Images
Samsung’s series of Android-fuelled Galaxy handsets span the smartphone spectrum, from entry-level gems like the Mini, Portal and Europa, right through to dual-core flagship powerhouse, the Galaxy S2. Now, sitting somewhere in the middle, is the newest member, the Galaxy Ace, coming across like a junior Galaxy S.
For a mid-ranger, the Ace’s feature set looks solid enough – 5MP snapper, Android 2.2, 800MHz processor – but when you consider the phone has been spotted going for free on a £10.50 a month, two year contract, the handset starts to look like a world beater.
iPhone look-a-like
Although it looks similar to the Galaxy S, it could honestly be mistaken for an iPhone 3GS knock-off. That’s said the chassis is soundly built but lightweight and comes with a choice of two rear battery covers; the glossy white case gives it a more premium feel while the rubberised, highly tactile meshed jacket is clearly more durable.
The recognisable and intuitive Android 2.2 interface is threaded with Samsung’s own TouchWiz 3.0 skin. This means four shortcut icons for calls, contacts, text messaging and main menu are permanently pinned along the bottom while the pull-down notification menu reveals five quick access switches for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, Silent and Auto Rotation.
Sammy’s own Social Hub app is also handy but half-baked, especially on the social networking front. It aggregates native email inbox (not the Gmail app), SMS, Facebook and Twitter accounts under one roof. Sadly, the social networking clients just link to the mobile websites, so best to download the official Facebook and Twitter apps for faster experience.
However, the inclusion of the excellent Swype keyboard app for text input is a boon. Its continuous finger stroke method takes time to figure out but once mastered, is so much quicker than traditional tap-typing.
Review continues after the break...
No Flash
Despite the Ace running Android 2.2 Froyo it doesn’t support Flash video when web browsing. This is unfortunately down to the 800MHz processor being too under-powered to cope. Yet, this doesn’t compromise the basic web experience too much. The pinch-to-zoom action is fluid enough and while the native browser is fine to use, we would still recommend downloading free apps such as Opera Mobile, Skyfire or Dolphin HD for a slicker surf.
Unfortunately, there are some other traces of its mid-range ranking. The standard issue 3.5in display is adequate for most uses but not overly sharp. The low-res video from its camera is terrible too, even for this level of phone.
Happy snaps
The lack of a dedicated camera shutter key is disappointing, so this means less control with the touch focus. On the flipside, the Ace is brimming with cool photo mods including ISO and white balance settings, a stack of scene and effect modes, as well as macro focus and smile detection. Picture quality is similarly impressive for a 5MP sensor, with strong detail and natural colours.
There’s access to the Android Market and also the Samsung Apps store. This offers another destination for downloading apps but at the time of writing there were only three apps available. Stick to raiding Google’s 200,000-strong official store for all your app needs.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Ace is strong mid-range Android smartphone that offers lot of bang for the bucks. If you grabbed the Ace on a £10-£20 a month contract, you would go home a very happy camper indeed.
Available from Three
The First Hour
-
1
Yes, it looks like the iPhone but it’s well made and compact
-
8
No AMOLED screen! Display is a little lacklustre
-
15
UI is nice blend of Android 2.2 and TouchWiz 3.0
-
21
Forget Samsung’s Social Hub and stick to dedicated networking apps
-
45
Embedded Swype keyboard app is ace but takes getting use too
-
60
The camera takes some very pleasing snaps but video capture is poor
Tech Specs
- Bluetooth
- Yes
- Dimensions
- 112.4x59.9x11.5mm
- FM radio
- Yes
- Main camera resolution
- 5MP, autofocus LED flash
- Memory card slots
- Yes
- Memory card type
- micro SD (2GB card supplied)
- Operating system
- Android 2.2 Froyo
- Quad band
- Yes
- Screen resolution
- 480x320px
- Screen size
- 3.5in
- Standby time
- 420hrs (3G)
- Storage
- 158MB
- Talktime
- 6.5hrs (3G)
- Video resolution
- 320x240 @ 15fps
- Weight
- 113g
- Wi-Fi
- Yes
Comments
Ted
6 weeks ago
I WAS HAPPY with my Samsung Galaxy ACE that I bought 2nd April 2012..From C00L Mobile Ltd, Level 1. SKY CITY METRO Queen ST Auckland. I PAID $320.00 NZ. By about July 2012 Strange things started to happen.. Like vanishing mgs halfway through typing it! But I wanted to be SURE and as time went by the Scroll would not work on certain page. LIKEWISE when I tap the screen to bring up data it was intermittent. SO I brought the ph. back to COOL MOBILE Services mid Dec left it to be fixed. Some days laps when they txt & Ph. to say the ph. is ready. WHEN I got to the shop it was still NOT 100% but they told me it be ok NOT LONG after it started again. This time I was told I have to many mgs &DATA & I need to delete them. I did NOT agree but I went home& remove all except THE Factory Data & within two to three weeks it was BACK to the old thing. When ANDY (the manager??) Touched the screen it was playing up but He said there IS NOTHING RONG with the ph. But I insist there am with a witness I had with me at the time. FINALY He agrees for me to take the ph. while he seek a way to solve the problem &&& He will ph. me soon…about SIX WEKS later I was STILL WATING FOR HIM!!I went back to the shop. ANGRY…this time Andy said he would send the Ph. back to KOREA FOR REPAIRS (Factory) IT will take three wks. F0UR wks. Later Andy ph. to say my Ph. IS BACK & READY to be picked up!!Today two days later I want to pick my phone ONLY to fined that Andy after trying to get a SIGNAL FOR MORE THAN ONE HOUR was not able to deliver my ph. in good working ORDER!!! I DEMANDED MY $320.00 BACK OR A NEW PHONE. Andy said he WILL NOT return my $$$. ONLY After he has subtracted my 9 months use. Neither replacing the UNIT.SO now I have a PHONE I CANT USE. I have lost faith IN COOL MOBILE SERVICES. Queen St. I’m Ted
Rectifier
51 weeks ago
Recently bought one of these as I was sick of my Nokia Lumia 800 constantly crashing, freezing and refusing to charge.
I've now decided it's merely a stop-gap and will be buying the Galaxy SIII when it appears and keeping this as a more than adequate back-up.
Might use the Nokia as a door stop or paperweight as it has little use as anything else.
Apollosan
1 year ago
this is such a great thing to know "Although it looks similar to the Galaxy S, it could honestly be mistaken for an iPhone 3GS knock-off. That’s said the chassis is soundly built but lightweight and comes with a choice of two rear battery covers; the glossy white case gives it a more premium feel while the rubberised, highly tactile meshed jacket is clearly more durable"...more power
background check
bynes69
1 year ago
Online Nursing degree
online fire science school
SoniaH
1 year ago
Samsung has been making good designed phones in the market. But they are now having disputes regarding intellectual rights with another big company Apple. Apple and Korean-based Samsung continue to battle over intellectual rights. The patents for iPods, iPads and iPhones are in the middle of the disputes. The disputes could affect the availability of the products to American customers. I found this here: Samsung wants to block importation of Apple devices
lahoof
1 year ago
A very fair review; this is a brilliant little phone. Sure; there are a few aspects (video, screen) that can grate when compared to the very best but, at the price, there's very little to touch it. A real shame about flash support.. it would have made this very good phone a great phone!