The Verge just posted a few leaked pictures (above) of T-Mobile USA’s Samsung Galaxy S III that is rumored to début in June.
The website noted the models depicted look more like the international versions, because American offerings tend to feature a customized iteration complete with a physical home button and four capacitive buttons. Despite the “Euro-style” button change, it seems the color flavors will remain the same—blue and white. The Verge wonders if this is in an indication that Samsung is starting to exert its power as the largest Android device manufacturer in the world, where as it previously cow-tailed to American carrier demands by modifying smartphone designs.
There are no details on pricing and availability at this time.
MobileSyrup discovered prices for many of the Canadian carriers at BestBuy. However, it seems as though the prices are no longer live on the page. BestBuy previously indicated Rogers plans to charge $149.99, with Telus and Virgin Mobile aiming to grab $159.99 each. The page also displayed SaskTel as asking customers to fork over $169.99 for the latest Galaxy-branded smartphone. Of course, all these price tags would have come with a three-year contract.
Pricing details for Bell were not listed and are unknown, but the cost for a reserved unit is $50. The presumed no-contract price is $649.99.
It is worth mentioning that Rogers’ pre-order page does not list a quad-core Exynos processor under the Galaxy S III’s LTE capabilities. Therefore, the LTE version might début with a dual-core Snapdragon S4. The Rogers website also lacks a release date, but AndroidCommunity cited June 20 for the main launch across Canada based on earlier reports.
Existing customers can reserve their flagship device online (here), while those looking to switch carriers can sign up for more information.
Samsung’s Galaxy S3 made its way to Amazon today with a number of listings for the device at $799 and others at $829 after being unveiled earlier this month. The device was slated for an international rollout towards the end of May, and the listings on Amazon are set to ship June 1. However, at least one seller noted an expected arrival date of “on/after 4th June 2012”.
The Galaxy S3 packs a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display, 8-megapixel camera (1.9MP front camera), and quad-core 1.4Ghz processor. Following the launch, we got some early benchmarks of Samsung’s new flagship Galaxy device—as well as a few hands-on impressions from around the Web.
Samsung launched its Galaxy S III today with a few new software enhancements including an “S-Voice” feature that many are comparing to the iPhone’s Siri. Another new feature is called “Pop up play.” It allows you to run picture-in-picture video. The feature lets you play video in a smaller window that floats on top of the UI, which allows you to multitask while continuing to watch. You can see Pop up play in the video above at 1:48.
Samsung just unveiled the Galaxy S III in London, and the new smartphone boasted a ton of new features, such as “S-Voice.” The built-in feature is Samsung’s equivalent of Siri, but it does much more than Apple’s offering. It manages certain functions and is customizable with up to four wake-up commands. For example, set it to respond with the phrase “Wake up,” and it will automatically unlock the smartphone’s screen. The voice-control tech is also integrated with applications, such as the camera app. Just say, “Hi! Galaxy, picture,” and then say “Cheese.” Walah!—The picture is captured. Oh, and S-Voice can even control music.
Samsung just unveiled the Galaxy S III in London and has already posted its first television advertisement for the smartphone on YouTube. A few official images for the device were also included on Facebook—check them out:
Main(Rear): 8 Mega pixel Auto Focus camera with Flash & Zero Shutter Lag, BSISub (Front): 1.9 Mega pixel camera, HD recording @30fps with Zero Shutter Lag, BSI
Video
Codec: MPEG4, H.264, H.263, DivX, DivX3.11, VC-1, VP8, WMV7/8, Sorenson SparkRecording & Playback: Full HD (1080p)
Smart stay, Social tag, Group tag, Face zoom, Face slide show
Direct call, Smart alert, Tap to top, Camera quick access
Pop up play
S Voice
Burst shot & Best photo, Recording snapshot, HDR
Google™ Mobile Services
Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google LatitudeGoogle Play Store, Google Play Books, Google Play MoviesGoogle Plus, YouTube, Google Talk,Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads
Accelerometer, RGB light, Digital compass, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer
Memory
16/ 32GB User memory (64GB available soon) + microSD slot (up to 64GB)
Dimension
136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm, 133g
Battery
2,100 mAh
* Specifications above may differ on the LTE version.
* All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.
The Samsung Galaxy S III is being unveiled in London right now, but the first hands-on reviews have already hit the web. Check out the first-impressions below, and then head over to 9to5Google’s live gallery to get full coverage of the launch event.
Hacker “ReActiveDisorder” posted, well, a hack on the XDADevelopers forum recently that allows the Hulu Plus app to work with the Samsung Epic Touch 4G without a root.
