The Samsung U3 is proof that a basic MP3 player doesn't have to be ugly and featureless--it's simple, inexpensive, cool-looking, and perfect for the gym.
It's hard not to see a pack of gum when first looking at the U3. At 3.2 by 1 by 0.5 inches, the thin, rectangular player looks strikingly like a six-stick pack of Doublemint.
The left edge is made up of a standard 3.5mm headphone jack surrounded completely in opaque plastic, which houses a blue LED that indicates if the player is on or syncing.
The face of the U3 is almost entirely smooth but for the indent of the small (1-inch), monchrome OLED screen, which sits to the left of the touch-sensitive control pad.
The face of the U3 is almost entirely smooth but for the indent of the small (1 inch), monochrome OLED screen, which sits to the left of the touch-sensitive control pad.
If the Samsung U3 disappoints in one area, it's sound quality. Although the sound settings help to fill in the low end and tailor tunes more to your taste, we found that music came across a bit flat.