Samsung and Delightful

The new Samsung C6625 is on a mission: a mission to let you get more done on the move.

By Barnaby Mollett

"...it slips easily into inside pocket without the keys embarrassingly protruding like the Pennines through your trousers."

Is the latest handset a smart phone or a bad call?

Samsung’s latest smartphone uses the Windows Mobile 6.1 platform, and allows users to view their Word, Excel, PDF and PowerPoint files on the go. The full QWERTY keyboard enables more efficient replies to emails, and the phone also enables calendars and address book access, so you can be kept up-to-date with your colleagues’ schedules and information when you’re out of office.

Its slim, slate-like design (weighing just 107.7g) means it slips easily into inside pocket without the keys embarrassingly protruding like the Pennines through your trousers. But, for a phone of such fine dimensions (it measures just 113.6 x 63 x 11.6 mm), although the 2.6” screen wont give you a full surround-sound cinematic extravaganza, it gives you plentiful space to view those all-important documents. The C6625 is ideal for browsing through photos, which can be synced along with other files from your PC, or taken from the integrated 2 megapixel camera. The camera also records 25fps video, letting you have a little bit of a ‘cinematic extravaganza’ after all. The keyboard is also surprisingly ergonomic, avoiding the unwanted games of 'finger Twister' you may end up playing on other smartphones, and allowing you to send messages and emails quicker than you can text ‘Jack Robinson’.

The Windows interface is easy to use, essentially a scaled down version of its computer operating system, although it can occasionally slow down; trying to save a 1MB Excel file proved about as smooth as going for a swim on a gravelled driveway. The inclusion of Windows Media Player allows you to enjoy your favourite tunes (in MP3, AAC+, AAC, eAAC+ and WMA formats) and if the 100MB internal memory proves insufficient, the C6625 is compatible with microSDHC memory cards, so you can choose the amount of space that best suits your needs.

The phone also comes with Bluetooth compatibility, and has GPS functionality working in conjunction with GPS software (sold separately) to help you navigate yourself around. The calling and messaging features of the phone are decent and certainly sufficient for the everyday businessman or businesswoman. Especially notable is that you can almost store enough information on each contact to direct a successful West End musical about their life; 3 emails, 9 phone numbers, information on their spouse and children and even a Orwellian field for a ‘Government ID’ number.

Windows Mobile 6.1 does enable some nice features; being able to access and edit (with the exception of PowerPoint) Microsoft Office files on the way to and from work will allow for more efficiency. You can also create .zip files on the handset, and effortlessly attach them to an email, letting you take the office ‘out on the road’. Installing the bundled Windows Mobile Device Center on your PC allows you to set up a sync from a ‘Documents’ folder to your phone, keeping your files, contacts and calendars updated automatically. 3G connectivity allows you to surf the internet on the Samsung, although it does not feature the Wi-Fi support of other smartphones.

All in all, the Samsung C6625 has succeeded in providing business users with increased connectivity to workplace, and certainly allows them to get work done more punctually on the public transport system than Network Rail ever has. Although its entertainment features don’t rival those of the iPhone, the multimedia elements the C6625 does boast are enough for the majority of people, happy to enjoy some tunes whilst snapping away jovially at friends, family and squirrels stealing their Salt & Vinegar crisps. In this sense, the Samsung is good phone for balancing work and pleasure. Mission accomplished.