One last point to raise before I close the book on the Samsung SGH-D830: The tones are ultra-customizable. Too bad they're a little weak.

Of course, the basics like setting the call and SMS alerts are there, but the SGH-D830 goes beyond that. Nothing's new about choosing what pressing the keypad emits, but few smartphones allow such customization. And you can also set a different tone for SMS, MMS, and Emails, instead of using one sound to identify their arrival. You can even select a sound to play when you flip open or close your smartphone.

With such versatility, it's too bad that staying in noisy places makes the D830's Polyphonic tones hard to hear. The sounds it generates are simply too soft. That's why the smartphone is always on my desk at the office, and in my hand while walking around (making me an easy target for snatchers). All to make sure I won't miss a call or text. Turning on vibration won't help either. The mobile's slim body doesn't have enough mass to generate a significant impression in my pocket.

The only alerts I consistently notice are the alarms. But that's because I usually hear them when they waking me up, in the relative silence of my bedroom.