subject: The Samsung Monte, An Impressive New Phone [print this page] Samsung have unveiled the latest handset to their range, the S5620 Monte. Pitched at a similar market to previous models such as the Corby and the Star, the Monte scores points over these in it looking and behaving much more like a smart phone than either of them.
Lets start by taking a look at the overall design of the Monte. Measuring in at 108.8 x 53.7 x 12.4mm, the dimensions are fairly standard for a phone of its stature. The curved back panel of the handset does make it sit very comfortably in the hand. The overall weight of just 92 grammes helps the phone feel very lightweight and easy to slip into your pocket or bag. The screen on the Samsung Monte is a fairly impressive affair. The 3" display offers a resolution of 320 x 420 WQVGA and displays a maximum of 262 thousand colours. This TFT touch screen is a capacitive screen rather than resistive, meaning it is much more responsive to the users touch. Apart from the screen, the fascia of the handset only features a "Call" button and a handy video call camera, a feature often missing in many modern phones. Other buttons dotted around the sides of the Monte are a Lock Key, Camera and Volume, along with the customary micro SD card slot.
The Camera facility on the Samsung Monte is fairly average for this type of phone. Although the 3.2 mega pixel resolution seems lower than on a lot of other models, the pictures still are clear. Despite only being a fixed focus snapper, there are a number of features which makes the camera on this handset an attractive proposition. Features such as smile shot, panoramic shooting and geo tagging put this camera on a higher pedestal than some of its competitors. Video shooting is supported at QVGA resolution and at 15 frames per second. The gallery in which you can view your efforts is fairly impressive and easy to navigate. You can flick through your photos by simply swiping your finger across the screen. The handsets built in accelerometer chip allows you to also view photos in landscape mode when the phone is tilted. Music Playback is well supported, with a host of audio formats catered for. The inclusion of an RDS FM radio and a headphone jack, coupled with the previously mentioned micro SD card slot means the Monte is a very capable music player.
Samsung seem to have hit the spot with this new handset. Although not technically a smartphone, the host of features coupled with its expensive look certainly make you think otherwise. A host of social networking facilities will appeal to the "young" crowd, but for its price the Monte is a worthy phone for any potential customer.
