Preview: Samsung Galaxy S
If it's more Android 2.1 devices you're looking for, here's a sneak peek at Samsung's first Android 2.1 device, the Samsung Galaxy S.
A Very Familiar Face
Samsung made the official announcement of its first Google Android 2.1 device at this year's CTIA event. Dubbed as the Samsung Galaxy S, this new Android device is bundled with loads of hardware and software features that will surely impress even the most discerning mobile user. That list includes a 1GHz processor, Samsung's Super AMOLED that has appeared on the Samsung Wave, and features such as Social Hub within.
Thanks to the folks at Samsung, we got some hands-on time with an early unit of the Galaxy S. As we unboxed the Galaxy S, it did strike a familiar chord with us. We couldn't help but put a side-by-side comparison. Like always, we believe the pictures will do the talking for us. Just in case though, the Galaxy S is either the left or the top, depending on the orientation of the following images.
By the way, if it's still not obvious (which is very unlikely), we can't help but notice the similarities between the Samsung Galaxy S and the Apple iPhone. The borders, the interface, and right down to the placement of its camera, without flash, might we add. But similarities aside, the Galaxy S does have some unique features, and all that will be covered very soon in our preliminary findings. Check back soon as we report our findings after our trials.
Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S
Putting the awkward similarities to the iPhone aside, we have to admit the Galaxy S is one attractive phone. What will catch your attention is how slim the phone is at a mere 9.9mm. If you're wondering how, it's thanks to the Super AMOLED screen, which integrates the touchscreen sensors within the display, thus removing one layer for better display results and a much thinner profile.
The Galaxy S is probably the thinnest Android phone to date, measuring at just 9.9mm.
Like the Samsung Wave, the Galaxy S uses Samsung's Super AMOLED screen, and in this case, it's a 4-inch screen you're getting.
Buttons are minimal and strategically designed to blend in with the bezel of the Galaxy S. What you'll notice is the lack of a Search button which could be useful if you don't wish to dig through the phone for something specific. Being used to the Power button at the top did throw us off track, and we found it hiding inconspicuously at the right.
The Power button located at the right.
Two touch sensitive panels flanking the Home button at the bottom.
A microUSB port with a sliding cover, sharing space with the 3.5mm audio jack.
What you'll find at the rear is a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus. And as mentioned earlier on, you won't find any LED flash accompanying the camera. What came off as interesting is the curved bottom. It sort of acts as an anchor for your fingers when you hold the device, giving you a much firmer grip than standard phones with a smooth backing.
The rear bottom is curved for a better grip.
Moving beyond the exterior, here's a recap of what the Galaxy S has to offer - a 1GHz processor powering Google's Android 2.1 OS. And that's not including either the 8GB or 16GB internal storage, a feature that's somewhat lacking in most Android devices to date.
Like most of its top-tiered smartphones, the Galaxy S is given a makeover with its Touchwiz 3.0 UI, and you'll find just a hint of the original Android UI in the form of its live wallpapers and widgets. But more importantly, the Galaxy S will come with Samsung's Social Hub, which integrates an impressive list of social networking sites under the said app. This isn't exactly a new feature, seeing as how other UIs such as Motoblur or HTC Sense comes with similar widgets for the same deed. There are more bells and whistles found within, such as the Swype input that lets you swipe your finger across letters to form the words in one single motion. And Samsung is also putting in much effort to build more of its unique widgets and including them on the Galaxy S.
From what we've seen of this early unit, the Galaxy S does have the potential to give both the Nexus One and the HTC Desire some stiff competition. There's no details of its pricing, but we are expecting the Galaxy S to come in with an affordable price, as seen through Samsung's history of competitive pricing with its handsets. While the device was announced just recently at last month's CTIA, Samsung did inform us that the Galaxy S is looking at an early Q3 launch. And if you're interested to get a hands-on feel of this Android phone, you might spot it at this year's CommunicAsia.
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