The market for Android smartphones is going through another important stage of its development today, it is expanding, but now not at the expense of models of the upper price segment. The niche of top-end smartphones is getting very crowded, so manufacturers are starting to expand their portfolio of mid-range devices. Samsung's S5830 Galaxy Ace Android smartphone can be seen as a direct successor to the popular i5700 Galaxy Spica model, which at one time also stood out for its good price / functionality ratio.
Screen size, build quality, functionality, camera
Soiling, weak vibration
Verdict
Design, build quality
Galaxy ace has a nice design that vaguely resembles the look of the iPhone 4, but at the same time it is easy to recognize the style of Samsung Android smartphones. The body of the device is completely made of plastic, there are options with a glossy and matte back cover, while it can be black or white. The device with black gloss looks the least practical; it quickly becomes covered with fingerprints and minor scratches. In general, the body has a good assembly, even with strong squeezing there is not the slightest hint of creaking.
Display
As mentioned above, Samsung Galaxy Ace is equipped with a 3.5-inch capacitive touch TFT-display, which is a kind of record for models of this class. At the same time, the screen is covered with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass. In practice, this means that if the smartphone accidentally "meets" with the keys in its pocket, then slight abrasions may appear on the display, but not deep scratches. The screen itself has good viewing angles and a resolution of 480x320 pixels, although with such a diagonal I would like to see 800x480 pixels. In bright sunlight, the display "fades", although the text on it remains readable.
Interface
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Samsung Galaxy Ace runs under control operating system Android 2.2.1, which is complemented by the proprietary TouchWiz 3.0 interface. This shell has a number of improvements over the standard Android, it implements quick access to the task manager, by default it is installed file manager, ThinkFree office suite and SocialHub app for social networks... In TouchWiz 3.0, you can flexibly customize the system menu and panel quick launch, as well as independently add or remove desktops, there can be from 1 to 7. In addition to the standard Android Market install applications in Galaxy ace also available from Samsung Apps store. The rest of the smartphone's capabilities correspond to the functionality of Android 2.2.1, the system supports synchronization with Google services, there is access to Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk, maps and search.
Ergonomics
The device uses a minimum of hardware controls, on the front panel there is one mechanical home screen button and two touch keys for returning and calling up the menu. Also on the right side panel there is a button to turn off / lock the display, and on the left - a volume rocker. At the top there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack and a micro-USB port. Due to the enlarged display, work with Samsung Galaxy Ace Conveniently, there is no problem to click on the wrong icon or menu item. The display is highly responsive and multi-touch.
Performance
In terms of performance Galaxy ace shows average results in synthetic tests. In the Quadrant test, the device scores 561 points, which is slightly more than the Nexus One with Android 2.1. The smartphone has a Qualcomm MSM7227 processor with a frequency of 800 MHz, an Adreno 200 graphics accelerator and 278 MB of RAM. Thus, when working with menus and applications, there are no complaints about the speed of work, but when viewing "heavy" web pages or galleries with images in high resolution, there may be slight hitch in the device. To install programs, the user has 158 MB of internal memory and the ability to use microSD cards in size
up to 32 GB.
Camera
Built in Galaxy ace The 5-megapixel camera is equipped with autofocus and LED flash. There are preset shooting modes, you can change the exposure value, white balance, ISO, contrast, saturation, sharpness, and add a variety of effects to the photo. The quality of photos is at a fairly good level for smartphones, and largely depends on the lighting. But the video quality is not so good anymore, shooting is available only in 320x240 pixels.
Samsung Galaxy Ace sample photos
Exploitation
IN Galaxy ace a 1350 mAh battery is installed, which provides the smartphone with a little more than a day of work with the included data transfer. The volume of the earpiece and the ringtone is at a good level, but the vibrating alert is not always felt. Presently Samsung Galaxy Acecan be called one of best android smartphone in its class. The device has balanced characteristics and a good price / quality ratio.
Samsung Galaxy Ace video review
Specifications Samsung S5830 Galaxy Ace
StandardsGSM 850/900/1800/1900 / UMTS 900/2100, (GPRS / EDGE, HSDPA)
operating systemAndroid 2.2.1 with TouchWiz 3.0
CPUQualcomm MSM7227 800 MHz
Memory278 MB RAM, 158 MB built-in, microSD card slot up to 32 GB
ScreenTFT, 3.5 "(320 × 480), touchscreen, capacitive
InterfacesUSB 2.0, Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n
Built-in camera5 MP, flash, video recording 320x240 pixels
Supported formats MP3, AMR, AAC, AAC +, e-AAC +, 3GP, MP4, WAV, WMA
Battery, autonomy Li-Ion, 1350 mAh, 1-2 days
Internet browser Chrome mobile
Additional featuresGPS, synchronization with Google services, accelerometer
Dimensions and weight112.4 x 59.9 x 11.5mm, 113g
Price$ 330 (2600 UAH)
Today we're looking at the successor to Samsung's mid-range models, the Ace, codenamed GT-S5830. After the GT-i5800 model, Ace still pulls the title of a receiver over the famous and popular i5700 Spica model. The screen resolution was returned to its original position (in the i5800 it was reduced to 240x400 pixels), the hardware has become modern for its segment. But whether Ace will become a bestseller among competitors and whether it will repeat the success of Spica - time will tell.
