Home > Reviews > Manufacturer > Samsung Juke Cell Phone Review

Samsung Juke Cell Phone Review - Tour & Design

Robin Liss Published on November 05, 2007 Comment on this

Intro Making/Receiving Calls Software Other Features

Tour & Design Messaging Battery Life Value & Comparisons

Audio Quality Organizer Connectivity Conclusion

Imaging Multimedia Hardware Ratings & Specs

Front Closed
At the top of the Juke is its speaker. Under this is the phone's incredibly tiny, 1.45-inch screen. Below this is the directional pad, the face of which is a scroll wheel. Also, keep in mind that, when closed, the Juke must be held upside-down for the display to be oriented correctly.

Front Open
Using the Juke's patented clockwise-half-circle-spin/twist-open maneuver, you will expose a lanky keypad. At the top is an array of six keys that would be around the d-pad on most other phones. On the Juke, they are located on a different half of the phone. These keys include two soft keys, a camera shortcut, the send/end keys, and a CLR (back/delete) button.

Left
The only feature of note is the volume rocker buttons, which is actually quite large compared to the tiny phone it's on.

Top
The top of the phone features a lanyard loop.

Bottom
The bottom of the phone has a little button that releases the back of the phone (the battery is built into the cover).

Right
The right side of the phone features two ports and a phone lock switch. The first port is a 2.5mm headphone jack port. The second is a proprietary USB/charger port. Both ports are covered with a little plastic panel.

Back
The back of the phone is mainly the battery pack itself. At the top is the speaker and camera lens. With the Juke in the open position, a small curved mirror shows your reflection so you can take self portraits. If you look closely, you can see us taking the photo.

Battery Out
Removing the battery won't reveal any secret compartments or bonus areas. Because this is a Verizon phone, there is no SIM slot, and there is no memory card slot either.

In the Box (2.5)
The Juke comes with a proprietary USB cable and a headset with a 2.5-mm plug. While we would've liked to see a standard port for the USB cable and a 3.5mm headphone jack, we're happy to at least see these two features included in the box.

Handling (4.0)
The Juke is so small it's actually a bit awkward to handle. We're used to phones sitting in the palm of our hand, but unless you have tiny hands, the Juke will be held by your fingertips. This, combined with the phone's virtually tractionless case, could mean the Juke will get dropped quite a few times. In regards to the Juke's ground-breaking spin-open design, we found it to be a bit awkward to close. You need a fairly big hand to consistently close it without fumbling around. Opening is easy, though.

Portability (8.0)
The Juke is a small phone, and is about as portable as a candy bar. It should easily fit into even small pockets, and all purses or bags. The Juke is a bit thicker than most phones, however, so while it will certainly fit in your pants pocket, it will also create a visible convexity. Those who prefer tight clothes might want to find an alternative method to carry their Juke, lest their sleek silhouette be ruined.

Aesthetics (8.0)
Regardless of the usability issues its size may cause, the Juke is certainly a cute little thing. People who want a somewhat different-looking handset will love this device. When it's closed it resembles a slightly bulkier version of old MP3 players, but its bright colors and rounded edges make sure it still appears modern. The only thing we could see improving in this category is its thickness; it could stand to be flattened out a little, even if thinner means a slightly wider face.

Durability (8.0)
Of course, any phone with a flip, slide, or twist has moving parts, and moving parts break down faster than non-moving parts. In spite of this, the Juke's spin-open motion is robust enough. The phone itself is also solid, and twisting it around doesn't elicit any creaks at all. Given its compact size, we could see the Juke surviving quite a few (inevitable) trips down to the sidewalk. The external screen is a bit of a worry, however, since it's so exposed.

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