We’ll continue our Galaxy Ace review today, despite being quite annoyed that yesterday’s installment is currently sitting there with only one “retweet” to its name. And that was generated automatically by the system when the post was uploaded.
Anyway. Here’s how the Samsung Galaxy Ace performs as a web browser, plus we’ll answer the boring question about how well it runs bloody Angry Birds.
So yes, as we expected, the only slightly weak point here is the screen resolution. Seeing a 320×480 image blown up to fill a 3.5″ screen results in some slightly rough text.
It’s by no means a disaster or a phone-breaker, it’s just that compared with a phone running at a higher resolution text is a little harder to read. But as most Galaxy Ace buyers are likely to be trading up to this phone rather than, in our case, switching down from an HTC Desire, we doubt anyone will have an issue with it.
Browser speed is good. Pages whizz around quickly, although we did get the odd weird scrolling glitch that would fire us to random bits of the page unexpectedly. But it was rare enough to not be an issue.
Multitouch zooming is supported. The settings and bookmarks are your standard Android 2.2 web browser types. It works very well as a mobile browser.
Alternate Android keyboard Swype is pre-loaded and set as the default text entry system. We’re still undecided on Swype. Some days we think it’s the best thing in the world, then the next we get stuck for AGES editing one word and wish we’d stuck with the default keyboard.
But this is not a review of Swype.
Oh wait, there’s another issue – no Flash Player support.
We don’t really give a toss about Flash Player, to be honest, but the fact that its non-appearance means some apps will be missing from the Android Market is a pity. The average user is going to feel pretty pissed off when his brand new Android phone can’t run the BBC iPlayer services when his friend’s similar Android 2.2 phone can.
At least Angry Birds runs well. Very well. Perfectly, in fact. If you like random physics engines, your luck’s in.
GPS. Someone always asks about the GPS. It works. It took a few seconds to connect via Google Maps Navigation. Seems OK. Worked.
General app performance was fine. We didn’t notice any lock-ups or significant glitches while using the thing. Solid phone.
Anyway. That’s enough screenshots and half-baked opinions for today. We’re running out of words. Tomorrow we’ll look at the Galaxy Ace’s camera and maybe finish it off with some sort of coherent conclusion.
The Panasonic Eluga marks the company’s return to the European mobile phone scene years after several years of absence, and it’s come back to us with a moderately high-spec Android model that features a rather stylish, slim case.
The HTC One V is HTC’s third entry in its high-profile new HTC One range, offering a smaller 3.7″ display running on a single-core 1GHz processor. It is is very much the “affordable” option in HTC’s newest Android series, but…
The HTC One S is the piggy in the middle of HTC’s 2012 line-up, offering a 4.3″ AMOLED display inside a very slim and stylish aluminium chassis. The end result is a phone that’s very, very slim and stylish.
HTC’s new quad-core monster, the 4.7″ flagship for 2012 that introduces the Tegra 3 processor to mobile phones, updates HTC’s range to Android 4.0 and brings us the supposedly streamlined version 4.0 of HTC’s Sense user interface.
Sony returns with an all-new mobile design for 2012, pairing a dual-core processor with a 720p display. It’s a lovely phone, but is it enough to end our Samsung and HTC obsession?
LG’s updated Prada phone comes with an absolutely crazy black & white theme, but is it just for fashionable suit wearers who want to make themselves look a bit more interesting?
Ali
/ March 9, 2011So far so good, the phone looks solid. Strangely enough I’m enjoying the semi-can’t-be-bothered tone of your review!
Have you tried downloading Flash 10.1 from the Market and see if it works?
Gary C
/ March 10, 2011Flash doesn’t show up on the Market. I’ll have another look and scroll a bit further down the search results, just in case.
Actually, I’ll click on that “Adobe Flash Showcase” and look for other things from the same developer. That’ll seal it.
Bob
/ March 10, 2011Don’t be so downhearted, the phone is still very new on the market, and has plenty of competition, so very few have realized it is a great mid-range phone to be looking at buying. Your review was helpful even if I have already ordered mine.
delorean
/ March 12, 2011Excellent phone! I’ve been using it for more than a week now, and I am happy with all its features, specially the big screen, the camera with flash, the white back cover, and the nice UI. The Touchwiz 3.0 UI has tweaked the SMS interface– so now, you can write all over the big screen, instead of just inside a teeny little input box. About time!!! Good job, Samsung!