However, it seems to me that it will not be easy to surpass the glory of Spitsa. Subjective opinion, but, at first glance, if I now had to choose between Ace and Spica, the choice would be ambiguous.
The fact is that Spica has more developed external data. So, there is no gloss in the materials of the case, and in general, the experience of active and long-term use of the i5700 showed that the exterior of the model is very resistant to wear. It doesn't take a genius to realize that an all-glossy Ace will wear out faster.
Also, the predecessor has all mechanical keys and there are not three of them, like the Ace. There is even a joystick, which is so lacking in modern sensors, especially in winter.
But not everything is so good. Spitsa had serious performance issues. Despite the high frequency, the hardware was sharpened only for playing back the converted video. There were problems with games and especially 3D. However, the popularity of the model has allowed the smartphone to get around many obstacles. So, today all new custom products are released on the i5700.
Let's take a look at the new model. Yes, the Ace is significantly superior to the Galaxy 580. But if you compare it with the Spica, the Ace, with an "amateur" case, wins in performance. About them below.
Appearance
Despite the glossy body, the Ace looks good. Outwardly, it evokes persistent associations with the iPhone 4, the same gray edging on the side, the color of the case and only one key in rest mode. Until you unlock the device, the two touch buttons are not visible at all.
The location of everything on the body
The front side of the smartphone has a 3.5 ″ screen with a resolution of 320x480 pixels. This is the standard resolution for a device of this level. The screen is made using TFT technology and has a capacitive touch surface. Viewing angles are good, but not great. Multitouch is well implemented, I did not notice any confusion in touches on both LG Optimus One and Google Nexus One.
The speaker and the proximity sensor are located above the screen, and the control keys are located below it. As in the entire Galaxy lineup, you can unlock the device not only by pressing the power key, but also by pressing the central mechanical key.
On the right we see the power button and screen lock, as well as a slot for a microSD memory card under the flap. If you often change memory cards, for example, for watching movies, this solution will suit your taste.
On the right, there is a coupled volume rocker and a lanyard eyelet.
Below is only a microphone, and on top we see a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack, as well as a connector for a MicroUSB cable. The latter is hidden behind a curtain. We see a similar solution in Galaxy S.
The back cover is the most glossy I have ever seen. It's just glossy glossy. There isn't even any pattern, like on the Galaxy S or Nexus S. The prints are part of the lid's existence.
Among the black gloss there is a 5MP camera with flash and a speaker. The camera has autofocus and takes good pictures, but video shooting in Ace is just for show, as it shoots video with a maximum resolution of 320x240 pixels. Does that still happen? I am sure that this is a marketing ploy.
Sample photos
Removing the cover, you will see the battery itself, with a capacity of 1350 mAh, as well as a SIM card slot. The battery is not miraculous, it provides a daily ration for the smartphone, but no more. Of course, it all depends on the activity of the user. At moderate load, you can get a two-day operation.
BY
The Galaxy Ace runs Android OS 2.2.1. In principle, this cannot be called very well, it should be so. Whether there will be an upgrade to 2.3 is not known. This is a drawback compared to the rival model LG Optimus One, which will definitely be updated.
As we are used to seeing in Samsung smartphones, there is an add-on for the TouchWiz 3.0 interface above the bare Android. Plus or minus I won't say, because I think it's a matter of taste. My taste leans towards bare Android.
TouchWiz has changed desktops, menus, added some services and applications. We are glad to have a Swype keyboard right out of the box.
Specifications
I must admit that I did not expect such performance from the Ace, the smartphone turned out to be good in this regard. On Ace you can play cool 3D games like Raging Thunder 2, Gangstar: Miami Vindication HD, Brothers In Arms 2: Global Front HD 3D, and others. And the Neocore test only confirms the performance of these games.
