Samsung I9000 Galaxy S review: From outer space

22 May 2010
Our homepage is the natural home of the deadliest smartphone carnivores. We normally don’t mind but this time is different. Are we about to start feeling a wee bit nervous or what. It’s a beast that tops the food chain, instilling fear and terror. Update: Samsung Dive overview added...

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  • P
  • PAQ
  • 2@n
  • 13 Jul 2010

Do anyone had any idea, if it has 256 MB ram or 512 MB ram, some suggest it has 512 MB ram but due to old kernel it shows 256 mb, no official specification on their website which suggest it has 512 MB ram.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • tRa
    • 12 Jul 2010

    Shaz, 10 Jul 2010So, by 'using the phone as a modem' can you actually connec... moreThe guy at the Optus store must not be too bright... quiet obviously, the phone does support being used as a WiFi hotspot (to connect your other devices to).

      • F
      • Fongy
      • mXu
      • 10 Jul 2010

      Anonymous, 09 Jul 2010Hey Fongy, appreciate your info. I too am deciding between ... morere: build quality...

      At first you think "crikey this is light and thin" but the more you use it, the more you realise it is actually more than sturdy enough...
      There's a nice curve on the back of the phone at the bottom which make holding it really comfortable...
      I can honestly say I have zero complaints about the build...
      AND
      because it is so light and slim - when they eventually do bring out a proper case (not flip up) but silicone one - it won't make the phone too chunky...
      Speaking of which - anyone know of any good cases? I can't find any that aren't pouches or flip ones (a bit rubbish tbh)

        • S
        • Shaz
        • wfL
        • 10 Jul 2010

        Fongy, 08 Jul 2010Not sure I understand the question... Obviously it won't f... moreSo, by 'using the phone as a modem' can you actually connect it to your pc/laptop and run the internet through the Galaxy S?? The guy in the Optus shop said it didn't have that feature? And does anyone know if the alarm clock still works if the phone is switched off?

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • 8yR
          • 10 Jul 2010

          @ Romanio, it has been made ;) thanks!

            • J
            • Joss
            • TW6
            • 09 Jul 2010

            Thanks for the review!

            I hope you will test the Motorola Droid X as well and write a review for it (if it comes in Europe, which I hope it does soon!), and write a Galaxy S vs Droid X as well! Even though it will be a matter of preferences for many aspects, your opinion is always valuable!

            I'll then have to make my choice between those two.

              • R
              • Romanio7
              • pwx
              • 09 Jul 2010

              Anonymous, 09 Jul 2010Hey Fongy, appreciate your info. I too am deciding between ... moreAs you said - people everytime complain about something. With iPhone 4 they don't like tha sharp edges or glass is too easy to scratch or whatever. On the other hand - Galaxy S is REALLY ligh-weight and that's because of light-weight materials. But I can tell you definatelly you will love it :) Phone itself is very solid and you will love the "all-black" design plus totally black display. You can't compare Galaxy S with Desire at any specification, totally different experience - Galaxy S is higher level :) Good luck and make your choice.

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • 8yR
                • 09 Jul 2010

                Hey Fongy, appreciate your info. I too am deciding between this and Desire, and I can appreciate the power compared to the Desire, but I'm a bit worried about the build quality.

                The reviews are a mixed bag, some say it's light but solid, some people say it feels flimsy and cheap. What's your opinion?

                  • T
                  • Tom
                  • BC3
                  • 09 Jul 2010

                  Fongy, 08 Jul 2010Not sure I understand the question... Obviously it won't f... moreThanks for the reply Fongy. It's just that I own a Bose sound dock that suits i-pod amongst other things. Shame not being able to use it with Galaxy S although I can clearly see some benefits of the Galaxy..

                    • R
                    • Romanio7
                    • pwx
                    • 08 Jul 2010

                    Please, one more time!!!!! - Can you tell us where did you get that video editor you've mentioned in the part of apps??? I'd be very greatful, 'coz nowhere to find any video editor at all. Thanks.

                      • F
                      • Fongy
                      • Gjj
                      • 08 Jul 2010

                      Tommy G, 08 Jul 2010Can I please draw on your vast knowledge of this topic? Wha... moreNot sure I understand the question...
                      Obviously it won't fit into ipod docks, etc. (unless there's a mini usb adaptor I'm unaware of)
                      The actual music player though not only looks fantastic (I mean it does copy the best bits of the coverflow system and then ramps it up by ten) but it's dead functional and easy to use - very impressive to show off to people (with the CD covers, etc.)

