Samsung SGH-T229 - red (T-Mobile)
Manufacturer: Samsung Part number: SHGT229REDTMB
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Samsung SGH-T229 has unique design touches and pleasant call quality but it wouldn't be our first choice for a low-end T-Mobile camera phone.
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CNET editors' review
Samsung SGH-T229 - red (T-Mobile) price range: $9.99
- Reviewed by: Kent German
- Reviewed on: 06/23/2008
- Released on: 06/16/2008
The good: The Samsung SGH-T229 has satisfying call quality and a decent feature set that includes Bluetooth and a speakerphone.
The bad: The Samsung SGH-T229's displays and keypad are disappointing. Also, its camera does not record videos and photo quality was poor.
The bottom line: The Samsung SGH-T229 has unique design touches and pleasant call quality but it wouldn't be our first choice for a low-end T-Mobile camera phone.
If a U.S. carrier offers a basic camera phone these days, chances are that it's from Samsung. Over the past year, particularly during the autumn of 2007, the manufacturer released a deluge of such models, with more than a few landing at T-Mobile. Now we greet the latest model out of Samsung's reservoir, the SGH-T229. Available with T-Mobile (who else?), the SGH-T229 has a standard feature set and a slightly quirky design. Call quality was decent, but the camera was rather unimpressive. The T229 is $299.99 with service or just $99.99 if you pay full price. While either price is a bargain, we'd prefer the Nokia 3555.
Design
Though the SGH-T229's feature set is hardly unique, its design shows a few unique touches. Its front flap is bright red, while its rear face is basic silver. It's an odd combination in our opinion; we'd prefer that Samsung wrapped the entire handset in red. The external display is set slightly off center, which we've never seen before. We can take or leave such an arrangement. It doesn't hamper the phone's usability but it certainly makes the T229 stand out. We'll leave any strict judgments up to you. The monochrome display is rather small but it shows the date, time, battery life, and signal strength. Photo caller ID isn't supported, but you can use the screen as a view finder for self-portraits. You can change the contrast, but no other options are customizable.
The flip phone T229 makes a slight effort to be thin, but at 3.6 inches tall by 1.9 inches wide by 0.8 inch thick, and 3.3 ounces, it ends up having an average size. The camera lens sits just above the external display. There's no self-portrait mirror, but the display is rather reflective when the backlighting is off. A volume rocker sits on the phone's left spine, while a camera shutter and phone's headset jack/charger port rests on its right spine.
The internal display isn't the best we've seen. It supports just 65,536 colors (160x128 pixels) and it's rather small (1.7 inches) for the phone's size. Graphics weren't sharp and colors were washed out much of the time. We had the most trouble in the menus; though the interface was intuitive, the icons lacked clear definition. You can change the display's brightness, contrast, backlighting time, dialing font size and color, and the menu font style and color. Like the external display, the internal screen has a mirrored border.
The keypad and navigation controls were a mixed bag. The gray color that covers most of the controls doesn't blend well with the phone's red interior and most of the buttons are completely flush. The Clear control and the center column on the numeric keypad are slightly recessed but otherwise the controls lack real definition. The navigation array consists of a square toggle with a central OK button, two soft keys, the Talk and End/power controls, and the aforementioned Clear button. On the upside, the array is quite spacious and the toggle is bright silver. You can program the toggle to give one-touch access to four user-defined functions.
Features
The Samsung T229 has a 1,000-contact phone book with room in each entry for five phone numbers, an e-mail address, and notes. You can save callers to groups and pair them with a photo and one of 15 polyphonic ringtones. Other essentials include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, an alarm clock, a task list, a notepad, a calculator, a stopwatch, a timer, a unit converter, PC syncing, a world clock, and a tip calculator. You'll also find Bluetooth, a speakerphone, and instant messaging.
The T229's VGA megapixel camera takes in pictures in four resolutions. Editing options include a night mode, brightness and white balance settings, exposure metering, a 4x zoom, three shutter sounds, and 28 fun frames. The T229 doesn't record video, but you can take audio postcards, a photo with a sound file attached, that you can send to friends. The postcard comes in a special frame with a postmark graphic. Photo quality was disappointing, even for a VGA camera. Our shots were fuzzy and the colors were washed out.
You can personalize the T229 with a variety of wallpaper, color themes, and greeting messages. You can download more options from T-Mobile's t-zones service with the WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser. The T229 comes with three demo games--Forgotten Warrrior, Bubble Beach and Midnight Pool-- you'll have to buy the full versions for extended play.
