Helio Fin (Samsung SPH-a513) Cell Phone Review - Tour & Design
Front Closed
The Helio Fin looks like a tapered fin, ironically enough. Unlike most modern flip phones there isn't a large external display. Instead, you have a small LED display near the top of the front, just underneath the lens for the 3-megapixel camera. Under the display is the Samsung logo and, near the bottom, the Helio logo.
Front Open
When you open up the Fin you reveal a large 2.3-inch QVGA (240 x 320 pixel) display. Above the display is the phone speaker. When open,the lower part of the phone holds the keys and controls, which all sit on a single piece of blue plastic reminiscent of the styling found on Razr devices.
Left
The left side of the phone houses volume rocker keys near the middle, and just below these the proprietary port for data, charging, and headsets.
Top
The top of the phone houses the hinge for the flip mechanism, and one of the holes for the lanyard loop sits on the left.
Bottom
The bottom of the device houses the phone's speaker.
Right
The right side of the phone does not have any controls, but you do see the other side of the lanyard loop near the top.
Back
The upper two thirds on the back of the phone has the cover for the battery, with a release switch near the top.
Battery Out
When you remove the battery cover you reveal the battery, of course. Unfortunately there is no information available about battery capacity. Below the battery is a spring-loaded slot for Micro SD cards, which you have to remove the battery to access.
In the Box (4.0)
The Fin ships with a good selection of accessories, including a charger, data cable, and stereo headset, as well as the typical manuals. Although we would have liked to see a Micro SD card, as well, we appreciate the data cable and stereo headset as many other phones, like the LG Chocolate and Samsung Sync, don't include these accessories.
Handling (6.0)
The Helio Fin feels very comfortable in your hand. The slim design and light weight means it's easy to carry around or hold up to your head for a long phone call. Our only concern is that it is a bit long, closed and especially when opened up.
Portability (8.0)
As one of the thinnest handsets we've seen, the Helio Fin is eminently portable. It will fit easily into even tight pockets, and of course you won't have any problem finding space for it in a bag or purse.
Aesthetics (9.0)
We like the clean and smooth look of the Fin. The finish is plastic, but high quality. It looks and feels expensive. The Fin isn't a flashy handset, but it is an elegantly attractive one.
Durability (7.0)
The Fin feels very solid and well constructed, despite the slim form factor. This is a definite improvement over other Samsung handsets, like the Blast or Sync, which feel plastic and cheap. As with any flip phone, we are concerned about the Fin's hinge and how well it will hold up over time, but aside from that we saw nothing to concern us about the Fin's durability.
