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IF THERE IS a company that really wants to win the smartphone race, it’s Samsung.
Earlier this year, it released the Galaxy S5, which was a great phone which focused more on adding features over the hardware, but was criticised for sticking to its plastic design.
Now, it has responded to this criticism with the release of the Galaxy Alpha. Using a metallic design, it hopes to set a new path for the company, but is this the future for Samsung devices?
Unique selling features
- Premium metal design and light feel.
- Updated with latest version of KitKat (Android 4.4.4).
- Most Galaxy S5 features are present here (fingerprint scanner, ultra power saving mode, etc.).
- 12MP camera and 2.1MP front-facing camera.
Look and feel
The first time you hold the Alpha in your hands, you’ll immediately notice its weight. It’s incredibly light and thin (its body is 6.7mm) to the point that if you put it in your pocket, there’s a good chance you almost forget it’s there.
The device uses a metal frame, but it still uses a removable back cover – made out of plastic but with a rubber casing – which will be great news to those who like to keep a spare battery handy.
The metal edges and the lightness of the device makes it almost feel like you’re holding something hollow, but overall, there’s a definite improvement in the style and feel of the device.
Hardware and Software
If you’re familiar with the Galaxy S5, then you will know what to expect here. Practically all of the software features and hardware has been practically ported here, but with a small downgrade in actual specs.
That’s the price it pays for being so light, but to be fair, the downgrade isn’t noticeable unless you really, really push it to its limits, and 2GB of ram and a quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor is enough power to compete with rival flagship devices.
The decision to go for a 4.7-inch screen is very much designed towards those who would prefer to access everything with one-hand, which wasn’t exactly possible with the S5′s 5.1-inch screen.
More seasoned Samsung users might be disappointed to hear that the Alpha doesn’t come with a slot for an SD card. Granted, the Alpha has 32GB of memory which is more than enough for most users, but the option to add to that would have been nice.
The software is virtually identical to the S5 and everything you expect from it is present here: fingerprint scanner, fitness counter, ultra power saving mode, and the redesigned settings page are here.
That also brings with it the same frustrations like the overloaded settings bar, and the constant insistence of running Samsung software like My Magazine automatically, and you will likely revert to a swipe or pin password for the lock screen as the fingerprint scanner isn’t the most practical, requiring you to swipe just the right way.
With two hands, this is fine, but since it’s designed for one-handed use, it’s going to be hit and miss.
To its credit, the battery life is quite good. After regular use of it for a day, you could find yourself left with 20-30% of battery power which if you combine with ultra-power saving mode, can keep you going for a whole day.
Camera
The Alpha uses a 12MP camera which again is a drop from the S5′s 16MP. You will still get good quality shots and the camera software is identical. Provided you get the focus right (and you’re not in a low-light situation), you can get some good shots, although the shutter speed can be a little on the slow side.
The same camera features are present, and can come across as a little overwhelming to those not familiar with them.
Chances are you will play around with the fast forward and slow-motion features the camera brings (the vines below show both features in action), although if the lighting isn’t right, then you could be facing some problems.
Here’s the fast forward function in action, going at eight times the usual speed.
http://vine.co/v/OZTx2Odt13l
And here’s the same camera recording something in slow-motion, eight times slower than a normal recording.
http://vine.co/v/OZTQeUJ66hP
Conclusion
On balance, the Galaxy Alpha is a great phone. The look and feel is much improved and the slight hardware drop is almost unnoticeable, but more importantly, whether this the smartphone that will convert non-Samsung is a difficult one to answer.
The irony is that while Samsung has created a device that matches the specs, its biggest competition is actually itself.
If you’re not a fan of Samsung’s interface, then there’s virtually nothing here that will change your mind.
If you’re are a fan, then chances are you will either have the S5 or you’re waiting for the Note 4 to arrive, both of which have better hardware than the Alpha, and unless you really prioritise style over practicality, it’s probably better to go for one of the two.
Still, that’s probably being harsh on what is a solid device and if this is the direction Samsung is taking, then it’s certainly a welcome one. If it can later combine the specs of future Galaxy S devices with the metallic design, then it will be onto a winner, but until then, consider this a statement of intent.
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha is currently available in Carphone Warehouse (€569), Three (€569), O2 (€549) and will be coming soon to Vodafone. Prices given are for Pay As You Go.
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300 and odd cheaper than the iPhone 6 plus rip off
465euro on Piximania for SIM unclocked Samsung S5.. why anyone would pay 55euro a months for a 24month contract its silly. That’s well over a thousand euro for the phone… costs half that to buy Sim free, granted you might get free calls,free texts and internet.. but you can get all that with SIM only plan for 20euro a month.
20 per month, over the next 24 months is 480, added to the near 500 upfront for the device means you pay a grand either way… except you don’t have to shell out half a grand at the start… As the missus might say, why are you so afraid of commitment?
@Pinel g if your buying your phone not to make phone calls or texts , you are correct in saying sim free is half the price
@Sean Delaney – comparing this to the iPhone 6 Plus? Did you read the article? 4.7″ screen.
To me, it seems like Samsung made some odd choices. Loses the plastic crap and keeps the replaceable battery, good, but no SD card?
Maybe they should have just waited to launch a S6 Alpha version and made it an attractive proposition to Galaxy fans.