                      I tell you folks, you WILL NOT be disappointed with this phone, I thought long and hard about this or the Desire or the Nexus or the X10 - and I'm soooo glad I picked this, yes it looks like an ipod (several people have said "ooooh I thought it was an ipod") but it really is far superior - the fact I used it as a modem last night (phone lines and internet went down) AND I was able to download the itunes app and usb it to the PC (new laptop, sorting out music!)
                      It's a breeze to use, not geeky and the level of customisation is second to none...
                      I will say I miss a few of HTC's widgets, but there's so many others on Android market - you'll soon find some that suits you...
                      Now I just hope Sammy hurry up and serve up Froyo... Skyfire is okay, but it's no replacement for a flash-enabled browser (and I'd like the phone to start using the additional 256ram that everyone says is in here!)

                        • T
                        • Tommy G
                        • BC3
                        • 08 Jul 2010

                        Can I please draw on your vast knowledge of this topic? What is the music player like on Galaxy S. ie will it dock in the same equipment as iphone?

                        Tom

                          • F
                          • Fongy
                          • Gjj
                          • 07 Jul 2010

                          teizman, 07 Jul 2010hi, is there a way of having this phone (or any other An... moreListbuddy, etc. - for all of your listing needs - the memo app is pretty good too, I use that for lists...

                          I'm sure you can use the exchangy thing, I don't myself, but I'm sure it's in the instructions(?)

                          If not it's definitely a Froyo thing(?) coming soon!

                            • t
                            • teizman
                            • mnh
                            • 07 Jul 2010

                            hi,

                            is there a way of having this phone (or any other Android) sync it's task list/to do list with MS Outlook on MS Exchange server?

                            Is there already a to do list-app on the Galaxy?

                            thx,
                            teizman

                              • F
                              • Fongy
                              • Gjj
                              • 07 Jul 2010

                              Hi guys,

                              Apologies for delay...

                              To answer some questions...

                              Compass - I think it does, and you can certainly download a compass app, the full satnav thing is great too (I was really surprised, as I'm in UK and didn't think it came with that)

                              Loading videos?

                              Simply copy across and watch - HD looks amazing - Up, Avatar, Star Trek, the I.T. crowd, you name it, it looks amazing... a note on that, if it doesn't work on your PC - it probably won't work on the Galaxy - I've only had a handful of videos that haven't worked...

                              GL Benchmark? Quadrant standard?

                              That is literally like another language to me - tell me how to do it and I'll publish the report!

                              Battery?

                              Still a mixed bag - sometimes it'll go all day and evening and still be on 30% - with a good dose of messing... but start downloading apps and pictures (trying to find that 'perfect' wallpaper is great...) and like now, it was turned on at 8am, it's 16:40 and it's on 15%...

                              Heating up?

                              No problems with that, the only time I did was when I was charging it via PC - transferring loads of stuff AND messing with it - but I suspect that was more of the charging aspect...

                              Not spotted a video editor myself on there... may Android market? Certainly nothing on Sammy's apps...

                              To uninstall stuff - just download the android app "uninstall" - works a treat for me!

                              To add a bit more info after almost a month usage...

                              Battery life is acceptable - 8 hours as long as you put the power saving feature and auto screen light on (and don't bother with live wallpapers)

                              Screen - amazing. Always.

                              Speed - snappy, but it will lag if you don't constantly close apps - get "task manager" and have it on your 1st page - you can just press it and close everything open at once - ESSENTIAL! (saves battery too)

                              Aaaaaaaaaaand!!

                              A little gem of a find...
                              You know I was having problems with the "low battery" message and not being able to play music, etc. etc.
                              Well that is only applicable to the pre-installed software...
                              Use a downloaded videoplayer or mixzing or something - and you play it low battery or not!
                              (that's soooo worth knowing!)

                              Anything else - just ask!

                              (still sooooo happy with it... it is all about the screen, but also how fluid it is, fast, and tons of storage - for free on contract!)
                              Stuff that up your iphone 4 (whilst not being able to make calls because you're holding it your hand!)
                              ;)

                                • a
                                • android novice
                                • tV3
                                • 05 Jul 2010

                                guys, can any 1 help? I install the Phonebook 2.1 on my galaxy s, but it's seriously lagged. I wanted to uninstall it but can't locate the apps, anyone able to help?

                                  • R
                                  • Raghu
                                  • vG%
                                  • 03 Jul 2010

                                  Fongy, 20 Jun 2010Hi Guys, Just received my new Galaxy S and thought I'd g... moreIs it having Digital Compass

                                    • R
                                    • Romanio7
                                    • pwx
                                    • 01 Jul 2010

                                    guys, where the hell can we get that video editor ???? :) help !!!

                                      • R
                                      • Riaz
                                      • M3s
                                      • 01 Jul 2010

                                      Yeah, I cant find any other apps like those on the Samsung Apps application.

                                      Is there something I am doing wrong?

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • KFQ
                                        • 28 Jun 2010

                                        Amazing screen!!