The Saga Begins... (1/3)
Verizon Samsung Saga with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
INTRODUCTION
The Verizon Samsung Saga (a close cousin to the Samsung Epix on AT&T) is billed as a "Global Smartphone," ready for
overseas use (with the appropriate account activations). Though we weren't able to
book a trip to Europe for the purpose of our review, we can take a look at the
features packed into the Saga so you can see how well it might suit your travel needs.
WHAT'S HOT
Let's do a rundown of specs. The Samsung Saga is running on Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. It's using a Qualcomm MSM7500 CPU clocking in at 400MHz, and includes 128MB of RAM and 256MB of ROM. The touchscreen is 2.55" and has a resolution of 320x320, making for a pixel density of 177ppi (compared to 285ppi on the Touch Diamond/Pro and 164ppi on the iPhone). It's a CDMA phone with quadband (850/900/1800/1900) GSM for use as a world phone, plus EV-DO Rev A for high speed data. It has aGPS (which is unfortunately locked down to third party apps), WiFi (b & g), Bluetooth 2.0, a proprietary jack for audio, charging and syncing, and microSD expansion, plus an optical cursor like the Samsung Omnia. The camera on the back is 1.9MP and it comes without a flash. Powering the entire unit is a 1300mAh battery. For even more specs, check out PDAdb.net.
Device |
Size (inches) |
Weight (grams | ounces) |
4.74" x 2.63" x 0.43"
|
157 | 5.53 |
|
4.33" x 2.09" x 0.59"
|
117 | 4.12 |
|
4.66" x 2.48" x 0.47"
|
130 | 4.58 |
|
4.56" x 2.33" x 0.67"
|
188 | 6.63 |
|
4.64" x 2.36" x 0.48"
|
129 | 4.55 |
|
3.96" x 2.34" x 0.67"
|
133 | 4.76 |
|
4.68" x 2.44" x 0.67"
|
188 | 6.63 |
|
4.58" x 2.42" x 0.47"
|
120 | 4.20 |
|
4.56" x 2.33" x 0.65"
|
178 | 6.28 |
|
3.92" x 2.41" x 0.60"
|
137 | 4.83 |
|
4.24" x 2.09" x 0.53"
|
117 | 4.12 |
|
4.17" x 2.00" x 0.85"
|
151 | 5.34 |
|
4.41" x 2.24" x 0.49"
|
122 | 4.30 |
|
4.57" x 1.70" x 0.64"
|
140 | 4.94 |
|
4.88" x 2.44" x 0.53"
|
130 | 4.56 |
|
4.21" x 2.20" x 0.55"
|
120 | 4.20 |
|
4.53" x 2.47" x 0.47"
|
146 | 5.15 |
|
4.63" x 2.19" x 0.67"
|
158 | 5.57 |
|
4.35" x 2.07" x 0.67"
|
158 | 5.57 |
|
4.56" x 2.41" x 0.51"
|
125 | 4.41 |
|
4.44" x 2.36" x 0.55"
|
133 | 4.69 |
|
4.01" x 1.98" x 0.55"
|
124 | 4.37 |
|
8.28" x 4.67" x 1.08"
|
640 | 22.5 |
|
4.48" x 2.52" x 0.59"
|
154 | 5.43 |
|
4.17" x 2.38" x 0.68"
|
147 | 5.18 |
|
4.01" x 2.00" x 0.71"
|
165 | 5.82 |
|
4.41" x 2.24" x 0.49"
|
122 | 4.30 |
|
4.41" x 2.28" x 0.73"
|
140 | 4.94 |
|
4.61" x 2.51" x 0.78"
|
183 | 6.45 |
|
4.40" x 2.40" x 0.50"
|
123 | 4.34 |
|
4.01" x 2.00" x 0.45"
|
110 | 3.88 |
|
4.56" x 2.36" x 0.70" |
200 | 7.05 |
|
4.60" x 2.30" x 0.50" |
110 | 3.88 |
|
4.30" x 2.40" x 0.60" |
120 | 4.23 |
|
4.20" x 2.30" x 0.60" |
136 | 4.79 |
|
3.70" x 2.30" x 0.60" |
126 | 4.44 |
|
4.48" x 2.39" x 0.51" |
116 | 4.09 |
|
4.60" x 2.60" x 0.50"
|
134 | 4.70
|
|
4.40" x 2.32" x 0.75" |
190 | 6.70 |
|
4.10" x 2.10" x 0.60" |
150 | 5.30 |
|
4.01" x 1.97" x 0.78" |
110 | 3.88 |
|
4.40" x 2.32" x 0.75" |
190 | 6.70 |
|
4.40" x 2.50" x 0.50"
|
120 | 4.20
|
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
The Samsung Saga includes a US power adapter
with conversion adapters for Australia, Europe and the UK. Also
included is a USB adapter for charging/syncing with a desktop or
laptop computer.
Three CDs are also included in the package: VA Access Manager (for providing internet access to a personal computer), an electronic version of the user manual, and a Getting Started CD (including ActiveSync and Windows Mobile Device Center).
You can check out our unboxing video for a better
look at the contents.
THE DEVICE
The use of blue metallic may not work for everyone. The keyboard has good spacing between keys and they are raised enough to easily distinguish between them when typing.
Here on the back we get a view of the 1.9MP camera in a raised area, a self-portrait mirror, and speakerphone.
Moving around the device, the left side has the button to switch between "Mouse Mode" and "Navigation Mode". Above that button is the volume rocker.
On the right side is the Samsung USB/charging port, the camera button and the reset button.
On the top is the stylus, the headphone jack, and the power button.
Here's a hardware tour of the Saga.
The biggest draw for the Saga for business users is most likely its dual network capability. The Saga can be configured to work on Verizon's CDMA network in the US, or GSM networks overseas. A few clicks and a reboot is all that's needed to change networks.
The 256MB ROM includes Windows Mobile 6.1 and Microsoft Office Mobile. With 128MB RAM, you should have adequate memory to install and run several applications at once. A microSD memory slot allows for up to 16GB of additional memory storage.
A D-pad is not provided on the Saga, but either the optical mouse or the retractable stylus can be used for navigation. Using the mouse may take some getting used to, but it does provide a natural migration between desktop and mobile phone.
The only time I really missed the D-pad was when I was typing a note or e-mail and wanted to relocate the cursor. Positioning the optical mouse and clicking was not quite as convenient as using a D-pad, but of course you can turn off the cursor function.
Here we compare the Samsung Saga with the BlackBerry Flip and T-Mobile Wing. Because of the keyboard up front, the Saga is quite tall.
Here they are, stacked.
Click on to continue with software...
