Get info about new reports and updates
Samsung Smooth SCH-U350
The Samsung Smooth cell phone keeps it simple
- Simple to use
- Good for messaging
- Extras include Bluetooth, basic web browser
- GPS capability
- Long battery life
- Slippery casing
- Difficult to open
- Average display
- Poor reception and voice quality
The Samsung Smooth is a no-frills cell phone that gets solid ratings from most experts and users. It's available from Verizon Wireless either on a contract or prepaid basis, making it a great budget option. "I have never been happier with a phone that just wants to be a phone," says one VerizonWireless.com user, while CNET's Jasmine France considers it a budget-friendly replacement phone. The Smooth's generic-looking clamshell form factor is about as basic as it gets, a close second to the technophobe-friendly Samsung Jitterbug J SPH-A310 (*Est. $150, no contract). "Pretty underwhelming," says France of the design, although she likes the "compelling extras" -- such as text and multimedia messaging, integrated Bluetooth, a VGA camera and a basic web browser. The Smooth also features GPS functionality with Verizon's VZ Navigator app, email and instant messaging (for an extra fee), but France says that email and instant messaging require "a clunky wireless Internet" connection.
Perks aside, the Smooth has its glitches. "The case of the handset is so slick it's next to impossible to even open the clam before the call hangs up," says a user at PhoneArena.com, while editors at TechnoTalks.com say the 1.9-inch display and keypad merely get the job done. Call quality also comes up short compared with the highly rated Samsung Knack (Free with contract). France says mobile-to-mobile calls "garbled," and many owners at VerizonWireless.com complain about dropped calls and poor reception despite the carrier's top rating among experts. Excellent battery life, however, tips the scale. While rated at five hours of talk time, it lasted nearly seven hours in CNET's tests. In a final tally of the Smooth's assets and liabilities, a BestBuy.com user sums it up: "I love Verizon, but I didn't want to renew my contract to get a decent phone… with Bluetooth, camera speakerphone, multimedia messaging -- what more do you need?"
To date, CNET and TechnoTalks.com are the only expert sources that looked at the Samsung Smooth, and neither compares the device with market rivals. A plethora of online user comments posted at sites such as VerizonWireless.com, BestBuy.com, Amazon.com and PhoneArena.com help to fill out the picture, although feedback is peppered with complaints about carrier issues rather than device performance.
Our Sources
1. CNET
CNET's Jasmine France gives a thumbs-up to the Smooth's budget price tag and "compelling extras" -- including Bluetooth, a basic web browser and GPS capabilities. Despite the perks, the phone falls short in call quality, especially mobile-to-mobile calls. Nevertheless, France recommends it for Verizon customers who need a reasonably priced phone without a contract.
Review: Samsung Smooth (Verizon Wireless), Jasmine France, May 22, 2009
"I have never been happier with a phone that just wants to be a phone," says one of the nearly 300 owners of the Samsung Smooth who post comments at VerizonWireless.com. Most praise the phone for its simplicity, solid call quality and long battery life, but just as many complain that it's slippery, hard to open and drops calls.
Review: Samsung Smooth, Contributors to VerizonWireless.com, As of December 2009
3. BestBuy.com
A handful of owners post comments about the Samsung Smooth, with nearly all saying it's a nice, affordable phone without the hassles of a contract extension. "A good basic phone with some surprises," says one owner, and even those who bemoan poor web access say it's still worth the price.
Review: Verizon -- Samsung Smooth No-Contract Mobile Phone -- Blue, Contributors to BestBuy.com, As of December 2009
4. Amazon.com
"Definitely not smooth," says one owner about the handset's slick, hard-to-hold casing. A few users say that the phone is difficult to handle and that the side buttons are prone to accidental activation, although long battery life is a plus for many.
Review: Samsung Smooth U350 Phone, Blue (Verizon Wireless), Contributors to Amazon.com, As of December 2009
Editors at TechnoTalks.com chalk up the Samsung Smooth as a basic handset with "nothing much to talk about" in the design department. While the keypad and internal display merely get the job done, editors like the phone's perks, including messaging and Bluetooth capabilities.
Review: Samsung Smooth Reviews -- basic handset from Verizon Wireless, Editors of TechnoTalks.com, June 29, 2009
While owner postings about the Samsung Smooth are sparse, one owner finds more pros than cons with the handset. Long battery life, clear call quality and an excellent keypad are among the strong points, while design and weak reception are the few setbacks.
Review: Samsung Smooth Reviews, Contributors to PhoneArena.com, As of December 2009
