The Helio Fin

Helio today has announced the Fin, the first flip phone in the carrier's lineup. For an MVNO making its name with unique powerhouses like the Ocean, the Fin seems downright ordinary -- but that's not quite the case. For one thing, the Fin bests its A717 and m610 lookalikes (all three of which are manufactured by Samsung, coincidentally) in the thickness game, coming in at a svelte 11.4 millimeters to take the crown as the thinnest flip launched in the US. The Fin also totes a rather potent 3 megapixel sensor in its cam, 100MB of internal storage with microSD expansion up to 4GB, and stereo Bluetooth support. As with all of Helio's more recently launched devices, the Fin includes GPS on board; concurrently with the phone's release, Helio is announcing Garmin Mobile navigation for the Fin and the Ocean -- available for $2.99 per day -- for those times when the integrated Google Maps-based nav just doesn't cut it. Grab Fin starting today for $175.

[Alexander @ Aug 15th 2007 9:48AM]

I wish that Verizon would take a cue from these people.

[mdesrosiers @ Aug 15th 2007 9:49AM]

I can't see how it costs 175 on the website. There's some sort of service plan....and it costs something over 200.

[Allan @ Aug 15th 2007 10:17AM]

It looks like they're running a special on Samsung phones for an additional $50 off. So it's normally $225... but with this "plan" it's $175. I couldn't find too many details on the site though.

[Erwos @ Aug 15th 2007 9:54AM]

Impressive phones. Just get some HTCs into play, and they'll be kicking ass.

[tomas @ Aug 16th 2007 3:13AM]

Helio only sells Korean devices, I think HTC is from Taiwan.

[Brian Wohlgemuth @ Aug 15th 2007 10:03AM]

Does it come with any "Free Xenu" wallpapers?

[Allan @ Aug 15th 2007 10:11AM]

Wow... that pic you guys are using does not really do it justice. I thought it was some random run-of-the-mill thick flip phone (before I read about it anyways). But I didn't realize how tiny it is. And I even like the color!

I'll stick with my Ocean though. QWERTY FTW.

[prokanda @ Aug 15th 2007 10:16AM]

Hrm... a 200 dollar feature phone with a 3mp camera and.... a monochrome external display? Nastee.

Just like the ocean that I had for 5 days before multiple parts of the hardware failed: Missing features that it definitely should have. Not to mention the most horrible nightmare of a customer service experience I've ever had. (I cut off service on MAY 27th and they've had my oceans [the failed ocean and the replacement I was never supposed to receive] since JUNE 4th... still my refund hasn't come because of an early term. fee I was never supposed to get).

Avoid hellio... please?

[Radar @ Aug 15th 2007 11:28AM]

I have to disagree regarding the Helio experience, and can only hope that yours doesn't represent the majority - I switched from Cingular to Helio at the end of June (for the Ocean, which I got for $195 and a free 1GB microSD card), and have had nothing but good experiences with them - their customer support has been top-notch (everyone i've talked to has spoken clear english...bonus points there), i've never been on hold longer than 5 minutes, and the hardware rocks (coming over from a RAZR, anyways). I even picked up a Heat on eBay for like $50 for those times when i don't feel like carrying an Ocean around.

The Fin looks cool too, but i'd miss the ocean's keyboard and portrait modes. As for the external screen being mono...so what? Just use that for incoming caller id anyways...

[prokanda @ Aug 15th 2007 11:33AM]

yeah.. a $200+ phone and you can't even use it's 3mp camera to take caller ID pictures? laaaaame.

and my experience isn't the only one.. I only know two other people that have had hellio... my roommate that bought his ocean the exact same day I did (he's had almost the same experience) and another friend that has since left hellio because he had a similar experience. don't get me wrong, I wanted a phone that did it all and could replace the two phones I have right now.. but there are far too many problems/quirks with the ocean.. I mean c'mon.. a 200 dollar phone that you can't choose text message notifications for? falls apart? sluggish performance? a muffled earpiece speaker? it was half baked and made by a company not known for "quality" hardware.

Doesn't matter, I'm not going to get into an arguement on a forum... the ocean was a letdown and hellio doesn't train their employees properly.

