Samsung SGH i780 review

any review/comments on this new smartphones ? heard the prices is less than RM1.9K with 4gb card...looks like
good bargain,,,,HSPDA phone !!!

hmm..design wise okie la..functions r standard?

y dun u b the first to bring into the lowyat forum?

any comments & review on this newly launched smartphones samsung i-780 ?? come with 4GB card, additional battery
and with wifi & GPS...looks impressive...any idea on the price?

looks like samsung smartphone not so popular !!!

It has to do with the perception of people that Samsung are only into smartphones to test out their technical wizardry, and not as a core business ala HTC or ASUS for example who live and die by how well they sell in this market.

Be that as it may, I like mine although not as much as I do my regular Symbian phones. It just so happened that I was at The Curve last week and I saw that they only had one unit for sale. Grabbed it just because... haha... even though as some people who know me know that I have a thing against WM in general.

The thing that first attracted me was the QWERTY thumboard. The second was the mouse. I suppose most people would disagree with me and say they hate it. But for me, I rather like using it and I find it easier than having to tap-tap-tapping with a stylus all the time.

The normal disadvantage to having a WM QWERTY device is the screen orientation. It is square, which means if you're looking to play games you have to look elsewhere. Most games are designed for 320X240 screens and wouldn't be playable on this machine. If you use yours mostly for texting, though then the many varied input methods and especially the QWERTY is a God-send.

WiFi and HSDPA work as they should, i.e. fast and reliable. Sound on the speaker could be louder but you can't have everything. Supposed to have GPS but I'm bad with those, so I don't have any opinion on that.

No 3.5mm headphone jack is about the only complaint I have, but it does have A2DP Bluetooth. It shares the same connector as my i550, so at least I'll be into Samsung for a while. haha

All in all, a bargain at the price of a buck below 1900. I can't even imagine what the price would be if it were HTC branded, maybe more than 3K?

tony_chew , good review man .
How about the batery lifespend ? isit good ?

This post has been edited by noprob: Mar 26 2008, 08:40 PM

check today .. its RM1999

A friend had been using one for 2 weeks. Agreed with the keyboard ease of use. Texting is way easier. centre button is a "slide/touch" mouselike cursor. I'm impressed. Way cheaper than my d810 too.

Held it in PDA expert in lowyat. The price is very attractive but I don't like the small screen and the QWERT buttons. I can say for sure, if this samsung device had a slider keyboard, they got my money that day.

for the price i think its the best PDA u can get currently ..
but read some review saying it resolution (320x320) TFT LCD cannot support full screen application like most games and GPS map .. isit true ?

Good price for all in one PDA phone.

check out some opinion here :
i780 review

Bought the device two days ago. Great feeling about this. Surprisingly cheap - got it for 1999 with 4G MicroSD. I don't mind the square screen as it kind of easy to see and scroll. I am really taken in by the finger mouse pad. I think it works so well that I seldom use the stylus. The color is vibrant. Love the QWERTY key pad too. Kind of like Palm but a lot lighter and slim. So far no problem with GPS and maps. Have been playing with it all day. More of a business PDA phone. Cerain games might not look too good.

This post has been edited by Sunny Guy: Mar 30 2008, 12:03 PM

saw it at IOI Mall Puchong during their IT world having fair.... saw the demo set of Samsung i780...they have a promotional girl
there....so u guys can go play with this device....is really value for money..but my concern :-

1) the small screen size...not sure can properly via GPS...?

2)...the design is a bit odd...like calculator....if got free pouch...than not so bad looking

interesting reviews..no pics??

dis device looks promising..

