Reviews Of The Year

The third generation of the Samsung Galaxy S comes with a quad-core 1.4 GHz, 4.8-inch screen Super AMOLED and an 8 megapixel camera, among other components. And this powerful hardware came with the latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich. I spent a week with the Galaxy S III and below you can see my fingerprints on it.
 

The slogan of the Galaxy S III is "designed for humans." I do not know what kind of man they relied to create this model, but I'm guessing it must have been a pretty big by hand. The screen of this handset makes it reaches dangerously close to the field foblets, where older brother fits the Galaxy Note, but is still small enough to be held with one hand without losing firmness.


The cake recipe that Samsung has set its Galaxy S devices is followed here again. Only two touch sensitive buttons on the front, separated by a physical button in the middle for the home. At the top front camera and light sensor. On the sides are the buttons on / off and volume controls. Above the device output plus a headset microphone to capture audio in video recording mode and below the output and microUSB standard microphone.

That said, the plastic with which it was built just seemed sturdy and cheap. The side of the unit, be deduced that metal before catching on hand for the first time, is actually a plastic that mimics brushed metal. The blue version, which only had a chance to see the same production line from Samsung in Manaus, seems to have a better finish, but I could not get into a tester.

The Galaxy S III is a device that until I found beautiful, despite being dubbed "soap". But the stuff that he's done and his finishing could be better.

Its generous 4.8 inch Super AMOLED screen with 1280 × 720 pixel resolution makes the Galaxy S III an excellent device for watching videos, surfing the web and mainly play Fruit Ninja. The screen will invariably attract fingerprints and facial oiliness if you make many calls, but it's something we're used to on touchscreen devices. I also tested the screen by opening a blank page as much of it as an iPhone 4S, both with the brightness at maximum. And the Galaxy S III was a strange bluish tone through.

The Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is well hidden here by Samsung with TouchWiz interface UX Nature. The experience can not be a pure Android, but is not necessarily bad. Over the years, Samsung has been perfecting the TouchWiz based on feedback (possibly the various complaints) of users and I can say that today it has reached a reasonable level.

A good example is the custom move set that has the Galaxy S III. Bring the device to the ear with an open SMS, for example, will call the person who sent the message. Already cover the screen with the hand break any multimedia content, as well as turn the device screen down. Or capture the screen by sliding your hand over the device. These are small details so they can make a custom interface to help rather than hinder the user.

Although there are several elements that you will not use, like the widget Promotions Samsung Game Hub or Suggestion S, which occupies almost the entire screen with suggestions of applications, but all can be easily disabled. What can not be disabled are the annoying notices of new movements. A lay user will like to train new movements, but who already uses Android for some time do not want to see the warnings.

Incidentally, the default theme Aquatic Galaxy S III in the unlock screen shows waves when the finger slides and makes sounds of water droplets on any button. After a while one of two things happens: either you get bored or get used to them. The first option was what happened to me, so I let the machine constantly on silent.

The Galaxy S III is another of Samsung's handsets compatible with Kies, your synchronization program. But to say that this device wants to steal iPhone users is to underestimate him. Once installed, the program automatically detects if you have a directory with iTunes and import your entire multimedia collection without DRM. Furthermore (and this is far more chutzpah), so a connected device from Samsung is the program searches for a backup of iPhone and offers the option to automatically import everything to the phone.

And that's exactly what I did to test the Galaxy S III. The import worked flawlessly (to the horror of Apple). But he still has to improve with regard to the organization of files inside. Although the program allows to synchronize podcasts, music, videos and movies, to send them to the Galaxy S III, they were all built into one category. There is a section for podcasts or just for movies. Sometimes, choosing the option to play songs in random order, a podcast episode appears.

Having chosen the program you sync the Samsung to import your media files or more archaic route opted to play the files inside the unit in storage mode, the experience will be the same: fast and flowing well. In the settings you can choose a specific volume for media and one for the touch, then you do not need to take the phone from silent to listen to music on the speaker. But please do not do this, he is absurdly powerful.

HD videos played without even choking and could even include subtitles in them. And there is still the option to highlight the video and continue to move in with him on the phone screen, in any corner that you want. The audio also does not disappoint and was compatible with both formats of music I played him, MP3 and AAC, also showing the ID3 tags and album art.

In short, anyone who is buying a Galaxy S III for its multimedia functions have no chance of being disappointed. But if you use Samsung Kies to transfer content, can get a little lost.

The 8 megapixel Galaxy S III will be more than enough for most users. I imagine that anyone who wants to buy an appliance for the camera already know that the Xperia S features 12.1 megapixels, for example. And while the newest of Samsung Galaxy continue not providing a physical button for the camera, and this is quite annoying, he tries to compensate in software. The focus is adjustable, there are several scene modes to choose from and even filters built into the camera itself.

