Samsung Blast for T-Mobile Cell Phone Review - Value & Comparisons
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Mark Brezinski Published on August 30, 2007 Comment on this |
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Value (2.0)
We really don't think the Blast is a good value at all. For its sparse functionality and laughably cheap design, we would've expected it to be free with contract, plus a month's use free or something. That is to say, we would've felt a bit slighted if this phone was free. At $100, it's not going to break any banks, but for that same price you could pick up any of a number of phones with much better construction and functionality.
Comparisons
Apple iPhone - The reason we chose to compare the Blast to the iPhone is because they're marketed as hip handsets. The iPhone beats the Blast in just about every category. It has a much better interface, provides better functionality, and looks like a space phone as opposed to something from the miscellaneous toy box at a garage sale. The only reason you'd want to pick the Blast over the iPhone is if the latter's price scares you away.
Sanyo Katana DLX - The Sanyo Katana DLX is very similar to the Blast. Both are really unremarkable and rather cheaply constructed. The difference is that the Katana DLX only costs $30 more, and is a higher class of phone. If you're going to invest in the Blast, there really isn't any reason why you shouldn't just drop a few tens more and get a phone that's much better all around. If you don't want to spend another $30, then neither phone is really for you, and you should stick with a phone that's free with contract.
Nokia N73 - We chose to compare the Blast to the N73 to show the other side of the spectrum. Though it's a bit pricey at $430, the N73 offers a ton of great functionality for its cost. If you're looking for a phone that can do it all, the N73 might be a good investment. The Blast is like a scaled down version of the N73, providing less functionality but for less of a cost. The ratio of cost to capability might be higher with the N73, but the Blast is a cheaper alternative.
Samsung Upstage - The Upstage is similar to the Blast in that it doesn't contain much functionality and has an unconventional look to it. This comparison is a bit like the Katana DLX comparison, in that the Upstage does many different things, but doesn't excel at any one of them. Also, like the Katana DLX, comparing the Upstage to the Blast just shows the Blast's shortcomings, such as the multimedia support. It's also the same price as the Blast, and looks a lot better. We'd recommend the Upstage over the Blast.
Motorola Razr V3m - The Motorola Razr is a cheap phone that focuses on the youth demographic and offers functionality that said demographic would appreciate. It isn't as well-rounded as the Blast, but it certainly handles music better, and has more palatable design. The Razr V3m basically shows how just a little focus can make a phone seem much better than a multifunctional device. Is the Razr a lot better than the Blast? No, it isn't, but its lower price tag and better music functionality may trump the Blast's diluted software. This one is more of a toss-up than the other comparisons, unless you're focusing on a cheap media phone. Though there might be better cheap media options out there, in this comparison, the Razr beats the Blast.
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