Samsung Galaxy R Review

Introduction:

That the Samsung GALAXY S II is the most attractive device in the company's stables is something that cannot be questioned. In terms of sales, Samsung's flagship has been passing milestone after milestone, and as
of today, more than 10 million units have flown off the shelves.

But there is one device that combines a pretty similar set of features, yet comes a tad cheaper than the GALAXY S II. We are talking, of course, about the Samsung Galaxy R, which we have in our hands today.

The Samsung Galaxy R is more or less a downgraded version of the company's finest smartphone. It passes on the 1.2 GHz Exynos SoC in favor of NVIDIA's Tegra 2 chip, the 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display has been replaced with a marginally smaller 4.2-inch Super Clear LCD screen, and the camera on its back has been taken from 8 down to 5 megapixels. Besides, the otherwise plastic back of the Galaxy R has been treated to a nice metallic finish, which we actually find to be an improvement over the plastic feel of the GALAXY S II.

So, without any further ado, let us now take the second best player in team Samsung for a spin and see what goodies it has to offer.

The package contains:

• microUSB cable
• wall charger
• in-ear earphones
• rubber tips for the earphones
• User guide and warranty card

Design:

The Samsung Galaxy R feels nice and solid, but it isn't quite as sexy as its bigger brother. For starters, is is noticeably heavier tipping the scales at 4.76 oz (135 g), which is 0.67 oz (19 g) more than what the S II weighs. The Galaxy R is also a hair thicker with a waistline of 0.37 inches (9.45 mm).

But despite the slight differences between the two devices, the Galaxy R is still a pleasure to look at. While the S II has an overall plastic feel, the back of the R sports a finish that resembles brushed metal  and serves as a reminder that you are holding a premium device in your hands.

The Samsung Galaxy R feels nice and solid

You can compare the Samsung Galaxy R with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.
All of the hardware buttons that the smartphone has are well exposed and provide plenty of tactile feedback. At the same time, they are hard enough to prevent any accidental presses while the device is resting in your pocket.

What dominates the front of the Samsung Galaxy R is a 4.2-inch Super Clear LCD display with a resolution of 480 by 800 pixels. When put side to side to the screen of the Galaxy S II you hardly notice the difference in size, but you surely notice the difference in colors. The display on the R looks much brighter, with slightly more natural, less exaggerated colors, but those of you looking for punchy contrasts, vibrant colors and super deep blacks will prefer the Super AMOLED Plus screen on the S II. With good viewing angles and above average sunlight legibility, though, we were impressed with the screen of the Galaxy R as well

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Samsung Galaxy S I9000(Ceramic White)

Samsung Galaxy S I9000 Price: Rs.19999

The Samsung Galaxy S I9000 is an Android 2.2 Froyo smartphone featuring a vivid, super-bright 4.0 Super AMOLED display. The impressive 480 x 800 resolution allows for seamless web navigation in full-width. Complementing the gorgeous display is the phone's HD video recording and playback functions. Despite cramming in so many pixels, the Galaxy S I9000 is incredibly fast thanks to the 1 GHz processor which allows for zero lag zooming, transitions and panning. This Android smartphone is embedded with the PowerVR SGX540 3D graphics engine which allows it to handle CPU intensive applications like HD gaming with ease. The Samsung Galaxy I9000 features the Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) which greatly enhances the on-screen clarity.

The Samsung phone sports a 5 megapixel camera sensor on the front and a VGA secondary camera on the rear. The I9000 supports HD video recording (720p @ 30 fps). The camera features auto-focus, face recognition, white balance, ISO adjustment, anti-shake, auto-contrast and blink detection, and you can tap on the screen to focus on a particular spot.

Design

The I9000 sports a thin, lightweight rectangularish chassis with a carbon fiber like matte on the rear panel. The handset AMOLED screen sits tad recessed from the edges, protecting it from scratches when kept face down on a surface. The rest of the phone's front is shared between the buttons, a secondary VGA camera, earpiece and the two dot sensors.

