Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #358 in Cell Phone Accessories
• Color: gray
• Brand: Samsung
• Model: A877
• Released on: 2007-12-22

Features

• 3G-powered smartphone with 3.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen and slide-out QWERTY keyboard; customizable and intuitive user interface
• Compatible with AT&T Navigator GPS, Video Share, AT&T Mobile Music, and streaming video from Cellular Video service
• 3-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD expansion (to 16 GB); digital audio/video player
• Up to 3 hours of talk time, up to 240 hours (10 days) of standby time
• What's in the Box: handset, battery, travel charger, user manual, quick start guide

Amazon.com Product Description
A great choice for those looking for the latest in multimedia and messaging, the Samsung Impression for AT&T offers one of the most crystal clear mobile phone viewing experiences thanks to its 3.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen. It's paired with a full QWERTY keyboard--great for composing long email messages and mobile blogging--which slides out from the side of the phone. Other features include a 3-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth connectivity for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, MicroSD memory expansion (up to 16 GB), Samsung's intuitive and easily customizable TouchWiz user interface, digital audio player, access to personal email and instant messaging, and up to 3 hours of talk time.

The Samsung Impression offers both an intuitive touchscreen interface and a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard.

The phone can quickly download video, music and more over AT&T's lightning quick HSPDA 3G network. Additionally, with AT&T's 3G network, you can listen to a conference call on a headset while sending and receiving e-mail attachments, picture messages or Web pages at the same time. This GPS-enabled phone can access the AT&T Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions as well as its Video Share serve, which enables you to send video of yourself to another compatible phone while making a voice call.

AT&T Service
This AT&T phone can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's 3G mobile broadband data network, which is available in most major metropolitan areas. The AT&T 3G network uses the dual-band 850/1900 MHz 3G network (UMTS/HSDPA), which provides download speeds ranging from 700 Kbps to 1.7 Mbps, and upload speeds ranging from 500 Kbps to 1.2 Mbps. This makes it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services, and it gives you the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services.

In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it's fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go. You'll also enjoy quad-band GSM connectivity, which allows you to make calls in more than 190 countries and access data applications in the more than 135 countries where AT&T offers international data roaming.

With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Video Share service, which enables you to send a live, one-way video stream to another compatible phone during a standard voice call. The service also allows you to switch the direction of the video stream during the same phone call. (Customers must be in an area served by the company's 3G network and have a Video Share-enabled phone.) While using Video Share with family and friends is a fun way to communicate, it's also very useful for business. For example, a majority of users in the architecture, engineering and construction industries rated the ability to share live video through Video Share highly, according to research commissioned by AT&T. Video Share lets you see progress on a job site or review the day's work without having to drive from an office or other site to do so.

You can take advantage of the AT&T Navigator GPS software and service, a full-featured premium navigation application that includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options, and 3D moving maps (additional charges applicable). AT&T Navigator offers several other features to make your commute more enjoyable and reliable, including mobile access to Yellowpages.com. Additionally, AT&T Navigator is the only mobile phone-based GPS service that provides integrated speech recognition for address entry and points of interest search.

With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Cellular Video (CV) service and the Internet while on the go. Cellular Video features content from CNN, The Weather Channel, iFilm, Comedy Central and exclusive premium content from HBO and much more. And you get access to AT&T Mobile Music, which enables you to buy tracks while on the, access the Napster and eMusic subscription music services, stream music video, discover what's playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what's hot with The Buzz music news portal.

The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more.

Other features include Bluetooth stereo music streaming, a digital audio player, and MicroSD memory expansion to 16 GB.

Phone Features
The Samsung Impression is one of the first phones to feature an AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) screen, and its 3.2-inch screen has a 240 x 400-pixel resolution and support for 262K colors. The AMOLED screen offers a brilliant, widescreen display with a higher resolution and lower power consumption than a standard TFT LCD. And the advanced touchscreen with vibration feedback makes accessing menu items with your fingerpad, a fingertip or a stylus extremely fast and easy.

For easy operation and navigation, the stylish Impression features three dedicated keys--call, end call and back--on the front of the device under the touch screen. The Impression also provides quick and easy access to a your favorite features through Samsung's innovative TouchWiz user interface, which has specially designed widgets to customize and personalize your phone. The quick and simple drag-and-drop feature provides instant access to your favorite functions, such as the clock, music player, instant messaging and photos.

The phone also offers a four-row full QWERTY keyboard that smoothly slides out horizontally, and the built-in motion sensor provides auto-orientation--just tilt the phone and the screen will adjust to landscape or portrait orientation.

The phone comes with an 189 MB internal memory, which is expandable via optional MicroSD memory cards (up to 16 GB in size). The internal phonebook can store up to 2000 alphanumeric entries, with each contact offering space for multiple phone numbers and email addresses as well as support for caller groups and picture/ringer ID. The phone also features eight one-touch dialing numbers and display for the 30 most recent incoming/outgoing/missed calls.

Capture brilliant photos and videos on the go with the Impression's 3-megapixel camera/camcorder.

Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and file transfer. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server (additional charges or subscription applicable).