Hi, Ive been using this PDA for 2 weeks, got it before they had the 4GB promo (sigh, i need more space for my songs) at PDA expert Midvalley

its a good buy considering the value & features u get from it.. the full keyboard is useful but its taking me sometime to get used to it.. im a fast sms typer but with this one im a bit slow haha

battery is ok, minumum usage of application can last for 2 days.. using the wife, bluetooth etc will surely use more power, so i'll get like 1 day before charging.. samung provides an extra battery, comes in handy while on the go..

the GPS works find (no issues with the display) I put Google earth on this and its great! im not into gaming so much so i wont worry me if games can be dsiplayed nicely...

what else, hmmm yeah, somebody said the design is a bit odd.. but then its sleek and can easily for a shirt pocket.. im waiting for a case for this once, i only have the screen protector on it now...

the only concern is sometimes its a bit sluggish to respond to me.. like when i open an application or try to unlock the phone.. im a 1st time PDA user so i dont know whether this is common..

in short, its a good buy especially if one cannot afford something pricing above rm2k... there's a lot of features which will make other PDA owners envy you

This post has been edited by pizi87: Apr 1 2008, 12:49 PM

good review...but hmm..no pics still..

hmm..though below RM2k still pricy but compared to palm treo dis has provides better functions..well in terms of wifi r..

he's a deep review with PICS

http://www.mobile-review.com/pda/review/sa...g-i780-en.shtml

Hi guys ,

Samsung i780 specification:

Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Professional
624 MHz Marvell CPU
256 MB ROM / 128MB RAM
2.5 " 320x320 TFT Touchscreen
GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS2100
CSD, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
Built-in QWERTY-type keyboard, 37 keys
microSD card slot
Bluetooth 2.0
WiFi: 802.11b/g
Built in NMEA 0183 GPS
2.0mp camera
61.3 x 115.9 x 13.3 millimetres
120 Grams


google then found this .. i780 preview
Maybe this can help :









This post has been edited by noprob: Apr 20 2008, 01:16 AM

Looks like a calculator to me !!! is the screen too small for a PDA ?

Somemore review from youtube :

Navigation(GPS)
The communicator makes use of the gpsOne chip, bundled in the Qualcomm MSM 6260 platform, supporting A-GPS technology (tracks your location through the carrier's network). However, this chip doesn't get along with third-party applications, as all GPS-enabled solutions, including the Samsung i780 are bound to deal with only one application - Navigon, also dubbed as Mobile Navigator in the Windows Mobile environment. While you can actually install some extra navigation software, rest assured, it won't be able to employ the built-in chip, and thus, won't track your location on the map.

We got our hands on the unit with disabled GPS, however Google Maps successfully identified the bundled GPS chip and tried to locate some satellites... for like 30 minutes, but sadly, to no avail.


**********************************************************************************************************

is the GPS function of this phone is compatible with mapking . or other commong gps softwares??

yes Mapking. has roadmaps for malaysia and i think other asian countries.. the malaysia one is quite impressive, comes with audio directions

screen too small?? nt at all..seriously

yes i agree, the screen size is okay n screen is very clear

screen it is small if compared with other PDA
but stil its color sharp and bright
wif mapking, its full screen
then found tis

Tried it out.. the screen sharpness is better and the resolution 320x320 but.... this would be a problem for many third party apps as most of it support 320x240 or 240x240 or VGA 640x480

yupp it affected most games and other few application
luckily the one i need all in full screen view esp e-book
tried garmin and mapking map in full screen view

anyone know how to set custom sms ringtone for i780 ?
the default tone for sms too soft .. hardly notice it when sms coming

This post has been edited by noprob: Apr 5 2008, 12:42 PM

one more thing I noticed... the mouse pad idea is fresh and new... but not very practical for PDA gaming... prefer 5 way d-pad for gaming

yup its a disadvantage for gamers
but very handy if lazy to used stylus or when one hand busy driving ..
hehe need time to get used to it also ..

went to lowyat hunting for one i780. found the keypad a lil bit too small for me. ended up bought the older one i600. lol.. enjoying now

A friend of mine bought i780. Good device still i personaly dont like telescopic stylus and the screen harder to tap and not as responsive (P3650 got better 'feel'). Other than that - i780 is a good buy.

I have one question though, her i780 cannot display MMS directly to her phones. Went to maxis to 'adjust' to no avail. When MMS received - the phones just prompt a reminder saying bla...bla ..bla received MMS and have to download the MMS. Any idea why? I checked the MMS setting...everthing seems to be in perfect order.

