Samsung Q105 Phone (T-Mobile)

• Lightning-speed "always-on" Internet connection
• Two-way text messaging
• Powerful personal organizer
• Up to 6 hours' digital talk time, 120 hours' digital standby time with standard battery
• Includes travel charger & earbud.

This phone is the first GPRS unit from Samsung and is capable of potentially very fast Internet-cruising speeds. The compact size, stylish design, and the full-featured data suite packaged with the handset make this phone a sure home run.

The Q105 is about as wide and a bit longer than a standard business card. This puts it in the same ultracompact league as the very popular Nokia 8290 and 8260, but with the flip open and its slight extra weight, it feels a bit more substantial. Its silver, textured finish gives it a nice grip and feel, too. To maximize the Internet potential, the phone sports a large LCD screen that occupies about a third of the phone's overall length. When the keys are pressed or the flip is opened, the screen backlights with a bright green light. Visibility is excellent, and the contrast is adjustable over a wide range. The phone sports a stubby, fixed antenna, and works on T-Mobile's GSM network. It is also GPRS capable, so it can take full advantage of the iStream service (optional service with T-Mobile). The speaker has a wide adjustable range, from quiet to loud, and provides a nice, rich tonal quality to the person on the other end. The phone arrives with a travel charger and earbud, too.

There are two softkeys on either side of a four-way navigation button above the flip, and a standard 12-key numeric keypad. There's also Send, End, and Clear buttons beneath the flip. The number keys are a bit small, and may present a challenge for larger-fingered users, but we didn't have much of a problem with routine operation. Getting around in the menu system is easy and intuitive, and tasks or adjustments are quickly done with the softkeys and navigation key. The phonebook holds 250 names/contacts. There is also a dedicated key just to the right of the screen that activates the iStream browser.

This phone is built to be a mobile communication tool, and has multiple ways to fulfill its mission. First, you can use SMS messaging. The phone features both T9 predictive text entry and regular alpha-key entry to compose short messages to other phone users. Activating the minibrowser with a touch of the key, you are rapidly connected to the wireless Internet. Getting around was quick and easy. We rapidly found news headlines, sports scores, movie times, restaurant locations, and other info that's handy when on the go. Connect this phone to your PC with the included software and cable, and you can utilize your e-mail or surf the Internet via the phone. Speeds on iStream vary, but DSL-type speeds are possible. Our testing around the Seattle office resulted in consistent connections of 58K, better than any dial-up connection. The connection was stable for extended periods, and we didn't experience any dropouts.

The phone also sports a fairly complete personal organizer. Appointments can be scheduled for as long as a year ahead, and reminders for birthdays, anniversaries, etc., can also be set. A to-do list is also included. These functions can all be accessed via the keypad on the phone, or from the PC when attached. A simple, easy-to-use interface program is included with the phone. The interface also allows entry and maintenance of phone book entries, street addresses, e-mail addresses--a faster and easier method than using the phone keypad. Through this interface, you can also download up to three pictures to use as a screensaver. Lastly, if you don't like any of the 18 tones built into the phone, you can build your own ring tone melody as easily by pointing and clicking. The phone doesn't have any games--but if you need to pass the time, surf the Web!

The Q105 is capable of many of T-Mobile's services, including voice mail, caller ID, call waiting, and text messaging. As mentioned above, the phone arrives with 18 ring melodies, and it also has a silent vibrate mode. The Q105 sports several call timers and a call log that shows the last 10 incoming, outgoing, and missed calls. Because the phone holds so much personal information, it also comes with varying levels of security, from no security to entering a password frequently to access the phone.

The phone arrives with a lithium-ion battery that is contoured to the phone nicely. It's rated at up to six hours of talk time, and 120 hours of standby time. Our experience with the Q105 produced results very close to those, just a bit under on the talk time, and a little over on the standby time. The battery charges in 3.5 hours with the included travel charger.

Overall, the Samsung Q105 is a very high-quality, high-value phone. Its combination of expansive features, Internet ability, and great styling make it a great handset. Simply put, this phone is another feather in Samsung's hat.

--Chris Burch

Pros:

• Compact size
• Internet ready
• Lots of useful included extras

Cons:

• Upper end of T-Mobile's price range

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength.