Samsung Eternity a867 Phone, Black (AT&T)

Saturday, June 27th, 2009 at 8:05 am

Manufacturer: Samsung
Customer Rating:
List Price: $399.99
Sale Price: $145.00
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Product Description

The multimedia-rich Samsung Eternity for AT&T provides one-touch access to AT&T Mobile TV and a full-touch QWERTY keypad access via its large, vivid 3.2-inch touchscreen. With AT&T's Mobile TV offering, you can watch TV-quality programming from Comedy Central, ESPN, Fox, NBC, and more. This quad-band GSM phone also runs on AT&T's dual-band HSDPA/UMTS high-speed 3G network, making it easy to download music purchased from AT&T Mobile Music. This GPS-enabled phone is compatible with the AT&T Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions as well as its Video Share service, which enables you to send video of yourself to another compatible phone while making a voice call. Other features include Samsung's intuitive TouchWiz interface, a 3.2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth for hands-free communication and stereo music streaming, MicroSD memory expansion to 8 GB, access to personal email and instant messaging, and up to 5 hours of talk time.

The touchscreen-enabled Samsung Eternity offers one-touch access to AT&T Mobile TV and a full-touch QWERTY keypad.

AT&T Service
This AT&T phone can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's 3G mobile broadband data network, which is available in most major metropolitan areas. The AT&T 3G network uses the dual-band UMTS 850/1900 MHz network, which provides download speeds ranging from 700 Kbps to 1.7 Mbps, and upload speeds ranging from 500 Kbps to 1.2 Mbps. This makes it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services, and it gives you the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services.

In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it's fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go. You'll also enjoy quad-band GSM connectivity, which allows you to make calls in more than 190 countries and access data applications in the more than 135 countries where AT&T offers international data roaming.

With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Video Share service, which enables you to send a live, one-way video stream to another compatible phone during a standard voice call. The service also allows you to switch the direction of the video stream during the same phone call. (Customers must be in an area served by the company's 3G network and have a Video Share-enabled phone.) A majority of users in the architecture, engineering and construction industries rated the ability to share live video through Video Share highly, according to research commissioned by AT&T. Video Share lets you see progress on a job site or review the day's work without having to drive from an office or other site to do so.

You can take advantage of the AT&T Navigator GPS software and service, a full-featured premium navigation application that includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options, and 3D moving maps (additional charges applicable). AT&T Navigator offers several other features to make your commute more enjoyable and reliable, including mobile access to Yellowpages.com. Additionally, AT&T Navigator is the only mobile phone-based GPS service that provides integrated speech recognition for address entry and points of interest search.

With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Cellular Video (CV) service and the Internet while on the go. Cellular Video features content from CNN, The Weather Channel, iFilm, Comedy Central and exclusive premium content from HBO and much more. And you get access to AT&T Mobile Music, which enables you to buy tracks while on the, access the Napster and eMusic subscription music services, stream music video, discover what's playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what's hot with The Buzz music news portal. (A MEdia Max subscription bundle is recommended for accessing AT&T's Internet, video, and music services.)

The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more.

AT&T Mobile TV
AT&T Mobile TV with FLO is a revolutionary video service that delivers full-length television content and sporting events from top networks to your phone while you're on the go. Joining with MediaFLO USA's award-winning FLO TV service, AT&T Mobile TV with FLO provides an intuitive program guide that makes it easy to flip from one channel to the next. The service includes more than 150 simulcast and/or time-shifted programs, as well as live sports events, from CBS Mobile, Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile TV, FOX Mobile, MTV, NBC 2GO, NBC News2Go and Nickelodeon. Additionally, the Mobile TV service includes two channels exclusive to AT&T users:

PIX, from Sony Pictures Television, offers a variety of contemporary films, including comedies, cult classics, action films and family favorites from the studio's vast library.
CNN Mobile Live provides users with access to 24 hours of breaking news with live streaming anchored coverage from CNN.com Live as well as CNN's most popular programs, including American Morning, Lou Dobbs Tonight, CNN Election Center, Larry King Live, Anderson Cooper 360°, and CNN International.

