Samsung BlackJack - Free After Rebate

Chuck — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 02:16:00 -0500

Looking for a thin, stylish smartphone? Well, Amazon.com is offering the Samsung SGH-i607 BlackJack for free after a $75 rebate. The offer is good for new customers purchasing a 2 year service plan. The BlackJack is a super slim, feature rich smartphone that competes in the same category as the Motorola Q. The key differentiator of the BlackJack is its multimedia capabilities.

PC World reviewed the BlackJack and noted…

“The new Samsung BlackJack i607 from Cingular is the spitting image of the black Motorola Q. While the two PDA/phones look alike, the BlackJack features a lighter, narrower design and more-robust multimedia capabilities (such as streaming music and video). Overall, the BlackJack plays a good game, but it could use a performance boost and a few design tweaks.

The BlackJack’s major selling points include multimedia features that other PDA/phones in this class lack. Unlike the Verizon Wireless-based Q, for example, Cingular’s BlackJack streams XM radio (for $9 a month), as well as video content from CNN, HBO, and more (fees vary). One disappointment, though: Cingular doesn’t offer an over-the-air music download service. You can transfer songs from your PC, and then store them in the BlackJack’s meager 64MB of RAM. You’re better off buying a MicroSD card for music, video, photo, and other file storage.”

Additionally, Mypocketpcmobile.com has a detailed review of the Blackjack that compares it to the Motorola Q, T-Mobile Dash and the HP iPAQ hw6915. They conclude…

“The Samsung Blackjack is a slim, compact and stylish smartphone. It is a very good choice for those who want a mobile device powered with Windows Mobile 5.0 that has a design similar to the normal cell phones. It has 3G support and the user can experience the great advantages offered by Cingular’s 3G services like Cingular Video and Cingular music. The battery life can last for 5.5 hours talk time and 11 days standby. The price of $200 is very attractive.

On the negative side the Cingular Samsung Blackjack has not built-in Wi-Fi; the screen is small (2.2 inches), the expansion slot is a MicroSD, and the camera is only 1.3 mega pixels.

From the 4 devices we have seen in this review the Samsung has the smallest and lightest structure. The Motorola MotoQ has the most attractive design, the T-Mobile Dash has a built-in Wi-Fi but no 3G and the HP iPAQ hw6915 has a much more bulky design but with a complete set of connectivity options including a built in GPS receiver. The choice is up to the user”

And if you need a third opinion with more phone comparisons, check out MobileTechReview.com’s BlackJack review.

It’s unfortunate all these super slim PDA/phones are offered exclusively by only one carrier. I would prefer buying unlocked phones at reasonable prices and then using it on the carrier of my choice. It’s a shame that I have to switch carriers to be able to use the Samsung BlackJack or the Apple iPhone. Unfortunately, that’s the ~~business model~~ game the cell phone providers want to play to lock subscribers into long term contracts.

Enough of my mini-rant on cell phone providers. If you’re interested in the free Samsung BlackJack, make sure to read the fine print (2 year contract and Conditional $250 Equipment Discount). The $250 conditional discount basically states that Amazon has the right to charge you $250 if you don’t keep your Cingular account in good standing or terminate your service before a 181 day period. Don’t worry, I’ve bought multiple cell phones from Amazon without any issues.

Personally, I’m still happy with my MotoQ. I would have no complaints if the iPhone wasn’t just announced. It’s funny how such a cool, hip phone by Motorola can become instantly passé. Thanks a lot, Apple!

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Samsung BlackJack - Free After Rebate