X

Samsung Transform Ultra: Hands-on impressions

The Samsung Transform Ultra is one of Boost Mobile's more interesting QWERTY offerings, and this Android 2.3 Gingerbread smartphone differs from the original Transform in some key ways.

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.
See full bio
Jessica Dolcourt
Watch this: Samsung Transform Ultra (Boost Mobile)

It's been about a month since Boost Mobile and Samsung announced the Samsung Transform Ultra, but we only just got our hands on it at CTIA.

The specs are nothing to sneeze at--they include Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a 1GHz processor, a VGA front-facing camera, and a 3-megapixel rear-facing camera--but the phone is much more compelling in real life than its numbers suggest, and it's more different from the original Samsung Transform than we'd expect.

Samsung Transform Ultra (photos)

+3 More
See all photos

It still has Sprint ID (the Transform was one of the inaugural phones to have that option), as well as that QWERTY keyboard, but the keyboard is a different model, and a bit flatter and less appealing in our opinion. What we do like are the four nicely tactile, physical buttons below the screen.

We'll soon put the Transform Ultra through our usual workout; but until then, check out the photos in the slideshow above. The Transform Ultra, by the way, is available now, and costs $229.99.

Mobile Guides

Phones
Foldable Phones
Headphones
Mobile Accessories
Smartwatches
Wireless Plans
Mobile coupons