The iPhone has better been watching it back - Samsung has a winner here
For me, the Samsung Galaxy S could be an iPhone killer. I mean the iPhone 3GS, because when I tested the Galaxy S, the iPhone 4 still wasn't available here.
I compared the test unit of the Galaxy S with the iPhone 3GS handsets of friends in the editorial department. Yes, many of us here are using iPhone 3GS.
I noticed several features on which the Galaxy S beat the iPhone 3GS. First of all, its screen is larger, brighter and more colourful.
The Galaxy S boasts a generously large screen of four inches, compared to the 3.5-inch screen of the iPhone. The Galaxy S has better resolution at 480x800 pixels compared with the 480x640 pixels on the iPhone.
Second, the Galaxy S is thinner and lighter - just 9.9mm thick compared to the 12.3mm iPhone 3GS. The Galaxy S weighs 118 grams, the iPhone 135 grams.
The Galaxy S uses a faster processor, a 1GHz-speed CPU, compared to the 600MHz CPU of the iPhone 3GS.
Casting aside these specifications, what I like most about the Galaxy S is that it allows you to add multimedia files like MP3 files, MP4 videos and eBooks in PDF format, just by dragging and dropping them to the internal storage. No need for the complex synching with iTunes that the iPhone requires.
The iPhone handset requires you to synchronise it with just one computer using the iTune application. Otherwise you might lose applications and multimedia content. But you can connect the Galaxy S to any computer where you've installed its driver.
It's understandable why Apple requires iTune synching for the iPhone - to protect vendors against piracy and encourage them to produce good applications and content. But I believe users want simplicity for file transferring.
The vendor-protection policy seems to work successfully nevertheless, since many vendors have produced applications for iPhone users.
The Galaxy S runs on Google's Android 2.1 (Eclair) operating system. There are far fewer Android than iPhone applications, but I believe mighty Google will draw more developers, and even as it is, the available applications are more than enough for me to get my tasks done on the phone and have fun.
Many Android games and social networking applications, such as Facebook, Twitter and MSN Chat, are now available.
And Android applications can be downloaded onto the Galaxy S without first being synched with special software, like iTune. You simply go online and use the Android Application to browse for more applications.
The Galaxy S has Wi-Fi, 3G and Edge connections. I tested its online feature using the wireless connection at home. I easily linked it to my Wi-Fi router, which connects to True ADSL service.
The Android OS is easy and intuitive to use. The Galaxy S' touch screen responded very well to finger swiping.
Text inputting was easy with the virtual qwerty keyboard either in vertical or horizontal view. But with the horizontal view, the keyboard is larger and thus easier to tap with your thumbs or index finger.
The Galaxy S also has another way of text inputting technique, called Swype. This feature lets you drag your index finger over the letters on the keyboard to form a word.
The Android 2.1 lets you synchronise your phone contacts with your Gmail, Twitter, Facebook and MySpace accounts. Following the online synching, all of your contacts will be downloaded to the phone.
Then you can use the Contact Book on the phone to monitor your Facebook friends' status, for example. You won't lose your contacts even if you lose your handset.
During the test, I managed to update my Facebook status and post to my Twitter page with ease.
Other useful applications that come with the Galaxy S are AccuWeather.com, which fetches current weather data for your current location or the places you choose, which are displayed on one of its seven customisable home screens.
Then there's AP Mobile, which fetches Associated Press news briefs and photos to a home screen. You can click on the brief to read the full report.
Another nice Android-based application, which is free, is IMDb, the Internet Movie Database. This gives you access to movie reviews from the popular website.
I'm also impressed in the Adiko eBook application. You can enjoy reading eBooks in iPub format, which you can download, mostly free, from www.Feedbooks.com. There are thousands of public-domain books available, including classic science fiction like "The War of the Worlds", "The Time Machine" and "20,000 Leagues under the Sea".
Since the Galaxy S' screen is really bright, it's good for reading eBooks. The iPub format lets you zoom in for larger text. And the screen is still bright outdoors.
The Galaxy S performs well with multimedia. I enjoyed using the provided YouTube application for watching video clips with no performance hiccups.
I also tested playing MP4 video in 720p hi-def format, and the Galaxy S played them smoothly and beautifully.
The Galaxy S comes with GPS and Google Maps, with a navigation feature, and packs a five-megapixel camera that can record 720p video as well.
After you've taken pictures and videos, you can easily upload them to sites like Facebook.
So the Samsung Galaxy S lets you have fun and keep connected with friends when you're on the go. It has built-in storage of 16 gigabytes and retails for Bt21,400, VAT excluded.
KEY SPECS
Network: GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE): 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz; 3G (HSDPA 7.2Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps): 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz
OS: Android 2.1
Display: Four-inch WVGA SUPER AMOLED (800x480)
Camera: 5-megapixel camera + VGA Video Telephony Camera
Video: HD (720p@30fps) video playing & recording
Codec: Mpeg4, H.264, H.263, H263Sorenson, DivX/ XviD, VC-1
Audio: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, OGG, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, WAV, MID, AC3, IMY, FLAC, XMF
Connectivity: Bluetooth technology v 3.0, USB v2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Memory: 16GB external memory slot for microSD (upto 32GB)
Size: 64.2 x 122.4 x 9.9mm
Weight: 118g
Battery: 1500mAh