SAMSUNG: Samsung E490

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Samsung E490

The differences from the predecessor, the E480, can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Samsung SGH-E490 features stylish curves and shapes and thanks to the very customizable faceplates, will probably fit in both girls’ and young men’s hands. However it lacks FM-radio feature that was on the E480’s spec sheet.

Nonetheless, Samsung, with its thirst for diversity could not let this opportunity slip away and added two “modifications” to a one model, differing in casing trim – first edition has it in silver, while the other one in black and silver – and the keypad. The color of the laid on panel varies as well – it may be wine red or silver. So happens, though, that both handsets I had a chance to get my hands on had wine red faceplates. A few words about them: made of wafer-thin plastic and finished in metallic, which looks especially trim, yet it looks like it is going to wear off over time. Among all other things, the wine red color solution, so popular with women will appeal to men too – the hue here is somewhat noble and seems very stylish and neatly. The panels can be seamlessly swapped “on the go” and at that it grips on the casing pretty well, so that changing “faces” of the handset won’t be much of a headache. Out of the box the E490 comes with an extra faceplate that lets you “upgrade” the looks of your phone without forking up. On top of that the developers promise to offer a wide variety of panels of unusual colors and made of materials other than plastic, however whether they will come boxed up with phones or will be available in retail – no word on this yet.