Samsung DoubleTime Pro Reviews

AT&T wants you to believe the DoubleTime is an inexpensive smartphone — if it is, it’s as bad a smartphone as I’ve used in a long time. Requiring a data plan with this device is a huge mistake that totally dooms the DoubleTime, because at the cost of ownership I can’t possibly recommend the phone to anyone. But as a feature phone, for $49.99 with a contract, it has definite potential. It’s solid for messaging, runs basic apps well, and does all the things you’d need a basic phone to do — plus a few more. When you can buy an iPhone 4 for $99, or Saumsung’s own Infuse 4G for the same $49.99, the DoubleTime doesn’t even come close. Don’t buy this phone until it’s called something other than a smartphone, but don’t be surprised to see the low-end phones on your carrier’s shelves get replaced by handsets like the DoubleTime in the near future.

There's nothing inherently wrong with the Samsung DoubleTime. It's a fine phone in most respects. It's also completely boring. For a device that is obviously aimed at helping bridge the gap between quick messaging devices and mid-range smartphones, the DoubleTime offers few unique or interesting features. It works well as a phone, battery life is good, apps perform well for the most part, and it can help get the old QMD user in the smartphone door. For $50 it's hard to knock the DoubleTime for anything serious, and there's a significant lack of $50 QMDs available from AT&T at the moment. So, if an inexpensive smartphone with a keyboard is what you need, the DoubleTime certainly fits the bill.

Seriously, for $49.99 on-contract, you’re better off investing the money on something considerably better – especially when there are a variety of other smartphones that tastefully show off the beauty of Android. To tell you the truth, the Samsung DoubeTime is somewhat of an injustice in the Android family since it’s packing an aging Froyo build and suffers from a very sluggish overall performance. Yes, its dual-screen clamshell form factor is intriguing, but it simply isn’t accompanied with an acceptable experience. For $50 more, you can experience some of the better smartphones for the carrier – like the LG Thrill 4G or Motorola ATRIX 2.

The Samsung DoubleTime has two displays and a keyboard, but that isn't reason enough to buy it.

Samsung and AT&T took the plunge on the DoubleTime's more singular looks, a chancier move since the bulkier, shorter, and pinker form constricts its mass appeal. If, like me, you take a shine to the handset's appearance, dual-screen design, and call-quality bonus, you might (like me) ask yourself if the second screen significantly adds to the experience. It may add little other than bulk to make the keyboard a clamshell design rather than a slider, but to me, it doesn't detract. However, the Froyo OS, duller camera, and slower processor might keep you from committing. The $50 cost is reasonable, but AT&T has other low-cost smartphones for those who aren't set on a keyboard.

While this smartphone is far and away, not even in the same ballpark, basically not even the same sport as the top tier smartphones also made by Samsung such as the Galaxy S II or even the top of middle-tier devices like the Samsung Captivate Glide (also pictured below), it does hold some sway in its own lower level of internet-capable handsets. This device looks rather unique with its mostly white and black chassis and pink accents, and the double touch displays are certainly a nice touch. Get this phone if you’re the type of person who only plans on using this first-timer smartphone for email and Facebook posting. If you plan on racking up the data with a more costly plan per month, do yourself a favor and spend a bit more money at the outset so you don’t end up crying when you’re dropping loads of cash per month on a device that’s nowhere near the quality that the data costs should provide.