I can’t even begin to tell you how long I’ve been waiting for this particular phone to reach the US. I was completely enamored with it, the F700, when I first saw the press release more than a year ago. This was back in February and then I finally got a chance to play with it in October when I was in Korea. I knew right then and there that I had to have it, but I wasn’t really willing to pay the exorbitant amount for an unlocked version from Europe. Then I caught wind of a CDMA variant that would be coming to the US. I was told it would probably be announced sometime before the end of 2007, but we all know that didn’t happen.
So I have before me the u940, which has been redubbed the Glyde. Do I love it? Yes. Do I hate it? Yes.
If you’ve seen the F700 in person, then you would have immediately noticed that the Glyde is much smaller than its GSM counterpart. It also lacks the front camera and the 5-megapixel camera has been downgraded to 2-megapixel, but it’s still retains the AF function, so I can overlook that. I’m not in love with the keyboard, but that’s only because I’ve grown accustomed to the keyboard on my Curve and I still need some more time with this one. My first impression was that it was too flush and that the keys weren’t distinctive enough, but, again, it’s something you get used to. It’s an otherwise solid keyboard that’s easy to peck away at and the spring assisted slide mechanism is very nice.
The UI is relatively easy to navigate through and it’s supposed to be a variation of the Croix UI found on most of the European models, but it’s really not. The blue columns and rows appear when you tap on each icon, but that’s pretty much the only similarity. Once you dive down into the menus you’ll encounter Verizon’s proprietary menus. On the main splash page you’ll find an active task manager-like menu at the bottom that keeps track of your alarm clock, calendar, missed calls, voicemails, new messages, and volume. This remains regardless of whether or not you’re in landscape or portrait mode. However, there is one difference between the two modes. When in landscape, you have a messaging icon while this disappears when in portrait mode. The dial pad, menu and contacts icons remain either way. Hitting the blue square leads to user defined shortcuts. The one external hard button is the home key and does exactly that.
The haptic touchscreen is quite nice, but it’s a tiny bit finicky at times. Once in a while the back button won’t actually do anything at all and you’ll be tapping it two or three times before it responds. I fiddled with the sensitivity settings, but found that it didn’t do anything to alleviate the problem. But it doesn’t happen all that often so it’s something I can overlook. But be warned that when the sensitivity level is set to high, it can get a little schizophrenic if you’re attempting to fly through the menus. Like the Instinct, the Glyde does the flicking scrolling deal that I’m not fond of on any phone, but it works and I didn’t encounter many problems with it.
The 2-megapixel camera with AF is decent. Resolution goes as high as 1600×1200, but when it’s that high the zoom function is nixed. Cameras on phones generally suck and the Glyde fairs just above average. The flash does a decent job in low light, but you won’t be submitting anything for an award. The camcorder doesn’t fair much better, in fact, it’s pretty useless with a 176×144 resolution. There’s an option for 320×240, but I couldn’t get it to work as it remains grayed out.
The HTML Web browser is rather useless since the screen isn’t that big. Everything is truncated and you’re basically forced to use the optimized browser to see anything otherwise you’ll be scrolling horizontally and vertically to figure out what you’re looking at. Load times vary depending on your signal strength. But I blame most of this on Verizon’s browser portal. If you could load Opera onto the Glyde, you’d be cruising in style.
I don’t talk that often on my phone, but just for you guys I made a few calls from the Glyde. It’s relatively clear when there isn’t a whole lot of noise around you and it’s certainly loud enough until you step outside. It’s not the best, but it certainly isn’t the worst. When you slide open the keyboard the phone switches to speakerphone.
I’ve been using the Glyde for over 24 hours after a full charge and it’s down to three bars from the original four. I’m sure with a bit more Web browsing, navigating and calling it’d be down another bar, but I’d say the battery life is top notch. Then again, it is a CDMA phone so it’s not constantly connected like a GSM phone would be.
