The world of Android is incredibly unusual, but no less complex and diverse. As we all know, many developers are working daily to release new firmware that is more efficient and more customizable. And it's very difficult to navigate, because there is simple firmware who offer maximum work batteries, and there are others that make it possible to customize Android as much as possible for your needs. It is precisely because of this that we decided to create this article in order to show you all the firmware that can be used daily and are of the greatest interest.
Each firmware featured here has been tested for one week to ensure reliable daily use.
Please note that if after flashing your smartphone constantly reboots or shows the initial logo image without subsequent download, then this is not the worst thing and with the right actions you will not have this, or the next time the firmware will be successful.
Attention: flashing a smartphone is a risky activity and therefore you are responsible for all your actions. As a result, we got a “brick” - it means that we did something wrong.
Once you have chosen the firmware version, you can start studying the instructions, which are available below. But first, just in case stock firmware for your Galaxy S3 so that you can return to the default settings.
Let's start with a quadrant test:
And a short video presentation (you can watch it behind the video sequence, as it is unlikely that you will understand something by ear):
Now you can go directly to the firmware and modifications.
ROM ICS 4.0.4
1.ParanoidAndroid
The image above shows a brief overview of the contents of the firmware. So it's obvious that it's based on Android 4.0.4 and aims to bring together features best tablets from the best smartphone in the world. In the end, it turned out quite successfully.
Indeed, 4.8-inch Galaxy screen S3 in theory allows you to experiment and use different menus. Let them seem small at first glance. This firmware is suitable for those who prefer to work with pure Android without the TouchWiz shell. However, do not be surprised that everyone is present here. new samsung(S Voice, etc.). And here is the result of the firmware test:
2.RGUI battery friendly
As you can guess from the name of the firmware, it was created on the basis of MIUI and is designed for the longest possible operating time. Even if you use the Galaxy S3 with the maximum load, the battery life will still please. We confirmed this in our tests.
This firmware gives a great opportunity for configuration settings. You can also apply different themes to the system. Icon design, modified themes, transition animations, customization of the notification bar - everything is here. As for the battery life, it really holds a charge for a long time. With normal use of the smartphone, he was able to last 1 day and 14 hours. With intensive use, the battery lasted for 23 hours. The only possible complaint about this firmware is that it looks too much like a jailbroken iPhone for our taste. Here is the screenshot:
And it looks like this main screen. Don't be surprised if you can't find the apps menu - it doesn't exist. Basically, everything is copied from the iPhone, when all the icons are collected on one screen.
We go into the settings menu and everything is as usual.
This is the notification menu. Here there is an advantage over the previous firmware - we have the maximum opportunity for settings as you wish. In addition, it should be remembered that MIUI firmware has a tool for applying various themes. There is access to countless themes that will change your phone to the smallest detail in a split second. To complete the presentation of the firmware, let's look at the characteristics.
ROM Jelly Bean 4.1
1. ANDROID REVOLUTION HD 11.0.0
This new firmware, which runs on the latest Android Jelly Bean. The good thing is that it becomes more and more stable. We chose it because we need to take a modification of Android 4.1 for comparison. And we were not disappointed in her, she is actually reliable.
We think that you should not post screenshots of this firmware, because it completely repeats the design of the official firmware from Samsung. Everything is just as simple, fast and smooth in animation.
If you want to improve the performance of your Galaxy S3, then this firmware is for you. You can download it from here.
2. SUPER NEXUS
The Samsung add-on has its advantages, which sometimes still turn out to be discredited. It's a personal matter to love or hate her.
Thus, this firmware offers a good alternative. Indeed, the new firmware will turn your Galaxy S3 into a real Galaxy Nexus. The operating system interface is user-friendly, it reacts smoothly, the animation effects are well done. If you want to discover completely new interface, fully developed by Google, you can use this mod.
Obviously, this is almost pure Android and therefore there are no applications and options that are in the official Samsung firmware(Pop-up Play, S Voice, etc.).
Here are her screenshots and video:
You can download this firmware from this link.
