14 DAY TRIAL // Samsung Electronics just announced the release of Samsung Metal 5, presented as the world's thinnest 5 Megapixel camera cell phone. Created to offer high quality photography and multimedia features packed in a stylish metallic case, the new Samsung is the latest phone from the popular Metal Series line launched in India.
"There is high consumer demand for gadget convergence in India. Consumers opt for camera phones that are much more convenient for capturing spontaneous shots", said Mr. H. C. Ryu, Managing Director of Samsung Telecommunications India, who also added that Samsung Metal 5, with its sleek design, represents the perfect choice for for the tech-savvy Indian users that want a high-end camera phone.
The Metal 5 handset is 14.9 millimeters thin, quite a lot for a normal handset, but not for a phone packing a 5 Megapixel camera. Anyhow, it's not Samsung's single 5 Megapixel phone to have this thickness, as the SGH-G600 model available in Europe measures 14.9 millimeters too.
Metal 5's camera, besides being a 5 megapixel one, also offers auto focus, light sensor, power LED flash light, image editor and image stamp. The handset's display is a 2.2 inch 16 million color QVGA TFT one, perfect for both photography and the TV Out feature. Other high-end specifications include a music player, stereo FM Radio, background music animation, FM and voice recorder, Netfront Browser and many other. The phone's on-board 55 MB memory won't satisfy too many users, that's why it has microSD T Flash card support for another 512 MB.
When it comes to design, Metal 5 looks really really good, resembling the Samsung G800 model, making me wonder if it's not the same phone, but made a bit thinner.
Samsung Metal 5 also provides mobile printing via Bluetooth and, like all the Metal Series devices, it features emergency SMS alert and mobile tracker. The phone is available in India starting December 2007 for 18,999 Indian Rupees (the equivalent of $420).