“I have a Hulu membership and was angry cause our device wasnt “Compatible”. Talk about a total rip off. So I modded the apk to work with our device. It is 100% Fully functioning. I hope to contribute more later down the road. Maybe an ICS Rom ;-),” explained ReActiveDisorder on the forum.
Directions:
1. Download the Modded APK at http://db.tt/sq1AjQQu
2. Sideload APK—it installs like other non-market apps.
3. Sign into Hulu Plus (membership required).
Samsung’s Galaxy S III will feature a home button under the display.
South Korea newspaper Korean Digital Daily (translated) added to the rumor machine today with sources that claim the upcoming smartphone will sport Samsung’s accustomed home button, despite much speculation claiming otherwise.
The Galaxy S III will even boast a five-column icon layout showcased in the Samsung Galaxy Note. This would help the device standout from other Android handsets, and the iPhone, which has maintained a four-column icon layout since its initial 2007 launch.
If you really liked the Droid Charge’s look and feel, with its fast LTE speeds and physical buttons, but did not want to jump on Verizon Wireless, U.S. Cellular has a phone with a similar experience. The Samsung Galaxy S Aviator sticks out with the following features:
· Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread)
· 4.3-inch Super AMOLED™ Plus touchscreen
· 8 megapixel rear-facing camera
· Front facing webcam
· HDMI port
I am surprisingly a big fan of real buttons, because you can feel them for navigation, and sometimes capacitance gets all out of whack.
Otherwise, the Charge is a solid phone on Verizon, and now U.S. Cellular owners will have a nice option too.
The rumor mill is grinding away after a Samsung representative announced the Galaxy S III is now in the testing phase, while other reports indicate the device will sport a Galaxy Nexus-like screen without employing PenTile pixel layout.
AsiaEreported the device is undergoing tests in South Korea. The phase typically lasts two months, but the article suggested Samsung wants testing done sooner. Meanwhile, Korean website DDailysaid the smartphone’s 4.65-inch 720p Super AMOLED screen will not employ the PenTile pixel layout.
Samsung Mobile today took the wraps off the Galaxy S Wi-Fi 4.2—its latest addition to the Galaxy-branded media player lineup. A missing link between the 4-inch and 5-inch Galaxy Player, the Galaxy S Wi-Fi 4.2 is just 8.9mm thin and sports a 4.2-inch 800-by-480 pixels LCD display with premium IPS technology offering wide viewing angles. There is a VGA-class videoconferencing camera on the front and a two-megapixel camera on the back.
The gizmo is powered by a gigahertz chip with 512MB RAM, packs in 8GB/16GB storage, and it has a MicroSD slot for up to 32GB storage through memory cards. Connectivity features include Bluetooth 3.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n. Software-wise, the Galaxy S Wi-Fi 4.2 runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread and Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface.
It is essentially an entertainment/gaming/PMP device, because the Galaxy S Wi-Fi 4.2 comes preloaded with Samsung Apps, Hubs, a Smart TV remote control program and premium EA games. The South Korean company did not reveal pricing or availability details, but if history is an indication, its price will likely compare to Apple’s current-generation iPod touch that starts at $199. The introduction of the Galaxy S Wi-Fi 4.0 further solidifies Samsung’s strategy calling for a variety of screen sizes across its mobile lineup that now includes Android smartphones, media players and tablets offered in a wide variety of sizes extending from the smallest 3.2-inch to the 10.1-inch flavor.
Even though Samsung stopped divulging exact phone and tablet sales last summer amid competition from Apple, the South Korean consumer electronics conglomerate took to its official blog to announce the flagship Galaxy S II smartphone sold 20 million units globally in 10 months after its release. JK Shin, president and head of Samsung’s mobile unit, announced:
Since its launch in late April 2011, the Galaxy S II has seen tremendous growth reflecting its tremendous popularity with customers around the world. We are thrilled that 20 million customers around the world has enjoyed the smart life Galaxy S II has brought us. We will continue to introduce products to satisfy our customers’ high expectations.
For comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy S sold thus far 22 million units globally. Cumulatively, the company shipped 42 million units of both the Galaxy S and the Galaxy S II. In late September 2011, it announced the 10 million units milestone for the Galaxy S II. As it took Samsung five months to ship its 10 millionth Galaxy S II and another five months to double the figure, one could argue that average monthly performance of the handset is steady.