Performance
We tested the tri-band (GSM 850/1800/1900) in San Francisco using T-Mobile service. Call quality was fairly good overall, though some voices sounded rather mechanical. The volume also could be a touch higher. When we were speaking in very noisy environments, we had some trouble hearing. On their end, callers could hear us well enough, though some reported a slight buzzing in the background. All callers could tell we were using a cell phone. Speakerphone calls were quite decent. The volume level and clarity on both ends was satisfying and automated calling systems could understand us. It's best if you use the speakerphone in a quiet place. We had no trouble getting a signal, but we're disappointed that T-Mobile seems to have turned away from offering full quad-band world phones.
The Samsung SGH-T229 has a rated of 0.383 watts per kilogram.
User reviews
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disappointed
by Christy117 on August 10, 2009
Pros: Nice design. Sound clarity is good. Price was cheap.
Cons: Bluetooth is not compatible with Mac. Purchased USB data cable to find it's only good on Mac for charging not data transfer. Pictures not clear. Menu navigation could be better. Preloaded ringtones stink.
Summary: I lost my previous phone (Motorola V195) and didn't have time to research for a new phone. If I had I would not have purchased this phone. Since incompatibility ...
Summary: I lost my previous phone (Motorola V195) and didn't have time to research for a new phone. If I had I would not have purchased this phone. Since incompatibility with Mac computer the camera feature is useless. I love ringtones & cannot transfer the ones I already had to the new one.
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'Low-end' is the only way to describe this phone.
by shandragetsinnocuous on August 4, 2009
Pros: Good call quality, the red is a rather nice color, ringtones play nice and loud through the speaker, integrated AIM support
Cons: Dropped calls right and left, keypad is not very pressure-sensitive, low-quality inner and outer display, poor camera, ugly user interface
Summary: I got the Samsung SGH-T229 out of desperation after accidentally causing irreparable damage to my Nokia 5310 XpressMusic, which rendered me phone-less and needing one within days.
For the money, ...Summary: I got the Samsung SGH-T229 out of desperation after accidentally causing irreparable damage to my Nokia 5310 XpressMusic, which rendered me phone-less and needing one within days.
For the money, sure, the phone does what it needs to do--calls people, sends messages. For the $80-something I paid, I wouldn't expect any bells and whistles. But I did find this phone disappointing on many fronts.
The call quality is great--when you can actually make a call. I don't know if it's a particular problem with Samsungs (the next phone I purchased, a Samsung T429, experienced the same problem tenfold), or just with T-Mobile, or what, but I couldn't get reception in my school, in most grocery stores, at the mall, or more than five miles outside the nearest city, which was intensely frustrating.
Another thing I really didn't like about the T229 was its keypad. It wasn't really very pressure-sensitive, leading to much slower sending of messages than I had become accustomed to with my Nokia 5310. After awhile, I acclimatized to it, but it was still slightly inconvenient.
The display and camera on the phone are both very poor quality, but those would probably count as the aforementioned "bells and whistles" that were cut from the phone. The camera worked okay under bright light or outside in the sun, but in a normally-lit room, the majority of pictures had an odd yellowish or reddish tinge to them. Additionally, the small outer screen is supposed to be able to be used to be able to line up self-portraits, but I could never see it well enough in the light that was the necessary strength to get a good picture.
I loved the integrated AIM support (although I am sure that, by now, this feature is included on the majority of T-Mobile phones), but the keypad made sending messages in a timely manner somewhat difficult.
All in all, this is not the worst phone I've ever had, and it'll do in a pinch if you're utterly desperate for a new phone under $100, but if you have the time to shop around, there are better entry-level phones out there. -
A good phone to use as a phone
by Dreamtymj on May 6, 2009
Pros: Good voice quality and a speakerphone loud enough to be heard in noisy environments. Good reception even in fringe areas with 1 bar or less. Haven't dropped a call yet (which I can't say for several previous phones on various different networks).
Cons: Coming from a series of phones by another manufacturer, the menus took a bit of getting used to. The camera is not the best but will do to take pictures of the fender bender you just had because you were distracted by talking on your phone.
Summary: Reviews these days seem to concentrate on which of the latest gizmos are included in a particular phone's feature set. Let's not lose track of the fact that ...
Summary: Reviews these days seem to concentrate on which of the latest gizmos are included in a particular phone's feature set. Let's not lose track of the fact that this is a phone primarily to make voice calls. Yes, you can text with it, play games etc. but that's not its primary purpose. As an inexpensive, quality handset for making and receiving voice calls, this unit is difficult to beat.
The display may not be the largest, but it is large enough and contrasty enough that you can actually see the numbers you are dialing even in bright sunlight.
I tend to use this phone a lot in the server room (with racks of equipment roaring in my ear) and the volume on the speakerphone still makes my caller quite intelligible.
