Samsung Galaxy S III Launched – 4.8″ 720p Super AMOLED Display, 8MP Camera – Specs & Features

Samsung Electronics Co launches its latest Galaxy S smartphone in Europe on Tuesday, with the third generation model expected to be even more successful than its predecessor, which helped the South Korean company topple Apple Inc as the world's top smartphone maker. 

The S3, which tracks the user's eye movements to keep the screen from dimming or turning off while in use, hits stores in 28 European and Middle East countries, including Germany and Britain, as Samsung aims to widen the gap with Apple months ahead of its rival's new iPhone, expected in the third quarter. 

The Galaxy S3, running on Google's Android operating system, boasts a 4.8-inch screen, bigger than the 3.5-inch display on the iPhone 4S and the 4.7-inch screen on HTC's One X model. 

Critics have praised the Samsung Galaxy S3 as the best phone on the market, with some calling the new smartphone 'light years ahead' of rival Apple's iPhone. The latest Galaxy S smartphone was launched in Europe amidst much hype and is expected to hit Indian stores on May 31. Here's a look at what the tech reviewers are saying about the phone which can topple Apple's dominance in the smartphone market.

With the latest version of Android, a whopping 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD screen and a whole suite of Apple-beating features, is the new Samsung Galaxy SIII the greatest phone ever?

Samsung has made a big deal about this new phone, not only choosing to launch it at a big and glitzy standalone event in London but also claiming nearly 10 million pre-orders before it's even launched.

The price is pretty palatable for a top-end phone – the likes of Three are already offering it for just £34 a month with oodles of minutes and data, which is already much, much cheaper than any iPhone would ever launch for.

But let's get down to the main question – is this the phone you should be spending your hard-earned cash on before it's even launched?

Design

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is, according to Samsung anyway, 'inspired by nature – it sees, listens, responds, and allows you to share the greatest moments'.

While this is all a little hyperbolic, the nature theme is certainly present when you handle the phone for the first time.

Brushed polycarbonate – you've got a choice of 'Marble White' and 'Pebble Blue' – adorns the large device, which runs in with dimensions of 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6mm, despite still having to pack in a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD screen.

We'll lay it out right now: the plastic feeling of the Galaxy S3 won't appeal to all. It feels very lightweight (despite tipping the scales at 133g) in the hand, and some people will read this as feeling a little cheap.

However, it's exactly the same sensation as we found on the Galaxy S2, and given the silly numbers of sales that had, we think there's more than a market for a phone that you'll barely notice in your pocket most of the time.

But we'll be very clear on this - the Galaxy S3 is not a cheap-feeling phone. It's got a really solid Gorilla Glass front, a well-packaged interior and a more robust battery cover. It's polycarbonate rather than bog-standard plastic, although we're not sure some people will like the more rounded nature of the design (although it's purely subjective).

However, despite being made of similar material, there's no doubt that the One X feels more premium in the hand thanks to being a touch more weighty… there's something about something so large being so light that some will find disconcerting.

Amendment: the HTC One X is actually 3g lighter than the S3, but despite carrying both around at once, the S3 still felt lighter, which shows the way texture can affect the way a phone feels in the pocket.

There's no doubt in our minds that the Pebble Blue offering is the much more attractive option, as the Marble White looks similar to a low-end Galaxy Mini or similar – the brushed effect is really necessary.

Compared to rest of the Galaxy line, the S3 has more in common with the original Galaxy S than the S2, with curved edges the theme in the design language. The home button has also been elongated, although the same menu and back buttons remain from the prequel.

Overall, the effect is much more like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus than anything else – rounded edges, HD screen but with a more minimal bezel to really accentuate the larger screen in the hand.

The button design around the phone has been well thought out in our opinion - for a phone this big it's very difficult to make all the keys accessible, so putting the lock button on the right-hand side rather than the top makes a large degree of sense.

