Samsung A-177 Review: the Latest GoPhone

(Model number SGH-A177)

I decided to purchase the Samsung A-177 after I got rid of my Blackberry. I moved from a job that justified paying the extra $30 per month for the Blackberry data plan to a job that didn't require that I have that. What initially drew me to the Samsung was the fact that I could purchase this phone without having to renew my contract. GoPhones are considerably less expensive than phones that come with a contract, especially if you want a new phone and are not eligible for an upgrade. GoPhones will work with your plan as long as you just insert your SIM card into the phone.

I paid $79.99 for this phone when similar models cost upwards of $150 without an upgrade or extending your contract.

Looks

As someone who sends a few hundred texts a month, the full QWERTY is what drew me to this phone. The color display is a decent size at 2.2 inches but is really nothing special. Overall, the phone looks like any other smart phone on the market at a distance, but up close it's evident that it's not.

While it's great to have the full keyboard, the keys are smaller and closer together than my Blackberry, making it harder to type. The phone is also very light weight and feels sometimes as though it would break easily.

Features

Camera-- The phone has a VGA camera only, meaning you'll get pretty low quality pictures. There is no video capability. The camera is fine for up close pictures or if you want to take photos to set up as a caller ID, but it's not good for much more than that.

Tools-- This phone actually has a pretty decent toolkit. It comes with the following:

Audio recorder (very useful with up to an hour of record time), Calendar (you're able to save tasks, events, appointments, etc.), Notepad, Calculator (very easy to use), Tip Calculator, Unit Converter (currency, dimensions, temperature, etc.), Timer, Stopwatch, World Time, and Alarms.

All the tools are easy to access and very easy to use, a definite plus for this phone.

Games-- This phone comes preloaded with demos of Bubble Bash, Guitar Hero III, and Diner Dash 2. It also comes with Bejeweled, but you must connect to the network which triggers data charges. You can shop more games, but the narrow keyboard makes playing games difficult.

Internet-- You can access AT&T Media Mall to download ringers, graphics, games, or other tools but that's it. There is no wi-fi access with this phone.

Memory-- This phone comes with 64 MB of memory and enough space for 500 contacts. There is no place for an additional memory card so what you see is what you get.

Bluetooth-- This is an issue with me. This phone is supposed to be Bluetooth ready, but I cannot get it to connect to any Bluetooth devices. I supposed it could be an issue with my phone, but I have heard that others have had this problem with this phone as well. I would just assume that this phone doesn't have Bluetooth capability because I have never seen it work.

Everyday Functionality-- This phone is very easy to use. There are multiple ringers to select, or you can download your own and they ring loud enough. Texting is simple to access, but the keyboard makes it a little more difficult than you might expect for a QWERTY phone. The speakerphone is just the push of a button away, very easy to access for those who talk while driving, or just like using a speakerphone. Navigating to the various tools and options is easy using the Up, Down, Left, Right, Enter button in the center of the phone. You can also set up your own shortcut keys for instant access to the options you use the most.

There are also quick button keys at the bottom on the keyboard to quickly access your games, IM, camera or to lock your keyboard (let's all work to end butt-dialing).

Call quality is nice and clear for the most part. I do this the volume could add one extra notch as I think the phone is a little quiet, but that's most personal preference.

Summary-- If you want a full keyboard without having the pay full price or commit to a long term contract with AT&T, this is a great phone. Just don't expect to have a ton a features or be able to keep up with the latest cell phone features. This looks and feels like a smart phone or Blackberry, but the functionality is definitely not on par with those phones.

I don't think this phone is an attempt to compete with the Blackberry though. This phone offers a lower cost alternative for those who want a sophisticated looking device and want the QWERTY keyboard. You're basically getting your every day $50 cell phone with a full keyboard and some extra tools to justify the extra $30 you'll spend. For heavy texters, it's worth it.

If you're looking to get your first full keyboard phone, or are looking to replace a phone with an expensive date plan, I would definitely start here. If you want a good phone without having to commit to a 2 year plan, this is a great move.

Overall Grade: B

A great phone for what it is, just don't mistake it for a smart phone lite. The small keyboard could have easily been fixed with just a slightly wider design.