The 3.0-megapixel camera provides multiple resolution options (2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480, 2048 x 1232, and 400 x 240 pixels) and it has a 3x digital zoom. Other features include brightness adjustment, multishot capabilities (up to 9), and a self-timer (2, 5 or 10 seconds). The phone also captures video clips with audio (up to 1 hour in length).

Other features include:

• PC Studio Manager helps you transfer your favorite music, photos and videos between your phone and computer
• SMS text and MMS picture/video messaging
• Mobile Email--Yahoo!, AOL, AIM, Windows Live, AT&T Yahoo!, & BellSouth Accounts
• Instant Messaging--AIM, Windows Live, Yahoo! Messenger
• Organizer tools: Calendar, alarm, tasks, memo, calculator, converter, world clock
• Multilingual text display (English, French, Spanish); T9 predictive text entry for English and Spanish
• 72-note polyphonic music tones/MP3 ringtones
• Digital audio player with support for MP3 and AAC file formats
• Voice memo recorder
• Speakerphone with mute functions
• Bluetooth version 2.0 with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BPP (basic printing profile for text, email), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures)

Vital Statistics
The Samsung Impression weighs 5.3 ounces and measures 4.48 x 2.28 x 0.61 inches. Its 1000 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of talk time, and up to 240 hours (10 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as AT&T's HSDPA 3G network (850/1900 MHz).

Customer Reviews

Lowest SAR around; Excellent features; Poor battery life; No 3rd party apps run
NOTES:

If you want a phone that you can develop apps for, this is not it. The hardware is comparable to the iPhone, but Samsung has completely locked it down so I can't get any of my own apps or open source ones to run. Apparently they don't want to compete.

Melvin Cordoba is wrong: this phone has built in GPS and the 3.2 inch display works great with AT&T Navigator....however that app dims to a minimal brightness after the screen timeout expires so you have to keep touching the screen for the map to be visible - manually setting a 10 minute timeout every time you launch the app is a pain.

Also, if you want a phone that can run 3rd party applications or programs you write yourself, this is not it. Samsung has locked this phone down so anything you install on it will not run. It is has the hardware to be a decent smartphone, but Samsung won't allow that.

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I shopped for over a year before deciding on this phone and gave it 4 stars because of the weak battery and lack of WiFi.

I am happy with the features, but the battery is almost fully drained by only about 2 hours of web browsing or music/video playing. If a high-capacity battery becomes available, I'll get it even if it means the back of the phone bulges out.

Without using the media features, the battery lasts as advertised.

If you are concerned about cell phone radiation, this one of the *BEST* phones availble. Head exposures are all well below 0.5 while Blackberry, Apple, etc. cook your brain with 4-5 times more radiation.

SAR ratings from the Impression User Manual:

GSM 850:
* Head: 0.277 W/Kg.
* Body-worn: 0.916 W/Kg.
GSM 1900:
* Head: 0.147 W/Kg.
* Body-worn: 0.547 W/Kg.
WCDMA 850:
* Head: 0.195 W/Kg.
* Body-worn: 0.384 W/Kg.
WCDMA 1900:
* Head: 0.349 W/Kg.
* Body-worn: 0.833 W/Kg.

Other notes:

Even with low SAR numbers, I've had excellent reception so far.

Phone is very stable to hold when the keypad is out, but is slippery and can easily be dropped while deploying the keypad. If a silicone case becomes available, I'll get it.

Does not have a 3.5 mm headphone jack but an adapter is available for about $10. Using the cheap headphones that came with my first generation Zune, this phone produces some of the best sound I've ever heard from a music player.

The CPU seems more than adequate for all applications, but it can heat up (the back of the case near the camera gets warm) and that probably accounts for the fast battery drain.

Despite the 400x240 resolution, video is only supported at 320x240 or lower.

Screen is bright with excellent contrast and color even at the dimmest setting.

Samsung Impression
I have had this phone now for a little over 72 hours. It's my first smart phone*, so unfortunately I don't have much to compare it to in that vein, but I do have some thoughts on the phone itself. I'm using it with a 1GB card.

I'll start with what I like:
- The screen - it's beautiful and vibrant. The touch screen works well and I have yet to encounter any issues.
- The qwerty keypad and auto orientation - it responds well and the buttons are not so small that you hit the wrong keys, but it's not at all bulky.
- Call quality - excellent call quality. Speaker phone is loud and clear on both ends of the call.
- The camera - I've never had pictures look so good on any phone I've ever owned. They're sharp and clear in daylight conditions and in low light or indoor conditions, they're much better than most mobile photos I've seen.
- Widget function - allows your most used tools to be available on the main screen at all times.
- Size and weight - not too bulky, not very heavy.
- Connection to USB - I love that I can essentially have this phone function as an external hard drive and drag and drop files into it from my PC as well as edit file folders on the phone from the PC. It makes file transfers and organization so much more simple.
- Smooth internet use - it is pretty easy to navigate around internet pages on the phone.
Overall, the phone works very quickly and smoothly transitioning between screens and functions. I'm quite happy with that aspect.

