Samsung SPH-A640
| Company type | Mobile phone model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Products | Mobile phones |
Template:Notability
Template:Ref improve
Template:Infobox Mobile phone
The Samsung SPH-A640 (also known simply as A640) is a tri-mode dual-band cellular phone designed primarily for PCS providers such as Sprint Nextel in the United States and Virgin Mobile Canada in Canada. It was introduced during the latter half of 2006 across the U.S. and select international markets including Canada.
Specifications
Among its features, the A640 supports SMS texting and incorporates Push-to-Talk (PTT) walkie-talkie functionality alongside a VGA rear-facing camera, voice command capabilities, and Bluetooth connectivity—availability depending on the network provider. The device includes an internal antenna; however, an external antenna port becomes accessible once the cover behind the battery compartment is removed.
The handset sports a 1.75-inch internal TFT LCD screen capable of displaying 65,000 colors and an external monochrome Organic LED display measuring approximately 1.82 inches. The secondary screen provides essential information such as date, time, battery status, signal strength, and caller ID when available.
The rear camera lacks an LED flash but offers several features including a self-timer, cropping options (referred to as Fun Frame), adjustable color tones, brightness settings, and white balance controls. Users can select from three image resolutions: high (640x480 pixels), medium (320x240 pixels), and low (224x168 pixels). Notably, this model does not support MP3 playback or video recording functions.
Measuring 3.6 by 1.8 by 0.91 inches and weighing approximately 3.2 ounces, the Samsung SPH-A640 is powered by a standard 800 mAh lithium-ion battery. Included with the phone are a travel charger and a user guide.
This device is locked to operate exclusively on its designated CDMA network and cannot be unlocked for use with other carriers.
Reception
Kent German from CNET evaluated the Sprint version of the Samsung SPH-A640, assigning it a score of 6.6 out of 10. He highlighted the device's clear call quality and identified features such as the VGA camera, Bluetooth capability, and speakerphone as its strengths. Conversely, he pointed out shortcomings in the design and mentioned that the speakerphone was challenging to hear in noisy settings. Ultimately, he described the Samsung SPH-A640 as a "practical and well-functioning mobile phone suited for midrange users."