Overall, I’m happy with the Glyde and I’m glad Samsung decided to bring it here to the States. It’s definitely going to be one of Verizon’s more popular devices. It’s small and light weight at 4.1 ounces and measures in at 4.1 x 2.0 x 0.7-inches. Other than the minor touchscreen glitches here and there, I didn’t run into anything else that was remotely irritating and most of you know I’ll rip anything apart given the chance.
It looks amazing but HTC Touch Diamond is much better.
Yeah but will it be available on Verizon? The Glyde is not running Win Mobile either… apples to apples please…
Also there was some mention of CDMA version in earlier crunchgear posts but I have seen no mention recently or at all for Verizon.
Sorry if I wasn’t clear… The “it” in “Yeah but will it be available on Verizon? ” was the HTC Touch Diamond…. I should have clicked reply on Sachin’s post.
I found it for $179.99 at http://www.AllCellDeals.com with an upgrade or new activation. Think I’m going to have to grad this one!
i remember when this was first announced last yr too – man they kinda raped it, stripped it, and left its shivering shell out on the doorstep. thx Verizon.
Definitely check out http://www.samsung-glyde.com if you are going to buy this phone.
i totally wish i had this phone get active rip burger bout that action 8200 in birch but im from 8300 international oakland
I found it for $179.99 at AllCellDeals with an upgrade or new activation. Think I’m going to have to grad this one!
i dont know about you guys but the samsung glyde looks really awesome and it better be too because im getting it this weekend
yeah that phone is cool im going to get it next week
Are you talking about AllCellDeals.com and do the offer it without a contract?
The glyde is sweet I can not wait to get one (my friend has one its sweet!!!!!!!)
Seriously DO NOT buy this phone!!! I bought this phone two months ago and since then I have been in the verizon store about once a week. I am on my fifth one of this phone in two months and everytime I am given a new one they tell me it should fix the problem and every one has the exact same problems on it. I have always had a samsung phone and never had problems so I thought it would be good but this is probably the worst phone I have ever had.
i agree. Phone is buggy and sometimes it goes on these rants where i cant touch anything or i touch top of screen and it thinks i touch bottom corner…hate it
do u know if it works in the uk and how much it is on pay as you go @ the cheapest thanx
Can you text from the touch screen, like you can in the voyager without having to use the full keyboard? I text a lot, and want a full keyboard, but sometimes it would be a lot more convenient to just be able to use the t9…like when i’m at work. Thanks
yeah u can txt from the touch-screen.(for every1 tht has it…set the touch screen to medium-high and u just have to like tap it to get it to work)
yes you can use t9 on the touch screen
I got this phone about 2 months ago and for the first month it was great but since then it just pisses me off. i got the firmware update and everything but it still messes up. when i’m texting the sursor jumps around so my texts get all out of order. it clicks the wrong “button” even when my finger is on the other side of the screen. its so glitchy!
iv had exact same thing…very fed up with it
this phone is awesome i am getting one for my birthday
okay, well. my birthday’s coming up and i think i want it , but i want it too have a good camera. i don’t think i’ll use the touch screen to often but, how do you set the sensitivty down to medium?? thanks ! (:
I GOT IT FOR FREE ITS GREAT!!!
I definitely agree with the phone being schizo… it really makes me mad! Especially when you are in a hurry trying to answer, call, or text and you cant touch where you want… as it is doing its own thing. I’ve tried shutting my phone down and restarting but it doesn’t help. I am ready to throw it!!! NOT impressed… wish I would have just got the iphone.
This phone is horrible. It would be great if it worked properly. I’ve had it replaced and had two upgrades and it still works terribly. Do not get this phone unless you want a serious headache!
This phone is no good I wish I would have read these before I got it. I have had it for about three months and this is the worst phone I have had. I just think that Samsung phones suck in general. I don’t recommend it.
