Galaxy S III

Galaxy S III tilt

From 9to5Toys.com:

After we reported on Amazon offering the Moto X for just a penny on various carriers yesterday, the no-contract Samsung Galaxy S III has dropped down to $260 on pre-paid carriers Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile. Regularly $400, you are saving $140 (35%) today with this deal.

As you likely know, the S III packs an 8-MP camera with HD 1080p video capture displayed on a 4.8-inch super AMOLED touchscreen. Inside you’ll get 16 GB memory + microSD expansion, Wireless-N Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0, all running on a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor. The Samsung Galaxy S III deal on Amazon through Virgin and Boost Mobile has received a 4.5+ star rating out of 5.

Virgin Mobile: Samsung Galaxy S III: $260 (Reg. $400)
Boost Mobile: Samsung Galaxy S III: $260 (Reg. $400)

Samsung-Galaxy S III-no-contract-sale-04

AT&T to sell Samsung Galaxy S III Mini for 99 cents starting Sept. 27

Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2013 - 7:47 am PT

AT&T announced today that it will begin selling the Samsung Galaxy S III mini, which was first released in November of last year, as a smaller entry level version of Samsung’s flagship at the time, the Galaxy S III. It might be a last generation device– Samsung unveiled the S4 mini at its event back in June— but that’s why AT&T will sell it for 99 cents on contract when it becomes available on September 27.

As a reminder, the S III mini includes a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, comes with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean out of the box, and packs in a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 5 megapixel main camera. You’ll also of course get Samsung’s TouchWiz UI on top of with S Beam, S Voice, Group Play, and other Samsung goodies.

AT&T will kick off preorders for the Galaxy S III mini starting tomorrow. Expand
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Sprint/Boost/Virgin announces Waterproof Kyocera, Galaxy S3 and new Wallet

Jordan Kahn May 21 2013 - 9:42 am PT

Sprint has made a few announcements today for new devices and services coming to its customers on its Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile USA prepaid brands. The company announced today that the Samsung Galaxy S III will be landing on both Boost and Virgin beginning in June. Both devices will be available on the two carriers’ no contract plans but Sprint didn’t make any details available for pricing on the device yet.

Also announced today is the waterproof Kyocera Hydro Edge smartphone, a 4.1-inch Android 4.1 device that’s capable of submersion up to 3.28 feet. No exact launch date or pricing as of yet, but Sprint will be making it available through both its Sprint and Boost Mobile brands later this summer.

Sprint also announced today that it is launching a new ‘Boost Mobile Wallet’ service powered by technology from mobile payments company Wipit. The service is available for Boost customers starting today through a free app on Google Play, but for now is only available to users in Los Angeles, San Diego and parts of New Jersey.

The app allows users to load cash into their wallet at Boost Mobile stores, send money to 135 countries, and Sprint will also be giving out reloadable Visa prepaid cards for ATM access: Expand
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Sprint launches $99 Galaxy S III in Amethyst Purple for Mother’s Day promotion

Jordan Kahn Apr 12 2013 - 8:21 am PT

With Mother’s Day just around the corner on Sunday, May 12, Sprint today announced it is launching a special promotion that will allow you to get the Galaxy S III in Amethyst Purple for $99 on the usual two-year contract, upgrade, or new line. The savings come via a $50 mail-in rebate, and Sprint also noted that it is also offering a “16GB Galaxy S III FREE with an additional $100 instant savings through a port in credit” for a limited time only for customers that switch their number from another carrier.

The Samsung Galaxy S III in special Amethyst Purple is pictured above and available through Sprint’s website now.

Samsung ‘fast follower’ mantra extends to marketing as well

Jordan Kahn Jan 22 2013 - 11:06 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nf5-Prx19ZM]

A story today from Fortune writer Michal Lev-Ram titled “Samsung’s road to global domination” tells an interesting anecdote about the company’s ad team on iPhone 5 launch day. The team, led by chief marketing officer Todd Pendleton with help from ad agency 72andSunny, sat in a Los Angeles restaurant following real-time updates from Tim Cook’s iPhone 5 unveiling.

Two hours later the team had crafted the now well-known ad campaign mocking iPhone line sitters:

They huddled around tables mounted with laptops and TV screens, carefully tracking each new feature and monitoring the gush of online comments on the new device via blogs and social media sites. As the data flowed in, writers from the company’s advertising agency, who were also camped out in the restaurant turned war room, scrambled to craft a response…

Two hours later, when Cook stepped off the stage, the Samsung group was already drafting a series of print, digital, and TV ads. The following week — as the iPhone 5 went on sale — the company aired a TV ad mocking Apple “fanboys” queuing up for the new phone. (“The headphone jack is going to be on the bottom!”) The 90-second commercial went on to become the most popular tech ad of 2012, garnering more than 70 million views online. More important, in the weeks following the launch of Apple’s iPhone 5, Samsung sold a record-breaking number of its own signature smartphone, the Galaxy S III.

