Samsung J700 Review by 3G.co.uk
Once upon a time you used to be able to tell the difference between an entry-level handset and a higher specced gizmo without a second glance. Nowadays it's not so easy. The Samsung J700 is the latest handset to cause confusion to the mobile phone spotter. As a sleek slider, the J700 bares a close resemblance to last year's 3G Phone of the Year, the ever-popular Samsung G600. Granted, the five-megapixel camera might be absent, but the Samsung J700 certainly looks like a cracking device, but what's behind the smart exterior?
Samsung J700 - Removing the back
The Samsung J700 looks the part with its two-inch screen, turn-wheel and smooth contours. Unfortunately, our praise was curtailed when faced with removing the back of the handset to insert the SIM card. Trying to slide it off proved to be a frustrating experience - it was nearly 10 minutes before we could even begin testing the phone's capabilities. After checking the manual to see if we were doing something wrong, we discovered it was simply shoddy craftsmanship. Eventually after much prying and a few chipped fingernails, we managed to dislodge the back, allowing us to slide the SIM card under the battery. It's a major irritant when a handset fails such a basic precursor as removing the battery cover.
Determined not to let this episode cloud our judgement for the rest of the review, we took some deep breaths before persevering. Thankfully, the rest of the phone's craftsmanship is of a high quality. The J700's sliding mechanism is smooth and, unlike some other entry-level sliders, the top half of the handset doesn't feel as though it would break off if it received a knock or two. Underneath the front fascia, found under the two-inch screen are a collection of keys and controls, including the turn- wheel.