3. OMEGA V27
OMEGA firmware has been known for a very long time and it has managed to firmly establish itself in the world of developers. Why? Simply because these firmwares are stable and with a wide range of settings. In addition, it is easy to switch from one theme to another. They are based on the main Samsung firmware and therefore the overall look of your Galaxy S3 will not change completely.
Here is what the Galaxy S3 interface will look like with this firmware:
The firmware is available for download.
Instruction
If you have already chosen the right firmware for your requirements, great. Now let's move on to the installation stage.
It's quite simple, but you must follow every step of the instructions unconditionally.
There are 2 options available to you:
1. If you have installed ClockWorkMod on your Galaxy S3.
Then the installation of the firmware is greatly simplified.
- one). Download the archive.
- 2). Copy it to the root of the smartphone's memory.
- 3). Then start CWM by pressing three keys in the following order: UP + POWER + HOME.
- 4). Select Install ZIP from SD Card and select the firmware file.
- five). Do a full memory wipe: Wipe cache partition / wipe dalvik cache / factory reset.
- 6). Restart your smartphone.
If you did everything correctly, then your smartphone should reboot in a few minutes. If this does not happen, then repeat the operation, starting from the second paragraph.
When the phone boots up and starts functioning, you may need to install GAPPS. This is a set of Google applications (Play Store, Gmail, etc.). To install GAPPS, follow the same steps up to step 4 and select the GAPPS file.
That's it, Galaxy S3 can celebrate its new birthday.
2. If you haven't installed ClockWorkMod on your Galaxy S3 yet.
Install ClockWorkMod and go to option 1.
S III many experts refer to mobile devices premium class designed to compete with products from brands such as Apple. And this is despite the fact that the gadget runs on the Android platform, traditionally perceived as "budget". Many users are wondering what features and functions make devices running on open-source platforms able to compete with the most commercially engaged brands that use expensive proprietary software. Or perhaps it's a hardware issue?
In our today's article, we will try to understand due to what characteristics and functions the Galaxy smartphone in the third version is considered so prestigious and desirable, as is commonly believed in the Russian user and expert environment. Let's find out the most strengths, we will study the specifics of the technologies used in the production of the device.
We will answer simple but important questions. What are the features of the device? What opportunities does it open for users? What do the experts say about it? What are the reviews that characterize the Samsung Galaxy S 3?
Standard scope of delivery
Inside the box, the user will find the device itself, a spare 2100 mAh battery, a cable for connecting to a USB port, a headset, and a charger. Additional accessories for S 3 - a case, or, for example, - will have to be purchased separately. But there is no problem in finding all this in almost any of the modern chain stores where electronics are sold.
Who buys a smartphone
According to marketing experts, the main groups of smartphone users are enthusiasts of expensive and feature-packed mobile technology, technology lovers, as well as buyers who tend to purchase devices with an eye on long-term use (for several years).
Phones samsung galaxy- these are devices that are of high quality in terms of assembly, design, solving problems using mobile applications. Owners of smartphones in this series can be sure that the device will perform its functions flawlessly and correctly.
Market positions
Marketing specialists call the smartphone one of the leading models of 2012. The direct competitor of the device is called products manufactured under the Apple and HTC brands. Experts call the device from Samsung flagship, the relevance of which will remain for a long time. A user who has bought a Samsung Galaxy S 3 phone emphasizes his good taste and involvement in the most current market trends by the fact of owning a device.
Design
The smartphone is available in several colors. It has a thin body that fits comfortably in the hand.
The device dimensions are as follows:
Length: 13.66 cm;
Width: 7.06 cm;
Thickness: 0.86 cm.
The smartphone weighs 133 grams.
At the top of the case is an audio jack, at the bottom is a micro-USB slot. The power button of the device is located on the right side of the case. On the left is a key responsible for adjusting the sound volume level. On the front of the case is the main control button. There is a front video camera and two sensors: lighting and movement (approximation).
Build quality
Experts who tested the phone note that the body parts are made very high quality. There are no backlashes and gaps. The cover is fixed on the body very securely. The surface of the phone resists scratches quite well. In accordance with the way the reviews describe the Samsung Galaxy S 3, this thesis of experts is generally confirmed.