Android 2.2. is the best Android version, and a must on any device! Gingerbread is just an enhancement which benefits those who use voice commands, and video calling a lot on a daily basis. So, to have 2.2 on the Ace is really fine, and it isn’t necessary for me to get Gingerbread at all. But if Samsung will update to GB, then it is swell.
I once opted for the Samsung Galaxy S, but seeing that it is so big at 4″, it doesn’t have camera flash, and it comes with a big price tag, I figured I would wait a bit more for better things to come… Every camera phone MUST, and I mean MUST HAVE a camera flash, otherwise the camera is just useless, especially after dark. Furthermore, I really don’t have much use for the other features of the Galaxy S — Super Amoled 4″ screen is nice but so big, so many pre-installed apps, HD video recording (VGA is ok), hotspot feature, HDMI port, etc. And I cannot imagine paying for ALL this add-on things, which I don’t really need.
Then I saw this Ace on the news– actually, I had been reading “leaked” reviews of this device since last year, and I was already impressed.
In my opinion, the camera flash and better processor, not to mention the excellent looks and solid build quality, alone should justify this phone as a GOOD BUY. The phone has an updated UI, same as the one on the upcoming Galaxy S 2. This UI is better than the one that the more-expensive Galaxy SL is using now. Unlike the Galaxy S, the Ace is already preloaded with 2.2 froyo, so no need to wait for updates. Even if Samsung never updates the Ace to Gingerbread, Froyo already has ALL the best Android features inside it.
The overall touches on the Ace are SUPERB: there is a sliding door for the microUSB, there is a separate latch on the right for the hot-swappable SD card, there is an option to get a White back cover for the Ace, the device is thin yet compact, the screen size is perfect at 3.5″, and despite the budget price, there is a supplied pair of earphones and 2mb memory card in the box.
As for performance, the Ace is not as snappy as the Galaxy S, since it is only priced about HALF that of the Galaxy S. Yet, with the Ace, I could download apps in seconds, and same goes for the internet– in the time it takes for my husband to sit down beside me, the Ace can download the website of Allrecipes.come. Really awesome!!! Not bad for a Budget mid-range device!!
The GPS of the Ace is also accurate, and much more reliable than that in the Galaxy 5. The Galaxy 5 got me lost dozens of times, even with A-GPS turned on. With the Ace, I was able to trace my routes more accurately and see places within my neighborhood which I never knew was there — just WONDERFUL !!!
But the best part is the Camera — the pics taken with the Ace are just SUPERB. With the camera flash on, I took great-looking pictures even at NIGHT. And best of all, I can use the flash as a torch or flashlight, to light my way at night.
Also, my husband can’t take his eyes off my Ace phone– it looks like a CUTER version of the iPhone 4 (minus the breakable glass, and antenna problem). Actually, the 3.5″ screen size is one of the things I liked best about the Ace — it is neither too small or too big.
I just hope that SAMSUNG will make a Galaxy Ace 2, next year. The features I will be looking for in the Ace 2 are: 1) better video recording (2) 512 RAM, 520 ROM, (3) VGA front facing camera. Also, more Live wallpapers and pre-installed apps would be nice. Coming out with a pure white version of the Ace, is also a great idea. Girls like me would ABSOLUTELY ADORE an all-white Galaxy Ace!!
Kudos to Samsung– you did a Better Job with the Ace, than with the Galaxy S!!! KEEP ON DOING IT!!! GOOD WORK!!!
Gary C
/ March 12, 2011That’s much more factual than my useless review. Thanks!
Chirag
/ March 25, 2011I have also been using ACE for a month now..and it simply ROCKS!!!! :) and the features you requested in ACE 2..absolutely right..and alongwith all that a bigger processor would be amazing…
Great Work Samsung!!!!
HAK
/ April 17, 2011A better and sensible review than above.
Gary C
/ April 17, 2011I already acknowledged that fact, so am therefore not offended.
joy
/ August 25, 2011in the upcoming gingerbread update for ace the video recorder gets better with the resolution of 640 x 480..whereas it now has 320 x 240 ..so with this update ace will be the best phone in its price range :)
Rajesh P
/ March 20, 2011This is one of worst phone I purchased . It worked properly only two days after that it continuously lost network connection and I am not able to do either call/message from Phone. I need to reset my phone to use the Phone… I need to reset the Phone after every 40 mins … I suggest don’t buy this phone.
Gary C
/ March 20, 2011That sounds like you’ve got a broken one. I should point out that the one I reviewed arrived not broken.
