Mobile Phones News :Samsung S5550 Shark 2 Review

We now come to the third phone in the new Shark handsets from Samsung, the S5550 Shark 2. Although by numbering this handset sits in the middle of the line-up, by specification it is the most powerful handset of the three. So, as is our custom by now, we are going to take a closer [...]

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We now come to the third phone in the new Shark handsets from Samsung, the S5550 Shark 2. Although by numbering this handset sits in the middle of the line-up, by specification it is the most powerful handset of the three. So, as is our custom by now, we are going to take a closer look at what the S5550 brings to the table.

The device shows a return by Samsung to a more traditional styling that is common in so many of their phones, with the S5550 being a slide style device. The compact slider measures in at 102 x 49 x 15mm, and weighs a pocket friendly 99g. The display on the phone uses AMOLED technology, which assists with battery performance; such displays need no backlight, and are less demanding on the battery generally to power them. AMOLED displays also tend to offer a crisper, clearer colour representation, and so it is on the S5550, although the colour support is only up to 256,000 colours. The display itself is of average size, 2.2 inches, and with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. Under the display sit the two soft option menu select keys, and below those are the call send/end keys. These flank the main navigation key, a design that is at the same time simply Samsung whilst reflecting designs found on newer devices like the Blade and the Jet.

The S5550 is a top mobile device, and this is reflected in the features it offers. Chief among these is a high quality 5.0 Megapixel camera, with autofocus, and an LED flash included. The camera also has support for face and smile detection, and image stabilisation, to help ensure the very best image results. The camera is enabled for video recording, taking video at 30 fps in QVGA resolution. There is also a secondary, front facing camera, giving support for the much under used video call facility.

Entertainment and connectivity is a theme that has run central to all the Shark series phones, and so it should come as no surprise to find these features well covered on the S5550 Shark 2. A full media player is included on the device, with playback support for multiple formats of audio and video, including MP3, AAC, WMA, MP4 and WMV. There is ample storage on the phone for all video and audio files, with an internal capacity of 110MB supplemented by MicroSD memory card expansion offering an extra 16GB of storage. The S5550 also includes an FM radio with an FM recording option. Social networking integration, as on the other Shark handsets, allows for quick access icons to be stored on the main standby screen with live updates from your favourite services. The Communities app is included, so sharing your content is a simple and straight forward process. Although popular these days, Social networking is but one of the ways we use to communicate with friends and family, so it is pleasing to find an email client included on the phone, which offers support for multiple email accounts.

The quad band S5550 has support for 3G and HSDPA Mobile Broadband, and also includes GPRS and EDGE, pretty much the only data option not included is WiFi. The handset offers Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, for stereo audio connectivity.

Fully compliant with Java 2.0, the handset comes pre-installed with Google Maps, although there is no built in GPS receiver, a move which helps to keep the costs down on the device. A simple Bluetooth GPS unit will compensate, if required. One of the striking features of the Shark series handsets has been the focus on device security, which is to be applauded. Security is often lax on devices, and considering how much personal information is stored on the average mobile phone, it is prudent to be security conscious. As with the other handsets, the S5550 includes Mobile Tracker, which helps to trace a lost or stolen mobile by alerting the user whenever the SIM card is changed, and in addition, an SOS Message can be programmed to send a distress alert to a pre-selected emergency contact, enabling quick and discreet requests for assistance.

The Shark range of handsets have been created to attract the style conscious, younger mobile user, delivering easy, constant access to social networks, blending power and function in a unique style phone. Each of the three Shark devices offers something for all, and there should be a Shark device to fit most budgets. The S5550 Shark 2 is expected to be available in January/February 2010, on both contact and PAYG.

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