The addition of the lozenge-shaped home button, and its softkey 'Back' and 'Menu' buttons are great additions in our eyes, as it means contextual menus can be found easily without needing to mess around looking for the on-screen icon.

The volume up and down button is parallel to the lock key on the left-hand side of the phone, and also within easy reach when holding the Galaxy S3 in the hand.

The microUSB slot is placed at the bottom of the phone - easy to find with a charger but it will be interesting to see how it's used when placed in docks and car cradles.

The battery cover is also made of the same polycarbonate material as the rest of the body. Yes, you read that right - the battery cover is removable!

This means that not only can switch the battery in and out - a key consideration for many people - there's also a cheeky surprise in the shape of a microSD slot next to the microSIM port. Expandable memory? This just gets better and better.

This means that theoretically you'll be able to have a 128GB-capacity Samsung Galaxy S3 if you combine the top spec of internal memory (64GB) with the largest microSD card around at the moment (64GB)... making it a mouth-watering prospect for those that love a spot of media.

Sure, there are stats that say only 10% of users regularly go over 16GB of storage, but there's always the lower end version of the Galaxy S3 for that... but with HD movie downloads becoming far more prevalent, plus the influx of HD apps, we're thinking more space is an excellent idea.

But overall, in the hand, the Samsung Galaxy S3 feels superb. The design contours well against the palm, and while the screen size may be a little big for some (you'll need a bit of shuffling to reach the upper section of the screen) it's definitely useable in the hand.

So in short: if you don't mind a slightly lighter-feeling polycarbonate shell and you like big HD screens in your pocket, this is a phone definitely worth checking out.

Microsoft Launches iPhone Competitor, 'Kin'

Microsoft Corp., the world’s largest global software company, has propelled itself into the mobile market with its Kin smartphone.


Teaming up with HTC Corp., Samsung Electronics Co., Sharp, and other mobile makers, Microsoft unveiled a line of mobile phones geared toward teens and young adults, attempting to capture market share with its social-networking focus.


Microsoft is trying to mark its territory in the mobile phone market, as well as diversifying its product line-up into an explosive market. Historically, Microsoft has been a software provider in the wireless industry to different handset makers, however, it has been losing ground with the launch of Apple’s iPhone and Google Inc.’s Android platform.


“Kin is an interesting attempt to target the 15 to 25 market,” said Ross Rubin, consumer electronics and wireless industry analyst at market research firm NPD Group in an interview with Reuters.


Rubin believes that the success of the software giant’s phones will hinge on the pricing of its data plans, which is yet to be announced. Microsoft spokeswoman Melissa Havel has opted not to comment or release details about the pricing of the phones.


The phones have been branded as Kin One and Kin Two, produced by Japan’s Sharp Corp. and sold by Verizon Wireless, based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, a joint venture between Verizon Communications Inc. and U.K.-based Vodafone Group Plc.


Microsoft President Robbie Bach, who leads the mobile-phone division, launched the phones on April 12 at an event in San Francisco.


“We said, ‘Look, there’s a segment here that we can really go after deeply,” Bach said on Monday in an interview with Bloomberg TV. “And once you decide to go deep, you can’t go part way and say we’ll do the software and then we’ll hand it off to somebody else. You have to really be involved in the whole process.”


The new phones will be sold in May in the United States, and subsequently Europe in the last quarter of the year—on Vodafone’s European network.


According to the vice president of Microsoft’s mobile communications marketing group, there are possibilities of it developing hardware for other parts of the market in the future. However, Bach has reiterated that the company prefers to work with handset producers that create their own hardware.


“This isn’t a Microsoft product,” said Robbie Bach. “Sharp is not just the manufacturer, they sell the phones to Vodafone, not Microsoft. This is a very traditional model, it’s just that we were more involved in the design and the hardware with Sharp.”


Sales of data plans at Verizon Wireless rose 46 percent in the fourth quarter, contributing almost a third of the company’s wireless-service revenues. 


The target demographic is clearly focused on those who are savvy with social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. 