Eh pinel it’s not much of a savings and u spread the cost over 2 years
Fair play if u can afford it up front some can’t
@Ciaran Ó Fallúin Yes, 20 per month is 480. but you are not tied down to any contract, so you do not have to top up every month, (these days i think you need to top up at least every 6months to keep it active on the network was 12months before) therefore it does save you money, instead of being tied down to a contact where you always pay more. like when you go over your internet usage a month. What annoys me is Meteor offer Unlimited Data for €10 a topup. yet this “Unlimited Data” is subject to Fair usage allowance of 7.5GB, To me this is not unlimited data…. capped data more like.
7.5gb is more than you should ever need for your phone.. if your steaming buck loads of netflix, would you really enjoy any of it watching it on a phone. It’s meant for internet browsing and yes video playback but not watching season after season. It still is a phone after all.
In tescos “unlimited” sim only plan you get 10,000 mins, 10,000 texts and 15Gb data for €25 per month and its only a 30day contract.
I’ve held this phone in my hands. It feels fantastic. Unbelievably light. Tough decision between the alpha and S5.
Looks great! Samsung’s biggest fall down was the quality of its plastic!
Nah. Samsung biggest downfall is Touchwiz. I’m typing this on the S5. Brilliant phone. I’ve no problem with the plastic back.
I had a look at the Alpha in a shop during the week. It is very fekin light.
That touch wiz thing is a nightmare, constantly crashed or froze my Note 3. Samsung just tell you to connect it to Kies which didn’t work. Tried all of the suggestions on forums but to no avail. Last system update caused my phone to crash completely had to do a hard factory reset which was a pain but on the positive side no more touch wiz errors.
Had a note 2 and loved it. But I hated taken the back cover off because it would stay out of shape.
I’d you don’t like touchwiz Michael, install an alternative. Dozens of options available. Next Launcher is my personal favourite
That doesn’t change the fact that it’s still running on touchwiz, which is laggy as hell. If 2.5GHz quad core lags it means that there is something very wrong with the system and its optimization. Samsung insane hardware is always held back by that atrocious system. If they only developed something new and light, they would gain a lot of new consumers.
Yup. That’s the advantage of Android. Touchwiz is awful. First thing I do after a factory reset is install Apex.
Biggest reason I stick with Samsung is the replaceable battery and huge support from third party ROM distributors.
Have not plugged my Note 3 into its charger ever. Three external batteries and a battery pack and I’ve never been let down.
Apple are great for their fans, or have been, each to their own. A phone is a personal choice. If Apple fans want the experience they’re getting, that’s their choice. I actually admire Apple for being able to command such brand loyalty in the face of better alternatives (in my opinion). I know many Apple to Android converts but I don’t know any of the reverse.
Again, each to their own. It’s not as if those Apple fans don’t know of any alternatives. If I knew there was a better CAR than a Toyota for the budget I had for buying a car, you can bet that no matter how loyal I was to Toyota, I’d be buying the better bang for my buck.
Yep I use Nova Launcher. Still only a half measure. I rommed an S4 worth the Google edition rom. That runs better than my S5.
If Samsung sold their phones with the Google edition is buy that version every time. Their hardware is brilliant (on some models).
@dave davis
I am an apple fan but would be very happy to move because of the increasing privacy-invasion by Apple.
I was really hoping the article would compare the two but strangely it didn’t!
What is your view on how this new SS compares with the 4s ?
@gareth – touchwiz isn’t the issue.. just like when running any pc, it gets full up with crappy programs, files left behind etc. A factory reset is recommended oncè every 6 months to clear all the crap we install and remove and install again from the playstore. The days of the nokia 3210 are gone.
I’m a big fan of Android but would never even contemplate buying a Samsung phone given the amount of bloatware and horrible skins they put over Android. Samsung seem to just saturate the market with absolute tripe and in very few cases do they ever focus on quality (bar maybe the Note and Galaxy lines). They have a new phone out every 2 months,, it gets boring very quickly.
Darragh,
What phone do you use ?
LG Nexus 4. I don’t think that pure Android can be bettered by any third party skins and extra apps!
I love these articles… They highlight the radio silence from Apple users that are too busy enjoying their technology to flock like the squeaking seaguls from finding nemo to desperately convince the world their cheap Korean plastic is the greatest…
This is unknown, risky territory for Samsung. Starting from €549.99 SIM-free, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha is priced like a flagship phone, but it’s technically out-specced by the Samsung Galaxy S5.
ultra power saving mode? dosent stop you from having to charge it EVERDAY!
Eh yeah it does. That’s the point.
Had a similar feature in htc one – it lasted over 3 days. But then again, phone is stripped from majority of its features so this isn’t a solution. We need new batteries that will handle the smartphones as they are, not software that will dumb them down big time to preserve their power.
Ultra Power Saving mode is a fantastic feature that works very well.
Pinel g. Yes it does. I think u need to read things and have a little think before u post
Review? This is a pay ad from 3.
Looks great. Would love to see this kind of build and design on future devices from them. The S5 is as fantastic phone and would be even better with this kind of build.
Samsung has already won the race. They hold the leading market share.
People go on about it “looking great”. If the functionality and general browsing on the usual samsungs is anything to go by, I’d steer clear
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