I don't like Samsung, but they certainly have put a stake in the ground with this one. Makes me look forward to what Apple has to offer with the new iPhone later on this year, which I will definitely be buying.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Phones Your thoughts on the Galaxy S III
- Thread starter Yumunum
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
i think it's just the gloss that's kinda off to me. they should've gone matte like HTC did with the One X. that home button also.. really no need. i'd rather they'd have gone with a dedicated camera button.
correct. you can expand it to 128gb if you choose. keep in mind that adds about an extra $100, look here
I'm pretty disappointed with this phone. I was looking forward to it, but its plastic body and ugly curved corners (IMO) killed it. And to top it off, they didn't even do much to the inside other than throw in a quad-core processor and HD screen. I would've like to have seen an aluminum or polycarbonate body and a 10MP or higher camera. I hate how Android manufacturers sit around and wait for Apple to update the iPhone before they add in similar stuff. They need to step up their game and make the phone a worthy upgrade, not a small spec bump.
Looks like come October I am getting the iPhone.
Looks like come October I am getting the iPhone.
WTH have they done with the browser UI? Those colours....
UI is my biggest gripe about the phone. It's got some really clever new features that are firsts for the smartphone world, but my god does samsung have some of the worst UI designers in the business
----------
I'm pretty disappointed with this phone. I was looking forward to it, but its plastic body and ugly curved corners (IMO) killed it. And to top it off, they didn't even do much to the inside other than throw in a quad-core processor and HD screen. I would've like to have seen an aluminum or polycarbonate body and a 10MP or higher camera. I hate how Android manufacturers sit around and wait for Apple to update the iPhone before they add in similar stuff. They need to step up their game and make the phone a worthy upgrade, not a small spec bump.
Looks like come October I am getting the iPhone.
I think people focus far too much on specs...I don't see how this is a small spec bump in any way. It's like you expected them to use magic to conjure up technologies that don't exist yet.
As for the camera, what do you need 10mp for? Unless you do a lot of digital zooming, 8mp is more than enough...its the quality of the optics you should be concerned with, not the number of the pixels.
the biggest thing this phone has done is bring a lot of thoughtful, innovative new features to the forefront. wether you like the actual device or not, you can't deny that a lot of what samsung has done on the software design (aside from that HORRID UI design) is pretty neat...I for one would like to see them become the norm on smartphones going forward
Here are some more benchmarks for you:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/03/gsiii-benchmarks/
and some more:
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s_iii_flexes_muscles_on_benchmarks-news-4201.php
Last edited:
I guess the thing that's disappointing to me is that they didn't hit it out of the ballpark, and really solidify their grip on Android. I would have liked to have seen them graduate from plastic (I'm aware of its benefits) to more high-end quality parts and design. I think people will now look to HTC again, and specifically the One X.
And software wise, I'm not surprised they didn't downplay TouchWiz. The SII sold millions and millions around the world; all with TouchWiz. They wouldn't mess much with that. I was always secretly wishing, though for a better and more "adult" UI. Heck, I was even secretly hoping for stock ICS.
I have no doubt the SIII will succeed right where the SII leaves off.
And software wise, I'm not surprised they didn't downplay TouchWiz. The SII sold millions and millions around the world; all with TouchWiz. They wouldn't mess much with that. I was always secretly wishing, though for a better and more "adult" UI. Heck, I was even secretly hoping for stock ICS.
I have no doubt the SIII will succeed right where the SII leaves off.
I'm pretty disappointed with this phone. I was looking forward to it, but its plastic body and ugly curved corners (IMO) killed it. And to top it off, they didn't even do much to the inside other than throw in a quad-core processor and HD screen. I would've like to have seen an aluminum or polycarbonate body and a 10MP or higher camera. I hate how Android manufacturers sit around and wait for Apple to update the iPhone before they add in similar stuff. They need to step up their game and make the phone a worthy upgrade, not a small spec bump.
Looks like come October I am getting the iPhone.
Minor upgrade? What more could they possibly have done?
