Review - Vodacom Smart Kicka - A Smartphone At A Smart Price

Last week Vodacom sent me the Vodacom Smart Kicka to have a look at.

I must say this is quite a surprise.  For those of you not informed about this phone, this is a entry level model for all of those who would like a smartphone.

Tech Details:

• 3.5" Touchscreen
• 2 MP rear camera
• Android 4.4 KitKat
• Browsing
• Bluetooth
• Email
• WiFi
• Apps 

In the box you should find the phone hopefully, a battery, a charger, a headset and a quick start guide.

So how well does it run? 

Surprisingly well, This is a full touchscreen phone so don't expect any keyboard on it.

(Image courtesy Vodacom) 

On top of the phone is your on/off button.   

Volume control is on the side of the phone. 

It features 3 buttons on the bottom of the phone.

The button on the left takes you back to your home screen.

The centre button is to close an app.

The right hand button takes you to wallpapers, widgets and settings, have fun there. 

The main screen has your time, date and widgets.  A useful feature at the top is a Google Search bar with voice searching as well if you prefer to shout out your search functions in a coffee shop maybe.

It also features a useful Data usage App if you care about blowing the odd 1GB now and again. 

Storage: 4GB

Support for a 32 GB SD Card.

It also has a nice App to show you what is using your battery.

You can also schedule the phone to switch on or off.  You switch your phone off sometimes right?

Some of the useful Apps you can find on the phone:

• A suite of Google products which include Chrome, Gmail, Google+, Maps, Play Music, Play Books, Play Newsstand, Play Games, Drive, YouTube and Hangouts.
• Vodacom Apps and My Vodacom and Vlive and more.
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Camera and Video Player
• Clock
• Facebook
• Sound Recorder
• Radio
• Notes
• Twitter
• Voice Search 

Are you ready for this?  This smartphone should set you back around R549. Unheard of for a smartphone.  As you can see Vodacom have certainly changed the playing field in the smartphone category. 

Rating: 8/10 

The Vodacom Smart Kicka is available at your nearest Vodacom outlet.  

Review by +Fred Felton 

Review of Samsung Ch@t 333

We review the Samsung Ch@t 333 today.

Dynamite comes in small packages

This is a delightful treat.

Ch@t 333 comes pre-loaded with Twitter, Facebook and options for downloading instant messaing applications like MXit, as well as offering local language options such as Zulu and Xhosa.  The embedded Samsung Ch@tOn App is designed to let consumers easily share messages, images, contacts and calendars with their buddies one-on-one or in group chat.  The long-lasting battery and Opera Mini Web browser contributes to a great Internet experience.
(Pro-tip - we recommend you use the Opera Mini Web browser as you will use less data with it and save money that way.)

The handset is surprisingly light

Under the hood:

Features EDGE/GPRS QuadBand 850/900/1800/1900MHz

It has a 2MP Camera which takes a decent picture.
You also get access to Samsung Apps.
It also has Bluetooth.

Specs on the long lasting battery:
Talk time - Up to 15hrs (GMS)

Standby Time - Up to 650hrs (GMS)

It has a micro sd card with up to 32GB capacity.
It fits a single simcard.
A great plus is that it also has a radio.

(Pictures and specs courtesy of Samsung)

For more details on this model check out these useful links below:

http://www.samsung.com/africa_en/consumer/mobile-phone/mobile-phone/messaging/GT-S3330CWAXFA

www.samsung.com

The good folk at Samsung have given us 3 of these handsets to giveaway.
To be in line to win one of these handsets either Tweet us 
@UmhlangaLife on Twitter and tell us why you want to win or 
you can email us your name and contact details at falconscove@gmail.com
Use Umhlanga Life Samsung competition in the subject line.

(This competition is only for people who live in Durban and Surrounding area's.
Winners will have to collect their handsets in Durban.) 

We will do the draw on Friday 25th October 2013.

Good luck :) 

For a full list of Ts&Cs please see the competitions link - http://umhlangalife.blogspot.com/p/competitions.html

Update - This competition is now closed.