If you've never used a slider before, it does take some getting used to. However, this is the first smartphone I've had where I feel that I can go without a case. It's that solidly built (even with the slider mechanism). All I need with it is a pouch to carry it with me since my pockets are always full.
Bluetooth voice dialing is nice as well.
I have said it before...Samsung's are constructed real well. I have had two Samsung flip phones that I beat the hell out of and I couldn't put them down. You can look at the design and see that the i830 is well constructed.