Is the world ready for consumer-class 8 megapixel cameraphones? That's a loaded question, but one way or another, T-Mobile's about to find out now that its
SGH-T929 Memoir from Samsung is in the marketplace. With a full touchscreen and support for that elusive 1700MHz HSDPA, the handset packs some serious heat at the top end of the featurephone heap, and we've now had a chance to put it through its paces. Read on for video, pictures, and -- for the literate types out here -- even a few words about Samsung's mighty 3264 x 2448 worth of handset muscle.
Physically, the Memoir feels relatively solid (thanks in no small part to its metal side caps) and it's at the very upper end of how thick we'd want a slate form factor device to be -- it still fits comfortably in a pocket and in hand, but if it were
any beefier, you'd start to run into troubles. We had concerns that the lens hump on the upper rear of the phone would get in the way of normal operation, but it wasn't an issue at all; in fact, it may have actually helped, since it keeps the phone raised on surfaces which probably serves to amplify the loudspeaker a bit.
As usual, we love
TouchWiz, and the Memoir's implementation is no exception. Samsung includes enough widgets to make the concept totally useful, and we love the fact that T-Mobile has taken the time to convert its myFaves management system into its own widget rather than dominating the home screen as they do on most myFaves-enabled phones. The interface was generally snappy; we ran into some occasional slowdown with animated screen transitions, but orientation changes (for changing between numeric and QWERTY keyboard entry, for example) were insanely fast -- and thanks to the accelerometers, they were conveniently automatic, too.
Speaking of the QWERTY keyboard, it's solid and we were able to use it relatively error-free, save for one niggle: the placement of the pop-up letters makes no sense and adds essentially no value while you're typing. For some reason, the pop-ups go to the side, which leaves them to be obscured by your thumb -- and what's worse, they're barely larger than the keys themselves so they're virtually indistinguishable from other keys. We would've preferred a smarter implementation here.
Obviously, the Memoir's big draw is its high-spec camera, but after toying around with it for a bit, we're pretty sure it's more bark than bite. Yes, it's great to have a xenon flash -- and the Memoir's camera UI is one of the better (and more complete) that we've seen -- but ultimately, picture quality leaves a lot to be desired. Put simply, the Memoir stands no chance of replacing a decent point-and-shoot, which is exactly what the phone needs to be able to do to justify its bulk and price. Noise didn't seem out of control, but that may simply be because the software is going crazy with noise reduction, which would explain the unacceptable levels of softness and splotchiness in every shot we took. On the plus side, the automatic lens cover that protects the delicate stuff when you're not in camera mode is totally trick -- but we're here to use the optics, not protect them.
We didn't take the bundled TeleNav service on a ride, but for alleging assisted GPS support, we were shocked by how hard of a time the Memoir had getting a location. In any flavor of Google Maps, we'd expect a rough lock within a few seconds, but with the Memoir, we waited about a minute -- patiently, per the phone's request -- before giving up. Clear view of the sky recommended, it seems.
Ultimately, we're thinking T-Mobile may have painted itself into a corner here. The
Behold is a more attractive phone from the same manufacturer featuring the same form factor, the same UI, and the same 3G support; granted, you do lose 3 megapixels, but you're still left with a totally commendable 5 -- and the Memoir's extra resolution isn't doing you much good in the way of picture quality anyway.
posted Feb 25th 2009 12:01AM
The phone looks really nice actually.
Zing!
This is capacitive touch? Or no?
Nope.
not terribly useful but interesting non the less jajaja
Wow..over a Min for a simple page to NOT load. Dont blame the phone. Thats just T-Mobiles Lousy 3G.
Nice phone tho.....
try again. they said over a minute to lock a GPS signal.
@Henry No, he also waited for about a minute for a web page to load before giving up and going to t-zones in the video. But, I think that's because he doesn't have a data plan. T-mobile only gives access to t-zones when you don't have a data plan. That could potentially explain why the mapping features didn't work either. (Couldn't get to the server containing the map data). Although, the error message would have been incorrect (which isn't that uncommon given how few the number of programmers actually touched the stuff on the phone (compared to iPhone, Android, and the standard, unembellished, Windows Mobile).
