Samsung SGH-A197
Average Ratings
Solid all around phone
I lost my Samsung A167, so I replaced it with this phone and it's a definitely better made phone. Feels solid and the bluetooth synced up with my Jawbone Icon very easily.
Pros: opens wide, bluetooth menu easy to use & establish a connection, solid feel to the phone, common micro USB charger
cons: VGA camera, low storage memory.
My normal (non AT&T go phone) SIM card works just fine in this phone.
Definitely a good all around basic phone. Not too many bells and whistles, but it does it's job well as a phone!
hotshot1's review
The phone seems to be excellent for sending and receiving voice calls.
I think the user manual could be better written, especially for specific functions if you don't want to dig through the entire manual.
Customer service seems to leave a lot to be desired.
*Two things that I disliked:
1) I had to threaten customer service with a different provider to get text disabled.
2) GOD help you if the previous owner of your number had a Direct TV account because you CANNOT block this service.
To get Direct TV blocked, I signed up with the Do Not Call website, made several calls to customer service, and even called the Public Service Commission to stop the Direct TV calls.
Please note: I NEVER have been and NEVER will be a customer of Direct TV after this.
*This problem was caused by the previous owner of my cell number being a Direct TV customer. Direct TV did not have a clue about me being the current owner of the number.
I like this phone OK but think that AT&T needs to improve their customer service.
A Solid Phone
Pros: Good call quality, good reception, easy to use, strong battery, and attractive all black appearance.
Cons: Isn't it time to stop with the VGA cameras, and give all phones a minimum of 1.3 megapixels?
Summary: This is an excellent phone for the price. It should not be compared to the more expensive phones, and smart phones. It was meant for the person who cares about making calls only. It is what it was meant to be, which is a very solid built phone for the money. The 800 mAh battery lasts for days, and the call quality is better then some of the more expensive phones I have owned. Unlike some of Samsung's smaller flip phones, the a197 opens farther to fit a man's head. When opened it is not a small phone. Also, for those who care, it has an extremely low Sar Value to the head of 0.24.
Samsung A-197
Just got this phone today through a Best Buy near San Jose, Ca. $49.99 + tax and sold as a Go Phone. This is definately an upgrade to the A-167. Much nicer design. Slimmer, lighter, and adds Bluetooth. It also changes charging ports to a micro USB port which means I can use my current accessories. Which is nice.
It also has better display's inside and out. Also has better menu options and has more feature's like email client and direct access to check your account online, which I LOVE.
Overall, I would suggest giving this phone a looking!
Patrick McLaughlin
