Samsung Ace SPH-i325 (Sprint)
Manufacturer: Samsung Part number: SPHI325DLS
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- For Sprint customers looking for a world-roaming smartphone, the Samsung Ace is a nice and compact alternative to the RIM BlackBerry 8830.
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CNET editors' review
Samsung Ace SPH-i325 (Sprint) price range: $49.99
- Reviewed by: Bonnie Cha
- Reviewed on: 02/21/2008
- Released on: 02/18/2008
The good: The Samsung Ace for Sprint offers dual-mode functionality for world-roaming, and it's unlocked for use with international SIM cards. The Windows Mobile smartphone has a compact design and features a 1.3-megapixel camera, EV-DO, and Bluetooth.
The bad: General performance can be sluggish at times. It doesn't support overseas 3G GSM networks and lacks Wi-Fi and GPS.
The bottom line: For Sprint customers looking for a world-roaming smartphone, the Samsung Ace is a nice and compact alternative to the RIM BlackBerry 8830.
Good news for any globe-trotting Sprint customers: You now have a choice when it comes world-roaming smartphones. Joining the RIM BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, the Samsung Ace SPH-i325 offers dual-mode functionality for seamless international roaming with voice coverage in 180 countries and data services in 100 countries. It ships with a SIM card, but the handset is also unlocked so you're free to plug in a SIM card from other countries (note: it won't work with our domestic GSM carriers). The Windows Mobile 6 smartphone does have its share of disappointments. For example, it doesn't work on the GSM 3G networks overseas, and it doesn't have integrated GPS like the BlackBerry 8830. Still, if you're not keen on the BlackBerry, the Samsung Ace is a nice alternative and comes with a fair price of $199.99 with a two-year contract after rebates.
Design
The Samsung Ace is similar in design to the original Samsung BlackJack, yet there are subtle differences. At 4.6 inches tall by 2.3 inches wide by 0.4 inch deep and 3.9 ounces, the Ace is taller and heavier but thinner than the BlackJack. Its slimness makes the smartphone comfortable to hold and use as a phone, and you'll be able to slip it into a pants pocket. Plus, it has a soft-touch finish for better gripping when using it as a messaging device.
On the front, there's a 2.3-inch screen that's slightly smaller than either the BlackJack II's or the BlackBerry 8830's, but it still has a 65,000-color output and 320x240 pixel resolution for a vibrant and sharp display. Below it, you'll find a spacious and nicely laid out navigation array of two soft keys, Talk and End buttons, a shortcut to the Today screen, a back button, and a four-way navigation toggle with center select key.
The full QWERTY keyboard is slightly improved over that of both BlackJacks. The keys have a slight pointed edge to them, making them easier to press than the smooth rounded buttons on the other models. In addition, they're not as stiff as the BlackJack II's, so we didn't make as many mistakes when composing e-mails and text messages.
On the right side, you'll find a microSD expansion slot, a scroll wheel, and an escape key. Some, including me, will be pleased to see the Ace has the more traditional side-mounted dial rather than the jog wheel on the Samsung BlackJack II. We prefer the former because it has better feedback and registers commands without problems, while the latter was a bit temperamental. The left side has a connector for the AC adapter and headset, but it's a proprietary Samsung jack, so that's an annoying restriction. Finally, the backside holds the camera lens, a self-portrait mirror, and a speaker.
The Samsung Ace comes packaged with an AC adapter, European and U.K. power adapters, a SIM card, a wired stereo headset, a USB cable, a software CD, and reference material. For more add-ons, please check our cell phones accessories, ringtones, and help page.
Features
The world roaming capabilities is the arguably the biggest draw of the Samsung Ace. It's dual-mode functionality means that the Ace will use Sprint's CDMA network for all domestic calls (Note: You cannot use it with AT&T or T-Mobile even though there's a SIM slot) but once overseas, you can switch to the GSM network. You can use the included SIM card, but be aware that you'll still incur roaming rates, which range from $0.59 to $4.99 a minute. Alternatively, since the smartphone is unlocked, you can purchase a prepaid SIM card from an international carrier and use their voice and data services. In all, you get voice coverage in 180 countries and data services in 100 countries.
Other phone features of the Samsung Ace include a speakerphone, voice-activated dialing, conference calling, speed dial, and text and multimedia messages. The phone book is only limited by the available memory with room in each entry for multiple phone numbers, e-mail addresses, work and home address, job title, and more. For caller ID purposes, you can assign a photo to a contact, any of 23 polyphonic ring tones, as well as a group category.
The Samsung Ace is also an EV-DO capable handset, so you'll get swift data speeds for Web browsing and can watch video on Sprint TV if you so choose. The add-on service, which starts at $20 per month, gives you access to programming from a variety of channels, including CNN, Comedy Central, E, the NFL Network, and Sprint Exclusive Entertainment. In addition, you can listen to live streaming music and talk radio from Sirius, VH1 Mobile, and MTV Mobile. Sadly, the Ace does not support overseas HSDPA networks.
