Video Review: Samsung YP-Q1 MP3 player

I'm not a UMPC!

With its devilish good looks it’s hard not to swoon over Samsung’s YP-Q1 Diamond (not the shoddy Q1 UMPC of old). If diamond’s are a girl’s best friend then this player is a sound slave’s German Sheppard.

We were impressed by the Samsung YP-P2 and the YP-TI0 but the Q1 takes the (dog) biscuit. Adorned in the Samsung’s school uniform of gloss black, it cuts a classy figure. Gone is the touch screen to be replaced by a touch sensitive four way control pad. However, it can be fiddly at times and we could have done with some haptic feedback. If your fingers are on the tubbier side of paunch it may take you a while to get used to it.

Sacrificing the touchscreen hasn’t led to Sammy losing out in the style stakes. Keeping up appearances with the dappa P2, the menu system looks even better on this 2.4-inch 320x240 resolution screen. Even though the screen may be a touch smaller the quality makes videos jump out; with the addition of an accelerometer, it may not make the iPod Touch cry, but we definitely heard a whimper.

The cherry on this slice of audio cake is its compatibility with BBC iPlayer. You’ll need to download the media player version from the site and then synch it up with Windows Media player but when that’s done you’re free to enjoy Auntie’s finest.

Available with 4GB, 8GB or 16GB worth of grey matter this player is compatible to almost every audio file out there, apart from WAV and AAC, but shunning the iTunes friendly format hasn’t meant a drop in sound quality. Even with the “I wouldn’t be seen dead wearing those” buds the sound is crisp and clear but does lack some bass compared to the likes of the Sonys and the Cowons of this world.

But, the best is yet to come from this little bundle of entertainment joy. It’s the price. Starting off from a mere £59 for the 4GB and working up to an economy driving £109 for the 16GB. That will make Gordon happy.

Link: Samsung