Helio Fin (Samsung SPH-a513) Cell Phone Review - Conclusion
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Alfredo Padilla Published on August 29, 2007 Comment on this |
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Who's It For
Business User
The Helio Fin is probably not a good choice for a business user. Although the built in e-mail client may be attractive to some business users, the truth is it's more geared toward light e-mail use and won't replace a BlackBerry or Windows Mobile device. The less than impressive battery life is also a problem for business users that need their device to work when they need it.
Budget Callers
At $175 with a two-year contract and $365 without, the Fin probably isn't in the offing for budget callers. The price may come down to less than $100 in a few months, however, and if it does it might become more attractive.
Chatty Teenager
The Fin is probably a dream device for the chatty teenager. With a decent camera, good text and instant messaging features, slick styling, and a wide variety of personalization options, we're sure it will be a hit with the younger set. The only possible problem is the unimpressive battery performance, which means some of the chattier teenagers out there may want to carry a charger or extra battery with them.
Media Maven
Media mavens will also find a lot to like in the Fin. The 3-megapixel camera takes decent photos, and music playback capabilities are good. On the other hand, battery life may be a little limiting to those who are used to a dedicated multimedia device, and video playback is limited by the lack of format support and the flip design that makes landscape viewing awkward.
Conclusion
The Helio Fin is a slim and sexy phone that packs a punch under the hood. Let's start with the features that differentiate it most from other phones, the camera and GPS. Most phones available today have a 1.3-megapixel camera, with 2 megapixels starting to become more common. The Fin raises the stakes by packing a 3-megapixel camera into its slim design. We found the camera generally lived up to expectations, producing better photos than most phones on the market, although still not as good as the Nokia N73 or N95, the best camera phones we've seen so far. The Fin's GPS functionality is integrated with Google Maps, providing you with a powerful mapping application, albeit one that requires you have access to a data connection. Both features provide good value and put the Fin a step above most phones.
And there's a lot more to like about the Fin. The interface is very responsive, construction is solid, and we appreciate having an integrated messaging client for e-mail, IM, and SMS/MMS. On the other hand there are also some annoyances. Probably the biggest concern is the poor design of the keypad and controls. These are built in a single piece similar to the Razr, however unlike the Razr there are no physical dividers between the keys, which lead to constant mistaken presses. We were also concerned about battery life, which was subpar. But that is part of the price you pay for the Fin's slim form factor and use of battery-draining 3G network. Still, despite these problems we found ourselves liking the Fin a lot, and we're sure that feeling will be shared by many other users.
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