“At first glance, the i550W (there’s a version without the ‘W’ and without Wi-Fi) has got everything. And probably makes its way onto everybody’s shopping list for the perfect smartphone. After all, it’s a metal-keypadded candybar smartphone running the latest S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1. It’s got 3.5G, Wi-Fi, GPS, a 3 megapixel camera, a 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD expansion, oodles of free RAM, a 2.6″ screen and USB charging. And it’s black and is only 13mm thick! What’s not to like? Unfortunately, one by one, the showstoppers come a-calling, taking a score that should have been heading for 90% down to a meagre 65%. Let’s look at the Samsung i550W in detail and I’ll explain both the brickbats and the bouquets. First impressions are good, with an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink layout. It’s a very solid candybar, moulded in plastic but with a metal keypad plate that lends a touch of class. In addition to the usual S60/smartphone keys, there are shortcut buttons for Web, for Navigation (a rebranded Route 66 that – sadly – wasn’t in the review unit box! Shame) and Media. These three assignments can’t, as far as I can see, be changed, which is a pity. The Media button brings up a popup choice of Music Player, RealPlayer and the built-in FM radio and, again, you can’t choose which one you want permanently – Samsung – these all need to be settings!” Read more here:
