Both in products and in the courtroom is the battle between Apple and Samsung significantly flared. Where for many Apple users no competition Android Forums screaming for years that the iPhone is too expensive and offers nothing extra.
Based on technical specs, they were right, only Apple knew there was a good looking phone. The software and user determine whether a phone is nice to work with. Although the Galaxy S2 is a nice phone, he could at that level yet compete with the iPhone. But with the S3 change has taken place. In september Apple will have to show what it’s worth, because the Samsung Galaxy S3 shows her sexy design, beautiful large screen and smart software the iPhone 4S behind.
Look and feel
If the Samsung Galaxy S3 for the first time in your hand, you get a huge wow feeling. Its predecessor, the S2 Galaxy, was a fine device that I’ve used a lot, but its design was not too good. The device was extremely light, the battery was about half of the total weight. What has not really need to be, but the plastic frame felt quite fragile to. This does not mean that the device is actually weak. I toetsel already dropped dozens of times, taking only minor damage has occurred 1 time (on the edge). In design, the Samsung Galaxy S3 is most of the ‘Google phone’ Galaxy Nexus .
In that respect, the S3 is a real revolution: the unit is 1 piece of design. It is flowing, it shines and it’s all seamlessly connected. The notification light, lens, flash, speaker and mic are all in the shed design. While the exterior is largely plastic, feels very solid and it looks luxurious. Compared to Samsung’s previous flagship product is what the S3 arrived. It also feels so tight, a little more junk in the trunk . Below the screen is the home button flanked by two touch-sensitive buttons for “previous” and “menu”. The buttons are visible only when touched, and they are lit.
The reaction I get most of the S3 is “oh how great he is.” The unit also has a nice 4.8-inch touchscreen with HD Super AMOLED display technology that provides incredibly clear and sharp image. The display is so large that it alone eats the iPhone 4s. With a SIII held that iPhone 4S suddenly very small.
If we look at the front of the phone, we see that the screen seamlessly with the body of the smartphome. Only the home button and the speaker come from the frame. Like its predecessor, the S3 has an edge that prevents you from screen to pieces right away is if you let him fall. The screen is provided with Gorilla Glass 2, which is stronger and thinner than its predecessor.
To save files, the phone has an internal memory of 16GB which can be expanded by means of a micro-SD memory card of up to 64 GB.
Performance
Although it is not lacking in previous phones, the specs of the S3 is very impressive. The new smartphone includes a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor and 1 GB RAM. Sounds impressive but ask myself the same time also depends where you need it. I used the Galaxy S2 and Lumia 800 , and both had never suffered from slow apps. You will notice this difference is mainly in the heavier and better games. Also, HD movies and animated backgrounds run smoothly.
Camera
Poor Pixel seems the camera is not very special: the back of the unit is an 8 megapixel camera that photographs with a resolution of 3264 x 2448 pixels and videos at 1080p @ 30fps makes. But of course we know that it no longer revolves around the megapixels. To ensure the quality of the image is, therefore, to improve tampered with the sensor. The Galaxy S3 offers an f/2.6 aperture and a focal length of 3.7 mm. This gives the lens of the Galaxy S3 has a slightly wider viewing angle and thus is able to more image on a photograph.
Also focus is significantly better than its predecessor. The camera is better able to focus on objects near, see ondertaand example:
Fast
Other options of the camera are: geo-tagging, touch focus , face and smile detection and a digital picture stabilizer. Videos can be recorded in 1080. There are three features that I just want to highlight. First of all, the speed of the camera. With the Galaxy S3 because you feel a real paparazzi. You can rapid succession shots. Nice, but also very convenient. For example, in low light situations and lots of movement (eg parties). Solve your photo salvo and there’s always between a picture that is sharp. Even facial expressions can not escape the camera. How often does it happen that you’re just too late for that spontaneous laughter or surprise capture. There is even a burst mode in which the phone automatically and subsequently 20 photos shoot. Then searches the best picture from your phone using the sharpness.
Face
Another feature I appreciate is the face. The camera software automatically detects faces, which you can then tag them. The more you tag, the better the phone is able to recognize who in the photo. The great thing is that if you upload to Facebook can automatically tag them with any of your friends in the picture there!
