Samsung SLM Cell Phone Review - Value & Comparisons
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Alfredo Padilla Published on December 17, 2007 Comment on this |
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Value (3.0)
The Samsung SLM is available exclusively from AT&T for $129.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate. You can't describe the Samsung SLM as anything but an entry level device. It doesn't have any major flaws, but it also doesn't wow you. Even it's support for Napster mobile, it's signature feature, is nothing very impressive. The current price has more to do with the fact that it's just been released rather than the actual value of the handset. That's not to say the Samsung SLM is a bad handset, it's not, we just expect to pay $50 for it with a contract, not over $100. Verdict: wait for the price to come down.
Comparisons
Razr2 V8 - The Razr2 V8 is very similar to the Samsung SLM in terms of functionality but looks much nicer. At only $20 more than the SLM with a contract we don't know why you wouldn't go with the sharper looking phone.
LG Venus - The Venus actually lags behind the Samsung SLM in terms of functionality, but only by a little. It's definitely a nicer looking handset, but you're going to pay for those looks as it costs almost $200. If you're willing to throw that much money at a fashion phone go for it, but the more frugal amongst us will stick with the more fully featured SLM.
T-Mobile Shadow - The Shadow is the only smart phone amongst our comparison phones for the SLM and it's a good one. Available from T-Mobile for only $20 more than the Samsung SLM we have to give the nod to Shadow if you want a truly capable device. That being said the Samsung SLM is going to come down in price and once it's at a more reasonable level like $50 then it becomes much more competitive.
Sony-Ericsson W580i - The W580i is a very nice cell phone. It's not as slim as the Samsung SLM, but it does have its own interesting look. It's a better music player than the SLM with its Walkman software, and it's pretty much a wash otherwise. Available for less than $100 it's also the much better value, so unless you hate the W580i's look go with it.
Helio Fin - The Helio Fin is also manufactured by Samsung and it looks like a higher end version of the SLM, which it is in many ways. The Helio interface is much better than Samsung's standard interface and the Fin comes with a better camera and GPS functionality. It's also cheaper than the Samsung SLM with a contract so unless you don't want to sign up with Helio there's no reason to go with the SLM over the Fin.
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