[Pace @ Sep 16th 2007 3:19PM]

I got my Fin today at the Helio store in manhattan. I hope my experience won't mirror yours. Personally my salesgirl knew what she was talking about (mostly, I had to remind her of a few deals I was supposed to get). I heard the full spectrum of responses coming from the help, from really knowledgeable to "i just read this off a sheet".

Anyways, about the Ocean vs Fin. The salesgirl I was working with said that the Ocean has a lot of flaws that the Fin has taken care of, regarding screen quality, battery life, etc. I don't know if that's just marketing, but it took zero arm twisting to get her to stop pushing the higher-priced model.

And, worst-case, it's still a Samsung phone (no idea who makes the ocean), which I've had good experiences with in the past. So here's hoping!

[prokanda @ Sep 16th 2007 3:23PM]

Ocean is pantech (aka garbage) of course the fin will be nice, Sammy makes really solid handsets. I've loved just about every samsung I've ever used.. what they lack in current over-the-top features, they make up for in their solid build and usually easy to use menus.

[Booyaa @ Aug 15th 2007 10:35AM]

This one is almost identical to my Samsung SHG-D830, except mine is 9.9mm thick and lower spec'ed ;)

http://www.mobile-review.com/review/samsung-d830-en.shtml

[Don @ Aug 15th 2007 10:51AM]

$2.99 a DAY?! Is that correct? Surely that's a month? If not, their GPS=Rape.

[Iscariote @ Aug 15th 2007 11:10AM]

Using GPS with Google Maps is free, it's $2.99 to get turn by turn directions for one day through Garmin.

You can get directions for free using the Google Maps, but you have to click a button every time you take a turn or whatever.

[prokanda @ Aug 15th 2007 1:17PM]

I meant not being able to use them.... it's a single color external screen.. rendering it useless for ID pics... I mean, c'mon... a phone nowadays that has a monochrome external display? especially a 200 dollar phone with a 3mp camera? but I bet the hardware is top notch.. Samsung of course. Too bad it was Pantech they decided to work with on the ocean..... Sammy would have done it right.

[Radar @ Aug 15th 2007 1:07PM]

You can take caller Id pics with the Ocean (I'd assume the same with the Fin; same interface on the majority of Helio phones).

Sorry for your crappy experiences.

[Vaiyach @ Aug 15th 2007 12:13PM]

$175 IS cheap!

[Ben @ Aug 15th 2007 1:02PM]

Great phone. Only problem I have is Helio's phones don't support DRM music.

[HelioNick @ Aug 15th 2007 2:42PM]

Actually they do take DRM music just not all forms, uses Microsofts Play4Sure DRM.

[Ben @ Aug 15th 2007 3:40PM]

But I just read in the Helio Media Mover manual that "Helio Media Mover will only process audio and video media files that DO NOT have DRM protections." I prefer subscription services and would be very interested in a phone that would support one of them (Rhapsody, Napster, Yahoo).

[Radar @ Aug 15th 2007 1:08PM]

Sorry...that was actually @prokanda

[Ergy JB @ Aug 15th 2007 1:32PM]

that's one SEXY PHONE!!!!!!!!! I am so switching to Helio

[Drew @ Aug 15th 2007 1:46PM]

I've read many of the comments above about Helio users. But for the rest of you who use Helio, how do you like it? I'm very curious, I've thought about switching from Verizon to Helio but I don't know much about them nor do I know any users.

[daedalus @ Aug 15th 2007 2:06PM]

I love my Ocean... No it's not perfect, and being a first revision gadget, I don't expect it to be. I love love love my unlimited everything plan, and as long as I don't have to call customer service, I don't really get frustrated.

Quite frankly I think the most annoying thing about Helio is that Sky Dayton is a Scientologist... I dont want to love him, but I do anyways.

I don't use my Ocean for playing mp3's because, lets face it... most phones suck at that... that's why god created iPods... and I don't pretend that it's a blackberry either.

It's a fun alternative to a sidekick, with a company whose business model is groundbreaking for a service provider.

