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Samsung Galaxy S phones
Bonnie Cha
Senior editor August 16, 2010 (updated on: November 22, 2010)
You've probably seen the TV commercials for the Samsung Galaxy S, but unless you're a cell phone fanatic or follow tech news, the ad can be a little ambiguous. Is the Galaxy S one phone or a group of phones? Are all the carriers getting the same model, and when will they be released?
Here's what you need to know. The Galaxy S was first introduced as a single model--the i9000, to be exact--at CTIA 2010 and later shipped to more than 100 wireless providers worldwide. With the U.S. launch, however, the Samsung Galaxy S no longer represents one device but rather an entire series of Android phones for the company. All four major carriers, as well as a couple of regional providers, will get a Galaxy S device. They all have the same core features--1GHz Hummingbird processor, Super AMOLED touch screen, Android 2.1--but differ slightly in design, content, and name.
Below, you'll find the current crop of Galaxy S devices. All are available now.
| Product name | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $151.00 to $159.99 | $239.18 | $134.99 to $208.00 | Check Prices | $129.95 |
| CNET editors' rating | ||||||
| Average user rating | ||||||
| Release date | July 18, 2010 | July 21, 2010 | October 27, 2010 | November 18, 2010 | ||
| The Bottom Line | The Samsung Epic 4G is a multimedia powerhouse with features the other Galaxy S phones don't have. Unfortunately, it comes with a big price tag. | The Samsung Captivate is easily AT&T's best Android phone to date. It delivers great performance, tons of features, and an easy-to-use interface. | Sleek and fast, the Samsung Vibrant is one of T-Mobile's top smartphones for entertainment, but its feature set takes a toll on the battery life. | Sleek and powerful, the Samsung Fascinate is another strong addition to Verizon's Android lineup. Its user interface won't appeal to everyone, particularly seasoned Android users, but it's a good smartphone for the masses. | The Samsung Mesmerize is a top-notch smartphone for U.S. Cellular customers, offering a brilliant touch screen, speed, and plenty of features. | More than just a gimmick, the Samsung Continuum's secondary display is a useful management and multitasking tool, but its constant flow of information might not appeal to everybody. |
| Features | ||||||
| Cellular technology | CDMA2000 1X WiMAX | GSM / 3G | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM | CDMA2000 1X | CDMA | CDMA2000 1X |
| Weight | 5.5 oz | 4.5 oz | 4.2 oz | 4.1 oz | 4.16 oz | 4.41 oz |
| Wireless Interface | Bluetooth 2.1 EDR IEEE 802.11b/g/n WiMAX | Bluetooth 3.0 IEEE 802.11b/g/n | Bluetooth 3.0 IEEE 802.11b/g/n | Bluetooth IEEE 802.11b/g/n | Bluetooth 3.0 | Bluetooth 3.0 IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
| Service Provider | Sprint Nextel | AT&T | T-Mobile | Verizon Wireless | U.S. Cellular | Verizon Wireless |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices | | | ||||
Can someone please clarify and provide instructions on getting the update (either from the backend process... or just as we should all be able to do)???
Thanks.
KQ