Samsung Galaxy S3: Which US carrier should you choose?

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Samsung Galaxy S3: Which US carrier should you choose?

• By Sebastian Anthony on June 20, 2012 at 8:52 am

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Tomorrow, June 21, the Samsung Galaxy S3 arrives in the United States. A carpet bomb launch will see the phone arrive on all four major carriers — AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile — at the same time, at the same price ($200 for the 16GB version, with a two-year contract). Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular will also offer the 32GB variant for $250. But which carrier is the best choice for the Galaxy S3?
Fortunately, as you may have noticed, Samsung seems to have pulled off the impossible and convinced every US carrier to call the Galaxy S3… the Galaxy S3. For the time being at least, we won’t be seeing the same hyperbolic noun treatment that previous Galaxy S phones went through (Fascinate, Vibrant, Epic 4G, Epic 4G Touch, etc.) This has the knock-on effect that almost every Galaxy S3 available in the US will be virtually identical — at least hardware-wise.
Every US Galaxy S3 has the same Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 dual-core 28nm SoC, clocked at 1.5GHz, with the Adreno 225 GPU. They weigh the same (133g), have the same battery life (around 9 hours), have the same 2GB of RAM, and most importantly, they all have Qualcomm’s awesome multi-mode 2G/3G UMTS & HSPA/4G LTE radio. The only difference as far as we can tell is that the T-Mobile variant (SGH-T999) doesn’t support LTE, and the AT&T/Verizon/Sprint models (SGH-i747, SCH-i535, SPH-L710 respectively) don’t support T-Mobile’s HSPA+. We believe the Snapdragon S4′s radio might be reconfigurable with some firmware hacking, however; it might be possible to take a T-Mobile S3 and use it on AT&T’s LTE network.
All US Galaxy S3 phones support Bluetooth 4.0 LE, 2.4 and 5GHz WiFi a/b/n/g, and NFC. Except for the Sprint variant (SPH-L710), it is likely that all Galaxy S3s are quad-band GSM and should be capable of GSM roaming in Europe and Asia.

As you’ve probably guessed by now, the main difference between the Galaxy S3 on each carrier is bloatware. While all of the carriers’ S3s will have Samsung’s fancy new apps (S Voice, AllShare Play, Media Hub, etc.), each carrier will have a different selection of bloatware on offer. The Sprint S3 will come with the usual Sprinty stuff (Hotspot, SprintZone), plus Dropbox and Google Wallet. The AT&T S3 is relatively svelte, with just the normal AT&T apps (Navigator, Messages, myAT&T) and YP Mobile. Neither the Verizon or T-Mobile S3s have been released for review, so we won’t know how bloated they are until they arrive on our doorstep tomorrow.
All Galaxy S3s will run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, skinned with Samsung’s TouchWiz.
Except for bloatware, then (which you can easily remove), any Galaxy S3 purchased from a US carrier will be virtually identical. There are still two very important variables to discuss, though: Network speed, and the international quad-core Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300).
While the US Galaxy S3 is an LTE phone, there isn’t actually a whole lot of LTE coverage in the USA. Fortunately, our sister site PC Mag has just published its Fastest Mobile Networks 2012 guide. While Verizon is the overall 3G/4G winner, there were still 11 cities where T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network provided faster download speeds than Verizon LTE, and where AT&T LTE is available it simply blows away the competition.
Bear in mind that Sprint’s 4G LTE network is almost nonexistent (though its Network Vision upgrade is underway). T-Mobile is also beginning to roll out LTE (alongside HSPA+), though again you will probably have to hack the radio firmware to be able to use it.
Before you pick a carrier for your new Galaxy S3, I strongly suggest you check the 3G and 4G speeds for your city or region.
Finally, it’s worth remembering that you can also buy an unlocked, off-contract international (i.e. non-US) quad-core Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300) for around $800. The GT-I9300, with its 1.4GHz Exynos 4 Quad and Mali 400 GPU, seems to clock in significantly higher scores in GPU benchmarks, JavaScript benchmarks, and CF-Bench (a multi-core CPU and memory benchmark). Battery life seems to be roughly the same, but the Exynos version only has 1GB of RAM vs. the Snapdragon’s 2GB.
If you don’t like bloatware, it’s also important to note that there’s already a CyanogenMod 9 (i.e. vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich) build for the GT-I9300 — though I’m sure it’ll only be a matter of days or weeks before we see CM9 for the SGH-i747, SCH-i535, SPH-L710, and SGH-T999. The GT-I9300 should work on AT&T’s HSPA+ network, but it will be incompatible with T-Mo, Verizon, and Sprint.

Samsung Galaxy Gets an incredible Storage and Transfer Device

Many Smartphone Users have used their phones, basically as a main communication device. Smartphones are one of the biggest communication devices for those on the go. People have found out that when they produce videos, take pictures or sharing documents, their storage space on their smartphone depletes fast. Beyond USB has devised a solution to alleviate this being a concern.

Beyond USB provides 8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB solutions for Samsung Galaxy users and is compatible with many other Smartphones and Tablets as well. People may now simply plug the Micro USB plug into their Smartphone and it is easily recognized by the Phone and allows people to easily transfer videos, photos, movies, documents and more, right onto the Beyond USB. This is a simple drag and drop functionality and the transfer speed is incredible. This will allow phone to free up that much needed space immediately on their Smartphones or Tablets. The device can then be removed and the USB plug can be plugged into any computer to view or pull over and save those files.

Anyone can set up different folders on the Beyond USB and organize Photos, Videos, Documents and more, for easily finding and viewing files. When the information is stored on this Beyond USB Device, it takes much less battery life to view any application. Computers can also recognize the USB device and you can open and view the files in the folders without having to download them to your computer. You do have the option of transferring and storing the files on your Smartphone or Computer as well. This works as an incredible external storage device as well.

Any Tablet or Smartphone that is OTG Compatible and has an SD Card, with be able to recognize and be able to use the Beyond USB. TO WATCH THE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO CLICK HERE . This device is a must for all those constantly on the go. Never be concerned with running out of space or organizing your Videos, Movies, Photos , Documents and more, for easy viewing and locating. Samsung Galaxy and other Smartphone users do now have the all in one simple solution for their needs. Please visit www.BeyondUSB.com for more details and to order yours today!

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Samsung Galaxy Note Android 4.0 update is leaked

Samsung Galaxy Note Android 4.0 update is leaked (via The Inquirer)

SOUTH KOREAN HARDWARE MAKER Samsung's Galaxy Note operating system (OS) upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) might have been denied an official launch for now, but that hasn't stopped Android community web site Rootzwiki from releasing a leaked copy of the update to the public. Accompanying…

Beyond USB 2.0 - OTG USB - Smartphone USB to Computer USB Interface Pictures

Transfer Your Photos, Videos, Music, Documents and more in a flash, by simply plugging in your Beyond USB into your Smartphone or Computer. Very simple and easy for all to use. Get Yours Today! Visit http://www.Beyondusb.com for more details!

Samsung Galaxy S2 review by t3.com

Samsung Galaxy S2 Review: The S2 offers an exciting batch of features, from a super repsonsive 4.3-inch touchscreen to a generous 8-megapixel camera
Samsung Galaxy S2 review

Transfer Your Photos, Videos, Music, Documents and more in a flash, by simply plugging in your Beyond USB into your Smartphone or Computer. Very simple and easy for all to use. Get Yours Today!Visit Http://www.BeyondUSB.com for more details!


