Samsung SCH-u740 hands-on

by Peter Rojas posted Feb 20th 2007 at 5:41PM

Samsung's latest dual-hinged handset, the SCH-u740, hit Verizon this week and we've got a gallery full of hands-on pics for your perusal. The specs on this thing won't blow you away, but for $200 (with two year contract) you get a messaging-centric EV-DO phone with a 1.3 megapixel camera, a microSD memory card slot (the u740 supports playback of MP3 and WMA audio files), and Bluetooth (including DUN support). First impressions: the u740 is decently thing, but we're not really digging the champagne finish on this thing, it actually makes the u740 look cheaper than it should. Screen resolution is a disappointing 176 x 220 pixels, but we're pretty pleased with how solid the dual-hinge is, at least so far, and switching between modes is totally seamless. The QWERTY keyboard is nothing special, the keys are a little slippery and aren't very easy to type on. They have made a few (mostly cosmetic) improvements to the UI, but the u740 is most definitely NOT a smartphone, and so even though Verizon does offer wireless sync email this probably shouldn't be the first choice for anyone who is really serious about doing email on their phone.

Samsung SCH-u740 Gallery

Filed under: Handsets, Samsung, Verizon Wireless, 1xRTT, EV-DO, CDMA

Tags: features, samsung sch-u740, SamsungSch-u740, verizon

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Highly Ranked

Steve @ Feb 20th 2007 6:11PM

Played with this phone at the store. UI on the enV is in my words better, but it is very clever the desktop one. The music was ok, the carbon fiber type looking stuff around the external display makes it cheap as hell looking. Touch sensitive controls were nice to use, KEYS ARE EXTREMELY CRAMMED. The one only other thing that bugs the hell out of me is that if you look at it from the front, the split in the hinge is not centered I'm sure its for design reasons but its just weird. Very thin for having a QWERTY keyboard and the screen resolution is ok but I'll stick with my enV over this phone.

Neutral

elgee02 @ Feb 20th 2007 7:15PM

I've had quite a but of use with this phone, and while overall I think it's pretty nice I still highly prefer my enV over this. They qwerty keypad is way to busy and small for people with decent sized hands. The dual hinge does feel somewhat reliable so far, and yes it's very thin so very easy to pocket.

Neutral

KushCash @ Feb 20th 2007 8:02PM

The price is nice but, yes - that finish reminds me of a cheap CD Shelf.

Neutral

Bart @ Feb 21st 2007 11:08AM

I'm due to replace my RAZR in a year and would get this if they change that champagne front and update the processor. It looks so plasticy and the interface ran way slower than my RAZR V3c, which is slower than most of Verizon's newest phones. I love the dual-hinged design, though. And the size is a definite plus over the enV, which is a nice phone but is just too big.

Neutral

RPT @ Feb 21st 2007 9:44PM

How about a video about the u740? I'd like to see a video along with the photos.

Neutral

Z @ Feb 22nd 2007 11:45AM

Now if we could just see this keyboard on the Nokia N93i.

Highly Ranked

Chad @ Feb 23rd 2007 4:55PM

Just got this phone in the mail yesterday. Couple things I've noticed in one night. The 'P' button is a bit difficult to hit with large fingers due to the edge of the phone next to it. Games have to be played in the landscape orientation, not easy when using the d-pad. I entered my contacts in about an hour an a half (about 140 contacts). Much easier than doing it on the number pad like I was used to. Haven't had a chance to use the speakerphone, music controls, or bluetooth yet; hope to remedy that today. Oh yeah, and NOBODY else has this phone where I live. Shock and awe all around when I pulled it out to return a text. I'm pleased so far; just hope I won't regret selling my soul to Verizon for 2 years.

Highly Ranked

Sunny @ Feb 26th 2007 2:33PM

I purchased this phone on Friday and am still uncertain if I will be taking Verizon up on their 15 day return policy. I agree with the previous post that their isn't very much room for the keys on the right edge in the "rotated mode," and I have small fingers, being a chick. Also, it's really irritating that certain features are only accessible in the rotated mode. I shouldn't be forced to turn the phone one direction over the other. Also, the voice-text feature which I was really excited for, as I do a lot of texting while driving is very inaccurate. So inaccurate that the phone recommends after you train the phone (about 120 words) not to use the voice-text feature while driving, as you need to review it for mistakes. I guess as the days go on though, I am growing accustomed to the phone, and the novelty factor is a pretty good feeling when people ooh and ahh over it. I can't help feeling that I should trade in for the "Flip Chocolate" though.

Neutral

Sunny @ Feb 26th 2007 4:59PM

Oh and, the speakers are on the inside of the phone. Not even a small speaker hole on the outside. If that matters.

Highly Ranked

Sunny @ Feb 26th 2007 2:33PM

Sorry I keep posting, I'm done now, I swear. It does look cheaper than it is. That is dissatisfying. At least you can't really see fingerprints.

Neutral

elgee02 @ Feb 26th 2007 2:47PM

Get an enV, you won't regret it.

