Go to Windows 7 Insider GuideSamsung SGH-T639 (T-Mobile)
Manufacturer: Samsung Part number: SGH-t639
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Though it's not 3G quite yet, the Samsung SGH-T639 is a satisfying midrange phone in the meantime.
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CNET editors' review
Samsung SGH-T639 (T-Mobile) price range: $0.00
- Reviewed by: Kent German
- Reviewed on: 10/22/2007
The good: The Samsung SGH-T639 has decent call quality and a solid feature set including Bluetooth, a speakerphone, and a music player.
The bad: The Samsung SGH-T639 has flat controls and a sensitive audio sweet spot. Also, it lacks voice commands, and its 3G services are not yet operable.
The bottom line: Though it's not 3G quite yet, the Samsung SGH-T639 is a satisfying midrange phone in the meantime.
When is a 3G cell phone not a 3G cell phone? Apparently, when it's the Samsung SGH-T639. Though the handset has long been rumored to be T-Mobile's first 3G device, Samsung is not listing wireless broadband among the SGH-T639's specifications. But on the other hand, T-Mobile is indeed pushing the handset as a 3G device, which is odd considering that T-Mobile has yet to launch its 3G network. When we asked T-Mobile representatives for a clarification, they responded by saying the SGH-T639 is a 3G-capable handset that is positioned to be among the first devices to take advantage of a future UMTS network. Well, that explains it.
But 3G or not, the SGH-T639 is a megapixel camera phone with midrange features like Bluetooth and a music player. Its flip-phone design is taken straight from Alltel's Samsung Hue (or maybe it's the other way around) and its call quality was decent.
Design
As mentioned earlier, the SGH-T639 shares its design with the Samsung Hue SCR-R500. Both handsets show a two-toned design, though the SGH-T639's replaces the Hue's red stripes with dark blue. The SGH-T639 also shares the Hue's dimensions (3.72 inches by 1.95 inches by 0.66 inch; 3.34 ounces) while its vertical external display, camera lens, self-portrait mirror, and side controls are unchanged as well. See our Hue review for more information.
The 2.12-inch internal display (262,000 colors; 220x176 pixels) remains just as bright, but it allows you a few more editing options. You can alter the font, size, text, and type, and you can change the backlighting. Also, unlike the Hue you can change the font color on the external display. The navigation controls and keypad buttons also show a similar design, though T-Mobile altered the shortcut controls. Instead of a voice-dialing control and a speakerphone shortcut, the SGH-T639 has a Web browser key and a dedicated control button for accessing a user-programmable shortcuts menu. Otherwise, the navigation array is the same. There's a four-way toggle with a central OK button, two soft keys, the Talk and End controls, and a Clear key. The keypad buttons also show no differences from the Hue. They're large and brightly backlit but equally flush with the phone's surface.
Features
The Hue has a 1,000-contact phone book (twice as large as on the Hue) with room in each entry for five phone numbers, two e-mail addresses, two Web addresses, an instant messaging handle, a nickname, a birthday, a company name and job title, two street addresses, and notes. You can save contacts to caller groups, and for caller ID you can assign a photo and one of 21 polyphonic ringtones. Just remember the photo doesn't show up on the external display. The SGH-T639 also supports T-Mobile's myFaves feature, which gives you unlimited calling minutes to any five numbers on any network, even landlines. And for safekeeping, you can sync your contacts with T-Mobile's servers.
Basic features include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, an alarm clock, a calendar, task list, a notepad, a calculator, a voice recorder, a world clock, a stopwatch, a timer, a unit converter, and a tip calculator. Bluetooth is also onboard, as is a speakerphone, though the SGH-T639 lacks the voice commands found on the Hue.
The Hue's 1.3-megapixel camera takes pictures in five resolutions, from 1280x1024 down to a 240x1280. You're provided a fair number of photo-editing choices including three color effects, 20 fun frames, a self-timer, spot metering, a night mode, three shutter sounds, four quality settings, adjustable brightness and white balance, multishot and mosaic shot options, and a digital zoom. The camera menus are well-designed and you can select from three shutter sounds, but you can't turn it off completely.
