Samsung Z107

The Samsung Z107 is one of the first handsets available on Orange's 3G mobile phone network.

As with a number of modern designs, the Samsung has two colour displays. The external screen is reserved mainly for the time, signal strength and battery life, but it can also display wallpaper or images associated with your phonebook entries. The main internal screen is used for all the other usual phone functions.

Flipping open the Z107 doesn't lead to any major surprises. There is a logical button layout with large, well-labelled keys, a 262,000-colour display, and a central rocker button for navigating the menu. Unfortunately, this isn't arranged very clearly. It has nine discrete icons for each section, but their exact functions don't become clear until you hover over each icon, at which point its name will appear.

One of the phone's most notable characteristics is its range of bizarre sounds. Most of the noises emitted while using the buttons are highly comical, and we received many strange looks when using it in public. The phone also has a tendency to emit an uncomfortably loud noise while it's dialling - a worrying feature, since most people are likely to have it pressed up against their ear at this time. Fortunately, this can be switched off.

Video calling is supported and the phone can access Orange's 3G portal (Orange World) where you can download or stream movie trailers, news, football highlights and traffic updates. You can also surf the internet, a feature rival 3G networks, such as 3, don't offer.

On the whole, this is a solid handset. It can be difficult to get to grips with initially, but its excellent features and potential for downloading interactive content make it attractive.

Price:
From £49.99 with contract

Contact:
Orange 0800 079 0042
www.orange.co.uk

Specifications:

• 262,000-colour (internal), 64,000-colour (external) screens
• VGA camera
• Rotating lens
• Dual band
• 5-hour talk time
• 260-hour standby
• 48 x 89 x 25mm (w x h x d)
• 115g