Samsung Epic 4G review + Video

This is an Android (2.1 aka Eclair) smartphone I spent some time with a couple of days back. Theres little chance you will find this in Pakistan as this handset uses the CDMA network of Sprint USA which is not compatible with Pakistan's GSM networks. This review is then targeted at our readers from abroad.
The Epic 4G uses Android 2.1 with Samsung's skin (the Touch Wiz UI) to make it distinct from other stock (non skinned) Android 2.2 offerings. The Touch Wiz UI is increasingly becoming Samsung's comprehensive skin for all Operating systems that the manufacturer uses including Samsungs  proprietary BADA OS.

The Epic 4G is a Samsung Galaxy S-series phone optimized for Sprint’s WiMAX network. The core of the platform is Samsung’s own 1.0GHz Hummingbird CPU, supplemented by Imagination Technologies’ PowerVR SGX 540 graphics processor. Like most phones these days, the Epic comes with 512MB of system memory and 16GB of storage courtesy of an included add-in MicroSD card.


As with the other entries in the Galaxy S series, the Epic 4G is equipped with an outstandingly vibrant four-inch Super AMOLED. If you’re not familiar the technology, the AM in AMOLED stands for active matrix pixel mapping, and OLED is an acronym for organic light-emitting diode (a film of organic compounds that emits light in response to electric current and therefore doesn’t require a backlight). Samsung’s proprietary Super AMOLED features an integrated capacitive touch-screen, which renders the screen considerably more readable than devices that have touch-screens layered on top of their displays. The Epic 4G’s 480x800-pixel screen is 160x160 pixels shy of the iPhone 4’s 3.5-inch display, but it holds its own in a side-by-side comparison.

Out of the box, we appreciated the Epic 4G’s sleek black exterior and decidedly non-iPhone design aesthetic. The Epic 4G’s slide-out keyboard takes full advantage of this smartphone’s capacious dimensions and had us smiling out loud: The chiclet-style keys are surprisingly firm and responsive, and the large size allows for comfortable spacing between the keys. Plus, we could switch back and forth between Android apps and screens using the Menu, Return, Home, and Search keys even while in landscape mode.

Wrap Up 

When I used this device I had this feeling that you can only get when you use a Samsung phone. I don't know if it is the plastic that they use, or its the design, but a certain element of cheap comes into the feeling that you are left with after using this device. This is a huge disadvantage once you factor in the fact that this is Samsung's high-end device which is most likely aimed to be a flagship device. When you compare this device with solutions from HTC or Apple you will feel a definite difference in quality especially with HTC devices with metallic unibody design like the Desire HD and Legend.

That said, the version of Android on this phone as well as the outlook on the gorgeous AMOLED display is just amazing and an absolute delight to use. The keyboard is very handy and comfortable and the device in general has up to the mark specifications. Here is a video of what the Epic 4G looks like.

Scroll down to find the phone specifications and a video review.

Samsung Epic 4G specifications (powered by Phonearena)

also known as Samsung Galaxy S Pro

General info

• Phone type:
  • Smart phone
• Network technology:
  • CDMA:
    • 800, 1900
• Data:
  • CDMA Data:
    • 1xEV-DO rev.A
  • WiMAX:
    • Support:
      • Yes

Design

• Design:
  • Form Factor:
    • Side-Slider
  • Dimensions:
    • 4.90 x 2.54 x 0.56 (124 x 65 x 14 mm)
  • Weight:
    • 5.46 oz (155 g)
      the average is 4.1 oz (116 g)
  • Keyboard:
    • Full keyboard (QWERTY)

Display

• Display:
  • Technology:
    • Super AMOLED
  • Resolution:
    • 480 x 800 pixels
  • Physical Size:
    • 4.00 inches
  • Colors:
    • 16 777 216
  • Touch Screen:
    • Type:
      • Capacitive
  • Multi-touch:
    • Yes
  • Proximity Sensor:
    • Yes
  • Light sensor:
    • Yes

Battery

• Capacity:
  • 1500 mAh
• Talk time:
  • 6.50 hours
    the average is 8 h (469 min)
• Stand-by time:
  • 216 hours
    the average is 418 h (17 days)

Software

• Smart Phone:
  • OS:
    • Android
  • 2.1
• Processor:
  • Cortex A8 Hummingbird
  • Processor speed:
    • 1000 MHz
• Memory:
  • 512 MB RAM / 512 MB ROM

Camera

• Camera:
  • Resolution:
    • 5 megapixels
  • Flash:
    • LED
  • Features:
    • Auto focus, Digital zoom
• Video capture:
  • Video capture resolution:
    • 1280x720 (720p HD)
    • 30 fps
• Additional camera:
  • Additional camera: Yes Resolution: 0.3 megapixels VGA
• Video Calling:
  • Yes
• Video Share:
  • Yes

Multimedia

• Music Player:
  • Supports:
    • MP3, AAC, AAC+, FLAC, WMA, WAV, AMR, OGG, MIDI
• Video Playback:
  • Supports:
    • MPEG4, H.263, H.264
• YouTube player:
  • Yes

Internet browsing

• Internet Browsing:
  • Browser name:
    • Android Browser
  • Supports:
    • HTML
• Built-in online services support:
  • Facebook, Twitter

Location Based Services

• • Location Based Services:
    • Yes
  • Type:
    • A-GPS
  • Navigation:
    • Yes

Phonebook

• Capacity:
  • Capacity depends on system memory
• Features:
  • Caller groups, Multiple numbers per contact, Search by both first and last name, Picture ID, Ring ID

Organizer

• Calendar:
  • Support:
    • Yes
• Alarms:
  • Support:
    • Yes
• Other:
  • Calculator

Messaging

• E-mail:
  • Supports:
    • IMAP, POP3, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange, Push e-mail

Memory

• Memory Expansion:
  • Slot Type:
    • microSD, microSDHC
  • Maximum card size:
    • 32 GB

Connectivity

• Bluetooth:
  • Version:
    • 2.1
  • EDR:
    • Yes
• Wi-Fi:
  • Type:
    • 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n
• USB:
  • Type:
    • microUSB
  • Version:
    • USB 2.0
  • Features:
    • Mass storage device, USB charging
• Headphones connector:
  • 3.5mm
• DLNA:
  • Yes

Other features

• Sensors:
  • Accelerometer, Compass

Availability

• Officially announced:
  • 28 Jun 2010

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