Samsung Galaxy S III: Is the Screen Its Achilles Heel?

The Samsung Galaxy S III, due to arrive in the U.S. this summer, is the current hot Android phone of the moment. Anticipated for months and unveiled last week at a gala event in London, the latest model in Samsung's Galaxy line of phones brings to the table many impressive features, including Siri-like voice control and auto-tagging of photos.

However, the new superphone may have one weak spot: the display. Samsung decided to give the Galaxy S III a 4.8-inch PenTile display -- what the company refers to as HD Super AMOLED. The relatively new display tech works differently than other types of screens, using individual pixels in novel ways to boost resolution.

Here's how it works: In a normal display, the individual pixels are made up of three sub-pixels -- one each for red, green and blue (making them "RGB" displays). Those sub-pixels switch on and off depending on what color the pixel is tasked to display.

A pixel on a PenTile screen, however, has just two sub-pixels. It doesn't need the third because the pixels actually work together to display visual information. If a pixel needs a third sub-pixel, it can effectively "borrow" one from a nearby pixel to render the proper color. The display is essentially doing more with less, at least in theory.

In practice, it's much less clear. Reviewers, including Mashable's, tend to view PenTile displays somewhat unfavorably, believing they display some artifacts by the nature of how they work. Comparing a PenTile screen with a regular LCD rated at the same resolution, the PenTile may sometimes appear a bit fuzzy around edges. However, it's a difficult thing to notice without really looking for it.

SEE ALSO: Is a Retina Screen on the iPad 3 Overkill?

 

"'Super' AMOLED display sounds fantastic, but a PenTile display has 33% fewer sub-pixels than a traditional display," says Raymond Soneira, president of DisplayMate. "These are phoney pixels. A 1,280 x 720 PenTile display is much less sharp than a true 1,280 x 720 RGB display. "

If PenTile displays have issues, then why does Samsung use them instead of a traditional high-definition screen? Officially, Samsung says it's because the technology lasts longer than a regular AMOLED, according to a report from MobileBurn. Although AMOLED screens, which Samsung says are popular with customers, have great brightness and color, they tend to get worse over time.

A PenTile AMOLED mitigates that deterioration. Since it uses fewer blue sub-pixels -- the ones that have the shortest life -- the display will perform for longer than the 18 months people usually wait to upgrade their phones.

There may be other reasons behind Samsung's choice, though.

"It's a lot easier and costs a lot less to make a display with just two sub-pixels per pixel instead of the full complement of three," Soneira says. "Light throughput is also higher. These are all 'pluses' for PenTile, but the minus is reduced image sharpness for the stated pixel resolution."

With better light throughput, that would also mean a benefit to battery life, since the screen won't need to run as brightly to have the same effective brightness. Since the demand for more features is constantly outpacing advances in battery tech, device manufacturers look for any opportunity to save power through design.

Finally, there's the marketing answer. By putting "HD" and "Super" in the name of the product, consumers are led to believe it's a superior technology than AMOLED. "People think they are getting a much sharper display," says Soneira.

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HTC One X update improves system performance, squashes bugs

With only days to go before the HTC One X is unleashed on US soil, HTC is pushing out a second OTA update to the Tegra 3-powered HTC One X. The 1.29.401.7 software update for unlocked/unbranded handsets in Europe weighs in at 35MB and comes with a slew of minor bug fixes and system improvements to make the handset more stable.

For now, the 1.29.401.7 update is only rolling out to unlocked handsets, but carrier-branded devices in Europe may also receive the update within the next week or two. The HTC One X launched with software version 1.26, quickly moved through 1.27 and on to 1.28. It would have been nice if HTC had caught all the bugs before the handset was released, but it’s encouraging to see HTC working hard to make sure their customers have the best experience possible with the HTC One X.

Have you received the 1.29.401.7 software update on your HTC One X yet? Are there any issues HTC has overlooked?

UPDATE: We’re been informed that the changelog we posted earlier was for the 1.28 update for the HTC One X. We will update this post with any new information when details of the 1.29.401.7 update are made available.

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Verizon version of Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY gets update

Still rockin' the Verizon version of the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY? Nothing wrong with that if you're a PlayStation fanatic and love sliding out that game controller. And to reward you guys who have stuck it out, Verizon has sent out an update that allows you to record video in 720p in continuous autofocus. VZ Navigator and Video On-Demand have been added including support for 3D maps on the former, and a long press of the power button will allow the phone to take screenshots. As for the OS, version 2.3.4 is now running the show.