Samsung launching Galaxy S III Mini with NFC at the end of the month

Jordan Kahn Jan 21 2013 - 7:14 am PT

GALAXY SIII mini Product Image(4) Samsung announced today in a press release that it will release a new Galaxy S III variant at the end of the month that packs in NFC capabilities. Customers in the United Kingdom will be able to purchase the device through all major U.K. carriers and select retailers beginning at the end of January. The full press release (via AndroidCentral) is below:

SAMSUNG ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF GALAXY S III MINI WITH NFC
New NFC variant set to hit shops at end of January

21st January 2013, London, UK – Samsung Mobile UK today announced that an NFC-enabled version of the Galaxy S III Mini smartphone will be available to buy in the UK from the end of January.

Owners of the new Galaxy S III Mini will be able to share content, such as photos, videos and music, much faster and more easily. Its S Beam feature allows a 10MB music file to be shared in just two seconds by simply tapping on another S Beam-enabled device, such as the Galaxy S III or Galaxy Note II, even without a Wi-Fi or cellular signal. By combining NFC and Wi-Fi Direct, S Beam is capable of sending larger files between phones, such as images, videos and music tracks.

The Galaxy S III Mini is powered by Android™ 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and packed with many of the same features available on the Galaxy S III, including S Voice which people can use to tell the phone to wake up, answer an incoming call, or even take a photo, and Direct Call which allows customers to automatically call someone they’ve just received a text by simply lifting the phone to their ear.

Simon Stanford, Vice President, Telecommunications & Networks, Samsung UK and Ireland said:

“NFC technology and the digital wallet started to gain significant traction in 2012, particularly in the run up to the Olympics. It’s an exciting time in the mobile market watching the next phase of its evolution take shape, so we’re happy to announce that we are bringing these new experiences to our customers through our growing number of NFC-enabled devices.”

The Galaxy S III Mini will be available to buy in the UK across all major networks, key high street and out of town electrical retailers and online retailers from the end of January.

Samsung confirms 30M Galaxy S III sales in 5 months

Jordan Kahn Nov 5 2012 - 7:26 am PT

There were hints a couple of days ago, but Samsung officially confirmed on its website this morning that it surpassed 30 million global sales of the Galaxy S III since it first launched five months ago in May. Samsung noted that’s 20 million more devices than the 10 million Galaxy S II units sold in its first 150 days. Samsung also announced last week that it sold 3 million units of its new Galaxy Note II in just 37 days of being on sale.

Samsung Galaxy S III hits MetroPCS for $499 on Oct. 22

Jordan Kahn Oct 19 2012 - 7:39 am PT

MetroPCS, the carrier that will soon merge with T-Mobile, announced today that it would offer its customers Samsung’s Galaxy S III starting Oct. 22. However, the carrier said in its press release (below) that select retail stores would have stock of the device starting this weekend. It is going to cost $499 on one of the carrier’s monthly no annual contract plans. That is a bit more than the usual two-year agreement from other carriers. According to MetroPCS, its $55 LTE plan can save you $1,200 over two years:

Together, the Samsung Galaxy S III and MetroPCS’ 4GLTE service plans deliver an unmatched value to consumers unwilling to compromise on handset or service. Priced at $499 plus tax, the Galaxy S III is available on any of MetroPCS’ affordable 4GLTE service plans, which range from $30 – $70 per month, including the limited-time promotional plans of 4G LTE for $30 or unlimited talk, text and 4GLTE data for $55 per month (taxes and regulatory fees included). When comparing total costs of both the smartphone and rate plans with other 4G LTE operators, consumers can save approximately $1,200 or more over the course of two years (based on MetroPCS’ current $55 4GLTE rate plan).

The full specs for the dual-core LTE Galaxy S III variant with the press release from MetroPCS are below: Expand
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Samsung announces Jelly Bean updates for all US Galaxy S III rolling out in ‘coming months’

Jordan Kahn Oct 17 2012 - 7:18 am PT

While we heard previously that Samsung was beginning to roll out Galaxy S III Jelly Bean updates in Poland, the carrier confirmed today users in the United States would see the update in the “coming months.” We still do not know exactly when to expect it, but Samsung said Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular will announce specific timing for the over-the-air updates separately. We will of course notify you when they do. Samsung’s full press release is below.

Samsung lifts the cloak on S III’s mini-me, the Galaxy S III mini (Gallery)

Élyse Betters Oct 11 2012 - 10:07 am PT

As promised yesterday, Samsung just unveiled the Galaxy S III mini in Frankfurt, Germany.

The Jelly Bean-powered handset features many of the same specs as the original Galaxy S, but the most noteworthy include a 4-inch WVGA Super AMOLED display, dual core 1GHz chipset, support for Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth 4.0, and a 1,500 mAh battery. It also features a 5-megapixel VGA front-facing camera with LED flash, 720p video recording and playback, 8GB RAM, and MicroSD up to 32 GB.

