Along with making attractive high-end phones such as the Instinct and the Access, Samsung also produces a line of affordable Bluetooth headsets to match these handsets. One of its most recent models is the Samsung WEP 350, which it purports to be one of the world's thinnest headsets. It's also lightweight, easy to use, and affordable at just $79.99.
Measuring about 49mm long by 16mm wide by barely 6mm thick, the WEP350 is definitely one of the thinnest headsets we've ever seen. It has a very slim and discreet profile, which is great for those who eschew the telemarketer look most headsets have. The WEP350 has a simple, flat stick design, with a multifunction button in the middle, and volume buttons on either side &mdash the volume increase is on the left spine while the volume decrease is on the right. The multifunction button is raised above the surface, so it's easy to press, even when worn on the ear. The two volume buttons are quite skinny, but they, too, are easy to access because of a raised texture. Right above the multifunction button is a small LED indicator light.
Turn the headset around and you'll find a typical in-ear style earbud. Even though you can wear the headset without an ear hook, we recommend you use the in-ear hook anyway for additional stability. The hook can be rotated to fit either ear. It's also very flexible and thin, which made it easier to wear with glasses. The earpiece fits comfortably in the ear and can be easily sized in a matter of seconds. The WEP350 comes with two additional earbud covers in different sizes.
The WEP350 doesn't have too many features. It offers the typical answering, ending, and rejecting calls, as well as last number redial, voice command support, call hold, and the capability to transfer a call to the handset and vice versa. It also has a low-battery status indicator.
We successfully paired the headset with the RIM BlackBerry Pearl. We experienced average sound quality. Even though we heard our callers just fine and vice versa, we also heard quite a bit of static. Our callers reported hearing echo and ambient noise from the background as well. That said, we managed to make voice command calls successfully, and we sailed through automated voice systems with flying colors.
The Samsung WEP 350 has a rated battery life of 5 hours talk time and 4.1 days standby time. It also comes with a small charging base.
canberra_photographer
18/05/2008, 12:12 AM
rating
2/10
For $80, I'd want more style, more battery time and a nicer ear hook. Oh wait, for $35, I did... a Plantronics from Harvey Norman.
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