Hands-On: Samsung Transfix
Oct 11, 2011, 10:48 PM by Eric M. Zeman
updated Oct 12, 2011, 2:29 AM
The Transfix is a QWERTY-equipped Android device being sold by Cricket Wireless. This simple smartphone offers a stock Android build and a pleasant form factor.
The Samsung Transfix is an entry-level Android phone for those who want a QWERTY keyboard on their smartphone.
The Transfix is being sold by Cricket Wireless. It is a chubby little thing, which is typical for a sideways slider device. The overall feel of the phone is good and it doesn't feel cheap or flimsy. The overall shape really reminds me of a bar of soap.
The screen is not the best ever from Samsung, this is an entry-level device after all. It is smallish, and has a more pedestrian 320 x 480 pixel density. It's not a Super AMOLED Plus display, but it still managed to impress me with its brightness and color.
The volume toggle is on the left side of the device and had a good feel to it. I thought the action was very good. The right side of the device has only the screen lock key. This is terrible placement for the key, because it becomes inaccessible when the Transix is in the open position.
Speaking of the slider, it has a solid feel to it. The travel was smooth and it had just the right amount of spring assistance. The keyboard underneath was OK, but not great. The keys are flat and have little shape to them. Worse, the travel and feedback was minimal. It would take me a long time to adjust to using this keyboard. It was spacious, however, and the keys are given enough room.
The user interface was a bare-bone Android build. Thankfully, it was bereft of any of Samsung's Touchwiz software. It is nie to encounter a stock Android device every once in a while.
For what it is, an inexpensive pre-paid smartphone, it offers a lot even if it isn't as exciting as Samsung's top-of-the-line devices.
About the author, Eric M. Zeman:Eric has been covering the mobile telecommunications industry for 17 years at various print and online publications. He studied at Rutgers Newark and University of Kentucky, and has a degree in writing. He likes playing guitar, attending concerts, listening to music, and driving sports cars.
Samsung Refreshes Galaxy S Series with S Pen, New Cameras
TCL's New Foldable Concept Swings Both Ways
Cheaper Samsung Galaxy A13 Launches on AT&T Without 5G
Cricket Doubles Down on White-Label Phones
Cricket Launches More Affordable White-Label Phones
Samsung Transfix
Comments
No messages
