Cameras
Camcorders
Cell Phones
Components
Desktops
HDTV
Home Theater
GPS
Laptops
Monitors
MP3 Players
Networking &
Printers
Storage
Print
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
More…Samsung took almost everything about the first BlackJack and turned it up a notch, making a good PDA phone a little better. Though the BlackJack II doesn't look drastically different from the original and still leaves room for improvement, the subtle changes in design and components are a nice upgrade.
Samsung Samsung BlackJack II
- Spec Navigator
- Display
- Operating System
- Camera
- Form Factor
- Battery
- Storage
- Dimensions
- Carrier
- Cellular Frequency Technology
- Features
- Connectivity
- Media
- Messaging
- Sync
- Video
Display
| Diagonal Display Size | 2.4 inches |
| Display Resolution | 320 x 240 inches |
| Display Type | Color |
| Number of Displays | One |
- Lab Tested
- How We Test Phones »
Pros
Improved keypad design
Feels responsive and offers useful apps
Cons
Mediocre sound quality
Feels cheap; easily shows thumbprints
Bottom Line
This slim, good-performing smart phone can handle your calling, messaging, and mobile-entertainment needs.
Samsung BlackJack II PDA Phone
Samsung BlackJack II Review, by Grace Aquino January 24, 2008
For example, the BlackJack II is noticeably faster than the older model. Toggling between and opening applications generally felt snappier, and moving around the Windows Mobile 6 interface was a fairly smooth endeavor with the new scroll wheel in the center. The center wheel also functions as a five-way navigation button, and it replaces the thumb wheel that was located on the side panel of the original BlackJack. Unfortunately, rotating the new wheel won't let you select menu items on the same row, such as the top row of recently used apps on the home screen; you must press the left or right side of the wheel, essentially using the arrow keys.
If you use or have seen the original BlackJack, you probably noticed the potentially confusing layout of the alphanumeric keys: A column of alphabet-and-symbol keys sits between them. Thankfully, Samsung fixed the issue on this model by placing the alphanumeric keys directly next to one another. Other keyboard-related enhancements are in the bottom row, where you get a dedicated key for the silent mode and a dedicated key for the camera. Samsung also changed a couple of the bottom-row keys to accommodate shortcuts to AT&T's Cellular Video service and its home page.
Samsung added built-in GPS to the BlackJack II. If you download and subscribe to TeleNav's GPS Navigator, you'll receive voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions; but if all you need is a map, we recommend downloading the free Google Maps for Mobile application instead. On the software side, the Windows Mobile 6 OS comes with a couple of enhancements, including push e-mail support (messages automatically download in the background as opposed to your manually retrieving them) and a slightly better Internet Explorer browser. It's worth noting that, instead of the Picsel Viewer app used in the original BlackJack for viewing and editing Office documents, the BlackJack II runs Microsoft Office Mobile with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Though Picsel Viewer and Office Mobile work similarly, I miss the pan-and-zoom capability that the Picsel software offers.
Call quality on the BlackJack II was just as good as on the older model, thanks in part to its 3G antenna. Though the speaker was loud enough to hear clearly, it sounded too tinny for our taste.
As for missing pieces, the phone conspicuously lacks Wi-Fi, a touch screen, and a standard headphone jack (it uses a proprietary port). We would have liked the existing screen to be better, too: Graphics and text on the 2.4-inch, 320-by-240-resolution LCD tended to look grainy and a little blurry. The plastic shell feels a little cheap, as well, and the glossy paint job tends to be a fingerprint magnet. The microSD slot supports up to 4GB add-on cards, though some smart phones can handle up to 8GB or larger.
Overall, though, the BlackJack II is still a good deal. For $250 with a two-year AT&T contract (as of 12/21/07), you'll have a slim and good-performing smart phone that can handle your calling, messaging, and mobile entertainment needs.
--Grace Aquino
Show Less 
0 Comments | 0 Topics | Print Only This Review
PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
-
78
-
72
-
82
- See Complete Lab Results »
78
76
64Performance
| Battery Life Average (hh:mm) | 7:11 |
| Battery Life Word Score | Good |
User Reviews
Average User Reviews for Samsung Samsung BlackJack II
4 Reviews Add your own »
- Latest User Reviews 4 reviews
-
Reviewed by: Joe8389
Duration of ownership: 1 Day
Strengths: Nice Looking...I got the red one with a $100 rebate from AT&T, good deal for this phone. Smooth operation, sound quality is good, takes good pictures.
Weaknesses: not anything so far
Overall: Excellent PDA, would recommend to anyone.
-
Reviewed by: MrWzrd
Duration of ownership: 3 Months
Strengths: Ease of use, availability to find and use specific features easily, and Email functionallity. This is the only PDA through AT&T Wireless that offers the option of Insurance. Works in Wal-Mart stores.
Weaknesses: Slow turn on and off time frame
Overall: Excellent phone-PDA I would recommed to anyone looking for a PDA/Phone device.
-
Reviewed by: abhinojos
Duration of ownership: 3 Months
Strengths: Looks sleek...the shiny black and silver case looks professional. The keyboard, numeric pad and navigation wheel are very functional. Battery life is good. Loads of features.
Weaknesses: Sound quality isn't the best and the camera stinks. GPS takes a bit to lock on.
Overall: Overall it is fantastic phone. The sound quality suffers, but loads of features, battery life is good and you have to take advantage of the GPS and Google Maps (which you have to download). Syncing with Outlook has gotten me so organized.
-
Reviewed by: elpidiosimon
Duration of ownership: 2 Months
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
User Reviews From Around the Web
-
Reviewed by: Me2009
Strengths: Great shortcuts usefull for quick and easy browsing throgh features and settings.
Weaknesses: Camera is not the best on the market but will take a good, clear picture in good light
Overall: This is a great overall phone with great features such as the Windows Media player and being that it is Microsoft Mobile it has a lot of familiar features and is compatible with microsoft programs. Just a great phone overall.
Shop for the Samsung Samsung BlackJack II
Sorry, the product you requested isn't currently available from any of our sellers.
Phones similar to the Samsung Samsung BlackJack II
We recommend these Phones for their similarities to the Samsung Samsung BlackJack II in features, specs, ratings, and user interest.
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
Latest Prices » |
 |
|
|
 |
|
- Before you buy
- How to Buy a Cellphone
- Related Charts
- Top 10 Cell Phones
- Top 10 Unlocked Cell Phones
People who looked at the Samsung Samsung BlackJack II also looked at:
Start New Topic Don't see the answer to your question? Ask it here!
Featured APC Accessories
-
APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
-
APC Smart-UPS Loaded with cutting-edge features, unique battery life predictor, unbeatable on-line efficiencies and software agents allowing remote UPS monitoring. Get 10% off your entire kart purchase!
Popular Phone Stories