The S III mini essentially packs the S III experience into a 4-inch screen at a presumably more pocket-friendly cost; however, Samsung did not announce details on pricing and availability. Check out the presser and gallery below for more information on this practical smartphone.

The press release is below.

Samsung confirms 4-inch Galaxy S III Mini to be unveiled tomorrow

Jordan Kahn Oct 10 2012 - 5:19 am PT

There were rumors earlier this month that Samsung had a mini, 4-inch version of its flagship Galaxy S III device in the works when the press received invitations to an event including the words “something small will be really big.” According to a report from Engadget, citing a translated Korean news story, Samsung’s Mobile chief JK Shin has confirmed a 4-inch S III is to be unveiled tomorrow in Frankfurt, Germany. Engadget later confirmed with Samsung PR, and the image above comes from MobileGeeks.de (which also provided the specs below). According to Samsung PR, it sounds like the device will indeed have the “Mini” branding:

“we’ll unveil the 4 inch Galaxy S III Mini in Germany on October 11th.” Expand
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Samsung mocks iPhone 5 line sitters (again) in new Galaxy S III ad

Jordan Kahn Sep 19 2012 - 10:35 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nf5-Prx19ZM]

Samsung just released its latest ad mocking iPhone line sitters, right on time for the release of the iPhone 5 this week. The ad is quite similar to its old “The Next Big Thing” Galaxy ads bashing iPhone customers waiting in line at the Apple Store, but this time the commercial is of course for its latest device, the Galaxy S III.

Samsung bulks Galaxy S III color lineup with four new flavors [Photos]

Élyse Betters Aug 28 2012 - 7:46 am PT

Samsung initially launched the Galaxy S III in Pebble blue and Ceramic white, but now the manufacturer is expanding to four new, charmingly named flavors.

Say hello to Titanium gray, Sapphire black, Garnet red, and Amber brown. Their availability varies depending on carrier or store.

“By expanding the colour range of the Galaxy S II we are continuing to evolve the Minimal Organic design theme of the handset,” announced Samsung Vice President and lead designer Minhyouk Lee.

9to5Google previously reported on the Garnet red shade heading to AT&T earlier this summer.

[via SamsungTomorrow]

Samsung estimates last quarter profit at a record $5.9B

Jake Smith Jul 5 2012 - 5:21 pm PT

Set to report earnings its Q2 earnings on July 27, Samsung in a typical fashion has released estimates for quarterly earnings. This quarter, the South Korean-based electronics company estimated a $5.9 billion operating profit, which is a record for the company. Samsung said strong sales of its Galaxy line are leading to so much profit. Samsung already said it expects to sell 10 million Galaxy S III units during the month of July—which is certainly impressive. We will have to wait until the end of the month for the full story. But, at any rate, Samsung does not look like it will lose its title as the technology company with the highest profit. (via Reuters)

Verizon launching Galaxy S III on July 10 for $200

Jordan Kahn Jul 3 2012 - 12:06 pm PT

[tweet https://twitter.com/VZWnews/status/220229199443668992]

After beginning to accept preorders for the device in early June, Verizon Wireless confirmed today that Samsung’s Galaxy S III would officially launch on July 10 at $199 for the 16GB model and $249 for the 32GB model with both on the usual two-year contract. Verizon’s full press release is below.

BASKING RIDGE, NJ and DALLAS — Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced that the 4G LTE-powered Samsung Galaxy S^® III will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com/galaxys3 starting July 10. Galaxy S III customers will have access to the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network which is available in 304 markets across the United States. Verizon Wireless 4G LTE will be in 400 markets covering 260 million people by the end of this year.

Customers can take advantage of 4G LTE-optimized apps like Color to share live video broadcasts of life’s special moments with their Facebook^® friends. Sharing live video with audio is an exclusive feature of the Color app on Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network. Customers can broadcast real-time footage of a newborn’s first step with family members who are miles away or share a beautiful view of a vacation spot to make friends at home jealous. Combining America’s largest 4G LTE network with the Galaxy S III’s 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED^™ display creates the perfect duo to watch movies, television shows and other video content with apps like viewdini. Viewdini brings the power of Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network to the screen by streamlining access to videos from a wide range of content providers, including cable operators, websites and other popular video sources. The viewdini app can be downloaded from Verizon Apps and Google Play.