Filming and photography together
Some moments are so special that you prefer them in photographs and on video would explain. If after shooting a photo, then you’re already too late. Samsung has invented what. While you’re filming because you can continue to make pictures! In fact, these photos are not unlike a screenshot of the video. Nevertheless, very nice, with a resolution of 1080p film are excellent quality pictures.
Front camera
Besides the regular camera has the S3 a 1.9 megapixel front camera. Filming is possible in 720p @ 30fps. With the large screen makes the S3 a full mirror. That it really used, I saw last week when a compartment on the train away a woman’s makeup was in working with the FrontCam of the S3.
Where the camera is also useful, it is unlocked via face recognition. While not as secure as a PIN is a fun security. Because a swipe still faster, I think not many users will this security setting.
Software
Like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus runs the S3 on the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. In addition, Samsung has, as always, placed her own skin, the TouchWiz interface. For the Galaxy this Samsung S3 has launched a special edition called Nature TouchWiz UX. What is particularly striking is that many more Samsung apps among them. Unnecessarily. For example, the default calendar application from Android replace S Planner, Notes has been replaced by S and Chaton Memo, Game Hub Suggest S, S Voice, GO Samsung, Samsung Apps and AllShare Play installed by default. Fun Fact is fact that Flipboard installed by default on the S3, but not Google Currents.
Dropbox is also preinstalled on the SIII. To promote the Camera Uploads function as a user you get 2 years 50GB Dropbox storage gift. That Camera Uploads feature is also very convenient. Each photo or screenshot you make automatically to the Camera Uploads folder so that you uploaded after taking a photograph directly onto your laptop to get started.
What is very good about it is that toetsel in the notification screen some commonly used options include: Wi-Fi, GPS, vibration, screen rotation, low-power, alerts, mobile data, Bluetooth, car stand and synchronization. Self I make especially heavy use of Wi-Fi, rumble feature and screen rotation, and it is very nice that every time I do not need to dive into the settings but they quickly through the notification screen can turn on or off. What I really like is the backlight control. I love to make of him at 100% such that the colors are popping, but if you occasionally want to conserve battery as you can ‘t easily switch back.
Voice control
Thus S Voice a nice counterpart to Apple’s Siri. With the voice control software, you can search on Google, SMS messages, call contacts, and much more. Like Siri remains difficult to Dutch names to call or text tapping. How I pronounce my last name too, call he does not. In terms of voice control, I believe the same as the view The Verge, ” Siri is faster, S Voice can do more, but Neither is really good enough . “
Sharing with other devices
Play All Share app that I quoted above you through DLNA content from your smartphone directly with other devices in your network hang. Handy if you have a Samsung (or AllShare enabled ) TV have in your network depends. Then you can with 1-touch a photo or video to share your TV. I used a server running XBMC at home where I watch movies with them and listening music. By installing XBMC Remote can do practically the same. This works very well and quickly. With 1-touch magic just shot a picture on your big TV screen. Also eg a YouTube video you can effortlessly transfer.
Tricks from nature
Direct Call
nicer additions to Nature UX are a few tricks. The first is direct call . The idea is good: if you look up a contact or interaction with someone you can call him or her directly by phone to your ear. In practice, however, it is not so useful. What happens when a contact which is 2 or more songs in his profile? Exactly, it does not work. And I have a lot of it. In practice it works just fine so basically if you’re texting with someone, because the software that you will understand the mobile number of the contact to call. Fact is that I hardly SMS. The time I do it I guess not to the gestur use. Nice to show off to your friends, but not practical.
Stay Smart
This function is so simple but oh so awesome. While you’re back in the Galaxy SIII front camera keeps an eye on what you’re doing and takes this into account. For example if you are reading a text, the software ensure that the screen stops automatically after 10 or 20 seconds off! Conversely, this function as’ drag detection: If the phone does not recognize open eyes he switches after 5 seconds.