- Dimensions: 112x60x11 mm
- Weight: 115 g
- Operating system: Android 2.2.1 Froyo
- CPU:Qualcomm MSM7227, clock frequency 800 MHz
- Graphics accelerator:Adreno 200
- Display: capacitive, 3.5 inches, TFT, 320x480 points
- Memory: built-in 158 MB, microSD slot (up to 32 GB)
- RAM: 278 MB
- Camera: 5 MP with flash, movie shooting (320 × 240)
- Wireless technologies: Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n, GPS
- Interface connectors: microUSB, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Battery: lithium-ion, 1350 mAh
Samsung Galaxy Ace Express Video Review
Conclusion
We did not get a revolution that needs to be sawed and sawed to make a diamond come out. We got a functionally good and ready-to-use smartphone on Android OS. The Galaxy Ace is fast enough for heavy gaming and fairly inexpensive. For example, a similar model from, will cost the buyer $ 100 more. Do not forget about, which costs the same, but has a more practical case.
One of the pluses is an advanced community of enthusiasts who make a candy from an already good device. Many people will never have to tinker with custom, but those who change Spica to Ace will be a good bonus.
The disadvantages include too strong "gloss" of the case. I don't want to call it another way. Some people may not like the similarity in design to the iPhone 4.
Our verdict: a reasonably stylish, well-built, efficient enough and the most glossy Android smartphone with a good camera and a "camcorder for show".
Ace S5830 is a real bestseller, a real hit of sales of the company! It is included in the Galaxy product line, as you might have guessed from the model name, and also falls within the range of up to ten thousand rubles at a price. The Ace S5830 differs from its predecessors (and these are Fit and Gio) in that it has a sufficiently high-quality 5 megapixel camera and a 3.5-inch touch screen. By the way, the camera is equipped with an LED flash, which allows you to take very good pictures in low light conditions.
Introduction
In December 2011, the smartphone market began to supply a device under the index I. This is the S5830, or rather, its modification. What are the differences between these two models? The device with the I index has a slightly different graphics accelerator, and also has another processor operating at a frequency of 832 megahertz.
Equipment
The package of the device includes, in addition to itself, a battery Samsung S5830 Galaxy Ace Black, as well as a charger. The user is also given the opportunity to synchronize the smartphone with a personal computer or laptop using a MicroUSB - USB cable. This wire is included with the device. Well, the set is completed by a microSD memory card with a volume of 2 gigabytes. It may or may not ship with your phone. It all depends on the country in which the device is purchased.
Dimensions
Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 is the most real candy bar. Its dimensions on all three planes are 112.4 by 59.9 by 11.5 millimeters. In this case, the mass of the smartphone is equal to 113 grams.
Appearance
The Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 is similar to the S II. So to speak, outwardly it is just a reduced copy of the corresponding phone. The control elements are located in the same way, supplemented by a rectangular button, the body of the device has the same geometry.
Manufacturing material
The body of the smartphone is made of ordinary plastic. The back panel is painted black, the lid is not smooth, but embossed. A practical solution, considering the fact that the relief helps to avoid scratches and mechanical damage. At the same time, the lid will still rub off, and fingerprints on black plastic are much more noticeable than on white. As for the rest, we note that a chrome edging runs along the phone's perimeter. The plastic from which the Samsung S5830 Galaxy Ace phone is made (the firmware is available on the company's official website) is glossy.
Build quality
It can please people who have made their choice in favor of this device. Smartphone specialists have repeatedly conducted tests that reveal the device's excellent build quality. The device during long-term operation did not reveal any backlash or creaks. Even the most ordinary crunch did not appear. At the same time, the screen of the device is not protected by additional glass or plastic. That is why it will not be so difficult to scratch it.
Reliability and convenience
Such a small mass made it possible to successfully use the device. The phone Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 lies in the hand, the price of which is about nine thousand rubles, it is very reliable. This is also achieved through the ergonomic design, which is complemented by a perforated back panel. It is convenient to transport your phone in any pockets, be it jeans, a jacket or an ordinary shirt.
Front Panel
Here He is located in the upper part of the frontal side. Not far from him, to the side, nestled a speaker. Its volume is average, sometimes it is not enough in a conversation. There is no necessary stock, for which you can automatically set a minus. Yes, the quality is generally up to par. You can hear the interlocutor from that end of the wire legibly, the purity of the sound is not lame. But if you work in high noise conditions or the interlocutor has problems with the microphone (and maybe he speaks quietly himself), then this will be a serious problem.
Touch keys are located under the screen, which will allow us to get to the main menu, as well as go back one point. There is a backlight. It is not regulated. The backlight color is white. It is not visible in the light, although in low light conditions it becomes an obvious advantage of the device. Between the elements of the transition to the menu and to the item back there is a key with which we can move to the desktop of the device. This is a standard move for the creations of a South Korean manufacturer. The key is framed with chrome-plated plastic. Has a small stroke, it is pressed quite softly. If the user presses the button for a few seconds, a menu will open. In it, we can see which applications are currently running on the phone.