Additional features:

Android^™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Mobile Hotspot – Share a 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices
1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 2 GB RAM
Share Shot – Create a temporary photo sharing network with a group of friends who are nearby at the same party or event; photos can be taken by any member of the group and shared with the entire group
S Beam – Share pictures, videos, documents and more by simply touching two Galaxy S III devices’ backs together
S Voice^™ – Featuring natural language recognition, you can control the apps and services used most with words instead of touch
Pop Up Play – Videos can be played in a small window while customers use the rest of the display to complete other tasks such as typing emails, organizing calendars and updating their social networks
Evolved camera capabilities – Burst Shot mode instantly captures 20 continuous shots and Best Photo feature selects the best shot to display
Enhanced camera – 8-megapixel rear camera with zero-lag shutter speed and a 1.9-megapixel front camera so customers can capture pictures and videos of themselves or video chat with family and friends
microSD^™ card slot for expandable memory

The Samsung Galaxy S III is available in 16 GB and 32 GB models for $199.99 and $249.99 respectively with a new two-year customer agreement. The 16 GB model will be available in stores and online starting July 10 and the 32 GB model will be available online starting July 10 and will be in stores in the coming weeks. Customers will also have the choice of the Galaxy S III in two colors: Marble White or Pebble Blue. Customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/galaxys3 for more information on the Samsung Galaxy S III for Verizon Wireless

Wirefly offers Samsung Galaxy S III with 4G for $149.99 to new and old Sprint customers

Élyse Betters Jun 21 2012 - 7:04 am PT

: Wirefly—New Sprint

: Wirefly—Exisiting Sprint

Wirefly listed Samsung’s new Galaxy S III with 4G LTE to new and existing Sprint customers for just $149.99 on its website, which is currently one of the lowest price tags available.

The deal comes with free FedEx, but it only ships “when available.” Visit Wirefly’s website for more information.

Sprint offers the base model of the Galaxy Nexus successor on its website for $199.99, but it previously revealed that “overwhelming demand and limited supply” could cause the smartphone to ship late.

Meanwhile, T-Mobile sells its version for more bread than the main carriers: the 16GB model costs $279.99 after a $50 rebate. AT&T and Verizon Wireless now list pre-order prices for the 16GB Samsung Galaxy S III at $199.99.

Another third-party retailer, Amazon, offers the 16 GB Ice Cream Sandwich-powered smartphone for $189.99 to new AT&T customers, where as those eligible to upgrade only need to cough up $149.99. The deal comes with free two-day shipping.

Samsung touts cutting-edge marketing campaign for converting iPhone users to Galaxy S III [Photos]

Élyse Betters Jun 20 2012 - 2:50 pm PT

Samsung let New Yorkers experience the all-new Galaxy S III today at a release event in Manhattan, while the company reiterated its goal to “win over” the competition’s user base (ahem, iPhone 4S users) with this latest Android offering.

Chief Marketing Officer Tom Pendleton and Chief Product Officer Kevin Packingham were on stage this afternoon to celebrate the S III’s launch on all the major U.S. carriers. They also unveiled their marketing strategy, with a few numbers on mobile sales. The executives revealed that Samsung sold 61 million devices in the United States—just add another 80 million for the worldwide sales. They further pinpointed the S III as the fastest-selling pre-order smartphone in the company’s stateside history.

The Galaxy-branded smartphone boasts many impressive features, such as Ice Cream Sandwich OS, but the South Korea-based manufacturer focused on the S III’s uniqueness, 2100 mAh battery, 4.65-inch high-definition screen, 2 GB of RAM, LTE capability, and integrated sharing options.

“We want to show you five things no other phone can do,” added Packingham, while touting the S III’s bevy of highlights.

The chief explained how the Galaxy Nexus successor packs an “All Share Group Cast” feature for sharing documents and media anytime or anywhere. Meanwhile, the “Share Shot” tech specifically—and automatically—streams photographs to friends, but “S Beam” is available for those who want to send large video files or even contacts with just one tap. Next up is the “Smart Stay” feature, which maintains screen brightness, so users are never again interrupted by a dimming display. The last showcased feature is the “Pop-up Play” that allows S III owners to do multitask such as watching video and texting simultaneously.

A gallery of the event is below.

Apple’s lawyers threaten Samsung with temporary restraining order to stop Galaxy S III sales

Jordan Kahn Jun 8 2012 - 7:12 am PT

Last time we checked in on the ongoing U.S. patent-related court cases between Apple and Samsung, Apple’s lawyers were requesting to add the Galaxy S III to its previous motion for a preliminary injunction against the Galaxy Nexus line of products from February.

Apple was hoping the courts would agree to withhold sales of the S III until a ruling on the preliminary injunction was made. Samsung recommended the judge dismiss Apple’s request and file a new motion, but Apple attorney Josh Krevitt threatened Samsung at a hearing on Thursday that Apple could file a temporary restraining order as early as today to stop sales of the S III before it launches June 21. Bloomberg reported:

Josh Krevitt, a lawyer for Cupertino, California-based Apple, told Koh he was considering filing a request for a temporary restraining order in the interest of blocking sales of the Galaxy S III before its scheduled release in the U.S. this month… Krevitt said a court order temporarily barring Galaxy S III sales in the U.S. will create “a mechanism to allow the court to decide this issue before the launch.”

First Samsung will have to prove in court today that the Galaxy S III includes a “different combination of features” from the Nexus in order to prevent Apple from adding the device to the previously requested preliminary injunction. According to Bloomberg, Samsung lawyer Bill Price claimed: “Apple’s urgency stems from its inability to “compete against the new features” of the Galaxy S III, and the company is trying to “prevent a phone from getting to the public that is better than Apple’s in many, many respects.”

