We're totally chuffed that Samsung has included a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can use a standard pair of headphones. Unfortunately, the MP3 player leaves too much to be desired. The player interface is awkward to control, featuring a cross-like design that isn't very practical to use when you're crammed in a tube carriage on the way to work.
A 5-megapixel camera didn't dazzle us either. Without the right optics or flash to support it, the advantages of the F490's high megapixel count are lost. It does take good shots for MMS pictures and small prints, but if you're out with your mates in a dark club and fancy taking a picture for posterity, don't expect it to come out.
Performance
The Samsung F490's battery lasted for over two days with moderate use and less when we connected to the Web over HSDPA for prolonged periods. If you listen to music going to and from work, take a few pictures throughout the day and browse the Web over HSDPA regularly, then be prepared to recharge it every night.
Conclusion
The Samsung F490 certainly tries to hit all the right moves to make it into more than just an iPhone lookalike. In reality, it lacks the finesse of its rival. It also lacks the flair that the F700 had in its slide-out keyboard. It seems that despite its best intentions, the F490 is mostly just dancing by itself.
Edited by Jason Jenkins
Additional editing by Shannon Doubleday
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User reviews4
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tgw6017 6 July 2008
Good: style and colour
Bad: screen response
Comment: its a good phone
the screen responce is ok but has its slow moments
blue and black colour is pretty cool
its a shame its only on vodafone
and contract only :(
still exellent phone :D
tgw6017 6 July 2008
Good: the black and blue affect
Bad: how the screen is slightly slow on response sometimes (BUT STILL GREAT)
Comment: people say is justba iphone killer when thee iphone is rubbish...
the iphone has a 2mp camera and bad signal but the samsung has a 5mp camera and has the signal of a normal phone
samsung has had time to come up with phones and had a lot of experiance but apple iphone is the first of its kind.
all together the f490 is a great phone
WELL DONE SAMSUNG :)
Fweem 7 June 2008
Good: Stlye, Performance and Generally Works Well.
Bad: Camera shutter speed.
Comment: Very stylish and sleek phone, easy to use with all the features you'd expect. Although no radio?!
Good camera except it takes a couple of seconds more than expected to take which is annoying at times.
Texting is easy and also predictive text is also very good.
Scrolling could be easier but once used to scrolling it is easier.
Overall a fantastic phone.
See all 4 user reviews