The camera, touch screen, and slide out keyboard interface is designed to move seamlessly between videos, photos, text messages, and Web sites and to simultaneously share content with others.

Samsung Giorgio Armani W820/W8200 Shows Up In Fresh Press Photos

Samsung Giorgio Armani W820/W8200 was first spotted weeks ago, but now we’ve got some official press pics to check out, showing the luxury device up close. No info on its launch date, but at least we can declare ourselves charmed by the gold-plated back cover of the handset.

This phone packs a 3.1 inch WVGA touchscreen display, a 5 megapixel camera, a microSD card slot (up to 16GB) and support for Bluetooth, DMB TV and HSDPA connectivity.

Samsung Giorgio Armani W820/W8200 also features an alphanumeric keypad and we still haven’t figured out if we’ll ever see the phone outside of Korea or not.

Samsung Mobile and AT&T roll out Samsung Solstice

Samsung and AT&T have unveiled the Samsung Solstice, which will let you instantly get connected to social networking sites, multi-media features and messaging. A sleek phone, the Solstice comes featured with a virtual, landscape QWERTY keyboard in conjunction with Samsung’s distinctive TouchWiz user interface as well as a 3.0" touchscreen. It also boasts of offering one-touch access to often-utilized apps and social networks through the new widgets for MySpace, Facebook and Yahoo! oneSearch.

As the reviews, the mobile phone also helps users make access to mobile broadband, AT&T Navigator and AT&T Mobile Music with e-Music Mobile and Napster Mobile. It also features in the multiple messaging options such as Mobile Email, MMS and IM. The phone is also built-in with a 2.0 mp camera including camcorder. It also has a user-friendly QWERTY keyboard, which comes with clear numbers, letters and symbols.

The handset also comes encompassed with an accelerometer that has an automatic option of detecting orientation and motion of the device. It, as a result, offers richer apps usages and features such as motion sensing games, auto-rotation of the display as well as photo scrolling by just leaning the device. The widgets can easily be dragged and dropped on to the phone’s homescreen for one touch access to their preferred attributes.

Commenting about the Samsung Solstice, Mike Woodward, VP, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, was quoted to have said that AT&T Solstice’s enhanced full touch functionality will make the costumer thrilled. The widget bar feature Samsung Solstice will make it a user-friendly passport to customers’ preferred apps.

The mobile phone is also packaged with MP3 player, preloaded games, video and audio streaming, microSD memory card slot supporting up to 16GB and Bluetooth technology. The Solstice is also incorporated with quad-band GSM technology and dual-band 3G connectivity.

The handset can be availed at www.wireless.att.com or at AT&T retail locations for $99.99 almost Rs.4,793 along with a 2-year service contract.

Samsung/Orange launch Welsh language mobile phone

THE world’s first Welsh language mobile phone will have predictive text in the dialects of both South and North Wales. The slimline handset in white, black or purple is a collaboration between Samsung and Orange and includes more than 44,000 Welsh words, complete with accents. “It’s an amazing idea and perfect for people like me who do a lot of our conversing in Welsh,” said S4C presenter Alex Jones of Hip neu Sgip and Chwa!, who helped to launch the new phone on the Maes yesterday. “Things like typing and sending text messages are so much easier on this phone as opposed to the issues we all face on English-only phones. I know all my friends will want to get hold of one as soon as they are in the shops.” That won’t be until September 1. Samsung vice president for UK and Ireland Mark Mitchinson said there remained final tests and consultation with the Welsh Language Board to ensure that standards are as high as possible. He said the new device follows the success of the first Irish language phone last year. “That was enormously successful. The appetite is definitely there and we’re extremely proud and deeply honoured to be part of this ground-breaking initiative. Wales Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones said Orange and Samsung had recognised the benefits of offering services through the medium of Welsh and the importance of responding to customer needs. “It’s important to be able to have services and technology available in the language so that people can live their lives through the medium of Welsh,” he said. Meri Huws, who chairs the Welsh Language Board, described the phone as “a big step forward for Welsh and for mobile phones”. She said: “The way that people communicate is constantly changing. It is important that people can use Welsh as easily as they can use English and they can do that now for the first time with this great new phone.” The Samsung S5600, complete with widgets, camera and full internet browsing capability, will be available free on 24-month Orange contracts or on Orange pay-as-you-go from the company’s 16 shops in Wales before being rolled out beyond Wales and online.

