Samsung SCH-A990 hits the streets on Verizon

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 6th 2006 at 1:41PM

Here's a feel-good story for all you Verizon users looking for some high-end love: the SGH-A990, Samsung's 3.2-megapixel object of desire chock full o' swiveling QVGA and EV-DO goodness, has officially dropped on your network. Bluetooth -- sans A2DP as best we can tell -- and a microSD slot (for those gargantuan pictures you'll be snapping) are also in the package, but getting yourself atop the Verizon food chain ain't cheap: the A990 will run you $349.99 on two-year contract with a $50 rebate.

[Via Mobiledia]

Filed under: Handsets, Samsung, Verizon Wireless, EV-DO, CDMA

Tags: a990, clamshell, ev-do, flip, samsung, sch-a990, swivel, verizon, vzw

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Scott @ Jul 6th 2006 3:04PM

holy hell i've been waiting for this phone but, at $450 i dont know if i can do that.

Anyone know if this samsung supports adding words to the t9 dictionary?

Neutral

Rain @ Jul 6th 2006 3:14PM

NICE. it's finally out! but... eh. too much money :(

Neutral

Kevin C. Tofel @ Jul 6th 2006 3:59PM

Yes it's pricey, but the press release indicates that Verizon didn't disable the DUN profile from Bluetooth meaning it should be usable as an EV-DO modem.

Neutral

ventivent @ Jul 6th 2006 4:35PM

Verizon website specifically states the the OBEX file transfer feature over Bluetooth is not enabled. Also, there's a discussion going on over at Howardforums as to whether or not mp3 player is included as a feature. Seems like the only music you can play on it must be downloaded from the VCAST music service. For this price, this phone is pretty crippled.

Neutral

David F @ Jul 6th 2006 6:12PM

VCAST music allows transfers from your computer AND/OR paid VCAST downloads, so you don't have to worry in that department.

The camcorder function can record for up to an hour, that's pretty nice.

Neutral

Frank @ Jul 6th 2006 7:22PM

From the Verizon site:

"The a990 supports the Wireless Headset, Handsfree, Serial Port, Dial Up Networking and Basic Print Bluetooth Profiles. It does not support ALL Bluetooth Object Transfer (OBEX) Profiles. "

So it's probably typical Verizon -- you can't send the pictures to your computer via bluetooth. Which is fine, since you can just get a cheap MicroSD card reader.

Anyone have any experience with synchronizing Samsung phones and Macs? I like to be able to synchronize the calendar and phone book with my Powerbook. Looks like DataPilot might be an option, but they haven't updated their site with the A990 (understandably).

Neutral

bkdiem @ Jul 6th 2006 11:53PM

does anyone know of other 3.2mp cameraphones available on gsm networks?

specifically i want a flip / clamshell style phone.

basically i want this phone for gsm networks.

thanks for your input

Neutral

Rain @ Jul 7th 2006 8:50AM

if you compare the LG VX8300 and this Samsung A990 on the verizonwireless site :

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneOverview&sortOption=priceSort&changingCompletedOrder=true

you'll see that the LG has a mp3 player, while the Samsung A990 does not. :

Neutral

brad76r @ Jul 8th 2006 4:03AM

bkdiem, the sony k800i.... but as always, you've gotta pay to play. I have no idea why everyone is so shocked that a 3.2 megapixel cameraphone costs $400. These high end phones cost up to a grand in Asia, but people aren't surprised at the price. This is the reason all American phones suck: the manufacturers know that we are all too damn cheap! Might as well let the Koreans be the beta testers until the prices come down. For once people, realize that $400 is not that much more than that razr cost you new.

Neutral

brad76r @ Jul 8th 2006 4:04AM

damn.... forgot the url I was linking to, bkdiem... http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?code=132711&partner=IMFRO

Neutral

hobgoblin @ Jul 13th 2006 1:44PM

bkdiem, take a look at the sgh-z710. its the same basic phone (sans multimedia buttons on the left side) for gsm and umts. samsung claims it should be out this summer...

Neutral

rabidmonkey1 @ Jul 19th 2006 6:58PM

So, I got this phone, and here's the deal:

Vcast is the suck, because it lets you transfer your wma (not mp3 - why??? seems mp3 playback has been disabled, cause it was listed on the samsung site last time I checked) to your phone and listen to them in a crappy player -

Of course, you can't use these songs as ringtones, because verizon likes to make you pay for them through their proprietary services.

Cause that makes sense.

Altogether, this phone has alot more power in it than what's being utilized by verizon's crippling software. I almost want to return it!

Neutral

Jamie @ Oct 27th 2006 2:14PM

Which file format and length has to be used on the sam a990 for ring tones? Can I make ringtones from my old ones using my micro SD slot? Better yet, has anyone hack this crappy software by Verizon to enable the phones real capabilities? I am under 15 day trial and ready to return this criple.

Highly Ranked

boulderoor @ Jan 24th 2007 3:49PM

does anyone have unlock codes for the Samsung a990????

Neutral

ddjack @ Jan 28th 2007 11:52PM

you can do a lot with tha SCH A990, yes it has a wma player and not a mp3 player... the a990 will sink with windows meaia 10. you sometimes need a patch called MPT....when you sink with windws media player and transfer the songs it will auto. chenge the format to a wma and will be readable on you phone...

Neutral

ddjack @ Jan 28th 2007 11:53PM

you can make your own ring tones it has to be a 30 sec or under Wav or QCp...QCP sucks, stick with the wav file. you have to convert it and text it to yourself. then save it to my sounds..

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