The Samsung Galaxy I9000 deviates from the typical Android button arrangement with its home, back and physical menu button combination. Long pressing the menu button pulls up the search function. The I9000's face also houses the accelerometer, light & proximity sensors for auto orientation, light adjustment and auto turn off.

Storage & Battery

This Samsung smartphone comes with 16 GB of in-built memory. The I9000 is powered by a Li-Po 1500 mAh that allows for an impressive 13 hrs of 2G and 6 hours of 3G talktime.

Connectivity & Features

Samsung Galaxy S I9000 supports quad-band GSM and tri-band 3G. You also get Wi-Fi, stereo Bluetooth
and a secondary camera. This Android device also comes preloaded with Google Maps navigation app.

The Galaxy S I9000 smartphone sports an enhanced Integrated Contacts feature which brings your SNS contacts and your phonebook into a single platform, allowing you to check status updates and photos directly from your phonebook. You can even integrate Google and Facebook calendars with the in-built calendar.

This Android device supports DivX and XviD video playback, along with 3G (with HSDPA support), USB
and Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity. The Galaxy S I9000 supports a total of seven home screens, an FM tuner, digital compass with A-GPS.

The 3G smartphone supports Swype typing where you actually draw across the virtual keyboard connecting the letters to form the final word, coupled with Samsungs Predictive text, this allows for extremely fast texting and emailing. Users can gain access to Social Hub, a social network integration platform which pulls in updates from multiple sites into a single feed. The I9000 is preloaded with Thinkfree software that lets you open/edit Microsoft Office 2007 documents on-the-go. The Galaxy I9000 features Samsung's TouchWiz 3.0 UI skinning, those who are comfortable with stock Android UI can revert to it by disabling the Touchwiz skinning.


Samsung Galaxy S I9000 comes preloaded with the Daily Briefing app which delivers everything from the top headlines, stock info, and weather forecast to your schedules and calendar. The S I9000 smartphone features a unique Layar Reality Browser which reveals your surrounding by just clicking a picture, it can reveal addresses, phone numbers and places of interest in your immediate surroundings.

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Samsung Champ Deluxe Duos

Samsung Champ Deluxe Duos C3312(Pure White)

Samsung Champ Deluxe Duos C3312 Price: Rs.3890The Samsung Champ Deluxe Duos C3312 is a stylish touchscreen phone that makes a strong statement and also supports various communication and entertainment needs. This mobile phone has a 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. This light and handy mobile measures 55 x 101.8 x 12.1 mm, and fits easily in the palm of your hand. The Samsung Champ Deluxe Duos C3312 is a Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) phone with dual standby feature that allows you to separate your personal and professional lives efficiently.

This Samsung Champ Deluxe Duos C3312 is loaded with a 1.3 megapixel camera that allows you take pictures at a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels. You can also record videos with the C3312 and share those treasured memories with friends. Samsung TouchWiz 2.0, which is the UI on the phone, simplifies your interactions with your mobile phone.

Battery and Storage

This touchscreen phone is powered by a Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery. A phone with such an efficient battery is ideal for those who travel extensively as it gives you a long talk time and standby time. The internal memory on this handset is expandable up to 16 GB using microSD or microSDHC cards. This Samsung phone has ample storage capacity to store all your SMSes and contacts on it.

Multimedia
The Samsung Champ Deluxe Duos C3312 phone has a capable music player that will entertain you and your friends at all times. The music player on the handset supports MP3, WAV and eAAC+ formats. This phone also supports a video player that will playback videos in MP4, WMV and H.264 formats. The integrated FM radio lets you tune in to desired radio stations and enjoy music on the go. The 3.5 mm audio jack lets you connect headphones of your choice to the gadget and listen to music in high quality.

Connectivity and Features
You can connect to the Internet through GPRS and EDGE platforms supported on the Samsung Champ Deluxe Duos C3312. The preinstalled WAP browser on the phone lets you browse pages on the Internet seamlessly. This Samsung mobile lets you access your Email and keep in touch with your personal and work environment. The Samsung Champ Deluxe Duos C3312 is enabled with a Document Viewer that helps you read important documents on the go. The Bluetooth and USB connectivity features let you transfer files with other compatible devices effortlessly.