The camcorder offers a similar set of editing options. Clips meant for multimedia messages are capped at 13 seconds; otherwise you can record for as long as the available memory permits. The SGH-T639 offers 30MB of shared memory, which is less than half of the Hue's storage space. That's not a lot, so we suggest you invest in a microSD card. The camera offers relatively good photo quality. Our only complaint was that the images had a yellow tint.
You can personalize the SGH-T639 with a display wallpaper, a greeting message, and an alert tone. You can always download more options from T-Mobile via the WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser. For playtime you only get demo versions of two games: Platinum Sudoku and Lumnies Mobile. You'll have to buy the full versions for extended play. The SGH-T639 also offers a music player, which is close to the player on the Hue. Presently, you'll have to transfer music onto the phone using a USB cable or a memory card, but that might change once T-Mobile activates its 3G network.
Performance
We tested the SGH-T639 in San Francisco using T-Mobile service. Call quality was generally solid. The volume level was loud enough and our signal was clear and free of static. Voices warbled occasionally, as they did in the Hue, but it wasn't enough to be distracting. Our only other complaint is that the SGH-T639 has a sensitive sweet spot, which is something we didn't notice on the Alltel handset. If the phone was next to our ear, we could hear well, but if we moved it just a little bit, the sound faded. On their end, callers said we sounded fine. They could hear us well, though some said we sounded a bit tinny, and we had no trouble being understood by voice automated systems.
The Samsung SGH-T639 has a rated battery life of 4 hours talk time and 10.4 days standby time. We managed to get a talk time of 5 hours and 22 minutes.
User reviews
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Not bad for a free phone.
by NoodlesMcGee on August 20, 2008
Pros: Changeable face-plates are neat, and the camera works very well for not having a flash. Call quality is better than some.
Cons: Various small annoyances, with a major battery problem.
Summary: My family recently qualified for three free 639's when we re-upped our contract with T-Mobile. We've all found a few things we like better than our old Samsung ...
Summary: My family recently qualified for three free 639's when we re-upped our contract with T-Mobile. We've all found a few things we like better than our old Samsung clamshells, with a few major faults. The most painful of these is the battery life.
With my old E-100, I could expect around 4 or 5 solid hours of talk time; with the 639, I am lucky to reach 2.5. Also, the "low battery" tone only sounds when the phone is pretty much dead. Those of you who are accustomed to having 20 minutes or so of talk time in which to find the nearest charger will be disappointed to see that you now have less than 2. I didn't have enough time to walk across my bedroom, pick up my charger, and plug it back in near my bed before the phone died.
This is a shame, because while the phone is running, it does a very nice job. I have never had a dropped call with it, and no matter the signal level, it maintains acceptable or better call clarity. If not for the battery issue, this would be a great phone, but as it stands, it is significantly flawed by a critical component not doing half the job it promised.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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this phone face plates slide off.and you can not set bluetoothed ringtones and a message tone.
by cameronseaman on August 7, 2008
Pros: this phone face plates slide off.and you can not set bluetoothed ringtones and a message tone.
Cons: this phone face plates slide off.and you can not set bluetoothed ringtones and a message tone.
Summary: not a phone for me
Summary: not a phone for me
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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A Very Worthy Phone
by oakdale_dude on March 3, 2008
Pros: Easy To Use, Good Features, Music Player
Cons: No voice dialing
Summary: I recently picked this phone up as a T-Mobile Ugrade. It's a really nice, functional phone. It has a nice feature set that is straightforward and easy to use. ...