According to Verizon's site, the update also improves the user experience and the delivery method of pre-loaded games. When connected via Bluetooth, the music player now offers fast forward and rewind functions. Some bugs have been fixed such as the one that left the phone in landscape mode when it was being charged and recommended contacts populate correctly when the dial pad is in use.

Other changes include the ability to snap a picture using the right trigger, support for the Wireless Emergency Alerting System and lastly, the ability to turn off the Mobile Hotspot ID Broadcast for security purposes.

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Meet Aisha. Micromax’s Siri for the Gingerbread powered A50 Ninja

Ever since the Siri announcement during the unveiling of the iPhone 4S last year, there have been a slew of voice-based assistant apps for Android. And though I am yet to find one that performs as well as it claims to, there’s no denying the marketing potential of them.

This makes the focus on Aisha in the publicity material for Micromax’s latest device for the Indian market, the Superfone A50 Ninja, understandable. First things first, the phone aims at the extreme low end, costing only Rs 4999 (USD 95). It runs Gingerbread on an undisclosed 650 MHz processor, packs a 3.1 inch screen and a 2-megapixel camera.

Considering the price, it’s pretty impressive that Micromax has chosen to offer such a pre-loaded app. AISHA, which stands for Artificial Intelligence Speech Handset Assistant, was developed by Dexetra, the developer behind another voice-assistant, IRIS.

I personally expect the phone to do well. It’s already the cheapest Android smartphone that I’ve heard of in the Indian market (I might be wrong about this since there are so many lower-end devices over here that it’s tough to keep track of). The presence of AISHA will undoubtedly make the A50 Ninja stand out.

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Sony releases the international version of Xperia ion in Taiwan

The Xperia ion for the US shouldn't be far away now, as Sony just announced  in Taiwan the launch of its international version - without AT&T's LTE frequencies, of course.

The handset is pretty sleek as far as looks are concerned, yet different from the new NXT design of Sony by lacking the illuminated strip that characterizes the Xperia S, for example.

Watch this Video

It has just four capacitive keys underneath the 4.6" display for navigation instead. The handset is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3, has 1GB of RAM and a 12MP camera with LED flash. Rumors peg the American version release for May, so it shouldn't be long before we take

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New Samsung Galaxy S III leaks provide conflicting specs

The Samsung Galaxy S III is easily the hottest upcoming Android device, and the leaks continue to flow out at an amazing pace. Part of me thinks all these leaks are controlled to keep generating buzz, but we keep sharing them and y’all keep eating them up. This week we saw a trio of leaks that provide several conflicting specs.

Last night Samsung announced the 1.4 GHz Exynos 4 Quad, that is said to power the next Galaxy. We think there is a good chance that this will be the final processor found inside the Galaxy S III, but that could vary by region and carrier.

Yesterday we saw a leaked benchmark result that said the Galaxy S III was using the Exynos 4212 processor. This chip features dual Cortex-A9 CPU cores running at 1.5 GHz. Another leaked service manual for the GT-i9300 (that we believe to be the Galaxy S III) said the device would use a 1.5 GHz quad-core CPU.

The leaked benchmark said the device would feature a 4.7 inch display, while the leaked manual said it would be 4.8 inches, and other leaks have showed a 4.6 inch display. Camera specs have also been conflicted. One leak shows 8 megapixels and another shows 12 megapixels.

All these leaks have proven is that there are multiple versions of the device in testing and each one features slightly different specs. There’s even a good chance that all these leaks are wrong, and the final specs will be something completely different.

Samsung’s big unveil is scheduled for May 3rd, so hopefully all your questions will be answered soon.

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Samsung Gusto 2 review: This flip phone gets a lot right

Samsung's Gusto 2 reboot is one argument in favor of second chances.

I know what you're thinking: how hard is it to mess up a simple flip phone?

Stop your smirking! It's easier than you think! Just look to the original Gusto with its cheap body and bad call quality.

With the Samsung Gusto 2 for Verizon, Samsung has turned around most of the original's wrongs. This update feels sturdy and strong, gave me great call quality, and offers accessibility and other features that go deeper than on other simple phones.

There are still some issues and annoyances, but overall, the Gusto 2 gets the recipe right. It'll cost $79.99 right off the bat, and after a $50 mail-in rebate, in the coming weeks.

Watch the video, gaze at its angles, and read the pros and cons in my full Samsung Gusto 2 review.

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How To Update & Root Sony Xperia RAY on Android 4.0.3 ICS Firmware

The official Android 4.0.3 Firmware update for the Sony Ericsson Xperia RAY has already been pushed to certain countries. But if you’re still waiting for the update to arrive on your phone, you could opt for a manual installation. In this post, we will be teaching you how to update your device manually with Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.3. Plus, we will also teach you how to root your smartphone on the said firmware version.