The SNS integration feature lets you connect to sites like Facebook and Twitter that keep you constantly connected with friends can be easily accessed on this Samsung phone. The phone has an organizer and many other applications that let you plan your daily activities effectively.

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New Samsung Guru

New Samsung Guru

The new TVC in the Samsung Guru campaign continues the story of Raghu (played by Aamir Khan), a middle-class educated man, finding his foothold in a big city. The TVC has been created by Cheil India and the production house is Red Ice.

In the ad, Raghu's family is elated when he informs them over the phone that he has been appointed as manager in his office. When his father chides him for being too indulgent and buying a new Samsung Guru phone, Raghu points out the benefits of its having the provision of accomodating two SIM cards.
This is the fourth ad in the Samsung Guru series this year [view the earlier ads here ]. Vedobroto Roy, associate vice president - creative at Cheil, said, "The target audience for samsung Guru is quite defined. For them, a phone costing Rs 3000 is a big decision and he also has a whole range of choices between Chinese and Indian players." He added, "We've invested money in creating a face for samsung Guru and it has to make a statement. Hence, the ads are very honest."

Asim Warsi, vice president - marketing at Samsung Mobiles, said that the campaign is on target for the company's objectives. "It captures the little things of making life in the big city, while staying connected. For its emotional part, it has received a standing thumbs up from consumers, viewers and channel partners." He also added that Samsung mobiles currently hold 20 percent value share in the Indian market. "Along with our entry portfolio in a sub-category like Guru, we hope to continue to edge our share up," he said. 

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Samsung Galaxy Note

Samsung Galaxy Note

The Samsung Galaxy Note combines the large display of a tablet with the portability and features of a smartphone. The 5.3” touchscreen is utilised with the S Pen stylus features. Annotate pictures, hand write notes, whatever you want – the S Pen has features in every part of the Galaxy Note's interface to make it the ultimate note taking machine. And it’s good looking too, with a glossy jet black front, smooth lines and a textured dark blue rear for grip and style.

Super sized display.
The Samsung Galaxy Note boasts a generous 5.3” screen and is the first to include HD Super AMOLED technology, making it one of the highest quality displays on any phone. Web browsing is tablet-like: you’ll have minimum scrolling and transitions to do, making it quick, easy and practical to check your favourite pages.

Super internet speeds and processor power.
To ensure every feature, app and video runs smoothly, the Galaxy Note has an ultra fast 1.4GHz processor. This also means it runs multiple apps at once with true multitasking. With an HSPA+ enabled super-fast internet connection there’s immediate access to content and increased download speeds for streaming videos in real-time or chatting with friends online.

The super stylus.
The S Pen and S Memo let you record all your ideas instantly. A quick memo can be taken from any screen to capture your ideas before they float away. You can annotate pictures, create handwritten notes or drawings, put directions on maps, whatever you need. And of course you can make voice memos and type text.

Advanced 8MP camera.
The Samsung Note has a great camera. At 8MP it’s powerful and has a whole of host of features, settings and even professional photography functions to ensure your photos turn out the way you want. And with that stunning screen, yours and your friends’ pics will never look so good.

Better communication.
You’ve had an idea, you’ve written it down, but now what? With the Galaxy Note it’s never been easier to get ideas and emotions sent to your friends and business partners. No matter if it’s a doodle, a super important brain wave, or just directions to a meeting point, you can create them all easily and edit or share them however you desire.

Your business partner.
The Samsung Galaxy Note is a great business smartphone. The S Pen and real time planner and memo make notes easy to create, web conferencing support and Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync make keeping people in the loop easy, and there are uncompromised built-in security features. It can be the only device you need on the go.

With the ability to capture notes like a notepad, the large practical screen of a tablet and the communication features and mobility of a smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note is great phone for those who are forever being hit with the creative bug or run a busy social or business life.