Wake up Henry....
@Miguel and Henry: I doubt the issue is T-Mo's 3G Network. Odds are the device either didn't have data plan access (as stated by others). The issue is a known with Samsung devices and the use of the T-Mo proxy. Heaven forbid the genius using the device know about that (http://www.tmonews.com/2009/02/trouble-with-the-memoir-browser/), since it was an issue on the Behold too. Even if he'd reached engadget, he probably would've gotten the wireless version.
ok now that is odd. my bad. when i looked at this last night, the video didnt load on the page, it was just pictures.
My bro has a Behold and the browser is ok, but a MUCH better alternative is Opera Mini. It is blazing fast compared to the default one.
There is no 8 megapixels of muscle. Diffraction will limit this phone, like ALL cameraphones, to about 3 megapixels of effective resolution.
Even implying otherwise is ignorant journalism being forced on an even more ignorant public. The tiny, basically pinhole sized apertures for these cameras - behind lenses that are often plastic and smudged, nevermind their terrible optical performance - means the laws of optical physics will limit the effective sharpness to something closer to 3 megapixels.
But only in broad, broad daylight. Because by stuffing so many more pixels in the same abominably small sensor space, the sensor's noise performance will be in the toilet. So if they just put a 3 megapixel sensor in the overall usability of the camera would be better than the completely unnecessary 8, which is capturing nothing but blur with half its pixels.
This is why an old-generation low end DSLR with 6 megapixels will stomp all over any cameraphone on the market - this one, Sony's laughable new "Idou," whatever.
Engadget (mobile) authors: wise up and start calling this marketing bullshit for what it is. It does nothing but hurt the consumers who see "ooo, bigger number!" for you to propagate these marketing half-truths.
well aren't you a negative Nancy
I hear this same broken record every time we run a piece on a 5+ megapixel cameraphone.
Let me ask: did you read through the review?
"...Memoir's extra resolution isn't doing you much good in the way of picture quality anyway."
I guess his complaint is that you didn't state flatly that, at some point, higher pix count is wasted with camera phones, though it's obvious, in this item's case the 8 megapixels is viewed as unnecessary.
(shrug)
*stated by a person who has questioned the journalism here*
did you actually comprehend the words in the review you just supposedly "read"?
they said the exact same thing you just did, except with fewer, normal words average people can understand, rather than big words and technical jargon so you could make yourself look superior.
"-- but ultimately, picture quality leaves a lot to be desired. Put simply, the Memoir stands no chance of replacing a decent point-and-shoot, which is exactly what the phone needs to be able to do to justify its bulk and price."
jeez, if that's not piss-poor journalism then I dont know what is. clearly they are trying to mislead me into thinking this phone is the best thing since that weird touchyscreen-thing that fruit company came out with.
Absolutely agree. There is no point in judging on the quality of the picture unless it's lens and sensors have been put into consideration.
I do not see a real point in raising making a big deal out of a phone that can't use the 8 megapixels to it's capacity.
T-Mo's 3G is good when you are in range, but Edge is too slow.
I don't think the consumer market is ready for something like this. First of all, yeah its 8MP, but because of physical limitations of it, it won't compare to a stand alone camera. That said, I would still love to have more MP in my camera on my phone than have less, better pictures for the times you don't have that stand alone. Ultimately, it will obvioulsy be the price that makes or breaks this. I don't think anyone is out there anymore for a phone that can take nice looking pictures anymore, they're after an all-in-one smart phone these days, or just a phone to make calls, which are cheap. This phone looks great, the pictures are great looking for a camera phone, but the price of it compares to that of an introductory DSLR most likely when you buy it sans contract. If anything, this phone just won't stand out because of it's camera features alone. They'll need to price it very agressively to even make a dent in other phone sales such as the other smart phones out there, that might even be cheaper.
Samsung Memoir?.. I thought it was Samsung Viewty... must confuse it with some other phone..