Facial recognition and the possibility of taguear friends after taking a picture are also interesting differences Galaxy S III. This handset also has a mode that captures 20 photos in sequence, for those moments when something any faster is happening, or even 8 photos to choose the best one according to the location of the faces of friends and other factors, which also helps better enjoy the camera.

In terms of video quality is good and without much noticeable graininess. For a phone that records in 1080p (FullHD), is a decent quality, as you can see below.

The device is compatible with HSPA + networks of Brazilian operators, so if you hire the plan or course of 3GMax 3GPlus Vivo, will sail to the amazing speed of up to 6 Mbps. Ok, not much, but it's what's for today in Brazil. In addition, the handset also comes with DLNA support, Bluetooth 4.0 (compatible with various accessories), NFC and Wi-Fi Direct.

Call quality is what you expect from a device already clout of the Galaxy S III, a clear audio even with the volume on average and in a region full of people. The earphones included with the Galaxy S III proves that Samsung has heard (pun intended) complaints from customers. They are much better since the Galaxy S II and even though intrauriculares not bother as much. The headphones also gained an upgrade: the buttons now also jump and pause the music instead of just answering calls.

Here in Brazil has promised to launch the Samsung sell a case specifically for this model, as well as cables for connection to TVs, styluses, car docks and several others. But even more interesting, the wireless charger has no date to reach the market.

As would be the Galaxy S III comes with a batch of doubtful utility applications. The Chaton, competitor WhatsApp service, created by Samsung, does not exactly have a large user base to justify its use. But there is also an application to draw and write notes for reminders, the calendar and other applications to display and Samsung's own services that can be installed on the device. And it was a good company to have built others that application instead of filling the apparatus potentially unhelpful things.

Another application is built into the device S Beam, used to transfer files between users ... the Galaxy S III. It's a very narrow audience, I admit, but it is still useful. It connects via NFC for mutual recognition of equipment and makes transferring files via Wi-Fi direct. In tests with a friend, was able to transfer photos and videos very fast way. But the amount of times you will use that gives to count on the fingers.

Android Beam is also embedded in the case of users find this device than other smartphone from Samsung and have the newest version of Android.

The popular virtual assistant from Samsung would not come with the unit to Brazil, due to the lack of support for the Portuguese. But one of our readers who bought the Galaxy S III said it was possible to download it directly from Samsung Apps, the store's own company, something we confirmed shortly after. It is therefore quite easy to install, making it unnecessary root access or enable installation from unknown sources.

Using it now is another matter. Compatible with English, Spanish and some other languages, the S Voice stubbornly refused to work right most of the time I tested, showing the familiar "Network error". And yes, Samsung has stated that he is not yet ready to Brazil, but I thought it would be good to show at least how it works on the device, as this is one of its main features.

When it worked, the S Voice did what was proposed fine. Open applications, create routes towards local connectivity disable certain items, create alarms and search the web, among others, were tasks performed quite rapidly. With Voice S Samsung has created a good competitor to Siri, but it is a pity that device users in Brazil (which are not well informed) will get this functionality without experiencing even in another language.

The set of huge screen and quad-core processor can spend a lot of energy, but Samsung has managed to get the battery accompany this hardware. With moderate use, including sporadic web browsing via 3G and WiFi for a total of 2 hours, 1 hour of video on Netflix, playback of two videos in 480p 40 minutes and 30 minutes of games, the battery reached 21%. With heavy use, with 3 hours of web browsing, 2 hours of video on Netflix, 1 40-minute video in 720p and 1 hour of play, 15% battery remaining. And he still has an option to save battery in extreme cases.

The two examples I cited above autonomy can be quite reasonable for what the Galaxy S III offers, but what struck me was that even he can last more than one day with my normal usage of a weekend. Altogether, it took 23 hours before requesting arrego with 15% battery. And all I did was unplug it from the outlet in the morning, put in your pocket and do with it whatever you would with the iPhone, which includes checking social networks sporadically. Just noticed that he had arrived at 15% the next morning. Here's the screenshot of this cycle battery.

    S Voice still does not work in Brazil;
    Version has white finish that looks cheap;
    Application synchronization is not yet ideal.

    Fast processor that lets the fluid interface;
    Battery lasting;
    Expansion through microSD.

No doubt, the Samsung Galaxy S III is the best Android phone of the Brazilian market. Although some devices sold here have planned an upgrade to Android Ice Cream Sandwich and then stay at the same level it, there's one that offers comparable performance in all processing, battery and screen.

One is the Xperia S, which came with Android 4.0 at least compete well on camera, although the failure of some sensitive buttons is still a big disadvantage. Outside, the HTC One X to clashes with the S III, but we already know that he will not come to Brazil more. The LG Optimus 4X HD also has potential, but do not know if or when it reaches the country. And who wants a set of screen, battery and slightly less powerful processor but with a pure Android experience, you know that the Galaxy X (Nexus) exists and is for sale for some time.