Samsung Galaxy S

Samsung Galaxy S (I9000) Review – Samsung’s Bold Step into the Future of Android

In the fast-moving world of smartphones, 2010 is proving to be a defining year. Apple has just unveiled the iPhone 4 with its sharp Retina Display, HTC is enjoying praise for its Desire and Legend, and Motorola has pushed Android forward with the Droid (Milestone). But now Samsung has officially stepped into the big league with the launch of its new flagship: the Samsung Galaxy S (GT-I9000).

If the first Samsung Android phone, the I7500 Galaxy, was an experiment, then the Galaxy S is the revolution. It’s sleek, powerful, and multimedia-ready, and it shows Samsung is serious about dominating the Android space.

So, how does the Galaxy S really measure up? Let’s dive into the design, features, performance, and whether this is the phone that deserves a place in your pocket in 2010.

Design and First Impressions

At first glance, the Galaxy S I9000 makes an immediate impression. Measuring just 9.9 mm thick and weighing only 119 grams, it’s one of the lightest and slimmest smartphones available today. Despite its slim profile, Samsung has managed to fit in a large 4.0-inch screen, which dominates the front of the device.

The phone feels smooth in the hand, with rounded edges and a glossy plastic back. While the lightweight build makes it comfortable to carry, some might find the plastic finish less premium compared to the iPhone 4’s glass-and-metal design. Still, it’s stylish, modern, and unmistakably different from the bulky smartphones of just a year ago.

Display: The Star of the Show

The headline feature here is undoubtedly the 4.0-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 480 × 800 pixels (WVGA). Super AMOLED is Samsung’s proprietary display technology, and the difference is clear.

• Colors are vibrant and saturated.
• Contrast is deep, with true blacks that make movies look cinematic.
• Outdoor visibility is significantly improved compared to traditional LCD screens.

Whether you’re browsing photos, playing games, or watching YouTube clips, the Galaxy S screen is stunning. It easily competes with the iPhone 4’s Retina Display and, for many, offers a more striking experience thanks to its vivid color reproduction.

Samsung Galaxy S (I9000) Specifications

Under the hood, Samsung hasn’t held back. The Galaxy S I9000 is packed with high-end hardware:

• Processor: 1 GHz Hummingbird (ARM Cortex-A8 architecture)
• Graphics: PowerVR SGX540 GPU
• RAM: 512 MB
• Storage: 8 GB or 16 GB internal, expandable via microSD (up to 32 GB)
• Display: 4.0-inch Super AMOLED, 480 × 800 pixels
• Rear Camera: 5 MP with autofocus, 720p HD video recording
• Front Camera: VGA for video calls
• Battery: 1500 mAh, removable
• Connectivity: HSDPA (7.2 Mbps), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS
• Operating System: Android 2.1 (Eclair), with upgrade to Android 2.2 (Froyo) promised

The highlight here is the Hummingbird processor paired with the PowerVR SGX540 GPU, which delivers some of the best graphics performance we’ve seen on a smartphone so far. From 3D games to HD video playback, the Galaxy S handles everything with ease.

Software and User Interface

The Galaxy S runs Android 2.1 Eclair, layered with Samsung’s custom TouchWiz 3.0 interface. While some Android purists may prefer the stock interface seen on the Nexus One, TouchWiz brings a few unique features worth noting:

• Daily Briefing: A widget that combines news, weather, stocks, and your schedule.
• Social Hub: Integrates email, contacts, instant messaging, and social networks into one streamlined view.
• Seven Home Screens: All customizable with widgets, shortcuts, and wallpapers.

Performance is snappy, transitions are smooth, and apps launch quickly. And with access to the Android Market, which now hosts over 70,000 apps, the possibilities for customization and productivity are endless.

Multimedia Powerhouse

One area where the Galaxy S truly shines is multimedia. Unlike some competitors, Samsung has ensured the device supports a wide range of file formats, including DivX, XviD, MP4, WMV, MP3, AAC, and more.

That means you can load your favorite videos and music without worrying about endless conversions. Paired with the Super AMOLED display, watching movies or browsing through photos is simply stunning.

The 5 MP rear camera takes crisp photos in daylight and records 720p HD video at 30fps. While the absence of a flash is disappointing (especially for night shots), the camera is quick to focus and produces sharp results in good lighting conditions.

Samsung has also included a front-facing VGA camera — something rare for Android phones at this time. This paves the way for video calling, which we expect to become more popular with faster mobile networks.

Performance and Battery Life

The 1 GHz Hummingbird CPU lives up to expectations. The Galaxy S breezes through multitasking, runs graphically intensive games smoothly, and plays HD video without hiccups. Benchmark results show it outpacing many of its Android rivals.

The 1500 mAh battery is respectable, especially considering the large and bright display. With moderate use (calls, web browsing, social media, and a bit of video), the Galaxy S lasts a full day comfortably. Heavy users may need a nightly recharge, but that’s a fair trade for such performance.

Samsung Galaxy S vs the Competition

The smartphone market in mid-2010 is fierce. Here’s where the Galaxy S stands:

• iPhone 4: Apple’s latest boasts the Retina Display and FaceTime, but the Galaxy S offers a bigger screen and wider media format support.
• HTC Desire/Nexus One: Both are excellent Android phones with solid hardware, but the Galaxy S’s Super AMOLED display and GPU performance give it the edge.
• Motorola Droid/Milestone: Once the Android flagship, it now feels bulky and underpowered compared to Samsung’s slim and sleek design.

In short, the Galaxy S can stand toe-to-toe with the very best.

Pricing and Carrier Availability (2010)

The Samsung Galaxy S (I9000) is rolling out globally in mid-2010. Pricing varies by market, but here’s what we’re seeing:

• Europe: €499 – €549 unlocked (varies by country)
• UK: Available on O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile, and Orange with contracts starting at £30/month.
• US: Variants are landing as the Samsung Captivate (AT&T), Samsung Vibrant (T-Mobile), Samsung Fascinate (Verizon), and Samsung Epic 4G (Sprint). Pricing is generally $199 on contract or around $500 – $550 unlocked.
• Asia: Launching in markets like Singapore, India, and South Korea throughout the summer, with local pricing adjusted.

Samsung is clearly pushing the Galaxy S as a global flagship, ensuring that it will reach as many hands as possible.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S I9000 is not just another Android phone. It’s a statement from Samsung that they are ready to compete at the very top of the smartphone market.

With its gorgeous Super AMOLED display, slim and lightweight design, powerful hardware, and multimedia versatility, the Galaxy S is one of the best smartphones of 2010.

If the I7500 Galaxy was Samsung’s first step, the Galaxy S is its giant leap forward. With variants launching across the globe and updates promised to keep it future-proof, the Galaxy S is the Android phone to beat this year.

For those looking for the best Android smartphone of 2010, the Samsung Galaxy S I9000 is absolutely worth considering.

Specs