Samsung Z500 Review

Overall Rating

Very light
Flip design
Camera can be used without opening the phone
No aerial
Easy to learn 'numbered' shortcuts

Poor battery life
No 'read new message?' option
Reception

I was willing to love the Samsung Z500 mobile phone, warts and all, as I arranged for my mother to have the E700 (same design, slightly lighter) which was an impressive, if feature light, phone.

However, although I will keep the phone until the contract expires, there are a few niggling faults. First off, the battery life. It really is as bad as all the reviews say. This can be extended by switching off 3G (Settings > Connectivity > Network > Network Mode > GSM 900/1800), which is not a problem at the time of writing, as video calling is just not that big a deal. I tend to leave my phone on night and day and charge it every night. However, if I stop out on Friday night though, and don't get back until Sunday afternoon, the phone has usually switched itself off due to low power. For reference, I send and receive about 10 SMS a day, and I speak for about 5 minutes a day, so I am a light user.

Secondly, when I receive a SMS I open the phone but there is no option to read the message. I have to go into the messages menu and select the inbox and the message at the top. I have added the inbox to a shortcut key, but it's still a bit inconvenient.

Finally, the reception is not bad, but it certainly isn't good. I guess not having an aerial is a problem, although this doesn't affect some Nokia or Motorola phones I have seen. It can work on a low signal without dropout, but it's always nice to see those 'reception bars'.

The external camera is quite a nice idea. You can activate the camera with one of the side buttons, and the camera shows a low resolution picture on the outside display (which also displays the caller if you have their picture stored in your address book), which is a nice touch, although of limited use on a day to day basis.

The user interface is also rather good, although it is not immediately apparent that you can flick through menus using the numbered items on the menu once you have committed them to memory, or by reference to the screen, of course, if they are all in view. I would rate the menu system as being better than Motorola, but not as good as Nokia.

Although I am pleased with the bluetooth capability, 3G (such as it is), the lightweight, compact design and clear screen, I would find it hard to recommend this phone when there are other flip phones that are far superior in all disciplines.

Members' Comments oncwheatcroft's Review

• ivan1890 on 5th Jun 2006

  Would all Reviewers please state price paid otherwise the 'value for money' rating becomes partially superfluous. Also, if the product looks interesting one then immediately knows if one can afford it or not. Thanks. Otherwise, nice Review.

• cwheatcroft on 7th Jun 2006

  Good point about price paid. I have a long-standing contract with orange and they supplied the phone free of charge due to my existing phone being over 12 months. After 12 months I am free to go to another service provider and take my number with me unless Orange can 'persuade' me to stay!

• monicars24 on 13th Jun 2008

  Nice review. I've made a review however, I signed up after I had made this phone's review and says I am a 'Guest'. A very long and detailed review.

• monicars24 on 13th Jun 2008

  I agree with this review because the battery life is poor on most reviews, but I have no trouble with my phone on. It's not a co-incidence that I happen to not use my phone very often either! My phone was used for many hours yesterday, the day before etc. from Wednesday and it has only just reached medium battery power.
  I don't WAP often either or use 3G. It costs too much and my provider charges too much.