Those in search of a basic phone without any contract tie-ins should take a look at the Samsung Mantra, the Korean manufacturer's second phone released in the US by Virgin Mobile. While it's not exactly the kind of device that will make heads turn, it packs in an agreeable aesthetic and easy-to-use design that should make it a worthy choice for less-demanding mobile users.
The direct follow-up to the Samsung Slash, the Mantra sports similar functional features, better call quality and considerably more affable looks. With a clamshell form factor, simple lines and understated color scheme, it's the kind of phone that blends in the background. Body is made of plastic, but the hinge and overall build feels sturdy.
Like other flip phones, it comes with two screens - a sub-1-inch external panel (96 x 96 pixels) and a bigger 2-inch internal LCD (160 x 128). Obviously, it doesn't offer the best images, but are useful enough for its intended purposes, namely texting and managing contacts. UI is highly intuitive and easy to navigate, with the buttons plush and convenient to handle.
Call quality was good, although sound distorts a bit when set at the highest volume level, both on the handset and on the speakerphone. Battery lasted well over five hours of talk time.
As expected, the Mantra isn't heavy on extra features. It does fit in all the standard basic capabilities (SMS, MMS, voice recordings, etc), though, along with a few bonuses. Users get IM support, web-based POP3 email, Bluetooth, a WAP 2.0 browser and a VGA camera. The camera has a few shooting and editing features, which help make it just a tad more usable.
Overall, the Samsung Mantra is just what you'd expect from a basic phone, with nothing awful that holds it back (as with the Slash's looks, for instance). Available for $59.99 for a prepaid service from Virgin Mobile, it's also priced particularly cheap.
Its a cheap classy phone with basic features. What more do you need at that price?
Samsung makes decent phones in the lower price range as well.
Yeah I agree with Bob, I have seen some really VFM phones from Samsung in the entry-level market. This ones another one in their lineup.