Review: Samsung YP-T9b portable media player

Once again, Apple is accountable for geek hysteria with the announcement of its multi-faceted iPhone; rumoured for a UK launch Christmas 2007.

However, cast your gaze beyond the horizon of white headphones and you'll see some new challengers to the throne; including Samsung's ultra smart YP-T9b.

With prices starting at £89 for a 1Gb model and rising through £119 for 2Gb and £149 for 4Gb, this slim-line showstopper may be £20 dearer than a equivalent iPod but, boy, is it money well spent.

Tick them off; an FM radio, in-built Bluetooth for connecting compatible headsets, voice recorder (up to 128Kbps), FM-recorder, flash-based games, text viewer, audio decoding for mp3, WMA-DRM, OGG and WAV, a photo viewer and last, but by no means least, Mpeg4 video playback. That's impressive, especially for a player that's not much bigger than a pack of chewing gum and weighs just as much too.

The 1.8in screen may be small but it's incredibly bright. Providing the video source is decent, detail is sharp and the image is flipped horizontally to utilise more of the screen.

Sound quality is easily comparable to an iPod nano but not as crisp as Sony's cracking NW-S706. Samsung supplies an average set of headphones, so we'd advise replacing them for an instant audible enhancement. And if Bluetooth headsets aren't your bag, a non-Bluetooth model (the K3) knocks £30 off the asking price.

The YP-T9b's navigation system also impressed us. A four-way direction pad, centre select button and side-mounted 'back' button – for retracing your steps through menus – aren't as intuitive as the iPod's click wheel, but is easy to master and operate blindly with one hand; a godsend for any cattle-commuter with limited access to a pocket.

Transferring photos, video and music is controlled by Samsung's bespoke Media Studio software. It's nowhere near as quick as iTunes or Windows Media Player 11 to shift content, but easy enough to get to grips with.

The claimed battery life of 30 hours stood up in our testing, effortlessly lasting for a weeks worth of morning and evening commutes before needing a recharge. Video gobbles up battery life six times as fast, but it's still good enough for seven days of BBC news' half-hour podcasts.

So, with all things considered it makes its nearest rival, the iPod nano, look like a kid’s toy. Ok, so you won't be able to listen to your paid-for iTunes music, but it's a small price to pay with the extra features on offer.

Also consider
iPod nano
Multi-coloured and ultra cool, the iPod nano is still a hit

Sony NW-S706
Sony makes a lasting impression with its latest mp3 player

Creative Zen V
A very good pocket-sized player

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