Summary: I recently picked this phone up as a T-Mobile Ugrade. It's a really nice, functional phone. It has a nice feature set that is straightforward and easy to use. All of the features work well together to provide a good cell phone experience. The call quality is good on this phone, which is something i've learned to expect from Samsung Handsets.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I Love this phone...
by Chachaj1 on February 26, 2008
Pros: Stylish and a great phone for the money
Cons: Difficult to program features
Summary: I have always been a Nokia fan until now! This phone is so super cool. Once I figued out that in order to set a caller ring tone the number ...
Summary: I have always been a Nokia fan until now! This phone is so super cool. Once I figued out that in order to set a caller ring tone the number had to be saved to the phone memory not the SIM card memory and I could only use MP3 files every thing has been super! Oh, and the software is hidden away on the Samsung website...it is called "Studio 3". I have less dropped calls and the earbud is fabulous, it will redial the last number called! Thank you so much T-Mobile for offering such a great deal on a super phone...finaly!!!! Did I mention how much fun it is to have a different colored phone to suit you mood or outfit? The four faceplate colors that come with the phone are so sweet!
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Either T-639 is junk or it's T-Mobile
by ladont on August 30, 2009
Pros: Phone is almost free.
Cons: Phone has not worked since day one.
Summary: When anyone is on the phone with my wife, you hear a clicking noise every few seconds. That's the way it has been since day one. T-Mobile will replace ...
Summary: When anyone is on the phone with my wife, you hear a clicking noise every few seconds. That's the way it has been since day one. T-Mobile will replace IF I PAY SHIPPING AND HANDLING of $10.00. They send trash and then want you to pay?
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OK phone, volume could be louder,sweet spot is annoying
by Catruck on January 16, 2009
Pros: I like the design and changeable face plates. Very durable-it's been dropped a lot on the concrete. The inside screen is bright and colorful. Takes pretty decent pictures and has a micro sd slot. Easy to manuver and good battery life.
Cons: Call volume is not very good, my husband has an older cheap looking samsung and his call volume is terrific. I have a hard time hearing if I am in the car, even with the windows up. It also has a sweet spot which is annoying.
Summary: Overall this is a decent well made phone, better volume and lack of a sweet spot would make this a great phone. These are my only two issues with the ...
Summary: Overall this is a decent well made phone, better volume and lack of a sweet spot would make this a great phone. These are my only two issues with the phone. I am looking forward to my next phone which hopefully I won't have to deal with these two issues.
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Average performance
Pros: Appearance, design.
Cons: Hard to hear. Especially outside with street noise. Review hit it on the head - definite sweet spot for audio or you cannot hear well.
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Horrificly bad phone
by da90027 on September 3, 2008
Pros: Easy to use camera
Cons: poor sound quality and color changing covers never fit right.
Summary: Awful phone. The easy to use camera is the ONLY good feature. Poor sound quality, callers are hard to hear, when dialing it takes a long time to connect. I ...
Summary: Awful phone. The easy to use camera is the ONLY good feature. Poor sound quality, callers are hard to hear, when dialing it takes a long time to connect. I want to drop this in the nearest toilet.
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Very good phone
by a.morrison on August 11, 2008
Pros: stylish, no problems
Cons: menus hard to navigate
Summary: I really like my phone, one of the best I've had. The only problem is I wish the camera quality was a little better and I found the menus ...
Summary: I really like my phone, one of the best I've had. The only problem is I wish the camera quality was a little better and I found the menus hard to use. I got use to them after awhile.
After several months, I have found this phone to be one of the best I've had until it died recently (partially my fault). Much easier to use than the crappy Motorola I just got and much better graphics than most phones at the same price. So sorry they don't carry it anymore.
Updated on Apr 9, 2009 -
This Phone Is Bad
by lindarenee63 on June 8, 2008
Pros: Looks good
Cons: Many dropped & interrupted calls
Summary: In the past, I have had several cell phones from LG and Nokia and RARELY had any problems with reception or dropped calls. The T639 has been a nightmare for ...