Samsung/Orange launch Welsh language mobile phone

THE world’s first Welsh language mobile phone will have predictive text in the dialects of both South and North Wales.

The slimline handset in white, black or purple is a collaboration between Samsung and Orange and includes more than 44,000 Welsh words, complete with accents.

“It’s an amazing idea and perfect for people like me who do a lot of our conversing in Welsh,” said S4C presenter Alex Jones of Hip neu Sgip and Chwa!, who helped to launch the new phone on the Maes yesterday.

“Things like typing and sending text messages are so much easier on this phone as opposed to the issues we all face on English-only phones. I know all my friends will want to get hold of one as soon as they are in the shops.”

That won’t be until September 1. Samsung vice president for UK and Ireland Mark Mitchinson said there remained final tests and consultation with the Welsh Language Board to ensure that standards are as high as possible.

He said the new device follows the success of the first Irish language phone last year.

“That was enormously successful. The appetite is definitely there and we’re extremely proud and deeply honoured to be part of this ground-breaking initiative.

Wales Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones said Orange and Samsung had recognised the benefits of offering services through the medium of Welsh and the importance of responding to customer needs.

“It’s important to be able to have services and technology available in the language so that people can live their lives through the medium of Welsh,” he said.

Meri Huws, who chairs the Welsh Language Board, described the phone as “a big step forward for Welsh and for mobile phones”.

She said: “The way that people communicate is constantly changing. It is important that people can use Welsh as easily as they can use English and they can do that now for the first time with this great new phone.”

The Samsung S5600, complete with widgets, camera and full internet browsing capability, will be available free on 24-month Orange contracts or on Orange pay-as-you-go from the company’s 16 shops in Wales before being rolled out beyond Wales and online.

Sprint, Samsung unveil eco-friendly phone

Samsung and Sprint today announced the launch of the green Reclaim mobile phone, as the companies take aim at eco-friendly consumers.

The phone is based off of 80 percent recyclable materials, with $2 from each purchase going towards the Nature Conservancy’s Adopt an Acre program. The phone itself has an outer casing made from corn, and the outer packaging and other unnecessary materials are made from 70 percent recycled materials.

Are you familiar with the bulky, often useless manuals that come with mobile phones? To cut down on environmental waste, Samsung isn’t shipping a physical paper manual with the phone, as the company will point phone owners to an online web site to download the manual.

Naturally, the phone’s charger has been Energy Star approved and requires 12 watts less power than Energy Star’s standards for standby power consumption.

The Samsung Reclaim will be released on Aug. 16 for $50 with a two-year phone agreement with Sprint-Nextel. Consumers can purchase the phone online, at Sprint retail locations, Best Buy, or Radio Shack. Starting in September, Wal-Mart will also begin to sell the phone.

Sprint continues to lose revenue and subscribers, which makes each new phone launch an important event. The company remains the No. 4 wireless provider in the United States, but continually trails the likes of Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Launching an eco-friendly phone is the company’s latest ploy to attract new subscribers, especially with growing concern about the negative impact old phones have on the environment.

Is this the type of mobile phone you’d be interested in purchasing?

Samsung Electronics Unveils Largest Ever 3G Mobile Phone Lineup in China

Samsung Electronics, the world’s leading electronic producer and second largest mobile phone manufacturer, today announced an aggressive 3G marketing initiative “3GSamsung, 3G for all” at JuYong, Great Wall in China, offering 30 3G mobile phone models.