Left side
Here is a thin key that allows us to adjust the volume level in the device. With its help, we can change the sound mode, as well as control the volume in the media player, where music files and video clips are opened. A little higher you can find a sector in which there is a strap attachment. Prudently, one cannot fail to note this.
Right side
There is a power control button on this side. She is responsible for locking and unlocking the device, as well as for turning it on and off. Slightly below the button, you can find a compartment into which the user can install a microSD memory card. This nest is covered with a special protective cover made of plastic. You will hear a soft click when the card is in place.
Bottom end
Upper end
There will be more choice here, after all. The composition consists of a jack for a 3.5 mm wired headset, as well as a MicroUSB port, which simultaneously serves as a means of synchronization with a personal computer and charging.
Back panel
It has a large enough main camera peephole. There is a flash nearby, allowing you to take good quality photos in low light conditions. Well, everything ends with a sound speaker, which is covered with a metal mesh.
Removing the cover is easy enough. To do this, you just need to pry it in the area of \u200b\u200bthe lower end, for a special recess. When the user removes the back cover, he will be able to find the device battery under it. If you remove it too, you can see the slot into which the SIM card is installed.
Conclusion and reviews of the owners
In general, the Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 makes a pretty good impression. And this should be noted. What do we have on the list of the main advantages of the device? First, there is a camera. Still, five megapixels do not lie on the road. Photos are of high quality, even in poor lighting conditions. Well, in general, this case is no exception.
Secondly, the software and the operating system were successfully implanted. It works fast enough, no special slowdowns were found during numerous tests. Thirdly, the advantage is an interesting, ergonomic design. But to compete with the most powerful devices in the segment, this is clearly not enough. Probably, a few words should be said about the dynamics of the device, which is distinguished by the purity of sound presentation.
Competitors
One of the competitors of Samsung Galaxy Ace is Huawei IDEO X5. Compared to the subject of our today's review, it has a more original design, which automatically counts as an advantage. In addition, the device has 512 MB of RAM, and a more powerful processor provides better performance. The processor operates at a frequency of 800 megahertz. In addition, the diagonal of this device will be larger by 0.3 inches. Huawei has a screen resolution of 480 by 800 pixels. The average cost of the device is practically the same - ten thousand rubles.
Another competitor is the LG Optimus Hub. Here we have a screen with the same diagonal. The resolution will be smaller, only 320 by 480 pixels. However, there is a camera (5 megapixels). The device has 512 MB of RAM and has a Qualcomm processor. It operates at frequencies up to 800 megahertz. The price of the device falls within the range of eight to nine thousand rubles.
Finally, let's answer the question on how to update the Samsung GT S5830 Galaxy Ace. To do this, we need a firmware for the device, which can be found on the official website of the company. We also need appropriate programs. This is, of course, about Kies. After all the components are assembled, we connect the phone and start the automated file replacement process. However, the user does this at his own peril and risk, do not forget about it.
By the way, in the object of our today's review, the RAM is installed two times less. And this sometimes prompts buyers to think that it is better to take another device with better technical characteristics for the same price. And the built-in memory for storing user data hardly exceeds 150 megabytes.
After the resounding success of the Galaxy S smartphone, Samsung is clearly thinking about its development. Moreover, it was decided to do this not only by releasing a more perfect modification in the face of the Galaxy S II, but also by expanding the lineup due to cheaper models.
Samsung Galaxy Ace is the "cheaper model". Moreover, in terms of its characteristics and price, it belongs to the very "golden mean" that many consumers are usually looking for. Of course, Galaxy Ace differs from flagships in many ways: from body materials to screen type. Nevertheless, with a price of around 9 thousand, it is a very good option for purchasing.
Not surprisingly, according to our data, the phone is being sold more than successfully. We do not undertake to judge how much better it is in this respect than the flagships with the letter “S” in the name, but it is hardly much worse. After all, not everyone needs a maximum of technology in one smartphone. And its dimensions are not so large due to the smaller screen diagonal. So next we will try to figure out why the Galaxy Ace has earned its popularity.
Design
The appearance of the Galaxy Ace is typical for Samsung smartphones - we do not know that Apple saw a similar design in South Korean devices in comparison with its iPhones, but it will not be difficult for a trained eye to distinguish Samsung products. She has her own recognizable style and it was also used for the design of the Galaxy Ace.
What is included in this style? First of all, the rounded shape of the side ends is noticeable, then there are three buttons, one of which is physical, traditionally framed by a chrome frame. Well, and, apparently, the very word "Samsung" under the speaker. In our opinion, there is nothing to blame the company for - everything necessary to differentiate its touch devices from competitors' products has been done.