(and getting into mccarren pool parties VIP is a nice perk)

[Josh @ Aug 15th 2007 3:15PM]

I haven't tried the Ocean yet, but I got a Heat back in March. I was really happy to leave Cingular behind as I had a miserable experience with them that seemed full of hidden charges and penalties. Bill-wise, Helio has been consistent with the website from Day 1. I get all my data and texting for 65/mo. and I use fewer minutes since I text way more. I also like the H.O.T. news service as it just scrolls news through my phone throughout the day without having to surf (though it could use more news carriers). I'm not a power-user like prokanda, but I've been happy as the data package has saved me from boredom many times, kept me up on news, and provided directions through Google maps when I've been lost. I really liked Verizon way back when I had them, but I still can't believe my Verizon friends pay over $100/mo for data and texting is still separate.

Customer service-wise, I've only talked to people during the initial setup. They were all State-side and it went well. I got a couple nice messages after a month or two saying they just wanted to make sure my experience was going well, but it was never a hassle. I've worked phone support myself and I don't doubt some users could get a bad rep who train-wrecked a bad situation, but I'd say the people I dealt with were on the good end of support centers I've worked with.

[Bogdan @ Aug 15th 2007 7:15PM]

I want one. Immediately. Too bad I still have 1 year to go with T-Mobile contract.

[Naris @ Aug 15th 2007 8:18PM]

If Helio ever commissions HTC to make a custom phone like they did with Pantech and the Ocean I have to say:

The Asian mobile phone crowd might actually be a little jealous of us for once.

[ed_yasi @ Aug 15th 2007 10:43PM]

I have been using a Helio Ocean for the last couple months, and so far I really like it. I've had to call customer service a couple times, and both times they were helpful and friendly. So, thumbs up for Helio from me...

[David @ Aug 16th 2007 12:36PM]

I smell viral marketers in this comment thread.

[Matt Blatz @ Aug 16th 2007 7:46PM]

You stink so?

[Byttle @ Aug 17th 2007 1:06AM]

Im so switching from AT&T to Helio...but i was wondering about the actual service in the "green" area's, no 3g where i am.

[remote87 @ Aug 20th 2007 1:14AM]

i actually have an ocean, for about 1 and 1/2 month now.
bought it at fye. got 100 off. should of bought it online or something, because i saw a lot of good promo codes that would of atleast saved me money or got me cool stuff.
anyways.
my first ocean had a problem where the receiver didnt work so well. but traded it in for another one, and had all my contacts sync'd from online which i thought was really cool. saved me so much time.
so far no problems, i really like it, and get complemented alot on it, friends are always jealose.
but looking at the fin, i think want that now. because its so skinny.

[donauld @ Aug 28th 2007 4:49PM]

Im aware that helio products cannnot sync with a mac. Wat about an acer?

[justin @ Aug 31st 2007 4:50AM]

i have the fin and its a great phone it is so thin i have had alot of phone and so far this is the best and helio is great so great in fact they gave me the fin for free now if that is not good support than what is

[MsSexxy @ Sep 12th 2007 6:55PM]

Sure they did so do you work for them to.. JUSTIN

[Stylez @ Sep 14th 2007 2:42PM]

i have an unlocked version of the Fin...it's called the samsung SC706 (the japanese version) this phone is great, the only set back is i am using T-mobile and T mobile does not have 3G set up so i can't use this phone and all it's wireless glory. I have been with T-mobile for 5 years now and i am ready for the swith to Helio(nothing against t-mobile but i wanna go where the technology is at, foreign wise). I am really excited about helio's view on the youth market, helio is a company in my opinion dedicated to people who have a huge interest in Foriegn phone technology, the US is so far behind in phone technology it's not even funny, Japan and Korea have the coolest phone and the specifications and programs on there phones are unbelieveable. Helio realized that lack of phone technology in the US and that is why they are here. i'm excited about this switch i am going to make.

[justin @ Sep 17th 2007 2:54AM]

no i dont work for them i told them that my drift sucked that i had for to 2 months and that i wanted to diconect from them and they gave me enough crdits for the fin and i had to send the drift back to helio and they so i did not pay for the fin

[antho @ Sep 22nd 2007 2:17PM]

yo does the helio fin have vidoeo reording.