Samsung Ace i325 Phone, Black (Sprint)

by Samsung

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.5 x 1.9 x 0.8 inches ; 3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001N0KWL8
• Item model number: SPHI325DLS
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #247,413 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

A great choice for communications companion for your global roaming, the Samsung Ace smartphone offers the ability to use one device both in the U.S. and while traveling outside of North America with support for Sprint's speedy CDMA network and GSM networks when abroad. And with the power of the Windows Mobile 6.0 operating system, you'll stay easily connected to your business and personal data on the go with support for a wide variety of email accounts as well as the ability to edit Microsoft Office documents.

The Samsung Ace provides fast Sprint connectivity in North America and GSM/GPRS global roaming.

When you want to wind down, enjoy favorite news, sports, weather and more with Sprint TV's rich, clear visuals and crisp sound that downloads at Broadband-like speeds. The slim, light Ace smartphone offers a full QWERTY keyboard for easy messaging and document editing, and it's complemented by a large 2.3-inch LCD screen. Other features include a 1.3-megapixel camera with video capture capabilities, Bluetooth for handsfree communication and stereo Bluetooth streaming, MicroSD memory expansion (to 2 GB), digital audio player featuring synchronization with Windows Media Player, and up to 4 hours of talk time.

Sprint Service
With quad-band capabilities, the Samsung ACE also operates globally on CDMA and GSM/GPRS networks (900/1800 MHz) where Sprint has international roaming agreements. (Note that this phone is not compatible with GSM networks found in the United States.) With the Samsung ACE, you can make or receive calls in approximately 180 countries and access professional and personal email, view documents and files, surf the web, and sync your Outlook calendar in nearly 100 countries.

A Sprint-provided SIM card is provided pre-installed in the device for customers who wish to utilize Sprint International Roaming Services (special activation required) while traveling abroad. In addition to taking advantage of any Sprint International Roaming services, Sprint customers can also use a third-party SIM for international voice and data services, providing greater flexibility for their global communications needs.

Supporting the EV-DO high-speed data standard, this phone enables you to download and stream high-quality video, straight onto your phone. Where coverage is available, EV-DO connectivity provides average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps, with peak rates up to 2 Mbps. This device is backwards compatible to 1XRTT technology in areas where EV-DO is not yet available.

With Sprint TV, you can make your cell phone your always-on source for news, weather, sports and more. This comprehensive video service combines high-quality streaming audio and video from channels including ABC, The Weather Channel, Fox Sports, E!, CNN, The Discovery Channel, and more.

Sprint's On Demand service provides up-to-date information on sports, weather, news, money and more customized to the your zip code

The QWERTY keyboard features backlighting, and it's complemented by a thumbwheel for easy one-handed navigation.

Phone Features
Similar in design to Samsung's popular Blackjack smartphone, the easily pocketable Ace has an ultra-thin candybar form factor that measures 0.46 inches thin and weighs 3.9 ounces. The 2.3-inch LCD screen with a 320 x 240-pixel resolution and 65K color depth sits above a five-way navigation pad with thumb wheel for easy one-handed operation. It's complemented by standard send/end keys and soft navigation keys as well as a shortcut key to the Today screen. The QWERTY keyboard features keys with a soft pointed edge for easier typing, and the backlit keypad makes it easy to work in low light conditions. This smartphone has 96 MB of RAM and 192 MB of ROM memory, and it can be expanded via optional MicroSD memory cards up to 2 GB in size.

The included Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Smartphone software with Direct Push technology gives you instant access to your emails, calendar, and contacts at anytime. That means wherever and whenever, you'll be connected. A single main screen summarizes all the important information you need to make it through the day. Here you'll get message notification, upcoming appointments, dialing functions, tasks, and more all in one spot. Staying productive on the road is made possible by the Microsoft Office Mobile suite, which includes Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and PowerPoint Mobile. Meanwhile, the File Explorer application makes it easy to browse the files.

It also supports Windows Media playback right out of the box. With Windows Media Player, you can play streaming and downloaded video and audio content in a variety of formats. You can also keep favorite tunes loaded on a memory card and listen to your music wherever you roam.

Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and file transfer. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server (requires Phone As Modem Service Plan).

