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NoxTek
The Geek Redneck
- Joined
- May 27, 2002
- Messages
- 9,300
So a couple of weeks ago I posted a thread in here asking for recommendations for a good 4G capable handset for use on T-Mobile's network and amongst several pointers on used handsets someone recommended the Samsung Exhibit II, which Walmart is selling for $200 out the door. I ended up biting on it and purchased one at my local walmart a few days ago.
So far I'm really impressed! It's a neat handset with a nice screen size (3.7") and good resolution (800x480). The contrast on the screen is amazing with blacks being REALLY black, it should make watching videos a real treat.
I'm pretty impressed with the overall speed of the phone - zero lag whatsoever and it's got some moderate 3D abilities making it run a lot of the newer games in the market flawlessly. Sure it's not a dual core, but for $200 that 1ghz Qualcomm SnapDragon really gives you some bang for your proverbial buck.
Battery life is decent, nothing special but it beats the hell out of my old Motorola Triumph (Virgin Mobile) and even does better than the LG Optimus One/V/S/T/whatever.
The phone itself is physically very slim and feels great in the hand. The battery cover is a bit thin and plasticy for my tastes, but it has a nice texture and again makes for a great hand feel.
4G speeds on T-Mobile network here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are fantastic - beats the everloving hell out of Sprint/VM's '3G' service. Knowing that I have 5GB of data on that 4G speed is even sweeter, again thanks to the $30 100min/unlimited data plan.
Oh and the cameras. The rear 3MP camera isn't actually all that bad. Still photos are decent for a cellphone and the LED flash works well enough. The video recording is actually fantastic, especially in low light where on some other phones you get this weird slideshow effect. On this phone low light video recording is very smooth... but it's only 640x480. Oh if only it were 720p. The front facing cam (skype, webcam, whatever) is actually pretty decent for a webcam - no complaints there. All in all not bad for a $200 phone.
My only complaints are minor:
1. No MicroSD card included - the phone does come with 1.5GB of app storage available for the end user so it's not too bad. MicroSD cards are cheap as hell to buy so no big deal.
2. Samsung uses their 'weird' version of a micro USB connector for charging - meaning just any old micro USB cable won't work for charging. It's pin compatable with standard micro usb so you can't damage anything, it just won't work if you don't use a compatable charging cord. Probably my only real complaint on this phone.
If any of you are looking to ditch your current provider (in my case it was Virgin Mobile) for a better plan with 4G data, this may just be your ticket. Again it's currently $200 from Walmart (and Amazon too last I checked) - T-Mobile sells it directly for $329.99 so buying from your local Wally World is a hell of a deal.
If you're currently on T-Mobile with a contract plan I think you can get it for like $20 or $30 with a contract renewal, but who on earth wants a contract?
My $0.02... if anyone has any questions about the phone now that it's in my hands I'd be happy to answer.
So far I'm really impressed! It's a neat handset with a nice screen size (3.7") and good resolution (800x480). The contrast on the screen is amazing with blacks being REALLY black, it should make watching videos a real treat.
I'm pretty impressed with the overall speed of the phone - zero lag whatsoever and it's got some moderate 3D abilities making it run a lot of the newer games in the market flawlessly. Sure it's not a dual core, but for $200 that 1ghz Qualcomm SnapDragon really gives you some bang for your proverbial buck.
Battery life is decent, nothing special but it beats the hell out of my old Motorola Triumph (Virgin Mobile) and even does better than the LG Optimus One/V/S/T/whatever.
The phone itself is physically very slim and feels great in the hand. The battery cover is a bit thin and plasticy for my tastes, but it has a nice texture and again makes for a great hand feel.
4G speeds on T-Mobile network here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are fantastic - beats the everloving hell out of Sprint/VM's '3G' service. Knowing that I have 5GB of data on that 4G speed is even sweeter, again thanks to the $30 100min/unlimited data plan.
Oh and the cameras. The rear 3MP camera isn't actually all that bad. Still photos are decent for a cellphone and the LED flash works well enough. The video recording is actually fantastic, especially in low light where on some other phones you get this weird slideshow effect. On this phone low light video recording is very smooth... but it's only 640x480. Oh if only it were 720p. The front facing cam (skype, webcam, whatever) is actually pretty decent for a webcam - no complaints there. All in all not bad for a $200 phone.
My only complaints are minor:
1. No MicroSD card included - the phone does come with 1.5GB of app storage available for the end user so it's not too bad. MicroSD cards are cheap as hell to buy so no big deal.
2. Samsung uses their 'weird' version of a micro USB connector for charging - meaning just any old micro USB cable won't work for charging. It's pin compatable with standard micro usb so you can't damage anything, it just won't work if you don't use a compatable charging cord. Probably my only real complaint on this phone.
If any of you are looking to ditch your current provider (in my case it was Virgin Mobile) for a better plan with 4G data, this may just be your ticket. Again it's currently $200 from Walmart (and Amazon too last I checked) - T-Mobile sells it directly for $329.99 so buying from your local Wally World is a hell of a deal.
If you're currently on T-Mobile with a contract plan I think you can get it for like $20 or $30 with a contract renewal, but who on earth wants a contract?
My $0.02... if anyone has any questions about the phone now that it's in my hands I'd be happy to answer.