The combination of a contrasty and legible display, a speakerphone capable of being heard in high noise environments and the sensitivity to send and receive calls in fringe reception areas make this phone a winner in my book. -
pretty good phone
by mudslinger83 on November 24, 2008
Pros: love the red color, reception, bluetooth, call quality, camera, sound quality, battery life
Cons: camera is very disappointing, internal display is low res, needs micro sd
Summary: overall its a nice phone with a good price tag, paid 90 bucks for it retail price which to me is worth it, internal screen display is very bad for ...
Summary: overall its a nice phone with a good price tag, paid 90 bucks for it retail price which to me is worth it, internal screen display is very bad for samsung ive seen a lot better, one of my favs bout the phone is the red color it just stands out, speaker ringtone and call quality to me are great, always a clear call with no static, ringtones can be heard nice and clear and speakerphone is decent, camera is terrible but whatever, like i say on every review i believe almost every cell phone should have a memory card slot for extra storage but thats just my opinion, web is pretty fast its a nice option, and you shouldnt have any problems with the battery cover coming of if you drop it cause it snaps in very secure, but its a pretty decent phone overall, so there is my review
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great for a basic phone
by iruka* on November 5, 2008
Pros: red, keypad/navigation, size
Cons: interface, photo quality, no music
Summary: It's a really great phone for those who use it mainly for just calling. I really loved the red and didn't mind the silver on the back since ...
Summary: It's a really great phone for those who use it mainly for just calling. I really loved the red and didn't mind the silver on the back since I'm used to that from Samsung. The battery cover was pretty sturdy and the hinge was pretty good, too.
I love the keypad since it wasn't entirely flat and the middle column was recessed. All the buttons were a decent size.
The external display really bothered me though. Next to the fact that it's monochrome (which I don't really mind), it's off center. It gave me a weird feeling, looking at an off center display. But it's nice that it also works as a viewfinder.
The resolution was so noticeably low. The graphics didn't come out that great and the colors just didn't pop. Also, the camera wasn't the best, either. Photo quality was low-ok.
For someone like me, I'd think twice before getting this, but if you're someone who just needs it to call, then definitely get this.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Samsung
- Part number: SHGT229REDTMB
- Description: You have friends, you have co-workers, you have family. Well, if you have the Samsung t229, you'll be in touch with all of them. And you'll do it in style. This stylish red beauty has all the messaging options you need - and a bunch of other stuff. There's text messaging and Instant Messaging, of course. But there's also a camera, web browser, games, myFaves and the good looks people will notice. This phone is you.
General
- Product Type Cellular phone With digital camera
- Service Provider T-Mobile
- Width 1.9 in
- Depth 0.8 in
- Height 3.5 in
- Weight 3 oz
- Body Color Red
Cellular
- Technology GSM
- Band GSM 850/1800/1900 (Tri-Band)
- Phone Design Folder type phone
- Antenna Internal
- Vibrating Alert Yes
- Polyphonic Ringer Yes
- Call Timer Yes
- Conference Call Capability 6-way
- Caller ID Yes
- Wireless Interface Bluetooth
- Speech Codec FR, AMR, EFR
- Additional Features Intelligent typing (T9)
Phone Memory
- Phone Book Capacity 1000 names & numbers
- SIM Card Based Directory 250 names & numbers
- Missed Calls Memory 20
- Dialed Calls Memory 20
- Received Calls Memory 20
Messaging & Data Services
- Short Messaging Service (SMS) Yes
- Messaging Services ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger Service (AIM), Windows Live Messenger (MSN Messenger)
- Internet Browser Yes
- JAVA applications Yes
- Messaging / Data Features Text messages
Multimedia Features
- Downloadable Content Games, Sounds and voices, Wallpapers
Digital Camera
- Sensor Resolution 0.3 megapixels
- Digital Zoom 4
Organizer
- Alarm Clock Yes
- Calendar Yes
- Reminder Yes
- Calculator Basic
Display
- Type LCD display
- Technology CSTN
- Display Resolution 128 x 160 pixels
- Color Depth 16-bit (65000 colors)
- Multi-language Menu Yes
- Display Languages French, English, Spanish
Display (2nd)
- Type Monochrome
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Battery, desktop charger, Headset
Power
- Type Power adapter
Battery
- Technology - Lithium ion
- Capacity 800 mAh
- Talk Time Up to 360 min
- Standby Time Up to 192 h
Accessories
- Samsung WEP170 Bluetooth headset (31995318)20.00
- Samsung WEP870 (33769487)39.95 - 54.03
- Samsung WEP200 Bluetooth Headset (black) (31995314)21.35 - 41.94
- Jabra BT8010 Stereo/Mono Bluetooth Headset (32327768)18.99
- Motorola S9 Bluetooth Active Headphones (red) (32363768)38.99 - 45.99
- Samsung WT17200000136 - case for cellular phone (33560848)9.44
Manufacturer info
- Samsung
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Samsung products on Shopper.com
-
- 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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