Other features include:

• Productivity tools: PDF viewer, voice recorder, notepad, calculator, world clock, measurement converter
• 1.3-megapixel camera with choice of three sizes, three quality settings, brightness adjustment, multi-shot capabilities, and 4x digital zoom
• Video capture up to QVGA resolution (320 x 240 pixels)
• Microsoft ActiveSync technology offers one of the best PC to mobile device sync experiences, making it easier to configure with faster data transfer and sync accuracy.
• Access to the Sprint Software Store provided by Handmark, where you can find, download and buy software, games, ringtones, graphics and other Windows Mobile Pocket PC applications simply and securely.
• Hands-free operation of your phone is made easy with the built-in speakerphone, allowing you to take a conference call virtually anywhere
• MP3 ringtones
• Voice recorder
• Multi-lingual menus (English and Spanish)

Vital Statistics
The Samsung Ace weighs 3.9 ounces and measures 4.65 x 2.32 x 0.46 inches. Its 1300 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of talk time, and up to 240 hours (10 days) of standby time. It runs on the 800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO frequencies in the United States as well as 900/1800 MHz GSM/GPRS frequencies outside North America.

Powered by Windows Mobile 6

Windows Mobile 6 adds power to your mobile office with up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars.

Edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets on your phone, just as you would on your desktop/laptop PC.

Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6 updates the Windows Mobile 5 platform with a number of handy features that make searching through email, editing Microsoft Office documents, and staying on top of your most important communications even easier. Emails can now be viewed in their original rich HTML format and now offer the ability to visit embedded links. It also includes Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which provides a full set of Windows Live services, such as the Windows Live Messenger IM application, which now enables you to chat with more than one person at one time or send a file.

With Windows Mobile 6, your phone will finally be able to emulate the power and features of your PC's Microsoft Office suite. You'll be able to neatly view, navigate and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets in their original formatting--without affecting tables, images or text--as well as view PowerPoint presentations.

• Microsoft Office Word Mobile features include spell-check, Find and Replace commands, bulleted lists, text formatting, and support for tables for the first time.
• With Excel Mobile, you’re not just confined to editing charts: with the new Chart Wizard you can create charts quickly and easily.
• PowerPoint Mobile allows you to view the full presentation, rehearse timings, check the order and any live links you may have in your presentation. You can then email comments back to the team or communicate via MSN Messenger for an immediate response.
• After creating or editing a Word document or Excel spreadsheet, you can synchronize it with your PC and it will automatically be converted to the PC version.

All Windows Mobile 6 powered devices include Direct Push Technology for up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts through Microsoft Exchange Server. It also offers a set of important device security and management features that include the capability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen, helping ensure that confidential information remains that way.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LG Lotus - Stealth PDA phone, unique offering, January 23, 2009

By 

G. Kline "art hunter" (Hoboken, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: LG Lotus LX600 Phone, Black (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)

** UPDATE ** 09/30
Going on 9 months with the phone. Still enjoying it and happy with my decision. There is word of the Lotus 2 (2nd generation) phone coming out sometime in 2010. It's too early to tell how much will have changed from the Lotus 1, but so far word has it that the micro SDHC memory limit has been expanded to 32Gb and the outer screen will be touch sensitive. The touch screen functionality suggests that the inner screen will have this too, but that was not mentioned. In any case, expect the phone to debut sometime in the summer. If you really need a phone right now, you can't go wrong with the Lotus given the extremely attractive discounts going on.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
REVIEW
======

The LG Lotus was introduced in the fall of 2008, to reasonable fanfare and press. But do you hear anything about the Lotus now? Not much, which I find strange because the LG Lotus is such an amazing phone. Maybe the surging popularity of touch screen phones overshadows it?

I bucked the touch screen trend and instead went with an LG Lotus. I had to switch from Verizon to Sprint in order to get it, because US based cellular carriers still impose a carrier lock on most phones and have significant pricing discounts when buying a phone with a plan. At first, I was worried about leaving "American's most reliable network" and sacrificing the "in network" minutes with a few of the people I know... but then I came to realize that Sprint has an excellent network as well. So far in my first few weeks of being on the Sprint network, I've noticed no performance loss.

But back to the phone. This is what attracted me to the Lotus:

1) EXCELLENT QWERTY KEYPAD. I don't like the lack of feedback from a touch screen phone; but you've no choice with it, because that's the main interface you're given (unless you do everything by voice command). On the other hand, the tactile sensation of the Lotus keypad is excellent. I have XL sized hands and have no trouble rapidly "double thumb" typing on the Lotus. I tried the Blackberry Curve and Treo--the Lotus keypad works with fewer typos.