Neutral

Sunny Goldsberry @ Feb 26th 2007 5:00PM

too fat.

Neutral

Sunny Goldsberry @ Feb 26th 2007 5:01PM

too fat. plus I think the screen's smaller, isn't it?

Highly Ranked

elgee02 @ Feb 26th 2007 5:23PM

It's oh so marginally smaller, but higher resolution. It may be fatter by MY GOD how much easier it is to type on, the keys are nicely spaced apart and a good size. The speakers sound clearer and the camera on the enV is light years better than the U740.

Neutral

elvindeath @ Feb 28th 2007 10:27AM

I picked one of these up to replace the wife's Motorola v710 the other day. She wanted something with a key pad for those occasional text messages she sends, but not for everyday e-mail use. Compared to the v710, this thing is near perfect. It satisfies her every need as a consumer / non power user. The champagne finish (which Samsung has used before) is actually not bad, and a nice bit of a change from the usual silver or black.

User interface is smooth and fast, and the sound quality is exceptional. Overall, I think this is a very nice phone, and in a much more appealing form factor than the enV, which we also considered.

Highly Ranked

PRPrincess @ Feb 28th 2007 5:29PM

I am so in love with this phone! Yes, like everyone has mentioned, it can be challenging to type of if you have large fingers, but even my husband has learned to deal with it! The call reception is so much ridiculously better than my old phone that I have to wonder what else I was missing! Graphics are clear, Mobile web is easy to use (if a bit slow) and texting is so much easier. And the "awe" factor when you pull it out is just fun!
My main complaint is that there is no external location for headphones, but I use my iPod, so it's not a big deal. And this is definitely not for someone looking for Blackberry functions -- but it's fantastic for someone who texts a lot and needs to occasionally glance at and respond to email.

Neutral

Drewbyh @ Mar 5th 2007 9:56AM

Bluetooth is only version 1.1 according to Samsung's tech support.

Lowest Ranked

DANIEL @ Mar 4th 2007 8:51PM

THIS IS ONE UGLY PHONE...I WOULD NEVER GET IT!

Neutral

Ry @ Mar 30th 2007 11:50AM

I just received this phone and i like it so far. its a shame pictures can't be sent via blue tooth though.

Highly Ranked

lordcanti493 @ Mar 31st 2007 9:35PM

i really like this phone...personally i think the env sucks MAH BALLZ and looks like shit...this is defintely the next phone im getting

ty goodbye

Neutral

elgee02 @ Mar 31st 2007 9:52PM

This is an ok phone, but come on.. the ONLY thing this has on the enV is how thin it is, THAT'S IT. Performance, the enV smokes the hell out of this phone.

enV Bluetooth 1.2 > u740 Bluetooth 1.1
enV 2.0 mp cam > u740 1.3 mp cam
enV has much larger more spaced apart keybad > u740 tiny crowded keypad

I'd gladplay pay $100 more for the enV if I had to, it's also a lot more durable than the u740.

Neutral

Sari Surkis @ Apr 24th 2007 6:42PM

Can anyone tell me if the address book holds the following information:
Name
Phone #
Email
Street Address
City
State
Zip

Neutral

eli23nyc @ Apr 28th 2007 10:35AM

The address book holds the following info:
Name
Mobile# 1
Home#
Work#
email 1
Group (family, friends, colleague, business)
Picture
Ringtone
Mobile# 2
Fax#
email 2
Notes

There is no address information.

Highly Ranked

eli23nyc @ Apr 28th 2007 10:44AM

I notice people are commenting that the phone only supports bluetooth version 1.1.
According to Samsung the bluetooth version is 1.2.
See here:
http://erms.samsungusa.com/customer/sea/jsp/faqs/faqs_view.jsp?SITE_ID=22&PG_ID=557&PROD_SUB_ID=561&PROD_ID=760&AT_ID=80180

Highly Ranked

eli23nyc @ Apr 28th 2007 11:09AM

The color:
I actually don't think the color of the phone is that bad. When I bought mine, the black was also
available but I chose the champaign. The black had kind of a plastic look that didn't appeal to me.
The keyboard:
Is not that bad to use (and I have huge fingers).If I were going to be texting all day long I might have concidered the env, but since I only text lightly with my daughter who is in collage, the env wasn't worth the extra bulk. I have been carrying around a Treo 650 for the last two years and
definately wanted something that was more pocketable.
The camera:
yes it has a lot to be desired, but if you want to take decent pictures, get a real camera. My Sony T1 way way out performs the env's camera and it's not much bigger the the u740. If you want some quick photo's of the damage that some idiot just did to your car, the u740 will do just fine. About the only thing that irritates me slightly about the u740 is the fact that Samsung for some odd reason decided to leave out A2DP support (for bluetooth stereo). Other than that, I'm very happy with it.

Neutral

AKA @ Nov 29th 2007 10:50PM

this phone very good. Fuck you all who hate it. just cause your ass's are fat. try loosing some weight and then use the phone. fucking fatso with fat fingers. Suck ma bulls,,i recommend this phone to anyone..and fuck the envy phone, EASTSIDE