The Ace is equipped with Bluetooth 2.0, allowing for wireless connectivity with mono and stereo Bluetooth headsets and hands-free kits. You can also use the Samsung Ace as a wireless modem for your laptop with its dial-up networking capabilities. You will, of course, need to subscribe to a Sprint Power Vision Modem Plan, which costs $39.99 per month for 40MB or $49.99 per month for unlimited for the privilege of DUN. Unlike the BlackBerry 8830, the Ace does not have integrated GPS.
The Samsung Ace is a Windows Mobile 6 device, running the Standard Edition with the full Microsoft Office Mobile Suite and Windows Live integration. The smartphone also ships with Microsoft's Direct Push Technology for real-time e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization with your Outlook calendar, tasks, and contacts via Exchange Server. You can also access POP3 and IMAP accounts.
Other productivity tools include a PDF viewer, a voice recorder, a notepad, a calculator, a world clock, a measurement converter. There's also a Task Manager so you can optimize memory usage and the smartphone's performance. The Samsung Ace has 64MB of onboard memory. The microSD expansion slot also supports up to 2GB cards, which is slightly disappointing since many competing products can accept 4GB cards. For more applications and utilities, there's a preloaded shortcut to the Sprint Software Store or you can check out CNET Download.com for more titles.
Finally, the Samsung Ace features a 1.3-megapixel camera with video recording capabilities. For still images, you have a choice of five shooting modes, three sizes, and three quality settings. There's no flash, but you can adjust the white balance as well as add various effects. In video mode, you have two size choices and the same white balance and effect options that are available in camera mode.
Picture quality was pretty decent. Objects were clearly defined and the color wasn't perfect, but definitely better than other camera phones we've seen. That said, we found that there's a bit of delay from the time you press the capture button to the time it actually takes the picture, so be sure not to move your hand, otherwise you'll end up with a blurry shot. Sadly, video recordings did not fare well. Clips were choppy and the color was off.
Performance
We tested the dual-mode (CDMA 850/1900; EV-DO; GSM 900/1800) Samsung Ace in San Francisco using Sprint service, and call quality was decent. Voices sounded a bit tinny on our end though there was plenty of volume, and we could still make out the conversation. We also had no problem interacting with our bank's automated voice response system or making calls back to the States from Barcelona, Spain. Meanwhile, our friends didn't have any major complaints about the audio quality. The speakerphone was satisfactory, though there was a bit of an echo. We had no problem pairing the Ace with the Logitech Mobile Traveller Bluetooth headset or the Motorola S9 Bluetooth Active Headphones.
General performance was typical of Windows Mobile devices. That is to say that response time slowed down a bit as we used more applications. Web browsing was pretty swift thanks to Sprint's EV-DO network, though some graphics-intensive sites took awhile to fully load. Multimedia performance could have been better in our opinion. Music playback lacked bass and richness through the phone's speakers, and we really wish Samsung would do away with its proprietary headphone jack so we can plug in a decent pair of earbuds. We watched some clips from Sprint TV as well, and though audio and images were synchronized, the picture could be pixilated and blurry at times.
The Samsung Ace's 1,300mAh lithium-ion battery is rated for 4.3 hours of talk time. The Ace beat the rated talk time as we were able to get 7.5 hours in our battery drain tests. According to FCC radiation tests, the Ace has a digital SAR rating of 1 watt per kilogram.
User reviews
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Great smartphone
by roadking26 on February 26, 2008
Pros: Slim design
Cons: Call quality could be better
Summary: I have owned a few smartphone/pocket PC & BB and I would have to say this is the best one so far. I had the blackberry curve and 8830 ...
Summary: I have owned a few smartphone/pocket PC & BB and I would have to say this is the best one so far. I had the blackberry curve and 8830 but could not deal with the way the email folders were set up and the fact the it took too many steps to do one thing with the BB.
I love the simplicity of the smartphone os.
I thought it would be hard to get used to a non touch screen since I had used a PPC-6700 for a few years but I really love this phone.
It feels good in the hand and during a phone call it feels like an actual cell phone.
The call quality could be a little better but it is no worse than most cell phones out there. The ear piece volume is plenty loud if you are using it in public or other loud areas. I don't use the speaker phone so I can't comment on that.
I have heard some people including CNET state this has sluggish performance but if you just take the time to close applications with the task manager occasionally you don't run into that problem.
Overall I would recommend this phone to anyone looking to upgrade their smartphone or to somebody as their fist smartphone.
