Samsung E330 Review

Overall Rating

Stylish appearence, Good quality colour screens, Improved T9 texting, Nice Keypad layout and excellent call quality.

Camera quality could be better, Poor choice of ringtones and no infra-red!

This latest dual band E-series phone from Samsung is definitely not going to set the world on fire but it does have some redeeming features AND bearing in mind that you can probably get it for free on contract or about £160-£180 sim-free, you should see plenty of people using it during 2005.
Finished in 'warm silver' this Samsung flip phone features two 65K UFB colour screens with the external one showing the usual time, battery condition and signal strength in standby. This display also doubles as a view finder when taking self portrait shots with the phones VGA camera and shows a photo (if they're number is stored in the phone) of the incoming caller. Above this display is the camera lens and below it is the E330's flash LED. This handset uses Samsungs built-in 'Intenna' so its attractive oval shape is not spoilt in any way. Something that will appeal to the female buyer I think.
Inside the 330 has a well spaced and responsive keypad but it does feel a bit 'cheap' when using it for texting. The internal screen is 128 x 160 pixels and has the usual Samsung quality appearance. The menu layout and OS is easy to use and will be familiar to users of older Sammy's. The E330 uses 40 polyphony ringtones which are pretty clear but the choice is still appalling. I can never find one that I wouldn't be ashamed of in a crowded pub. New ones can be downloaded for free from the Samsung fun website but it would be nice if the software boys gave us Europeans something a bit different. The bing-bong bing-bong confirmation tones are still there too AND you can't switch them off on this handset! Really annoying!
Texting on the 330 is a pleasure thanks to (nearly) full T9 predictive texting. The system can learn, and store new words and longer words move onto a new line instead of scrolling down. However you still have to manually select upper and lower case and there is no auto capitalisation. Nokia users beware!
The 330's camera is a 640 x 480 max resolution VGA type and is OK for storing pics in the phone book or sending MMS messages but I don't think you will be printing any off to send to aunty in Australia. You can have fun with it though with a good choice of effects and frames available in the menu's. There is 9Mb of dynamic memory available in the E330 so you can store quite a few images or downloaded games and ringtones. WAP 2.0 with GPRS is available for those wanting to check the closing prices on the stock exchange and the 330 has two pre-installed java games for those long train journey's home. Bearing in mind that this is a lower/mid range handset it would have been nice to see at least an infra-red port included, but alas, there is nothing. If you want to swap images or sounds the only option is through MMS etc. There is however a voice recorder provided for those moments of inspiration and the usual selection of calendar reminders, stop watch, calculator, converter and alarm clock.
Call wise the E330 was very good with excellent volume and clarity and the 'Intenna' seemed to hold onto the signal pretty well even in known 'dodgy' signal area's. The speakerphone was a pleasure to use and this handset also has a feature called 'voice clarity' which uses the phones microphone to sense when you are in a noisy environment and increases the speaker volume accordingly. Works well too!
I can't help thinking that the E330 is a bit like a T100 without the aerial but with a camera! It's not of course, but it does leave you wanting a bit more from this stylish looking handset. 'Functional' is the word that sums up the E330. It does what it says on the box, but I can't fall in love with it. See what you think!

Members' Comments onscarborian's Review

• clemenzina on 30th Jan 2005

  Thanks, scarborian, I'm one of those females you imagine this phone would appeal to, and you're right. I've seen and felt it (wired to the wall, of course) in a local phone shop - neat, lightweight, classy-looking (IMO) and with no sticky-out bits. I don't want a singing and dancing phone, just one that makes and receives calls and sends texts well. I understand that "no infra-red" doesn't mean it won't be able to be unlocked eventually, when the contract runs out? From what you've said I shall have to have a demo to decide if I can live with the ring-tones and bing-bongs - I've never had a Samsung (except a decent quality telly). Thanks again!