Product Review: Samsung SCH-u540

Per our Verizon Wireless plan, we recently upgraded our cell phone to the Samsung SCH-U540. We have always liked the Samsung brand and have gotten good service from their phones.

I really liked their newest offer, the Samsung SCH-U540. The phone features such technologies as:

V-Cast Music and Video

1.3 Megapixel Camera

Bluetooth Wireless Technology

Removable Memory

Stereo Speakerphone

and more. For a cost of approximately $100, or less with incentives and discounts, the Samsung SCH-U540 has a lot to offer.

I was pleasantly surprised by the thin profile and sleek design of this newest flip phone from Samsung. Granted, it didn't come in pretty pink or bright blue, but it is small and thin enough to fit in my pocket.

The LCD display was larger than what I was used to, making it easier to read. This phone also has talking caller ID. When the phone rings, it will say the name of the person calling if it is a recognized number; if the phone number calling is unfamiliar to the Samsung SCH-U540, it will simply say the phone number. I love that feature when deciding whether or not to take a call.

Another huge improvement that I was excited with is the ability for voice-activated dialing without having to program anything in advance. You have the option to simply say a name if the name and number is recorded in the phone; to say the phone number; or even state an email address, and the Samsung SCH-U540 will dial the number for you.

The speakerphone is easy to access, with a little button on the side of the phone. The dual, stereo quality speakers of this Samsung phone allow for very clear, distortion free speakerphone capability.

The larger keypad is a plus for me, too. It is so much easier to text or key in new numbers on a larger keypad without having to sacrifice the small, lightweight design.

The Samsung SCH-U540 has the option to use a removable microSD memory card. This allows the user to be able to store pictures and videos taken with the camera and video feature without storing them on the phone. The removable memory card is also what allows the user of this phone to play music downloaded from one's computer.

I wasn't as impressed by the VCast Video and Music services from Verizon because I felt like they were expensive. It is unlikely that I would buy an extensive library of music at $2 a song. But I do appreciate that the ability to do so is there. One major drawback is the standard accessories needed to download and play music: memory card, headphones, and USB cable are not included with the phone. You can buy these accessories separately but the software, headphones, and USB cable are $30, and the microSD memory card is around $20, so that significantly adds to the cost of the phone if you use it as a music phone.

Some people have found that the pictures and videos taken with this phone tend to be dark, but I thought the quality of these with the Samsung SCH-U540 was adequate. And the larger screen allows for landscape mode video review.

Overall, I am looking forward to using this phone for the next two years, and feel like it was excellent value for the money.