You are thinking of LG Electronics Viewty.. I agree its very easy to be confused since Samsungs phone is such a complete rip off..
Nice camera but nothing special. I've seen Phonedog's review and Noah gets the same time out message in the browser, must be T-Mobile's wap proxy problem. It's a really nice camera but it's a very limited phone.
Man, that's a beautiful phone. I just wish it ran Windows Mobile.
If they put Android on it instead and unlocked it so I could use it on AT&T I'd buy it.
this phone looks exacly like the LG dare ...just with a higher megapixel count
"You can't add any widgets, but anything you'd want is probably there" ... next.
please more details in samsung hand sets,
with regards
sharaf
shas2255@ymail.com
I have a G1 and am considering giving it up on Ebay, and using the dough to buy the Memoir. Is giving up a great OS (Android) but poor hardware, worth getting great hardware but a poor OS, (Touchwiz)?
why is there pictures of a kindle, SD card and N85 in that review?
I believe those were taken with the phone's camera
Can you change the ISO, Shutter, or F-Stop?
My unboxing: http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/unboxing-the-samsung-t929-memoir/
That kinda reminds me of the LG secret
i don't understand the point of people criticizing every phone US carriers come out with except the iPhone. it is actually a little annoying that people always complain about how this phone doesn't do this or that or is not small enough compared to the iPhone. Yes, The iPhone is a great product. it set the standard very high. However, other phone makers are coming out with great products also. Apple only started to break into the smart phone business. what about other companies that has been doing this for years? For example, Nokia has the N97, 5800 Music express....both touch screen phones that play music and surf the web. Its not that im a nokia lover. they are just an example. The G1 has the hot new operatic system developed from Google. but the hardware was not designed by Google. It was developed by HTC. so HTC has been developing phones for years, and for all US carriers. Same as RIM and their Blackberrys. I see comments on here of ppl just bashing the G1 or the samsung touchscreen phones or the LG Dare and Vu. Verizon has the Omnia and Dare. T-Mobile has the Behold and Memoir, ATT has the INcite and Vu. All similar phones. What is funny is ppl that bash all touch screen phones seem to know nothing about what is out there on the market. The Behold Memoir Vu and Incite are not smart phones. only the Omnia is. (not sure on the dare). The G1 and iPhone are smart phones and the blackberrys. The memoir is technically not even the same category as the iPhone!
my point is ppl need to stop being so oblivious to whats out there and only think iPhone. There are plenty of products out there competing and worth your time to check out. Also ATT was the only US carrier willing to give Apple the royalties and freedom to sell the product. All kinds of legal stuff that i and most ppl will not understand. The Apple iPhone is exclusive to T-Mobile Europe. Thus stop complaining and comparing everything to the iPhone. There is a reason why only ATT has it. Its the same reason why VZ has the Storm and T-Mobile has the G1.
i've been researching phones for over a week now. most of my friends have the iphone and love it. personally, i think it's too big, too expensive, has a weak camera, and requires a data plan that i don't need. as for verizon, i don't care much for the blackberry storm because i don't need the emailing capabilities. sprint has the samsung intinct, but it's camera is pretty crappy too. besides, i'm currently with t-mobile so i have to look at what they have to offer.
1. g1 - the g1 has awesome features, but it's so darn big, heavy, and ugly.
2. memoir - i think the megapixel does matter because i tried it out at the t-mobile store and thought the pictures look AMAZING. however, the phone is a little pricey, but more importantly, it's also very UGLY.
3. behold - so i decided to purchase the behold. it looks good, it feels good, it's relatively light, it has a decent camera, and it's not overpriced. plus, i don't have to be stuck with a data plan like the iphone, blackberry storm, or g1.
personally, having a decent camera is a priority to me. before the behold, i have the MOTO ZINE. i think its camera is IDEAL. i took more pictures with that phone in the past 4 months than i did with any camera at all in the past 4 years. I still like it's camera function a lot. But like the g1 and the memoir, i think it's just a little to UGLY.