Reuters noted that several Google attorneys attended Thursday’s hearing. If Apple files for a temporary restraining order, the scheduled July 30 trial date would likely be delayed. Apple is also trying its best to kill HTC.

Apple seeks US preliminary injunction against Samsung’s Galaxy S III (9to5google.com)

Apple seeks US preliminary injunction against Samsung’s Galaxy S III

Élyse Betters Jun 6 2012 - 1:47 pm PT

This article is cross-posted at 9to5Mac.

Apple put forward a second California litigation against South Korea-based Samsung earlier this week when it sought the court’s consent to add the Android-powered Galaxy S III smartphone to its motion for a preliminary injunction against the Galaxy Nexus.

According to FOSS Patents:

Apple made this move approximately 20 hours after I wrote about the Galaxy S III being “the obvious next target”. In my blog post I speculated that Apple might bring a preliminary injunction motion against it, possibly after awaiting tomorrow’s preliminary injunction hearing. Apple decided to forge ahead now. Apple is on the offensive against Android. Earlier this week it filed an ITC complaint requesting an immediate import ban of 29 allegedly-infringing HTC devices. There’s an important overlap: the “data tapping” patent that Apple is seeking to enforce against HTC’s current generation of products is one of two patents Apple is using against the S III.

Apple purchased the S III in the United Kingdom, where Samsung launched it on May 29. The U.S. launch date is June 21 — precisely two weeks after the preliminary injunction hearing.

Apple’s motion notes that “[a]ccording to press reports, Samsung has already sold over nine million preorders of the Galaxy S III; indeed, the Galaxy S III has been reported to be the most extensively preordered piece of consumer electronics in history.”

Apple filed the first preliminary injunction motion against the Galaxy Nexus in February over four disputed patents. The Cupertino, Calif.-based Company’s requested in its latest motion that Samsung withhold the launch of the device’s successor in the United States until the court rules on the preliminary injunction request.

Samsung replied to the motion this afternoon, contending Apple cannot continue to add to its record for the Galaxy Nexus:

“If Apple wishes to seek an injunction against the Galaxy S III, the Court should require Apple to file a new motion and allow the parties to develop a full factual record on all four factors. Accordingly, the Court should reject Apple’s motion to amend its current notice of motion for a preliminary injunction.”

AT&T confirms Samsung Galaxy S III preorders for June 6, ‘exclusive red version’ to debut this summer

Élyse Betters Jun 4 2012 - 2:26 pm PT

This red version above is a 9to5Google rendering.

AT&T just announced that its customers can begin placing preorders for the Samsung Galaxy S III on June 6 in both company-owned stores and online.

The company made sure to clarify in the official press release that only its 4G LTE-powered version is able to access “the nation’s largest 4G network.” Moreover, AT&T customers are privy to an exclusive red Galaxy S III that is due to launch this summer, where as the other U.S. carriers are limited to the standard pebble blue and white flavors.

The smartphone’s price tag starts at $199.99 for the 16 GB model after a two-year service agreement.

The full press release is below.

Corning announces slim, flexible ‘Willow Glass’ [Video]

Élyse Betters Jun 4 2012 - 9:32 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uXQEpVRtGtw]

Corning Inc., the manufacturer behind Gorilla Glass, Gorilla Glass 2, and other display products, just announced a new ultra-slim, flexible glass called “Willow Glass“.

The Corning, N.Y.-based Company introduced its technology at the Society for Information Display’s Display Week tradeshow in Boston this morning. The main highlight is its ability to “wrap” around a device or structure. Willow Glass is specifically formulated to couple with touch sensors, and Corning is exploring further use in “lighting and flexible solar cells.” The company’s fusion process helps to make the product just 100 microns thick, which is akin to a sheet of printer paper. Willow Glass samples are shipping to customers now, but The Verge expects full production to begin later this year.

In related news, Corning confirmed late last week that Samsung’s new Galaxy S III sports Gorilla Glass 2 (via Sammy Hub):

We are pleased to offer our customers the thin elegance and refined style of the GALAXY S III using Corning Gorilla Glass 2. New Corning Gorilla Glass 2 is an ideal solution for Samsung’s high-quality smartphones, enabling a superior touch experience and a lightweight and slim design, with the damage and scratch resistance consumers have come to expect.

The full press release is below.
This articles is cross-posted on 9to5Mac.

Samsung announces dual-core Galaxy S3 for five US carriers starting this month

Seth Weintraub Jun 4 2012 - 3:00 am PT

Qualcomm seems to have the lock on U.S. processors for high-end phones. Just like the HTC Ones before it, Samsung also uses the dual-core Qualcomm S4 processors in its U.S. versions of the Galaxy S3 phones—trading out its own Exynos quad-core processor. Qualcomm dual-core S4 processors have the LTE and 42MB HSPA+ speeds that U.S. smartphone owners expect while keeping up with quad-core processors.