Disclaimer: We are not liable for any damages that could happen to your smartphone. Flash and root at your own risk. Be warned that rooting could void your phone’s warranty. We also cannot guarantee that you won’t get your phone bricked and totally unusable. In addition, this update and rooting guide can only be applied to the unlocked version of the Sony Ericsson Xperia RAY smartphone. Do not even attempt to install the firmware on the carrier-locked version.

Pre-Requisites:

–> Create a backup of your phone’s important data such as your SMS messages, call logs, phone contacts, photos, music, documents and videos.

–> Check your phone’s battery and see to it that its battery level won’t go any lower than 80 percent to avoid any unnecessary power interruptions.

–> Disable all Anti-Virus and Security suites on your computer. If applicable, do the same on your smartphone.

–> Enable your phone’s USB Debugging mode by going to Settings > Applications > Development. Check the box next to the USB Debugging option.

How to Install:

Step 1: Download the Zip Package from this link. Save the file to your computer. Extract and open the file. You will see a list of download links that corresponds to a particular source file. Click all the links to download the source files.

Step 2: Click and rename the ‘update’ zip package to ‘B’. Place the extracted files to the Flash Tool folder in C:/flashtool. Select ‘Yes’ when prompted to replace the files.

Step 3: Click and run the Flashtool.exe executable file. After which, go the C:/Drive > flashtool > firmwares then delete everything that you see. Once you’re done, click Exit.

Step 4: Find and extract the Official Android 4.0.3 ICS Zip Package. By doing so, you will get the .ftf file. Copy the .ftf file to C:/ > flashtool> firmwares.

Step 5: Launch the flashtool executable file on your computer. Click the ‘flashing icon’, select ‘flashmode’ then click OK. The firmware name 4.1.A.0.562 must be shown on the left box. After which, you need to click the options for ‘Wipe User Data’, ‘Wipe Cache’ and ‘No Final Verification Check’. Once you’re done, click Start to begin the update process.

Step 6: After the installation, remove your phone from your computer. Your phone will reboot but it would take around 10 minutes before you will able to see your phone’s home screen. That’s it!

How to Root:

Step 1: Download the Xperia RAY Rooting Package from this link. Save the file to your computer. Extract the file to a specific folder.

Step 2: Connect your phone to your computer using a USB data cable. Click and launch the ‘runme.bat’ file on your computer.

Step 3: As soon as your device gets recognized, press 1 then ‘Enter’ to start the rooting process. After which, you will be able to see the superuser and busy box tools on your smartphone. You will also see the ‘All Done’ message on your phone’s screen.

Just make sure that you update your phone with the official Android 4.0.3 ICS firmware first before you proceed to rooting.

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Best Android Dual SIM Phones to Use

Dual SIM phones have been around for some time now, as are Android phones. And it’s only safe to assume that an Android Dual SIM phone would be a great phone for those who are using two carriers. Just think of all the advantages it could have: Android OS and all the flexibility that provides PLUS the advantage of using 2 SIM cards in one phone. Seeing that many now have 2 phones, an Android Dual SIM phone would be a great addition for keeping everything on one phone.

Top 10 Dual-Sim Android Phones

All your contacts, SMS messages, emails and photos on only one device! And these Dual SIM Android phones have really picked up. More and more manufacturers have begun to manufacture them, with remarkable names from the tech world have tried to produce these devices. And seeing how things are going, we will definitely see many more of these devices coming up. Also, there have been many who tried to make them in the past, small manufacturers and their endeavors only proved to the big companies that this is a technology worth improving and distributing

10. ViewSonic ViewPhone 3

Although ViewSonic hasn’t yet actually launched this phone, we saw it at MWC 2012 and it rocked, and hence I am including it in the list. ViewSonic is trying to launch itself in the mobile world really hard. And their plan to do so is with Android smartphones, but not just regular Android smartphones, with some really cool Android Dual SIM phones. The ViewPhone 3 model will be their mid-range phone, featuring a 4” HVGA display with a 5 MP camera, all powered by a 800 MHz processor. The phone is only 10.3mm thick and it looks really good. It somehow resembles a HTC smartphone. On top of all these, the ViewPhone 3 will run on Android ICS and it’s just a few weeks away from launch.

9. Eclipse – Dual SIM

 

Eclipse may not be a very well known name in the mobile industry, but even then, they have created a very good Android Dual SIM phone, worthy to have its place among much better known names. The Eclipse Dual SIM features a 3.2 inch touch screen, a scroll ball, similar to the one on the Nexus One, a expandable memory of up to 8GB. It only has a 460 MHz processor, but then again, it does not have much to power, so it moves really fast, and a 2MP camera that takes decent enough pictures.

