This is a global GSM phone. It can be
used with AT&T and T-Mobile USA without 3G.
Introduction:
There
is no doubt that the Linux-based, open-source Android operating system
is flourishing right now, thanks to some pretty good devices like the Motorola DROID and Google Nexus One (and their advertising). However, this is not the case with every other Linux-based OS out there. The young
LiMo R2 platform for example, currently found only on the high-end Samsung H1 and the mainstream Samsung M1 is still what someone would call a “no-name”.
In this review we will be examining the LiMo-powered Samsung H1, which is
strictly designed for the Vodafone 360 services.
It can be purchased either through Vodafone, or unlocked at some
stores. We are using an unlocked unit, which means that we aren’t able
to check out the Vodafone services, but we can closely examine the LiMo
R2 OS and see if it has the potential to become a full-featured mobile
platform.
Design:As
with many other hi-tech cell phones with large touch-sensitive screens,
the first time that you open the box with the Samsung H1, you get
surprised by how huge, sophisticated and interesting it looks. With
design language reminiscent of the Ultra series, the Samsung H1 is by no
means ugly. It’s actually quite bearable, but unfortunately lacks any
sense of the fashionable appearance that was a distinctive mark of the
Ultra series.
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| Samsung H1 |
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| Samsung H1 |
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| Samsung H1 |
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The Samsung H1 is quite heavy and feels solid
The device is quite heavy, feels solid and as a whole creates the
impression that it’s destined for great things. Whether this is the
case, we’ll tell you later. Samsung has created a nicely rounded back
side, which makes the H1 comfortable to hold. This is important, as it
is quite large, which is of course mainly due to the big touchscreen.
AMOLED. 3.5 inches. Capacitive touch technology. All of these are characteristics of the Samsung H1’s display.
While it undeniably bears the advantages of the AMOLED technology like
real blacks and nicely saturated colors, this display somehow failed to
deliver the eye candy we have seen with other AMOLED handsets like the Samsung Wave S8500
and Google Nexus One. It’s like the image quality is a step behind what
we’ve seen so far, but this doesn’t mean it’s bad. While the panel has a
metal frame to give it that classy look, the screen cover (which is
quite firm) itself lacks oleophobic coating, thus attracting a lot
fingerprints. To the point where you can even play tic-tac-toe on it.
Another proof of the Samsung H1’s well-made construction is the quality of the keys.
There are quite a few physical keys on the body and all of them are
extremely pleasant to use. As a top of the range smartphone, the H1 is
also home to standard 3.5mm and microUSB port, with the latter being
protected by a sliding lid – a solution we much prefer to standard
flaps.
And here’s the part where we should say our overall opinion about the design of
the Vodafone 360 Samsung H1. As much as we like to see high-quality
builds, we also enjoy offbeat design solutions that manage to stand out
from the crowd. Although very well built, the Samsung H1 is not such a
device. Regardless, its appearance is bearable and will probably appeal
to users with passion for conservative designs. The same goes for the
white version, as it doesn’t seem to put some additional emphasis on
style. Not that the appearance isn’t important, but as every
smartphone user knows, quality software can make up for a lacking
design. Let’s see if this is the case with the LiMo R2 platform running
on the Vodafone 360 Samsung H1.
| Candy Bar |
| 3.5 |
| Mobile Linux |
| No |
| Yes |
| Candy Bar |
| Mobile Linux |
| No |
| 115.9 |
| 58 |
| 12.9 |
| 134 |
| Silver, black |
| Yes |
| 3.5 |
| 480x800 |
| 600MHz ARM Cortex A8 |
| 400 |
| 16 |
| 5 |
| 720p @ 30fps |
| LED |
| 0.6 |
| microUSB |
| Yes |
| Quad |
| Yes |
| Yes |
| Yes |
| Yes |
| Yes |
| Yes |
| 360 App Store |
|
