Samsung Moment unboxed!

It's here, folks. We'll naturally have more impressions in the near future, but for now feast your eyes on the Samsung Moment and one of the least eventful unboxings of all time -- Sprint sure isn't packaging this like a premium handset, but at $179 we suppose it isn't really pricing it like one either. The hardware itself might tell a different story, with a solid, hefty feel to it and great screen. So far our editors are divided on the keyboard, with Chris not being sure it meets up to the CLIQ's standards, while this writer feels it's far superior -- not tiresome to press, but super clicky and very touch type-able. While we sort out this astonishing bit of intra-office drama, check out the unboxing shots in the gallery below. The phone goes on sale November 1st.

Samsung Moment unboxed!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 21st 2009 2:48PM]

I love that phone. The keyboard looks perfect with the search button at the top left and those cursor buttons on the right. It is hard to navigate on a small screen and hard buttons can really help. I also like how they stick to 4 rows. My G1 has five and the bottom row is somewhat thrown together. I can imagine it easier for my thumbs to reach left or right than to move up and down without clicking the neighboring button. But the flash camera takes the cake.

[soren121 Posted Oct 21st 2009 3:46PM]

Looks like a really nice handset. I'd buy it if I were on Sprint.

[jayy337 Posted Oct 21st 2009 4:09PM]

This is a really tough time to buy an android phone on ANY carrier (Except AT&T), a mental tough time, that is.

to go for the Cliq on T-Mobile, or Wait for the Moment on Sprint? go for the Moment on Sprint or Choose Hero? or maybe go for the Droid on VZW, or the calgary. **THINK THINK THINK**

anyway, this phone is pretty nice, for the heavy texter that is. I'm sure the screen is awesome.

[FlasH Posted Oct 21st 2009 5:06PM]

Cool phone. I don't think anyone really appreciates the fact that Samsung is the only compnay that is providing OLED technology on their media devices. Even the Zune HD was a Samsung OLED. It is a future technology that Samsung is incorporating into their designs now. What other company is doing the same thing. If I purchase an HTC, I demand an OLED screen.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 21st 2009 5:10PM]

Yup.

Android and OLED, drool.

I'd like a slightly bigger screen. Next time Samsung.

and hire more software engineers so you can compete against Apple.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 21st 2009 10:25PM]

I would really love to know more about the processor in this phone.
Samsung has not released any info about the processor in the Moment. All the info out on web is on the S3C6410, but according to Sprint Developer site the Moment will be running the Samsung S4C6410 processor.

http://developer.sprint.com/site/global/develop/mobile_platforms/android/android.jsp

Looking at Samsung own processor roadmap show that 800 MHz processor are gonna be built on the Cortex A8 architecture.

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/products/mobilesoc/Products_ApplicationProcessor.html

Only a few days left to find out and decide this or the Hero.

[thunder18 Posted Oct 22nd 2009 12:19AM]

Very nice find. You've definitely piqued my interest with that processor roadmap. I guess my InstinctHD is going back. Love it, but I'm itching for that raw power in the Moment.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 22nd 2009 4:14AM]

Info on the Samsung Moment S3C6410 CPU:

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/productInfo.do?fmly_id=229&partnum=S3C6410

http://www.winmobiletech.com/022008Barcelona/1024/19022008356.jpg

http://www.smartphonemag.com/cms/blogs/3/2493

"The just-announced S3C6410, which is an even more advanced version of the S3C6400 , is even better; for example, it supports hardware 3D acceleration. Again, it’s like the PXA310 or the PXA320 compared to the PXA270."

"As can clearly be seen, the S3C6410 is a much more advanced version of the S3C6400: it uses 65 nm technology instead of the 90 nm one (most probably resulting in major power and size savings), it has advanced 2D capabilities (for example, H.264 hardware decoding – as is also explained in the online version) and even 3D hardware acceleration. The “budget” S3C6430 seems to be exactly the same as the S3C6410; the only difference seems to be the complete lack of 3D hardware acceleration. Hope we’ll still see the latter (that is, the S3C6410) with proper (!) 3D drivers."