Thanks

Can someone tell me where to buy the screen protector for i780? I'm sure it might not be good fit to i780 screen as this is a new model n need to modify abit. am i right?

yup .. for time being no screen protect or leather case for this unit ... but it will come soon as more and more owns it .. the screen protector u can adjust just to fit cover the square screen as for now , i got it fr the shop i bought

does anyone know how i can reinstall MapKing? i seem to have lost the maps. I only have hongkong demo

I got one question. Has anyone here heard or seen of SGH-F700? Anyone selling it? Looking for it.

hv problem to set 3G video call
while trying configurating the setting , mess up with wifi connection setting , cehh

I've tried using Mapking on my i780, and find the maps a lil' distorted, ie, not displayed properly, probably due to the rather odd screen size? Other than that it's pretty OK. I like typing my messages on the i780 as I find the QWERTY keys very well spaced and has good tactile feedback.

I'm using a DIY screen protector at the moment, ie cut ownself.

Am waiting for one specially for the i780 to be available in the market.

hmm i'm using Mapking oso ... and its great
work perfectly ... the displayed in full screen with voice instruction as well
no problem with the odd screen size , even in GarminXT oso fine

however, i got problem w maxis video call 3G ...
found that the Mapking program clash w 3G ..
feedback fr the shop i bought , they say the map is not suitable for Samsung yet ..
maybe need to wait 3-4 month more until map for Samsung release ...

so now , either i just use the Mapking without video call function or vice versa
cannot hv both

the spec is very promising! but odd resolutions.. think maybe sw wont be able to execute properly.

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Added on April 17, 2008, 3:10 pmthat is crap. no such thing as mapking don't support samsung. it is probably mapking's bugs.

anyway, would like to know how is the gps perform? did u all get a fix quick?

This post has been edited by icycokes: Apr 17 2008, 03:10 PM

donno la bro .. thats what exactly they told me
but i want to try install back my GPS setting and map ..
use it a lot ..

hmm..wanna ask u guys ...
went to lowyat today to look for a pda for my dad..
he is a first timer...
so this guy promo to me this phone since the budget is under 2k
it seems ok to me...
he offer to me 1888
u guys think it's a good deal ??
need help in choosing a pda phone for my dad
thanx

Finally found the official thread for i780.

All in all, I'm quite happy with i780. WM6 Pro is still not user-friendly as compared to Symbian S60.

HSDPA, GPS & WiFi works perfectly. My only argument is the "sound and notification" which is bad. You can install your ringtone in storage card but in the end i780 will use the "default" ringtone. U need to put all the ringtones in the windows\ring folder... eats up your phone storage capacity.

Battery (1480mAh) is pretty bad. Only last for 1 day usage of GPS (1 hour), HSDPA (2 hours), WiFi (30 min.), voice call (30 min.), video call (15 min.), Video+Camera (10 min.).

Many claimed the 320x320 screen size lack of support for proprietary softwares. Even without RealVGA being installed, there are still essential softwares that can be installed.

Since i780 is not popular at lowyat.net, you will discover more secrets at PPCSG forum.

Did I mentioned Garmin Mobile XT + Malsingmaps works like a charm in i780? Now i'ml able to find shortcuts to anywhere i want. I luv GPS...

Just sold my e90
Thinking to get this i780 or the blackberry 8320.
Is the phone responsive?
I give up 838pro/tytyn II because of the sluggish respond

This phone for thie price has very high specs jut look at the processor and memory + it can support up to 16gb micro sd. plus the garmin works like a charm

anyone know how to set message tone w custom ringtone ?

First, you need to save the mp3(s) into Application Data/Sounds folder.

Then, goto Start > Settings > Personal tab > Sounds & Notifications

Goto Notification tab

Drop down Event : Messanging : New text msg.

Under play sound, drop-down to your desired MP3.

yess can set up for incoming call but cannot message tone ... how ?

The message tone is in the Event drop-down button. You should see "Messanging : New text msg" in the LIST.

isit Application Data/Sounds folder same as in windows\ring folder?

no....but you can try windows/ring folder asa well... both work...

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Added on April 20, 2008, 1:11 ammy Storage Card has been renamed to "Storage Card2". Luckily nothing happens to the files in the "Storage Card2" including Garmin... phewww...

