Samsung is one of the first companies to
participate in the Windows Phone parade to the Focus, and was very quick to
continue with devices such as the Focus S. However, it has become unusually
cautious with Windows Phone 8: the ATIV S ($100 on contract through Bell Canada
network) is the last of the top three phones released in 2012, several weeks
after the HTC 8X Windows Phone and Nokia Lumia 920 were sold. Some people would
argue that Samsung has been particularly conservATIVe with the ATIV S, provided
that it shares the same 4.8-inch screen, Snapdragon S4, cameras and the arching
design features like Sammy’s other high-end phones, the Galaxy S III. There is
a real worry that someone visits the carrier store, sees the two devices and
then selects the Galaxy just because of its name.
Samsung
ATIV S
However, they are not exactly the same: there
are one or two changes in design, larger battery and of course, a switch to a
radically different ecosystem. Some people will want to try Windows Phone 8’s
simpler interface concept; others are just shopping inside Microsoft’s universe
and would like to know whether expandable storage and Samsung’s custom app
suite will be able to defeat other opponents. We have many things to like, but
there are a few holes in the fake metal armor of the ATIV S to prevent it from
being the phone for everyone, whether people like Windows Phone or not. Read on
and you will know why.
Hardware
Much of the relationship with the Galaxy S
III is easy to see from the front: if it were not for the Windows logo located
prominently on the home button, you would be forgiven for thinking the ATIV S
was just one of Samsung's many other Android devices. Or, nearly so. However,
turn it around, and then you will realize that it does not mimic his siblings
very much literally. The metal-like effect on the back is not real, but it does
not have to be so – the result is a smartphone which can be called beautiful,
but a bit flashy. Build quality is not affected, because it still feels very
sturdy, and those stripes of metallic gray reduce fingerprint smudges (though
not completely eliminated). Gorilla Glass 2 kept the front of the phone
unspoiled during our testing.
Some people may just like the feel of the ATIV
S in their palms. While it has a larger screen than the 4.5-inch Lumia 920,
it's easier to hold thanks to its rough surface and thinner body (0.34 inch)
and lighter (4.8 ounces). Your experience may be different, but we will not be
afraid of an impending drop when using a Samsung phone with one hand. The
interface itself is easier for us to navigate with one hand than on the Galaxy
S III. The subtle design changes, along with Windows Phone’s larger UI elements,
reduce the chance of launching any app by accident and put your expected target
even closer.
Some people will be surprised by the ports
and controls lying around the device, which follows closely both Samsung and
Microsoft’s principles. We would like to remind you that this might not
necessarily be a problem. On the top is the standard headphone jack, while at the
bottom there is a typical micro-USB port. The main speakers are located at the
back and they are not very loud, though of course you can hear it from the
other end of a quiet room. Sometimes, we accidentally hit the volume rocker on
the left, but we did not have problems like that with the camera button on the
right and did not need to struggle to reach the power button, as what we met
with the Windows Phone 8X. However, the capacitive search and back buttons at
the bottom are almost so easy to be touched.
On
the top is the standard headphone jack.
The real highlight can really lie what lies
beneath the surface. Unlike what we have seen with the high-end Windows Phone
devices from Nokia and HTC, the ATIV S gives expandability a generous and
friendly hug. Remove the back cover, you will find not only a place for
micro-SIM card, but also a microSD slot and removable battery. Some customers
may not need to hear anything other than this. I know many people who refuse to
buy a phone that cannot be adjusted according to their needs, and they will
appreciate the opportunity to go beyond the 16GB built-in storage (up to 48GB)
as well as carry a spare battery for any specially exciting day. The results
will not be as generous as the 64GB models of the iPhone 5 or One X+, but it is
also less expensive.
The
main speakers are located at the back and they are not very loud.
As we have mentioned, the ATIV does not
initiate any great revolution in processing power. It uses the same dual-core
1.5GHz Snapdragon chip that we've seen in some versions of the Galaxy S III, as
well as the first Windows Phone 8 phones. It sticks to 1GB of RAM instead of
2GB on some of its Android siblings, but you do not have to pay more. NFC is
built in and uses the battery as the antenna.
However, those who are expecting a Nokia
level of mobile diversity may be disappointed. In the Bell Canada model that we
tried, there are quad-bands GSM, GPRS and EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz) and a similar
number of dual-carrier, 42Mbps HSPA+ bands (850/1700/1900/2100MHz) but only AWS
(1700MHz and 2100MHz combined) for LTE. Other versions for the U.S. and
elsewhere will have either LTE frequencies reserved for that country or stick
to 3G. Though we are glad that Samsung is responding to the specific needs of many
different regions, we are still a little disappointed to learn that even an
unlocked ATIV S sometimes fails to reach its best transfer data rate on foreign
carriers.
Display
This
is the 4.8-inch 1280x720 Super AMOLED HD panel from the Galaxy S III.
We were not kidding when we said the ATIV S
had a very familiar screen. This is the 4.8-inch 1,280x720 Super AMOLED HD
panel from the Galaxy S III. It is both a blessing and a curse, in our point of
view. After all, you will have vivid colors, a wide viewing angle and deep
blacks. It also leads to the slightly blurred look due to the PenTile pixel
arrangement. However, what we said about the Android device is also true here:
the screen is better than that of the previous generation, and the pixelated
issue is not really noticeable unless your eyes are too close to the 306-ppi
image. Although AMOLED still does not have the best reputation outdoors, we can
see that it's good enough for a sunny day with increasing brightness.
Located next to its direct Windows Phone 8
rivals, the ATIV S faces fierce competition. It has the largest screen in the
current group and does not have to worry about the scanning speed when AMOLED
almost has instantaneous response. However, it does not have the pixel density
of the 8X, or the additional 48 pixels of width on the Lumia 920. Anyone who
lives in a colder climate would appreciate the glove-friendly screen of the
Lumia 920. There have been several times in the testing of the ATIV S; I had to
stop in order to get warm. We found it okay with Samsung's approach when the
screen is big and contributes to the slimmer overall appearance of the phone;
we just have to accept that it's not the best in every aspect.
