Samsung Galaxy S review (2)

Samsung's UI packs Live Wallpapers, with a few extra ones exclusive to Samsung. The device also features a number of Samsung Widgets, defined as 'Social Hub' that gathers social networking information from services like Facebook and Twitter.

Then you can check a diary app that lets you attach photos and write text to maintain a daily blog of your life. Samsung Galaxy S introduces a unique feature called Mobile Tracker. Through this tool, you can easily track your phone remotely and even clear all the data if lost or stolen via Samsung Dive services.

The Galaxy S has its own internal memory of 8 or 16GB and a separate microSDHC card slot for multimedia offerings. It simply means that you can upgrade (unlike an iPhone) your device up to 48GB of storage. The video player of the device supports all major video formats including DivX and XviD. It can play HD, as well as record it at 1280x720 in the camera application.

There is another useful tool 'AllShare' app that allows you to play your media on a DNLA compliant device, or play content from another DNLA device (e.g. network storage drive). You can also use the phone as a remote control for a media server. The device offers eBook reader, which is similar to Apple's iBooks app. The more you use and delve deep into this device, the more your will be surprised by the similarities between this phone and the iPhone.

The larger display of the device makes it easy to find the right on-screen key in portrait and landscape modes for text entry. Also, Samsung Galaxy S ships with Swype – the new text entry system that lets you glide your finger over the keys that make up a word without tapping. You can choose which system you want to use, as well as two handwriting recognition options.

You will be surprised to notice that the Galaxy S offers the closest experience to an iPhone without being one, and without using iOS and all of its limitations. If you're looking for a high-end Android device, which brings together support for all of the Google apps and services, along with offering proper multitasking, the Galaxy S is the right choice for you.

Samsung's flagship device supports HSPA, Wi-Fi and GPS. Another big plus with this device is its battery, which really shows up the HTC Desire. It's good to get into the habit of charging whenever possible, as a bit of serious web surfing or movie watching will hit the battery hard, but if you can't give it a bit of a boost every few hours, you should still be okay here.

HTC now has a serious threat from Samsung, although the lack of a camera flash was one big annoying mistake to make. But, if imaging isn't your highest priority, the Galaxy S is probably the best Android phone out there to date.

However, take our advice and invest in a case to keep it looking fresh in a few months. Next time, when you first flick the phone out of your hand as you try and press the power button to unlock the phone, you'll thank us.

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