Battery life has been decent but I have not tested the limits. I charge my phones every night and by bedtime I still have at least 1/2 -3/4 after a full day of email and phone use. I don't text.8 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best PDA Sprint Has!
by Impaler80s on February 23, 2008
Pros: Lightweight, rubber backing for gripping, easy to type on keyboard, international ability via GSM, camera is good for 1.3MP, Windows Mobile 6
Cons: 1,300 mAh battery is paltry, speakerphone is lousy, limited to 2GB expansion card
Summary: I was a HUGE fan of the original Blackjack on AT&T, and was saddened when moving to Sprint that they did not have anything like it in the ...
Summary: I was a HUGE fan of the original Blackjack on AT&T, and was saddened when moving to Sprint that they did not have anything like it in the lineup. The reception, call quality of both the earpiece and speaker was amazing, and it was a thin device. Enter the ACE. Sprint doesn't have many options when it comes to thin powerful phones, and the Motorola Q9C was way too wide and heavy for me. Well, the ACE to me, is the perfect best of breed, of Windows Mobile, the style of the Blackjack, and the light, sexy design I was in love with.
The international GSM piece is nice--I'm not a big world traveler, but I guess that's a plus and in my mind, a nice to have "just in case".
The keyboard is really fantastic--the original Blackjack's had rows of keys separating the numbers...a weird design. This keyboard has each of the keys with a ridge in the middle, which makes tactile feedback really apparent. My girlfriend has a Blackjack II and I think the ACE's keyboard is far better to type on. While I'm at it, the ACE is also thinner and lighter than the Blackjack II. They also fixed the problem on the Blackjack where the talk/end/soft keys and the D-pad were all flat...I always pushed the wrong button. Not here. The D-pad is raised making navigation easy, while not hitting a soft key or the home/back keys. Nice!
The call quality on the Blackjack was outstanding...this one's pretty good too. The earpiece sounds plenty loud, and it works well with my car's Bluetooth system. The speakerphone...well...isn't so great. At max volume it isn't nearly as loud as it should be. That's a real disappointment, as I like a loud speaker.
Otherwise, I like the jog wheel (BlackBerry style) and back button are in the same location as the Blackjack.
The grippy back is big for me these days...it's just one of those innovations you never think about until you have one--now I pretty much expect it. It gives a phone a sense of durability which is important to people like me who break things.
Overall, I think this the best smartphone you can get on Sprint. There's a couple things I wish they would have included (better camera, higher quality speakerphone), but a company must control costs and the GSM ability probably kept this price up higher...but this is essentially a CDMA Blackjack, with a much improved keyboard and Windows Mobile 6. I recommend it...and another success for Samsung.7 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Amazing phone
by bernaserra on July 8, 2008
Pros: Fast navigation, great screen,Good call quality
Cons: No native youtube playback, no gps
Summary: I have been in love with this phone since I picked it up the phone lets me check email, surf the web and watching great streaming video. I could not ...
Summary: I have been in love with this phone since I picked it up the phone lets me check email, surf the web and watching great streaming video. I could not believe the speed of my internet while using the phone all fast. The normally sluggish windows mobile 6 works really quick and without problem so far. The keyboard will look cramped at first but works flawlessly without error with my 6"5" hands. I just have so much to say about the phone! Its great!
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Really Great Phone
by salazar210 on December 22, 2008
Pros: GPS (with firmware upgrade)
EVDO Connection
Windows Mobile 6.1
Nice Bright Screen
Great Battery
Pretty good keyboard
Its a world phone
Super good priceCons: Sluggish at times (but thats all Win Mobile Phones)
You have special samsung headphone
There's an annoying flap that covers the charging port, but its bound to break off
For MMS you need a App that you have to download from spritn (free)Summary: Once you install the windows mobile 6.1 firmware update this phone is amazing. Install skyfire, evernote, google maps, Qik, And you have a powehouse phone. It also include sprint ...
Summary: Once you install the windows mobile 6.1 firmware update this phone is amazing. Install skyfire, evernote, google maps, Qik, And you have a powehouse phone. It also include sprint navigation and sprint TV. It has capabilities for MMS but you need to download a app that sprint provides (free). If your looking for a badass phone that has all the bell and whistles (except Wifi) go with the ACE.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Don't buy it!!!
by hlhg.xu on July 23, 2008
Pros: Slim and hardy
Cons: Terrible battery life, Slow
Summary: It is a slim phone and easy to pocket it. It is also hardy. I have dropped it a few times and the back cover flew open, but the phone ...
Summary: It is a slim phone and easy to pocket it. It is also hardy. I have dropped it a few times and the back cover flew open, but the phone is ok and I could not find any damages or scratches on the phone. I went to this for the slim size and for WM.