However, if you look in general, then the appearance of the Galaxy Ace does not stand out in anything special. Moreover, it immediately shows that this is nothing more than an average. This is facilitated by a light gray stripe "covered" along the side ends, as well as glossy plastic of the back cover. Moreover, you can immediately see that the body of the device is made of plastic. The plastic, however, is not bad - quite strong, and the assembly was carried out efficiently, without creaks and backlash. But still, the phone does not look expensive, like, for example, the same Google Nexus S, also made of plastic.
Getting used to looking at the "refined" flagships, we immediately caught sight of the thickness of the Galaxy Ace case. The "fatty effect" is even more enhanced by the 3.5 "screen, which is noticeably less in the 4.0" device. However, compared to its direct competitors, the dimensions and weight of the Samsung smartphone are not that great, and even surpass some in these parameters.
As a result, Galaxy Ace left a mixed impression. One feels that the phone is clearly not the cheapest, well-made, but at the same time it is clear that this is not the most expensive model. Its design cannot be called extraordinary - a typical plastic "bar" in a typical Samsung style. Probably, if the designers of the company played with color and give up the gloss on the back cover, then you could get a better result. But, as we said, the device definitely looks for its money.
Connectors and controls
The fact that the design of the Galaxy Ace is consistent with the general style of Samsung Googlephones predetermines the set of its basic controls.
There are three buttons: "Menu", "Back" and "Home". As always, the first touchscreens are located on the right and left edges of the front panel. The "Home" button is made physical, and even framed by a relatively thick chrome frame. It must be said that the presence of this button significantly transforms the experience of using the phone - it is easy to find it by touch, and besides, it is easy to remember that the Menu button is on the left and the Back button on the right. So even touch controls are easier to find blindly.
In the upper part of the front side there is a speaker covered with a silvery metal mesh, and to the right of it is a light sensor. Below is the name of the manufacturer.
On the left side there are two raised buttons for volume control. They can be used blindly without any problems.
On the right is a button to turn the phone on and off, as well as a slot for microSD cards.
The microSD compartment is hidden by a small plastic flap, which is quite easy to pry off with your fingernail and open.
The top edge is occupied by a 3.5 mm headphone and headset jack, as well as a USB connector. The latter is hidden behind a plastic shutter, which slides inside the case when opened. It is worth emphasizing the useful qualities of such a design - the valve is extremely difficult to accidentally break and at the same time it prevents the connector from contamination.
At the bottom there is a microphone and a notch for removing the back cover. The latter is removed with the application of certain efforts, which, in general, can be considered more an advantage than a disadvantage - you often do not have to climb inside, therefore it is better that the lid does not get loose.
A camera lens, LED flash, and a speaker on the opposite side were found at the top of the back panel.
At the bottom, only the manufacturer's logo is applied.
Hidden under the cover is a body made of durable light matte plastic. The compartment for the SIM card is immediately visible, but it still cannot be removed without removing the battery.
There was only a sticker with technical information about the phone under the battery.
Since we were dealing with a test image of the Galaxy Ace, it will not be possible to tell about its bundle. So we go straight to the screen.
Screen
While Samsung is renowned for its cutting edge OLED screens, the Galaxy Ace has a conventional TFT panel. AMOLED, and even more so SuperAMOLED (plus), are left to the flagships. However, the image quality did not disappoint us. For a device of this value, it is quite rich and bright. Plus, good viewing angles were good.
As for the resolution, it is also less than the "flagship" - 320x480 pixels (HVGA). This is how most mid-range phones are equipped. At the same time, we cannot say that the image is grainy - with a 3.5 "diagonal, there are practically no jags at the corners of the screen. rainbow.
It remains to add to everything that the display is made using capacitive technology, and therefore responds perfectly to touches, and also supports the recognition of multiple touches. In addition, the screen is additionally protected by Gorilla Glass - a special high-strength glass.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy Ace is equipped with a very good camera, capable of capturing 5MP images. At the same time, the camera supports the autofocus function and is equipped with an LED flash - a good kit for a phone of this class. The quality of shooting can be assessed by the following examples:
In uncomplicated shooting conditions (read in the daytime outdoors in clear weather), excellent clear images with the correct white balance were obtained. In more difficult conditions, the color rendition remained at a high level, although the phone will have to be held more firmly so that the image does not blur.
The phone does not have a front camera, so the system controls only the rear one.
The settings allow you to set the shooting resolution, enable or disable autofocus, adjust the sensitivity (ISO) settings, and specify the image compression level.
The flash can be forced on or off, or set to auto-detection.
There are presets for scene shooting.
