/ciol/media/agency_attachments/c0E28gS06GM3VmrXNw5G.png)
Follow UsBANGALORE, INDIA: It's not easy to create a smartphone that has jaw-dropping performance, but Samsung rises to the challenge with its latest behemoth of a smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy SIII.
DESIGN
The Galaxy SIII is definitely not a game changer in terms of its design. Samsung decided to take a more conservative route with the design for the SIII, and while it has a vibrant 4.8 inch display, and is slimmer (0.34 inches against 0.37-inch iPhone 4S) and weighs lesser than the iPhone 4S (133g vs 140g), there is no bold new design feature that will set the SIII apart.
The pentile display of the SIII has also caused controversy, but that will not affect the user much because of the bigger screen that it boasts. The SIII still feels light as well as sturdy, and fits snugly into the pocket. The sleek and simple design will still appeal to many people, and the crowning glory of this device is its performance, which more than makes up for the standard design.
PERFORMANCE
Running a 1080p HD video? No problem. Multitasking with several applications in parallel? No problem. Playing graphic intensive games? No problem. With the Exynos 1.4 Ghz quad core processor and 2 GB of RAM, the Galaxy SIII doesn't break its stride no matter what you throw at it. It also has a good 2,100 mAH battery that can facilitate its use over a day without any problem.
The 8 Megapixel camera on the back is definitely not state of the art, but it does its job well. While the camera may not be very different from the Galaxy SII, the processor's role comes more into play in this version. There is virtually no shutter lag, which is rare in smartphones, and with burst mode, the phone can take 20 consecutive shots.
Compared to the HTC One X, the HD video recording in the SIII is more clear. There might be a concern that such powerful hardware will exacerbate the drain on the battery, but fortunately, the SIII's 2,100 mAH battery can last looped video for even up to 9 hours.
Of course, we also cannot forget the Android 4.0 platform running on the device. The one drawback is that the OS has been customized heavily by Samsung, leading to Samsung-only features in the phone, and this may not go down well with Android purists, who would have craved for the fluid and pure Android 4.0 interface.
The SIII also has “S-VOICE” which is meant to rival the iPhone's “SIRI”, but it fails quite miserably in many trials and SIRI still interprets text commands much better than the “S-VOICE”, even though both of them are far from polished technologies.
Galaxy SIII vs HTC One X
However, the SIII has the advantage of having an extra MicroSD slot, exchangeable batteries and several Samsung-related functionalities. As of June 22, 2011, the price of the SIII was around Rs. 39000 and the HTC One X at Rs 34,000. It is a matter of preference, but it will be worth shelling out that extra cash for the additional features of the SIII.
Know this about Samsung Galaxy SIII
Price: Rs. 38900
Meant for: Everyone
Key Specs: 4.8 inch HD AMOLED display, 1.4 Ghz Quad core processor, 8 Megapixel camera, Android (Ice cream sandwich) 4.0, 16 GB internal memory with micro SD slot
Pros:Brilliant AMOLED display, blazing fast performance, amazing camera, terrific functionality
Cons: Highly modified Android 4.0 skin, expensive
BOTTOMLINE
Packed to the brim with power in a sleek and light package, this beast of a smartphone will be your best companion for a long time, as long as you are willing to shell out the cash for it.
(This story was first published on www.pcquest.www.ciol.com)