| Samsung A400 |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1800 |
| Announced | 4q, 2001 |
| Status | Available |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 70 X 48 X 20 Mm |
| Weight | 80 G |
| Display |
| Type | Grayscale Graphic, 4 Shades |
| Size | 128 X 96 Pixels, 6 Lines |
| | - Four Way Navigation Keys
- Dynamic Font Size
- Softkeys |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Monophonic |
| Amount | 20 + 3 Custom |
| Customization | Composer |
| Vibration | Yes |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | 100 Entries, 5 Contact Groups |
| Call Records | 10 Dialed, 10 Received, 10 Missed Calls |
| Card Slot | No |
| | - Message Templates |
| Data |
| Gprs | No |
| Hscsd | No |
| Edge | No |
| 3g | No |
| Wlan | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Infrared Port | Yes |
| Usb | |
| Features |
| Messaging | Sms |
| Browser | Wap 1.1 |
| Clock | Yes |
| Alarm | Yes |
| Games | Yes |
| Colors | |
| Camera | No |
| | - T9
- Calendar
- To Do List
- Speed Dial
- Menu Shortcuts |
| Battery |
| | Standard Li-ion |
| Stand-by | 70 H |
| Talk Time | 2.5 H |
|
Samsung - A400A touch of elegance with the Samsung SCH-A212i / SGH-A400
Major Differences
WAP over CSD
T9 predictive text input
Infrared port (A400 only)
‘Life’ - games and health applications (A400 only)
Organiser functions Problems/Issues?
Calendar text size too small
Sales package (should contain):
SCH-A212i (CDMA model):
1 x SCH-A212i handset
1 x SCH-A212i storage case
1 x standard battery
1 x extended battery
1 x ear-microphone (headset)
1 x hand strap
1 x travel adaptor
1 x desktop battery charger (requires travel charger)
1 x A212i user manual
SGH-A400 (GSM model):
1 x SGH-A400 handset
1 x SGH-A400 storage case
1 x standard battery
1 x extended battery
1 x ear-microphone (headset)
1 x hand strap
1 x travel adaptor
1 x desktop battery charger (requires travel charger)
1 x SGH-A400 user manual
1 x SGH-A400 WAP browser user manual
Overview
Samsung has again come up with something to indulge our senses. Before, there was the dual LCD screen flip phone - the first in the world. And now, we have the A400 and A212i phones (GSM and CDMA models respectively) - miniature-sized models that come in a set of exclusive colours, and featuring a list of useful features that makes this phone complete.
Although both the A400 and A212i phones are very similar in many aspects, there are some differences - with the most obvious one being the A400 is a GSM handset and the A212i designed for CDMA networks. These differences will be noted throughout this review.
New/outstanding features
One of the most outstanding features of the A400/A212i is its physical characteristics - which includes the sizing and colours available for the phone. This phone’s most popular colour is rosy red, but is also available in either a metallic blue or white as well. It also fits comfortably into the palm of your hand - being sized considerably smaller than most other flip phones and weighing in at a mere 80 or 86 grams (A400 and A212i respectively).
Physical aspects
As mentioned previously, the phone is sized smaller than most other phones - making it somewhat easier to hold and take around with you. It makes the supplied headset (which is designed for the phone to hang off it, and worn around your neck) more feasible to use.
Some would think that the A400/A212i is more suitable for girls than guys. This mentality is somewhat true when you consider the rosy red colour that the phone comes in. But for those guys who like this small and compact design, there’s always the other three colours you can consider! :)
Opening up the active flip, you’ll find a clear greyscale LCD screen located on the top flip, and a standard keypad with soft keys and a 4-way navigation key on the bottom flip. Both have been designed well - with the screen displaying the necessary text with sufficient clarity and easy-to-press keys too.
For those who are thinking of either owning one of each model or using the battery off an A400 on the A212i (and vice-versa), you may want to think twice because both phones have different battery contact locations.
A212i (CDMA) with retractable antenna
A400 (GSM)
User Interface
Both models are simple to use - with menus that are easy to read and understand. The keypad is also very tactile - making it easy to operate the phone and, especially, type SMS messages using the on-board T9 predictive input.