You can also set the shooting mode: single shot, burst shot, motion shot, smile detection and panorama shooting.
As for video, it can be filmed in a rather low resolution - only 320x240 pixels (QVGA).
Specification
The Galaxy Ace rivals the LG Optimus One (P500) in terms of specs and price. Both of these phones are comparable in capabilities. For clarity, let's summarize their configurations in one table.
Indeed, both devices are comparable, although in some places better than Samsung, and in some places - LG. The first thing that makes the Galaxy Ace different is its 800 MHz processor. The chip is not a record-breaking chip to date, but it cannot be called slow either. Two years ago it was “above average, almost a flagship” level, and now it's just “average”. Indeed, the speed of the device satisfied us completely - the applications reacted to the user's actions without unnecessary delays. So, if you don't load the phone with something particularly "heavy", then it will show itself from the best side. By the way, the processor in Optimus One is a little more modest - only 600 MHz.
As for the video core, both devices are based on SoC (System on a Chip) Qualcomm MSM7227, so the same chip is responsible for the graphics - Adreno 200. Not the fastest solution on the market, but some kind of graphics accelerator. Angry Birds didn't slow down anyway.
A noticeable difference is the amount of RAM. The Galaxy Ace has almost half of it than the P500. Of course, you can remember that we are dealing with the middle class, but still at least 384 MB would be more appropriate to see. LG was able to install 512 MB.
There is little built-in memory in phones - about one and a half hundred megabytes. It is assumed that the owner will expand the memory independently. However, both Samsung and LG complete the Galaxy Ace and Optimus One with a 2GB microSD card. If this is not enough, then the devices support drives with a capacity of up to 32 GB inclusive.
In terms of screens, both phones are no different. Perhaps the P500 has a smaller diagonal, but this is not so critical. But the Galaxy Ace camera can shoot with higher resolution, and the FM tuner supports RDS. It remains to mention the less capacious battery of the Samsung smartphone and its smaller dimensions and weight.
BY
The Galaxy Ace sample that came to us was installed with the system Android version 2.2 (more precisely 2.2.1). However, at the time of writing, there was information about the availability of a newer firmware with Android 2.3. But we suppose external changes not very much between different firmwares. For the most part, the set of pre-installed software has been preserved, and the TouchWiz shell, standard for Samsung devices, has not gone anywhere.
Recall that TouchWiz is distinguished by the presence of a special panel at the bottom with icons for calling applications for making calls, working with contacts, mail client and a list of all applications. Of course, they can be replaced - the listed list is set by default. The desktop can host widgets as well as shortcuts to applications. There can be several desktops. The implementation of the wallpaper is interesting - one background is stretched over several desktops. That is, when switching between tables, the wallpaper also changes slightly.
16 icons are placed on the screen with the list of applications. They can be flipped by sliding your finger left and right. Initially, 31 applications are preinstalled, which fit on two screens. Any of the applications can be dragged to the bottom panel.
The program for making calls is quite convenient and nicely designed. It includes a numeric keypad for dialing, a history of incoming and outgoing calls, and a list of favorites, which also displays frequently dialed numbers.
The contact list is not much different from analogs in other phones.
SMS messages are displayed in chat - also common.
The on-screen keyboard is installed proprietary from Samsung. In our opinion, it is more convenient than the standard one. First of all, it allows you to type additional characters by holding your finger on the "key". The proprietary Swype dialing method is also supported - Samsung introduced it a long time ago.
The phone settings are generally standard. Only a separate item is allocated for configuring the proprietary Samsung Apps, which is not available on non-Samsung devices.
It is worth noting the presence of a functional application manager and a task manager, which allow you to flexibly manage installed programs, delete them, see what is currently running, how much memory each application takes separately and how much RAM is free.
Now about the pre-installed software. The calculator, although "designed" in the style of Samsung, differs little from analogs.
The Calendar and Clock applications do not stand out in any way - standard programs from Android.
The email client is also standard. In general, it is easy to use, it allows you to view the headers of letters without downloading their contents.
The traditional Google mapswhich is used by several other programs, including Locator.
There is a simple application for adding notes.
However, the presence of an office suite is much more important. Samsung is installing ThinkFree Office Mobile on its smartphones. It allows you to create and view text documents, spreadsheets and presentations compatible with Microsoft Office.
A gallery for viewing photos from the standard Android kit, but the My Files file manager is not. The manager is not very functional, but it will be enough for most users. Moreover, his very presence is commendable.
The FM receiver and voice recorder are very colorful and very easy to use.
The installed media player pleased with its functionality. It sorts all files based on ID3 tags (if it finds them). So tracks can be grouped by artist, album, or alphabetically. During playback, basic information is shown: title, artist, album, as well as album art, if any. In addition, there is an equalizer, and player controls are displayed in the system notification area during playback.