There are no other real surprises in the announcement. Samsung said S3s would deliver starting at $199 later this month on Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, and US Cellular. Capacities will vary between 16GB to 32GB of expandable storage, a whopping 2GB of RAM, and a 2100mAh battery. Each will also have that lovely 4.8-inch 720P Super AMOLED display.

The press release follows:

Report: Samsung Galaxy S III review (Video)

Élyse Betters May 25 2012 - 7:43 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=L4l8zhx6TeA]

The Verge’s Vlad Savov just completed an extensive breakdown of the Samsung Galaxy S III that unveiled in London earlier this month. The review is fully-equipped with video, imagery, and hordes of information. One such video is above, while a snippet of its wrap-up and a grading chart are below:

[…] the Galaxy S III is a technological triumph. Not at first sight, perhaps, but Samsung has done the overwhelming majority of things right. The camera is easily the best I’ve used on an Android device, the processor claims the title of benchmarking champion, and the customizations layered on top of Ice Cream Sandwich are mostly unobtrusive and sometimes even helpful. They never really gel into one coherent user experience, meaning you’ll have to learn what each new feature does individually rather than intuiting it from the phone’s general behavior, however that’s a trifling complaint when compared to our usual disappointments with Android OEM skins. TouchWiz may still have its illogicalities, but it’s been cleaned up and streamlined sufficiently to make it an adequate alternative to Google’s stock experience. While neither the display nor the construction materials on the Galaxy S III are the best possible, both represent acceptable compromises that help Samsung balance out the rest of its class-leading spec sheet.

The extra-large size of this phone, even with its great ergonomics, may prove to be a stumbling block for those who can’t comfortably fit a 4.8-inch handset into their daily routine. Still, the popularity of the Galaxy Note has shown that phone buyers are willing to look to more exotic form factors in their pursuit of novelty and extra functionality — and the Galaxy S III suffers no shortage of either.

Links to 9to5Google’s coverage of the S III launch event are after the break.
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Samsung blocking Vlingo-powered ‘S-Voice’ feature for non-Galaxy S III users

Jordan Kahn May 21 2012 - 7:08 am PT

Shortly after the new Siri-like voice assistant feature of Samsung’s new Galaxy S III, known as “S-Voice,” made its way to other Android devices via an available APK, reports claimed Samsung began to block non-S III users from accessing the service. XDA Developer community members confirmed (via TNW) that Vlingo, the company behind the voice recognition technology used in S-Voice, is now blocking users from trying to access its servers with devices other than the S III.

In December of last year, Nuance, the company currently powering speech in Apple’s Siri app on the iPhone 4S, acquired Vlingo. Samsung previously collaborated with Vlingo for the Voice Commander feature for the Galaxy S II. We expect Nuance has improved Vlingo since the acquisition, while Apple’s relationship with Nuance is not stopping Samsung from using the Vlingo technology. In an interview in October, Norman Winarsky, co-founder of Siri, told us Vlingo was originally used in Siri when it first developed, but noted it is rather easy for apps like Siri to implement new speech recognition technology if it comes along.

Samsung Galaxy S III battery tests show over 10 hours talk time and video playback

Jordan Kahn May 14 2012 - 8:00 am PT

With Samsung’s official unveiling of its next flagship smartphone earlier this month, we are now getting some insight into the Galaxy S III’s battery life courtesy of GSM Arena. The publication took the I9300 Galaxy S III, and its 2100 mAh battery, and put it to the test in a number of benchmarks. The results included: 10 hours and 20 minutes of continuous talk time with the display off; 5 hours and 17 minutes of web browsing; and, over 10 hours of continuous video playback. As you can see from the images of the results above, the S III was just behind Motorola’s Droid Razr Maxx on video playback and talk time. However, web browsing puts it at No. 14 behind competitors thanks to its AMOLED display.

The report explained that with the device’s stand-by endurance rating of 43h, you would “need to charge the monstrous smartphone once every 43 hours if you do an hour of 3G talking, video playback and web browsing per day.”
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Flipboard for Android now unofficially available to all

Jordan Kahn May 9 2012 - 6:00 am PT

We already know Flipboard made its Android début last week with the introduction of Samsung’s new Galaxy S III, but today the app is available to everyone willing to download and install the APK themselves. XDA-developer forum user Valcho uploaded the .apk that he extracted from the Galaxy S III, which means you’re getting the actual app. It should also be easily installed through your device’s Web browser, so you will get to try it before its official release on Google Play. Go over to the XDA forums to grab it now.

Samsung hopes to sell 200 million smartphones during 2012

Jake Smith May 4 2012 - 11:54 am PT

South Korea-based Samsung is aiming to sell a whopping 200 million smartphones this year to grab 24 percent of the global handset market share, Samsung’s J.K. Shin said to MarketWatch. It looks like the company might be on the way to its goal, because it sold an estimated 44.5 million smartphones during Q1 2012. Moreover, with the impressive software and hardware revealed on the Galaxy S III in London yesterday, it could push customers that were waiting for the new device to finally make their purchase. The company will definitely continue to rack-in a ton of sales this year and expect Samsung to report some serious numbers into the summer. Last year, the company had 21.1-percent of the market share, so it would definitely be a pretty impressive feat.

