Holding down the power button for a couple seconds unleashes a flashy start-up graphic in Samsung's typical blue-on-black theme. Loading the player in WMP 11 was a snap, and I prefer it to Music Studio5, if only because it works with so many other players (for those of you who may own more than one).
I have nothing against the software necessarily, but if you are already using Windows Media Player 11, there is no compelling need to install and switch to Samsung's offering. You also get a clothing clip, a piece of plastic to wrap earphone cable slack around, and Samsung Media Studio5 music management software.
I seriously suggest upgrading to something like Shure SE210 earphones, through which the player sounds excellent. Unfortunately, the player comes with so-so earphones. The U3 has no photo or video function, which is, perhaps, a blessing, considering most players with tiny screens that include these functions usually end up charging more for what ends up being a lousy feature. A mic pinhole and a lanyard loop are located on the back.įile compatibility is limited to MP3 (all bitrates), WAV, and WMA (included protected and Lossless). The lower panel houses the much-needed Hold button (it's a bit too easy to trigger the controls accidentally) and the USB slider. On the side panel, opposite the USB connector, sits a 3.5 mm headphone jack that is surrounded by a blue-flashing, purely decorative (and surely battery-devouring) LED, the intervals of which can be adjusted or turned off. On the top panel, a multi-function User Button also doubles as the record button, and next to it resides the power/play/pause button. In the upper right hand corner is the backwards/menu navigation button. Held horizontally, the U3's 1.8 inch OLED display occupies the left side, while the four flat-surface, touch-sensitive controls for skipping and volume are placed to the right. For example, my U3 wouldn't connect to the top port of my ThinkPad while a cable was connected beneath, so I had to switch the ports-a minor gripe, considering there's no way around it given the width of the players.
On both the Express and the U3, the USB connector sits close to the edge of the player, which means you may have to rearrange your USB cable connections on your PC in order to get everything to fit. It's a pretty cool-looking feature, and also protects the connection without adding any removable parts. On the U3, a slider pops the connector out like a switchblade. In the case of the Express, you pull a cap off (something that easily could get lost) to expose its connector. The biggest physical difference between the two players is the USB connector design. The U3 comes in a variety of gaudy colors, but my model was a smooth matte black. In other words, these players are pretty much the same shape and size, though the Express is a bit thicker. By contrast, the Express clocks in at 3.1 by 1 by 0.6 inches and weighs 1.1 ounces. The U3 measures a minute 3.2 by 1.0 by 0.4 inches and weighs 0.8 ounces. The U3 is skinnier, a little slicker, and only $10 more in the 2 GB range. Although the U3's memory isn't expandable like the Express, it strikes me as a slightly better value. So, yes, the Express is cheaper, but money isn't everything.
The 1 GB Express sells for $60 and the 2GB for $80, while the 2 GB U3 is $90. Alas, when it comes to price and capacity comparisons, things get a little tricky. Aside from FM recording on the Express, both devices offer almost identical features and limitations (FM radio, voice recording, no video or photo support), but the U3's graphics and buttons are much cooler and its screen a bit brighter. The players are also alike in size and shape, though the skinnier U3 is unmistakably part of the Samsung line, featuring familiar graphics and flat-surface, touch-sensitive buttons.
Sadly, there can be only one reigning Editors' Choice in the cheap portable media player category here at PC Magazine, and Samsung has (just barely) wrested it from the Sansa Express.īoth the Express and the new YP-U3 (popularly known as the U3) have built-in USB connectors, eliminating the need for a cable. But despite the great features these two small players share, the U3's outdoes the Express, beating it at its own game. Just when I thought SanDisk had designed the perfect tiny flash portable media player with its excellent and affordable Express, along comes Samsung with, well, a very similar product.