Hardware upgrades: -
- Quad core processor (double the performance of the sgs2 with 30% less power used up)
- 65% improved graphics over sgs2
- Larger hd screen with improved power efficiency
- Brand new camera and flash
- Much larger battery
- Vastly improved storage capacity
- Wifi performance is twice as good
- NFC chip
- Wireless charging - an industry first
Software upgrades: -
- S-beam - capable of transmitting data at 300mbps, can send a photo gallery in about a second. Revolutionary feature.
- S-voice - what vlingo should have been.
- Eye tracking + other intuitive gestures.
- Has ics out of the box, will most likely get jelly bean
- Vastly improved camera software with burst mode, zero shutter lag, best photo selection and more.
- Automatically recognises your friends in pictures and tags them in all future pictures.
- Better in call quality and volume.
- More codec support.
- Popout video.
And some software features Samsung didn't announce: -
- Improved lock screen (you can create shortcuts to apps like you can on htc phones)
- More toggles in the notification bar.
What did you expect exactly cause it looks like a big upgrade to me?
Beast of a phone.
But again its made from plastic. What the hell are thinking? Atleast Apple understands it. Sorry samsung but youre not getting my money with that flimsy cheap plastic POS phone. Seriously its a flagship phone for crying out loud.
But again its made from plastic. What the hell are thinking? Atleast Apple understands it. Sorry samsung but youre not getting my money with that flimsy cheap plastic POS phone. Seriously its a flagship phone for crying out loud.
Plastic is not to every bodies taste, but from my understanding it is required for the wireless charging feature. Surely such a feature is more important than the material the phone is made from? I don't know about you but 99% of my smartphone use is spent looking at the screen, not the device itself.
----------
See post above re: wireless charging.
Yeah, like a phone made out of glass is such a great idea
I have owned the Galaxy S2, and now Galaxy Nexus, dropped them both a several times with no case, thing never broke. Just the back cover flies off, and battery goes skipping along the floor. Pop them back in, and good to go.All these tests prove nothing. Until we get a working PRODUCTION model into the hands of reviewers, all of this is to be taken with a grain of salt.
For one, this isn't even an LTE phone. I mean seriously? Sure you are selling to the rest of the world also which doesn't have LTE, but consumers here in the US do. What processor are they going to go with then? How will the phone be after the carriers get there dirty hands on it? Also, why use old 32nm technology for there new 'flagship' device? The AT&T One X is performing amazingly well in battery life, processing power, and LTE speeds with this new 28nm tech.
I just don't understand. This is very similar to the 2010 MBA Refresh. They stuck with the C2D which pissed alot of people off. Sure its a great processor that has been perfected, but its old. Shortly after, apple came out the iX processors and everyone was happy (minus the GPU change lol). I have a feeling Samsung is going to do something similar to this.
I don't know why Android manufactures have had so much trouble with design. It's simple. Yet they practically go out of their way to make bad designs.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/03/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-software-hands-on/
Just look at those pictures...
As far as hardware design, Samsung shouldn't've had a textured front surface on the GSIII. The "pebble stone" look is weird. Here's the perfect picture to show what I'm talking about: http://www.engadget.com/photos/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-vs-galaxy-nexus/#5001172
The Galaxy Nexus looks sleek. But the GSIII is framing it's screen with that nonsense.
HTC knows what it's all about: http://goo.gl/Tof5s
http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/03/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-software-hands-on/
Just look at those pictures...
As far as hardware design, Samsung shouldn't've had a textured front surface on the GSIII. The "pebble stone" look is weird. Here's the perfect picture to show what I'm talking about: http://www.engadget.com/photos/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-vs-galaxy-nexus/#5001172
The Galaxy Nexus looks sleek. But the GSIII is framing it's screen with that nonsense.
HTC knows what it's all about: http://goo.gl/Tof5s
Last edited:
Yeah, like a phone made out of glass is such a great idea
Dropped the iphone a million times too. And it never shattered. Don't generalize isolated cases of where it did shatter. But there are also other materials such as aluminum too. The One S, Xperia P, N8 are phones that uses aluminum.