AT&T provides several packages for accessing Mobile TV, and it offers parental controls that provide content filtering and purchase blocking on your phone so that you can restrict access to content that may be inappropriate for younger viewers.

It's packed with a 3.2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth stereo music streaming, and MicroSD expansion up to 8 GB.

Phone Features
An attractive black and chrome device with a large, vivid 3.2-inch touchscreen, the Eternity features three dedicated keys--call, end call and back--on the front of the device under the touch screen. It has an accelerometer that automatically detects motion and the orientation of the device, allowing for autorotation of the display, motion sensing games and photo scrolling by tilting the device. It also has haptic support, enhancing your sensory connection with the phone and providing subtle vibrations that confirm your selections.

The Eternity also provides quick and easy access to a your favorite features through Samsung's innovative TouchWiz user interface, which has specially designed widgets to customize and personalize your phone. The quick and simple drag-and-drop feature provides instant access to your favorite functions, such as the clock, music player, instant messaging photos, and AT&T Mobile TV--all from the home screen.

The Eternitiy has an internal 200 MB memory that is shared between the address book, MP3 player, and camera, and it's expandable via optional MicroSD memory cards up to 8 GB in size. The internal phonebook can store up to 1000 contact entries, with support for caller groups, photo/ringer ID, and 8 one-touch dialing numbers. It also displays the last 30 outgoing/incoming/missed numbers.

hands-free communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0), and includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and file transfer. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server.

The 3.2-megapixel camera can shoot still photos up to 2048 x 1536 pixels in resolution--great for creating 8 x 10-inch prints. It also features a 3x digital zoom, multi-shot capability (up to 9), brightness adjustment, and self-timer with three settings. You an also capture up to 60 minutes of video.

The 6650 offers a full range of email, text, and multimedia messaging options. It includes support for mobile email services such as AOL, Yahoo!, and Windows Live. You can also keep up with your instant messaging buddies using the built-in IM application that connects to those same services. T9 text entry, a technology that makes it easier for entering text on handsets, is built into the unit--a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

Other features include:

Organizer tools: Calendar, tasks, memo, calculator, converter, world clock
72-chord polyphonic and MP3 ringtones
Vibrating alert
Multi-lingual text display (English, French, Spanish)
USB connectivity
Bluetooth version 2.0 with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BPP (basic printing profile for text, email), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures), SPP (serial port profile)

Vital Statistics
The Samsung Eternity weighs 3.88 ounces and measures 4.3 x 2.2 x 0.5 inches. Its 1300 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of talk time, and up to 240 hours (10 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as AT&T's 850/1900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA 3G frequencies.

Product Details

Black-and-chrome multimedia phone with large, vivid 3.2-inch touchscreen, haptic feedback, and intuitive TouchWiz interface
3G-enabled phone compatible with AT&T Navigator GPS turn-by-turn directions, AT&T Mobile Music, Video Share service, and Mobile TV
3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth stereo music, MicroSD expansion to 8 GB, access to personal email and instant messaging
Up to 5 hours of talk time, up to 240 hours (10 days) of standby time
What's in the Box: handset, battery, charger, user manual

Video Reviews

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Customer Reviews

THIS PHONE IS GARBAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Review Date: July 28, 2010

Reviewer: Marcus L. Goodloe, Valdosta, Ga

I bought this phone in November and I was happy about this phone! After using this phone for a few months it is a big piece of trash! I'd recommend that nobody should get this phone! I wish I would've got more info on it before I bought it! It is not touchscreen friendly. It seems like you have mash really hard to get to a lot of things on this phone!

I want to throw this phone at the wall every time I use it...