This post has been edited by dgtel2: Apr 20 2008, 01:11 AM

windows/ring folder tried - cannot set for msg
Application Data/Sounds folder cannot find where ... huh

Just using File Explorer (in i780 of course...) , then click the top left drop-down > "My Device" > Application Data > Sounds

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Added on April 20, 2008, 1:36 amI think Resco File Explorer 6.17 has automatically renamed my Storage Card into "Storage Card2" without any messages....

This post has been edited by dgtel2: Apr 20 2008, 01:36 AM

haha .. thanks bro for assist

this thread is not as active ass PPCSG.... you can get more tips & tricks there...

dgtel2 can u give the link topic in the PPCSG. I found part 1 & 2 only under this title Official Thread Of The Samsung i780 , Discussion Of The Samsung i780 Here.

One more thing do u all register to go for the hands on WM6 organise by samsung. My date is on 29/4, time :1030 - 1200 at KLCC level 29, Microsoft Office. If not pls do so by calling the samsung hotline. There are a lot of thing a ? I wanted to asked them.

I have install th Mapking 2007 into my phone but somehow my GPS not working.. The resolution also very bad..

---

Added on April 21, 2008, 3:10 pmsorry found the link already..

This post has been edited by awali: Apr 21 2008, 03:10 PM

Hi everyone..actually, i am thinking between this samsung's model anda asus P750..

both of them got built in GPS function, which it is the thing that i am looking for PDA.. in term of this GPA function, which one is better..or is it the same?

i'm using the i780 for 2 weeks.. so far is consider ok, but the only thing is the keyboard.. the buttons are too small... the rest consider ok... hahaha

I am thinking to buy one too but my friend is complaining the volume buttons are not locked even he locks the phone.

When he keeps it in the pocket, the volume button will be pressed accidentally and mute the phone.

Anyone facing the some problem?

yes that is true, there is no lock for the side volume button. kinda annoying at ttimes

yupp having same problem too ..
esp when put in the pouch bag ... kena cover then suddenly push the button

you guys know that this PDA phone is unable to do hard reset( By pressing the combo keys) if you cannot enter into the OS normally. It is a big thread to PDA users, you bricked your phone.
I have seen in PPCSG that Samsung Singapore is offering to upgrade the ROM, currently they are using the same ROM like us. Improvement is add Hard Reset Combo Keys if windows fail to start up, and the mouse act like right click if keep on pressing.
I have Email Samsung M'sia quite some time enquire about the ROM upgrade services, yet no reply from them.

The new so called "ROM" is available already. It's called i780DXHC1. Previously it was DXHA1. And yes, this new "ROM" can do hard reset. But the HSDPA/3G signal is degraded. That what's happened to my unit.

i dun reallly like samsung...
no doubt, the design is nice...

i guess i will have to wait till the software comes to the stable part... it does look good and the specs are

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Added on May 1, 2008, 9:33 pmi got my unit yesterday nite... tried the feature, it is actually quite good. no doubt mine is the earlier batch, hence the firmware still outdated. but frankly, i used this pda and i quite satisfy with the speed.

qwerty is not really a big issue although i have hard time pressing...

maybe i bring it to summit tmr to have an upgrade.

This post has been edited by Seaedge: May 1 2008, 09:33 PM

Just bought it about a week ago. Overall, I am quite happy with it.

As for the key lock for volume button, as long as switching to power saving mode (a short press on the power button), I won't have any problem accidently pressing the volume key anymore.

There is one thing bothering me, the phone function was turned off automatically for 2 - 3 times since I bought it. I can't enable it from the wireless manager, have to restart the phone.

Still trying to figure out what causes this, anyone facing the same problem?

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Added on May 2, 2008, 11:29 pmYou mean even using the Hard Reset function in Settings > System also doesn't work?

This post has been edited by amen: May 2 2008, 11:29 PM

May I suggest all the i780 owners to "divert" your input to PPCSG forum. There, they have more active users than this forum. No offence.

what is PPCSG.sorry, nob question

www.ppcsg.com is a forum runs by Singaporean. here's the mobile version : -
http://www.ppcsg.com/mobile/index.php/t98856.html

Hi Guys,

who knows how to adjust screen sensitivity..it's quite hard to touch with stylus...