I get terrible battery life, especially when using emails and internet. I can only get through a bit more than half a day even without using much of the email and data. I doubt that I am using it wrong. I have since got a 2nd battery, but it is so inconvenient and I get through about 12 hours with both batteries.
It also is slow in response. It is so hard to see under sun light outside. Keys are hard to operate. WM also does not sync Outlook notes, very strangely. I use Outlook notes extensively.
I had been a Treo user and now regret that I switched.
These are significant short comings, I will switch at the next best opportunity. I would not recommend it.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great phone at a great price
by jmny1228 on June 8, 2008
Pros: Sleek and comfortable to hold and carry. Great features and easy to use. Price
Cons: Same as in all Windows based devices. Can freeze at times and you can only send text pictures to an email address.
Summary: Sprint has a variety of PDA's. I found this one to be very complete and not bulky like the TREO's.
Also you don't need to get an ...Summary: Sprint has a variety of PDA's. I found this one to be very complete and not bulky like the TREO's.
Also you don't need to get an expensive wireless package like you would if you get a Blackberry device. The Sprint Power Packs start at 15.00. The Blackberry at 39.00.So you save money on the price of the phone as well as on your monthly service.
As a short falls the phone has a mediocre speaker and you can't send text pictures to other phones.You can, however, send pictures to an email address.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great smart phone for the money
by gb_trout on June 1, 2008
Pros: Size, screen resolution, button layout
Cons: battery life
Summary: This is a great phone for only $199. i came from using a htc 6700 so a thiner phone is welcomed. the screen resolution is sharp and deep in color, ...
Summary: This is a great phone for only $199. i came from using a htc 6700 so a thiner phone is welcomed. the screen resolution is sharp and deep in color, and the buttons are easy to use and laid out nicely. windows mobile 6 has some good upgrades and is showing nicely. only draw back is the battery is not the longest lasting but i prefer smaller size over battery life so this is not huge for me.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Decent phone
by Jose Head on May 27, 2008
Pros: Screen resolution, included programs
Cons: Slow to start, Ringer Volume
Summary: This is my second smartphone, but first that doesn't use a stylus. Not a bad phone/PDA. Not great one either, but its about the best Sprint has to ...
Summary: This is my second smartphone, but first that doesn't use a stylus. Not a bad phone/PDA. Not great one either, but its about the best Sprint has to offer that is not a RIM or something else bigger and bulkier. It does what I need it to do fairly well, email and web browsing. Hate the Samsung power plug though.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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This phone kicks the Moto Q's butt. No comparison.
by shantheman on April 8, 2008
Pros: Small size, easy keyboard, far better battery life than Moto Q
Cons: Haven't discovered any. Go figure.
Summary: It is ABOUT TIME Sprint got this phone. I can't stand Motorola, and every product I ever own from them is a hassle. I regret not waiting for the ...
Summary: It is ABOUT TIME Sprint got this phone. I can't stand Motorola, and every product I ever own from them is a hassle. I regret not waiting for the Samsung, but now that it is here, I bought one first thing. I will never go back. Long live Samsung.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Did not access GSM, manual not clear for Intl. use
by psbern on March 24, 2008
Pros: OK for overseas CDMA ,
Cons: Not as advertised could not access GSM in two countries visited in past two weeks. Sprint chat line could not help and referred to toll numbers in US which I did not call no International support
Summary: Most Items worked fine except unable to access GSM in two countires as advertised. I did access Intl. CDMA in one country with a little help from chat line. Sprint ...
Summary: Most Items worked fine except unable to access GSM in two countires as advertised. I did access Intl. CDMA in one country with a little help from chat line. Sprint chat line unable to resolve problems. I will return phone when I get back since the purpose of buying it was to have Intl. access.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Samsung
- Part number: SPHI325DLS
- Description: You like to work. You like to have fun. You like a phone that can keep up. Well, the Samsung Ace is it. With Windows Mobile 6 and Outlook, it has work covered. With a 1.3 megapixel camera and camcorder, Sprint TV and big-screen gaming, it has fun covered. And with a microSD card slot, it can hold all the work and fun you want. You just can't lose with an Ace.
General
- Product Type Smartphone
- Service Provider Not specified
- Width 2.3 in
- Depth 0.5 in
- Height 4.6 in
- Weight 3.9 oz
Cellular
- Technology CDMA / GSM
- Band CDMA 800/1900 / GSM 900/1800
- Phone Design Candy bar
- Wireless Interface Bluetooth
Communicator Features
- Operating System Microsoft Windows Mobile 6
Messaging & Data Services
- GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Yes
Display
- Type LCD display
- Technology TFT
- Display Resolution 240 x 320 pixels
- Diagonal Size 2.3 in
- Color Depth 16-bit (65000 colors)
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Stylus
Battery
- Technology - Lithium ion
- Capacity 1300 mAh
- Talk Time Up to 258 min
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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