A UK release for the Galaxy S III is set for 30th May and, in terms of specs, the Korean giant is aiming squarely at the iPhone 4S. The Galaxy S III features Android 4.0 out of the box but the headline spec surprises are a 1.4 Ghz quad-core processor and 16GB, 32GB or 64GB memory options alongside a MicroSD card slot, making it the king of storage in the world of 2012 smartphones. An 8 megapixel rear camera and 1.9 megapixel front camera offers a jump to the high-end of Android camera functions too. The 4.8 inch Super AMOLED screen completes the package with a 1280 x 720 pixel display.
Samsung MD Andy Griffiths said “Our aim with the Galaxy S III was to develop the best smartphone ever made, and by focusing on creating a unique user experience through superior hardware and enhanced usability we believe we have done just that. The device has been created by keeping in mind our daily needs and capabilities as human beings”.
Aping Apple, Samsung also detailed ‘S Voice’, a rival to Apple’s Siri which allows dictation for email and texts but also manages verbal commands to snooze an alarm, take a photo or control the volume of your music. The clever addition to the mix is Smart alert, which identifies gestures. If you’re texting someone and place the phone beside your ear, the Galaxy S III will instantly call the person you’re texting.
S Beam functionality allows sharing of a 1GB movie in 3 minutes by touching another Galaxy S III, while a music track can be shared almost instantly between devices. You won’t need Wi-Fi or a 3G signal to complete the transfer either. AllShare Cast uses DLNA tech to connect to your TV, including the new range of smart Samsung TVs such as the ES800. Group Cast allows you to share the Galaxy S III screen with multiple people on a Wi-Fi network too, offering real-time changes to photos and messages. Samsing also claim Wi-Fi Channel Bonding will double the Wi-Fi bandwidth of the Galaxy S III.
The 8 megapixel camera features a burst shot mode, able to capture 20 frames per second, thanks to the quad-core processor. In a similar way to Samsung’s camera products, the Galaxy S III will automatically select the best shot of the 20 snaps, based upon posture, lighting and angle. The 1.9 megapixel front camera allows HD video chat too and poses a threat to the performance of Apple FaceTime.
NFC functionality is built-in to all models and there will be two colour options at launch – Pebble White and Marble Blue. Full specs below. We’ll have a full review (and pricing) very soon…
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Network |
2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE): 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz 3G (HSPA+ 21Mbps): 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz 4G (Dependent on market) |
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Display |
4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED (1280×720) display |
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OS |
Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
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Camera |
Main(Rear): 8 Mega pixel Auto Focus camera with Flash & Zero Shutter Lag, BIS Sub (Front): 1.9 Mega pixel camera, HD recording @30fps with Zero Shutter Lag, BSI |
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Video |
Codec: MPEG4, H.264, H.263, DivX, DivX3.11, VC-1, VP8, WMV7/8, Sorenson Spark Recording & Playback: Full HD (1080p) |
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Audio |
Codec: MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AC-3, apt-X |
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Additional Features |
S Beam, Buddy photo share, Share shot |
| AllShare Play, AllShare Cast | |
| Smart stay, Social tag, Group tag, Face zoom, Face slide show | |
| Direct call, Smart alert, Tap to top, Camera quick access | |
| Pop up play | |
| S Voice | |
| Burst shot & Best photo, Recording snapshot, HDR | |
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Google¢ Mobile Services |
Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude
Google Play Store, Google Play Books, Google Play Movies Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads |
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Connectivity |
WiFi a/b/g/n, WiFi HT40 GPS/GLONASS NFC Bluetooth® 4.0(LE) |
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Sensor |
Accelerometer, RGB light, Digital compass, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer |
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Memory |
16/ 32GB User memory (64GB available soon) + microSD slot (up to 64GB) |
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Dimension |
136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm, 133g |
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Battery |
2,100 mAh |