Love

Glorious screen, thin body
Decent battery performance
Good camera/video mode

Hate

Feels plasticky
Can't play some Tegra games

Update: We've now got a round up of the latest Samsung Galaxy S3 rumours, in preperation for the launch of Samsung's next-gen Android smartphone. Want to know more? Our Samsung Galaxy S3 news video says it all.

We first saw the Android Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-I9100) mobile phone at MWC earlier this year and it was love at first sight. The successor to the Samsung Galaxy S includes a gorgeous next-gen 4.2inch AMOLED screen in a slimmer body.

Well, the handset finally landed on T3’s doorstep a few days ago, and we can confirm this is more than a fleeting attraction. Samsung is seriously challenging HTC for the Android crown.

Samsung Galaxy S2: Build

Pick up the phone and the first thing you notice is how light it is – it’s just 116g. Measuring 8.49mm, it’s incredibly slim in comparison to 9.9mm for the original Galaxy S; 9.3mm for the Apple iPhone 4 and 8.7mm for the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc.

While the Galaxy S2 will certainly fit into the tightest jeans pocket, the compromise is build quality - the body just feels cheap and uninspiring. Things don't improve when you remove the wafer thin back to insert a sim - we’d be seriously worried about snapping it.

Controls are limited to volume on one side, power on the other, MHL port, which serves a dual purpose of charging via USB and outputting to HDMI, and a 3.5mm jack on the top, Samsung includes a range of streaming options including DLNA.

Samsung Galaxy S2: Screen

The highlight of S2 is the 4.3-inch 800x480 screen, which incorporates Super AMOLED Plus technology. Colours are eye popping and blues and greens literally jump out of the screen at you. Off-angle viewing is excellent too - the first phone we’ve seen to match the iPhone 4.

A larger screen sizes means that the phone is bulky, but it’s a joy for movies. When playing back our test HD movie clips, detail is sharp and action smooth. We found that whites aren’t as pure or bright as those on the Apple iPhone 4, although blacks seem darker and colours are bolder and warmer. It handles action smoothly too.

Samsung Galaxy S2: Android
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Running Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread, you get seven homescreens customisable with widgets and shortcuts. Swipe down to quickly activate WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and Auto Rotation settings. Phone, Contact, Messaging and Application settings along the bottom are static when you are browsing the homescreens. Like other Android phones, press down to customise with Shortcuts, Folders, Wallpaper and numerous Samsung widgets.

Samsung’s overlayed Android with its TouchWiz UI which is functional and adds some neat features, including four hubs: Music (see below), Games, Readers and Social Hub, which acts as a portal to Kobo bookstore and Magazines via Zinio.

Social Hub syncs social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, to IM accounts including Google Talk; and MySpace and Linked-in. It’s functional, syncing your contacts, but we prefer HTC Sense. In addition Sony Ericsson’s Xperia skin is slightly easier to use, for example here you can only organize the Applications via grid or list and to create App Folders you make the folder first before dragging items onto it.

Samsung Galaxy S2: Processor

The Galaxy S2 has a 1.2GHz dual-core processor. In use the phone feels incredibly quick – one of the fastest smartphones we’ve used, whether you’re browsing a web page or swapping between applications it never feels slow. During our tests it loads web pages over WiFi quicker than the iPhone 4 - loading a content-rich website like T3.com in just 15 seconds.

This isn’t a Nvidia Tegra 2 chip, so we couldn't download games designed specifically for this (such as Samurai II: Vengence THD), but there are a decent selection of games to play. We defy anyone to not enjoy Shrek Karting with the 3-axis gyroscope, and it ably handles speedy gameplay.

Samsung Galaxy S2: Camera

Samsung has boosted the camera resolution from 5-megapixels to 8-megapixels, instead of a dedicated shutter; you tap the virtual shutter, which is fairly quick if not quite as nippy as the offering on the iPhone 4.

There are plenty of manual controls. Adjust the ISO from 100-800, choose from five white balance settings and choose between three metering settings. Samsung has also included Smile Shot, Beauty, Action, Cartoon and Panorama scene modes. Alongside auto focus, Macro mode captures sharp shots to around 10cm and there’s an effective Face Detection mode.

Still results are pleasing, the S2 is pretty good at controlling noise, and we’d like them to be a little sharper, colours are very natural. The S2 shoots HD video at 720p and 1080p at 30fps and results are pleasing; it’s smooth, with natural colours, perhaps lacking a little definition.

Samsung Galaxy S2: Music

Music Hub lets you browse and buy tracks from 7Digital, downloading directly to your phone, expect to pay around 99p. It’s very well laid out with Featured, Genres, My Music and My page icons along the top.

Confusingly there’s also a Music Player, the interface is very similar, although can create playlists here. We’ve no complaints about the sound quality, when you plug some headphones into the 3.5mm jack, and here you can access nine Equalizer modes and some Sound Effects, including the useful Bass enhancement and Wide.

Samsung Galaxy S2: Other features,

Samsung’s included motion controls. Hold an app down then move the phone left or right to scroll through the homescreens and reposition it. Elsewhere hold two fingers on the screen and move towards you and away from you to zoom in and out. We're not sure how useful these are - to us they felt awkward, but maybe with more time with the phone you will become more familiar with them.

Polaris Office lets you create and edit Word, Excel and Powerpoint documents. In portrait mode we did find the keyboard a bit cramped and frequently tapped the wrong keys and the predictive text isn’t as impressive as the iPhone 4. Alternatively the Swipe keyboard detects words as you drag your fingers over the keys, it works pretty well, although frequently didn’t recognize our choices, although this probably has more to do with us hitting the wrong keys. In landscape mode typing is far easier.

Elsewher you get Exchange Activesync, and Kies Air for accessing phone content over WiFi from a PC

Samsung Galaxy S2: Battery

With WiFi on, maximum brightness, moderate browsing, some video and photos we got into our second day. One of the most useful features is Task Manager, where you can view and kill active applications and clear the RAM, and you can enable Power Saving Mode to cut in when the power gets to 50%

Samsung Galaxy S2: Verdict

Our main complaint about the S2 is the build. It’s doesn’t feel premium and considering it will set you back close to £500 on pre-order, this isn’t good enough.

From the HTC Incredible S to the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, there have been some great Android handsets this year; however none have been fantastic, until now. Combining top-notch connectivity with one of the best screens available on a smartphone, backed by a powerful dual-core and good camera, the Samsung Galaxy S2 is quite simply a fantastic phone, we just wish the Korean giant had produced a handset with build closer to the feel of a top-end HTC or Apple handset.

Samsung Galaxy S2 review by techradar

Samsung Galaxy S2 review

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Dual-core power, beautiful screen - the Galaxy S II is the kind of sequel we like

Our Score 5

Last reviewed: 2011-04-26April 26th 2011



the-definitive-samsung-galaxy-s2-review

The definitive Samsung Galaxy S2 review

The Samsung Galaxy S II is the phone the Korean firm deems the successor to its best smartphone so far. And with a 1.2GHz processor, super-slim chassis and feather-light innards, it's easy to see why.