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Samsung Galaxy Ace

Samsung Galaxy Ace

A beauty with brains
The Samsung Galaxy Ace has both good looks and smart features. Its textured back adds interest, and the chrome surround provides a premium look and feel. The touch sensitive buttons disappear when you're not using them, so your phone looks even more streamlined.

Android 2.2 (Froyo)
Samsung Galaxy Ace is powered by Android 2.2 (Froyo). It gives you access to over 150,000 amazing apps, including YouTube™, Google Maps™ and Gtalk™ instant messenger.

5 Megapixel camera
Capture the world around you in sharp 5 MP photos and videos. The dual LED flash ensures that your photos stay well lit and clearly visible, even when you take them in low lighting conditions. You can quickly and easily share your snaps via Facebook™ or YouTube™.

Samsung services
With access to the Samsung app store and the exclusive Samsung social widget, it's easy to immerse yourself in apps, chats and updates from your favourite social networks. Facebook™ posts, Twitter™ tweets, calls and texts are all delivered to your screen throughout the day.

Easy messaging with Swype™
Galaxy Ace comes pre-loaded with Swype, which lets you create messages and social updates just by sweeping your finger across the keys in one continuous motion. Swype cuts the fiddly bits out, so you can spend more time chatting and less time typing.

Snapdragon™ processors by Qualcomm®.
The digital brains inside the smartest devices. The Snapdragon family of processors are designed using best-in-class technology. Everything that your smartphone needs is built right into one chip – the CPU, the graphics processing unit (GPU), internet connectivity software, power management and multimedia features. This means Snapdragon processors give great efficiency and battery life while still providing power and multitasking abilities. Learn more about Snapdragon™.

With a compact, textured design and tons of powerful features, Galaxy Ace is sure to appeal to app lovers, internet addicts and fashion gurus. It's really easy and fun to get to grips with.

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Samsung Wave II

Samsung Wave II

Samsung Wave II S8530 Price: Rs.15700

The Samsung Wave II S8530 is the successor to the impressive Samsung Wave S8500. The S8530 comes with a larger display and an updated OS that manages to iron out many of the previous issues on the S8500. The Wave II sports a 3.7 inch Super Clear LCD display with 480 x 800 pixels. The mobile features Bada OS with Samsung's proprietary TouchWiz 3.0 UI. The S8530 comes with three home screens, that accept live widgets showing the latest Facebook feeds, weather updates and breaking news.

The 5 megapixel camera on the Samsung Wave II can record 720p HD videos at 30 fps. This mobile phone also has a 0.3 megapixel secondary camera loaded on to it. Other camera functionalities include an LED flash, Face and Smile detection and Image stabilization. The Samsung Wave II is powered by an 1 GHz ARM CORTEX A8 processor that offers enhanced 3D graphics and lag free multitasking.

Design

The Samsung S8530 sports the signature monolithic aesthetics with the slight elevation at the top. The diamond-shaped home button is also retained, albeit redesigned to be bit more thumb-friendly. The Wave II features an accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate and a proximity sensor for auto turn-off.

Battery and Storage

The Wave II comes with 2 GB of internal memory and supports up to 32 GB microSD cards. The device is powered by a 1500 mAh Li-ion battery and supports up to 14 hrs of 2G and up to 6 hrs of 3G talk time.

Connectivity and Features

The Wave II features 3G, Wi-Fi, A-GPS, Bluetooth 3.0 and USB connectivity. The Webkit based Dolphin Browser on the Wave II offers Flash support for enhanced browsing experience. Samsung has revamped the TouchWiz UI for an improved Facebook and Twitter integration, also included is a newer YouTube client. The Wave II S8530 features a T9 Trace on-screen keyboard that works the same way as the Swype keypad, allowing you to make a continuous connecting swype to form words.

The Wave II is preloaded with an HD video player that offers multi-codec support like DivX and Xvid playback out-of-the-box. Other features in the mobile include Handwriting recognition, Image Editor and Voice Memo.

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