Samsung SCH-U550

The Samsung SCH-550 is a modest refresh of the Samsung U540. With a new metallic-brown color and some slight styling changes, plus an increased external memory capacity to 8G, the U550 is a solid, friendly entry-level clamshell.

For folks looking for a simple but capable cell phone, the U550 won’t disappoint. It includes the now universally accepted set of “basic” features, including the ability to text, IM, surf the web via WAP, take a good picture with its 1.3 megapixel camera, speakerphone and modest external display with optional digital or analog clock.

On Verizon in the US, the U550 does comes with Verizon’s VZNavigator GPS system preinstalled, however that doesn’t really mean anything since the service still costs the same should you choose to use it ($2.99 per day or $9.99 for unlimited monthly use). It also comes with VCast, Verizons source for music videos, news and other video offerings.

The U550 should be measured within its own category, namely, modest entry-level devices, and it measures up quite well.