Unless you’ve been living in some sort of bubble, I’m going to assume you’ve seen the TV spots for the Samsung Blackjack. I’m here to tell you that it lives up to the hype—this phone isn’t just a pretty face. The Blackjack does it all, and it does it all well.
Aside from having the coolest name of any mobile device on the market, the Blackjack packs quite a punch. With crazy fast HSDPA wireless broadband, browsing the web is a snap. Although the 3G access isn’t available everywhere yet, I’ve had good luck with it in most places, including Louisiana which should say something. It has completely changed my perception of mobile Internet. Now using the Web on the road seems more like a privilege than a chore.
It packs Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphones, so it has a whole slew of functionality, including an RSS reader, that is unavailable to traditional phones. But because of its exceedingly svelte exterior, it’s nothing like the typical clunky smartphone that you’d be embarrassed to whip out in public. It’s actually a rare occurrence that I’ve failed to have people comment on the phone when I use it in public.
There is, however, one slight problem. Due in part to its HSDPA capabilities, the Blackjack is a power hog. It’ll suck batteries dry faster than than a lush at an open bar. To rectify this problem, Samsung has included an extra battery with an external charger. It’s an imperfect solution, but it’s good to see that Samsung didn’t just send the Blackjack into the wild with sub-par battery performance and no remedy.
I’ve tried a lot of phones in my day, and I feel rather passionate in my claim that this is the best one I’ve ever used. Can it be beaten? Sure, but as far as I’m concerned, nothing that is readily available can currently usurp the phone from the Samsung Blackjack. It is, without a doubt, the hottest mobile device this holiday season.
The Samsung Blackjack available now from Cingular for $199.99 with a two year contract or for $449.99 if you don’t want to indenture yourself to Cingular for a couple of years.
