Hands-on with the Samsung T809
Those of you been following the progress of the Samsung T809 closely on the phone forums sites may already be well aware, but T-Mobile should launching their new rather thin Samsung slider shortly. The device—which is barely thicker than a RAZR to these eyes—has a megapixel camera, MicroSD (TransFlash, which was labeled T-Flash, humorously enough), Bluetooth, and really one of the best screens we've seen on a phone of this type in a long time. Not a bad score for T-Mo at all.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
cinnsere @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
And when is this suppose to be released???
James @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
If the screen is the same as the one on my new D600 then it's fantastic. Best cell screen I've seen.
newblogspot-com @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Cool phone. I just wish they would put in a harddrive in a phone one of these days - that would be supercool.
Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
And does it have 850 mhz?
dzuest @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Isn't T-Mo GSM 900? If its Quad-Band it would have 850, but if its Tri-band i would imagine its just 900.
Tom Saville @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Damn that looks sexy....what providers will support this?
That's me @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
James: yes it's QVGA, 240x320 (same resolution as the D600 on a slighlty bigger screen). Name of the phone in Europe: D800.
Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
My understanding is that t-mobile runs on 1800 and 1900, but they do sell some tri-band phones, like Samsungs e635 (850, 1800 and 1900). So if this new t809 has the same bands (I'm on Cingular and really need the 850) then I'm sold.
Adam @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
T-Mobile uses GSM 1900 in the United States. Most of the phones they sell are Tri-Band. More recently, they've been selling phones with 850MHz capabilities since some of their roaming partners use 850
Subliminal Fusion @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
T-Mobile has some 850mhz roaming agreements in more rural areas of their service and seems to be expanding their coverage in that frequency. They don't have 900mhz because that spectrum is not licensed for cell phone use in the U.S. 900mhz is used in other parts of the world, so a quad-band phone is useful if you want to use it both in and out of the States...
I've seen it @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Quad band, 850, 900, 1800, 1900, 1.3MP, Bluetooth, TransFlash, Stereo speakers (yes as in 2), Stereo Headset...possible TV out-have not confirmed this, support for PDF, Powerpoint, Excel & Word viewing, AIM/ICQ/Yahoo Messaging, Voice Dialing/Voice Commands, Image Editing, MP3 Player, Video Recording...all brought to you by T-Mobile USA!
oBLIQUE @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Cingular runs on the 850 band, T-mobile runs on the 1900 band. 900& 1800 are for Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Rick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
T-Mobile here I come.
tb. @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
tmobile runs exclusively on 1900. all the togo customers are limited to tmobile towers.
however contracted customers get to use cingular towers, which explains the 850,1800 bands.
phi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
does it support EDGE, and if so, what class?
Mike from Michigan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
That's a nice phone. I think I'll stay a slave for T-Mo another 2 years.
Braincell @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I've seen it
Quad band, 850, 900, 1800, 1900, 1.3MP, Bluetooth, TransFlash, Stereo speakers (yes as in 2), Stereo Headset...possible TV out-have not confirmed this, support for PDF, Powerpoint, Excel & Word viewing, AIM/ICQ/Yahoo Messaging, Voice Dialing/Voice Commands, Image Editing, MP3 Player, Video Recording...all brought to you by T-Mobile USA!
What is your source? Can you confirm all of these features?
ABhi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Looking to jump to T-Mo from Cingular....and was jus lookin for something like this...
Jordan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
T-mobile does not run exclusivly on 1900, they now have 850 roaming agreements all over...
and too bad this doesnt have flash to go along with the megapixel camera... or it would have been the phone that renewed my contract...
Gitarzan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I'm married to VZ until 11/22/05. I hope TMo has this thing before then.
Joe Blough @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
A slider protects the keyboard but what protects the screen? Seems to me they got the concept reveresed.
teh @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I've played with the thing. I had a Samsung rep in my area show off a prototype about a month ago. It's amazing, the screen is gorgeous and the video capture is better than anything I've seen. Most of the reps. I work with are planning on selling their RAZRs when these get released. It just blows 'em away.
Sadly, this isn't hitting T-Mobile shelves until after the new year. Or at least that's what the higher ups are telling us. Same with the PEBL and the Motorola Q, all of which we were supposed to have in around November. The holiday season isn't going to be nearly as sweet as it could be.
zakir @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Teh,
From where did u hear that these phones were getting pushed back?
tmolover @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
The release date for this phone is scheduled for 11/22/05 and I'm hoping that date sticks. It looks like a great phone and I'm holding out for it. Our Samsung rep tells us that it's the plasma tv or cell phone screens.
Zach Hardt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I read on the sprintusers.com forum that this phone was coming to Sprint! Anyone here have any more information on the subject?
Jordan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Hey so heres the scoop tmobile will be releasing this phone rather soon yes it does support edge so hoorah to that quad band and the like and just all around cool it will definatly be out this holiday season along with the moto pebl oogle all you want i'm definatly getting one :-)
Jordan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Network Approval: October 31(Date engineering approved device for use on T-Mobile network.)
Slider Phone
Worldphone Quad Band
1.3 megapixel Camaera
Bluetooth
Receive/View/Forward Picture and Video Messages
AOL Instant Messenger
MP3 Player
Removable Memory
Worldphone Quad Band
1.3 Megapixel Camera with 4x digital zoom
Color External Display
Picture Caller ID
Video Camera
Speakerphone
Bluetooth
IM (AOL/Yahoo)
High Ringers, Wallpapers, & Games
Highs peed data with EDGE compatible
WAP 2.0 Browser
Java MIDP2.0
GPRS Class 10
Java 2.0
Shane @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I am under the impression this will have the 850 gsm, as the e635 does. Most all of our T-Mobile phones do/are going to be 850 gsm from here on out.
