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Sleek Verizon phone looks better than it sounds
- Sleek, compact design
- 2 GB of internal memory
- Easy-to-use interface
- So-so call quality
- Memory not expandable
- Can't download music
- Non-standard headphone jack
- Poor camera quality
Samsung's Juke, released in 2007, is one of a handful of music phones offered by Verizon Wireless. Its diminutive size turns heads and is a big talking point among reviewers. With dimensions of 3.28 inches by 1.18 inches by 0.83 inches, CNET's Nicole Lee compares the Juke to "a large pack of chewing gum." Most critics appreciate the Juke's sleek, switchblade form, but some say that its minuscule keypad can pose a problem for those who send frequent text messages. The Juke's built-in music player is praised by most reviewers for its 2 GB of internal memory and an excellent user interface, which sets it apart from most. It's also lauded for being able to handle MP3, WMA and ACC music files. Unfortunately, you can't use your own wired headphones without an adaptor, because the headphone jack is a non-standard size (2.5 mm rather than 3.5 mm). Talk time of around four hours (as tested by CNET and PCMag.com) and standby time of 10 hours are adequate, reviewers say.
The Samsung Juke falters when it comes to call quality, which is universally panned because of low signal strength and earpiece noise. Music support is also criticized. Lacking 3G connectivity and a web browser, the Juke can't download music, and it's not even compatible with Verizon's own V Cast Music application, something most other music phones on Verizon's network are capable of doing. A VGA camera is included and can take pictures at a maximum resolution of 640 pixels by 480 pixels, but images are less than impressive, with some blurring occurring around the edges and color washout.
Reviewers agree that the Juke is a cool-looking phone that's low on extras; Dana Wollman of Laptop Magazine "can't help but wonder at the Juke's spartan feature package." Since its release, many superior music phones have been released, including three iterations of the LG Chocolate phone. According to most reviewers, the LG Chocolate 3 -- the Juke's closest competitor -- is a better handset that offers an equally functional music player with no sacrifice in call quality.
We found several reviews for the Samsung Juke, including excellent articles by CNET, Laptop Magazine, PCMag.com and PhoneArena.com. In all four critiques, comparisons are made between the Juke and LG Chocolate, with the Chocolate always coming out ahead. Reviews from InfoSyncWorld.com and MobileTechReview also take a good look at the Samsung Juke, focusing on its unique form and music player. An extremely in-depth review from PhoneScoop.com is not comparative, but it pores over every detail of the Juke's functionality. At CNET, more than 40 users have posted their opinions. There seems to be a split on form vs. function, and a lack of higher-end features is often mentioned. The music player is received well, however.
| OEM Samsung Extended Battery VERIZON RED JUKE SCH U470 U470, JUKE | |
(20 reviews) In Stock. |
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Our Sources
1. CNET
Nicole Lee of CNET provides a thorough write-up of the Samsung Juke. While she likes its design, calling it "sexy" and "fashionable", its lack of features prevent it from measuring up to other music phones. The addition of video capability and 3G support would help it compete with other models such as the LG Chocolate, she says. More than 40 owners also weigh in. Many laud the Juke's design, but others protest that it is too small to be considered functional. Its music player is generally given high scores.
Review: Samsung Juke SCH-U470 -- blue (Verizon Wireless), Nicole Lee, Oct. 18, 2007
2. PCMag.com
Sascha Segan says the Samsung Juke is similar to the iPod shuffle "in that it's short on features." While he allows that it's a cool-looking phone, he's disappointed with the interface and the non-standard headphone jack, although he finds voice quality to be good, if not excellent. He recommends the LG Chocolate as an alternative music phone for Verizon customers.
Review: Samsung Juke SCH-u470, Sascha Segan, Dec. 14, 2007
In this concise review, Laptop Magazine editor Dana Wallman says she prefers the LG Chocolate or LG Venus to the Samsung Juke for its "fuller user experience." She is a fan of its ability as a music player, however, and also likes its lightweight design.
Review: Samsung Juke SCH-U470, Dana Wallman, Nov. 13, 2007
This in-depth review praises the Samsung Juke's capabilities as a music phone but criticizes its reception and call quality. Its size and excellent user interface are also pluses, but in the end the LG Chocolate VX8550 is deemed the better all-around phone.
Review: Untitled, Editors of PhoneArena.com, Oct. 23, 2007
In this well-organized critique, InfoSyncWorld.com editor Philip Berne rates the Samsung Juke's design, call quality and multimedia functions. He is impressed with the 2 GB of internal memory, as well as a sleek navigation interface. The Juke's small screen and keypad, however, hinder it from being useful for texting or web browsing.
Review: Review: Samsung Juke Music Phone, Philip Berne, Feb. 5, 2008
MobileTechReview.com editor Tong Zhang notes that the Juke doesn't have many competitors, and its style makes it a stand-out handset. Agreeing with other reviewers, he says the music player excels. He is not as thrilled with the Juke's VGA camera or exclusion of 3G support, however.
Review: Samsung Juke, Tong Zhang, Nov. 30, 2007
Reviewer Eric M. Zeman says Samsung Juke "does one thing well, and many other things not so well at all." This is in reference to the Juke's music player, which has excellent sound quality that features an effective equalizer. As a phone, however, the Juke falls short because of unimpressive call quality and a "clunky" user interface, Zeman says.
Review: Review: Samsung Juke, Eric M. Zeman, Nov. 13, 2007
