Event Coverage

Hands-on: Samsung's Galaxy of Devices

By Wong Casandra - 6 Jan 2012

Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy W and Omnia W

Rounding Up the New Galaxy Devices

Samsung has kick-started the year with a myriad of phones and tablets. Some of the devices were unveiled earlier in the later part of last year, including the long awaited Galaxy Nexus and the new Samsung Omnia W. Sadly, the Samsung Tablet 7.0 Plus wasn't available at the event for us to have a quick look at the product, but expect it to make an official appearance in this month. 

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

The Android 4.0 Samsung Galaxy Nexus made a short appearance at the event; official sets weren't available at the event, but don't fret. You can head over to our introductory article and comprehensive hands-on write-up for a better understanding of the gadget. If you are looking to switch over to the Ice Cream Sandwich OS, you can catch up on our preview article as well as our OS comparison table.

We managed to take a quick snapshot of a Samsung representative's Galaxy Nexus handset. The 4.65-inch Super HD AMOLED touch screen and on-screen navigation buttons, among other things, differentiate the handset from the others.

 

 Samsung Galaxy Nexus

  Key highlights of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus 

  • Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich 
  • 1.2GHz dual-core processor
  • 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED / 1280 x 720 pixels
  • 1GB RAM
  • 5-megapixel rear camera / Autofocus / LED flash + 1.3-megapixel front facing camera
  • 16 / 32GB (no storage expansion options)
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
  • LTE / HSDPA+
  • 1750mAh battery
  • 135g
  • 135.5 x 67.94 x 8.94mm
     
  • Price and Availability: S$948 (available in February 2012)


Samsung Omnia W

The Samsung Omnia W ('W' for 'Wonder') made its first appearance alongside the official unveiling of the Windows Phone 7.5 update in September last year. The more affordable cousin to its flagship Omnia 7, the device showcases a more compact form factor and a smaller price tag of S$498. Originally slated for a Q4 2011 release, the smartphone will be making its appearance very soon in January this year as well.

The Samsung Omnia W comes with a 3.7-inch capacitive Super AMOLED screen and the Windows Phone 7.5 update.

Samsung Omnia W

Key highlights of the Samsung Omnia W

  • Windows Phone 7.5
  • Single-core 1.4GHz processor
  • 512MB RAM
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
  • 3.7-inch capacitive Super AMOLED screen with multitouch / 800 x 480 pixels
  • 5-megapixel camera with LED flash
  • 720p video recording
  • 8GB internal storage
  • 1500mAh battery
  • 115.3g
  • 115.6 x 58.8 x 10.9mm
     
  • Price and Availability: S$498 (available from 7th January 2012)


Samsung Galaxy W

Like its Omnia W counterpart, the Samsung Galaxy W is positioned as an affordable option at $498. The device is about half the price of its higher-end cousins and is notably missing Samsung's signature AMOLED touchscreen. Nonetheless, the 1.4GHz single-core Galaxy W chugs on nicely and smoothly when we tried it out. The only downside is its lackluster 4GB internal memory which can be compensated with the purchase of a 32GB SD card. There's no news and confirmation as to whether the phone will get the Android 4.0 update, so that leaves it packaged with the Gingerbread OS for the moment.

 The Galaxy W might not sport an AMOLED screen but a smaller 3.7-inch TFT LCD screen but we had no qualms about it. We noticed that colors were not as saturated as their AMOLED-equipped counterparts but having a 800 x 480 screen resolution is sufficient for clear video viewing. The phone comes with a single physical Home button flanked by two capacitive buttons (MENU and Back).

The smartphone is predominantly plastic - no surprise here, given that the phone only weighs about 114g. The phone's textured back makes for a firm grip and adds a modern touch to its design.

At the top, we find the usual 3.5mm audio jack and the microUSB port protected by a plastic flap.

The curved ends of the phone differentiates it from its more angular siblings and also makes it easy for gripping as well.

Samsung Galaxy W  

Key highlights of the Samsung Galaxy W

  • Android 2.3.5
  • Single-core 1.4GHz processor
  • 512MB RAM
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0
  • 3.7-inch TFT LCD screen / 800 x 480 pixels
  • 5-megapixel camera / autofocus, LED flash
  • 4GB (SD card expansion, up to 32GB)
  • 1500mAh battery
  • 114.7g
  • 115.5 mm x 59.8 mm x 11.55 mm
     
  • Price and Availability: S$498 (available from 7th January 2012)
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