Samsung Archive

Is This the Samsung Galaxy S III? Doubtful…

– April 13, 2012Posted in: Handsets, NewsFeed, Rumors, Samsung

I know it seems like we ask this question every other week, but we still have to question every single rumor. The image you see above is reported to be the Samsung Galaxy S III.

It looks like an ordinary Galaxy S device, except you can see that it has an Ice Cream Sandwich launcher. The pic would lead one to believe that the device is larger than even Sprint’s Galaxy S II, but notice the middle button on the bottom – I don’t think Samsung would dare make it that large.

They didn’t for the Galaxy Note, so why would they do it here? It looks ugly and uncomfortable, and it just doesn’t look real. I could be wrong, but I’m willing to bet that this isn’t the device we were looking for. What’s your take on it? [Opda.pl via BGR]

Vodafone Galaxy S II Update Available Today via Kies, April 17th OTA

Quentyn Kennemer

– April 13, 2012Posted in: Handsets, NewsFeed, Samsung

Vodafone has announce that the update to Android 4.0 for their Galaxy S II has gone live today, April 13th. The update is available via Kies, an application that you need to download to your PC in order to update the phone via USB. I know many of you are eager to get the update so you won’t mind the minor inconvenience. If you’d rather get the update via an over-the-air process, you’ll have to wait another 4 days as they say it’ll be pushed to users on April 17th. Head here if you’d rather get it sooner rather than later. [via Vodafone, thanks Shane!]

Deal Alert: Unlocked 16GB Galaxy Nexus Now Available For $430 (T-Mobile/AT&T)

Chris Chavez

– April 13, 2012Posted in: AT&T, Galaxy Nexus, Handsets, NewsFeed, Samsung, T-Mobile

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We’ve seen this phone pop up on a daily deals site before, but never at this price. In fact, the last time it reared its head, I picked it up for a cool $460 (a price, I still feel great about). Now, the Galaxy Nexus has shown up once again, at the heavily discounted price of only $430 ($434.98 after shipping) on 1SaleADay.com. Unfortunately, this is only the silver/titanium color, so those looking for the white version of the G-Nex will have to look elsewhere.

The phone can typically be found for around $580, so this is a pretty nice discount. For those iffy about buying on 1SaleADay, I’ve done business with the site many times in the past and my only complaint is that it could take up to 3 weeks to receive your item (although I found it, usually around the 2 week mark). If that hasn’t scared you off, and you’ve been dying to get your hands on a contract-free Galaxy Nexus for activation on either T-Mobile or AT&T — now’s your chance.

Thanks, Killa357!

[1SaleADay]

Sprint Uploads Galaxy Nexus Overview Video – Imminent Release Is Imminent

Chris Chavez

– April 13, 2012Posted in: Galaxy Nexus, Handsets, NewsFeed, Samsung, Sprint, Video

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Sprint has just uploaded a new overview video for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Just like almost every other device on their network, the video covers all the features of the device, giving the world a look at what they can expect once the device is available on their network. And there’s that. Just when is the Galaxy Nexus going to arrive on Sprint?

Well, current rumors are showing it could launch next Sunday April 22nd with posters advertising the device going up in stores a week before then. You want my opinion? Buy this device on day 1. Get there early. Let’s show Sprint and other carriers we prefer our Android phones flavored with pure vanilla (Google).

If Anyone Believes This is the Nexus S 4G, I have an Oceanfront Home in Idaho to Sell You

Quentyn Kennemer

– April 12, 2012Posted in: Galaxy Nexus, Handsets, NewsFeed, Nexus S, Samsung, Sprint

Because this most certainly isn’t the Nexus S 4G. Nice one, Sprint. Oh, but you can keep that “free” price tag on there whenever you decide to launch the Galaxy Nexus. [Thanks Zachary!]

April 22 looking likely for Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy Nexus launch

Kevin Krause

– April 12, 2012Posted in: Handsets, NewsFeed, Rumors, Samsung, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Sprint

Earlier this week we received word that promotional signage would begin going up for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus at Sprint starting early next week. A new leak points to a launch not long after. If the latest report pans out, April 22nd could be one big day for Sprint’s fledgling LTE network.

With the LG Viper 4G LTE already set to launch on that day, it appears the Galaxy Nexus could join it. Taking advantage of the new speeds is a different story altogether. Sprint has only powered up its new network in a handful of test markets and a wider rollout isn’t set to occur until June. This leaves at least a month’s gap between the availability of the Galaxy Nexus and Viper 4G and the launch of the network they are meant to run on. So is this a calculated risk or a setup for failure? Perhaps Sprint plans to surprise us with a few early LTE markets to coincide with the device launches.

Either way, it looks like April 22nd is the date to watch if you are hoping to get your hands on an LTE Galaxy Nexus that doesn’t reside on Verizon’s network.

[via BGR]

LG G4X HD and Optimus 3D Max Go Head To Head Against HTC’s Finest [Benchmarks]

Chris Chavez

– April 12, 2012Posted in: Handsets, HTC, NewsFeed, Samsung, T-Mobile

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If you thought LG was down for the count, the Korean company is still hoping to make a splash with their latest dual, and quad core offerings — the G4X HD and Optimus 3D Max. Both devices are sequels to device we saw launched last year only with new and improved specs. Both the G4X and 3D Max were picked up by a few sites overseas, where they were through their paces in benchmarks going head to head against comparable devices from HTC and Samsung. Let’s get this fight started and see how well these 2 devices do in the benchmark gauntlet.

