Software & File transfer

The Samsung SGH-G600 has been provided with Samsung PC Studio 3 software. This software makes it possible to connect your mobile phone with the computer by means of a USB, Bluetooth, Infrared or serial connection. Once connected, there are multiple options, like; managing contacts, sending and managing SMS messages, synchronizing the mobile phone with your e-mail settings, managing files, making a MMS or reproducing multimedia files. In short: software to get the maximum out of your mobile phone. The connection via USB was rather fast on my laptop, transferring 75 images with a total size of 8MB took about 75 seconds. The Bluetooth connection was even a bit faster, copying the same images to my laptop took 70 seconds.

Properties

Samsung G600 - Camera

To make use of the 5 Megapixel autofocus digital camera you need to open the slider phone. The camera can be activated by means of the camera button on the side of the SGH-G600 or through the menu. After activating the camera, it takes a little while before the camera is actually ready. On the back side you will find the small built-in flash right next to the lens. Despite its size, it is a relatively powerful flash. The quality of the camera is truly starting to become similar to a normal digital compact camera. Although there can be made some improvements in terms of image quality, more and more settings become available. Such as the possibility to choose from ISO 100, 200, 400 and 800 or to set the white balance manually. Besides this, it is also possible to activate a self-timer, macro mode, panorama mode and sequence shooting. In short: the mobile phone features more and more functions that can also be found in a digital compact camera.

Samsung G600 - Shutter lag

In general, we have to report shutter lag issues with digital cameras in mobile phones. But this is barely the case with the Samsung G600. However a delay does arise when focusing or when transferring images to the memory card. As soon as the shutter release button is pressed half way, the camera starts to focus. In good lighting conditions focusing does not take much time. The flash is used as an AF assistance illuminator for surroundings with less light. When choosing the sequence recording function, you can take 6, 9 or 15 pictures very quickly, but unfortunately the resolution will be decreased to 320x240 pixels

Image quality

The image quality of the Samsung G600 is extremely good when the pictures are taken under good lighting conditions. This means, pictures of subjects that are well exposed (for instance outdoors or in a room with enough light) or objects within the reach of the flash. In low light conditions the photos show higher noise values, this can be limited by setting the ISO to 100 manually. But because of the decreased light sensitivity, the shutter speed will have to be longer which can cause motion blur easily. In short; it is hard to take pictures in low light conditions.

Settings

Like mentioned earlier, there are several possibilities to adjust the camera’s settings to the photo situation. Besides white balance settings, ISO values, self-release, macro mode, panorama mode and serial recordings, you can also adjust the size of the photo, turn the flash on and off or even let the flash work automatically. Those of you who like to photograph in Black & White or Sepia; this is no problem for the Samsung G600 either. The monitor can also be set to a normal viewfinder (full screen), indicator (chosen settings remain visible on the screen) or with guide lines (2 horizontal and vertical lines).

Samsung G600 cell phone

The Samsung SGH-G600 offers the possibility to expand the memory with a microSD flash memory card. Different speeds and capacities are available; we have chosen the SanDisk 2GB microSD card because of the stability and speed. You can also choose the 2GB microSD Memory Kit. This Memory Kit includes a microSD memory card, but also two adapters. With the adapters you are able to use the microSD card as a miniSD and SD card as well. Simply put the microSD card into one of the adapters and it will start functioning as a miniSD or SD card. There are also a few possibilities to transfer the files from the microSD memory card to a computer. You can, for example, use the SanDisk MobileMate SD + 5 in 1 card reader, which is very small and therefore easy to bring along.

Samsung G600 Review

Samsung have been active on the mobile phone market for quite some years now and already have several successes on their name. Nowadays, the mobiles get more and more extensive. In the beginning of this year the Nokia N95 was introduced; a mobile phone with a 5 Megapixel camera. Sony Ericsson followed with the K850i and now Samsung too with the SGH-G600. The Samsung G600 is a so-called slider mobile with extensive features, including a 5 Megapixel digital camera. A high-megapixel camera in a mobile phone is no unknown territory for Samsung. On the CeBIT in Hannover last year, they already presented the Samsung SCH-B600, a mobile phone with 10 Megapixels and 3x optical zoom. Unfortunately, the B600 will not be available in Europe, but hopefully Samsung have used their experience in the high Megapixel segment to make the Samsung G600 a success. Our findings can be read in the following Samsung SGH-G600 review.

Samsung G600 - Design

Just like we have seen many times before, Samsung pays a lot of attention to the design of the mobile phone, which is also the case with the Samsung G600. A combination of tight outlines and round forms make sure the camera looks good, but not overly prominent. Even a business man will fall for the design of the Samsung G600. The handset comes in dark grey with three silver colored buttons on the front side. Directly beneath the screen we see a raised edge to slide the mobile open, this edge could have been made a bit higher, because now your finger will slip past it at times.

When the Samsung SGH-G600 is closed, you will find a few buttons on the front side for taking a call or ending it, opening the menu and finding the contacts. In the middle we find the navigation buttons with the confirmation button in the centre. The buttons are locked when the mobile is closed and will be unlocked when the phone is opened, when receiving a call or after pressing a certain key combination. When the handset is opened, we will see reasonably sized, numerical buttons. Even someone with larger fingers can operate the buttons without a problem.