Phone? What Phone? Oh, I almost forgot I even had the Samsung T509 in my pocket. This amazing phone is so thin (3.59” x 1.81” x 0.88”) and so light (3.3 ounces) I can’t even feel it in my pocket. This sleek looking phone is only available through T-Mobile. Perfect for the average phone user who does not need too many crazy features, the user interface is simple and easy to understand.

Reading the screen is easy in any light thanks to a beautiful, high-resolution (176 x 220 pixel, 65K TFT Color) screen. Call clarity has been excellent both through the handset, the speakerphone and also through my personal Bluetooth headset. Bluetooth is easy to set up on this phone. I was able to transfer my contacts to the phone in a snap. Pairing up my headset to the phone was also a cinch.

There is an included VGA camera with zoom, which also takes short video clips. These files can be transferred to your computer via Bluetooth or they can be sent to other friends phones with MMS. This phone takes advantage of T-Mobiles fast EDGE network. Browsing T-Zones (T-Mobile’s web portal) is quick and easy.

Other fun features included are a calendar that can be synced over Bluetooth, an alarm, calculator, world clock, unit converter, stopwatch, timer and various games. This phone comes equipped with AIM, Yahoo, MSN and ICQ instant messaging clients. T9 word predictive text makes for easy and quick instant and text message conversations. The phone never let me down staying almost fully charged throughout my busy day. Talk time is rated at up to 3.5 hours and standby time is rated at up to 172 hours.

The drawbacks to this phone are few. This phone is a candy bar form-factor (not a clamshell) design so the screen isn't protected. It’s very easy to scratch the screen. Be careful what you place next to this phone in your pocket. Also make sure to turn on the key guard. You don’t want to accidentally call your mother while having a sensitive conversation with someone else.

The VGA camera is fun to snap pictures with but it does not produce the best quality shots. It’s not meant to use as a primary camera; the pictures are low resolution when transferred to a computer. Pictures are great for sending to friends over MMS or for setting picture IDs in your contact list.

This slim phone is well rounded and easy to use. I highly recommend it to people looking for ease of use and not a lot of crazy features. The sleek look and slim profile will compliment any fashion conscience person and with T-Mobile’s current pricing (with rebates) at US$60 it won’t break the bank.

Contributed by: Paul Grossman