The T-Mobile Samsung Vibrant
The first thing I need to make clear in this review is I'm not one of these professional phone reviewers that carry three or four phones around at all times. The Vibrant is my only phone, my electronic lifeline. So if it doesn't do something as expected, or to my satisfaction, it's a big deal to me because I don't have other phones to fall back on. That being said, on to my impressions.
The Hardware
My last phone was a G1. I really liked the G1 from the start. All the detractors picked it apart, but the G1 was a solid all around phone that served me well from it's launch until I got the Vibrant. It wasn't a huge phone, but because of the physical keyboard it was definitely on the thick side. I also used an extended life battery for the majority of the time I used the G1, adding to it's thickness. The Vibrant is no G1!!! It is thin, smooth, and curvy. I have read on many sites that it felt 'plasticky and cheap'. I definitely don't agree with those assertions. It IS plastic, but it doesn't feel hollow or inexpensive at all. It feels as I believe the designers intended it to feel. Like a thin slab of solid material in your palm. It is light compared to other phones like the iPhone4 or the massive Android giant the HTC EVO. And even though it has a slight rear facing chin it feels extremely well balanced and sits in the hand well.
The front of the phone does slightly favor the iPhone 3G, the back is unique though, to say the least. It's glossy smooth, aside for the two tiny slits for the speaker grill, and the camera lens (no flash to be found). All of of the phones' style is on the back. Two different colored rear covers are provided, one blueish green and the other purple. The only buttons to be found on the device are the power/sleep button on the right of the phone and the volume rocker on the left. One nice feature is a first for me to see on a phone. A handy little sliding door that covers the charging/syncing jack. Greatly appreciated by me because I tend to rip those little plastic attached covers off eventually. All in all the appearance of the pone is excellent. Business up front and all party in the back like those mullets we all love!
The battery life has been OK thus far. I got about 9 hours of heavy use out of it before I was in the low teens in remaining charge and forced to recharge it. I have only had it for about 24 hours and after I fall into a more normal pattern of use I don't see it being an issue. Although if a stylish extended life battery option presents itself I definitely will go that route.
The screen is without a doubt the gem of the phone. I have shown the phone to many people since I got it, and everyone of them was astounded by the beautiful 4.00" screen. Everything from the custom live wallpapers, to the pristine copy of Avatar impressed all, even the Apple fanboys and fangirls. The ability of the phone to monitor battery life and manage screen brightness will definitely come in handy!
The Software
A lot has been made of Touchwiz 3.0. I was worried that after using stock Android for so long I wouldn't like it. I was wrong. It isn't laggy, it is highly customizable, and extremely functional. Little additions like being able to change the sorting of the application tray, or being able to delete applications directly from the tray are excellent UI additions. I almost overlooked some features because I just wasn't used to their availability too. To reduce or increase the screen brightness one only needs to swipe their finger across the top of the screen. To message a contact just swipe left on the contact entry. To call them swipe right. The puzzle piece missed call or text message on the lock screen is simply brilliant! A puzzle piece appears on the lock screen and you simply drag it to the corresponding hole to respond.
The Camera/Video Recorder
I use my phone's camera and video recorder in spur of the moment situations. If I am going somewhere that I think I will need or want to take pictures I take a dedicated point and shoot for that. So I don't expect point and shoot quality from my phone. That being said I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the pictures/video taken with the Vibrant. They were clear and colorful. There are a lot of settings for the camera and video recorder so sometimes it's merely a matter of finding the right setting for picture situation. Low light picture came out surprisingly clear and well lit.
The availability to have your Picasa album in your phones picture gallery is a welcome addition as well. I am a big fan of cloud storage, so I was very happy to see this.
Call/Data Quality and GPS
Since I got the Vibrant I have had no problem with signal issues that I didn't have with my G1. Like with the G1 being in elevators, deep basements, and some other structure can cause signal issues. Other than that I have had excellent signal and have yet to drop a call. Data rates seem to be fairly consistent and i haven't had any period of no 3G connectivity yet.
The Wrap Up
All in all I find this phone to be excellent in all categories save the GPS, which is extremely sensitive and frustrating coming from the G1. And the OK battery life. I would without a doubt recommend this phone to anyone who is positive they live and work in an area where T-Mobile coverage is good. The person I would not feel comfortable recommending this phone to is the person who is dependent on the GPS for travel. I can live with no location based searching, but if I got lost due to it I would be looking pulling out the old G1.
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