The Samsung S8300 otherwise known as the Tocco Ultra promises to be a top phone. Measuring in at just 12.8mm thick, the Samsung S8300 will be equipped with an 8.0 megapixel camera with auto focus, and like previous Samsung phones, will also include support for face and smile detection, plus include image stabilisation. The phone does not appear to have a Xenon flash, which is a bit of a disappointment, but we can forgive Samsung if the LED flash can also be used for video recording. Whilst a Xenon flash is generally going to offer better picture quality in low light conditions, it cannot be used as a light for low light level video recording. Here the LED offers a better option, and this is one reason why Nokia for example have not used a Xenon flash in any cameraphone apart from the N82, and insist on using a Dual LED system.
Aside from the camera the Tocco Ultra also includes a DivX video player, which will look great on the AMOLED display. An AMOLED offers super smooth, fluid video playback, thanks to the materials used in the display construction. AMOLED stands for Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode; the display is made by stacking cathode, organic and anode layers on top of each other, and the pixels on displays of this type turn on and off three times faster than conventional screens, which in turn gives the excellent video viewing experience.
The screen is actually touch screen, and the phone operates on the Samsung TouchWiz interface, found on handsets such as the Tocco and Pixon. The TouchWiz interface is very simple and easy to use, and even for people who may not consider a touch device to be ‘their thing’ the TouchWiz offers surprising simplicity in use.
Touch is not the only data entry method, as the slide handset also conceals a standard 12 key alphanumeric keypad so messages can be written using traditional multi tap or by using the excellent T9 predictive text.
Other features include an FM radio with RDS support, music player with support for many music types including MP3 and AAC, and the latest version Bluetooth 2.1. This new version is designed to simplify the connection process between two compatible Bluetooth devices, and remove the painful search, find, connect, enter password process that has frustrated us all at some time or another.
The casing of the handset is made of duralinium, offering an anti-scratch and anti-fingerprint coating to keep the case looking nice and smart. It is expected that the screen will also be coated with an anti-scratch substance.
Lastly, the S8300 comes with a built in GPS receiver, allowing the device to be used as a personal navigation tool, either in the car or walking around on foot.
Samsung's official advertising campaign for the S8300 is also sure to become a TV hit, see below.
The S8300 is going to be very popular and should sell in high numbers from the start. Pre-order is currently available from a handful of our partners, with an expected release date of 12th March 2009, this may vary depending on networks, retailers and stock availability.
Related Samsung S8300 Tocco Ultra Links
- Compare the latest Samsung S8300 Tocco Ultra deals
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- Full list of Samsung S8300 Tocco Ultra specs
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- Watch latest Samsung S8300 Tocco Ultra video
9:26 am
All sounds fabulous, but I would clarify a few things about this phone and would say think twice before buying it. I've had mine for five days now, most of which have been frustrating.
It is a beautiful phone and the screen is gorgeous and well, most of the functionality works. However there are some major problems.
1. There is NO QWERTY keyboard when writing SMS or emails in landscape mode. If you are under the impression that there is a QWERTY keyboard in landscape mode (I was after reading many reviews online), there isn't. If you want that functionality, than buy something else.
2. Even worse, there is no way to navigate in a message (SMS, MMS or email). If you need to go back and change something, you're out of luck and will have to delete everything to fix a mistake. Will Samsung fix this glaring oversight in a firmware update? According to the UK Samsung community, apparently not.
3. The PC software doesn't work. Well actually it seems to work for some people but after five days, mine refuses to work (on a normal Windows XP system). And sadly Samsung doesn't offer any insight, support or fixes for this. Do I really want to type in my 300 contacts? Not really.
4. The touchscreen really isn't that responsive. Two attempts for mostly every function are needed.
5. The documentation for the phone is vague and uninformative. If you need to figure something out, it's not likely to be in the manual. It won't be there. And help probably won't be anywhere on the net.
My feeling? I regret the day I bought this and given my lackluster service from my network, it looks like I'm stuck with this phone for a long time.
10:59 pm
Regarding navigating around typed text messages.
If you need to alter a word in a text, simply press and hold on a blank part of the message for approx 2secs and a 4 way navigation bar appears ←↑↓→
Hope this helps
7:53 pm
I agree with the previous comments, I had my tocco for a week and sent it back...
The worse part is most certainly the fact you cannot navigate while writing tx's... so if you miss a word out you have to delete the entire text to start again, you can try tapping the screen to get the cursor to the point you want but trust me, its not worth the effort as it never goes there...
Also, when you recieve a text or call or email the view button its right next to the arrow for your wigets so 9 times out of 10 I hit the arrow instead of the view button....
The screen is not that responsive, usually takes a few attempts.... also, when viewing pics its very patchy, sometimes it goes to slideshow sometimes goes to edit mode... no idea why.... I viewed them in the same way and couldnt work out why this happened so randomly.... finally, when choosing people to text its very easy to select people by mistake because all you're trying to do is scroll through the names... be careful with this, I almost sent a text to a few people by mistake...
The phone has now gone back, I'm now back to my old phone bought in 2002 which I love....
9:01 pm
I agree with how annoying the fact that you cannot scroll back in txt's is, but apart from that I find this phone very reliable, the screen is very responsive. I love the mix of the keys and the touch screen, as I have never had a touchscreen before I was very scared about getting one for all the reaons you have mentioned. But I found it brilliant! I agree that it does take a little while to get used to it, but I find this with every new phone. I think this phone is highly worth it! probally the best phone I've ever had.
