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Samsung Brightside review: This ain't no killer

Verizon shoots and misses with the Samsung Brightside, a lackluster feature phone with a high asking price compared with that of many smartphones.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
Jessica Dolcourt
Samsung Brightside (Verizon Wireless)
There's a reason feature phones started going out of style. Josh Miller/CNET

All week reviewing the Samsung Brightside, I've had that Killers song, "Mr. Brightside," running through my head. It's a great soundtrack to review by, but I hate to say it: the phone just doesn't deserve it.

The Brightside is a feature phone, which isn't a crime in itself. Conceptually, feature phones satisfy the need of bringing functionality like e-mail and a larger-than-flip-phone screen to the segment of people who don't want to or can't afford to pay a monthly recurring data fee.

Watch this: Samsung Brightside from Verizon

So where did it go wrong? Well, if the mediocre camera and slow-as-slugs processor don't cool you on it, how about the fact that for the same price or less, you can find much more advanced smartphones?

Watch the video and get all the pros and cons in the full Samsung Brightside review. And, since misery loves company, here's a list of other cell phones that you should studiously avoid.