The dual-core race is set to heat up massively over the next few months, with the LG Optimus 2X already released, and the Motorola Atrix, HTC Sensation and iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S all set to bring the tech to market too.

Coming in at £35 a month and £519.99 SIM-free, the Galaxy S 2 isn't the cheapest phone out there by a long chalk – so let's see if it can match up to that larger price tag.

You can check out our Samsung Galaxy S 2 video:

The Samsung Galaxy S2 is almost impossibly thin when you pick it up – dimensions of 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5mm mean it's one of the thinnest smartphones on the market at the moment, rivalling the likes of the iPhone 4 and Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc for the title.

Samsung galaxy s2 review

It's crazy-light too – when we show you what tech is rammed under the hood, you'll be amazed that it all goes in a device that weighs only a shade over 100g (116g, to be precise).

Samsung clearly traded the premium feel an all-metal chassis might have brought to keep the grams off the Galaxy S2 – pop the battery cover off and you'll find you're holding a piece of pretty flimsy plastic.

Samsung galaxy s2 review

However, most of the time you won't be removing this and it fits nicely into the contoured chassis – the mesh feel on the rear also helps keep your hand from getting warm during extended holding.

The other thing you'll notice when you first pick up the Galaxy S2 is the screen – at 4.3 inches it's hard to miss, and when you turn it on the Super AMOLED plus technology hits you square in the eyeballs (once it's got through the toughened Gorilla Glass).

Samsung galaxy s2 review

We called the Samsung Galaxy S "the best phone on the market for media" when we reviewed it, thanks to its first-gen Super AMOLED screen. Now the Galaxy S2 has definitely improved on that, with a superbly crisp and vibrant screen.

The only problem is a slightly schizophrenic auto-brightness - if you try and save battery by having the sensor monitor ambient light levels, then the screen decides to bounce about with light levels even in same conditions.

UPDATE: Samsung has released a fix to solve this problem already, so forget about it. Un-read what you just read. We could delete it, but that would be lying to you.

In the hand, the Galaxy S2 sits much better than we'd have expected, given the whopping screen on offer, and that's mostly down to its slim depth.

Samsung galaxy s2 review

The front of the phone is pretty sparse, with the home key the only piece of furniture on offer. This rectangular button flanks two touch-sensitive buttons – Menu and Back – so there's no room for contextual search here.

The volume keys are located on the left-hand side, and the power/lock key is on the opposite flank; both are easy enough to hit without error, and crucially the travel on the power key is softer so that it's much easier to hit when you're juggling it in the palm – compare that to its predecessor, where you could accidentally drop it trying to shut off the screen.

Samsung galaxy s2 review

The 3.5mm headphone jack lives on the top of the phone, bucking the lower placement on other 4.3-inch screen phones, and the microUSB slot (which also doubles as an HDMI out port) lives on the bottom.

The only other element of note is the 8.1MP camera with single LED flash on the rear – it's slightly raised, but not so much that it disrupts the Galaxy S2 when you're placing it on a table, thanks to a rear lip to help you hold the phone.

Samsung galaxy s2 review

We actually (foolishly, in hindsight) unboxed the phone while bouncing about on a powerboat on the Thames - and luckily, there was a camera rolling the whole time. (note - we're well aware of the stupid spec mistakes on the boat. Some were down to information given to us by Samsung that has since changed, and some due to sheer confusion at being thrown ten feet in the air and having our spine crushed.)

Samsung Galaxy S2 review

Samsung Galaxy S2 review

Transfer Your Photos, Videos, Music, Documents and more in a flash, by simply plugging in your Beyond USB into your Smartphone or Computer. Very simple and easy for all to use. Get Yours Today! Visit http://www.BeyondUSB.com for details!

Dual-core power, beautiful screen - the Galaxy S II is the kind of sequel we like

Our Score 5

Last reviewed: 2011-04-26April 26th 2011

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the-definitive-samsung-galaxy-s2-review

The definitive Samsung Galaxy S2 review

The Samsung Galaxy S II is the phone the Korean firm deems the successor to its best smartphone so far. And with a 1.2GHz processor, super-slim chassis and feather-light innards, it's easy to see why.

The dual-core race is set to heat up massively over the next few months, with the LG Optimus 2X already released, and the Motorola Atrix, HTC Sensation and iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S all set to bring the tech to market too.

Coming in at £35 a month and £519.99 SIM-free, the Galaxy S 2 isn't the cheapest phone out there by a long chalk – so let's see if it can match up to that larger price tag.

You can check out our Samsung Galaxy S 2 video:

The Samsung Galaxy S2 is almost impossibly thin when you pick it up – dimensions of 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5mm mean it's one of the thinnest smartphones on the market at the moment, rivalling the likes of the iPhone 4 and Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc for the title.

Samsung galaxy s2 review

It's crazy-light too – when we show you what tech is rammed under the hood, you'll be amazed that it all goes in a device that weighs only a shade over 100g (116g, to be precise).

Samsung clearly traded the premium feel an all-metal chassis might have brought to keep the grams off the Galaxy S2 – pop the battery cover off and you'll find you're holding a piece of pretty flimsy plastic.

Samsung galaxy s2 review

However, most of the time you won't be removing this and it fits nicely into the contoured chassis – the mesh feel on the rear also helps keep your hand from getting warm during extended holding.

The other thing you'll notice when you first pick up the Galaxy S2 is the screen – at 4.3 inches it's hard to miss, and when you turn it on the Super AMOLED plus technology hits you square in the eyeballs (once it's got through the toughened Gorilla Glass).

Samsung galaxy s2 review

We called the Samsung Galaxy S "the best phone on the market for media" when we reviewed it, thanks to its first-gen Super AMOLED screen. Now the Galaxy S2 has definitely improved on that, with a superbly crisp and vibrant screen.

The only problem is a slightly schizophrenic auto-brightness - if you try and save battery by having the sensor monitor ambient light levels, then the screen decides to bounce about with light levels even in same conditions.

UPDATE: Samsung has released a fix to solve this problem already, so forget about it. Un-read what you just read. We could delete it, but that would be lying to you.

In the hand, the Galaxy S2 sits much better than we'd have expected, given the whopping screen on offer, and that's mostly down to its slim depth.

Samsung galaxy s2 review

The front of the phone is pretty sparse, with the home key the only piece of furniture on offer. This rectangular button flanks two touch-sensitive buttons – Menu and Back – so there's no room for contextual search here.

The volume keys are located on the left-hand side, and the power/lock key is on the opposite flank; both are easy enough to hit without error, and crucially the travel on the power key is softer so that it's much easier to hit when you're juggling it in the palm – compare that to its predecessor, where you could accidentally drop it trying to shut off the screen.

Samsung galaxy s2 review

The 3.5mm headphone jack lives on the top of the phone, bucking the lower placement on other 4.3-inch screen phones, and the microUSB slot (which also doubles as an HDMI out port) lives on the bottom.

The only other element of note is the 8.1MP camera with single LED flash on the rear – it's slightly raised, but not so much that it disrupts the Galaxy S2 when you're placing it on a table, thanks to a rear lip to help you hold the phone.

