More details on Samsung's u540 for Verizon

Oh, happy day: another midrange clamshell for Verizon! Actually, we already knew about the Samsung u540, but last time we visited it we were a bit slim in the details department; a tipster has since managed to fill out the blanks for us. We don't have a price, but we're guessing that a minimal cash layout (after $50 mail-in rebate) is going to get you tethering capability with an EV-DO radio (albeit Rev. 0), microSD expansion, navigation, 2.1 inch primary display, and all the usual VCAST goodies -- minus VCAST TV, of course. Expect a launch rather soonly.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 7th 2007 4:50PM]

it's ugly.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 7th 2007 5:25PM]

If that's a 2.1 inch screen, then its a HUEG phone.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2007 2:28AM]

THAT IS ONE UGLY PHONE...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2007 6:13AM]

Seriously... wtf is so ugly about it? It looks quite plain and simple to me, but nothing ugly about it. Hell it almost looks like those Samsung clamshells that T-Mobile sells.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2007 9:52AM]

It's not nearly as ugly as people think and it's really quite slim if not a little oversized due to the screen. It's as slim as the RAZR if not slimmer.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 22nd 2007 3:55PM]

u540 is solid. wide and flat, quite thin. screen is large b/c space has not been wasted. great feel, getting mine tomorrow when it drops. only complaint, keypad is flat, but most newer ones are. what happened to usability? overall, a slick little phone. happy to see a phone that's a phone.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 22nd 2007 11:05PM]

I got to play with one today and I have to say that I am quite impressed. It is a very solid phone. The screen is awesome, the camera kicks some serious ass, it can be used for voice calls with it closed, which can be accessed using the voice commands while closed, and the keypad really feels good to me. I spent about 3 hours with it today and have decided that I am going to upgrade tomorrow. If the I-760 comes out I will just save up and pay full retail. The U540 is a great upgrade for me, especially considering that I currently have a VX8100m. Overall 9 stars*********.
~JMD

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2007 12:31PM]

The phone is slim and lightweight but has a major drawback. It is not a phone for voice conferencing. My understanding is that it is half-duplex and not full-duplex, therefore, you cannot use it for effective voice conferencing. Big drawback for me and the wife as we use it to call the kids on the weekend. Other than that, it's OK.

Regards,
jack

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2007 11:05AM]

I have this phone...I love it! it isn't as big as you think, despite the big screen

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 8th 2007 1:37PM]

to reiterate first, its not ugly. the photo is deceptive, the screen and keys are comfortably large, the body slim enough to compensate. its easier on the eyes than a RAZR (where i bought it the two were displayed side by side).
all the v-cast stuff is annoying, the phone would be better if simplier in the menu department.
overall its a good budget phone, a standard everyday everyman's phone. recommended for its price-range.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 23rd 2007 9:08PM]

I have had one for three weeks and do like it. However the drawback that I have found is that you can not connect a USB cable and download photos. If anyone has determined how to do this, I would be very grateful to learn of it.

Thanks!