Samsung SCH3500 Phone (Sprint)

• Compact flip-style design
• Web-enabled
• Dual-mode analog and digital for widest coverage
• Built-in voice dialing and voice memo recording
• Impressive battery life; includes Lithium-ion battery, desktop charger, and wrist strap

Weighing in at a light 5.2 ounces including battery and hand strap, the SCH-3500 measures just 4.4 inches high, 2.3 inches wide, and 0.9 inches deep when closed. The extendable antenna adds 1 inch when collapsed.

With the flip cover closed, you can see the display, three navigation buttons, and the microphone for memo recording, as well as the OK/Messages, Menu, and two-way cursor keys. On the keypad, you'll find the usual standard keys plus Talk, End, and CLR buttons. Volume control and voice memo buttons are on the left side. The backlit display presents three lines of text or Internet content, plus standard status icons and smart button prompts. The phone's ringer choices include nine tones, four melodies, and a vibration mode. A standard headset jack is located on the top of the phone. You can save up to 179 numbers in the phone book. Depending on which memory slot each number uses, it can be accessed with one-, two-, or three-touch dialing.

You can train up to 20 phone numbers for voice dialing, an impressive built-in feature not available from any other manufacturer. Note that voice dialing on most phones is actually implemented by the carrier's network. This not only means that you can encounter a busy signal when attempting to voice dial, but that you are probably being charged for the feature as part of your plan price. The Samsung SCH-3500's hardware support for voice dialing lets you sidestep both issues.

The SCH-3500 maintains a history of outgoing calls, incoming calls, missed calls, and total airtime. The phone supports caller ID, call waiting, one-way text messaging, and e- mail, voice mail alerts, and wireless Web access (check to see that your carrier and rate plan support the features you wish).

The display's maximum of three lines of text content is probably the minimum most people can stand for message and Internet menu browsing, but the reasonably bright screen and clear fonts help you enter and scroll through text.

The SCH-3500's voice recorder, which stores up to five one-minute messages, is a convenient tool for recording a sudden inspiration or important to-do item. Voice memos are stored and played back in last-in, first-out order. Security features are a strong point, too. You can lock the phone, limit calls to the phone book, control phone book access, and set roaming mode alerts or restrictions.

The SCH-3500 does not have an IR port, but a data kit-- including cable and PC software--is available so you can use the SCH- 3500 as a wireless modem.

The Samsung SCH-3500's lithium-ion battery is rated for a maximum of 150 minutes of talk time, but in our testing we maintained a connection for 189 minutes. The rated maximum standby time is 130 hours, and our sample ran for an impressive 116 hours. You will only need to charge this phone every three or four days, unless you are a very frequent caller. One minus is the lack of a standard travel charger. You have to use an included dual-slot desktop charger.

Overall, the highly portable, reasonably priced Samsung SCH- 3500 is a fine phone for business or personal use. The addition of voice control, memo recording, messaging features, and mobile Internet access only add to its attractions. --Testing and evaluation by Brown Consulting Associates; edited by Thom Arno

Pros:

• Voice dialing and recording
• Compact, rugged design
• Multiple message modes, plus Internet-enabled
• Better-than-rated battery talk time

Cons:

• Smallish screen for messaging and Web work
• No standard travel charger

How We Tested Battery-Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength.