 16-bit (65000 colors)
- Multi-language Menu Yes
- Display Languages English, Spanish
- Features Backlit, Wallpaper
Display (2nd)
- Type LCD display - Monochrome
- Display Resolution 96 x 96 pixels
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Headset jack - Sub-mini-phone 2.5 mm
Miscellaneous
- Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
- Included Accessories Battery, Charging cradle, Wall charger
Power
- Type Charging stand + power adapter
Battery
- Technology - Lithium ion
- Capacity 1000 mAh
- Talk Time Up to 270 min
- Standby Time Up to 336 h
Manufacturer info
- Samsung
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Samsung products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.samsungusa.com/
- Address:
105 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660 - Phone: 1-800-726-7864
- Fax: 1-973-601-6001
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