There is another curious application found on Samsung phones - AllShare. It allows you to stream and receive media streams to and from a variety of compatible devices. So we practically managed to start the playback of the audio track on the monitor. Why it did not work out, you can read in the corresponding. It also contains a detailed description of this application.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Ace has left a mostly positive impression. The smartphone has a good combination of features and prices. With a cost of about 9 thousand rubles, it is one of the best deals on the market. We liked its good performance, comfortable TouchWiz shell (by the way, LG Optimus One lacks a proprietary shell), high build quality, good screen and a camera.
The dimensions and weight of the device cannot be called big either, although in comparison with the flagships it is "fat". In our opinion, controversial solutions include the materials from which the case is made. No, they are of high quality and are unlikely to wear out quickly, but they look “cheap”. Probably if Samsung had given up the glossy back cover, it would have been better. And the side ends could have been arranged somewhat more interestingly.
However, the design, if you look at it, still does not play a decisive role when choosing a phone. Otherwise, it is quite difficult to find a competitor for the Galaxy Ace, and therefore you can safely buy it yourself if you are looking for an inexpensive, but high-quality, functional and fast Google Phone.
Samsung Galaxy Ace (GT-S5830) was officially presented by Samsung only today (at 2 am Kiev time). It is intended to strengthen the manufacturer's position in the middle price segment, where today Samsung has a slight "slack". I had the opportunity for a week to walk around with a pre-sale sample of this, of course, an interesting device. He has all the ingredients for success, but can he become as popular as the legendary Galaxy Spica?
An excursion into history
At one time, the Android smartphone Samsung Galaxy Spica (GT-i5700) produced the effect of an exploding bomb on our market and became the most popular device running the Android operating system. The excellent combination of price and characteristics was “to blame” for this, and the popularity of the phone could not be influenced by some technical problems or the uncertain situation with the software update. Galaxy Spica was quickly discontinued - both due to the technical problems mentioned above, and due to the fact that the device turned out to be too successful and potentially cannibalize the sales of more expensive Samsung phones, in particular, the upcoming bada- flagship Wave (GT-S8500). A logical continuation of the super popular "Spitsa" was the device called Galaxy 580 (GT-i5800), which, however, did not become popular, since its characteristics were partially deteriorated in comparison with its predecessor. In particular, users were indignant at the reduced screen resolution (240x400 versus 320x480). Competitors, meanwhile, did not doze and presented very interesting Android smartphones in the same (and even lower) price category - within literally six months we saw Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Mini and Mini Pro, HTC Wildfire, Garmin-ASUS A10, Gigabyte GSmart G1305, LG Optimus (GT540) and finally Optimus One (P500), which is currently the most balanced and attractive offering on the market. The answer to the inclinations of competitors was a smartphone called the Galaxy Ace, which is designed to return the company to leadership in the mid-price segment. The name - Ace - was probably not chosen by chance, it is such a trump ace that the company pulled out of its sleeve at a crucial moment. As with the Galaxy Spica, the key is the combination of price and specs, but the company has been careful with the design of the phone so as not to hurt sales of older models.
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Specifications
In the Galaxy Ace, the company ditched its own S3C6410 processor and opted for the Qualcomm MSM7227 platform, which is a complete solution for budget smartphones... Qualcomm MSM7227 integrates ARMv6 processor core clocked at 800 MHz and graphics processor Adreno 200, which has the most complete support in Android games at the moment. The full specifications of the smartphone are as follows:
- Ranges: GPRS / GSM / EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, UMTS / HSPA 900/2100.
- Form Factor: keyboardless candy bar.
- Operating system: Google Android 2.2 (Froyo) with TouchWiz 3.0 interface.
- Display: TFT, 320x480 pixels, 16 million colors, touch (capacitive matrix).
- Camera: 5 MP, autofocus, LED backlight, geotagging, video recording (320x240).
- CPU: Qualcomm MSM7227, clock speed 800 MHz; integrated video accelerator Adreno 200.
- RAM: 384 MB.
- Flash memory: 158MB + microSDHC cards (up to 32GB).
- Multimedia capabilities: MP3 player, FM receiver, YouTube integration, Find Music service (analogue of Track ID in sony phones Ericsson).
- Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi b / g / n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.
- Interface connectors: microUSB, 3.5 mm headphone output.
- GPS: yes, support for A-GPS, support for Google Maps.
- Dimensions and weight: 112x60x11 mm, 115 grams.
