14 DAY TRIAL // Samsung's first ultra durable phone, called Samsung Solid, has been officially announced by the company and the O2 mobile operator. The handset was revealed to the public at the very end of 2007.
The name Solid says a lot, this phone being built for one purpose: to resist! In order to earn such a high-regard, the phone has an anti-shock structure and it is also waterproof and dustproof. Like other phones from this class, such as the Sonim XP1 or the latest CK800 from China, Solid comes in handy to those who don't work in an office, library or other silent and easy-going places.
People on construction sites or simply adrenaline junkies, well... the extreme sports enthusiasts, will find that Solid is the perfect communication tool. One of its main features is the long life battery that fuels the phone. Also, the handset offers GSM Dual Band (900/1800Mhz) compatibility and Bluetooth connectivity.
The best feature this phone has is the SOS dialing. This trait has the role to send an alert message to a nominated person. One can access this by hitting the volume button and pressing three times in quick succession. After this alert signal is sent, the next call you get is automatically answered.
Still, the SOS feature is not unique in a handset. Some of Sony Ericsson's models (like SE W810) have a similar trait. The incorporated LED-flash could be used to automatically send out an SOS Morse code that says "HELP ME". The light for that model can be seen from somewhere up to a mile away.
For less extreme situations, Samsung Solid has an FM Radio built-in and a VGA camera. Sure, you cannot take the best pictures with this phone, but some memories will still be captured by this basic module camera.
The Brits will be able to get the phone from O2 for free, with a year contract, or purchase it for 59.99 UK pounds (around 120 American dollars) on O2 Pay As You Go.