Screen
Diagonal smartphone display - 4.8 inches. The screen technology is AMOLED. The display resolution is 1280 by 720 pixels. Maximum amount displayed colors - 16 million. The screen belongs to the capacitive class. Experts who tested the device, speak of the quality of the display as excellent.
Communication options
The smartphone is equipped with several communication modules at once. Among them is Bluetooth version 4. You can also use Wi-Fi. Speed Testers wireless transmission data, were able to record an indicator of 12 megabits / sec. You can also connect external devices via the USB port (when using it, the smartphone is recharged at the same time). Using a mini-USB connector and a special cable, you can connect your phone to the TV's HDMI port. The smartphone supports the technology of near contactless communication (which, in particular, is used in modern POS terminals) - NFC.
With Samsung's branded S Beam technology, you can transfer files between this phone and another phone at very high speeds.
Smartphone memory
The smartphone has 16 GB of its own memory, of which about 14 are actually available. Additional memory cards are supported (up to 64 GB).
The phone's RAM is 1 GB. If no applications are running, then its available volume is about 800 MB. Some experts note that for the markets of individual countries, smartphones are supplied with a volume random access memory is 2 GB.
Performance
The phone has an Exynos processor with four cores (the frequency of each of them is about 1.4 GHz). Sufficiently productive, according to many experts, the firmware installed in the Samsung Galaxy S III in the form of Android 4th version.
Performance tests have shown that the smartphone is more powerful than many competing solutions. Almost all users who wrote reviews about Samsung Galaxy S 3 confirm high speed phone work.
Voice control
Experts who tested the phone identified a number of interesting features. These include the ability of a smartphone to recognize the user's intention to call the person to whom an SMS message is being written. Starting to type SMS, you can bring the device to your ear, after which the recipient's number will be dialed.
Another notable feature of the phone is called Smart Alert. It is designed to inform the user about the presence of missed calls. As soon as the owner of the phone picks up the device, there are missed calls, which makes the device vibrate.
Other interesting opportunities device - face recognition in photographs, as well as sending images to the phone of the person who is in the frame. There is another interesting option - manually setting the vibrating rhythm.
The presence of these and many other useful features, as many experts believe, fully justifies the fact that a device such as the Samsung Galaxy S 3 has a rather high price. A phone with such a set of options, according to experts, cannot be cheap.
Playing music and radio
The smartphone has the function of recording a live radio broadcast (although, as experts say, it will be available for a limited number of countries). Experts who tested the phone note that the quality of radio signal reception is higher than that of many analogues.
Melodies can be played by the phone on high level volume without losing sound quality. The device has several software equalizers, which allows you to give the reproduced sound different effects.
Internet
The smartphone has a good, according to experts, built-in browser. Sites on it are comfortable to view. The browser has support for Flash technology (subject to the installation of a separate plug-in), which is necessary for the correct viewing of a large number of web pages.
If the user wishes to install another browser (for example, Google Chrome), then the level of comfort of working with the Internet will not fall. In addition, without any problems, bookmarks from a standard browser are imported into the installed one.
Working with images
The built-in gallery in a smartphone allows you to display images not only from the storage devices built into the phone, but also from devices on the network. Viewing pictures, according to experts, is very comfortable. There are image editing features.
GPS navigator
Like many other smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S3 has a built-in GPS navigation module. Experts note that the cards fit on the screen without any problems. The phone supports caching. This feature allows popular mapping services (Google.Maps or Yandex) to save images in the device's memory, so that they can then be used offline, if necessary.
The phone has excellent compatibility with popular navigation applications (such as Navigon or Sygic).
Text and SMS input
The smartphone has a virtual keyboard text input function that supports a large number of languages. There is a convenient option in which words are entered by continuously pressing the screen (each letter in sequence).
Owners of smartphones of various brands, including Samsung, require drivers in order to update or. You can get them in various ways.
To be able to work with a smartphone using a PC, you need to install a special program. You can find it on the official website of the company or download it from third-party resources.
