Samsung's line of MP3 players has long included compact models with a built-in USB connector. Today we are going to take a look at the latest model in Samsung's PlayDrive series, the YP-U6.
Packaging and delivery set
The player comes in a transparent blister that allows you to see in detail the player itself and the bundled headphones. The packaging design is bright, emphasizing the youth orientation of the device. The back of the package contains a list of supported formats, as well as lists the main functions of the player.
The delivery set is not rich, except for the player itself, it includes:
- - headphones;
- - user's manual;
It is better to replace the bundled headphones with better ones in order to get the full impact from the player in terms of sound quality.
Specifications:
Let's get acquainted with the main technical characteristics of the Samsung YP-U6:
- Memory type: Flash
- Memory size: 2 or 4 GB
- Memory card slot: no
- Screen: CSTN color, 1 inch diagonal, resolution 128x64 pixels
- Output power: 18 mW / channel
- Supported formats: MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC
- Playlist support: SPL, WPL
- FM radio: yes
- Radio recording: yes, in MP3 format (128 Kb / s)
- Dictaphone: yes, recording in MP3 format (128 Kb / s)
- Equalizer: Yes, Presets, User Setting
- Fitness mode: yes
- Clock: yes
- USB connector: built-in
- USB version: USB 2.0
- OS Compatibility: Windows 7, Window Vista or XP
- Battery type: built-in, Li-Polymer
- Music playing time: up to 20h
- Dictaphone operating time: up to 10 hours
- Charging time: 2.5 h
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 86.2 x 26.9 x 12.3 mm
- Weight: 34 g
Noteworthy is the support for the FLAC format. Lovers of quality music will be delighted with this. Also interesting is the rather long claimed battery life from one charge - up to 20 hours. Not bad for such a compact device. As usual, the Samsung device features a fitness mode for those who like to play sports.
Construction and design.
The player is enclosed in an elegant rectangular body with rounded edges and slightly beveled ends. The body is made of metal, which has a positive effect on its durability. The assembly is excellent, there are no backlash and squeaks during compression. The body is available in two colors: pink with white plastic parts, or completely black. Here the choice depends on the personal preferences of the buyer, both versions look nice. The pink version is more likely to suit the female audience of users, and the black, respectively, male.
There is a screen on the upper edge of the case. Unlike previous models in the series, the YP-U6 has a color screen instead of monochrome. It is made using CSTN technology, has a diagonal of 1 inch and a resolution of 128x64 pixels. The screen is framed by a wide black border, to the right of which is the manufacturer's name. Still to the right is a rather large four-way joystick with a central button. There are three more control buttons on the side face: an on / off button, which also performs a lock function, a start button for recording sound, and a return button. There are no separate buttons for sound volume control, it is regulated by the joystick buttons.
At the front there is a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack, a microphone hole and a recessed Reset button, which is used to reset the player. There is also an eyelet for attaching a strap for wearing the player around the neck. On the opposite side there is a retractable USB connector. A slider on the lower edge of the case serves to extend it.
The case measures 86.9 x 26.7 x 12.3 mm and weighs just 34 grams. The player is compact enough to fit in any pocket, while its weight is not felt at all.
Functionality and operation
The player's control is simple and logical, most of the actions are performed by the joystick. The joystick itself is quite large and comfortable, there are no problems with control. You just need to get used to the fact that the volume is also controlled by the joystick - by pressing the 'up' and 'down' buttons. Sound volume control range - 30 divisions. There is a significant headroom, there is no problem of lack of volume. To move to the next or previous track, use the joystick 'right' and 'left' buttons.
Album covers are displayed during playback, that's why the screen was made in color. The display fits 4 lines of text. The player menu contains the usual filters by artist, album, genre, composition. Playlists are supported, there is also a music browser that allows you to play content by folder.
You can customize the equalizer, there are several preset options, as well as the ability to customize your settings. In addition, it is possible to turn on the SoundAlive function. It has several modes and allows you to get a surround sound effect. In the settings, you can also change the order and playback speed, as well as some other parameters. The sound of the player can be described as good, there are no extraneous sounds or noise. The sound is clear and detailed.
The radio receiver has good sensitivity, the headphone wire is used as an antenna. Supports radio recording in MP3 format with a bit rate of 128 Kb / s. The recording quality is good, and the MP3 compression format saves memory space. You can activate the dictaphone at any time. A special button is used for this, it increases the usefulness of this function. Microphone sound is also recorded in MP3 format. The microphone sensitivity is not very high, it is better to keep the player closer to the sound source.
The fitness function is carried over from the previous YP-U5 and works in a similar way. Initially, you need to choose your current weight, set a planned goal (how many calories you need to lose), after which an exercise is selected - walking, yoga, cycling, running, etc. Recording of results is supported. The function has a certain stimulating effect, and it can be used for training.
There is also a humorous element in the player - you can choose one of several available characters - pop-ups, which will accompany all user actions. If you don't like any of the available pop-ups, you can draw your own.
Charging and connecting to a PC
The player connects to the computer like a regular USB flash drive. No compatibility issues were found. The retractable USB design is more convenient than the removable caps found on the previous YP-U5. Inconvenience can arise if the computer system unit does not have front USB ports. A USB extension cable will help in this case.
The player is also charged from the USB port. Charging time is about 3 hours. in real conditions on a single charge, the player works a little less than the time declared by the manufacturer - 17-18 hours. However, this is also a very good result for devices of this class.
conclusions
Let's briefly describe the advantages and disadvantages of the Samsung YP-U6:
Pros:
- - Durable metal body;
- - Practical design;
- - Support for lossless compression format FLAC;
- - Long battery life;
- - Many additional features;
Minuses:
- - lack of a slot for a memory card;
By and large, the player has no major drawbacks. The device turned out to be interesting and balanced. It can be safely recommended for purchase to anyone looking for a modern compact and reliable player with a long battery life. Additional functions offered by the player may also be of interest to many users.
You can buy the Samsung YP-U6 MP3 player in our store at a bargain price.