Call it a cheap attempt to bank on the Samsung Galaxy S III buzz and get some free press ahead of a rumored May announcement, but local seller Kimstore has a pre-order poster for the Samsung Galaxy i9300 (aka the Galaxy S III), according toYugatech. Interestingly, it even has a specs page on Facebook calling for a 4.6-inch Super AMOLED Plus capacitive touchscreen with a native 720p HD resolution, 3G/4G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth3.0 networking and a 12-megapixel camera on the back capable of shooting 1080p clips at 30 frames per second and snapping images up to 4,000-by-3, 000 pixels.
Samsung’s Galaxy S III smartphone will be 1.49mm slimmer than its predecessor the highly successful Galaxy S II will, a new rumor has it. According to industry sources who spoke toETNews.com (viaBGR), the new flagship phone by Samsung will be just 7mm thick versus the previous model’s 8.49mm profile.
Confirming Samsung’s plans to postpone the expected MWC introduction, the publication is claiming the Galaxy S III will arrive in May, sporting an 8-megapixel back camera and a two-megapixel camera on the front. Other features mentioned in the article include Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Samsung’s trademark Super AMOLED Plus display…
We are unsure whether the above spy shot leaked byUbergizmo is authentic, but we are aware of some promising rumors involving a Galaxy smartphone with a flexible display. Be advised this could simply be an early prototype that might not see the light of day. Moreover, Samsung and Corning teamed for a joint venture in Korea focused on supplying Samsung Mobile Display with the latter’s new Lotus Glass technology said to be more resilient than other glass substrates.
Nevertheless, Samsung did confirm plans to market phones and tablets with flexible displays later this year. Also indicative, the South Korean conglomerate delayed a planned late-February introduction of the Galaxy S III until later this year, allegedly until iPhone demand cools off. Another reasonable explanation for the delay:
Contrary to the latest rumors, Samsung will not tap the upcoming Mobile World Congress that takes place from Feb. 27 to March 1 in Barcelona, Spain to unveil a successor to the popular Galaxy S II smartphone. Instead, in an Apple-like fashion, the Galaxy S III will be introduced to the world at a dedicated event scheduled for the “first half of the year,” the company toldTechradar.
According to the official statement attributed to a Samsung spokesperson:
Samsung is looking forward to introducing and demonstrating exciting new mobile products at Mobile World Congress 2012. The successor to the GALAXY S II smartphone will be unveiled at a separate Samsung-hosted event in the first half of the year, closer to commercial availability of the product. Samsung stays committed to providing the best possible mobile experiences for customers around the world.
All told, Samsung is confident that a dedicated event rather than a trade show announcement would better convey the Galaxy S III message. According toPocketNow, the handset should feature Samsung-built Exynos 4412 chip sporting four Cortex-A9 processing cores by fabless semiconductor maker ARM Holdings, each clocked at 1.5GHz. Boasting a 50 percent faster graphics performance compared to its predecessor, the Exynos 4210 is a new piece of silicon that will be manufactured on Samsung’s 32-nanometer fabbing technology. The closest competitor to the Exynos 4412 is a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core chip that should debut in the HTC Zeta smartphone.
One in 10 South Koreans now own a Galaxy S II smartphone made by Samsung as the company announced that sales of the handset in the 48 million-people country surpassed 5 million units, or more than 10 percent of the country’s population. It took Samsung nine months to hit the milestone since the phone’s release at the end of April 2011.
Strong domestic sales helped Samsung achieve a 53 percent market share for smartphones in South Korean throughout 2011. Japanese business daily The Nikkei said the Galaxy S II is the first handset to sell that many units in the country. In September of last year, Samsung sold 3.5 million Galaxy S II smartphones in South Korea. The 1.2GHz dual-core device comes with a 4.27-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, 1GB RAM, Android 2.3 and is upgradeable to Ice Cream Sandwich.
Korean website ETNews (translated) published a story Dec. 23 claiming Samsung will use a quad-core processor for the Galaxy S III, and the company is working to include 3D technologies – not just 3D displays, but also 3D photo/video recording, and integration with 3D TVs.
This latest 3D rumor comes within a month of other reports that claimed Samsung was readying an improved version of the Exynos dual-core chip to enable next year’s devices with 3D stereoscopic displays and ultrahigh resolutions.
The Samsung Galaxy 5 player is probably exactly what you think it is: a big-ass Galaxy S phone without the “phone part”. That is, it doesn’t have a 3G radio for voice and data, instead relying on Wifi to connect to the Internet. If you are like me, however, you spend 90+ percent of your day around Wifi and during that 90% of the time, it is as good as any 3G or 4G mobile device – the reviewers agree.
