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Touch screen and deft media playback make Finesse one of MetroPCS's best
- Responsive 3.2-inch touch screen
- Good call quality
- Impressive web browsing and media playback
- Bundled with three "Mission: Impossible" movies
- Cheap monthly plan
- No Wi-Fi
- Limited high-speed network coverage
- No AAC (iTunes) file support
- No accelerometer
- High up-front cost
Not bad for a prepaid phone
The Samsung Finesse is one of the most advanced phones offered by the prepaid carrier MetroPCS -- and one of the most expensive. It boasts such features as a 3.2-inch touch screen with adjustable haptic (vibrating) feedback, GPS receptivity, stereo Bluetooth and a 2-megapixel camera. Reviewers note that the Finesse is very similar to Alltel's Samsung Delve and T-Mobile's Samsung Behold (*Est. free with new contract). Reviewers generally agree that the Finesse is the best MetroPCS phone, but add that it can't compete with offerings from other carriers.
Call quality is very good in independent tests. While the Samsung Finesse is 3G-compatible, MetroPCS's high-speed 3G network is limited to a few cities, so users may find themselves on slower networks in outlaying areas. Battery life is also impressive, coming in at just over four hours of talk time in tests by CNET and PCMag.com -- a slight improvement on Samsung's rated time, which reviewers say is very good for a resource-heavy touch-screen phone.
The Finesse has media savvy
The Finesse's media-playback capabilities also get praise from reviewers who say movies look very good on the vibrant screen. Although the Finesse has only 150 MB of storage, that can be expanded with microSD cards. In addition, the phone is bundled with a memory card loaded with all three "Mission: Impossible" movies. Web browsing is also good on the whole, although critics don't like the included email application. The 2-megapixel camera has a self-portrait mirror, but no flash. Still, photo quality is praised by reviewers. Summing up the Finesse's multimedia finesse, PCMag's Sascha Segan says, "Shutterbugs and on-the-go movie addicts no longer have to pay high monthly fees for their media-savvy phones."
A few reviewers note the Finesse's hefty price tag, but those who do point out that MetroPCS's calling plans are significantly cheaper than other carriers. The Finesse's lower operating costs mean that the phone is a better deal in the long run, as it pays for itself within a few months. PCMag's Sascha Segan notes that "MetroPCS's $50-per-month plan -- which offers unlimited calls, messaging, Web, and e-mail -- would cost at least $100 per month on other carriers" However, there are a few features that critics would like to have seen on an upscale device like the Finesse. There's no Wi-Fi connectivity, and without an accelerometer (as on the Apple iPhone 3GS), the screen doesn't automatically switch from landscape to portrait views. Some users report trouble syncing with PCs to transfer media, and the Finesse doesn't support Macs.
Although Samsung phones generally get plenty of attention at professional review sites, MetroPCS doesn't get as much press as other carriers. CNET and PCMag.com both give the Finesse thorough and generally good appraisals, saying that it is one of the carrier's best offerings. MobileBurn.com, TechnoTalks.com and PhoneBlog.com also take a look at the Finesse, but their reviews are less comprehensive.
Our Sources
1. CNET
Nicole Lee says the Samsung Finesse is superior to MetroPCS's "otherwise dull lineup." She likes the responsiveness of the touch screen and the handset's overall design, but she is a bit disappointed that there's no Wi-Fi or accelerometer, which makes switching between virtual keyboards a chore.
Review: Samsung Finesse SCH-r810 (MetroPCS), Nicole Lee, April 16, 2009
2. PCMag.com
PCMag's review of the Samsung Finesse is enthusiastic, and reviewer Sascha Segan gives it a lot of slack considering the rest of MetroPCS's lineup. Video capture and playback are praised, and the 2-megapixel camera is "surprisingly good." However, the included email application is "dismal," and Segan recommends sticking with webmail.
Review: Samsung Finesse SCH-r810 (MetroPCS), Sascha Segan, May 11, 2009
Editor Michael Oryl provides a brief write-up of the Samsung Finesse along with two walk-through videos, comparing the Finesse with the nearly identical Samsung Instinct. Oryl says the interface on the Finesse is a bit slow, and he is annoyed that uninstalled applications can't be removed from the main menu.
Review: Video Review of Samsung's Finesse for MetroPCS, Michael Oryl, April 20, 2009
This short write-up of the Samsung Finesse mostly discusses the phone's specifications, showing little evidence of hands-on testing. No mention of battery life or call quality is made. There are a few user comments below the article that are useful. One user complains that, contrary to promotional materials, there is no PC syncing; others report mixed results.
Review: Samsung Finesse SCH-r810 Review, Editors of TechnoTalks.com, April 22, 2009
Anonymous reviewer "Noel" discusses the Samsung Finesse, calling it a "mid-range" phone with "average" features. He is impressed with Samsung's TouchWiz interface, and finds the web browser fast and responsive, though scrolling is sometimes an issue. The lack of Wi-Fi and the "paltry" 150 MB of built-in memory are cited as minuses.
Review: Samsung Finesse, "Noel", April 19, 2009