First up is the G4X featuring a quad-core Tegra 3 process and running on Ice Cream Sandwich where it’s pitted against the HTC One X. Given that both devices feature largely the same specs, this is more about who’s engineers were able to tweak their custom software the best. The G4X definitely was able to hold its own (no surprise there) slacking in Quadrant, losing by a hair in NenaMark2, but besting the One X in AnTuTu. I’m sure with a little more software tweaking, we’ll see LG close that gap a little more.

The LG Optimus 3D Max which features a TI OMAP 4430 dual-core processor unsurprisingly didn’t fare so well when up against the HTC One S and it’s more advanced Qualcomm S4 SoC. This not only had to do with the hardware, but software as well. The 3D Max is currently running Gingerbread, and will most likely see a slight performance gain once updated to the promised Android 4.0. What’s interesting is even when matched up with a device more in it’s own weight class — the Samsung Galaxy Blaze 4G — which also runs Gingerbread and features a more dated S3 processor, the 3D Max was still TKO’d. Samsung’s TouchWiz software has long been known for providing impressive benchmarks.

As we mentioned before, these results will no doubt fluctuate as LG provides further tweaks and software updates are applied. As far as benchmarks are concerned, they should never be used as a be-all-end-all when judging a phone’s performance. But they can be fun to look at.

[TechBlog | PostPC | Via Engadget 1, and 2]

Samsung Announces $250 Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Along With 10.1 Model and New Galaxy Player 4.2

Chris Chavez

– April 12, 2012Posted in: NewsFeed, Samsung, Tablets

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This is movement I can definitely get behind. Solid, good quality Android tablets, reasonably priced for under $300. With Amazon’s Kindle Fire the only (pseudo) Android tablet to make a splash here in the states, there’s no arguing its success was due largely in part to its rock bottom $200 price tag. Now, we have rumors pointing to a $200, 7-inch Nexus tablet coming soon from Google and ASUS, I think it’s high time we start seeing more Android OEM’s stepping up to the plate, and making sub-$300 tablets a focus.

Well, it looks like Samsung is the latest manufacturer to take a swing at a affordable Android tablet. Turns out their Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is the latest Android tablet to hit that wonderful $250 mark, replacing the $400 Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus. This new model features many of the same specs under the hood like a dual-core processor although, this time switched out for a TI OMAP 4430 instead of a Tegra 2, all while running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Samsung hasn’t stopped with just the 7-inch version. They’ve also announced the availability of the larger 10.1-inch model — the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 for a decent $400 and even a new WiFi-only Galaxy Player 4.2 priced at $200. The 4.2-inch Galaxy Player will run Android 2.3 Gingerbread with a 1GHz processor (think Galaxy S minus the cellular radios).

You can look forward to the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 launching on April 22nd here in the states, with the 10.1 and Galaxy Player 4.2 looking at a May 13th release. With this new pricing model, do you any of you guys see yourselves picking one up? Or will you continue to hold out for the Nexus tab?

[TechCrunch]

Samsung Using Apple-Like Methods For Keeping Galaxy S III Under Wraps

Chris Chavez

– April 11, 2012Posted in: Handsets, NewsFeed, Rumors, Samsung

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I think it’s safe to assume that Samsung is preparing the Galaxy S III for its world wide debut any month now. If Samsung hopes to beat the iPhone 5 out of the gate — and they do — that means the Galaxy S III must be undergoing not just internal testing, but carrier testing as well. What’s strange is despite all of that, with a device as lustworthy as Samsung’s upcoming flagship, why haven’t we seen it yet? No leaks? No peaks? Not a single slip up. ‘Nuffin.

Well, according to sources over at ETNews, Samsung could be employing Apple-like methods for keeping the Galaxy S III shrouded in mystery. Apparently, Samsung is actually keeping the device in disguise while it’s being tested, with the device enclosed in a casing not unlike we’ve seen from Apple who requires a similar practice for employees whenever they take an upcoming iPhone out into the wild.

Looks like it might not be up until the even of the device’s launch, that we’ll actually get a real sneak peak at the Samsung Galaxy S III. I, for one, can’t wait to see what Samsung has come up with. With the HTC One X stealing Android hearts left and right, it’d better be good.

Is This A Clue That The Samsung Galaxy Note Is Coming Soon To Sprint?

Chris Chavez

– April 11, 2012Posted in: Handsets, NewsFeed, Rumors, Samsung, Samsung Galaxy Note, Sprint

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Call it a simple marketing mishap or foreshadowing of things to come, but cruise by Sprint’s official website and you may notice a large, Note-like device in an ad highlighting Sprint’s parental controls app. Maybe we’re reading a little too much into this, but the device is obviously a Samsung handset with dimensions matching up perfectly with the 5.3-inch G-Note’s.

When it comes to carriers advertising services on their official website, more than often you wont find something like say a Sidekick being shown off instead a phone currently in their lineup. You can take this with a grain of salt, but our inside sources here at Phandroid have been whispering in our ears that a Galaxy Note is indeed heading to Sprint, with technical reps already receiving training on the device (around the same time as the Galaxy Nexus).

Any Sprint customers clamoring for a chance to pick up the Galaxy Note on Sprint?

[TechnoBuffalo]

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