Samsung Keyboard
I made ??frequent use of self Swype on S2: writing texts by sweeping over the keys to your words. The SIII Swype is no longer recognizable as such but is there own software swypen is possible, and simply “Samsung Keyboard” is mentioned. Unfortunately, not so fine as the original. Corrections to be actively implemented and the main word is constantly changing as you type, because different suggestions (this is also true for normal imports). The annoying thing is that when you want to put this out, you also have the opportunity to swypen off. It happens to me often that the software from scratch once only corrects for through-the-user-added words themselves. Eventually the mean and Swype installed but disabled.
Pop up play
if you’re going a quadcore processor, you should also occasionally used. It can pop up with the play function. Everyone will recognize this. Are you just getting a 1080p HD movie to watch on your smartphone, suddenly someone starts texting. Just when you’re watching a movie. Potverdriedubbeltjes. Film pause or ignore your friend? Difficult, difficult. However, this is a thing of the past. With pop-up you can play a HD movie watching in the foreground, while checking your mail or a text type. After the feature in the video player to have clicks you can reduce video frame dragging anywhere, so you while watching your movie, you can multi-task. Incidentally, even at full HD movies without any hitch.
Motion features
In addition to these direct call , Samsung has built a few movements. So you can zoom in and out by tilting the device. This example also works for the tabs in Chrome and expand it. You can also act toetsel to turn to mute. This can also by putting your hand on the screen to explain. Cutest function find myself making a screenshot, which can have the palm of your hand from left to right across the screen to wipe.
Communications
In terms of communication except Near Field Communication (NFC) all known. The Samsung Galaxy S3 has a battery embedded NFC chip. Up to now, the usefulness of a NFC chip, because of the use of applications, is still limited. A step in the direction Android Beam, which data are exchanged between smartphones. Samsung has also released its own application to exchange data via NFC: S Beam. This works nice and unwise. All you need to do such an outstanding photo sharing is the two smartphones close together. The counterparty then need only press the OK button and the data is transferred. This works in practice is very nice because you do not need to perform additional operation (eg starting a uitwisselingsapp).
Battery
The weakest point of just about any phone at the moment is the battery life. On a day when you really use your phone often he saves the end of the day. Similarly, the Galaxy S II. It is so fine that the Galaxy SIII with its 2100mAh battery is always ready for you. In comparison, the battery is 1650 mAh S2, the iPhone 1432mAh 4s. In several battery benchmarks (such as CNET UK ) scores than the S3 also very high. Finally a phone that is in heavy use all day long last!
Business
As we are accustomed Android phone is perfect for business use. To cater to the business market, Samsung, however, a special version of the phone. This “enterprise edition” is greatly improved in the field of security. One of these features is the “Samsung Approved for Enterprise” (SAFE) software. That can include AES-256 bit gegevensencriptie, improved speech Microsoft Exchange functionality, remote access and support for popular Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems. With the phone in Samsung jumps on the trend BYOD (bring your own device), where employees use their own equipment for work purposes. A disadvantage of this is often the security. Samsung has an exchange program was created (Safe2Switch ‘) for customers who want to trade their old phone for a Samsung device SAFE.
Inspired by nature
The commercials for the flagship of Samsung were not to be missed. Both offline and online, Samsung has deployed heavily. All this under the heading (Designed for humans,) Inspired by nature . “It sees, listens, responds, and Allows you to share the greatest moments.” Said Samsung.
This is certainly reflected in the phone. If I must summarize the Galaxy S3: few news, but so much better. For the review I looked not specifically for the phone but because I saw little innovative things. In that respect, Samsung has innovated the Apple way: there is not much work on the specs but the software, user experience and usability. A sexy design. A battery where you ease into the day through. Smart user gestures. Simple exchange with other devices. In terms of camera: no extra megapixels, but while filming and photographing, quickly shoot photos and social tagging .
And why is it such a lovely phone to work. And in September, Apple really come up with something truly innovative, because the iPhone 4S should really to believe. Although the difference is getting smaller, it remains that many new apps available first iOS. IOS also works in some areas just a little more intuitive, but the reverse there are tricks that the iPhone lacks. The large screen, camera and smart software make the Galaxy S3 for me to the superior phone.