You need to press it harder.

hey guys,
my memory card always get corrupted
does anyone know why

I'm always press it harder and harder..sometimes using my hand is more easy...

You can try this. Not sure it will work or not.
http://www.ppcsg.com/index.php?showtopic=9...ndpost&p=702182

Btw, is there any setting to make the SMS to vibrate?

Woowww,nice handphone,but the price is almost the same with E90,i think e90 is better than this,or e61i

thanks so much...

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Added on May 9, 2008, 8:12 pmbut E90 is quite big compare to this one..

This post has been edited by eddiey_5: May 9 2008, 08:12 PM

Have any one of you given your i780 a phone skin?

I just did mine in Digital mall last weekend... oh no... the girl didn't know how to do it and basically paste the whole skin on it without any cutting...

Plan to do it again... but ot sure where can get a really professional one.

i like e90 too, but it RM1000 expensive

e90 no touchscreen, not as slim and definitely not as sexy as i780. RM1700 can get e90 new??

agree with you bro..

don't compare E90 with i780 lerrr.. totally two different PDAs...i780 is running on Windows Mobile 6 Pro while E90 is on Symbian S60...

But in terms of user friendlyness, I personally prefer Symbian OS.

Can anyone teach me how to install the mapking, i brought a new PDA, but i totally hav no idea on how to use it. It is my first time to purchase a PDA

i tried getting it from websites but had problems installing it. maybe u can try going to a PDA store and get them install for u. if you're in KL u can go to mid valley, a store named PDA Expert at the IT area

all sifu, can we charge the i780 with the data cable when sync with laptop?

anyone has the phone number, e-mail adress for pda expert?
i try to enter the pda expert website has it is down for a long time already.

Thanks for the replied. Then i must find a day to visit the store. currently i just know how to use the I780 to make the in/out call. Others i hav 0 knowledge

tel: 03-22873631

Hi all, i brought the I780, but i hardly can find the casing to protect it. Furthermore the screen protector does not fit with the pda. Any idea i can get all these accessories.

screen protector get the square one. this screen pda isnt new, there already have been a few square screen pdas around, especially the black berries. try em out

why not you try Golla bag/pouch..quite small & nice...i'm using it right now

This post has been edited by eddiey_5: May 22 2008, 09:30 PM

how much is it? is it leather made?

bro, instead of mapking... you can try with garmin.
Mapking is made for resolution at 240x240... but i780 has 320x320 screen, so i think it might look jagged.
However in Garmin Mobile XT, i tested and confirm working without any jagged graphics. only thing you need to find is the way to install it ahem*...

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Added on May 23, 2008, 12:00 amscreen protector to fit exactly the frame is harder, so you have to live with 3rd party SP until MF comes out with its SP or find those cheapos SP from lowyat.

This post has been edited by Seaedge: May 23 2008, 12:00 AM

Heard that this pda phone touch screen is not very sensitive. have to tap several time.dunno true o not??

thats true.. although i'm yet not owning this slim i780. but from my reading, this i780 touch screen is design to work also by finger pressing (same like HTC-touch which work perfectly using finger.) also come to read about screen touch exercise to make it more sensitive by firmly press up-and-down direction by thumb on the less-sensitive area (mostly at upper right of the screen).. <-- detail u can read at PPCSG...

cant wait to have this phone.....

thread moved to PDAs

I just received my Noreve's leather case for my Samsung i780. Fits perfectly!

As for screen protector, I believe a lot of phone/PDA shops do sell screen protectors that fit.

I've got mine that fits perfectly from Day 1 I got the phone.

where can i get this Noreve's leather case. any idea? Currently using nokia E61 leather case but no cun lah.

Today ordered the i780... my company sponsor rm1k.... the rest I top up myself can't wait to get the phone

Wah i want to work in your company

My company does not have such policy that sponsors employee's mobile phone

If you work in my company, 1 week already you want to run away la.... they squeeze every single sweat that u have and then pay very low la....