The Samsung U5 is a fitness-friendly MP3 player with a cute design and an affordable price ($40). With only 2GB of storage and a cramped, 1-inch screen, the U5 isn't suited as a primary MP3 player, but it works great as a second-rung surrogate to spare your iPhone the indignity of being tossed in the gym bag.
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The top edge of the U5 includes a Menu button, and a multifunction button that can be assigned to perform different tasks. By default, the multifunction button engages the U5's voice recorder.
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The U5's headphone jack sticks out of the right side of the player, and shoots upward while the player is clipped to your belt or pocket.
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The U5 has a long, USB stick design, similar to the Sony Walkman B-Series, measuring 4.35 inches long by 2.61 inches wide by 1.5 inches thick.
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A four-direction navigation pad graces one end of the player, and at the other end, you'll find a standard USB connection covered by a removable cap.
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A four-line, 1-inch, OLED display is slightly recessed into the middle of the U5, giving it an unfortunate resemblance to a pregnancy test. Despite its small size, the display is relatively bright, with white-on-black lettering and the kind of excellent viewing angles only OLED can accomplish.
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Samsung rates the U5's battery life at an impressive 20 hours, which is 6 hours more than you're likely to get from competitors such as the Sansa Clip or Sony B-Series, but not quite as high as the 27 hours boasted by the Philips GoGear Spark.