I am not 13 yet but i am planing to get this phone for christmas. i have heard some bad and good comennts> should i buy it or not??? i have been wanting for a long time
i don’t suggest getting this if it is your first phone. although i think it is a great phone you might want to get one that won’t be to frustrating. i have had mine for three months and i love it but it takes a lot of patience and time i suggest you get something different for now
I recommend to everybody who is considering this phone, not to get it. I bought it when it first came out. I’ve gone through the updates and everything.. Currently I am searching for the most creative way to bring death upon this phone. Running it over or throwing it in the washing machine isn’t enough. The touch screen is absolutely horrible. The battery life is that of cheap knock off AA batteries. I wish I would’ve saved my old phone so I could reactivate it. I apologize, but I really hate my glyde so much. I despise it! Without spare cash however, its hard to replace it. The only good thing to say about the phone is that it is pretty durable. I’ve thrown it against a wall, concrete and tile, in a pretty hard fashion even, and the thing still works (as terrible as it has.) Even a battle with a nice new Kenmore washing machine was no match for this phone. It seemed to work fine for the first 30 days, when I was actually happy with the product. Save yourself some frustration, and go for something else. Get one of the free phones, and you would be happier. I say this all with complete honesty.
ya i have the same problem, does ur screen bug out sumtimes and it will randomly touch the bottom bar?
always
I have been fighting with Verizon over this phone for about a month now. It is the most horrible piece of crap I have ever used. I went to the store (calmly mind you) and asked for another phone and was given a 45 minute run around where they did not convince me to get the upgrade, but out and out lied to me about giving me a different Gylde, then after their “data transfer”, giving me the same Glyde with the updated software. It worked well for about a week, then began a slow descent into crappy again. I would also like to note that while at the store waiting for a representative, I noticed that they do not carry the Glyde anymore.
First, the touch screen: Even if you lock it before you put it in your pocket or purse it will come unlocked since the unlock button is on the touch screen, DUH!! Then before you know it the phone is calling someone or the browser becomes activated, which you will have to pay for every time you use it (unless you have it on your plan for a flat rate, which i don’t).
To make matters worse, the touch screen doesn’t work correctly. Touch one icon and a different one activates. I adjusted the sensitivity all the way up and left my phone at verizon for a software upgrade which helped, but every now and then the touch screen still won’t work correctly. Also, the screen has gone white several times and I had to shut the phone off and turn it on again to get the screen back.
Flashing Blue square “shortcut” icon on the front screen. Don’t really need it since everything is at the bottom of the screen and it only serves to ruin any pictures you choose to save on the screen as wall paper because when you save your favorite picture of your loved one or pet as wall paper they have a flashing blue square on them, usually right on thier nose, eye, mouth or worse. Nothing in the owners manual on how to get rid of the square, called Samsung and after navigating thier computer answering system “press one for…” etc, just when I thought I was finally going to talk to an actual human being “please hold for the next available…” The computer voice came back advising me to get the number of my phone located inside my phone by taking it apart and removing the battery and then call back, I could not believe it. You might think they would of put that message in the beginning before I went through the hassle of navigating thier voice system. So I did as they said, called back and navigated the system again only to be put on hold twice by the person I was talking to who clearly wasn’t familiar with the product. She then told me the little blue flashing square could not be removed from the front screen. I’m stuck with a flashing blue square around my girlfriends eye. Pisses me off every time I look at it because I’m stuck with this phone now since I’ve had it for over the one month trial period. Great.
Ease of use: NONE. This is the most user unfriendly phone. You have to touch the screen and go through several windows just to send a text or look at your pictures, etc. And the fact that the touch screen doesn’t work right only makes it worse. I’ve wanted to throw this phone out the window several times.
Ergonomics: Terrible. This phone is very slick and slippery and if you drop it from as little as a one foot the back comes flying off and the battery pops out. Sometimes the back of it just comes off on its own. A rubber casing might help, but not sure one is available since the keyboard needs to be able to slide out for use.
Camera: Camera is ok, does its job, but can’t zoom in on pictures like i used to be able to do with my old basic clam shell phone.
Drops calls: I’ve had verizon for 9 years now, this is my 5th phone and I’ve never had a problem with dropped calls until now. Is it verizon, or the phone?