2) SMALL FORM FACTOR. The iPhone, Storm, and Omnia touch screen style phones are all quite large and a bit weighty. They don't fit comfortably in your pocket, especially if you've got it in a case to avoid screen scratches. But the Lotus disappears in your pocket. Even in a shirt pocket, it is unobtrusive. When folded, the inner screen and keyboard are fully protected. Yet, when you open it up, the size is doubled and it is easy to hold. THIS is what cellular communications should be all about. I've tried out the Motorola RAZR and I'd say the Lotus is about the same thickness but easier to hold. Overall, the design of the Lotus is very unusual. When opened, it almost looks like a miniature laptop! :-)

3) SEMI-SMART PHONE. What does it take for a cellular phone to be called a Smart Phone? "There is no agreement in the industry about what a smartphone actually is and definitions have changed over time." The Lotus supports Java applications, can browse the web, download files, exchange e-mail (when connected, e-mail is pushed to the phone), and work as a GPS device. This certainly sounds smart to me. Aside from the default browser, you can download others (like the Opera Mini) and even use a GMail application instead of going through the HTML interface. I'm sure as time goes on, the list of compatible Java apps for the Lotus will increase.

4) PLAN VERSATILITY. With smart phones like the iPhone, Storm, and Omnia, you MUST have a data plan. With the Lotus, you can choose whether or not you want a data plan. Plus, on Sprint, you can do this change mid-stream on your contract without incurring costs or contract change penalties (the countdown to expiration remains unchanged). I find this an attractive advantage over the competition.

5) SCREEN RESOLUTION. The inner screen of the Lotus is 2.5" diagonal. It is a beautiful wide screen that looks like one you'd see on a quality digital camera. The resolution is SUPERB. Pictures appear razor sharp and in full accurate color. Even the external screen looks great, and you can choose not only a few different clock layouts but a different wallpaper from the internal screen.

6) MENU SYSTEM. The default "Carousel" style menu system is actually very nice. It is customizable and provides very easy access to popular functions of the phone. It is great for novices but a little annoying for the technically adept. However, you can dispense with it and go with the LG menu system. With the help of a Sprint store rep, you can get the default LG menu activated (or if you know your MSL number, you can do it yourself). I prefer the LG menu as it removes the Carousel clutter (if the menu would auto-hide, I'd like it more) so you can see your wallpaper image in all its glory. Plus, you go from 5 to 12 favorites (shortcuts), something I really appreciate. Not only that, but the left menu button becomes a quick access link to the Calendar/Scheduler, instead of it being hidden behind a carousel tile you have to hunt for. Supposedly, going with the LG menu saves you some battery life, too.

7) NO THEFT MAGNET. Large and glamorous PDA phones are a theft magnet, especially the coveted iPhone. Personally, I find the idea of constantly whipping out an expensive device increases the chance for damage (who here hasn't dropped a phone at least once on a hard surface?) and involuntary loss due to theft. The Lotus is nicely inconspicuous (especially the black version).

8) MUSIC PLAYBACK QUALITY. The built in music player is a little cumbersome at first, in that upon initial insertion of the SD card, it scans all of your music and creates an internal index. But once that index is created, it is quick and easy to play music selections by "All Songs", "Artists", "Genres", and "Albums". Plus you can create your own playlists, as well as use random or sequential play by Genre, Artist, and All Songs. A very nice attribute for the way the SD card is used is that you can subdivide your music by whatever folders you want--the Lotus scans the card and finds them, rather than requiring all songs to be in one folder. Sound quality is impressive, although for this small size the bass is lacking. But mids and highs are clear and accurate. I couldn't believe what I was able to hear... better than the iPod earbuds, that's for certain. Plus, it has a 2.5mm jack so you can plug in earbuds if you wish to listen privately. Bluetooth headsets are also supported.

9) EXCELLENT GPS SOFTWARE. I was about to buy a Garmin Nuvi 255w. But now, I don't have to. The Sprint GPS Navigator is excellent! It really works. Plus, it's full featured. You get horizon view and bird's eye view, turn-by-turn voice navigation with street names, easily stored favorites, and interfacing with Google maps. It also audibly informs you about traffic conditions. What more could you want?

10) DECENT CAMERA. A 2.0 megapixel camera sounds passe, when 3.2 and 5.0 cellphone cameras are available. Well, I don't know what firmware LG put in this phone, but this is the best 2.0 megapixel camera I've ever seen. I'd swear it was 3.0 megapixel. Photos are of very high quality. It works OK in low light if the subject remains still. There is NO flash, unfortunately. I wouldn't use this over a full fledged digital camera, but it makes for an excellent backup.

11) OBVIOUS CHARGING INDICATOR. On many phones, you need to look at the LCD screen to see a message that charging is complete or that the battery indicator is now on full. With the Lotus, the external music controls are lit up red when charging is taking place, but change to white once charging is finished--quite obvious to notice from a distance, which is very convenient.