Summary: In the past, I have had several cell phones from LG and Nokia and RARELY had any problems with reception or dropped calls. The T639 has been a nightmare for me. When on the phone, the conversation is interrupted in that you only get part of the words being spoken. I have had many calls just disconnected without any warning. The call will be very clear and all of a sudden nothing. The call is disconnected. I call back and the same thing happens. Unfortunately, I have a friend who is dying of cancer and now is unable to talk, and when we were still able to talk on the phone, the calls were many times disconnected or you couldn't make out the conversation because of the dropped words. Would definitely not recommend this phone. Unfortunately, it has left me with a negative view of Samsung products as a whole. I realize that all Samsung products aren't bad, but right now it is influencing me as far as buying other products made by Samsung.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Samsung
- Part number: SGH-t639
- Description: The t639 offers stylish interchangeable faceplates available in Navy, Red, Aqua, and Olive. Store additional pictures, videos, and songs with the phone's removable microSD memory card. 1. Take and share high-quality photos with the Hue's digital camera. Add a little fun with its built-in camcorder.
General
- Product Type Cellular phone With digital camera
- Service Provider T-Mobile
- Width 1.5 in
- Depth 0.7 in
- Height 3.7 in
- Weight 3.2 oz
Cellular
- Technology GSM
- Band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (Quadband)
- Phone Design Folder type phone
- Vibrating Alert Yes
- Polyphonic Ringer Yes
- Call Timer Yes
- Conference Call Capability Yes
- Voice Recorder Yes
- Caller ID Yes
- Speakerphone Yes
- Wireless Interface Bluetooth
- Additional Features Video clip recording, Intelligent typing (T9)
Communicator Features
- User Memory 30 MB
Phone Memory
- Phone Book Capacity 1000 names & numbers
Messaging & Data Services
- Short Messaging Service (SMS) Yes
- GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Yes - Class 10
- Internet Browser Yes
- WAP Protocol Supported WAP 2.0
- JAVA applications Yes
- Messaging / Data Features Text messages, Multimedia messages (MMS), XHTML Browser, WAP Push
Ring Tones
- Polyphonic Ring Tone Voice Qty 64
- Ring Tone Formats MP3, MIDI
Multimedia Features
- Downloadable Content Games, Ring tones, Wallpapers, Video files, Screensavers
Digital Camera
- Sensor Resolution 1.3 megapixels
Organizer
- Alarm Clock Yes
- Calendar Yes
- Reminder Yes
- Calculator Basic
- Conversion Currency
Display
- Type LCD display
- Technology TFT
- Display Resolution 176 x 220 pixels
- Color Support Color
- Color Depth 18-bit (262000 Colors)
- Multi-language Menu Yes
- Features Wallpaper, Screensaver
Display (2nd)
- Type LCD display - Monochrome
- Display Resolution 128 x 32 pixels
Memory
- Internal Shared Memory Yes
Power
- Type Power adapter
Battery
- Technology - Lithium ion
- Talk Time Up to 240 min
- Standby Time Up to 250 h
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support Details 1 year limited warranty
Accessories
- Samsung WEP200 Bluetooth Headset (black) (31995314)22.37 - 41.94
- Samsung WEP870 (33769487)39.95 - 54.03
- Samsung SBH500 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones (black) (32674689)42.50 - 79.99
- Jabra BT8010 Stereo/Mono Bluetooth Headset (32327768)13.97
- Motorola S9 Bluetooth Active Headphones (red) (32363768)41.99 - 44.99
- A-Data Speedy Series flash memory card - 2 GB - microSD (33795596)8.99
- ATP SD Trio Professional PLUS card adapter - flash: microSD - Hi-Speed USB (32128464)17.00
- Centon 2GBRSD3-1 - flash memory card - 2 GB - microSD (33503634)11.84 - 15.99
- Centon flash memory card - 4 GB - microSD (33362243)16.74 - 70.99
- Samsung WT17200000136 - case for cellular phone (33560848)9.99
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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