Check out CNET's hands-on photos of Sprint's first Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphone, the Samsung Intrepid.
Bonnie Cha
Bonnie Cha was a former chief correspondent for CNET Crave, covering every kind of tech toy imaginable (with a special obsession for robots and Star Wars-related stuff). When she's not scoping out stories, you can find her checking out live music or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California.
The Samsung Intrepid debuted at CTIA Fall 2009 and is Sprint's first Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphone. It is available now for $149.99 with a two-year contract.
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Out with the old, in with the new
The Samsung Intrepid replaces the older Samsung Ace. Aside from Windows Mobile 6.5, the smartphone brings a touch screen, a larger keyboard, and a better camera.
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Samsung Intrepid vs. Samsung BlackJack II
The Intrepid's design is similar to the company's other slate QWERTY devices, such as the Samsung BlackJack II pictured on the right.
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Wide load
At 4.6 inches tall by 2.59 inches wide by 0.51 inch thick, the Samsung Intrepid is on the wider side so it'll make for a tight fit in a pants pocket.
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Right side
On the right side of the phone, you'll find the power button, camera activation/capture key, and stylus.
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Touch screen
The Intrepid features a slightly larger screen than the BlackBerry Tour and HTC Snap, measuring 2.5 inches diagonally. With a QVGA resolution (320x240), it's not quite as sharp as the Tour's display, but it does offer the advantage of being a touch screen.
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One-handed navigation
In addition to the touch screen, you can use the navigation controls below the display for easy one-handed operation. We did miss having a dedicated back button, however.
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Keyboard
The Samsung Intrepid boasts a spacious keyboard with large buttons and a nice tactile feedback--not too stiff, not too clicky. Our only complaint is that they feel a bit cheap.
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World phone
The Intrepid is a world phone, working on Sprint's CDMA network domestically and switching to compatible GSM networks when traveling overseas. Sprint ships the smartphone with a SIM card, but it's unlocked so you can swap it out for an international SIM card.
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Camera
The camera gets a nice upgrade from the Samsung Ace's 1.3-megapixel sensor to 3.2 megapixels and offers a healthy set of editing options, such as five shooting modes, ISO settings, white balance controls, and auto focus.
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Decent picture quality
We were impressed with the picture quality. Photos were sharp and in focus, and though we would have liked a little more richness in color, we were satisfied overall.
