Samsung's Impression and Magnet phones offer full keybaords for messaging.
Kent German
Kent was a senior managing editor at CNET News. A veteran of CNET since 2003, he reviewed the first iPhone and worked in both the London and San Francisco offices. When not working, he's planning his next vacation, walking his dog or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).
The Impression offers a gorgeous touch screen that takes up almost the whole phone. Below are the only physical controls: a Talk button, a back key, and a End/power button.
2 of 12 Kent German/CNET
Samsung Impression
The Impression has Samsung's TouchWiz interface. As on other TouchWiz phones, you can customize the widgets. Shortcuts on the bottom of the touch screen take you to the menu, the dialpad, and the phone book.
3 of 12 Kent German/CNET
Samsung Impression
The Impression's main menu features an intuitive icon-based design.
4 of 12 Kent German/CNET
Samsung Impression
The Impression's screen rotates as you open the keyboard. The keybaord is pretty spacious with a fair number oh shortcut keys. It also has arrow keys for navigation.
5 of 12 Kent German/CNET
Samsung Impression
The Impression has a virtual dialpad. You can event use it to tap out text messages, though we're not sure why you would want to.
6 of 12 Kent German/CNET
Samsung Impression
We're also not sure why you would want to use the virtual QWERTY keyboard. But, it's there if you want it.
7 of 12 Kent German/CNET
Samsung Impression
The Impression offers a calendar application.
8 of 12 Kent German/CNET
Samsung Impression
On the back of the phone, you'll find a camera lens and a small speaker.
9 of 12 Kent German/CNET
Samsung Impression
The Impression has a volume rocker on its spine.
10 of 12 Kent German/CNET
Samsung Magnet
The Magnet has a fairly common design for a QWERTY phone. Still, the display is lovely and the orange color is unique. The keyboard is tactile and the navigation array is spacious.
11 of 12 Kent German/CNET
Samsung Magnet
The Magnet has a textured design on its back. The camera lens offers a small self-portrait mirror.
12 of 12 Kent German/CNET
Samsung Magnet
The Magnet shows a thin profile. The volume rocker is located on the left spine.
