Samsung Transform and LG Optimus mid-range Android phones

[zerocool84]

Samsung Transform

Worried that the Samsung Transform would be a slatephone? Don't be -- it's more of a miniature Epic 4G. The Android 2.1 device's got a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen, 800MHz processor and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, plus front- and rear-facing cameras for video chat -- though they're pretty low resolution and there's no 4G to pump their streaming video data. We just got hands-on with the phone, and came away mildly impressed -- though it's a little sluggish compared to the Epic, it's got much the same build quality, and the exact same hinge and buzzy vibrator if you want to get specific. There aren't a lot of fancy functions on the keyboard, but it's arguably got an even better layout that caters to landscape touch-typists like us -- the keys are plasticy little numbers like those on the Samsung Intercept, but they've got a nice click and this time, a logical layout. The screen's bright and clear enough, but unless our eyes deceive us it's no AMOLED. Expect it to drop on October 10th for $150 after a $100 mail-in rebate, and be sure to watch a Sprint rep show off the phone's Sprint ID functions after the break.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/samsung-transform-first-hands-on/

LG Optimus

The low-end Android game just got real, folks, with Sprint's introduction of the LG Optimus S, a $50 (on-contract, post-rebate) Android slatephone running Froyo on a 3.2-inch HVGA screen, with mobile hotspot functionality for up to five devices, 802.11 b/g WiFi and a 600MHz processor to run the whole shebang. As you'd expect in a world of 1GHz smartphones at the $200 price point, it's not quite up to spec, but that doesn't keep it from having a super-solid build, durable and weighty, that belies its low price. It honestly feels much like a Nexus One in the hand, though with nice big physical buttons instead of of capacitive function keys, and of course a lower-quality LCD screen. There's an auto-focusing 3.2 megapixel camera on the back and a fairly responsive capacitive touchscreen up front, and though browsing was a little painful on the low-res screen, the Android 2.2 device sped through the UI without skipping a beat. If this device impresses as much after we throw it through a barrage of tests, I'll be hard to imagine ever spending on a regular ol' featurephone again.

Update: We've just been informed that the Optimus S has 256MB RAM and 512MB of ROM, an MSM7627 chipset and Bluetooth 2.1, but there's more -- it pulls a respectable 430 in the Quadrant benchmark with Qualcomm Adreno 200 graphics doing the heavy lifting. See some direct-from-device screenshots and a couple sample pics from the Optimus S's camera in our second gallery below!

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/lg-optimus-s-for-sprint-first-hands-on/

The LG Optimus is also going to be on T-Mobile. Not high-end but good for people who don't want or need a high-end phone.

 

[theeedude]

I hope some of these start hitting prepaid carriers soon.

 

[Bateluer]

Samsung! *Slap!*You do not release new devices with Android 2.1. If it has a GPS, it'd better actually work.

 

[zerocool84]

Samsung! *Slap!*You do not release new devices with Android 2.1. If it has a GPS, it'd better actually work.

Their Moment STILL has GPS issues and data lock-up issues and it's over a year old and the Galaxy S all have GPS issues.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Also, the 800 mhz processor in the Transform makes me think it's got basically the same internals as the Moment. Probably has similar problems with GPS and data lockups. And 2.1 on a brand new device is just stupid. It's a low end device and I wouldn't be surprised if Samsung takes 6 months to a year to get 2.2 on it, if they ever do.

 

[Bateluer]

I wouldn't be surprised if Samsung takes 6 months to a year to get 2.2 on it, if they ever do.

Just curious, has Samsung released any OS updates for any of their Android phones?

 

[AstroManLuca]

Just curious, has Samsung released any OS updates for any of their Android phones?

The Moment (released in November 09) was updated from 1.5 to 2.1 in May.

Don't really know about their Android phones on other carriers except the Behold II, which launched last October with Android 1.5 and didn't get an update until June, and the update was for 1.6 of all things! I know Samsung isn't obligated to update their phones after the fact even if they say they will, but in that case it almost seems like they went out of their way to make things more difficult for Behold II owners just so they could claim they delivered the promised update.

 

[zerocool84]

Also, the 800 mhz processor in the Transform makes me think it's got basically the same internals as the Moment. Probably has similar problems with GPS and data lockups. And 2.1 on a brand new device is just stupid. It's a low end device and I wouldn't be surprised if Samsung takes 6 months to a year to get 2.2 on it, if they ever do.

I can see just by looking at the video it's definitely a more modern 800MHz processor. The old Moment was just horrible as I know cus I have the phone so I know I won't be getting another Samsung phone again.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Wait wait wait, one company comes out with a phone named "Transform" and another comes out with a phone named "Optimus"... at the same time?!

Motorola needs to jump on this opportunity and release the Droid Megatron ASAP.

 

[TheStu]

Wait wait wait, one company comes out with a phone named "Transform" and another comes out with a phone named "Optimus"... at the same time?!

Motorola needs to jump on this opportunity and release the Droid Megatron ASAP.

When I heard 'Transform' I thought it was that fancy dual screen jobby. No such luck, it is an interesting looking piece of kit.

 

[Strk]

Also, the 800 mhz processor in the Transform makes me think it's got basically the same internals as the Moment. Probably has similar problems with GPS and data lockups. And 2.1 on a brand new device is just stupid. It's a low end device and I wouldn't be surprised if Samsung takes 6 months to a year to get 2.2 on it, if they ever do.

I think that's one of the most annoying problems with Android. Since it's an OS and not a platform, it's up to the phone makers and carriers (since we can't seem to get vanilla versions) to update the phones.

At least most companies aren't releasing 1.x phones, but there are still a few doing that. I don't think Samsung has a single 2.2 device.

 

[zerocool84]

I think that's one of the most annoying problems with Android. Since it's an OS and not a platform, it's up to the phone makers and carriers (since we can't seem to get vanilla versions) to update the phones.

At least most companies aren't releasing 1.x phones, but there are still a few doing that. I don't think Samsung has a single 2.2 device.

Well no one has released anything with 2.2 yet stock at all. Everything needs to be updated.

 

[Strk]

Well no one has released anything with 2.2 yet stock at all. Everything needs to be updated.

The LG Optimus Android phones are being released with 2.2. I think they're they only one releasing a phone with 2.2 stock. But I meant phones even having 2.2 as an option to update to without rooting the phone.

 

[AstroManLuca]

The LG Optimus Android phones are being released with 2.2. I think they're they only one releasing a phone with 2.2 stock. But I meant phones even having 2.2 as an option to update to without rooting the phone.

Nexus one. Evo. Droid, Droid 2, Droid Incredible, Droid X. Samsung is way behind the curve.

Edit: the Droid 2 shipped with 2.2 as well. The other phones listed have official (no root required) updates to 2.2 available. Not sure what else has 2.2. I know the G2 will have it. Pretty much all new Android phones will. Except ones from Samsung of course.

 

[s44]

Not sure what else has 2.2. I know the G2 will have it. Pretty much all new Android phones will. Except ones from Samsung of course.

There already *is* a Captivate 2.2.

 

[AstroManLuca]

There already *is* a Captivate 2.2.

Only unofficially though. Strk was asking about phone that officially have 2.2.

Galaxy S phones will eventually get 2.2. It'll just take them forever.