Connecting to your PC is made possible with the bundled software and USB cable. You can synchronise your contacts and calendar tasks, manage files, photos and Internet connections, edit movies and sounds, play your mobile phone's content and compose multimedia messages, all from the comfort of your computer.
Other features include a calendar, alarm clock, polyphonic ringtones, MMS and SMS messaging, Bluetooth connectivity, calculator, timer, stopwatch, unit converter and memo. There's about 80MB of internal memory and you can store 1,000 contacts and 200 SMS messages.
One feature that continues to annoy Samsung users, and remains on the D830, is the inability to select vibrate and ring at the same time. You can either set the phone to vibrate first and then ring, or just ring or vibrate. While this isn't a major problem, it is rather frustrating that the option isn't there.
Another problem regarding tones is the inability to select your own tone for SMS or MMS messages -- it would be nice to see this in future models.
The D830's biggest feature-related problem, however, is the navigation interface, which is severely hindered by the problematic flat keypad. This is definitely a case of too thin, too soon, and we would rather Samsung had put in a normal keypad, sacrificing some of the thin design for a better overall user experience.
The keypad doesn't react properly to every push and after a while becomes quite a hindrance.
Performance
The audio during calls is good -- Samsung has perfected audio quality on most of its phones and hearing another person over the D830 isn't an effort. The speakerphone works as expected, but don't expect to hear it over a radio while you drive.
The 2-megapixel camera takes sharp and relatively high-quality photos that are suitable for small prints and MMS messages. It's a shame that there's no flash, though -- taking photos in low light is impossible.
The battery life is quoted at 215 hours of standby time and 2.5 hours of talk time. We found that we had to recharge it every two days.
Edited by Mary Lojkine
Additional editing by Kate Macefield
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Mark Bradley 8 December 2006
Good: Screen quality; responsive keypad; UI; design
Bad: Tricky to open quickly; no flash; only 2 UI skins
Comment: I'm surprised at reviews stating problems with the keypad. The keys are large and strongly back-lit. Granted the keypad takes a little getting used to - each key has a central "sweet-spot" so it doesn't react if you don't touch it in the right place, but this is easy to adapt to, took me a couple of minutes. I can understand that avid texters may not like the fact these keys are not tactile, there is no physical feeling that the key has been pressed, but I've experienced no problems.
The 2.3" screen is stunning in its brightness, colour and clarity. The Samsung menu system is up to its usual standard, with pop-up submenus to aid navigation.
The UI default skin of black is very attractive, although the only other option is white.
The 2MP camera has auto-focus but no flash, but if you want top quality, buy a proper digital camera! Such embedded cameras in phones are for fun only not serious photography.
The internal memory is large (when compared to Motorola's) and is expandable. The music player is adequate, although my Sony Ericsson W810i does this job much better, but you would expect that from the Walkman brand.
The small external screen does everything necessary (showing incoming message/calls) and as it's blue on black, it doesn't suffer in direct sunlight as much as multi-coloured displays, it's still easy to read.
As the model is so thin, it really is fiddly to open quickly, and is large when open (a long distance from earpiece to speaker). These are minor niggles, however, more than made up for by the clear call quality.
If you like to text a lot, it may be best to steer clear due to the keypad restrictions, but if like me, you want a phone which does a great job as a phone (with an adequate camera and MP3 player too), fits easily into a pocket adding little bulk or weight, and don't use it extensively, then this could be the one for you.
Mark Bradley 7 December 2006
Good: Stunning screen; thin-ness; simple design; responsive keypad; strong vibrate
Bad: Tricky to open quickly even with 2 hands; only 2 UI skins
Comment: I'm surprised at reviews stating problems with the keypad. The keys are large and well back-lit. Granted the keypad takes a little getting used to - each key has a central "sweet-spot" so it doesn't react if you don't touch it in the right place, but this is easy to adapt to, took me a couple of minutes. I can understand that avid texters may not like the fact these keys are not tactile, there is no physical feeling that the key has been pressed, but I've experienced no problems.
The 2.3" screen is stunning in its brightness, colour and clarity. The Samsung menu system is up to its usual standard, with pop-up submenus to aid navigation.
The UI default skin of black is very attractive, although the only other option is white.
The 2MP camera has auto-focus but no flash, but if you want top quality, buy a proper digital camera! Such embedded cameras in phones are for fun only not serious photography.
The internal memory is large (when compared to Motorola's) and is expandable. The music player is adequate, although my Sony Ericsson W810i does this job much better, but you would expect that from the Walkman brand.
The small external screen does everything necessary (showing incoming message/calls) and as it's blue on black, it doesn't suffer in direct sunlight as much as multi-coloured displays, it's still easy to read.
As the model is so thin, it really is fiddly to open quickly, and is large when open (a long distance from earpiece to speaker). These are minor niggles, however, more than made up for by the clear call quality.
If you like to text a lot, it may be best to steer clear due to the keypad restrictions, but if like me, you want a phone which does a great job as a phone (with an adequate camera and MP3 player too), fits easily into a pocket adding little bulk or weight, and don't use it extensively, then this could be the one for you.
See all 2 user reviews