The SGH-Z500 was launched in 2005 and, at the time, was one of the smallest 3G phones available. The design was based on the popular SGH-E700, with the addition of a 1-megapixel camera, 3G support and a microSD/TransFlash memory expansion slot. One year later and the Z500 has been made over in pink, exclusively for Vodafone. Is it a case of mutton dressed as lamb, or can the Z500 still hold its own in 2006?
Design
Since there's now an abundance of different coloured phones flooding the market, we were sceptical when the pink Z500 landed on our doorstep. This feeling wasn't improved by the press release that boasted 'ladies will love the pink Z500... [it] is the ultimate accessory for any woman's handbag'.
That said, we weren't immediately put off by the pink panels which cover the front panel, the battery and the keypad. The rest of the phone is matte silver and the text on the pink keypad is white, which can be difficult to see at certain angles in bright light. Overall the colours compliment each other well, and although the Z500 has been criticised for looking like the E700, we like the classic styling and simple layout.
Aesthetics aside, the Z500 is a clamshell handset that weighs 95g and measures 89 by 45 by 25mm -- it's still petite for a 3G phone. Despite being small it feels solid, even when it's open, and it's comfortable to hold and use.
The front section of the phone houses an external screen and a 1-megapixel camera. The external screen is divided into two halves. The top half is an OLED screen that stays permanently on and displays signal strength, the time and battery life in blue text. The bottom section is an LCD, 65k-colour screen that displays notifications of text messages and calls, and an analogue clock. It can also be used to take portrait photos. Above the screen is a basic 1-megapixel camera that, as well as missing a flash and portrait mirror, doesn't have a cover, meaning it can be easily scratched.
On the top left of the handset there's a volume button and a proprietary headset port with an obligatory Samsung fiddly cover, and on the bottom left there's an infrared port. Opposite the volume button on the top right of the phone there's a dedicated shutter button, and further down on the bottom right there's a TransFlash memory expansion slot that's also covered. The bottom of the phone houses the charging and USB port, which again is burdened with a standard Samsung cover that feels like it's not well attached.
Luckily, the fiddly design stops at the covers and the inside of the handset is well laid out and practical. The keys are large enough to press comfortably and clearly defined by silver dividers that separate each one. There are also two soft keys at the top that activate the 3G video mode and a shortcut menu that lets you access calls, messaging and Vodafone live. Beneath those buttons is the navigation key that is well sized and feels just right, giving you enough space to press in each direction without feeling too confined.
The internal screen displays 262k colours and has a 176x220-pixel resolution. It's bright and clear and we found it easy to see in all conditions. Underneath the screen is the 0.3-megapixel (VGA) camera that can be used to take portrait photos or for video calls. Our only niggle with this section of the phone is the hinge that holds the screen in place but sticks out like a pair of shoulder pads, an unfortunately ugly feature on an otherwise decent-looking phone.
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