The Samsung Yepp U series is a line of USB key MP3 players made by Samsung and introduced in 2005 with the YP-U1. Samsung used to release a new device every year. Only the YP-U7 was released two years after the U6. It is the largest (7 models) and most durable (7 years) Yepp series. The most famous competitor is the Sony Walkman B series. In South Korea, the iRiver T series is also a main competitor.
All U players have a similar USB key form factor with a 1" 128x64 screen. They all support MP3, WMA and OGG files but some devices support more codecs. The U series is sometimes reproached with not being available in greater capacities than 4 GB and not having expandable storage unlike the famous Sansa Clip series.
Specifications
ModelReleaseColorCapacityDimensionsWeightDisplaySoCAll Samsung Service Manuals thread on anythingbutipod.comBattery capacityOfficial user manualBattery lifeFrom the user manual: MP3 128 kbps, Volume 15 or 20, normal sound modeControlsUSB connectorSound EngineMP3WMAWAVOGGFLACAACFM tunerRDSFM RecordingVoice RecordingFitness featureConnectionLatest firmwareYP-U12005Black, White256, 512MB, 1, 2 GB H W D1" white FSTN LCD 128x64Sigmatel STMP3550280mAh13 hrsTactiles buttonsfull size, rotatingSRS WOWFirmware v3.150 KR onlyUMSv3.150 KR, v3.152 EU/USYP-U2(R)2006Black, White512 MB, 1, 2 GB H W D1" negative FSTN LCD 128x64Sigmatel STMP3550280mAh13 hrsTactiles buttonsfull size, capDNSe 3DKR, US and R versions onlyR Version onlyMTP/UMS2.212 EU, 2.168 RDS EU, 1.156 US, 2.160 KRYP-U32007Black, White, Pink, Green, Blue1, 2, 4 GB H W D1" blue OLED 128x64Samsung S5L8424250mAh15 hrsTouchpadsmall size, sliderDNSe 3DMTP/UMSv1.12 KR/WA, v1.13 EU/USYP-U42008Blue, Red, Purple2, 4 GB H W D1" 16-grey OLED 128x64Sigmatel STMP3650300mAh16 hrsTouchpadsmall size, sliderDNSe 2.0MTP/UMSv1.34YP-U52009Black, Blue, White, Red, Pink2, 4 GB H W D1" 16-grey OLED 128x64Sigmatel STMP3770160mAh20 hrsTactile buttonsfull size, capDNSe 3.0 CoreFirmware 1.12 and older only: http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32690 MTP/UMSv1.57YP-U62010Black, Pink2, 4 GB H W D1" color CSTN LCD 128x64Sigmatel STMP3770165mAh20 hrsTactile buttonsfull size, sliderSoundAliveMTP/UMSv1.10YP-U72012Black, Silver, Pink4 GB H W D1" color TFT LCD 128x64AIT508120mAh20 hrsTactile buttonsfull size, capSoundAliveThere is an FM tuner in hardware in any U7 but the FM menu is disabled in EU and FR region codes. The feature can be re-enabled using another region code. See YP-U7 thread on anythingbutipod.com UMSv1.04
YP-U1
The YP-U1 was first announced in August 2005engadget.com blog then released in October 2005 in Asia and Europe and early November 2005 in the US.engadget.com blog It first came in 3 capacities (256 MB, 512 MB and 1 GB) and 2 colors (black and white). A 2 GB version was later released early 2006.engadget.com blog
It was Samsung's first mp3 player with an integrated USB key. The design was thus completely new but the firmware and the UI are very similar to previous models such as YP-MT6 and YP-C1. It has a 1" white FSTN LCD 128x64 screen. It features a voice recorder but no FM tuner. It uses a non-removable rechargeable battery with a stated runtime of 13 hours. It supports MP3, WMA, WAV, ASF and OGG files.
It features 3 EQ presets and a 9-band user EQ. The player also supports SRS WOW HD sound enhancement but only with the latest Korean firmware v3.150; latest EU and US firmware v3.152 does not include it. However, it is possible to install the Korean firmware on a European or American model. Additional U1 Firmware Versions (2.1, 3.12) thread on anythingbutipod.com The U1 is the only player from the U series along with the latest U7 to be UMS only in any geographical area.
YP-U2 The Samsung YP-U2 was first introduced at the CES in January 2006 then released in April 2006 in the US.engadget.com blog It comes in 3 capacities (512MB, 1GB, 2 GB) and 2 colors (black and white).
The YP-U2 was released in different versions depending on the geographical area: in Korea the U2 was MSC only, featuring an FM tuner. In the USA the U2 was sold as a MTP device (YP-U2J Janus) with an FM tuner too. In Europe two MSC versions were available: one without FM tuner and another one (YP-U2R) with a RDS FM tuner. Each version has its own firmware.
Overall the U2 is quite similar to its predecessor. The main differences concern the hardware: the USB port is no longer retractable and is covered by a transparent cap, allowing glowing effects with two blue LEDs. Also, it now has a negative screen (white font and black background). There is no major change in the firmware except the presence of the new DNSe sound engine, first introduced a few months ago on the YP-T7F.
YP-U3 The YP-U3 was first spotted end of March 2007, Moveplayer blog then officially announced in May 2007 by Samsung Japan generationmp3.com blog and released in June/July in Asia and Europe. It was also released later in the USA. It comes in 3 capacities (1, 2 and 4 GB) and 5 colors (Black, White, Blue, Green, Pink). Contrary to its predecessor, the U3 has touch controls (which was often criticized in reviewsYP-U3 review on anythingbutipod YP-U3 review on generationmp3.com), a new blue OLED screen and a half-size sliding USB connector. The "now playing" screen and the DNSe effects are the same as on the U2 but the main menu is much different. It has a blue LED flashing randomly or when pressing a button.