Bottom line: I wanted an I-phone but this phone (and a few others) were all verizon had to offer. The new black berry storm is out and from what i hear it’s slow. I didn’t want to switch to AT&T
But am seriously considering it, they offer a better phone (I-phone) and they have roll over minutes (verizon doesn’t). The service (dropped calls) can’t be any worse than what I have now. I would have to take a loss on my verizon contract (probably a couple hundred dollars) but it might be worth it. If I do, I’ll never go back to verizon.
I have a cover for mine. It is rubber coated and seems to absorb the shock if you drop it. But if u ever have to take a batter out for any reason it is a pain in the ass to get off. I almost broke the back cover taking it off.
Just wanted to confirm that this phone is the biggest piece of shit I’ve ever used. I payed 200 dollars for a phone I wouldn’t give 10 for now.
You’ve been warned.
Just wanted to add yet another comment to those considering this phone… DON’T!!!!
Had this phone for several months now and like others have mentioned, seems to work ok at first, but then degrades to the point of insanity. On several occasions, I’ve almost missed calls because the touch screen won’t allow me to unlock it… or if I get past that, the next challenge is to keep wailing on the answer button until it finally takes! The touchscreen then may turn around and work perfectly fine on the next call. Just maddening!
And yes, I’ve had pretty much all the problems described by those before me… buttons misfiring, the bottom bar being activated no matter what button you push, varying sensitivty, random dialing from inside your pocket…
All in all, I’ve had pretty good luck with Verizon as a company. However, being stuck with this phone until my contract runs out in June of 2010 really turns my stomach! Luckily I kept my old “clamshell” phone which I foresee back in my future…
Just had to ditto all the previous commenters: This phone is BY FAR the BIGGEST piece of shit I’ve ever used. I’ve hated it since the very first week. Had to have it replaced twice, and then, as luck would have it, I lost it! I had insurance on it so I got a replacement one, but my husband needed an upgrade anyway so we got the LG enV2 – 2 of them for the price of one. In order to use this phone w/o having to pay for it outright, we got the upgrade deal, then we had to add a third line. The mgr at Verizon said to call and have my Glyde replaced, activate it, and then switch my reg number with the new number I got on my enV2. Right now I’m in the process of charging the replacement Glyde and guess what – it won’t charge!!! AAARRRGGGHHHH! It’s crap I tell ya… stay FAR away from this phone!!!!!
I’ve gone back to read a lot of reviews to see if anyone has the same problems I have. On multiple sites, its all the same. Piece of shit phone. I have had this phone for about 6 months now. I thought in the beginning that I could deal with the “little quirks” of this phone. Ha! I’m ready to throw it out the window on the highway and watch it get run over repeatedly. I was about to return it and get a different phone when it got a little wet. I put in on the counter in a wet spot and the damn square turned red. Now I’m stuck. I hate this phone so much I’m about to go back to my old one. Aside from all the annoying problems the phone has, its costing me an extra $10/month because I had to upgrade to a specific plan. Theres nothing worse than hating your phone and having to pay more for it.
DO NOT buy this phone!!! If you do, you will surely regret it…
I AGREE WITH ALL OF THE COMMENTS CONCERNING THIS PHONE. DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE. IT IS A PIECE OF CRAP. HATE IT !! HATE IT!! SO READY TO GET RID OF IT.
k so i’m gettin this fone 2day and yesterday i was so nervous because of all of the bad reviews. but i went to my cousin’s home 2day and OMG THE GLYDE IS AWEESOMMME!!! and by the way, why would u want an on-screen keyboard AND a slide-out one? if u want an on-screen one, i recommend the LG Dare for u. but why would u want one anyway i mean if wanted to type “2 late now” u would probably type “3 jwye noq” instead. so seriously, GET THE GLYDE!!!!!!!
You’ll be agreeing with us soon enough. Trust me. Soon enough you’ll be pissed off at the piece of crap phone. If not, then you’re lucky. Good luck to you.