Method 1: Smart Switch
In this option, you need to contact the manufacturer and find a link to download the program on their resource. For this you should:
Method 2: Kies
In the method described above, the official website uses the program for devices with the latest system updates. However, it often happens that the user may not update the device for some reason, and the described program will not work. The reason for this is that it works with Android OS version 4.3 and higher. Basic system on Galaxy device s3 is version 4.0. It is in this case that you need to resort to another program - also available on the manufacturer's website. To do this, do the following:
Method 3: Firmware the device
If you need to flash the device, you should pay attention to specialized software. Detailed description procedures are given in a separate article:
Method 4: Third Party Programs
It is possible that there are problems connecting the device to the PC. The reason for this is a hardware problem. This situation can arise when connecting any device, not just a smartphone. In this regard, you need to install drivers on your computer.
To do this, you can use the program, the functionality of which includes the ability to check for problems with connecting third-party equipment, as well as search for the missing software.
In addition to the above program, there is other software that is also quite convenient to use, so the user's choice is not limited.
For many people, the Samsung Galaxy S3 is the most harmonious smartphone in the world. Even a few years after its release, the S3 still delights many Android fans.
Whether you're a longtime Galaxy S3 fan or just new, we've put together a complete guide that includes a selection of tips, tricks, features, and settings for this device to help you get the most out of it.
Article content
Record and save music from FM radio
Listening to the radio is no longer as popular as it once was, in our opinion, given that you can access streaming music using Spotify or Google Play Music (among many other services), but it's not superfluous to note that the radio doesn't drain your battery too much (assuming it doesn't use your mobile data).
If you don't have a lot of songs stored on a microSD card, or are wondering how to free up disk space, then the radio is a great option. You can even record something from the FM radio and save it to internal memory phone.
Lock mode
There's nothing worse than having notifications pop up on your phone in the middle of the night while you're trying to sleep. The Galaxy S3 has a lock mode - you can turn it on / off by going to the "About device" subsection.
By clicking on the "Block mode" icon, you can determine what you need to block: incoming calls, notifications, alarms, LED indicators (permanently or for a short period of time). You should also make sure that you can make emergency calls at any time of the day (you need to use the Allowed Contacts section for this).
Face Unlock
Although this is not the most safe way to lock your phone, but still it is quite interesting. In the "Settings" section, select the "Screen lock" subsection, then the "Screen lock" item. When you click on this icon, you will be asked to confirm the selected display lock method, after which you will see a list of phone unlock methods, as well as indications, which are among the safest methods.
By following the steps above and holding your phone at eye level (so that your face fits within the rectangle of the display), you can set your phone to recognize your face. However, the phone can go wrong if it is used by a person with a face similar to yours, so if you are worried about the contents of your S3, then you should use another, more reliable method of blocking.
Home Screen Simple Mode
If you purchased the Galaxy S3 for the first time and you are a beginner, then you should switch user interface phone home screen to the "Simple" mode. Thanks to it, you will get large icons on the home screen, which will allow you to visually increase the applications and other functions of the phone.
In order to switch to this mode, open the "Settings" tab, then go to the "About device" subsection, select the "Home screen mode" item and select the mode that suits you. After that, click on the "Add" icon. If you feel more comfortable with time, you can return to the previous interface by following the steps above.
Edit videos with Video Player
If you've recorded a video and want to trim it a bit, you can do it right in the video editor without using a third-party app from the Google Play Store. While playing a video file, press the Menu button and select Trim. Later, you can choose which parts of the video to trim and which to keep.
Videos overlay
On the Galaxy S3, you can multitask different ways, for example, using the Multi Window. Another way is to watch the video in Video Player in the small window at the top of the home screen, or surf the Internet, chat with friends, etc. To do this, find the video file you would like to watch, then select the icon in the lower right corner. The video file will launch on the home screen, where you can also perform other tasks at the same time. When you click on the video, an “X” icon will appear - with its help you can close the video file.
Remotely wipe your phone with remote control
The Galaxy S3 may not be new, but it's still a desirable smartphone. If someone steals it, you can locate it and make it so that no one can access your personal information: you have the ability to completely delete the data on your phone remotely. To do this (first of all) you must create a Samsung account and define a password - you can enter it on your phone when you start to get acquainted with it for the first time.
