Samsung Focus Windows Phone (AT&T) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been a Windows Mobile user for years -- partially because it was necessary to interact with various workplace based e-mail and networking programs, and partly because I always found them to be "boring, but dependable". Windows Mobile never was the life of the party, but rather was always the responsible one that made sure that after the party was over that everything got cleaned up and everyone made it home safe. That was the past 10 years, but times, they are a changing... the Samsung Focus has taken the boring Windows Mobile interface, replaced it with the all new Windows Phone OS and turned a boring mobile smartphone into a serious player that all of a sudden may very well be the life of the party.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a Samsung Focus early on, and I have to say that I've had a very hard time putting this phone down. It's absolutely nothing like I've used before when it comes to a Windows phone. The entire interface has changed, and the phone itself has went from business boring to social media connected powerhouse.
One of the first things you will want to do when you get a Samsung Focus is to pop in a memory card. The Focus is the only U.S. based Windows Phone that currently supports expanding its memory via a MicroSD card. You'll want to do this from the get go because otherwise you will need to do a master reset on the phone to get it to pick up later. This is because in the new Windows Phone OS the microSD is not removable -- it actually becomes part of the overall system memory and is a permanent addition to the phone (which is why its located behind the battery). I highly recommend you pop in a 32GB card to give you a 40GB phone out of the box -- it will let you really put the phone to use storing your media and other data while not having to worry about it down the road.
Next, get ready to be connected to your family, friends and social networks like never before. One of the absolutely coolest things about this phone is how good the AMOLED screen looks. With a 480x800 display size, the display is very crisp and the colors are almost -- well, almost true to life in many aspects. I really didn't appreciate how well the display looked at first but once I started using the phone I was just constantly blown away at how darn well this screen on this guy looked. The Windows Phone OS uses what I like to call "squares" or "slides" to display information, and they are constantly updating and even changing color and pictures. Your friend just post something to Facebook? You'll know in an instant without having to switch back and forth between a Facebook app. New email arrive from a friend? Boom - another square changes to reflect it. It's really cool and you have to experience it firsthand to understand how revolutionary this type of interface is. It let's you focus on the world around you, and not constantly have to be pecking away and fooling with the phone. On my old Samsung Jack I was constantly switching between apps and looking at the phone -- with the Focus it's like I'm just glancing to see whats going on in my social circles and at work. My only gripe? In direct sunlight the display is a bit bleached, but still holds its own. Much better than my old phone - though not as good as I think it could be or would like it to be.
One thing you will want to make sure you have setup (and many of us already do) is a Windows Live or Xbox Live account. When you first power on the phone you will be prompted for your Windows Live ID. You don't have to provide one, and the phone works just fine without it -- but if you do provide one you are going to really unleash the power of this device. It's what ties everything together -- your social networks, email, photos, etc. I would highly recommend that if you are going to go the Windows Phone route you make sure that before the phone arrives you get a Windows Live account up and running if you don't have one already.
Battery life is good -- not great -- and holds up comparable well to other smartphones. The phone does a lot of synchronization via the Windows Live ID and such, so it is hitting the network a lot. I noticed that I could get through about 1.5 days of normal usage without a recharge. My best was 2.5 days when I wasn't checking email or using apps too much. You'll probably want to go ahead and pick up a spare charger for the office or the car.
So this thing is a phone right? Let me tell you, the phone quality and sound through the earpiece was amazingly crisp and clear. I've struggled a lot with my old Samsung Jack find it difficult to hear, especially when outside. The Focus totally redefined for me what a good voice call is. I had no problems being outside with background noise and still being able to hear and hold a conversation over the phone. The speakerphone portion was equally crisp and loud without being tinny.
Of course nowadays no phone is complete without a camera -- and the 5MP camera with LED flash that comes with the Focus takes some surprisingly good pictures. I shot a lot of pictures of the changing fall scenery and uploaded the pictures from the phone to several photo sites. The pictures were very clear and even low light pictures were bearable (not great, but bearable). It is not going to replace a really good digital camera, but it can certainly hold its own in the photo world and is probably more than most folks need. I thought the LED flash was particularly nice, though don't expect it to provide a ton of light -- and it can drain the battery, so don't get too flash crazy.
AT&T of course has their bundled apps on the phone, but they haven't taken over the phone with them as they have tended to do in the past. On the main menu AT&T has been very conservative and only taken up 3 of the "slides" for their use and left the rest for you to go nuts with. I was very pleased with that, but do wish I could just get rid of AT&T branding altogether - but at least they tried to keep a small footprint.
Overall, this is a major step up in the Windows Phone world. It's not an iPhone, but I really do think that its a good alternative for folks who don't want an iPhone for whatever reason, or for those who want to try something different. Microsoft and Samsung have really raised the bar a bit and have created a device that is lightweight, crisp and clear, and has a darn good OS behind it. I think once people start to us the new OS and the social features of it you are going to see a lot of other phones start to copy it because after you use it for a while you really do get to like it. The phone is very speedy and I found that even with several apps running at once there was no noticeable lag or delay. In a nutshell, it's more organized than an Android (in my opinion) and runs circles around the iPhone in terms of multimedia capabilities (Zune integration, XBOX Live integration, etc.)
I'm very happy with this phone and look forward to getting to know it more in the coming months. I really think that if Microsoft keeps it up they could really give the iPhone a run for their money!

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It's easy to get moving with both business and fun when you've got the Samsung Focus, one of the world's first smartphones using the Windows Phone 7 operating system. Use the ultra-thin 4-inch Super-AMOLED screen to view and edit your Office documents, or to experience movies and pictures with stunning clarity and richness. And type easier and faster with the full, large touchscreen. The Focus also includes integrated Wireless-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) for access to home, corporate, and hotspot networks. And it includes free access to AT&T's entire national Wi-Fi network.

