Samsung I5700 (Galaxy Spica / Portal): Product Review
Google Android is a powerful piece of software with huge potential, but currently, it has two challenges. As a new operating system, Android still has teething problems and it is still reasonably costly to manufacture a smartphone built on Android. Samsung has tried to solve both problems in the I5700 (aka Galaxy Spica / Portal) touch screen smartphone. In order to find out how Samsung succeeded, we decided to review the product.
The Samsung I5700, also known as Galaxy Spica or Portal, is a slim, compact smartphone. The 3.2-inch touch screen (480x320 pixels) is responsive and bright when viewed indoors. The phone has practically all connectivity options a modern mobile phone can have, such as 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, and USB.
The defining factor of any smartphone is its operating system software. The I5700 is powered by Google Android 1.5. Early versions of any software tend to require finetuning and that's the case with the Android 1.5 on the I5700 as well.
Samsung, however, has stated that it is possible to upgrade the I5700 to Android 2.1. This is a remarkably valuable option. In essence, you get a significant improvement into the product after you have bought it. You get new features, improvements in the way existing features work, and usually a more stable software as well. Since the I5700 (running on Android 1.5) already is an excellent value for the money (see below), the possibility to upgrade to Android 2.1 makes it even more valuable.
Hands-on video review: Samsung Galaxy Spica Android 1.5 user interface
Samsung hasn't changed the Android user interface or added its own applications to the phone. Only an elemental set of apps is preloaded in the factory, but Android Market has quickly collected so many applications that it is easy to find practically anything to download for free or for small fee. For example, there is no Twitter application on the phone, but you can download Seesmic (or any other Twitter app). There is no GPS tracker application on the phone, but you can download Trailguru or another app that can record your hiking or biking route.
The 3.2-megapixel camera has autofocus, but it is slow and the picture quality isn't spectacular. Nonetheless, we took plenty of photos with the camera because the phone automatically saves GPS location information into the pictures. Flickr, Picasa, Ovi Share, and other photo sharing services can display these so-called geotagged photos on a map on the spot where they were taken.
The camera can also capture video, but the quality is rather poor. Especially moving objects tend to move in blocks. Video resolution is 352x288 pixels, but the sad thing is the capture rate at 14 frames per second (fps).
It is possible to let the phone automatically sniff for available Wi-Fi signals and set Wi-Fi as the priority Internet access channel. Extensive use of Wi-Fi, 3G and GPS can drain the battery in a day or in a day and half. There are ways to save battery power, for instance, manually starting Wi-Fi, forcing the phone to use 2G mobile network only, but power users may need to recharge the phone every night.
We haven't even installed the included PC software, because it is so easy to sync the data on the phone, share media, and download new items to the phone that we haven't figured out what to do with the PC app yet.
All and all, we like the Samsung I5700. It looks good and it feels good in the hand and slips nicely into the pocket. The touch screen is sensitive and responsive. Android software and applications available for download pack so much power to this fast smartphone that it is a pleasure to use.
What we liked about the Samsung I5700
- Touch screen is responsive and it provides a consistent feel. On-screen keyboard both in portrait and landscape mode is better than on the iPhone.
- Excellent selection of applications (both free and low-cost products) available directly to the phone from the Android Market. It is easy to download and install apps to the phone.
- Slim, compact body with large, bright screen (when indoors).
What we didn't like
- Battery life tends to be short if you frequently use Internet and GPS services.
- Memory card slot is located under the back cover, making card removal bothersome, but because of phone's connectivity options and media sharing features, you rarely have to access the card.
- The screen is difficult to read outdoors.
Value for the money: 4.5 out of 5
The Samsung I5700 (Galaxy Spica / Portal) is a sleek, compact touch screen smartphone. We liked the look and feel of the product. Touch screen is easy to use even for a beginner. The connectivity options (3G, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, headphones, memory card) and practically endless supply of apps at Android Market make the I5700 a powerful tool in skilled hands. It is one of the fastest smartphones we have used.
On the downside, the battery life of Samsung I5700 is shorter than on many other phones. Bright touch screen takes it toll from the battery, as well as frequent use of data connections. If you tend to keep your phone connected to the Internet through the day, you may need to find ways to preserve power.
For the price (about 300-350 euros for an unlocked phone without contract), with all its current features complemented with the Android update option, the Samsung I5700 is excellent value for the money.
Hands-on video review: Samsung Galaxy Spica hardware features
Key features and specifications of Samsung I5700 Galaxy Spica / Portal
- Quad-band GSM phone for 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 network bands. GPRS and EDGE mobile data on GSM.
- 3G UMTS/WCDMA phone for 900 / 2100 network bands. HSDPA mobile data on 3G network.
- Wi-Fi.
- GPS receiver with Google Maps navigation application. Photos are automatically marked with location information (geotagging).
- Google Android 1.5 operating system.
- 3.2-inch LCD TFT touch screen. Resolution 320 x 480 pixels.
- On-screen keyboard that automatically turns to landscape or portrait position.
- 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus. There's no flash.
- Video recording in H.263 / MPEG4 format. Video resolution 352x288 pixels at 14 frames per second (fps).
- Video player can play 3GP/MPEG4 file formats.
- Music player can play MP3, AMR, AAC, AAC+, and e-AAC+ audio files. MP3 can be used as ringtones.
- Chrome Lite web browser.
- Text messaging, MMS picture messaging, email, and instant messaging (Google Talk). Gmail, IMAP4, POP3 email accounts can be accessed.
- 200MB of internal memory space.
- Speakerphone.
- 3.5mm headset jack (headset included).
- Bluetooth 2.1.
- USB 2.0.
- MicroSD memory card slot.
- Dimensions: 115 x 57 x 12.9 mm. Weight 120 grams.
- Battery capacity 1500mAh. Talk time up to 560 minutes on GSM, up to 370 minutes on 3G. Standby time up to 450 hours on GSM, up to 340 hours on 3G.
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Gemma 01.04.2010 23:25
I had a problem with poor battery life in my I5700 as well, but I discovered what the reason was. I switched off 3G altogether. I use Wi-Fi whenever I can and switch 3G on only when I need it on the go. I doubled my battery life.
mick 07.04.2010 01:46
Same here, gemma. I think it tripled battery life on my Galaxy Spica.
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anuj s 16.06.2010 09:17
plsss send me, hw to use the bluetooth facility of SAMSUNG galxy spica ,..its not working,when u wants to send any file to other mobiles,.!!
jill 01.08.2010 02:35
has anyone managed to update Android 2.1 into the Spica? using the Samsung PC sw? I have problems the sw doesn't recognize my Spica when it is hooked up to USB port.
Nisha 16.08.2010 01:18
Hello!...If we accidentally forgot a wifi network, can we add it again? i tried but cant...i even tried after factory resetting m phone..
Zeal 18.08.2010 12:07
How do I switch the 3G off?I/m always connected to the Internet and the battery usually lasts for just one day...I have to charge it at the end of the day so that I can use it the next day...Pleasse help...
megan 19.08.2010 23:00
Zeal, you can find the 3G switch here: push menu key at home screen > settings > wireless&networks > mobile networks > use only 2G networks