Samsung U340 Phone (Verizon Wireless)

Design
The phone features a traditional clamshell design with a vibrant 128 x 160 pixel full-color display with 65,000 colors. A supplementary external screen can display call information, current date and time, battery and signal strength, and more. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's control pad. The u340 has no external antenna, so there's nothing to snag in your pants pocket. A charging port is located on the bottom edge of the phone, while an advanced VGA camera with a self timer is housed on the front cover of the phone. Lastly, the built-in speaker phone allows you to talk handsfree.

Calling Features
The u340's built-in address book can store up to 500 contacts for quick and easy management of phone numbers and email addresses. The phone comes with built-in polyphonic ringtones while more ringtones can be downloaded from Verizon's Get it Now service (additional charges apply). The included advanced voice recognition feature allows you to make calls and access other essential features, all without ever touching the device. Meanwhile, a built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear. Plus, picture ID functionality lets you assign photos or other images to callers. Perhaps most importantly for users in rural areas, the u340 is a tri-mode phone, meaning it can operate on Verizon's digital networks, as well as analog networks that serve many outlying areas.

Messaging, Internet, and Tools
The u340 covers the messaging basics with support for sending and receiving text, pictures, and sound. The phone also supports mobile instant messaging. Instant Messaging allows you to communicate with your friends or family in the AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, or MSN Messenger communities. With the AIM, Yahoo! or MSN mobile IM client, you can see who is available, busy, or offline. You can also get sports scores, traffic updates, weather reports, news, and even your Horoscope via Verizon TXT Alerts. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit--a plus for mobile text messaging users.

The u340 includes a personal organizer that includes a calendar, an alarm clock, a notepad, and a calculator. Meanwhile, the included I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) feature insures that others can access user programmed numbers in the event of an emergency, even if the phone is locked.

Imaging and Entertainment
The fun really starts with the u340's built-in VGA camera, which features a self-timer, shutter sound selection, and brightness adjustment.

Vital Statistics
The Samsung SCH-u340 weighs 2.82 ounces and measures 3.5 x 1.8 x 0.77 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 220 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 850/CDMA 850/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one-year limited warranty.