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Basic social networking phone for Virgin Mobile
Pros
- Roomy keypad
- Easy-to-use interface
- Good call quality
- Strong battery life
Cons
- Low-resolution displays
- Low volume
- Hazy photo quality
The bargain-priced Samsung Mantra taps into Virgin Mobile Connect's social networking features with on-the-go access to Facebook, MySpace and Flickr. But aside from that perk, CNET's Kent German says performance could be better, and Adam Fendelman, About.com's former guide to cell phones, chalks it up as "unremarkable." The Mantra's features -- such as Bluetooth, a 500-contact phone book and messaging options -- fall short of Virgin Mobile's Slash (*Est. $40, no contract), which has an Opera Mini web browser and Google Maps. Still, users at PhoneArena.com agree the Mantra is a great basic phone.
The Mantra's plain yet pleasant design "won't stand out in a crowd," says German. Its small dual-color displays suffer from low resolution, but German and users at PhoneArena.com find the flat, spacious keypad and control buttons make for mistake-free key strikes. To its credit, the Mantra has an intuitive interface and decent call quality. "Admirable on the whole," says German, of the strong signal and natural-sounding voices. While users share that opinion, Ricky at ETechReviews.com deducts a few points for low volume levels. The Mantra's camera, however, is deemed "forgettable" by German. He says the muted colors and blurry objects are disappointing even for a VGA snapper. Battery life also suffers; rated at 5.5 hours of talk time, it lasted five hours and 20 minutes in CNET's tests.
CNET offers the sole expert review of the Samsung Mantra. A less rigorous write-up from About.com, along with user reviews from CNET and PhoneArena.com, show how the Mantra fares with daily use.
Where To Buy
Our Sources
1. CNET
CNET's Kent German looks at the design, features and performance of the Samsung Mantra and includes a helpful video review. He likes the user-friendly design and features like Bluetooth and voice dialing, but the small external display and "forgettable" camera leave something to be desired.Â
Review: Samsung Mantra - black/silver (Virgin Mobile), Kent German, July 10, 2009
2. About.com
Adam Fendelman, About.com's former guide to cell phones, says the Samsung Mantra won't impress with high-end features. Still, he praises its simplicity and affordability along with features like easy user interface, dual color screens and large keypad.(Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Samsung Mantra: Social Networking-Friendly Flip Phone, Adam Fendelman, As of March 2010
At the time of this writing, a handful of owners have posted reviews for the Samsung Mantra, praising its large display, spacious keypad and good reception. A few users wish for better display resolution, but overall, they highly recommend the Mantra for anyone needing a basic, easy-to-use cell phone.
Review: Samsung Mantra Reviews, Contributors to PhoneArena.com , As of March 2010