If your phone is stolen or lost, go to Find My Phone, where you can locate your phone, lock it, set it to ring, block future messages or calls, view call history, delete phone data, and unlock the display (The last option is very handy if you suddenly forgot your display lock password). You can also locate your lost device and track it in 15-minute intervals for 12 hours (although this is a paid service).
Get a Samsung Muse device
Do you want to run or ride something while listening to music, but don't want to take your smartphone with you? Instead of lugging your Galaxy S3 around with you, get a fun little thing called Muse. Insert it into your phone and it will do everything by itself: with the help of additional application available on Google Play, you can transfer music to this device without using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Note that the Muse device is equipped with a built-in sensor, and all commands are performed with a light touch. Long battery life and acceptable price make this device a must-have accessory for your Galaxy S3.
LED indication control
With the Light Flow app, you can take advantage of added benefit Galaxy S3 and its multicolor front LED. By installing this application, you can assign a specific indicator color to certain types of notifications.
Do you want the indicator to turn blue when your phone receives email? What about yellow color when you receive SMS? Easy peasy! This is very cool way receive prominent notifications without relying on sound signals or vibration.
Turn your phone into a gaming device
You can get a lot of game emulators for any Android device, however, one of the disadvantages of this is the lack of physical buttons. Of course, we, for example, like to play old console games when we have such a desire, but we do not have such freedom of action if we use the touch display as a control unit.
However, if you take the proprietary OTG USB cable, you will be able to connect the controller-control unit to your device.
Automate Your Galaxy S3
This process isn't unique to S3, but it's still quite useful. With the Tasker app, you can customize auto mode for all kinds of activities on your device.
You can enable some interesting features in Tasker, such as changing data and connection settings based on time of day and apps. If you want to turn off mobile data or W-Fi overnight, Tasker will do it for you automatically. You may also want to have GPS disabled while you are running google app Maps? Tasker will do that too.
Treat yourself to a new case
Sure, something like a case won't do much for your Galaxy S3 to be competitive with other devices these days, but this thing will give your phone the new kind. With new materials that Motorola used for its model Moto smartphone X, it looks like a tree might be a great option too.
To our delight, there are many vendors offering wood textured cases, and the choice of such cases in a variety of colors is very large.
How to increase the battery life of your Galaxy S3
One of better ways pay more attention to your Galaxy S3 to get the most out of its battery. There are many easy ways to customize this smartphone to improve its battery life. Some advice of a similar plan can be found on our website, or on other sites.
Use the S Beam function
S Beam is an unusual feature from Sansung for sending files between Sansung phones that uses NFC and Wi-Fi at the same time. This makes it easy to transfer large files. Setting up this feature is also easy.
Safe mode on Galaxy S3
When your Android is started in Safe mode (like on your Windows PC), a safe space is created where third party applications. Here you can (among other things) uninstall apps that are causing problems on your smartphone.
Troubleshooting Loss of Wi-Fi Signal
Some users have reported that wifi signal disappears unexpectedly for no apparent reason. This problem is quite solvable - there are many tips on the Internet on how to improve the Wi-Fi signal on the Samsung Galaxy S3.
But did you know that you can add a news feed to your Galaxy S3 lock screen? This can be done very easily!
Clear system cache
Clearing the system cache can do a lot for the performance of your system - in general, it will run faster.
Did you know that such a menu even exists? This is a rather nifty hidden feature on your phone, and many phones have it, although it can be accessed in a variety of ways. If you are interested in how you can access such a menu in the Galaxy S3 - Google or Yandex will help you.
How to take a screenshot
In principle, a screenshot on the Galaxy S3 can be done using both hardware and software. We will not talk about it yet - everyone can get acquainted with the right information in the Internet.
Factory reset in Galaxy S3
Performing a factory reset is one of the ways you can improve the overall system performance of your phone. Before proceeding with such an action, make sure that you do not forget to create backup all your data, files, photos, applications, etc. You can restore all this on your phone after performing the factory reset steps.
Monitor your mobile data traffic
Not everyone has unlimited internet packages. In reality, most mobile operators(for example, North America) no longer offer these types of internet packages. One of the main worries, which is familiar to many people, is the concern about exceeding the limit of the Internet package, so as not to spend extra extra money later.