What I don't like:
- No contacts or calendar sync! Even my old low-tech phone had the ability to sync my contacts to my computer for easy editing and backup. There is no way (that I could find in the bundle) to view, edit or backup your contacts to your computer from this phone. Data sync cable does nothing for this.
- Ringtones must be under 300kb - quite a bit smaller than my previous phones (but I'm not sure if I was just spoiled before.) The phone comes with this program called PC Studio Manager which is supposed to be able to compress your files for this purpose, but I have yet to get any of my music to compress to the size needed for a ring tone.
- PC Studio Manager - seems to work a bit like Media Monkey or iTunes in that it organizes and backs up your media files. In my limited use of it, it's been frustrating and somewhat redundant particularly since I wouldn't want to use it to manage all of my media files. It is not the most intuitive program and not much direction is offered within the program itself or within the digital manual online (you are given a CD which links you to the internet manual since no paper manuals came with this phone.)
- No flash on the camera. Still does pretty well in low light, but I was used to a flash on my old camera.
- No GMail support - it supports Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail, etc... but no GMail. The downloadable GMail mobile doesn't work perfectly with the phone either, but it functions... sometimes.

Overall, I enjoy the phone but my peeves are still pretty frustrating. I hope updates will become available particularly the contacts sync because as of my writing this (4/13/09) there isn't much information available in that regard. I haven't yet been able to wear down the battery in normal use (internet, occasional chatting, general playing around with the phone & standby) so I have no complaints about the battery at this time. I'm not 100% sure I'd recommend it to my best friend just yet. Just know exactly what you're getting.

*edit - cnet categorizes it as a "Samsung Smartphone" other websites call it a non-smart phone... doesn't matter since I'm not comparing it to other "SMARTphones" all personal comparisons are done against other old phones used over the past 5 years which were not SMARTphones.

Waited for 2 1/2 months for this phone, mixed feelings
First let me say that I had a chance to see and work with this phone over a weekend about 2 1/2 months prior to it's release. The whole family fell in love with it and decided to wait for it to launch - even my 14-year old - and this was going to be her 1st cell phone!

The good:
Excellent high end feature phone look/feel/most functions (note: not a true smart phone), and for a high end feature phone it's a very well-rounded package. Good size, good feel, just the right touch screen haptic response when you select something, and a great feel to the keyboard when pressing the buttons. It takes up to 16 GB microSD memory cards, has a 3mb camera and the screen is very nice - though not dramatically better than non-AMOLED screens as I would have expected from the marketing hype and all the pre-release buzz around this phones AMOLED screen. No, there is no hint of any 3D effect in the AMOLED screen as was talked up in some of the pre-release reviews. But the screen is bright and vibrant - though in the sun it washes out considerably more than my old Palm Treo I gave up to get this.

The Cons: We bought 3 for our family so we'd all have the same phone, accessories, etc. for convenience. First, 1 of the 3 had to be sent back as defective. To their credit, Amazon handled it very, very well. Also however, we quickly started experiencing several dropped calls per day per phone and all 3, and a few times a day that the phone would respond when attempting to make out bound calls with "Emergency 911 calls only" (apparently the built in response when there is insufficient signal.) A call to first AT&T's Tier 1 (to have all of the account settings checked) and then an escalation to Teir 2 Support resulted in being told that I was in a small area (appx. 1/2 by 1 mile) that had moderate 2.5G (Edge) coverage, and only low 3G coverage... and the Tier 2 rep stated this phone is a 3G ONLY phone... which turned out to be apparently entirely untrue. I had anticipated as soon as she told me... to my knowledge AT&T doesn't even make any 3G-only phones. But there does appear to be some problem here which they desperately still need to work out related I suspect to the phone transitioning from a 3G signal to 2.5G (Edge coverage) and back... If I watch the signal strenght on 2 phones side by side, first 1 and then the other will drop from 3-5 bars, immediately to zero bars, then slowly climb back up over a 3- to 15-second period. This is exactly what's happening I noticed when the calls were dropping or the "E911 calls only" message is appearing. Additionally, we will often get voice mail notifications after the phone never rang, and sometimes even the voice mail notification will be delayed as muh as 2 full days after the voice mail was left. Also as stated the screen washes out horribly outside in any sunlight and unlike the pre-release phones, the screen unlock button has to be held down for a long time - and unfortunately it's small and placed right next to where the phone begins to slide out for the keyboard, making it very difficult to unlock quickly with one hand (minor complaint.) While this location was good on the AT&T Samsung Eternity (which has no slider) on the Impression the placement of the button makes it rather awkward to unlock.

So my advice for now: although this is a wonderful phone overall for a feature phone/non-smart phone, and though we waited for it seemingly forever (just ask my 14-year old), unless you live in a very urban area with great, consistently strong 3G coverage throughout the areas you will be calling from I'd recommend you consider waiting until they fix these signal transition problems before buying one, unless dropped calls and very delayed voice mails are not really that big a deal to you. Another note: this is still a great phone if texting is your primary use. We've had virtually no text message issues. I suspect this is because SMS messages are queued in the network so a temporary drop in the signal just means a few seconds delay in the message, which goes completely unnoticed. This is still a really great texting phone, regardless of the current voice signal issues.