Gadgetrepublic.com - Gadget Review

Touchscreen smart phones are gradually becoming the norm, so how do we go about choosing the right one for our needs.?

Luckily, manufacturers have been focusing on certain elements, such as imaging, multimedia experience, web browsing or third-party applications.

The magic balance is having one kick-ass feature, while making everything else pretty good at the same time. The Samsung Pixon shines here because it has a fantastic camera onboard, but web browsing, music and the phone's interface also perform well.

Appearance
Black aesthetics and neat buttons give the M8800 a slick exterior. The wide, bright touchscreen displays colour beautifully, yet the slightly protruding camera lens and heaviness of the phone means it is not very compact - something the user may well be willing to accept given how advanced the camera lens and technology are that lie beneath.

Usability

At first glance, the menus and commands are well laid out. However, I found that some precision practice was needed when using the drag-and-drop widget feature and when scrolling, especially when it came to photo viewing (stylus or not).

The navigation and interface are pretty much identical to that of the Samsung Omnia, and the haptic feedback with a slight buzz gives a reassurance that you have hit the right icon.
 
Media

The 8-megapixel camera onboard has all the different modes and settings you could ask for - if you're in the market for a new digital handheld market and also considering changing your phone, then this is the dream combination.

The camera takes fantastic, high-definition photos, and this was probably my favourite aspect of the Pixon. Short videos can also be captured and quality is very good.

In fact, the first thing I did on unboxing the Pixon was run outside and snap everything in sight. From the macro function that makes for some beautiful close-up shots of nature or random objects, to the amazingly simple process of taking capturing panoramic scenes, I could not have been more impressed with a camera phone.

For instant panoramic images, you simply choose your first shot, snap and move along to the left or right and snap again. Within seconds, the two pictures have been stitched together to produce your panorama.

And then there are the other advanced features, including a x16 digital zoom, auto-focus, fast-shutter, face-detection and even geo-tagging (you have the option to turn GPS on or off while taking pictures).

_{A panoramic snow scene captured on the Samsung Pixon}

As far as capturing the right scene, there are options for indoors, snow scenes, candlelight, scenery, people and plenty more.

_{Macro function on the Samsung Pixon}

As long as you explore the different options, taking a good picture is pretty much foolproof. The camera's level of complexity runs the gamut from auto-focus for the technology-shy to varying the ISO level and white balance for the more snap-happy among us.

_{A panoramic scene shot with the Pixon}

Uploading pictures onto your PC is straightforward, as long as you have the software installed (not compatible with Mac) because you can simply drag and drop images onto the desktop.

^{The Pixon handles direct sunlight effectively}

Music-wise, the M8800 has some serious capabilities with optimum sound, an MP3 player boasting 200MB memory and an FM radio.

Again, I always get slightly misty-eyed when I think of the lack of radio onboard the iPhone. I like the ability to auto-tune and listen in to RTÉ, 2FM etc when out and about, and the FM sound quality on the Pixon is top-notch.

Earphones with a stereo adapter are also part of the package, and there is Bluetooth and internet access but unfortunately no Wi-Fi (this could be a deal breaker for those looking for the ultimate smart phone).
 
Extra Features

Fun and clever bonuses include a sketch tool called Live Pix (similar to Microsoft paint), an English/Irish dictionary, java games, GPS navigator and a handy brightness sensor.

Live Pix is quite unusual - I've never seen an application like this on other smart phones. Basically, it lets you scribble or doodle over pictures you have taken and add some fun stamps or icons such as a ladybird or leaf over the picture.

Then it is saved as a .swf (Flash) file and can be played back to show the process from beginning to end. Essentially, this is a mini-Flash animation tool. It may appeal to younger users who will play around and upload the finished 'movie' onto Facebook or YouTube.

Conclusion

A lot of attention to detail was put into making this phone, from the great summary of info the phonebook can store to the fact that you can choose a preferred font type!
 
I would recommend the Pixon to almost anyone as it has such a broad range of features and options. Everyone I showed it to was pretty impressed and quite jealous of its camera capabilities.

If only its slight inconveniences could be overlooked, it would be perfect. The Pixon has definitely set a new standard for the camera phone.
 
Pricing: The Pixon retails from €49 bill-pay, and is now available in Vodafone, O2, Meteor, The Carphone Warehouse and 3G Mobile.

Pros: The advanced onboard camera

Cons: No Wi-Fi

By Hannah O'Daly and Marie Boran