Luckily, you and other people can take advantage of the Galaxy S3 and its ability to set the internet packet limit. If you go through the scheme: "Settings" > "Data usage" and check the box "Set mobile data limit", then this way you turn on this setting. Having done this, you can adjust the alert level by moving the orange line, and set the limit (which the device cannot exceed) by moving the red line. Later, you will be able to come back here and check how many bytes you have used and what applications have used this data. Very useful!
Don't block the screen
Have you ever read an article or an email on your device and the screen suddenly locks up due to your inactivity? Galaxy S3 has another interesting feature called Smart Stay. This feature allows the phone to check if you are looking at the display before it locks.
To enable this feature, go to Settings, then Display, and check the box next to Smart Stay. You can also define a delay before turning on the screen lock when there is no activity.
Use your voice
If you are a fan of the hands-free way to control your device, then it makes sense to use the S Voice function. This feature is quite handy in situations where you can't pay enough attention to your phone's display but want to issue a quick command.
S Voice can be activated with two taps on the Home button. If you ask “What should I say”, a list of commands supported by S Voice will appear in front of you on the display. Examples of some commands of this function are checking the weather, voice dialing text messages, activate or deactivate music. S Voice can also be invoked with the Wake up voice command (i.e. no need to double-tap the Home button), although this method of invoking the feature consumes a lot of battery power.
Get access to daily news
If you're a big fan of news, you might want to know the top news of the day before you even get out of bed. With the Daily Briefing feature, your phone will tell you about the day's main headlines, the weather, and any information that interests you. To do this, select Alarm Types and change it to Briefings.
Blocking your video
By now, you probably already know that the Samsung Galaxy S3 has a Pop-Up Play feature that allows you to shrink the video window and drag it to any part of the display.
What you probably don't know is that the Galaxy S3 also has a video lock feature that prevents you from closing a video file if you accidentally touch the display. To unlock the video, you need to press the "On" key.
use your ears
If you've ever wished that the way you answer calls was a little easier, you should definitely check out the motion control. Using this feature, you can answer calls by simply holding the phone to your head. You can also reject incoming calls by swiping your hand over the display.
Muting music with the palm of your hand
When you are listening to music, you can pause the song by covering your phone with your palm. This feature can be turned on or off in the "Movements" subsection of the "Settings" section.
Voice control of the camera
Taking a group photo is usually not very pleasant: the countdown timer always goes off either very quickly or very slowly, and you miss the perfect moment. With the Galaxy S3, all you have to do is say the word "Snapshot" and your phone takes a photo. Of course, you won't look perfect, but it's still better than getting a fuzzy or "stupid" photo.
Setting a custom vibration
Custom ringtones are needed when you want to know exactly who is calling. What about when you need silence? Luckily, the galaxy S3 lets you assign custom vibrations to different people, so you can easily know who's calling even when your phone is on silent.
Screenshots
Many phones can easily take screenshots, but the Galaxy S3 makes it easier than others. All you have to do is swipe your palm over the display.
Volume up
If you're having trouble hearing someone on the phone, the Galaxy S3 can help. If your phone's volume is set to maximum, you can increase it further using the icon that appears on your screen next to a phone contact.
Call everyone you know
Double-click on the display next to the headphone jack to scroll through the contact list, Email or mail messages. This method can be enabled or disabled in the "Movement" section of the "Settings" section.
Communication quality setting
This is one of the most interesting features on this phone: it allows you to adjust the call quality. This feature can test each of your ears with a set of tones and frequencies to see how you hear them. It then creates a custom EQ graph for each of your ears, allowing you to hear calls as clearly as possible.
You can access this feature by going to Settings > Sound Call Equalizer Settings > Personal Equalizer.
In this article we will do Samsung review Galaxy S3 i9300. Samsung Galaxy SIII is a rather sensational model that is in demand despite the fact that it was released quite a long time ago. Let's take a closer look this model smartphone.
visual inspection
Packing and delivery set
The packaging of the smartphone, as always, did not surprise with anything new. As for the delivery set, it is standard. The box includes a standard set: smartphone, headphones (with a set of spare eartips), USB cable (USB-microUSB), charger and instructions. For those who are not in the know, I want to say that the battery is not inserted into the phone, but is included in the packaging separately. 