Joe
/ March 26, 2011Can you move apps and games to the SD card if you are running out of memory? This might be a deal breaker for me as I like downloading plenty of apps…
Thanks Guys
Gary C
/ March 26, 2011Well, yes you can, as it’s running Android 2.2. But the apps also need to have the feature enabled by the developer to actually make it work.
Joe
/ March 26, 2011Thanks, but do you know whether a lot of apps have that? Or is it just some?
Thanks again
Gary C
/ March 26, 2011It is just some. I’m not sure where the dividing line is between “some” and “lots”.
Maybe look at the permissions of the ones you plan to use?
Joe
/ March 27, 2011Thanks a lot mate, it really helps.
HAK
/ April 17, 2011Install app2sd application from android market to move them to SD.
aaron
/ December 3, 2011so i downloaded angry birds off the market.. will it use up my internet when i play it off the phone?
Dan
/ March 27, 2011Just wondering how well this runs the more complex levels of angry birds? I know this sounds cheesy, but im thinking of updating from my samsung galaxy apollo and i love the larger screen, but does the processor make much of a difference? angry birds is really not great on the apollo on the more complex levels…
Gary C
/ March 27, 2011Can’t say I’m afraid. I only played the first few levels and have now had to send it back. Maybe another owner might be able to help?
Dan
/ March 27, 2011thanks, i presume it will be half way between the smoothness of something like a galaxy tab and mi phone, with it being an 800mhz processor, cheers anyway mate, and if any other users out there know, please post!
chee
/ April 5, 2011i wan to ask..will your galaxy ace lag when playing angry bird and angry bird rio??cz my one will..and sometimes whe i type too fast for msg..it will stop awhile and suddenly pop up all..is dis normal??
Jan
/ April 12, 2011Hi,
I am in India. My phone keeps on switching between Edge network and 3G. The option to select WCDMA only network mode for data connection is missing. I see that is available in Optimus One. I think its a android feature by default. Did samsung remove it???. or is that option available somewhere else?
Thanks
chris
/ December 29, 2011hello jan! even i have the same issue and i am in india as well! if u have got an answer could you please mail me! [email protected]
J
/ April 28, 2011No flash, No AMOLED, Cheap plastic back cover, NO way… Better to stick with my LG n Blackberry :o>
Shashank
/ May 12, 2011Hello!
I have been using Ace since last 2 months and by the time when I am writing this comment…The good new is…Ace is going to get “gingerbread” upgrade. I have seen reviews where people mention a higher and faster graphic performance on gingerbread.
Apart from this, everything has already been said by Delorean. and for those who want AMOLED, better plastic and this that…Go for Rs. 25K+ phone or bye Wave 2 (Its OS sucks).
One thing I noticed about this phone is its bad battery performance, which might disappoint you especially when travelling and you also want your phone to entertain you. Otherwise, I will recommend it for a Gr8 Android experience without spending a gr8 amount!
value for money phone!
ann :)
/ May 22, 2011hello :>
umm may i ask? what does the adobe flash showcase do? i really am curious about it…
Ruben
/ June 8, 2011My iplayer works
i watched f1 rerun down the pub on sunday,so it will do it,i cant get copyof flash ontothe system bt I have only had my ace a few days…..giv it time,i will get it sorted an tell u.
prassu
/ June 11, 2011How is the performance while playing 3d games…like racing etc..
Hassan
/ August 29, 20113d games like racing work gr8 raging thunder2,nfs shift and gt racing all work gr8
Pes 2011 is also gr8 amazing phone
dyone
/ July 6, 2011hye, i would like to ask, is this phone has front camera either for video calling or take a picture ?
Syed Ata Mehdi
/ July 11, 2011no galaxy ace doesnt have a front camera nor does the skype displayed the vdo from the other side. Can any one suggest how can i turn off or log off from skype. yesterday i had to restrat the phone to get rid of skype.
Also can any one plz tell me how the GPS will start working. In the navigation application, it is not going forward from getting maps. and do i need an internet connection/ 3G activated in my sim for it to start working. I am using it in KSA
sura
/ November 28, 2011If u d’nt have the apps ;like Skype for android, purchase it from from market ,go to the settings->application->force stop->clear data->clear cache. find it and enjoy the application.
tori
/ July 16, 2011im such a movie addict. Will i have any trouble watching videos with this phone? I usually download movies from torrent.Thanks
samrat
/ July 19, 2011what format of game supports my samsung galaxy ace????and i can acces android market cause i’ve got no money…….please reply…… [email protected]
Souvik
/ August 24, 2011Hie, I would like to know whether Ace can run 3D racing games like Nfs Shift or Asphalt 5?
