Samsung Electronics has introduced various Android phones, however, the brand-new Galaxy S (model GT-I9000) is expected to be a milestone product reflecting its competitiveness in the fast-expanding global smartphone market.

With superior hardware specifications and integrated service, the Galaxy S appears to be a flagship model that will boost Samsung’s presence in the Apple and Research-In-Motion led smartphone sector.

The release will begin in selective markets, including Singapore and India, and will be on the shelves this week in Korea. According to Samsung, around 100 global operators have committed to introducing Samsung’s brand-new Android phone this year.

I had a chance to review the much-anticipated Android phone with support from Samsung.

My first impression of the Galaxy S was that the rumors I heard were true. Compared to former Android phones such as the Behold II (A previous Samsung Android phone that I have tested), this new Android phone has taken great strides in both hardware and software, and is second-to-none among the other leading-edge smartphones, including Apple’s iPhone 4.

Let’s go over the smartphone step-by-step. There is one factor to keep in mind, the model which I reviewed is a global model, and some applications or services are not available in certain regions. For example, the global version of the Galaxy S does not include T-DMB (mobile TV) and some local services such as Melon (a music service) by SK Telecom.

Large Display and Fast Processor, yet Lightweight

When I heard about the Galaxy S sporting a 4.0-inch display, I thought it would be inconvenient to carry around compared to other smartphones. However, it was pleasantly lightweight thanks to a sleek 9.9 mm thickness and weight of 119 g. In comparison to the iPhone 4, the Galaxy S is 0.6 mm thicker, but lighter by 18 g. Gripping the phone has a nice feel to it.

Thanks to the 4-inch super AMOLED screen, I can see images and video clips more clearly. When I put the Galaxy S and iPhone 3GS (which I’m currently using) side-by-side, the value of the super AMOLED display is remarkable. Watching the same video clip connecting through Youtube, the difference is even more clearly revealed. I’m not sure that the HD LCD on the iPhone 4 can compete with this super AMOLED, although there is some controversy over image quality.

The Galaxy S has a 1 Ghz processor like the other latest smartphones, including the iPhone 4, and the processing speed is fast. Personally, however, I did have much of an impression when I previously reviewed Samsung’s first bada-based smartphone, the Wave, which also has a 1 Ghz processor in a small-sized form factor.

High-Quality Camera & Video

The Galaxy S has a 5-megapixel camera and flash, along with HD-quality video recording and playback at 720 p with 30 fps. Resolution for photos is up to 2560 x 1920 pixels and video at up to 1280 x 720 pixels.

When I’m using the camera function on my iPhone 3GS, I need so many third-party applications to improve picture-capture and for editing. As you know there are a ton of applications for the iPhone’s camera to make up for the poor camera quality. The Galaxy S doesn’t need this kind of life support.

The 5-megapixel camera-equipped smartphone supports various scene modes, has a smile-shot mode, panorama mode, a photo-series function, self-shot mode and even a cartoon mode. A simple photo editing function is also included.

For video capture, users are able to adjust a diverse set of parameters such as lighting conditions, timer and white balance. The quality of the video capture is very satisfactory. All of the photos or video can be shared through All Share, Bluetooth, email, messaging, and Youtube. I uploaded a sample video capture to Youtube.

Recently, Samsung has begun adding a Social Hub function on its new smartphones. The Social Hub is an integrated communication application for email, messages, instant messages, contacts and calendar information. When sending a message, you can simply select the method, email or SMS at the Social Hub. An integrated view of the various services is presented.

However, the level of integrated services also depends on mobile carriers, said Samsung. For example, when I’m using Twitter at the Social Hub, I can’t see the Twitter timeline. I can view it by opening a browser. However, if it was fully integrated in the Social Hub, it would be more convenient.

The new Home Cradle is a nice accessory that helps to turn the smartphone into a digital photo frame, table clock, calendar, or music station.

The Galaxy S supports an “All Share” function, which enables inter-device connectivity via DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) technology. Thanks to a Mobile AP function, users are able to share the smartphone’s mobile Internet connection with a PC through Wi-Fi. After activating mobile AP, you can connect to it using a PC’s Wi-Fi controls, Samsung explained.

The Galaxy S features the TouchWiz 3.0 user-interface. To handle lost phones, the Android phone adopts Mobile Tracker, which is designed to assist in finding lost phones.

Essential, Powerful, Pre-loaded Applications

As Augmented Realty is emerging as a killer smartphone application, the Galaxy S has the “Layar,” which allows browsing of locations for real-time local information or maps through the camera and the sharing of this information with others. Samsung is offering more point-of-interest (POS) information with “Samsung ARound Me,” which is provided by Tele Atlas.

Using text input, users can select a normal keypad or a Swype keyboard. With Swype, you can select the first character of a word and then drag your finger to the second character without lifting the finger. Supported languages include English and several European languages including French, Germany. Korean is not yet available.

Like other Android-phones, the Galaxy S supports many Google services including Gmail, Google Talk, Google Map, Youtube and Voice Search. An E-book reader by Aldiko and mobile officeware is provided by a Korean venture company called ThinkFree.

With Daily Briefing, users receive weather, finance information, news, and schedule information for the day.

Mini Diary is very cute. Using the simple diary application, users create a diary by easily adding an image or capturing a photo.

An interesting new application is “Write and Go,” designed for “fast thinking, later decision.” Once written, the text can be sent to SMS, email, calendar or a social networking service.

Besides voice search, voice command and text-to-speech is available. The Smart Alarm is also interesting. Using this function, a user wakes up to a gradually-increasing alarm sound, and gently awakes to an automatically turned-on display light.

Users are able to get third-party applications through the Android Market and Samsung’s own marketplace, Samsung Apps. In addition, in Korea, SK Telecom’s “T Store” is also available.

Bottom Line:
Fast, and Easy to Use: Designed for a “Smart Life”

Thanks to a 4-inch display with a brilliant super AMOLED display, it is easy to write and share through social networking services such as Twitter or Facebook, and enjoyment is doubled when watching images and video, including Youtube videos.

If you are considering purchase of an Android phone, put the Galaxy S on your short list.

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