Design
Taking this smartphone out of the box, I also did not see anything new, or rather, at least some changes in design, since the Samsung Galaxy S3 immediately reminded me of another gadget, but not its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S2 - no, but no matter how strange Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The same shape, the same lines, even side buttons the same size and in the same places. I immediately asked myself: why make devices that visually do not carry anything particularly new, except for an internal upgrade.
As for the body, it's impressive. big screen, but a fly in the ointment is brought into all this by the back cover of the device, which is made of plastic, and besides, it is also glossy. And it was precisely such a cover that caused me a negative impression, since with all confidence we can say that in the future, scratches will appear on its surface and become very noticeable. Therefore, initially you will need to buy either a case or a protective film if you want to protect the surface of the cover. The cover itself is thin, and bends very strongly, so it must be removed very carefully.
In the upper part of the front panel in the center there is a speech speaker, on the right there are two sensors: proximity and illumination, as well as a front camera. The main video camera is located on the rear panel in the upper part in the center, there is an LED flash to the left of the camera, and a speaker to the right.
Now let's look at the buttons. At the bottom of the front panel, in the center, the device has the same Home button. On both sides of this mechanical button, there are 2 touch buttons: on the left - a call to the context menu, on the right - the back key. On the left side panel there is a volume rocker. On the right side panel is the smartphone power button.
On top of the smartphone there is a headphone output, shifted to the left, and in the center there is a recess for prying and removing the back cover. On the right side of the top panel there is an additional microphone. On the bottom panel in the center there is a microUSB connector for connecting charger and to connect to a computer. To the right of the connector is the main microphone of the gadget.
Design Impressions
Having made the first visual review of the Samsung Galaxy S3, my impressions were twofold. On the one hand, the device is quite large, all the buttons, sensors and speakers are conveniently placed on it - this is pleasing, but the lack of any visual design innovations and the plastic case are depressing. While smartphones from other companies are introducing some new materials, for example, the same HTC has a polycarbonate body that fits very well in the hand, and the glossy plastic case of the S3, let's say, is already yesterday. Well, again - this is an amateur, I expressed in this review your subjective point of view.
Device Test Review
Specifications Samsung Galaxy S3 i9300
Before testing the gadget itself, let's go over its characteristics in order to understand what we will be dealing with. Samsung Display The Galaxy S3 measures 4.8 inches, with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels. Samsung processor Galaxy S3 has 4 cores with clock frequency 1.4 GHz. The device includes 1 GB of RAM. There are three variations of models of devices with built-in memory: 16/32/64 GB. Has a slot for microSD cards memory. The main camera is 8 megapixels, includes autofocus, produces photos with a resolution of 3264 × 2448 pixels, and also records video in FullHD 1080p format at 30 frames per second. Front-camera- 1.9 MP. The smartphone only supports MicroSIM cards.
Installed operating system– Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. The gadget includes an FM radio with RDS and TV out. Standards: GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, 3G. HSPA+ 21 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps. Technology support: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and GLONAS. Li-ion battery 2100 mAh As for the dimensions, it has the following dimensions: 136.6 × 70.6 × 8.6 mm. The weight of the device is 133g.
The average price of the Samsung Galaxy S3 is from 19,000 rubles for a device with 16 GB of memory, from 20,000 rubles for a device with 32 GB of memory.
Overview of work and Galaxy features S3
After turning on the device, a large and bright screen, image clarity and a good sensor immediately captivate. There is no graininess on the screen, that is, pixels are not visible - it is very good that by increasing the diagonal of the screen, its resolution also improves. In general, it is worth noting the pleasant Android interface and its operation. It is very difficult to convey in words the operation of the device, so you can see it in the video below. Next, we describe the operation of specific functions.
