Key features:
* Quad-band GSM and tri-band 3G support
* 7.2 Mbps HSDPA and 5.76 Mbps HSUPA support
* 4" 16M-color Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen of WVGA (480 x 800 pixel) resolution
* Android OS v2.1 with TouchWiz 3.0 UI customization
* 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird CPU; 256 MB of RAM
* 5 MP autofocus camera with face, smile and blink detection
* 720p HD video recording at 30fps
* Wi-Fi 802.11 b, g and n support
* GPS with A-GPS connectivity; Digital compass
* 8/16GB internal storage, microSD slot
* Accelerometer and proximity sensor
* Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
* microUSB port (charging) and stereo Bluetooth v3.0
* Stereo FM radio with RDS
* 1500 mAh Li-Ion battery
* Great audio quality
* Slim waistline at only 9.9mm thickness
* Document editor
* File manager comes preinstalled
* Secondary video-call camera
* Swype predictive text input
* Excellent choice of preinstalled applications
Main disadvantages:
* No free GPS navigation solution
* No Flash support for the web browser
* No flash for the camera
* No dedicated camera key
* The all-plastic body is a real fingerprint magnet
* Feeble loudspeaker
We tested the Samsung I9000 Galaxy S and it tested us in return. It bared its teeth at us and so did we. Ours was a grin. Easy boy, good beast. There goes the new leader of the Android pack. The Samsung I9000 Galaxy S has oomph to spare and even hardened geeks like us cannot help but acknowledge its compelling power.
Not only does the Galaxy have a performance edge over its competitors, it's probably better too in terms of usability thanks to TouchWiz. And the majestic Super AMOLED display is a great reason on its own to buy the Galaxy. Be warned though, you're unlikely to ever go back to LCD again. Meaning that at this point, the question to ask yourself is whether you're ready for a long-term affair with Samsung.
If you are looking for the ultimate Android device, there are very few things really to make you consider another handset.
One thing would be still imaging. If that matters more to you than video, have a look at the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10. It gives you an (almost) equally capable CPU, a tad higher screen resolution but runs Android 1.6 Donut, which - Froyo or not - looks downright outdated.
Mentioning Android 2.2, the Google Nexus One will certainly be one of the first devices to get it. Froyo brings a handful of new features and a vast performance improvement so it will put compatible devices to an obvious advantage.
HTC also confirmed that their latest smartphones will be getting the Android 2.2 treatment before the end of the year so the Sense UI-packing Desire is worth a second look, too.
To be honest though, the AMOLED displays of the Desire and the Nexus One are nowhere near the Galaxy S standard.
Then, there comes the Motorola MILESTONE for those that do need a full QWERTY keyboard. The MILESTONE will also be among the first Froyo adopters so it has quite a lot of potential. It doesn't obviously offer the same kind of processing power, nor a display that impressive.
All this raises the pricing issue. We have no idea what the Galaxy S will cost but Samsung's recent record does offer some reason to be cautiously optimistic. The price of the other Super AMOLED device, the Samsung S8500 Wave, is a good reference. So, if our intuition is right the Galaxy S will be a great deal. If we're wrong, the best screen in business will cost you dear. At least, it won't be a surprise.
So, while Samsung I9000 Galaxy S is coming to the market a bit late it hasn't been wasting its time. It certainly is the best Android package we've seen so far - a hearty Samsung welcome to all upgraders. We're not sure about Android newcomers, but anyone looking for the ultimate performance has almost no alternatives but the Galaxy S.
Labels: Android , Samsung
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