Review Date: July 16, 2010

Reviewer: L. Wilson,

I was so excited about getting this phone. It had a nice big screen that would be great to check e-mail with and not have to pay the $30/month data plan. I was so disappointed. I am not a big cell phone user. I'm not constantly on it. I only make a couple phone calls a week and check my email/ use the internet once in a while. I have had this phone over a year now, and it only gets worse. The camera is bad. All of the photos are blurry with no auto focus. This phone constantly locks up. It just freezes and I have to take the battery out and put it back in to get it to work. The worse part is that the call quality is terrible!! I can barely hear the person on the other end, even after tweaking the sound setting. People get annoyed that I keep asking "what?". It's been like this ever since I got it too. More than anything, I just want to throw this thing at the wall or bash it in with a hammer.

This phone stinks!

Review Date: March 20, 2010

Reviewer: R. Gensman, Oklahoma

We bought this phone about 7 months ago. It will not hold the calibration on the touch screen so texting is a very difficult manuever. It constantly is telling me I have missed calls when there are none. Over the period of time I have used it, the phone appears to be losing it's ability to find a tower and the reception is slowly diminishing. What a waste of my money! We had a Razor before this and just wanted to upgrade to a phone with a touch screen without too much money from our pocket. We really wish we had our Razors back. Don't waste your money.

Personally not a fan

Review Date: March 13, 2010

Reviewer: Shayla Herren, Oklahoma

I've had my eternity for a little over a year now. As soon as my contract is up I will be switching. I use to have a samsung slide phone and i do miss it.

Pros: Durable, large screen, both number pad and querty keyboard if you tilt it sideways, easy to navigate

Cons: scratches rather easily, not ideal for texting, freezes, poor multitask.

The main reason I dislike this phone is the texting. I have a hard time using the touch screen to text, and it didn't take long to scratch up the screen while doing so. If you do get the phone i recommend getting a protective screen cover. I constantly double dial numbers and have trouble with freezing. I have to remove the battery at times and then put it back in to get it to work. I find the querty keyboard difficult to use as I'm always hitting the wrong buttons since they are tiny.

Another problem I've encountered is sometimes I can multitask while on a call, but sometimes I can't. It really depends on the phone's mood.

Other than that it is a decent working phone. considering how many times I've dropped it (like on concrete the second day of owning it cause it fell out of my pocket) it has held up pretty well. I don't like how slippery it is but it is very thin. It has the neat feature of being albe to turn it sideways to use the querty keyboard or upright if you prefer the other way to text like I do.

The phone was very easy to navigate and it took me no time at all to figure out how to run it. It's pretty self explanetory.

Overall the phone is ok, but personally I got tired of it constantly freezing and I am not a fan of touch screens.

However I have heard that everyone with this phone loves it and has no complaints so maybe I just got a lemon. Every phone acts differently for different people.

A phone that might be mediocre if it worked properly.

Review Date: February 9, 2010

Reviewer: AmelAmel, Stuttgart, GER/PDX, OR

I will start off this review by saying that I have sinced RMA'd the phone with ATT under warranty for a major issue (in my opinion), and replaced it with a Sony Ericsson. I had the phone since August of 2009, and the original was sent into ATT because it was turning off and rebooting during calls. The replacement phone I had from November until late January and had the same issue.

But lets get into a review of what does work on the phone:

Touchscreen: the touchscreen is responsive and sharp, unlike old Palm pilots. However, the keyboard is marginally acceptable and people with fat fingers will have a hard time typing with out hitting the wrong key. Also a negative, when you move stuff like widgets, the object wiggles around and you can almost never precisely place something.

Menu design: just fine. But half the widgets are ATT pay services or things that require data usage and so are many of the buttons in the home menu. Also, I remember getting annoyed by the placement of certain things in the settings menu that didn't make sense to me. Not very intuitive or user friendly, but it worked.

Construction: good. The phone felt solid and I thought the back place was pretty cool. It has a good heft to it, and the buttons were acceptable.