9:00 pm
I agree with Jane. I like this phone. I know that there is no scroll button in the text but the phone is good otherwise. I think the screen is very responsive. You just have to make sure that you touch the screen with your finger tips and be patient. Dont put the whole finger and expect the phone to respond.
It is a good phone.
2:10 pm
This is possibly the worst phone I've ever had. I've now had it four months and am going to be stuck with it for the next 14.
When I first got it the immediate problem was getting the back off. However one advantage to this is the many times my mobile has hit the wall the back stays in place and therefore prevents the battery falling out and my phone having to be turned on again.
I upgraded to this from the origonal Tocco. My main reason for this was due to the eight mega pixel camera. But like all Samsung phones it's difficult to capture images in low lighting and the flash tends to ruin the photo altogether. Also when saving photos I found no matter even if I selected to save in the memory card it would always save to phone making it more effort to transfer the photos onto my laptop. The photo transfer is another thing that frustrated me for days, the Samsung does not continue numbering photos in order and so replaced previous photos, ones which I can never get back.
Taking photos is a nightmare. No thought was put into the weight distribution and it has clearly not been ergonomically designed. The image quality is extremely poor if there is even slight movement from the phone holder or persons in th photo.
Viewing photos as stated above is also frustrating. The tilting of the phone is extremely tempermental and practically impossible to use.
The functions I am most dissapointed with are the messaging features. The lack of a QWERTY system and predictive text changing a word when you want to add puntuation.
As someone who is often in calls for a long period of time missing out th basic function of being able to read a text while you're on the phone is incomprehendable. I do however keep trying to find a way of doing this. Also (not sure whether it's because I'm with o2) but the "join call" feature allowing multiple calls together fails to work every time.
There are not enough settings allowing you to make changes that suit each individual. A small change I'd make is making the earphone hole universal. Samsung headphones are needed to listen to the radio and they aren't the most desirable things.
I'm on the hunt for a different phone and after three consecutive Samsung mobiles in the past year and a half they have now lost my custom.
6:47 am
It was given to me by a friend so I'm not tied to it, I will be getting something else pretty soon! I absolutely agree with all the bad points above and would add that for anyone who likes to punctuate their text messages (rare, I know) it isn't possible to "teach" it a word with punctuation in, and the phone doesn't seem to know the word "I'm". I also dislike the way that it scrolls through loads of words that bear absolutely no relation to the word you are trying to type before it gives you the option to add a word instead! The camera is nice, but that's not enough to make me want to keep it!
1:43 pm
Text message errors sorted, if you make a mistake tap on the text and a box appears at the bottom of the screen with left, right, up and down arrows and this will allow you to go to where you want to be in your text message to make alterations with out having to delete most of your text.
8:26 am
I agree with all the negative comments posted. Samsung have produced a gizmo packed phone that is a must have, but is not user friendly. I regret getting this phone. The camera is great and the build quality is great, but this doesn't help me send texts or make calls. NPS is completely useless and battery life is appalling. Samsung should take all negative comments seriously or this phone will damage their reputation. If the problems mentioned above were solved this would be a superb phone. I don't like paying to be a guinea pig!
3:34 pm
I have about 5 months left on contract with this phone and its going to be a long wait. If you ever see or hear a man swearing or angrily shouting "stupid, stupid phone" then you walked past me. At first phone was ok and thought problems would be ironed out more I got to know phone. The camara is great, no doubt about that.
Although build is good, the build in my hands is like a bar of soap. Curved edges mean many slips. Texting is a nightmare - it picks the most bizarre predictibve texts. How many people text the word 'nun'? Cos thats what you get when you try to type 'mum'. I know its my fault for using predict text, but I am used to it just as others prefer the other way. Touch screen - agree that when try to touch view usually end up in a battle with your side menu. Also the folders - if you have 100+ photos, and want to see one at the end of the list, you have to sit there stroking at your phone. It may seem normal to you after a while, so dont catch the eyes of people who have seen you as it looks odd (and main complaint is it takes ages)
All it needed was a button for navigating or scrolling, and most of my complaints would be null and void. Cant wait to get rid!
5:08 am
Just got this phone on contract with Virgin after being pay as you go for many years. However I'm not that overly impressed by what has been highlighted by other people. The battery life is appalling and as I'm not used to a touch screen I find it really difficult navigating about, as I end up going into all sorts of features I don't want to go into!! God the times I have nearly thrown it across my flat in total frustration lighting yet another cigarette as I'm so wound up!! lol. Maybe in time I'll get to love it, as I did my old Sony Ericsson. Like all relationships, it takes time and patience I guess!
5:31 pm
Has anyone figured out how to add punctuation in the "add word" function? Not being able to write "I'm" is driving me mad!
10:59 am
Had this phone few 6 months, not a bad phone just annoying when texting and you want to add word or made a mistake you have to delete half of message just to correct mistake. Had problem just occured over last week, i've created a widget for the day and date noticed date is correct but day is a day out cannot figure out how to reset this when i go into settings shows date as correct but day is one day behind, help!!
2:11 pm
When sending long text messages the phone defaults to two or three texts instead of giving new page very annoying and costly.
3:10 pm
I've had mine for just over 3 months and all of a sudden its stopped working, the keypads not responding and cant do anything as as soon as its switched on it goes to call logs and Samsung wont fix the proplem i used to think it was a good phone Lol
1:59 pm
I am now on my second replacement phone, the touch screen is certainly not at all easy to navigate with, the phone switches itself off without warning regardless of how much charge is it has. The PC programme supplied with phone is a nightmare and does appear to work with windows 7, so I am really stuck if I want to back up over 300 contacts ( sim can't handle much above 200 it seems ) the information on the samsung web site is not that helpful and my service provider even less so.
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