Samsung galaxy s2 review

We actually (foolishly, in hindsight) unboxed the phone while bouncing about on a powerboat on the Thames - and luckily, there was a camera rolling the whole time. (note - we're well aware of the stupid spec mistakes on the boat. Some were down to information given to us by Samsung that has since changed, and some due to sheer confusion at being thrown ten feet in the air and having our spine crushed.)

New Samsung Galaxy device US trademarks applied for

New Samsung Galaxy device US trademarks applied for
Under: Mobile Phones, Samsung
Date: March 8th, 2012

Well now it appears that old Samsung might have at least three new devices to add to their Galaxy range at some point in the future, as word is Sammy has been applying for trademarks on three devices in the United States, and all will be new smartphones.

According to the guys over at The Next Web by way of Fusible, back on the 2nd of this month, Samsung submitted trademark applications for the Samsung Galaxy Emerge with a serial number of 85558647 along with the Samsung Galaxy Halo with serial number 85558619, and the Samsung Galaxy Stellar with serial number 85558639.

These three new Sammy devices are obviously Galaxy class smartphones because each of the trio have been categorised as “Mobile Phone: Smartphones,” in the filing that was made with the USPTO.

Obviously there is no word on just what these three Galaxy class smartphones may offer or even if they actually exist at this time, as apparently old Sammy is in the habit of filing handset trademarks with previous trademarks including the Galaxy Awaken, Galaxy Axiom, Galaxy Rite and Galaxy Heir smartphone just before Mobile World Congress.

However, gaining the trademarks does mean that Samsung can use those names for a smartphone at some point in the future if they desire to do so, so perhaps we will see the Emerge, Stellar and Halo surface at some point in the future.

Transfer Your Photos, Videos, Music, Documents and more in a flash, by simply plugging in your Beyond USB into your Smartphone or Computer. Very simple and easy for all to use. Get Yours Today! Visit http://www.BeyondUSB.com for more details.

Samsung Galaxy S2 Ice Cream Sandwich Update Dated

Samsung Galaxy S2 Ice Cream Sandwich Update Dated

By Andrew Williams
06 March 2012

Transfer Your Photos, Videos, Music, Documents and more in a flash, by simply plugging in your Beyond USB into your Smartphone or Computer. Very simple and easy for all to use. Get Yours Today! Visit http://www.BeyondUSB.com for more details!

The Samsung Galaxy S2, a phone that has sold over 20 million units, will get an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on 15 March. This info comes from Samsung direct, so hopefully it won't evaporate into hot air.

We don't have full faith in its rock-solid-ness, though. Samsung's official Israeli Facebook page told the world that the ICS update would arrive on 15 March, but the post has since been deleted. As the best-selling Android phone there is, plenty of owners must be pining for the update by now.
Samsung Galaxy S2
Ice Cream Sandwich made its smartphone debut in the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, released in December 2011. Why the delay, when they are both Samsung phones? The Samsung Galaxy S2 uses the custom TouchWiz user interface, which needs a thorough re-tweaking and test any time the underlying Android software changes.

This delay has been the bane of Android enthusiasts ever since the first Android updates of 2008 and 2009. If anything, a 3-month delay isn't actually that bad compared with some past performances from HTC and others.

The main improvements of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandiwich are its new user interface - which incorporates virtual nav buttons - improved multi-tasking, better data usage tools and a much improved camera app. ICS also sees the smartphone and tablet sides of the Android kingdom get together once more - previously mobiles have used 2.x Gingerbread and (most decent) tablets 3.x Honeycomb.

Samsung's sequel to the Galaxy S2, the Galaxy S3, is expected to launch later this year. A rumoured April release was quashed by Samsung recently, but we expect it will do its best to beat the iPhone 5 to the punch.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Review

Samsung Galaxy Tab Review by http://samsunggalaxytabreview.net/

Transfer Your Photos, Videos, Music, Documents and more in a flash, by simply plugging in your Beyond USB into your Smartphone or Computer. Very simple and easy for all to use. Get Yours Today! Visit www.BeyondUSB.com for Details!

Welcome to the Samsung Galaxy Tab Review Site. We like to review Samsung Products and tell you which ones are the best to use. Many times people don’t know which product to buy since they’re hesitant. How many times have you read reviews from friends only to be swayed into thinking that your opinions were wrong? At our site we have unbiased reviews showing you the best Samsung Galaxy Tab products to buy and where to buy them. Sometimes Amazon and Walmart is out of stock, but that’s okay, our site will always contain the latest up to date products. If you have been looking for a place to find good reviews on Samsung Galaxy Prices we will help you find good deals. A lot of times it can be confusing with all the information out there. Sometimes the review you read on Amazon are not real and written by Samsung Staff themselves! We will help you find the real ones! The Galaxy tab reviews we have on our site will blow you away. Enjoy them while you are here, and read through all of them. Please pass this site on to your friends so they can learn about the Galaxy Tab.
Samsung Galaxy Tab Price
Samsung Galaxy Tab Price

Many times, people will hestitate when deciding which Samsung Galaxy Tab Price is affordable to them. Usually they will compare the size and see which price point makes it the most effective to purchase. Usually when they compare the price they want to see it against the iPad and other similar tablets to see if it’s worth it to them. We did a comparison of the samsung galaxy tab price and here is the verdict.


Be the first to comment - What do you think?
Posted by Team - March 5, 2012 at 11:31 am

Categories: Tab Price Tags:
Samsung Galaxy S Review
samsung galaxy s review

Our Samsung Galaxy S Review will tell you what’s so good and bad about the Samsung Galaxy S! At first we had no idea that Samsung created another version of the Galaxy Tab. Basically they made it phone form, and they brought it down to size so that people can use it as a cellular device. But hey, the big screen is great for viewing many things as well! Even CNET Asia gave the Galaxy S a score of 8.4 out of 10. This means that everybody is RAVING about it!



Be the first to comment - What do you think?
Posted by Team - March 5, 2012 at 11:16 am

Categories: Galaxy S Review Tags:
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Price
samsung galaxy tab 10.1 price

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 price is one of the first considerations that people make when deciding whether to buy it or not. Sometimes the price is the most important factor in choosing a product is not just the quality, but the price. There are many factors people consider in addition to the price. What makes the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 price better than the old one? The new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 has so many more features that makes it better than the old one.

Samsung Galaxy S2 Overview

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Samsung Galaxy S2 Overview

The Galaxy S2 (sometimes known as the Galaxy S II) is the follow up to Samsung's widely successful Galaxy S lineup. This time, the Galaxy S2 raises all the stakes and Samsung has found a way to double almost every spec in a true, one of a kind sequel.

With a 4.3-inch SAMOLED Plus screen (no more Pentile Matrix display), 1.2GHz dual-core Exynos processor, 8MP rear camera/ 2MP front-facing camera, both 1080p recording and playback, NFC capabilities, great battery life and one of the thinnest phones on the globe, the Galaxy S2 is a welcome update to the Galaxy family. Superphones don't get much better than this.

Many have heralded the S II as being the best smartphone to come out yet, with some reviewers saying that even the iPhone 4 can't beat it. It has Samsung's overlay, TouchWiz 4.0, which is said to be leaps and bounds better than 3.0.