So I had the original LG Mint Chocolate until recently, went through one or two of them a month the whole time. And that’s really saying something, I babied that phone, and was convinced anything in the world would be better that that hunk of junk. I went in to upgrade to the Glyde after my Chocolate gave me the “death screen” for the final time and was run around for a while because i wasnt the account holder, didnt have this identification on me, wasnt wearing a red shirt on the third tuesday of the month, etc. So finally when i got the phone about 3 weeks and 2 price increases later I thought this phone was going to be worth the hassle.
Not a single day goes by without me seriously considering the option of throwing this under a subway train.
THE GLYDE IS THE WORLD’S BIGGEST PIECE OF SHIT.
Memmemememeee [however the hell you spell that] a] learn how to spell, b] the glyde works when you really dont care if it does or not, but the instant you really need that piece of shit to do anything. It fails.
I wouldn’t wish this piece of shit on my worst enemy. This phone is an embarrassment to both Verizon and Samsung, I nearly threw it out the window of my tenth-floor office building this afternoon.
The problems started on day one and it was all downhill from there. The touch screen is unresponsive, when I try to press one icon it pushes something else — over and over again. Making calls is extraordinarily difficult as the phone has tremendous difficulty registering my touch-screen directions.
Half of the time, I can’t even get it to work at all.
While typing text messages it sometimes just moves the cursor without prompting — over and over. I bought this phone under the assumption that it would make texting easier, I was sorely mistaken.
The worst part is verizon tricked me into signing a two-year contract with them in exchange for this “free” phone. The old bait and switch.
This is hands-down the worst phone I’ve ever had.
I just posted a new message and then read yours. You’re dead on right. I’m switching to Metro PCS and have gone back to my old Samsung A930.
You have more guts than I do, I’d never throw it off the 10th floor but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want to. The Glyde has to be the WORST piece of electronics I’ve ever owned and I love electronics. Even my Xbox 360 isn’t THIS bad.
I feel your pain. I’m going to start (or join) a group on Facebook for those who have a Glyde and think they are junk. Look for it.
I got a Glyde on Sept. 15, 2008. I read reviews and dismissed many of them as typical cynical views on the Internet. I was wrong. The comments you’ll see above my post about the Glyde being shit are very accurate and extremely fair.
The Glyde SUCKS, don’t get one.
There are many problems with the phone which have caused frustration but aside from it being a pain to simply redial the number without hitting the screen three times…
you can push the screen to send a text and get something on the other end of the screen. I’ve even had it revert to the oldest text in my inbox and I’ve accidentally sent a text to the wrong person…TWICE that I know about. That can be disastorous.
Bottom line, choose another phone with a qwerty keyboard and avoid the Glyde. You’ll never have to endure the frustration many of us are warning you about.
I have had the same problems as everyone complaining here. I miss calls because it won’t unlock, it dials random people, I go into my contacts to text someone and it dials their phone before I start to text them, the cursor jumps all over the place when you text… yada yada yada. Ugh! I just wish Samsung would offer a replacement phone so we can get rid of this.
seriously the biggest piece of shit that i have ever had to deal with DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE. I have to smack it on my knee for like 4 minutes just to get the touch screen to work…i think it might be possessed by some aweful creature. It will ignore calls that i would like to take and it has called people before….Please if you want to avoid Hell do NOT get this phone.
heye this is the greatest fone i’ve ever had! I’ve had mine for almost a year\ now. the slide out keyboard and touchscreen r very convenient
This phone is horrible..
PEOPLE DO NOT BUY A SAMSUNG GLYDE/F700 !!