Hassan
/ August 29, 2011It can run nfs shift but not asphalt 5 dnt download nfs shift from market
I had some problems with it works good now
macder
/ September 5, 2011en verdad en mi pais no he visto algo tan real como este foro (MEXICO) como consumidores compulsivos lo q es lo nuevo pensamos q es lo mejor io me dedico a vender “tecnologia” y la mercadotecnia es un indicio de q hoy lo q tng vale y despues ia no io ame el telefono x lo q tiene y llevo dos horas leyendo en foros pajinas blogs y me quedo con este blog y me quedo con mi prospero y nuevo galaxy ace saludos (por comprar)
bnd
/ September 19, 2011galaxy ace has front camera please see the video
they have shown dissembling of phone in that shown front camera
Samsung S5830 Galaxy Ace reparatie handleiding
link is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1zKZ9S_goU
sakis
/ October 15, 2011the video-camera at night is very bad even with flash on!does anyone knows a way to fix this?i heard there is an upgrade or something about this
sura
/ November 28, 2011hellooo.> mine is the latest gngrbrd version, can anybody help me to find video calling.? its stil embarassing that rest of low bdget phones from samsung providing the same and semi bdget one wont do. …..wht u think guys….?
junaid-the-numb
/ November 30, 2011i want to know if i would be able to use telnet feature on ace to login my router…
your info will be highlt appreciated…
br//
junaid
[email protected]
master piece
/ December 3, 2011my phone samsung gt-s5830 galaxy ace has been lost. is another way to find my phone?
aaron
/ December 3, 2011I downloaded an app off the market for my galaxy ace, will it cost internet to play the game off my phone now?.
judith
/ December 4, 2011How to download apps on the ace? the apps im trying to download is at http://www.amazon.com
Ryan
/ December 13, 2011does it have 3G or HSDPA ?
ANd does it support the games where you have to tilt the phone?
donna soguilon
/ December 17, 2011i bought this galaxy phone for less than a month… im worried cause the keypad cannot be turned to wide screen mode although i rotate the device.. it stays on its portrait format.. is there any problem with the phone? i hope you can help me.. thank you…
Jason
/ January 12, 2012Hspda yes , flash- not without some sort of rooting , front video- no, keypad should auto rotate on landscape , 3d and tilt functions – yes, battery life is dependant on whats running in the background and on your home screens- if yoir running live wallpaper have fb on news updates on etc it.ll chew battery !, dont it won’t. Plasticy back ?? Yes its thin and plasticy but I do like the textured back somehow feels safer in your hand and when ots on ua phone only you’ll know how cheap the backing is . All in all for the 129.99 I paid for it I am v happy , a mate has the galaxy s2 which is class but he is also locked into a 45pound a month contract. As a mid range phone at a bargain price you should not be disappointed . Other issues like poor connection amd download speed – are normaly associated with network -ie my mates s2 took 45 seconds longer to download a song but he.s on t,mobile were as I am on 3. ..oh and the guy who wants to watch torrent vids atc I have found varying results, I.m guessing its motly down to the audio codecs that the video has been made
Jason
/ January 12, 2012Oh and the person with the landscape keybourd problem…….ig u go to settings – locale and text- then samsung keypad and enable querty imstead of 4 x 4 etc this should solve your problem…
Jason
/ January 12, 2012Sorry just read back was a little vague on divx xvid playback- the stock player is not the one for these vids I have found mobo video player and mx video player to be more suitable both are ad free and price free safe from android market. But as previously stated playback is very much down to the codecs the encoder has used rather than the video players ability to play the file. My biggest negative is the lack of flash support hoping this eill be addressed soon . Hope have helped . J .
Jason
/ January 12, 2012Also as far as I am aware there is no front facing camera , there is a proximity sensor that is often mistaken for a camera. So no amount of updates of the android system can fix this problem.
vishal
/ January 20, 2012hey i am using this phone from last 2 weeks i am really happy with app bt 1 question i`ll having that i am nt getting a proper games which suites my cell and can u tell me how can i download a good action games from my mobile internet thk u
sissy-s
/ January 24, 2012all my contacts got deleted with this phone when i type in someones name to txt them their name comes up but i cant view it from the contacts list what do i do?
Navnoor
/ January 29, 2012hi, i would like to buy this ace, but i would like to know wether it can play games like hero of sparta,ashpalt 5,dungeon hunter,assassin creed altairs chronicle. and does it really doesnt has flashplayer even in its gingerbread version
thank in advance
san
/ February 4, 2012very nice one it rocks,,,,