Samsung Highlight comes to T-Mobile, we play with it
That rumored Highlight for T-Mobile is now official, filling yet another niche segment in Samsung's massive full-touch attack on the carrier -- an attack that now includes the Behold, the Memoir, and this bad boy. As you might have gathered from the appearance, this one comes in at the bottom end of that range, but it really doesn't slack on the spec sheet -- it's still managing to pack AWS HSDPA, a 3 megapixel camera, WQVGA display, quadband EDGE for world travel, AGPS, and a full HTML browser. It's available in two colors today -- fire and ice, which are basically orange and a black / cool blue combo -- for $149.99 on contract after rebates.
We've been toying around with the Highlight this week in its "fire" livery, and we've got to say: for its entry-level aspirations, we're really impressed. The TouchWiz UI is plenty speedy, the browser was about as good as you could expect a Samsung dumbphone browser to be, we had an easy time adapting to the landscape QWERTY keyboard (and the numeric one, for that matter), and -- this is a biggie -- the screen felt really good. Historically, some of Sammy's full touch phones have had a reputation for having really bendy plastic screen -- and yes, granted, this is clearly still plastic, but it's thick and / or strong enough so that there's virtually no give to it. That definitely makes you feel more confident using the phone, and gives it a vaguely upmarket appeal. Do we recommend it? If you're looking for a relatively cheap way to get on T-Mobile's 3G network, yeah, absolutely, though we might wait until they get their pricing strategy figured out -- it's clearly a lower-end device than the Behold and it needs to be priced accordingly. If T-Mobile can manage to get it down to, say, $79.99, it's an all-around winner.
We've been toying around with the Highlight this week in its "fire" livery, and we've got to say: for its entry-level aspirations, we're really impressed. The TouchWiz UI is plenty speedy, the browser was about as good as you could expect a Samsung dumbphone browser to be, we had an easy time adapting to the landscape QWERTY keyboard (and the numeric one, for that matter), and -- this is a biggie -- the screen felt really good. Historically, some of Sammy's full touch phones have had a reputation for having really bendy plastic screen -- and yes, granted, this is clearly still plastic, but it's thick and / or strong enough so that there's virtually no give to it. That definitely makes you feel more confident using the phone, and gives it a vaguely upmarket appeal. Do we recommend it? If you're looking for a relatively cheap way to get on T-Mobile's 3G network, yeah, absolutely, though we might wait until they get their pricing strategy figured out -- it's clearly a lower-end device than the Behold and it needs to be priced accordingly. If T-Mobile can manage to get it down to, say, $79.99, it's an all-around winner.















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bo @ Jul 15th 2009 1:15AM
150 dollars?! Not worth it!
glenskey @ Jul 15th 2009 2:21AM
no no, you are mistaken, it's only $149.99, your marking it up by 1cent.
D @ Jul 16th 2009 4:01PM
Who would get this if they can get the Behold? =/
The Behold feels better in hand, and looks better.
I don't know if this phone may have a better processor or something but... most people who is going for a feature device won't notice it much...
Demo @ Jul 15th 2009 8:53AM
I like how the Pre is used for the size comparison here, and not the iPhone. Does that mean the Pre is becoming more ubiquitous?
joaquindel @ Jul 15th 2009 11:20AM
It means that the Pre is the new king.
Galen20K @ Jul 15th 2009 9:55AM
Not bad for a Lower End phone, True the Build Quality could be better but the Screen is a Winner and it has Most features of a High end Smart phone in a Cheaper Package. The regular Joe customers who want all those features but not the Status phone is going to love this.
All the Reviewers so far have liked it so way to go Samsung for Improving your Touch screen, its about time! Although I'm not in love with the Honeycome-like design on the back cover, I mean what IS that?!
joaquindel @ Jul 15th 2009 11:21AM
"I mean what IS that?!" - Honeycome-like design
dudznyc @ Jul 15th 2009 10:18AM
is it just me, or does T-Mobile's website NOT include the feature of 3G listed in its features, or specs....????
I can only imagine its a 3G phone sporting the HSDPA. it would oddly strange to release a touchscreen phone as this without having 3G.
EATME @ Jul 16th 2009 6:26PM
Hmm I wonder how many people got fired for these pictures leaking? Must be VERY VERY destructive to T-Mobile, probably millions lost due to a few photos leaking, by goly what would a company do!? Oh I know, Hire a bunch of wanna be cop/ivestigators and fire GOOD people for doing nothing but sharing technology with other people around the world. CORP SECURITY CAN EAT ME! You know who you are and I am sure you are looking at this right now, have fun, I hope you get paid alot to track me down, and I hope its worth it when your crying your self to sleep when you cant find me.