Plastic no doubt is cheap and practical but its not elegant at all. I rather have something elegant and luxurious to complement the whole android or ios experience.
Have to admit, some of the software features are very clever. Bringing the phone up for direct dial while you're in a text message conversation with someone is smart. Of course, it's not hard to press the call button either that ICS allows in text convos, but little things like this are cool.
Ugh, TouchWiz, Y U SO UGLY?
Ugh, TouchWiz, Y U SO UGLY?
I don't know if it's just me but I love the design and material used for the Galaxy Nexus.
Minor upgrade? What more could they possibly have done?
Hardware upgrades: -
- Quad core processor (double the performance of the sgs2 with 30% less power used up) Still using old 32nm technology though which is why they don't have LTE on this device. If LTE was added the battery would suck.
- 65% improved graphics over sgs2 I am curious about this aspect of android as I have felt the games were nowhere near as good as iOS goes. But GPU upgrades are always nice
- Larger hd screen with improved power efficiency Larger PENTILE DISPLAY!!! I don't care what they call HD, pentile Displays suck. HTC Got it right this time around with the One X screen.
The things below is what every device gets or will be getting in the future. Wireless charging seems interesting, but I will wait to pass judgment until its out in the wild.- Brand new camera and flash
- Much larger battery
- Vastly improved storage capacity
- Wifi performance is twice as good
- NFC chip
- Wireless charging - an industry first
Software upgrades: -
- S-beam - capable of transmitting data at 300mbps, can send a photo gallery in about a second. Revolutionary feature. A feature that 75% of the masses will never use
- S-voice - what vlingo should have been. Siri on steroids, so what? With a jailbreak Siri can do a lot of the things that S-voice can do.
- Eye tracking + other intuitive gestures. Another useless Wow Factor.
- Has ics out of the box, will most likely get jelly bean I find it funny that you say that. This new flagship device doesn't even come with a guarantee of the next great OS.
All the rest is nothing more than a slow progression of technology. There is nothing revolutionary about it. I hope better call quality means somewhat bearable radios.- Vastly improved camera software with burst mode, zero shutter lag, best photo selection and more.
- Automatically recognises your friends in pictures and tags them in all future pictures.
- Better in call quality and volume.
- More codec support.
- Popout video.
And some software features Samsung didn't announce: -
- Improved lock screen (you can create shortcuts to apps like you can on htc phones)
- More toggles in the notification bar.
What did you expect exactly cause it looks like a big upgrade to me?
HTC One X here I come. Samsung really dropped the ball on the GS3. I should note that I held off preordering the One X for this announcement.
Parts of it are horrible arent they. I don't like the messaging ui at all.
Luckily Android is all about customisation
I would not generalize with respect to "plastic". Yes, the feel of the SII and the Galaxy Nexus do feel "non-quality" to me, awful for a "Hero" phone.
However, look at what Sony did with the Xperia S, Nokia with the Lumia 800 and 900 and HTC did with the One X. Plastic yes but polycarbonate made out of a single block. For the life of me, I cannot understand the design sensibilities of Samsung's phone division whereas they do make some attractive TVs and monitors.
Youre putting it down for the sake of it.
Have you never had to keep tapping the screen whilst reading something to stop a phone going to sleep? The eye tracking is useful, not a useless wow feature. Even the kindle app of all things doesn't keep my iPad awake.
And keep ranting about pentile, but Engadget had to zoom in something stupid like 140x to spot the difference.
plastic is not required for elecromagnetic induction charging (it's just the cheapest and easiest to mass manufacture), nor is this an industry first. Look to HP and the Touchstone, as an example.
I do agree with you in several respects - just have a look at the anandtech review of the AT&T One X:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5779/htc-one-x-for-att-review
In any event, it is rumoured the North American version of the SIII will probably run the S4 (Krait) so it comes down to which overlay you prefer - Touchwiz or Sense 4.0