Category: Android

When Samsung announced the Galaxy S III in May, the company showed off two color variants. One called “Marble White”, the other called “Pebble Blue”. All of us wondered whether or not we’d see some more choice, and it wasn’t too long until the American operator AT&T announced they’d be offering it in “Garnet Red”. Which leads us to yet another question: Would the rest of the world get a chance to own the scarlet version of the latest Galaxy? Earlier today this writer checked the website of his local consumer electronics store and noticed that the red Samsung Galaxy S III was available for preorder. After a quick Google search, this writer also discovered that the German website Areamobile wrote an article today saying that O2 would begin offering the red Galaxy S III in Germany next month. So it’s safe to say that yes, the red version of Samsung’s 2012 flagship device will be available outside the United States.

We should also note that there’s another color variant due to be launched shortly, one that should appeal to a more conservative audience: black. Images of the black Galaxy S III have been leaked thanks to TechnoBuffalo, and we hate to tell you this, but it’s damn near the shiniest mobile phone we’ve ever seen. We wish companies would offer their customers a choice of matte colors, but it’s starting to look like he who makes the flashiest phone wins.

On the other side of the coin, we’re happy that Samsung is joining Nokia in exploring the use of additional colors. Nokia’s 808 PureView had a red option, and let’s not forget about the incredibly handsome blue Lumia 800. Are more handset vendors going to open up to exanding their selection of hues?

Time will tell.

Apple gets a lot of heat for coming out with just one phone every 12 months, but it’s a strategy that has served them well when it comes to offering customers a portfolio of devices. If money is no object, simply buy the newest iPhone. If you want a “midrange” iPhone, get last year’s model. And if you’re really broke, but still want in on some iOS action, buy the two year old iPhone. Samsung is roughly doing the same thing with the Galaxy S III and the Galaxy S II. The former retails for roughly 550 Euros depending on which country you’re in, while the latter is nearly 200 Euros cheaper.

Rumor has it that during the fourth quarter of this year Samsung is going to release two devices that will further expand the Galaxy S family of smartphones. First up is the Galaxy S II Plus. As you can see from the photos above, it’s basically the Galaxy S III from the front, but with that famous Galaxy S II bump on the back. Spec wise you can expect a 1.5 GHz dual core Exynos chip, 1 GB of RAM, 4.5 inch screen, and an 8 megapixel camera. If we had to make a bet, we’d say that the 1.5 GHz chip inside is the new 32 nanometer Exynos 4 Dual, which is essentially a shrunken down and overclocked version of the 45 nanometer Exynos 4 Dual that was in the Galaxy S II.

Next up is the Galaxy S III Mini. We don’t have any photos of the device, but here’s the alleged spec sheet: dual core processor, 5 megapixel camera, 4 inch screen. According to The Droid Guy, the Galaxy S III Mini will cost roughly $200 while the Galaxy S II Plus will cost around $350.

We should know more about these devices, should they even exist, in a couple of months.

Samsung is going to host a press event in Berlin on August 29th. If you include today, then that’s just 10 days away. Now we already know what they’re going to announce there. Several weeks ago a Samsung spokesperson told Reuters that the company has plans to “unveil the next Galaxy Note”. Four days ago we even saw a leaked image of the front of said device. So what’s new today? Two things. First, there’s another leaked image, this one courtesy of Know Your Mobile. Their sources tells them nothing we already haven’t heard: 5.5 inch screen, quad core processor, ultra thin bezels, you get the idea. The second bit of “news” comes from Samsung themselves, who have uploaded a teaser video that clocks in at less than 40 seconds. It’s incredibly arty, with ultra fast cut scenes, and at the end it features German director Wim Wenders. Some of you might know him from the 2011 film “Pina”.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P3divJBqlI

What don’t we know about that Galaxy Note II? We don’t know when it’ll hit the market, how much it’ll cost, and what version of Android it’ll run. All will be unveiled next week, but let’s just say this: Similar to how the first generation Galaxy Note polarized people, this next Note is going to do the exact same thing. For some folks, 5.5 inches seems ludicrious. For others, they’re thrilled that a company is finally listening to them. The first Note has managed to sell an average of 1 million units a month since it hit store shelves, so we know there’s a market for crazy large devices.

Are you a part of that market?

Samsung is going to hold a press conference in Berlin on August 29th, less than two weeks from today. Earlier this month a Samsung spokesperson told Retuers that the company is going to be announcing the second generation Galaxy Note there. Here’s what we “know” about the device so far from the rumors that have been floating around the internets: Similar to how the first generation Galaxy Note was basically a giant Galaxy S II, the Galaxy Note II is going to be a blown up version of Galaxy S III. The same quad core Exynos processor will be in there, likely the same 8 megapixel camera, the same cellular radios, you get the idea. The only thing that will change is, of course, the screen. What you’re looking at above is a photo of from the French website NowhereElse, who says that’s the front panel of the Note II. The first Note had a 5.3 inch display, but this new Note is expected to pack a larger 5.5 inch display.

Will the Note II be popular? It’s too early to tell since we don’t have any concrete information, but our gut tells us it’s going to be even more successful than the first Note. When Samsung announced the original Note back in September 2011, we didn’t really understand it. We asked ourselves who in their right mind would buy such a large device? But here we are, 10 months after the Note hit the market, and Samsung has managed to sell 10 million of them. That’s a million a month, which may not sound like a significant number, but it’s not small either.

And anyway, isn’t Android all about choice? If you want a tiny device, get a Sony Xperia Tipo or a Samsung Galaxy Pocket. If you want the biggest thing that you can barely squeeze inside a pocket, the Note is perfect.