Appearance and design features
Personally, I strongly dislike the direction in which Samsung's design thought is developing: the phones of this reputable manufacturer with each new iteration are becoming more and more like the iPhone. And I don’t need to tell me that all sensor devices look the same, it’s not true: the same “Spitsa” had its own and quite recognizable appearance, while Ace looks like a Chinese counterfeit for the iPhone 3GS.
At the same time, the body materials are quite good: the front panel is covered with solid glass, and the battery compartment cover is made of decent-looking glossy plastic. The only element of the case that inspires concerns for its safety appearance, this is a silver-painted plastic edging.
It should be noted that recently Samsung has begun to remove a separate camera button from its phones: it was absent in the Galaxy S, and there is none in the Galaxy Ace either. In my opinion, this is unforgivable, since it makes photography with a phone as inconvenient as possible.
Screen
The Galaxy Ace uses a 3.5-inch TFT screen with a capacitive touch surface with a resolution of 320x480 pixels. The screen is bright and contrasting, the viewing angles can be called satisfactory, but nothing more. In my opinion, the screen quality of the Galaxy Ace is somewhat inferior to the Optimus One. Apparently, there is an oleophobic coating, since the screen is reluctant to clap and then it is easily wiped off.
Light sensor and, accordingly, no automatic brightness control.
Autonomy
The smartphone is equipped with a 1350 mAh battery. Autonomy is typical for most Android smartphones, that is, with heavy use and a large amount of mobile Internet traffic, it can work for a maximum of one and a half to two days. It takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge the battery from the mains charger; the phone charges a little slower from USB.
Performance
Initially, I had information that the Galaxy Ace will be based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM7230 chipset (800 MHz Scorpion processor core and Adreno 205 GPU). Unfortunately, this information was not confirmed, the smartphone uses a "budget" solution Qualcomm MSM7227 with Adreno 200 graphics, but the processor core is overclocked to 800 MHz. In smartphones HTC Gratia and Samsung Galaxy Mini, the same processor is used at its "native" frequency of 600 MHz.
Despite the budget chipset, the phone performed well in the Quadrant and Neocore benchmarks. Even 9 months ago, such performance was only available to buyers of top-end Android smartphones, and today it is already the lot of middle-class solutions.
Firmware features
The phone runs on Android 2.2 (Froyo) operating system, over which the proprietary TouchWiz 3.0 shell is stretched. In general, the interface is not much different from other Samsung Android smartphones, for example, Galaxy S.
The Galaxy Ace has finally almost fixed a long-standing problem with Samsung smartphones, namely, incomplete localization. In particular, the Cyrillic alphabet has appeared in the quick navigation bar for contacts, which allows you to quickly search for contacts with names in Russian or Ukrainian. However, Cyrillic input is still not provided in the "Phone" application, so if you need T9 search by contacts, you will have to install the Dialer One application (since it is free).
You can use either the standard Samsung keyboard or the Swype to enter text. In the Samsung keyboard, layouts are now switched as follows: you need to press the space bar and slide your finger to the right or left. Swype also has innovations, the main one of which is the support of the Ukrainian language.
The Galaxy Ace, like other Samsung Android smartphones, comes preinstalled with the ThinkFree Office suite.
The smartphone has a very good (handy) MP3-player and FM-receiver, which has a good reception quality. Of course, there are standard Android 2.2 connectivity options mobile phone as a modem and use it as a Wi-Fi access point for distributing mobile Internet.
Camera
The Galaxy Ace uses the familiar 5-megapixel camera module with autofocus and LED backlighting. The quality of photos outdoors during the day is very good, at night and indoors it naturally falls, but overall the camera is pleasant.
But Samsung frankly squeezed video recording: the maximum resolution of videos is 320x240, the movement in them is frankly twitchy, as if the frame rate does not exceed 15 fps (although QuickTime shows 25 fps in the video file properties). Also, note that audio recording starts approximately one second after video recording starts.
In the dry residue
No wonder Samsung called this smartphone "Ace", oh no wonder. Despite the controversial design and not the highest quality screen, Galaxy Ace is one of the most interesting offers in the price category up to 3000 hryvnia. It even surpasses our current favorite, the LG Optimus One, in features, especially when you consider the excellent 5MP camera and high performance for this price segment. On the whole, I recommend this device for purchase with a pure heart (although, of course, I would like to familiarize myself with the “sale” sample). 6 reasons to buy Samsung Galaxy Ace:
- high (by the standards of this category of smartphones) performance;
- very good combination of characteristics and prices;
- high-quality camera;
- a good set of preinstalled programs - you can start using the phone immediately after purchase;
- swype keyboard with Russian and Ukrainian language support.
3 reasons not to buy a Samsung Galaxy Ace:
- secondary design;
- no camera button;
- poor implementation of video recording.