Samsung Galaxy S2 Specs
General
Form Factor: Candybar
AKA: Samsung Galaxy S II, Samsung Galaxy S II 4G
Date Released (YYYY/MM/DD): 2011/04/28
Size
Weight: 116g
Dimensions: 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.49mm
Display
Resolution: 480x800
Size: 4.3 inches
Type: Super AMOLED Plus
Camera
Video: 1080p full HD Playback and Recording at 30fps
Flash: LED Flash
Auto-focus: Yes
Megapixels: 8MP (Rear), 2MP (Front)
Connectivity
GPS: A-GPS
USB: MicroUSB 2.0
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 3.0
Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n
HDMI: Yes, MHL-enabled microUSB port
Multimedia
Headset Jack: 3.5mm
Radio: FM Radio
Battery
Type: 1650 mAh
Hardware/OS
Operating System: Android 2.3
Internal Memory: 16GB
External Memory: MicroSD (up to 32GB)
RAM: 1GB RAM
Processor: 1.2GHz dual-core Exynos processor XMM6260

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MWC: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 hands on review

MWC: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 hands on review
Samsung keeps the heat on Apple
By Khidr Suleman in Barcelona
Wed Feb 29 2012, 16:50

WITH KOREAN HARDWARE GIANT Samsung adding more tablets to its expanding portfolio, The INQUIRER managed to get its hands on the 7in Galaxy Tab 2 running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

The Galaxy Tab 2 retains most of the design and traits that made the original Galaxy Tab popular with enterprise users and consumers. However, in terms of looks, the Galazy Tab 2 isn't the sexiest and slimmest in the Galaxy Tab range and we prefer the original 7.7in Galaxy Tab.

Samsung hasn't gone over-the-top with the specifications on the Galazy Tab 2 either, in a deliberate attempt to keep the price of the device as low as possible to try to entice first time tablet buyers.

The main area where Samsung has made cost savings is the 7in display, shipping the Galaxy Tab 2 with 1024x600 resolution. This is not as good as the original Galaxy Tab's Super AMOLED screen with 1,280x800 resolution.

However, under the hood Samsung has not skimped on components. The Galaxy Tab 2 is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor, has 1GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. There is a microSD slot that allow users to boost storage by another 32GB, which is always handy.

We found the performance of the Galaxy Tab 2 to be smooth, although not as quick as that of the quad-core powered Transformer Prime.

Samsung has also pre-loaded Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich onto the tablet so it is capable of offering the most up-to-date software experience of any tablet, which is important, as Apple gears up to unveil the Ipad 3.

The 3G device also retains the ability to make calls so you can use it as a smartphone if you wish, although using a Bluetooth headset is probably best though, to avoid getting strange looks.

HSPA+ network connectivity of up to 21Mbit/s, plus 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also supported, but no LTE model is planned. µ

Source: The Inquirer (http://s.tt/15VCO)

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Samsung Galaxy Note | Mobile Phones, Tablets & E-Book Readers | · Samsung

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Reviewed by Michael Calore Email Author · February 27, 2012

On paper, the Samsung Galaxy Note is rich with top-of-the-line features. It has a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, 16GB of internal storage and an 8-megapixel camera, all tied to AT&T’s speedy 4G LTE network.

But see the Note in the flesh and you’ll notice one thing above all else: its massive 5.3-inch display.

The screen is positively gigantic. Comically huge to the point of shame. Closer to a tablet than a phone, the Note dwarfs the iPhones and Droids around it. Hold it up to your face to make a call and everyone around you laughs. Seriously, it never gets old.

It’s not all punchlines, though. Watching videos and playing games are amazing experiences, and it’s more comfortable to read web pages and e-books on the Note than on any other phone I’ve tested. The large, bright, HD Super AMOLED screen requires more power to run, but since the phone is bigger, Samsung could slip in a bigger 2,500mAh battery battery. I was able to watch movies continuously for about four and a half hours, and I could browse the web and read books for more than twice that long. During six days of regular use (texting, browsing, Rdioing) I only had to recharge the phone for a few hours every other day.

But it’s just too big. The Galaxy Note’s girth makes it tough to carry in your front pocket comfortably while walking around or riding a bike. Stick it in your back pocket, and its bulkiness requires you to take it out when you sit down. Will I have to resort to a man-purse?

The large screen also makes a chore out of using the on-screen keyboard and menus. It’s too wide to type or scroll comfortably with the thumb of one hand, so the Galaxy Note quickly shows itself to be a two-handed device. For a smartphone, this is a no-no. There were too many times when I needed to thumb my way through text messages, menus or web pages with one hand.

Granted, typing with two hands on that big screen is easier, and mistakes are less frequent. But I have to use two hands all the time to type comfortably.

Speaking of input, the Galaxy Note’s other marquee feature is its stylus. Samsung calls it the S Pen, and it slots into the bottom right corner of the phone. The S Pen uses conductive technology from Wacom, so it doesn’t need a battery, and it has 256 levels of pressure sensitivity as well as a small button on the side to modify your input gestures. It’s well-designed and easy to hold, and it sits in the phone snugly, so I never worried about losing it.

There’s more trouble here, though. The stylus is not capacitive, so while it works on the screen, it doesn’t work on the capacitive Android buttons under the screen. If you want to go back in the browser, see a menu, or return to the home screen, you have to momentarily swap in a finger.

The Note comes with a systemwide app called S Memo Lite. From anywhere in the OS, a double-tap of the stylus calls up a notepad so you can jot down a note (there’s also the more full-featured S Memo that you launch like a regular app). It’s convenient if you’re just writing “Remember the milk”-type notes. Beyond that, using the stylus for writing is a pain. The handwriting recognition software is undercooked. It works some of the time, but it guesses wrong far too often. I found thumb-typing to be faster, more accurate, and more efficient — an impression that didn’t change with a week of practice. It was also easier to move the cursor around with my fingers. If this thing is going to force me to use two hands, I’d still rather just leave the stylus tucked out of sight and finger-tap everything.

That’s not the only issue with the stylus. Samsung has released an SDK for developers to build apps specifically for the S Pen, but there are a scant few available. Most are boring sketchpad apps (Skitch by Evernote is the best one). And how is it for drawing? Not great. The input lags, so if you draw briskly, your pen is always an inch ahead of the lines appearing on the screen. It’s not natural at all, and I had to slow way down to get good results. A far cry from my Moleskine.

The final bummer: the Galaxy Note is a Gingerbread device. It’s running last year’s OS — oddly fitting for a machine that immediately brought back memories of my old Handspring.

I suppose there’s a sector of society that will love the Galaxy Note: people who spend a lot of time on the train or the bus watching videos, playing games, and reading text, (and who also own a purse or satchel). For everyone else, I’d recommend sticking with Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus, which also has a big, beautiful screen, but runs Ice Cream Sandwich and is comfortable enough for most of us to type on using one hand.

WIRED Huge 1280 x 800 Super AMOLED screen is phenomenal for videos and games. Powerful processor, great camera, great battery life. 4G network speeds are fantastic. You can place voice calls on your e-book reader just like you’ve always wanted to. Samsung’s Kies app makes it easy to connect to your other networked computers.

