Samsung G600 review: 5 MP Elegant Slider (See all reviews)

As phones in our times have turned into multimedia devices, a class of dedicated camera-phones has appeared and the mobile phones manufacturers are trying to offer the best possible digital camera packed into a phone that will not lack other functionality any customer would request.

The Samsung G600 brings the power of a 5 megapixel camera into Samsung's now-classic slimline slider format. Samsung just kept pushing the limits of what is technically possible, and as a result, the G600 comes with amazing features and a beautiful design to match.

Main features:

- 5 MP autofocus camera with LED flash and VGA video recording
- 16M color TFT display of QVGA (320x240 pixels) resolution
- Ambient light sensor for automatic brightness control
- Bluetooth with A2DP
- FM radio with recording capabilities
- MS Office documents viewer
- Quick menu response and new menu structure
- Dynamic home screen
- Mobile Tracker application
- TV out

Disadvantages:

- Lack of 3G support
- New headset/charger jack incompatible with older accessories
- Xenon flash would've suited it better
- Shot-to-shot time on the slow side
- Auto-focus could be more accurate

Overall, Samsung G600 is a nicely designed handset. Rounded edges give the phone a smooth and streamlined feel, and all buttons on the handset are large and well-spaced; both on top of the phone and including the numeric keypad under the slider.

The G600 is not an ultra-slim phone like the U600, but at 15mm it's certainly not a big phones. It's a good practical size, and at 48mm wide it's a couple of millimetres narrower than some of the ultra-slims, which doesn't sound like much, but makes the phone easier to hold.

The keypad is responsive when pressed and there are no touch-sensitive keys. The screen is large at 2.2 inches diagonally, and with 16 million colors and 240 x 320 pixels is one of the best display at Samsung.

The camera lens for the 5-megapixel shooter is also concealed beneath the sliding mechanism which is actually a better solution than the bulky lens cover of the Nokia N95 or to going without a cover, as with LG's Viewty.

The side keys consist of a volume rocker on the left and two-step camera shortcut on the right and they are located where they should be, feel easy and press in the same way.

Not aiming to a luxurious market, Samsung G600 comes in pretty small box. In addition to the standard charger, USB cable and various manuals and CD with synchronization software, you will also find stereo headset in two parts (adapter and 3.5mm noise isolating headphones) and a microSD card with adapter for SD.