EpiMaN @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
This is a really nice quad band phone. I work for T-mobile and the phone is tentatively scheduled to release sometime in December 05. I have played with a demo model and this phone is worth getting just for the LCD alone. Looks like a HD TV screen. It is Edge compatable, but I dont know what "class". Jordan's info is correct, it was approved for use on October 31st and typical release of a phone is usually a month or so after network approval.
Also... T-mobile is 1900 band, but we are putting in 850 band towers in some areas, but will not be available till mid 06, and do roamng agreements wth other companies that have the 850 band towers already. Have also heard that we'll have 3G in 07 if that peaks an interest with anyone.
Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
All of this is great about the phone, but does this phone have a built in Email Client??
Stephanie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
So for those who asked, and I don't know if this has been answered already... but TMobile is releasing this phone December 5th. This came from TMobiles customer service people.
caz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Im planning on getting this, but the one thing that bums me out is I read that it DOES NOT have a web browser? I cant believe that a phone of this caliber would not have one. Anybody have any info to confirm weather or not if this is true?
danes75 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
i just spoke w/ a TMo rep who said the phone would be available in retail locations Dec. 5th and that they wouldn't be able to sell it online or upgrade over the phone until after that (retailer contracts).
T-Mo ER @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
The T-Mobile release date is Dec 5th. SRP: $299.99 Quad Band, Bluetooth, & 1.3 megapix camera.
caz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Where is everyone getting the dec. 5 date I spoke to T Mobile customer service reps the last couple of days and both of them said dec. 9th and they couldnt even give me a price yet?
caz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Where is everyone getting the dec. 5 date I spoke to T Mobile customer service reps the last couple of days and both of them said dec. 9th and they couldnt even give me a price yet?
PenguinXP @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
#28 said "december 05" so maybe that is where the december 5th is coming from?
and i cant wait to get this phone! im switching from sprint just to get it. so pleased i can stop using my giant old sanyo with a busted screen FINALLY!
matt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I'm switching as well just for this phone. I can't wait. My t-mobile rep was really great for setting me up with an account. He actually gave me a free phone when I signed up a few weeks ago to hold me over until the T809 is released, and is going to give me the T809 at the new activation price, and is going to hold it for me so I can get it the day it comes out. I just hope it's soon. This free Motorola phone is the suck.
DCFC Fan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I have been itching for a new phone for a long time and my contract ends this month. I was looking at RAZR for the style, Sprints 2MP Samnsung... Nothing felt right, until I've seen this. I watched a hands on video review of it on pcmag.com and it looks great. The features sound amazing. I've seen on howardforums talk of support for Word, Excel, PDF, and some other interesting stuff. Reportedly this info was from the manual, but unconfirmed.
I went to a TMo store today and asked about this phone while they were very busy. I was hoping to catch someone offguard and spill some info. Basically he said he knew about it but didn't have any information. Nothing new there, but the woman working with him just lit up and looked and him and me and it looked like she wanted to burst from something. They obviously know more but can't say. I told them I would be back December 9th and the woman's eyes darted back to me. I thought she was gonna pee a little.
I'll be there that day with my fingers crossed.
DCFC Fan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Here is a link to a phonescoop.com info sheet on the T809. In the breakout there is a link to their FCC filing fun stuff. If you go to the FCC sight and dig through a couple links, you'll find links to the manual for this phone.
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=813
Jim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I was talking to a T-Mobile CSR today and asked about this phone. He said "You need to call back on December 9th". For what it is worth.....
T-mobile CSR @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Hey, up until today my info said the 9th, now it says it's available on the 12th. No email client for the person who asked. It doesn't have an HTML browser but of course has a normal WAP browser. Unfortunately, this phone does NOT support voice commands, which is really disappointing (along with no flash). I was waiting for this phone for the mp3 player but might end up going with the v360 now.
Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Yes, I called today. The girl I talked to told me "It was supposed to be out yesterday, but they pushed it back til the 9th, then they pushed it back until the 12th. You might see it early next year" Then she laughed. Hopefully it'll be in my hands on the 12th. This free Motorola phone has GOT to go.
Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Some of the T-Mobile stores have this phone now and will start selling it on Friday Dec 9th! I've played with it and LOVE it! For the people complaining about it not having a flash it's not a camera. EVERY camera phone I've ever used that had a flash it didn't work past about a foot maybe two feet. So where is the necessity for the flash? Go buy a digital camera if you want a flash. Use some phones with a flash and tell me how well they've worked!
Bob @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
My local T-Mobile store has the t809s in but will not sell them until Monday. They showed it to me though and it looks great.
sb @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Tmobile has stripped this phone(T809) of lots of performance you can NOT use your own mp3 ringtones via blutooth(so whats the point of having them on your phone it is not like you are going to have a party and say hey everyone come gather around my phone and dance)And they removed the tv out so do not plan on veiwing anything larger than the phone screen. stupid tmobile everytime they take away the best qualities of a great phone. The battery is good for 3.5 hours of nonstop talking even with a bluetooth head set though I think i am going back to my d500 !
dan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
mp3 can not be set as ringtones through tmobile phones they have copy rights set so you have to buy ringtones through t zones what a bite in the ass one of the best mp3 players etc.. and t mobile has ot make its money... i just got my 300 handed to me in my ass
tabitha @ Dec 25th 2005 2:12AM
i just got the samsung t809 today and just absolutely fell in love with it despite some minor flaws. i spent half an hour running between tmobile and cingular to see what they had to offer. i was resigned to get the razr at cingular until i spotted the t809. the fact that i've had the same phone for two years because i haven't seen anything else that i've liked says a lot about this phone, which i bought within five minutes of looking at it and its specs.