There are phones, and there are novelty mobile phones – and the Samsung Beat DJ definitely falls in the latter category. It’s the phone for anyone who ever dreamed of becoming a major DJ – yes, the phone comes with decks to let the user mix, scratch and add effects, just as if they were in a DJ booth.
In many ways it’s a ridiculous idea – anyone serious would spring for the proper equipment – but it is fun, nonetheless, and it comes with a great imprimatur, the speakers courtesy of the mighty Bang & Olufsen.
Effectively it is DJ lite, selecting tracks and learning how to work with them, and it’s all very intuitive and easy to control. Even a total novice could be up to speed within 30 minutes using the touchscreen, impressing friends with his skills.
But really, that’s all the phone does. Yes, there’s a camera, but it’s nothing special – in fact it is decidedly awkward at times – and there’s no QWERTY keyboard on the screen, just a regular mobile phone keypad, which seems like a very glaring oversight, especially when annoying sounds issue every time a key is pressed.
The styling is decidedly retro – when was the last time anyone saw an oval phone? Worst of all, perhaps, is the fact that the B&O speakers just aren’t that great, certainly not the quality expected from a company like that.
This is the kind of phone to appeal to kids of about 12 – but even then, after a few days of playing, they’ll be bored with it. Not a winner, Samsung.