12) MINI USB CONNECTOR. The mini USB connector works very well with this phone, sliding into place securely. And now there are vendors supplying car chargers with retractable cords that work with the Lotus. It's an excellent solution for convenient charging on the go with no cords to hassle with.

OTHERS - the phone has 5 alarm settings, one "quick alarm" and 4 main ones that you can set for whatever period you need (once, daily, weekly, monthly) and with whatever sound you want (default or downloaded). There is even a feature that allows you to record a phone call--not bad.


So, those are the things I really like about the Lotus. But alas, no phone is perfect. Here is what I see needing improvement:

1) VOICE QUALITY. During calls, voices are projected through an internal speaker on the lid. Depending on the party reached, some calls sound a little flat and tinny on high volume. This is in contrast to the excellent voice quality I had on a Motorola E815. Now, it's not so bad that it is a deal breaker, but I wish it was a little better. If you're in a noisy room and crank up the volume, you'll be a bit disappointed. I tend to keep the volume set to about the mid-point. Using an ear set works well, as an alternative. In fact, at home I plug in a wired ear set and it works beautifully. I tuck the phone in my pocket and walk around hands free. The speakerphone quality is excellent, though.

2) BATTERY LIFE. If you leave your phone connected to the Internet most of the time, you'll probably need to recharge your phone daily. But if you shut off the Internet connection when not in use, battery life should be about average for standby and talk time. The Lotus is rated at 5.5 hours, but I'd say it's just about 3 hours. Most phone manufacturers exaggerate their talk time anyway. My last phone was... Read more ›

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Phone, January 23, 2009

By 

Jessica Litwin "rowan_debeauchamp" (Troy, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: BlackBerry Curve 8330 Phone, Titanium (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)

I bought this phone two weeks ago from Sprint for the Sprint/Best Buy price of $49.00 with a new plan. I was nervous about upgrading to a smart phone after using a simple phone for years. The transition was smooth and Sprint did a great job of anwering all of my questions about the phone and the service. The rep spent about an hour and a half helping me choose a phone and getting me set up. I chose this phone over the Palm Pilot because of its larger screen, GPS, and the voice dial feature. The track ball took a little getting used to, but I was navigating around menus fairly swiftly within a few hours.

Pros:
*Large, bright high resolution screen
*Good video quality
*Voice Dial Command
*Track Ball for easy navigation
*Clear phone calls
*Push Email - It's very simple to check email
*Doubles as an MP3 player with exceptional sound quality
*GPS works well, voice directions are generally easy to understand
*Sprint network fairly quickly loads web pages
*Streaming radio from Sprint is clear and has a good variety of music
*Value for the money: Box includes stereo headphones that double as a hands-free, case, 1G MircoSD card, USB cable, charger

Cons/The reason for 4 stars over 5:
*Voice Dial does not consistently recognize the name from the address book, but does get it on the second or third try
*Manual does not include all the information new users should know - for example, my new phone was making a tone every time I got an email-annoying in the middle of the night. I also had some trouble figuring out how to download MP3s from my computer directly to the SD card.

I have been able to solve all both of the technology questions above by going to the help forums at www.blackberry.com within a few minute of searching for answers. The support from users on this site is extremely helpful.

I highly recommend this phone and can't imagine living without my Blackberry now!

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great phone!! Not for Smartphone Users though!, January 5, 2009

By 

Monique Fordyce - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: LG Lotus LX600 Phone, Purple (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)

This phone is excellent!! It isn't a smartphone so for those of you coming from a Centro, or Touch Diamond, Iphone etc... you may be disappointed!! This is a great phone for texting, e-mails, voice calls etc...The calls are clear, the speakers are very nice and loud, no distortion what so ever, texting is a breeze on the keyboard. Although it is square it is very comfortable to hold, and even in your pocket. It isn't the thinnest phone around but a nice size. I did however have to disable the One Click UI in order to stop the slight lagging problem so now it works like a charm. It even gave me longer battery life when I did this!! For a basic phone user this phone is excellent, the browser could be better so Opera Mini was installed and now it is everything I could ever want in a phone. Of course everyone has their on opinion so there will be some that may hate this phone but if you want a small stylish phone that is great for texting, email and voice calls then this is the phone for you. I would like to warn you though, Sprint has disabled the feature to load your own custom ringtones vis USB or bluetooth, so you'll have to send them to your phone via WAP or via text. You also won't be able to use songs or mp3's from your SD card as ringtones either. You can however use video ringtones instead in 3g2 format. Aside from that I like this phone and those little problems aren't much to me because I have internet & texting on my plan!! Get this phone, you won't be sorry!!