On paper, the Samsung S Galaxy has the latest technology: ARM Cortex A8 processor running at 1GHz, a 4-inch screen Super AMOLED, the ability to capture 720p HD video playback and a variety of formats HD video. Enough to dethrone HTC and Desire in the field of high-end Google Phone? Response in this test of the Samsung Galaxy S.
Finishing and Design
The first thing we see when we took over the Galaxy S is obviously the big screen. Boasting a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels (WVGA) it measures 4 inches diagonally. To retrieve a phone on Android with a similar display, we must look towards the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 advancing a higher resolution of 854 x 480 pixels.
Side finish, we are entitled as usual in shiny plastic, glossy, we are not particularly fans. If Samsung is advancing the field of finishing, plastic does not crack under the fingers for example, we are far from a HTC Desire or a Milestone … Given its positioning, it would have been better than the Samsung S Galaxy adopts a metallic finish like the Samsung Wave.
The Samsung Galaxy S is blessed with a super AMOLED screen. In theory, this type of tile is thinner, lighter, consumes less energy and has better readability in sunlight.
Screen operator capacitive technology, the Galaxy S is reactive and has a touch on edge. With its large screen and bright colors, watching videos on the Samsung S Galaxy provides an excellent experience.
Especially as the flagship of Samsung is compatible with DivX, H.264, MP4 while HD 720p. These popular video formats are well managed by the Galaxy S even when the encoding is exotic. 5 video test, only a DivX HD has resisted the multimedia smartphone from Samsung.
More needs conversion is a definite plus for those who plan to use S as a Galaxy player.
Despite a 4-inch screen, the Galaxy is not so bulky S we would have thought. With a thickness of 1 cm and a weight of 118g, Galaxy S is rather discreet in the pocket. In comparison, the iPhone 3G pre 12.3mm thick and weighing 135g.
The iPhone 3G is a small blow against the old terminal Samsung, should therefore be compared with the four new iPhone (see our face to face Galaxy vs. iPhone 4 S)
The hard keys are kept to a minimum, the standby button, volume and two buttons (menu and back) around the home button. No physical trigger for the camera or directional pad, navigation therefore relies solely on the touch screen.
This lack of directional pad can be a problem for some when moving the cursor in the text fields. It is sometimes difficult to get the slider that goes exactly where you want. Fortunately, Samsung has implemented its virtual keyboard arrows to alleviate this problem
Equipment, performance, autonomy
The S features a Galaxy Micro USB port with a sliding protective cover and a 3.5mm audio jack Jack to serve as video output (VGA 640 x 480 pixels, composite cable not included). Only connect DLNA can play HD content on its TV compatible, damage, no HDMI.
There are the classics connectivity for terminal type, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, assisted GPS and an FM tuner. On the back you find the speaker and the 5-megapixel camera lacks flash. There is also a front camera for video calls.
Note that the synchronization software Kies Samsung does not, in the absence of driver associated with Windows 7. The mode mass storage (USB drive) is preferable to operate the S content of the Galaxy from their PC. Problem, this method requires a “subtlety” in its use … See our tutorial simplicime: the solution for USB bug.
The Galaxy S is powered by Android 2.1, so it uses multicast and enjoys a wide compatibility with Microsoft Exchange. Samsung has assured us that his pride will receive an update to Froyo (2.2) but we advance a date. For now, the Galaxy S does not support Flash, it will take its upgrade to Froyo to take advantage of plug-in from Adobe.
With its robust hardware, an ARM Cortex A8 running at 1 GHz (see the benchmark) supported by 512 MB of RAM, the whole remains fluid. The ARM Cortex A8 based on the same architecture as the Apple iPad A4 animating and iPhone 4 …
In all cases, the Samsung S Galaxy is a monster of power and do not suffer any slowdown in intensive use. With PowerVR SGX graphics chipset, the Galaxy S is a good gaming platform, especially as HD and 3D titles are gradually.
The Samsung S Galaxy advance 8 GB of internal memory, there is also a slot for microSD HC cards to expand storage.
If the Super AMOLED screen is supposed to be more energy efficient, with its battery of 1500 mAh, the Galaxy S is not much more autonomous than the HTC Desire. With two push mail accounts, reading, video, 3D games, web browsing and a few calls, we got a little less than 24 hours remaining until the battery is completely depleted. In more moderate use, it is possible to push two day.
TouchWiz 3.0 and Applications
Apart from Android 2.1, Samsung bestowed his Galaxy S its wrapper TouchWizz 3.0. The Descent of TouchWizz 3.0 with iPhone OS (IOS) is there and missing, and, cruelly originality. It may reassure himself by arguing that the Galaxy S capitalizes on both worlds, Android and iPhone menu.
In all cases, you will have to overlay this because it seems difficult to offload them to get Android “naked”.
The home page has four shortcuts to phone, contacts, messaging and applications. On other pages (up to seven screens) we find the ability to customize specific to Google Phones with installing widgets and shortcuts.
By tapping the shortcut applications, it will display the main menu. Instead displayed vertically, horizontally scrolling pages Applications like an iPhone.
Still on the applications, the Samsung S Galaxy take 2GB of ROM to store a real plus compared to the competition, because this memory will allow you to comfortably accommodate more applications from the Android Market.
Samsung has also refined the notification bar, located at the top of the screen that integrates four shortcuts Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, silent, vibrate mode, and most of the notifications. Still as practical.
This already includes overlay mode 3G modem while this function is available on the application and Froyo ThinkFree allows you to view and edit Microsoft Office documents 2007. For social networks, the Samsung S Galaxy has the Social Hub widget that aggregates contact Facebook, Google …
The input method Swype created by the inventors of T9 is available natively on the Samsung Galaxy S. Method exciting enough, just slide your finger on the letters to the application recognizes the word. More needs to type letter by letter on the keyboard. We found this system very effective, but must admit that it requires some practice and can not fit all. For the latter, the virtual keyboard appears in landscape and portrait is there.
Services “by Google” is still there and bring their added value as the scan tool Goggles always bluffing. Layar, the search engine operator augmented reality is natively. Truly innovative services that we present in video.
Photo and HD Video
Pictures taken with Samsung snuff Galaxy S were of good quality. The colors are accurate and we obtained good results indoors even without the flash. The video is supported up to 720p resolution (1280 x 720 pixels) at 30 frames per second. The video quality of Galaxy S is a major asset to the extent that most of the Google Phone is not always comfortable in this area. Only flat, as on the iPhone 4, stabilization remains problematic on HD video.
With Galaxy S Korean offers a high-end smartphone over-equipped and touches everything. His raw power allows it to be comfortable in most uses and its value will display all types of video content without re-encoding and will advance him a comfortable web tablet. If he does not deliver a print “cheap” finishes are not at a terminal in this range and we would have preferred the use of metal on the Wave. His overcoat too iPhone like so cruelly lack of inspiration
The Samsung Galaxy S is a serious competitor to the HTC Desire, Google or the iPhone Nexus One 4. The choice between these will be a tough four terminals, decision criteria should therefore be based between finishing the updates to Froyo, the opening of the OS, the template, the user experience and abilities picture video …
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