As you’d expect, the screen is huge, especially compared to typical phones. I have a white one and it looks like a comically large white iPhone 3G from afar. The screen also has the standard Samsung 480×800 pixel count, though with the larger screen the fonts aren’t as crisp as a 4-incher. Having gotten my hands on the Samsung Galaxy Note and Galaxy Nexus, I can tell you that this screen isn’t even close to as crisp. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful, especially for playing Netflix or Youtube content.
This is generally the first Android device that goes up against Apple’s iPod Touch franchise and I believe it does have some compelling differentiators, besides the much larger, but not “Retina crisp” display. I’ll break these down below:
The 3MP backside Camera is actually good for taking pictures. If you’ve tried to take a picture with the iPod Touch’s backside camera, you know it is barely passable. Samsung’s on the other hand takes decent pictures – think iPhone 3GS-type quality. It also has a Flash for those times you are in the dark and want to cast a flashlight type shadow on your subject.
Removable Storage: The Galaxy Player has a Micro SD card slot that instantly bumps your Player capacity up to 40GB with $40 worth of card. With an iPod, that costs $100. It’s also nice for quickly moving storage around.
Sound: The Galaxy Player stereo speakers blows away the iPod touch mono. To make matters better/worse, Samsung includes a very nice pair of in-ear headphones with the Player, while Apple’s White earbuds are…what they are.
FM Radio: The Galaxy Player has an FM Radio which is nice when you run out of Wifi. FM Radio is also helpful if there is an emergency but it only annoyingly works with headphones in.
GPS: If you are navigating off of a 3G hotspot or some cached maps, you’ll get a way better location than with just Wifi triangulation.
Google Voice plus Skype (or other VoIP app) turns this into a great phone. Samsung left the mic and sfrom speaker in the right spots so it makes a fantastic, if not a little large, phone.
Price. Street Price of $199 and $239 for the 4 inch screen and 5 inch screen Player varieties respectively compare well to Apple’s iPods. When considering bumping up to larger capacities is just a MicroSD card away, it is that much more compelling an offer. Expand Expanding Close
Amazon has some truly remarkable phones for free with a plan in its current penny pincher sale.
For the first time ever, AmazonWireless is offering ALL AT&T, Sprint and Verizon phones for a penny. The promotion is live now and runs through 11:59 PM on Cyber Monday (Nov 28th) and only applies to new activations (with a two-year contract).
Additionally, AmazonWireless’ $100 Hotspot Holidays deal can be quite a savings incentive. If you activate the hotspot feature on your new phone at the time of purchase, you will receive a $100 Amazon.com credit. Not a bad way to make some extra spending money for apps…or holiday gifts.
Standouts on each carrier include:
Droid RAZR, Bionic, Incredible 2, X2 and others on Verizon: FREE
Samsung Galaxy SII, Skyrocket and Amaze 4G, Atrix 2 and others on AT&T: FREE
The second day of a two-day hearing between Apple and Samsung has brought resolution to a user interface-related patent claim by the iPhone maker. Webwerld editor Andreas Udo de Haes, who covers the hearing from a Dutch court room, wrote on Twitter that carriers are currently testing a firmware update for Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones. It is said to tweak the user interface of the photo gallery program so it doesn’t infringe anymore:
Meanwhile, Samsung can get around this with an update for Android that changes the UI of the photo gallery, so is doesn’t infringe anymore
Some people are reporting that today’s 2.3.4 firmware update lost the bounce effect on whole Android and replaced it with the blue fading effect. For more intricacies of the legalities, knock yourself out here.
Trying to get in before the October 4th flood perhaps, today AT&T announced their Galaxy S II varient would hit shelves on October 2nd. We’ve talked extensively about the Galaxy SII here (read). As a refresher, AT&T’s is closest to the international version with the same 4.3 inch display – contrasted with the 4.5 variety that T-Mobile and Sprint are carrying. Interestingly, it will also have NFC, which Sprint’s surprisingly doesn’t. Sprint is a partner in Google’s NFC-based Wallet initiative.
This is an amazing phone but it is interesting that AT&T is squeaking it in before the iPhone announcement. On the other hand, it says something that AT&T is going with the Galaxy SII moniker rather than something like “Captivate 2”. It seems like Samsung’s Galalxy S line can stand on its own. T-Mobile called its 4G Vibrant model the Galaxy S earlier this year so it appears to be a trend. Expand Expanding Close