TIRED It’s too big to carry comfortably, and too bulky use with one hand. The stylus is nice, but the software to support it isn’t there yet. Also, it has a stylus. Android 2.3 with Samsung’s TouchWiz skin makes me yearn for ICS. Astounding amount of AT&T shovelware out of the box.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is the brand's second-gen Note device, and comes complete with the S Pen stylus and (obvisouly) a 10.1-inch screen..byT3.COM.

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The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is the brand's second-gen Note device, and comes complete with the S Pen stylus and (obvisouly) a 10.1-inch screen...

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is the latest device to join the Korean brand's tablet lineup and follows on from the 5.3-inch Samsung Galaxy Note. Despite the company only recently debuting the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.0, the new Note tablet is expected to eventually take over from the original Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1: Build

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 sports the usual slick aesthetics that we've come to expect from Samsung, with a glossy back panel and buttonless bezel. We found the finish to be a tad slippery (we nearly dropped the tablet on the floor), although that may have had more to do with the fact that it was somewhat awkwardly tethered to the display unit. Like the Apple iPad 2, the Note 10.1 is available in black or white.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1: Features

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 has been designed to work with the pressure-sensitive S-Pen stylus, along with bespoke S-Note software including specially designed Adobe image editing software. We found the stylus to be very easy to use and responsive, making it easy to tap out a message or draw a picture on the Adobe Ideas sketch pad app.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1: Screen

As the name suggests, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 sports a 10.1-inch, 1280x800 screen, making it almost double the size of the original Galaxy Note. The TFT LCD screen has a WXGA resolution.

The displau is very similar to those on Samsung's existing Galaxy devices and was clear and bright, even under the harsh lights of the Samsung stand at MWC.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1: Camera

The tablet has a relatively standard rear-facing 3MP camera (although why you'd want a rear-facing cam on a tablet, we don't know), while there's a central 2MP front-facing camera for all your video calling needs.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1: Performance
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The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 runs on Android Ice Cream Sandwich, and while we were expected a fast, slick user experience, we found that there was noticeable lag when navigating around the device and opening up apps.

We won't be marking Samsung down for this just yet - we'll put it down to teething troubles and hope that the final review model is a bit zippier...
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1: Verdict

Despite it's confusing moniker, that combines the names of two existing products in the Samsung Galaxy range, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 looks like a decent tablet, and while some may feel that the inclusion of a stylus seems a little dated, the S-Pen works well with the super-responsive touchscreen.

We're also hoping that the problems we had with lag on the UI won't be there when we come to do a full review....

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 availability: TBC

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 price: TBC

Check out our Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 video...

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Samsung Galaxy Note Review

Samsung's new Galaxy Note is a unique device in the smartphone market. Straddling the line between a smartphone and a tablet, the Note features a massive 5.3-inch display, which is considerably larger than the screen on any other smartphone available today (just see the image below sitting alongside an iPhone). Because of this, the Note is rather unwieldy in the hand, and nearly impossible to use one handed.

Trying to make the most of the smartphone's larger footprint, Samsung has attempted to add functionality to the Note with its "don't-call-it-a-stylus" S Pen input device. But once again the Note's dominant feature is its 5.3-inch, Super AMOLED display that packs a dense 1280 x 800 pixel resolution. The form factor alone will place many potential buyers at odds, while others might appreciate the hybrid nature of the device. Read on to learn our findings.

Samsung Galaxy Note
Hardware

The Samsung Galaxy Note borrows heavily from the designs Samsung has used for its Galaxy S II line of smartphones. In fact, one would not be faulted for thinking that the Galaxy Note was just a Galaxy S II on steroids. The big display looks fantastic, with great, punchy colors, tremendous viewing angles, and good outdoor visibility. The pixel layout is the much-derided PenTile format, but since there are so many pixels packed onto the screen, you have to really hunt to see any PenTile patterns in images. It really is a great display.

Because of the massive screen, the Note has equally large dimensions - and therein lie the difficulties I had with using it as a phone. The Note measures 147mm (5.78in) tall and 83mm (3.27in) across, which means that it feels absolutely massive when held in the hand. Even compared to the already large Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket with its 4.5-inch display, the Note is a enormous beast (and it makes the 3.5-inch iPhone 4S look positively diminutive). I am unable to reach the corners of the screen with my thumb without having to significantly move the Note around in my hand and stretch to my hand's fullest extent, which gives me concern that the Note will slip out of my hand and fall to the ground.

Thus, using the Galaxy Note is a two-handed affair, and there really isn't a way to get around it -- unless you are a pro basketball player, I suppose. However, despite its large dimensions, the Note remains very thin at only 9.7mm (0.38in) thick. As with many thin Samsung smartphones, the thin profile of the Note certainly makes it feel even larger than it actually is.

The rear cover of the Note is made of the familiar, thin plastic material that Samsung has used on many of its prior models, but the Note's back features a classier texture than the others that makes it feel as if it is of higher quality. The textured back helps in handling the device, though I am not sure it will prevent users from eventually dropping it.

Samsung Galaxy Note

Tucked in the lower right corner of the Note's frame is the S Pen input device. The S Pen uses Wacom technology and works with the digitizer in the Note's display to allow users to draw and activate things on the screen with the pen-like tip. The tip has 256 levels of pressure sensitivity, so apps that support the S Pen's capabilities can allow the user to draw thick or thin lines depending on how much pressure they put on the screen.

The S Pen also has a function button on the side of it to perform various tasks like screen capture. Unlike the Scrybe pen for HTC's Flyer tablet, the S Pen does not require a battery. The housing that the S Pen fits into is snug, and the pen won't fall out unintentionally. Still, the S Pen is very thin and small, and many users will likely lose it at some point during their Galaxy Note ownership (AT&T and Samsung are offering replacement S Pens for $29 a pop).

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How USB Ports Work by Marshall Brain

Just about any computer that you buy today comes with one or more Universal Serial Bus connectors. These USB connectors let you attach mice, printers and other accessories to your computer quickly and easily. The operating system supports USB as well, so the installation of the device drivers is quick and easy, too. Compared to other ways of connecting devices to your computer (including parallel ports, serial ports and special cards that you install inside the computer's case), USB devices are incredibly simple.

­In this article, we'll look at USB ports from both a user and a technical standpoint. You'll learn why the USB system is so flexible and how it's able to support so many devices so easily -- it's truly an amazing system.

Anyone who has been around computers for a while knows the problem that the Universal Serial Bus is trying to solve -- in the past, connecting devices to computers has been a real headache.

Printers connected to parallel printer ports, and most computers only came with one. Things like external storage media, which need a high-speed connection into the computer, would use the parallel port as well, often with limited success and not much speed.
Modems used the serial port, but so did some printers and a variety of odd things like personal digital assistants (PDAs) and digital cameras. Most computers had at most two serial ports, and they were very slow in most cases.
Devices that needed faster connections came with their own cards, which had to fit in a card slot inside the computer's case. Unfortunately, the number of card slots is limited and some of the cards are difficult to install.

The goal of USB is to end all of these headaches. The Universal Serial Bus gives you a single, standardized, easy-to-use way to connect up to 127 devices to a computer.