I just recieved this phone today and absolutly adored it. I hope it doesn’t malfunction by next week. If it doesn’t work then I am going to get a new one and REPLACE it with the L.G. DARE!! That phone is so awesome!!!
i got this phone had it for about 5 months just telling myself the MANY MANY problems would stop but last week i went to the store totally fed up with my phone and they gave me a new one with an upgrade they said would make it better and it did… for about a week and now its getting sucky again fed up with samsung and as soon as i can upgrade voyager here i come
I got my glyde on november 28, 2008, it is now february and my phone is acting up, of course some phones have their defesct, but this phone is just crazy, my shortcuts box doesnt even really work any more, i want a vx6800 or vx6900 verizon smart phone, they come with the stylus.
i agree with js, anyone that is thinking bout getting a samsung glyde, you may want to rethink, other phones may be pricier, but they r worth is, and LISTEN TO THIS, IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT GETTING A CONTRACT WITH A GLYDE, DO NOT, BECUZ IF WANNA SWITCH PHONES OR PHONE COMPANIES, YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY A EXTERMINATION FEE FOR THE CONTRACT, WHICH IS WELL OVER $125.00.
wow, this phone makes me want to kill myself. I went in about two weeks ago expecting a replacement phone, but not to my surprise, they had an update for this piece of shit. Worked well for a day or two, and now, two weeks later, it’s worse than it has ever been. I can’t text because the cursor moves up all the damn time, i can’t get to my messages and menu because it always seems to hit the bar on the bottom on its own, and i can’t answer calls because it won’t unlock. I’m extremely fed up, and disappointed in Verizon; they shouldn’t be selling such a low quality phone to customers, knowing how horrible it is. Especially for the price it’s at. I will consider punching the verizon employee if he tells me there’s no replacement.
This is the worst phone ever. I have tiny fingers and I can’t even use the touch screen without hitting buttons next to them. I go to press “call” and it it hits “clear” two buttons over. I hate this phone more than anything and would never recommended that anyone buy it. Sometimes the screen freezes, you can’t unlock the phone when you have an incoming call, and good luck trying to punch in your PW when calling voicemail….
I was going out today and get this phone, but no way will that happen now lookng at the dates of the reviews. Thanks all you guy/gals for telling what you got. I bought the HTC diamond couple of months ago and while the defects with the HTC are different there are as many and wanting to throw it out the 10 story window would just not be enough satisfaction. I like what was said earlier about watching it repeatably run over numerous times. However this is about the glyde, so i will leave it at that. Mostly because i have had every problem. i can relate to what is being said here. I will now have to decide if I want to go with the voyager with the higher price tag. Thanks again
Got a Glyde last fall, not having read any reviews. Big mistake. At first, I figured it was me: hitting the wrong button, screen freezing, not able to unlock to answer. Hunk of junk!!!!! Best thing that could have happened to me was when I lost it last week. My office mate says it was a “Freudian Loss”, and maybe she’s right. It’s gone, that’s all I care about. And it wasn’t insured, so I took a trip to ebay and got a replacement phone, completely different, and guess what? It works!!!!!
Verizon should be ashamed to offer customers upgrades in the software or a new Glyde. The design is clearly defective and they need to back up their products, even if they don’t manufacture them……
i am confused at one part… the blue box on the screensaver rele bugs me… how do i get that to go away… i have tried almost everything!
wait…i think they somehow FIXED the glyde… i got it yuesterday and it is fine… but i get 30 days until i have to return it… but i will see how it goes..
I have to agree it is crappy. When I first saw it i loved it. I paid 460 dollars for the crap because i was under a contract and the phone I had was acting up really bad it was a motorola. I too had thirty days to return it. But, guess what it does really good for thirty days and thats when it turned to crap. The screen will freeze while it is in the middle of sending a text. You have to turn the phone off. Once it froze when a message came in and i had to take the battery out. I have treated this phone like a baby. And have wanted to chunk it. But my old phone was worse. I think if we keep taking our phones back they will finally work the glitches out of them. Most samsungs are great. But of course as usual this phone is still new and they havent. But this phone can be a pain in the ass.
ehh yea, this phones so/so. its my first phone, it works for tha most part but some times i have to turn it off and back on haha its some times anoying but no biggie. pretty kool phone iv had mine for half a year.
guess i really cant complain
The most frustrating phone I have ever owned. It seems okay at first, but you will regret your purchase. I have had the urge to throw this phone against a wall many times. The touchscreen makes this phone unusable about 50% of the time.