In this aspect, there is a slight difference between the two models. This is explained further below.
A400 (GSM):
The phone retains a similar user interface used on the A300 model - with the exception that the display is slightly wider (therefore, being able to fit more text per line). With the use of the 4-way navigation key, one is able to access and modify menu items without lifting his/her finger off it. For example, scrolling through the menus and selecting an option would involve using up or down - while going in and out of menus and options would only require a left or right movement.
A212i (CDMA):
Similar to most other CDMA phones, usability on the A212i is very simple but is different to the A400. The actual menu system is completely different to that of the A400’s. For example, the 4-way navigation key can only be used only for shortcuts and simple navigation in menus and choosing options (up and down). Where there are soft keys on the A400, these are replaced by “menu” and “OK/messages” buttons instead.
"Size comparisons with the Nokia 8310"
Making and receiving calls
Another outstanding feature of the A400 is the number of ringtones available. Up to 48 ringtones are available with the ability to compose up to two, and up to 10 SMS (message) tones are also available. On the other hand, the A212i only offers up to 15 melody and 5 bell tones for calls - but none of them can be composed.
Messaging
Both the A400 and A212i offer T9 predictive text input for SMS messaging. Usage of the T9 input is similar to that of other Samsung phones. Speed of input is also quite quick - comparable to that of a Nokia phone.
Battery life
There are two types of batteries that you can get with either A400 or A212i - slim or standard. Average usage times for both slim and standard batteries are approximately one day and 2-3 days respectively. Both phones came with two batteries and a desktop charger - allowing for frequent replenishment of the alternate battery.
Major differences...
"An infrared port is made available on the A400 only"
Unique, small footprint flip-phone design
The A400/A212i can be considered as being one of the smallest flip-phones around. Measuring in at 70 x 48.5 x 21 mm, it can fit comfortably in any hand, pocket, or handbag! Although compact, talking on the phone isn’t made any harder - as it sits on your face comfortably. Using the supplied neck-band headset makes talking on the A400/A212i an even greater pleasure.
WAP over CSD
The WAP browser supplied allows for the viewing of WML pages at speeds of up to 9.6 kbps. For situations where text input is required, T9 predictive text input assists in making life easier in situations where you need to type up a short excerpt.
T9 predictive text input
The T9 system is used for predictive text input on both the A400 and A212i phones. On top of being able to type SMS and short messages quickly, this capability is also available for text entries whilst using the built-in WAP browser.
"Managing users' daily lives"
"A pink schedule application (for ladies only)"
Infrared port (A400 only)
An infrared port is made available on the A400 for the purpose of connecting up external computing devices (for example, notebook and palmtop computers) - allowing for data transfers whilst on the move.
‘Life’ - games and health applications (A400 only)
In addition to the four games that come on the A400, the phone also comes with a menu named, appropriately, “health”. In this menu, there are certain applications that help in managing users’ daily lives - including a biorhythm reader, a feature measuring a person’s fatness, a calorie calculator, and a “pink schedule” application (for ladies only). All are fun to use once in a while, but one should not take them for granted too much! :)
Organiser functions
The A400 and A212i phones come with organiser (or personal information manager) functions - including a calendar, to-do list, calculator and alarm.
Problems/Issues?
Calendar text size too small
The text size in the full calendar view is slightly small. Although barely readable, when you compare the standard font size used on either A400 or A212i, you would have to squint before you can actually see what’s on the screen. On the other hand, the whole calendar would not fit onto one screen if this wasn’t the case.
In Summary
If you’re looking for a phone that is small and will fit virtually anywhere you put it, the A400/A212i might just be your answer. Being one of the smallest phones around, both the A400 and A212i comes packed with the necessary features to get you around - and is usable whether you have small or large fingers (the keys on the phone are laid out pretty well).
But there may be a slight problem if you’re planning to go out to try or get one now. Although the A212i (CDMA version) is available from Orange CDMA network, the A400 (GSM version) has yet to be (and may not be) released here. I, personally, am more in favour of the A400 model as it has a richer set of features compared to the A212i. But for those who use CDMA phones, the A212i is an improvement over other similar phones currently on the market. |
| Common misspellings on this brand: samsumng |
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