Enabled for use on AT&T's lightning quick HSPA 3G network, you'll be able to easily access the Internet as well as quickly download video, music, and more. Additionally, with AT&T's 3G network, you can make a call while simultaneously receiving picture/text messages and e-mail, or viewing Web pages. This GPS-enabled phone can access the AT&T Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions as well as its Video Share service, which enables you to send video of yourself to another compatible phone while making a voice call. See more details on optional AT&T services below.

It's powered by a blazing-fast Qualcomm 1 GHz Snapdragon processor for a fast mobile data experience. The Focus has 8 GB of internal memory, which can be expanded via optional microSD memory cards up to 32 GB in size. It also sports a 5-megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash and HD 720p video recording, Bluetooth for hands-free devices, and stereo music streaming, an FM radio, and up to 6.5 hours of talk time.

The Power of Windows Phone 7
The Windows Phone 7 operating system has been carefully crafted to help you get more done in fewer steps with a unique Hub and Tile interface. Instead of the common icon displays on the Start screen, Windows Phone 7 uses Live Tiles, which allow you to find out what's going on, what's happening next, and what you've missed without having to open an application.

Hubs bring together a related set of applications, services, and content into a single view to simplify common tasks. Your contacts, music, games, and work can be shared, synced, and accessed virtually wherever you happen to be. Windows Phone 7 also integrates with many popular Microsoft services such as Xbox LIVE, Windows Live, Bing, and Zune.

Live Tiles on the start screen dynamically update, so there is no need to open an app, and you decide which Tiles you want and where you want them. The Start screen includes the People Hub, which constantly refreshes with status updates from your favorite friends. The Me Tile lets you update all your social media sites, like Facebook--just type once and post everywhere with ease. Other Tiles allow you to quickly see new e-mails arrive in your inbox, play games via Xbox LIVE, and access recent photos and albums to view as well share with others. Swipe up to view more Tiles like music, Office, and more.

In addition to Internet Explorer 8 for full HTML Web browsing, the Samsung Focus also includes fully integrated Microsoft Exchange e-mail and calendar as well as Office Hub, which offers mobile versions of popular productivity programs, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft OneNote Mobile, and SharePoint Workspace Mobile.

With Windows Phone 7 you can stay on top of your inbox and quickly cut through the clutter to see only unread, urgent, or flagged messages. Move or delete messages in bulk, and respond to meeting invites right from your inbox with Outlook Mobile. Streamlined account setup works with Windows Live, Google, Yahoo!, and other popular providers. Windows Phone 7 also combines your work and personal calendars into a single, color-coded view, making it easier to spot conflicts and manage your life.

Microsoft Office Mobile is another reason why you won't miss your PC when you're away from your desk. Windows Phone 7 has mobile versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on hand for reviewing or editing on the go. Notes in OneNote Mobile--grocery lists, meeting memos, spontaneous musings--can sync wirelessly to the Web and include voice clips and pictures. SharePoint Workspace Mobile makes it easier to collaborate with your coworkers when you're out and about.

You'll also be able to personalize your phone with the Marketplace Hub. Read reviews, check out ratings, and test out content before you buy.

Entertainment To Go
With the Samsung Focus, you can access your favorite music and games thanks to Windows Phone 7's tight integration with Microsoft entertainment services:

Xbox LIVE unlocks a world of games and fun, connecting you to a global community of more than 25 million active Xbox LIVE members and offering easy access to Xbox LIVE features such as Friends, Avatars, Achievements, Messaging, and more (learn more below).
Zune for loading your favorite media--music, movies, TV shows, and podcasts--and taking it wherever. With a Zune Pass subscription, stream millions of songs right to your phone--no need for extra memory.

Additionally, each new Windows Phone from AT&T will include AT&T U-verse Mobile, an app that allows your to download and watch hit shows on your smartphone. U-verse TV subscribers with certain packages will be able to download and watch hit TV shows for no extra charge, and all U-verse TV customers can also schedule and manage their DVR recordings from the app. For the first time, U-verse Mobile will be available nationwide--even to those who are not U-verse TV customers--for just $9.99 per month. Subscribers can access the full content library, select which series or specific episode to download over Wi-Fi, and view on the go wherever they have their Windows Phone.



Key Specifications
Fast 3G connectivity via AT&T's HSPA/UMTS network (850/1900 MHz bands; 3.6/7.2 Mbps speeds with network availability).
Ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go. Connect for free using one of the over 20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide.
GPS navigation capabilities via AT&T Navigator service include audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates, and re-routing options.
Digital compass sensor
4.0-inch Super-Amoled touchscreen display (480 x 800 pixels) with proximity and light sensors
Full QWERTY virtual keyboard
5-megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash gives you a brighter light source for taking photos in less-than-ideal lighting situations.
HD video capture capabilities (720p)
Digital media player compatible with MP3, WMA, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+ music formats, and MPEG4, H.264, WMV video.
FM radio
Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile--enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock.
8 GB internal memory
Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB.
Text (SMS) and picture/video (MMS) messaging
Access to popular instant messaging services
Access to personal and work e-mail (supports Microsoft Exchange corporate e-mail)
MicroUSB port (2.0)
3.5mm headphone jack

Vital Statistics

The Samsung Focus weighs 4.07 ounces and measures 4.84 x 2.56 x 0.39 inches. Its 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6.5 hours of talk time, and up to 300 hours (12.5 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as AT&T's dual-band 3G network (850/1900 MHz; HSPA/UMTS) plus international 3G networks (2100 MHz).

What's in the Box

Samsung Focus handset, rechargeable battery, charger, USB cable, stereo headset, quick start guide



AT&T Services

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