Galaxy S III features picture-in-picture video

Jordan Kahn May 3 2012 - 1:05 pm PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D683O1YeozY&start=108]

Samsung launched its Galaxy S III today with a few new software enhancements including an “S-Voice” feature that many are comparing to the iPhone’s Siri. Another new feature is called “Pop up play.” It allows you to run picture-in-picture video. The feature lets you play video in a smaller window that floats on top of the UI, which allows you to multitask while continuing to watch. You can see Pop up play in the video above at 1:48.

Galaxy S III TV commercial (Video)

Élyse Betters May 3 2012 - 12:24 pm PT

[youtube=http://youtu.be/2lpLGb1WW8E]

Samsung just unveiled the Galaxy S III in London and has already posted its first television advertisement for the smartphone on YouTube. A few official images for the device were also included on Facebook—check them out:

Samsung Galaxy S III review round-up

Élyse Betters May 3 2012 - 11:31 am PT

The Samsung Galaxy S III is being unveiled in London right now, but the first hands-on reviews have already hit the web. Check out the first-impressions below, and then head over to 9to5Google’s live gallery to get full coverage of the launch event.

Samsung confirms next Galaxy device to be dubbed the Galaxy S III

Jake Smith Apr 26 2012 - 6:58 pm PT

I feel like we know these already…but then again, there are rumors contradicting it. One of Samsung’s executives dropped word on the company’s Q1 2012 earnings call this evening (via The Verge) that the name of the next Galaxy device is indeed “Galaxy S III.” Samsung is set to launch the Galaxy S III at an event in London on May 3 as the successor to the popular Galaxy S II. According to Samsung’s earnings announcement this evening, the Galaxy S II helped lead to strong revenues for the January to March quarter. The company said that the Galaxy S III would see similar sales during the summer.

Samsung confirmed in a press release Wednesday evening that the Galaxy S III would feature the company’s all new 1.4GHz Exynos quad-core processor. Other rumored specs for the device include a 4.6-inch display, 1GB of RAM, 8-megapixel camera, 16GB of storage, and a 2,050mAh battery. It is unclear if Samsung will elect for Galaxy S III or Galaxy S3. I am hoping for the former.

Samsung Galaxy S III to be a minor upgrade, featuring eye tracking technology

Jake Smith Apr 17 2012 - 12:44 pm PT

Samsung revealed its plans on Monday to announce the next handset in the Galaxy lineup on May 3. According to many rumors that have surfaced, the handset that Samsung will reveal is the Galaxy S III, which is the successor to the popular Galaxy S II that saw record sales worldwide. Citing “a source in the UK telecoms industry,” CNET reported that the phone would be a minor upgrade compared to the Galaxy S II; however, it will feature new eye tracking technology. The eye tracking technology will use the device’s front-facing camera to detect if your eyes are looking at the screen or when you are writing text.

As for specs on the device, CNET’s source said the update would be small with just a few speed enhancements. The specs are said to be similar to the HTC One X landing on AT&T in a week. A 1.5GHz processor, 4-inch screen, and 1 GB of RAM is likely for the device, but other rumors claim even higher specs.

As for the name of the device…

To button or not to button: Samsung reportedly keeps button for upcoming Galaxy 3

Élyse Betters Apr 10 2012 - 8:14 am PT

Samsung’s Galaxy S III will feature a home button under the display.

South Korea newspaper Korean Digital Daily (translated) added to the rumor machine today with sources that claim the upcoming smartphone will sport Samsung’s accustomed home button, despite much speculation claiming otherwise.

The Galaxy S III will even boast a five-column icon layout showcased in the Samsung Galaxy Note. This would help the device standout from other Android handsets, and the iPhone, which has maintained a four-column icon layout since its initial 2007 launch.

Rumors: Samsung Galaxy S III enters testing in South Korea, abandons PenTile screen display

Élyse Betters Apr 4 2012 - 9:48 am PT

The rumor mill is grinding away after a Samsung representative announced the Galaxy S III is now in the testing phase, while other reports indicate the device will sport a Galaxy Nexus-like screen without employing PenTile pixel layout.

AsiaE reported the device is undergoing tests in South Korea. The phase typically lasts two months, but the article suggested Samsung wants testing done sooner. Meanwhile, Korean website DDaily said the smartphone’s 4.65-inch 720p Super AMOLED screen will not employ the PenTile pixel layout.

Will Samsung Galaxy S III be the world’s first 1080p smartphone?

Élyse Betters Feb 27 2012 - 10:09 am PT

Details about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S III smartphone seem to emerge left and right, but BGR gave a more specific run down on its version of the flagship device’s spec sheet this morning.

