The criticism has often been criticized, and always gripe Samsung finishes and materials lacking in nobility. The brand has long been assumed, with a formula famously: plastic is fantastic.
But faced increasing difficulties and caught between Apple and master craftsmanship in the segment – very – high-end smartphones and Chinese on entry-level plastic with equivalent performance but much cheaper The Korean went to the obvious: we must offer phones built around finest materials
This awareness has been followed up with a first terminal the Samsung Galaxy Alpha unveiled in summer 2014, available since September, and proposed premium rate 649 euros (nu) with 32 GB of storage. The machine will probably declined later in a complete, this is certainly the usual brand strategy and this qu’avancent multiple rumors.
One suspects Therefore, the main differentiating element of this relates to the Alpha material: aluminum. The idea is to rub Apple in this area, plus a 4.7-inch screen. It will be understood, the iPhone and the Galaxy Alpha 6 are in direct competition. Samsung arrives he has to stand up to Apple? Response in this test.
A discreet aluminum
The guest of honor is aluminum. We find all around the phone and it’s nice to the touch. It reminds strongly enough sense provided by the frame of iPhone 5 or 5S, especially because of the slight bevel to make the connection between the screen and the contour.
But, paradoxically, the guest of honor is very discreet. Since in reality only around the edge. The rear rest for its plastic, which seems to still thinner than the Galaxy S5 and flexibility hardly inspires confidence.
The surface is also slightly sculpted to make it less slippery but we revert to the premium effect. It’s frankly a shame that Samsung did not go to the end, also opting here for the metal.
The positive counterpart is to pull gently to avoid breaking the small lugs for attachments, and thus access to the battery, location Nano-sim and … that’s it. No microSD slot to predict. Again, it’s a bit inconsistent not enjoy the freedom offered by the removable cap, and to provide another benefit that could have on the iPhone 6
Small 4.7 inches
Where Samsung has however a clear advantage over Apple is the format. At the same screen size, the Korean smartphone fits in 132.4 x 65.5 x 6.7 mm, where the American shows measurements of 138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm. The difference is particularly noticeable and height. This is one of the highlights of this Alpha who will use a little more willing to hand the iPhone 6, without any need to bring down the icons. Too bad all the same that this thoughtful feature is not present.
Samsung comes in addition to winning 14 grams on its American competitor, 115 against 129 Lighter and smaller, for a pretty nice results in hand and a smartphone that will be easily forgotten in a pocket. On the issue of clutter, Samsung has managed a feat. Damage, however, that the photo sensor is prominent. a criticism that can also be at Apple. This is the reverse of the finesse.
Bright Colors
Samsung has opted for a 4.7-inch screen on the Galaxy Afa. The company chose a definition “HD Ready” or 1280 x 720 for a resolution of about 319 ppi. That’s enough, and we appreciate that the brand did not choose the Full HD which interest on such a diagonal, comes down to marketing speak. This density is more than enough to get an accurate display that will only appear pixels glued to the screen. Nothing to envy in this respect to other high end phones on the market.
As with all of its recent high-end devices, we are facing a Super AMOLED panel which will yield particularly vivid colors. Incidentally good brightness of the screen that will use the sun. If it returns made a very good impression at first and can provide an effect Wow magazine, as part of daily use, it can become a little excessive and tends to tire the eye . This will appeal to some, less to others, but note that it is possible to adjust the settings made via. The “basic” mode seems to be the preferred option for a return of a more neutral colors.
Performance indented
While the “Western” versions of the Samsung smartphone generally take on board Alpha Samsung chose his house solutions Qualcomm processors on. The smartphone is powered by an Exynos 5 Octa 5430
As the name suggests, it is an octo-core processor, built around the ARM architecture Big.LITTLE. The eight cores will therefore not be operated simultaneously. It will take, depending on use, or on 4 core ARM Cortex A15 1.8GHz or on 4 cores ARM Cortex A7 1.3GHz. In both cases, the graphics are provided by a T628 MALI MP6 and SoC will rely on 2GB of RAM.
The processor performs well in almost all uses, both in the menus in games where movie playback. The benchmarks are also positive, although it does not reach the level of high-end Qualcomm chips. As long as it does not affect the use, it’s not too serious, it’s rather more annoying when this translates into a range at half mast.
Battery anemic
This Exynos 5 seems much more greedy than competing chips and coupled to a battery of 1860 mAh – hungry for the Android world, but probably necessary to achieve such finesse – Samsung only provide the bare minimum by having some difficulties to reach the day of standard use. Too bad.
The brand counteracts a little thing with its energy-saving tools and in particular “ultra power saving” mode inherited the Galaxy S5 and that will effectively turn a smartphone in near feature phone. It may, however, connect to the internet, but not to take pictures … or even screenshots. Good point, however, on the loading time, it will take less than two hours on the AC adapter to recharge the batteries.
12 mpx controlled
The South Korean brand has selected a 12-megapixel sensor to deliver pictures of 4608 x 2592 pixels and frankly convincing results in indoor and outdoor. Most preferred that the grain does not appear too fast and rendering true to life colors.
The front 2.1-megapixel sensor provides primary and will be more than enough for video conferencing and some selfies, provided to be pretty well exposed to light. There are also a number of parameters and mode that will allow fans to have fun, particularly include the ability to adjust to the post development and a whole range of effects.
A special mention for the “beauty” effect to be used with the front sensor that will smooth the image to erase facial imperfections. The result is rarely convincing, but the modern-day Narcissus appreciate. Nothing new on the video with the ability to shoot in Ultra HD at 30 fps for interest that currently remain limited. A slow motion 240 fps and also available but too pixelated video mode.
A loudspeaker. It will settle for it in terms of sound. Suffice to say that it does not serve anything but enjoy the sound of YouTube videos or update its correspondents speakers. Point. Samsung also included a pair of in-ear headphones equipped with a remote control. The record is honorable.
Few potential customers
In the end, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha is not a bad product, far from it, and take many benefits, beginning its size and finish. But it is clear after a few days of use that mayonnaise has trouble taking. At issue: probably a little too timid from Samsung. Why not offer an all-aluminum phone? Why not include a MicroSD slot? Why not go on a latest CPU? Questions that remain unanswered for now.
We would have appreciated that Samsung is all the way, even to pass the extra cost on the price of the device. The idea is to make a premium smartphone, is not it? The Alpha Galaxy finally able to position in a tiny niche targeting people who want a phone 4.7 inch, aluminum, Android. He did so not many competitor. By simply sacrificing the metal we can find better and cheaper elsewhere … especially in Chinese.
What does it therefore remains to this smartphone? All the features made in Samsung Galaxy S5 inherited. This includes an impractical and sometimes capricious fingerprint sensor since then slide the whole finger on it and any party related to health with S-Health, the Heart board. Which makes it a reality S5 aluminum, with a smaller screen, less defined, with no resistance to water or Micro SD port, an almost identical price. The only difference is the support for 4G +, far from being a decisive factor when buying.
Samsung Galaxy Alpha tent with this to play the card of heart for helping convince more than reason.
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