2009 is the first year of China’s 3G launch and China is the only country that has adopted three different standards used around the world. As an industry leader, Samsung Electronics introduced the “3GSamsung, 3G for all” initiative combining strategic insights and R&D investments with a well planned localization approach, reflecting Samsung Electronics’ leading position in the 3G arena both in China and worldwide.

Samsung Electronics commenced TD-SCDMA related research in 2000. As the global handset manufacturer that was the earliest to identify this as a promising standard, Samsung Electronics invested significant resources to establish its Beijing Samsung Telecom R&D Center in China, with an R&D team consisting of hundreds of talented experts. This forward-looking strategy helped Samsung lead the industry in China.

Similarly, for WCDMA and EVDO standards, Samsung Electronics has many years’ accumulated experience in both technology and marketing, establishing a leading position in China for handsets based on these technologies. Samsung Electronics will continue to introduce global leading products and launch more specialized handset models in the Chinese market.

In the second half of this year, Samsung plans to launch more products featuring 3G applications, in addition to over ten 3G models releases in the first half of the year, which included six WCDMA models, six TD-SCDMA models and nine handsets compatible with EVDO. Samsung Electronics looks forward to launching over 30 3G models in the Chinese market throughout this year, ranging from Smartphones and music and fashion mobile phones to devices that feature a full touch screen and HD recording. Samsung aims to satisfy the needs of consumers with varying tastes and preferences and successfully lead the 3G market.

As for applications, Samsung Electronics will further enhance its product development, promoting advanced 3G features such as online widgets, mobile TV and high-speed Internet access. Thanks to significant improvements in 3G network bandwidth, consumers can enjoy a spectacular 3G experience for the first time.

With its strength and confidence, Samsung is ready to lead China’s 3G market to provide benefit of “3GSamsung 3G for all,” which implies hi-tech based, meets all the major operators’ requirements, and aims to satisfy consumers across three operating standards.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices across 61 countries, the company consists of two business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs.

HTC increases focus on Android phones

Taiwanese handset vendor has predicted that phones based on Google's Android operating system will account for as much as 50 percent of its devices portfolio in 2010. According to sources at Taiwan's Digitimes, the rise in Android phones suggests the vendor will be focusing less on Microsoft's Windows Mobile platform. The report adds that HTC is planning another high-profile handset in September or October of this year based on Qualcomm's BREW Mobile Platform (BMP). The deployment of BMP-based models and the enforcement of Android-powered handsets will help further enhance HTC's competitiveness, the sources said.

HTC was the first handset vendor to launch devices based on Google's Android platform, launching the HTC Dream via T-Mobile (branded as the T-Mobile G1) last Autumn, and later the HTC Magic, which is being offered by operators such as T-Mobile, Vodafone and Rogers Wireless, and HTC Hero. The only other Android-based phone launched to date is the Samsung i7500, which launched last month, though most major handset vendors are planning to launch Android phones by year-end.

Worlds slimmest watch phone S9110 unveiled

The slimmest watch phone S9110 has been unveiled by Samsung. A statement here on Thursday said that Samsung Electronics, a leading mobile phone manufacturer, has announced the launch of the S9110, a cutting-edge watchphone featuring a full touch screen. It said that the watchphone is basically a wrist-watch which comprises of all the features of a cellular phone. The statement further maintained that Samsung once again proves its prowess in the market.

Zeeshan Qureshi, Head of Samsung mobiles, Pakistan and Afghanistan stated that this sleek S9110 is mere 11.98mm thick thanks to the companys advanced surface mounting technology, making it the slimmest watchphone device in the market. Featuring a 1.76 full touch screen customized for the wrist-watch form factor, the S9110 aims to attract mobile phone users who want a unique fashion item that keeps them connected on the go.

The statement pointed out that in 1999, Samsung introduced the worlds first watch phone, the SPH-WP10, which became a landmark product in the mobile industry.

It said that the company has continued to bring newer innovative products in the market for not only mobile phones but LCD TVs and LED TVs also.