The publication previously said Samsung would launch the smartphone simultaneously around the world. Today, it described the device as having a 1.5GHz quad-core Samsung Exynos processor, 2-megapixel front-facing camera with an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, 4G LTE, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS, Ceramic Case, and (more importantly) a 4.8-inch display in “full HD” with 1080p resolution at a 16:9 aspect.

Of course, there is significant doubt that the Samsung Galaxy S III will be the world’s first 1080p smartphone, because a 720p display on a 4.8 inch screen is already “retina.” Any smaller pixels are undetectable to the human eye—thus wasted pixels and processor to drive them. Expand
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Local store puts Samsung’s Galaxy S III up for pre-order

9to5 Staff Feb 13 2012 - 10:45 am PT

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Call it a cheap attempt to bank on the Samsung Galaxy S III buzz and get some free press ahead of a rumored May announcement, but local seller Kimstore has a pre-order poster for the Samsung Galaxy i9300 (aka the Galaxy S III), according to Yugatech. Interestingly, it even has a specs page on Facebook calling for a 4.6-inch Super AMOLED Plus capacitive touchscreen with a native 720p HD resolution, 3G/4G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth3.0 networking and a 12-megapixel camera on the back capable of shooting 1080p clips at 30 frames per second and snapping images up to 4,000-by-3, 000 pixels.

Rumor: Samsung Galaxy S III will be 7mm thick, arriving in May

9to5 Staff Feb 6 2012 - 8:57 am PT

Pictured above: The Samsung Galaxy S II profile

Samsung’s Galaxy S III smartphone will be 1.49mm slimmer than its predecessor the highly successful Galaxy S II will, a new rumor has it. According to industry sources who spoke to ETNews.com (via BGR), the new flagship phone by Samsung will be just 7mm thick versus the previous model’s 8.49mm profile.

Confirming Samsung’s plans to postpone the expected MWC introduction, the publication is claiming the Galaxy S III will arrive in May, sporting an 8-megapixel back camera and a two-megapixel camera on the front. Other features mentioned in the article include Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Samsung’s trademark Super AMOLED Plus display…

New Samsung Android 4.0 device to be unveiled at MWC?

Jordan Kahn Feb 2 2012 - 10:47 am PT

The image above of a mystery Android 4.0 device was posted by @eldarmurtazin (via BGR) with no details other than “Barcelona. Samsung. Press photo leaked.” We are obviously assuming Barcelona is pointing to the Mobile World Congress set to kick off later this month. While we would normally speculate this is Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S III, the company already confirmed that device will not be unveiled at MWC.

The device is clearly an evolution of the Galaxy S II design, and it could possibly be the S III. We will have to wait until Samsung’s press conference at MWC from Feb. 27 to March 1.

Spyshot depicts Samsung Galaxy S III with flexible display

9to5 Staff Feb 2 2012 - 10:24 am PT

We are unsure whether the above spy shot leaked by Ubergizmo is authentic, but we are aware of some promising rumors involving a Galaxy smartphone with a flexible display. Be advised this could simply be an early prototype that might not see the light of day. Moreover, Samsung and Corning teamed for a joint venture in Korea focused on supplying Samsung Mobile Display with the latter’s new Lotus Glass technology said to be more resilient than other glass substrates.

Nevertheless, Samsung did confirm plans to market phones and tablets with flexible displays later this year. Also indicative, the South Korean conglomerate delayed a planned late-February introduction of the Galaxy S III until later this year, allegedly until iPhone demand cools off. Another reasonable explanation for the delay:

Samsung delays Galaxy S III, new launch event scheduled for H1 2012

9to5 Staff Feb 1 2012 - 10:13 am PT

Contrary to the latest rumors, Samsung will not tap the upcoming Mobile World Congress that takes place from Feb. 27 to March 1 in Barcelona, Spain to unveil a successor to the popular Galaxy S II smartphone. Instead, in an Apple-like fashion, the Galaxy S III will be introduced to the world at a dedicated event scheduled for the “first half of the year,” the company told Techradar.

According to the official statement attributed to a Samsung spokesperson:

Samsung is looking forward to introducing and demonstrating exciting new mobile products at Mobile World Congress 2012. The successor to the GALAXY S II smartphone will be unveiled at a separate Samsung-hosted event in the first half of the year, closer to commercial availability of the product. Samsung stays committed to providing the best possible mobile experiences for customers around the world.

All told, Samsung is confident that a dedicated event rather than a trade show announcement would better convey the Galaxy S III message. According to PocketNow, the handset should feature Samsung-built Exynos 4412 chip sporting four Cortex-A9 processing cores by fabless semiconductor maker ARM Holdings, each clocked at 1.5GHz. Boasting a 50 percent faster graphics performance compared to its predecessor, the Exynos 4210 is a new piece of silicon that will be manufactured on Samsung’s 32-nanometer fabbing technology. The closest competitor to the Exynos 4412 is a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core chip that should debut in the HTC Zeta smartphone.