Just about every peripheral made now comes in a USB version. A sample list of USB devices that you can buy today includes:

Printers
Scanners
Mice
Joysticks
Flight yokes
Digital cameras
Webcams
Scientific data acquisition devices
Modems
Speakers
Telephones
Video phones
Storage devices
Network connections

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Samsung Galaxy S2 vs. iPhone 4S: Worthy winner is?

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Samsung Galaxy S2 vs. iPhone 4S: Worthy winner is?

Under: Apple iPhone, Samsung by phonesreview.co.uk
Date: November 16th, 2011

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For several months the Samsung Galaxy S2 has been known as the best smartphone leading most of the lists of top smartphones. Many other manufacturers tried to create devices able to compete with it, but none succeeded – even Apples iPhone 4, according to most geeks I know, yielded to it in many aspects. Perhaps Samsung thought its Galaxy S2 was unreachable, but not so long ago Apple released the new iPhone 4S with a number of updated specs and features… and we all understood that the Galaxy S2’s position is now shaken.

So which phone is cooler – the Samsung Galaxy S2 or the Apple iPhone 4S? Which has better features? Which is worthy of your money? I’ll try to find this out in my comparison of these two smartphones.

Design
I think we all understand that design is a matter of taste. Some like huge, heavy and rugged devices; others prefer light and tiny ones. So in this case we can’t say which phone is better – the Samsung Galaxy S2 or the new iPhone 4S – we can only note the obvious: you can’t say the Samsung Galaxy S2 is a tiny phone (it has a 4.3-inch display, after all), but it’s slim (only 8.49mm – much less than all the phones I can think of) and light – it’s plastic body together with the battery weighs only 116g. The iPhone 4S, on the other hand, isn’t much different from its predecessor in term of size and design (same cases can go for both); it’s smaller than the Galaxy S2, since its display is smaller (3.5 inches), but it’s not as thin as it.

Display
There was a time when many people believed that the Samsung Galaxy S2 had the best screen ever, but now its 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus touchscreen with 800 x 480 resolution doesn’t sound that cool any longer… The resolution of the iPhone 4S’s screen is higher – 960 x 640. Of course, it doesn’t mean the Galaxy S2 is outdated now or not that good any more – its screen is very bright, all the colors are eye-popping and very beautiful, and they don’t darkle or fade when you look at the screen at an angle. It’s great for watching movies and even for playing HD games (there are plenty of them in Android Market).

However, the display of the iPhone 4S due to its higher resolution is even brighter and isn’t afraid of sunlight, too (though it actually fades a bit under direct sunlight). The only bad thing is – old icons and apps look grainy on such a clear display, so unless the developers update them and adjust for high-res screens, you won’t enjoy using them on the iPhone 4S… at all.

So… here the winner is the iPhone 4S with its super screen, though I personally like the display of the Samsung Galaxy S2, too.

Processor
The Samsung Galaxy S2 boasts a 1.2GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor that provides really fast performance without any delay. Web browsing is very quick even via Wi-Fi networks, and you won’t face any problem with loading and playing even the most “heavy” games on Samsung’s flagship.

The iPhone 4S has a 1GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor, which is also very fast (much faster than the single-core processor of the original iPhone 4 at least), but, though it provides great graphical acceleration, it yields to the CPU of the Galaxy S2 in terms of performance, so here the winner is Samsung’s smartphone.

Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S2 has a cool 8MP camera with auto-focus and LED flash that takes 3264 x 2448 photos and 1080p videos at 30fps. If you remember, the original iPhone 4S had a 5MP sensor, and many geeks thought it was a big shortcoming, even though the number of megapixels doesn’t really matter. Anyway, now those geeks have received what they wanted – the new iPhone 4S has an 8MP camera able to take 3264 x 2448 pictures just like the Galaxy S2 and many other modern smartphones. Plus it has a CMOS illuminated sensor, which is 73 percent more effective and about 30 percent faster than before. And of course, it shoots 1080p HD videos, too.

However, the secondary 2MP camera of the Samsung Galaxy S2 is better than the VGA camera of the new iPhone 4S. But anyway, secondary cameras don’t play a big role here, and as for the rear-facing ones, they’re both equally good, so we have a draw here.

Platform
Just like in case of design, I don’t think it’s a good idea to compare two operating systems, especially if they’re both good – each in its own way. Android the Samsung Galaxy S2 runs is the most popular platform at the moment, famous for being easy to customize and for having a huge number of apps in Android Market, too. However, the Gingerbread it runs isn’t the newest version of Google’s OS any longer, since the Ice Cream Sandwich update is already on its way, so we can’t say the Galaxy S2 runs the best software ever.

On the other hand, Apple’s iOS is really easy to use (even if the iPhone is your first smartphone ever, you won’t face any problem dealing with it – the user interface of iOS is intuitively understandable for everybody), but of course it’s not what makes the new iPhone 4S special. You’ve probably already heard about Siri – the special program designed to help the user give commands to the phone, ask questions and even send text messages. Siri is new, smart and funny, too (it came out that the developers had hidden many interesting Easter eggs, funny jokes and witty responses to strange questions in it), and I guess many people will buy the iPhone 4S especially for Siri.

Since you can’t surprise anyone with Android now, especially with its Gingerbread version, so in this case I think the prize should go to the iPhone 4S and its Siri.

Price
The unlocked version of the Samsung Galaxy S2 costs £397.99 on Amazon, while the 16GB iPhone 4S is more expensive – £593.15. However, we shouldn’t forget that the Galaxy S2 was released several months ago, and the 4S is only about a month old, so it will most likely be discounted after a while. Anyway, you can find much better deals at RightMobilePhone offering both smartphones for free with contracts, so perhaps it’s better to choose one of them instead of paying much more for a SIM-free device.

Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S2 and the Apple iPhone 4S are both very good smartphones, no doubt, and both have their stronger and weaker sides. The Galaxy S2 is a bit faster thanks to its processor, while the iPhone 4S has a better display and Siri that has caught so much attention.

I think the Galaxy S2 has been the best smartphone for too long, and now a new device should come to replace it. Apple’s latest “child” can be this new device, so… the iPhone 4S is my choice.

The comparison article above has been written by a guest author, thank you.

Samsung Galaxy Note: The Most Controversial Phone On The Planet [REVIEW]

Samsung Galaxy Note: The Most Controversial Phone On The Planet [REVIEW]

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samsung galaxy note on bench

Steve Kovach, Business Insider



Steve Kovach is editor of SAI: Tools at Business Insider. He writes reviews and advice for gadgets, apps, and consumer tech.
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Think back to one year ago.

Screen size was one of the only ways Android phones could set themselves apart from the iPhone. Early last year, all those phones with four-inch screens seemed like a godsend to people who liked to consume a bunch of content on their device.

A lot can change in a year.

With the Galaxy Note, a massive smartphone with a 5.3-inch screen, Samsung is betting you'll want a device that offers all the big-screen advantages of a tablet, plus all the communications features you're used to in a smartphone.

Oh yeah, The Galaxy Note also comes with a stylus, that relic of the pre-iPhone PDA era, which can be used on the phone's touchscreen for doodling and jotting down notes.
Click here for photos of the Galaxy Note >
Is It Too Big?

I've been using the Galaxy Note for a week. During that time I showed it to a bunch of colleagues and friends and their reaction is almost always the same: "Wait, that's a phone?"