Style: styling is subjective, so theres no point in discussing it, but I liked the minimalistic design. Its pretty slim.

Reception: good. Reception is just as good as all the other phones I've had. (SE Z550i, W810i, C905a). Call quality is decent.

MP3 player: marginal. The music player is annoying. It orders the songs reversed and you can't change how it sorts the titles. The sound quality is laughable and even though it had a standard output jack, I was never inspired to listen to music on it, since everything sounded so flat and dull. Even the best and most dynamic Toten Hosen hit sounded dreary. The different "modes" for music playback was lame and honestly, it would've been easier and much more effective if they would've just included a customisable EQ.

Video playback: lame. You HAVE to use a certain, stupidly low resolution. So videos that I ripped from streaming sites wouldn't play because it was marginally bigger than the asinine limit. The phone would just mindlessly say "Resolution Unsupported" if it wasn't the right resolution. Maddening. And the conversion tool that Samsung built into their PCSuite takes for-effing-ever and usually royally screws up the sound-picture sync, so you end up with stupid, hardly watchable video.

Camera: lame. 3.0 megapixels. But what is the point of that many pixels when its all wasted? Poor pictures in the dark, poor pictures during the day, poor video quality, poor pictures overall. Its really not that good. Don't be fooled by the megapixels game. Perhaps I am spoiled by the W810i and C905a, but the camera is just like any other crappy phone camera. The W810i I had before this was only 2.0 megapixels but it still took pictures that were, by far, superior.

Ringtones: stupid. The phone limits the filesize of sound clips that you can use as ringtones. Again, asinine and really ticked me off.

Auto rotate: stupid. Not really the concept of auto-rotate that is stupid, but rather Samsungs execution. It will tilt when you don't want it to, and will stay put when you're doing backflips trying to get it to rotate. And the feature where it scrolls through all your pictures when you tilt the phone one way or the other is also stupid. It would be a great idea if you could turn it off or if it worked when it was suppoed to, but its just another thing to tick you off after the novelty wears off.

Auto screen off/lock during calls. The screen turns off and the phone goes into lock when you enter into calls and put the phone up to your ear. Which sounds fine, right? Nope. Sometimes it will hang there in the locked mode or blank screen mode. So you can be done with a call, and be furiously pressing the "end call" button, but the phone will just sit there, unresponsive, eating up your minutes.

There are just alot of things about this phone that really irritated me, but the thing that pushed it over the edge for me was the fact that the phone decides, at the most inappropriate times, to reboot during a call. No, it won't turn off if its just sitting there. But as soon as your enter into a call, it will sometimes, just reboot. Sometimes 15 seconds into a call, sometimes a minute. It happens often enough that I found myself taking the phone away from my ear, to check if its still on every 5 seconds. Thats how bad it was. Imagine this: you were contacted that your friend had passed away. You are calling the family to offer prayers and condolences. Your phone reboots 20 seconds into the first call. Ok, fine. I'll play along. 2nd call: the phone reboots after the first exchange of hellos. Not. Acceptable. And that is precisely what happened to me.

The brand new phone that I ordered from Amazon Wireless back in August did this. I took it into ATT's service center, and they did a complete reset and gave me a new battery. The phone did the exact same thing that very evening. Then I sent it in and got a refurbished unit as a replacement. Guess what? SAME EXACT PROBLEM.

I would've put up with the minor irritations if the phone actually was usable. But I use phones to talk to people, and I found it very hard to do that when the phone didn't like conversations longer than 20 seconds. I returned the phone to ATT who agreed to replace it with a different make and model. Kudos to ATT for doing the right thing, but I am disappointed that they sold such an unrefined producted and their service team couldn't even figure out what was wrong or fix the problem even though its obvious that more than one of these phone have this problem.

If you really want to try your luck with this phone, whatever. Its your money, time and sanity. But as a person with morals and intelligence, I would strongly discourage such a purchase and suggest that you get something else.