sgh-p310
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Hands-on with the Samsung SGH-P310
Without having used them, we've always assumed that Samsung's so-called "credit card phones" -- the SGH-P310 and the P300 before it -- were novelties more than they were usable phones. After all, the shape is a bit strange to be holding to your head, and the sheer level of miniaturization going on here leads one to figure that they're skimping on features. We recently had a crack at a P310, and while we're still not sure we'd carry it around as our primary mobile, we found ourselves pleasantly surprised with its performance. The keypad is totally usable (though the nondescript, circular d-pad takes a little getting used to), voice quality and reception both seemed good, and the display is fantastic. The UI is typical Samsung fare -- nothing special there -- but what really struck us was how solidly the phone seemed to be built. Though you obviously wouldn't actually put the phone in your wallet as you would a credit card, it almost seems sturdy enough to do just that if you really wanted to. Considering its fashion centric, high end target demographic, we suppose we'd expect nothing less. Hands-on with the Samsung SGH-P310
FCC swipes Samsung's SGH-P310 credit card phone
Granted, Samsung sends the lion's share of their handsets through the FCC's labs whether they're destined for North American shores or not, but we still can't help but stir a little to see their nifty P310 get a stamp of approval.The P310 is the successor to the P300, mercifully getting a makeover that leaves the final product downright attractive compared to the original. With a 2-megapixel cam and microSD slot on board, you don't give up much in the spec sheet compared to an average-sized candybar, either. From the looks of the FCC documents, we shouldn't expect any action on the GSM 850 band, but far be it from us to expect that to stop every last importer from hauling 'er in for a US sale or two.
Samsung's SGH-P310 credit card phone
Now that they've mastered the fine art of fitting a phone's guts roughly into the outline of a credit card, Samsung is turning their attention to beautifying the whole affair with the SGH-P310. Like the P300 before it, the P310 could theoretically squeeze into some wallets (though we certainly don't recommend sitting on it) -- but unlike the P300, the P310 loses the awkward-looking black cap in favor of a more refined gloss black / brushed stainless combo. Specs have likewise been boosted with a 2.0-megapixel camera replacing the old 1.3-megapixel unit, Bluetooth 2.0, and a microSD slot for when you don't find the phone's 80MB of internal storage adequate. We'll keep you abreast of release and pricing as it comes down the pike.[Via SlashGear]