Devices sold in Europe and the USA (YP-U3J Janus) are MTP and have a tags library. Moreover, the European models have the RDS feature. Devices sold in Asia and the rest of the world are MSC and have a file browser instead of the tags library. It is unofficially possible to install a MSC firmware on a MTP YP-U3 but then the RDS support is lost.U3 UMS Firmware thread on anythingbutipod.com The latest MSC firmware is v1.12 and the latest MTP firmware is v1.13.
YP-U4 The YP-U4 (aka LitmusOfficial announcement on the Samsung UK website) was first leaked in June 2008, moveplayer blog then officially announced in July and finally released in August 2008 in South Korea in two capacities: 2 GB (69,000 won) and 4 GB (89,000 won). moveplayer blog Later it was released in other Asian and European countries but strangely it was decided not to release it on some usual markets like France or the United States. It comes in 3 different colors: red, blue and purple. It supports MP3, WMA and OGG files and features a RDS FM tuner as well as FM and voice recording. In the user manual, the battery life is rated up to 16 hrs with MP3 128 kbit/s files but due to the sleep mode this may be reduced.
It still has touch controls and a similar built-in sliding USB plug as the U3 but the plastic case design is quite different. Also, the OLED screen is no longer blue but displays 16-grey levels. The UI was also reworked compared to the U3: the vertical main menu changed to a horizontal menu, with some redesigned icons. And the "Now playing" screen now displays the album art if one is embedded in the tags. The U4 has three LEDs which can blink randomly or when pressing a button. It also has the standard DNSe 2.0 engine, including street mode, clarity, 3D and Bass effects as well as 10 EQ presets and a 7-band user EQ.
Samsung released 7 firmware versions for this device, from v1.17 on August 26, 2008, to the latest v1.34 released on August 27, 2009. Samsung Germany official website Those are mainly bug fixes. According to the official changelog, firmware v1.32 fixes occasional playback noise but also shortens battery life by about 2 hours. In KR (Korea) region code the U4 is MSC only while in EU (Europe) region code it is MTP by default with a PC connection (MTP or MSC) setting. The U4 is the first of the series to have a region code which may be changed with a config.dat file independently from the firmware file and the first one to allow both tags and files/folders navigation.
The YP-U4 was sometimes reproached with having a too sensitive and not accurate touchpad as well as a laggy UI.
YP-U5 The YP-U5 was unveiled at the CES in January 2009 p2club.net then released in April 2009. It is available in 5 colors: Black, Blue, White, Red, Pink and 2 capacities: 2 and 4 GB. A Hello Kitty edition with branded casing and packaging was released later in October 2009. generationmp3.com blog
It features a plastic case and a non-retractable USB port contrary to the previous U3 and U4. The criticized touch buttons of the U4 were replaced by tactile buttons. It also has a RDS FM tuner as well as FM and voice recording.
The UI is almost the same as on the YP-U4 but it is much faster and smoother. The U5 introduces the "Popcon" characters, the fitness feature and the DNSe 3.0 core sound engine. The fitness feature consists of an estimation of burned calories depending on several parameters, including one's weight and the exercise type (walk slow, walk fast, run slow, run fast, hiking, cycle or yoga). There is no physical sensor so the result may be inaccurate. The DNSe 3.0 core is a "light" version of the usual DNSe 3.0 effects first introduced on the YP-Q1. Several features and settings like Clarity, Audio Upscaler, Wise Volume and Level Optimizer are lacking here, making the core version of the DNSe 3.0 worse than the standard version of the DNSe 2.0 embedded in the previous YP-U4 and several other players.
Samsung released 6 firmware versions, from v1.12 to the latest v1.57 released on October 18, 2010U5 Firmware 1.57 thread on anythingbutipod.com but these are only bugfixes. AAC files are unofficially partly working in firmware v1.12 and older. YP-U5 review on generationmp3.com The support was removed in firmware 1.33 and more recent.New firmware 1.33 for Samsung U5 thread on anythingbutipod.com
YP-U6 The Samsung YP-U6 was first introduced at the IFA in September 2010 in Berlin then released early November 2010 in South Korea. It is available in full black or pink and white colors and in two different capacities: 2 and 4 GB (respectively 59,000 and 69,000 won). The U6 is the first of the series to have a color screen (4-line 128x64 CSTN LCD). However the UI is almost exactly the same as on the previous U5. It still displays the album art, now in color. This device also introduced the aluminum anodized casing instead of the usual plastic. The USB port is retractable with a slider like on the U3 and U4 but it now has a full size USB port, which is less fragile.
The DNSe sound engine was replaced by the new SoundAlive engine, first introduced in June 2010 on the YP-RB (only available in Korea). However, only a "light" version of the SoundAlive effects is embedded. Several features and settings present in higher-range Samsung players like Clarity, Audio Upscaler, Wise Volume and Level Optimizer are lacking. In the end, the U6 SoundAlive are close to the U5 DNSe 3.0 Core, only the EQ presets are different.
Samsung released 3 firmware versions for this device: v1.05, v1.09 (November 29, 2010) and v1.10. The latter was released on September 17, 2012, that is to say 2 years after the product release, which is quite unusual. No feature was added or improved, the releases only fixed some bugs, some of them related to the battery charging process.
YP-U7 The Samsung YP-U7 is the latest device from the U series first released early September 2012 in Russia. The French, Italian and German releases followed in November. Unusual fact, it was released on the Korean home market only months later, in February 2013. The YP-U7 was not released in the USA.
It is the first U player to come only in one memory capacity: 4 GB. Three colors are available: black, silver and pink.