8. ViewSonic V350

The second ViewSonic Android Dual SIM smartphone that lands on our list (persistent, aren’t they?) is the V350, which is the big brother of the 4e. This guy features a 3.5” Super Clear IPS LCD with a resolution of 640×960 pixels and a powerful 1GHz processor and a 5MP camera, all of these running on Android ICS. Great features for a phone coming from ViewSonic. Let’s just hope they can keep it together and make more.

 

7. Gigabyte GSmart G1345

 

Another great phone comes from Gigabyte and is named Gigabyte: GSmart G1345. This Android Dual SIM phone is a great mid-range Android device, featuring a 3.5” display HVGA Capacitive Touch Panel, 320×480 pixels, a 5 MP camera with flash and a SD card slot to take the G1345’s memory up to 32GB. Also, the GSmart G1345 is powered by a 800MHz Qualcomm processor, which gives it a lot of horsepower.

6. Motorola Milestone XT800

 

With Motorola, being a top smartphone manufacturer, we would expect only the best to come from them. And as for mid ranges smartphones, the Motorola Milestone XT800 is a great one. The handsome phone features a 850×480 resolution display, 5 MP camera with dual flash and all of the things that any smartphone has. The Milestone XT800 comes with Android 2.1 Eclair installed, but I’m sure that is not a problem, seeing that OTA and custom ROMs are all over the place now.

5. Gigabyte GSmart Rola (a.k.a. G1317)

 

Gigabyte have made a few phones in the past, and they were fairly successful, but now they have set their mind to bring to the entire world the Dual SIM capability. So, they have made quite a few Android Dual SIM phones to throw on the market. The GSmart Rola is one of them. With a nice design and cool features, this low end phone is still better than many other Android devices. It features a 3.2” WQVGA display and a 3.2MP camera, resistive display and it’s all powered by a 528 MHz processor with 512MB of ROM memory (kinda cool, actually, the way they matched up the numbers; 3.2 camera and display and 528 processor and memory).

4.SamsungChampDeluxeColor(a.k.a.C3312)

Samsung needs no introduction, when you think of smartphones, Samsung is probably one of the first names that come into your mind. After releasing the so called “iPhone Killer”, the SGS (Samsung Galaxy S) and their newer models (Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy SII), Samsung have turned their eye on some of their more cheaper smartphones, but just as potent as their bigger brothers. And so, the Champ Deluxe Color is a great Android Dual SIM phone that has just about any feature you could want on a smartphone. A 2.8” screen, all the connectivity options (3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth etc), 1.3MP camera, FM Radio and more. Also, the phone has a great battery life: up to 16 hours talk time and according to the specs, up to 20 days (yes, days) of standby! Beat that Galaxy Nexus!

3. Micromax A75 Superfone Lite

When I first saw this phone, I thought I was looking at a Nexus S. But there it is. The Micromax A75 Superfone (yes, with an “f”) Lite is a bit smaller then the Nexus S, but anyway, a very good mid range Android Dual SIM phone. It features a 3.7” TFT display, 3.0MP camera with 2048×1536 pixel resolution and an internal memory of 190 MB with the possibility to mount an SD card (Why didn’t Google think of that for the Nexus S?). It comes powered by the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS, but it can easily be updated to any version thanks to all those custom ROMs out there and it features all the usual connectivity options that all smartphones have.

 2. LG Optimus Net Dual P698

In the past year, LG have started making really nice smartphones for the mid range market. The Optimus P500 and now the bigger version, the Optimus Net Dual P698. The P698 is a great Android Dual SIM phone, powered by a 800MHz processor and 512MB of RAM Memory. It shoots nice pictures with its 3MP CMOS camera and it also features a 3.2-inch 320 x 480 pixels display. The phone has good battery life, provided by its 1500 mAh battery, even though it has Android 2.3.4 OS, which is a bit of a battery hog.

1. Samsung Galaxy Y Duos

 

The beautiful design that the Galaxy Y Duos has, greatly resembles the SGS or the SGSII. The features it has make it one of the best Android Dual SIM phones available. The phone features a 3.14” QVGA(240×320) TFT LCD display and and a expandable memory of up to 23 GB via the SD card slot it has. Also, a great feature of the phone is the GPS function and the full range of connectivity options it features. 

And these are our top branded Android Dual SIM Phones, the ones who have made a name for themselves and we hope that in the future we will see this technology implemented by many more. Who knows, maybe a Dual SIM iPhone is not that hard to imagine now, or the Galaxy Nexus 2 Dual SIM Smartphone. All of these would be great smartphones and in ne near future we will see them more and more.

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