And it's not said with the amazement and wonder a revolutionary device would elicit. Instead, it's said with shock and disbelief. Who in their right mind would want to carry around a phone that can barely fit in your hand?

I tend to agree.

The Galaxy Note is almost six inches long and just more than three inches wide. For comparison, the iPhone is 4.5 inches long and 2.3 inches wide. It's uncomfortable to hold with one hand. It's even more uncomfortable to talk on. When you make a phone call on the Galaxy Note, it covers the entire side of your face. It looks like an oversized Pop-Tart.

samsung galaxy note

Steve Kovach, Business Insider

Granted, smartphone users don't make as many calls as they used to. It's all texts and tweets and emails. But as a communications device, the Galaxy Note is too big for you to comfortably navigate its touchscreen. Unless you have Shaq-sized hands, there's no way you'll be able to swipe from the top to bottom of the device. It's a stretch to reach that handy drop-down notifications menu.

Typing is isn't too bad though. The wider touchscreen keyboard makes it easier to prevent typos and autocorrect fails.

So yes, for most people, the Galaxy Note will be too big.

Like, practical-joke big.
Blast From The Past

When I met with Samsung's reps to get a guided tour of the Galaxy Note, they told me Samsung's vision with the device was to replace your pen and paper. Why carry around a smartphone, a tablet, and a notepad?

That's the supposed problem the Galaxy Note's stylus is supposed to solve.

But it's not a problem. Today's touchscreen keyboards are incredibly accurate. With excellent note-taking apps like Evernote, you can dash off a note and sync it the cloud in no time. Even the standard note apps that ship with smartphones are more than good enough to do the trick. With the stylus, Samsung is trying to fix something that isn't broken.

And it probably wouldn't be that big of a deal if the stylus was as accurate as the old-school pen and paper method.

But it isn't.

When writing or doodling with the stylus, there's a very noticeable delay between when the tip touches the screen and when your marking appears. Yes, it's a lot more accurate than the credit card pads you sign your name on when paying at the supermarket. But the stylus still doesn't have that perfect, natural feeling of a pen and paper.

One way Samsung counters that problem is with a feature that converts your handwriting to plain text so you can copy it to an email or text message. But in my tests, it almost never worked properly. Pointless.

samsung galaxy note

Steve Kovach, Business Insider

The handwriting recognition stinks.

I found myself getting frustrated taking notes with the stylus. In the end, I just switched to the touchscreen keyboard. It's just easier and a lot more accurate.

Luckily, Samsung doesn't force you to use the stylus. The Galaxy Note is just a super-sized version of your typical touchscreen smartphone. You can do everything with your fingers.
Other Than That, It's Just A Really, Really Big Android Phone

At its core, the Galaxy Note is exactly like any of Samsung's other Android smartphones, just with a much larger screen. It's still running an old version of Android called Gingerbread, which is optimized for phones, not tablets. Luckily, Samsung says an update is coming soon that will add the latest tablet version of Android called Ice Cream Sandwich to the Note.

Like all Android phones, the app selection isn't as good as what you'll find on Apple's devices. Developers still prefer to make their stuff for Apple first. When they do bring their apps to Android, they tend to be less polished than their Apple counterparts.

As far as the basics go, the Galaxy Note's battery will easily last you a day or more, despite its power-hungry (and brilliant) screen. Even at such a large size, the screen's resolution is crystal clear, making videos and games look incredible. The Note also makes a decent point and shoot camera, but the shutter lag is unbearably slow. Overall, if the Galaxy Note's size doesn't bother you, you're going to get an amazing Android phone.

samsung galaxy note

Steve Kovach, Business Insider

As part of Samsung's partnership with AT&T, the Galaxy Note's exclusive carrier at the moment, the phone is completely bogged down with crapware. When you first turn on the Galaxy Note, your screen will be filled with useless AT&T-branded apps. Even worse, you're constantly prompted to sign up for AT&T's smartphone services.

You know how Windows PCs come loaded with annoying promotional anti-virus software and other useless add-ons? The Galaxy Note is just like that.

Even worse, you can't delete most of AT&T's apps without hacking your phone.

AT&T isn't all bad though. The Galaxy Note runs on the carrier's new 4G LTE service, which is remarkably fast. I conducted a series of speed tests in New York City and got download speeds that will rival what you're used to on your cable modem at home. At times, it was much, much faster than that.

Unfortunately, AT&T currently has 4G LTE in just 28 cities, so there's a pretty good chance you won't get to try it until it expands to new markets this year.
Should You Buy It?

It'd be impossible for me to recommend the Galaxy Note to the Average Joe looking for a smartphone. It's not going to work out for most people. Don't just run out and buy it. You have to hold this thing to see if you're comfortable with it. Even if you do like it, the price, $300 with a two-year contract, is a bit hard to swallow.

If you're OK with a giant phone, then go for it. You won't be disappointed. But if you're just looking for a great Android phone, Samsung's Galaxy S II offers the same performance in a more reasonable form factor.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-note-review-2012-2#ixzz1n2LFZy8V

Samsung Galaxy gets the Best Compatible USB OTG Transfer Device.

With the launch of Beyond USB’s new product, Samsung Galaxy Phones can use this device to Transfer, Movies, Videos, Documents and More. The ease of use and storage devices ranging from 8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB, which will add much more storage for the Samsung Galaxy Phones. When viewing movies on the Samsung Galaxy, they can be viewed directly from the Beyond USB and this will allow you to save your battery life and allow for more clarity. You can also view Photos and documents right on your smartphone instantly as well. You can also move files from your Smart phone onto your Beyond USB and free up storage space on your phone. Movies, Photos, documents and more, can also be stored in separate files for easy viewing and navigation.
There is no point in carrying around cables and other adapters, when this can all be done on one device which has the micro B and USB plugs on each side. Transfer speed is extremely fast and it is a simple copy and paste or drag and drop functionality. The pricing is extremely inexpensive for this product and it is a must see and must use for all Samsung Galaxy Phones.

Visit www.BeyondUSB.com for more details and to watch the instructional video.

Samsung Galaxy and Beyond USB OTG make a perfect pair.

Samsung Galaxy and Beyond USB OTG make a perfect pair. by Beyond USB

Beyond USB - OTG USB is changing the way that your Smart Phones and Computers Interact. We understand the frustration of not being able to save and store your Videos, Photos, Documents, Music and more. You can now transfer directly from your computer onto your Beyond USB and also from your Smart Phone onto the Beyond USB, for easy data transfer. You can also store and share data with anyone, however all licensing of software used is still in effect. We offer 8GB, 16GB and 32GB Beyond USB Storage Devices, to fit your personal and business needs. We want to make sure that the frustration of being able to store your data on the run, Beyond USB has devised a system and interface to make things simple. Simple grab your Beyond USB and take it on vacations, business trips, family functions and more, to insure you can save all your memories or documents securely. You will find it easy to transfer data from your Smartphone to USB, Computer to USB, USB to your SmartPhone and USB to your Computer. We are pleased to bring you Beyond USB and hope you enjoy all the benefits that come with the greatest storage device, linking your Smartphone to your computer and more. This will be your number one Smartphone and Computer OTG USB.


Samsung Galaxy and Beyond USB OTG make a perfect pair. by www.BeyondUSB.com