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 22nd 2009 4:18AM]

For comparison purposes, info on the iPhone/Pre/Droid TI OMAP3430:

http://focus.ti.com/general/docs/wtbu/wtbuproductcontent.tsp?templateId=6123&navigationId=12643&contentId=14649

http://www.smartphonemag.com/cms/blogs/3/mwc_chipset_vendors_aamp_new_chipsets_pa

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 22nd 2009 9:52PM]

In case you missed this post: http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/10/22/motorola-droids-website-published-a-bit-early-with-specs-galor/

The TI OMAP3430 CPU in Droid will be Underclocked to 550MHz, most likely to save on battery life. It comes with a 1400mAh Li-ion vs a 1440mAh for the Moment....

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 22nd 2009 12:17PM]

Very interesting info on the processors... so I take it the Hero's chip doesn't have 3D hardware acceleration???

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 24th 2009 2:38AM]

I have been waiting patiently for a phone like this. I have been using my Palm 700p for almost 3 yrs now and Sprint quite honestly hasn't had any good offerings until really this year. I was hoping the Palm Pre was gonna be my savior, but alas it was a huge dissapointment. Then, I was planning on switching to a BlackBerry, and I'm glad I remained patient. The Moment has all the things I am wanting in a new phone, physical qwerty keyboard, touch screen, Wi-fi, Camera with video, auto focus and flash, and a decent catalog of apps. The one other thing that I would like to know about, is, does the SMS, is it shown in chat form aka threading or is it Inbox - Outbox style. I really like the chat style soo much better on my Palm. Anyone one that has Android know?? or would it be something that the phone manufacturers build into the UI?? Thanx

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 26th 2009 2:07PM]

By default I am not sure what the SMS is like, but as the iCrowd
would say..."there's an app for that" I think it's Handcent SMS or
something of the sort. http://bit.ly/3rBKB4

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 23rd 2009 1:05AM]

@aksuprise.. Those links in your first post say nothing about the moment. Again nothing from samsung and sprint site list a different model number..not much longer we have to wait..Nov 1

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 23rd 2009 2:55PM]

The model# on the Sprint site is incorrect. There is no S4C6410 CPU, it doesn't exist...

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 24th 2009 2:28PM]

According to Sprint this is actually a pretty expensive phone. $179 after $50 instant rebate and the 10-14 week wait for the $100 mail in rebate. So that's $279 upfront. My upgrade discount doesn't mature until February. I've been with Sprint since 1999 and if they don't work with me on this then I may just have to give up on them. I guess it's up to Sprint as to what's more important- 14 weeks of interest on $100 or a happy loyal customer willing to pay them $2567.76 over the next 24 months.

[TurboFool Posted Oct 25th 2009 7:59PM]

Will have to wait and see how this turns out, but I just might consider buying one of these to replace my Touch Pro, assuming I have the funds. While I've loved my TP, it's time for a change, and Android's looking better by the day. Assuming all the functionality I need is there, and assuming a 2.0 upgrade hits or is hacked in fast, I may just go for it.

[crapbag Posted Oct 25th 2009 11:08PM]

engadget, when are you reviewing this phone? please make comparisons to htc hero. and it would be great if whoever reviewed the htc hero reviews this phone. cnet has two different people reviewing the hero and moment, which makes comparing the two reviews on anything even remotely subjective difficult (e.g. lag).

[El Diablo Jefe Posted Oct 26th 2009 1:31PM]

While we're waiting for the Engadget review, here's a pretty in-depth one I found:

http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Id=8100

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 8th 2009 5:14PM]

ok, I am new to engaget and was wondering which phone would be better. I currently have a palm pre but I was curious if the moment would be better. I don't want a Hero b/c of the non-existent physical keyboard. Can someone help?

[billecorgan Posted Dec 3rd 2009 4:13AM]

I don't understand these reviews! I have had the moment since it came out and I absoloutely love it! It's fast and doesn't seem to be buggy at all. My other half has it as well and loves it. And what's the big deal about the design being boring?? The iphone is plain shiny black with one button.. I don't understand. Anyway, I came from a palm pre (which was sluggish as hell compared to this phone). I absolutely love Android. There are tons of apps to dress it up and make it do whatever you want to. I also love the keyboard on this phone. The camera is freaking fantastic also!! If anyone has one, turn the flash on and take a pic in a dark room. It will light it up and do an amazing job at making a perfect pic. This phone is great!