Samsung I560

5 Jul 2008
Samsung boasts of another creation to add to its features-packed i-range Smartphone lineup -- the Samsung i560. It enlists itself in Samsung's 3G mobile phone family, exuding a striking resemblance with popular handset members like the i450, the i550, the i600 and the i620.

Weighing 111 grams with full dimensions of 103 x 51 x 16 millimeters, the slender Samsung i560 is housed in a casing in colours silver and black. It operates in a slide mechanism, and reveals its 60.96-millimeter colour screen which displays a 240 x 320 resolution and supports a maximum of 262,000 colours.

The Samsung i560 comes with a discreet yet friendly user interface that is characterized mainly by a menu of colourful icons. Even when closed, the Samsung i560's call keys, navigation tools and external shortcuts through the mobile phone's outer keys are still accessible.

Besides flexibility and ease of use, the Samsung i560 boasts of technologically advanced features, Samsung-style, that highlight top performance, as expected from a contemporary mobile phone. The Samsung i560 is triband handset that supports GSM 900, GSM 1800 and GSM 1900 networks. The Samsung i560's 150-Megabyte memory allows its user to store data and files. This capacity may be expanded through the MicroSD memory card. Users can personalise their Samsung i560 through by selecting from its wide array of wallpapers and screensavers, and polyphonic and MP3 ringtones.

Operating through a Symbian version 9.2 OS, the Samsung i560 offers the GPS navigation tool to aid users on directions and routes to certain locations. It also has a document viewing option which supports general formats such as MSWord, MSExcel, MSPowerpoint and PDF files.

The Samsung i560 offers text messaging, enhanced messaging, multimedia and email client services to its users. The mobile phone assists its users in inputting messages through the Predictive Text feature. As a 3G mobile phone, the Samsung i560 allows video calling.

Accessing the Internet is possible with the Samsung i560 through its built-in XHTML HTML v2.0 browsers that come with an RSS feeds technology. Because it is powered by HSDPA, users can expect the Samsung i560 to offer high-speed Web service and downloads, alongside being capable of multitasking. Furthermore, the Samsung i560 is supported by EDGE technology for faster data transfers.

In addition, connectivity options of the Samsung i560 include its support for Bluetooth for wireless connection among compatible devices such as a computer, a printer or a laptop -- just within a ten-metre distance. As its Bluetooth feature is run with A2DP, users can enjoy music with the use of compatible headsets. USB connection is also supported by the Samsung i560.

The Samsung i560 has a camera with flash in 3.15 Megapixels, that also features settings allowing its users to adjust image outputs accordingly. While the integrated camera is for those quick still shots, a video recorder and player are housed by the Samsung i560, supporting video playback in MPEG4, 3GP, WMV, 3GP and H263 video formats.

The Samsung i560 treats music fans with its music player that offers high-quality audio and supports sound playback in formats WMA, MP3, AAC+, AAC, ASF and OGG. It also has an FM radio as an extra perk, from which users may tune in to their favourite stations while gaining access to the latest sports and news headlines. There are also pre-installed games in the Samsung i560 for users who may want to take a break. Downloading more games in Java format is also supported by the mobile phone.

Feature-packed as it may seem, the Samsung i560 still houses the standard feature systems of most mobile phones. Users will find the organisation features of Samsung i560 practical for everyday use, including a phone book, a calendar, a To-Do option, an alarm clock, a calculator, a vibration alert and a currency converter. Users may use the Samsung i560 during flights by opting for the flight mode.

The Samsung i560 battery offers approximately 4.5 hours of talk time, or lasts for over 360 hours when on standby mode.

Satisfied Samsung i560 users attest that the handset gives good image output quality and dependable battery life. However, some say the mobile phone takes roughly 20 minutes upon opening it for it to take signal. Another disadvantage, according to some reviews, is its battery case, which does not open as easily as other Samsung phone models do. Still others have point to the Samsung i560' issues of GPS navigation system's disconnection and general malfunctioning as its basic downside.

Reviewer: Nino Calandra - Sydney Australia
Reviewed on: 29th September, 2008
Rating: 6/10
3-4 months of taking the i560 from retailer to repairers. The GPS never works when you really need it. It sometimes takes 20 minutes or
not at all. It would be quicker to buy a street directory from the local petrol station and self navigate to the location before the phone starts to work. Anyway, they have offered to replace or reselect another phone. "not sure what to buy where the navigator will work properly". Good luck if yours is working, from Sydney down under.

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