Intelligent waiting
Samsung on its official website boasted of having a smart standby function. This function, when activated, is capable of catching the user's gaze, and if he looks at the smartphone screen, the screen will not turn off and go into standby mode. Personally, I did not understand why this function was so much promoted, especially to write it down as innovations and advantages of the gadget, if it is implemented, to put it mildly, poorly. Even if the function worked, in the end, it was temporary, and the screen went blank. In order for the function to work correctly, it is possible that you need to adapt to it by directing the device at the desired angle - but this is stupid. As a user, I welcome the good intentions of implementing this feature, but its implementation is very poor.
Of course, it is impossible not to test the S Voice function, which many call the prototype of the famous SIRI. But as for me, the comparison with SIRI is clearly not correct. Yes, the similarity of both voice systems is that neither one nor the other has support for the Russian language and it all looks rather strange. We will not touch on SIRI, although we will return to it later, but let's talk about S Voice, or rather the logic of Samsung Corporation.
Russian is spoken in the largest country in the world - Russia, and besides, it is known and even spoken by many in the countries of the former USSR, and these are almost 15 republics. By introducing support for the Russian language as a voice assistant, it would be possible to cover countries with a population that is several times larger than those whose languages are supported by S Voice. It may be difficult for South Korean "luminaries" to comprehend all the versatility of the "great and mighty", and even more so to implement it, but having a staff of specialists from Russia ... but oh well.
After my disappointment at the lack of support for the Russian language, the presence of English also upset me. What did I conclude after working with S Voice and asking her a few mundane questions? The device understands only clearly question asked on the English language, and very desirable without an accent. Therefore, if you speak English, German, Spanish, French, Italian and South Korean perfectly and without an accent, then S Voice will be useful to you. If you speak only Russian or "bad" English and the same other listed language, then there is no sense in this function. Although in SIRI I was more successful in speaking "my" English.
Direct call
Another feature that Samsung boasted in the S3 is Direct Call. The function involves automatic dialing, which was displayed on the screen when you bring the smartphone to your ear. For example, you are typing a message or reading a received message from a certain subscriber, if you immediately bring the handset to your ear, then when this function is activated, automatic dialing will occur this subscriber. Say that given function useful - it is impossible, since I consider it not particularly necessary, and besides, in order for this function to work, it is necessary to rehearse the movement in which the sensor will work.
Smartphone operation
The very work of the smartphone caused me exclusively positive emotions. His work can be summed up in one word - "fast". The device works very quickly, without the slightest hangs and reflections. The launch of games is very "nimble", the same applies to the very game mode. I was also pleased with the work with the video High Quality, without any hiccups. Another thing I would like to note is the sound quality, both in the speakers and in the headphones. A large number of options for phone settings, graphics and visualization - Android has tried in this. It is impossible not to mention the camera, which may well replace a home camera and camcorder. We will demonstrate visual information on the operation of the phone in the video review.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs iPhone
Surely each of you who chooses new smartphone wants to compare it with its main competitor - the iPhone. Let's compare the Samsung Galaxy S3 with existing popular iPhone models.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs iPhone 4S
First of all, it is necessary to note the difference in displays, it immediately catches the eye. The screen size of the iPhone is 3.5 inches, while the Samsung Galaxy S3 is 4.8 inches, and the most important thing is that having such a large samsung screen The Galaxy S3 boasts a screen resolution of 1280x720 pixels (which falls under the HD specs), compared to the iPhone 4s's 640x960 pixels. Already, based on this, the iPhone 4S is significantly inferior in comparison with the Samsung Galaxy S3.
If we compare the technical specifications, then the Samsung Galaxy S3 has 4 nuclear processor, clocked at 1.4GHz when the iPhone 4S only has 2 cores at 1GHz. The Samsung Galaxy S3 is equipped with 1 GB of RAM, while the "apple" counterpart has 2 times less - 512 MB.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs iPhone 5
Now let's compare the Samsung Galaxy S3 with the iPhone 5. The latest is the fifth iPhone model includes some improvements in technical specifications, but, nevertheless, still loses to the Samsung Galaxy S3. The iPhone 5's screen is 4 inches, up from 4.8 on the S3. Permission iPhone screen 5 1136x640, S3 has 1280x720 pixels. In terms of processor, the iPhone 5 has 2 cores clocked at 1.2GHz each, compared to the Galaxy's 4 cores and 1.4GHz clock speed. In other parameters, they are almost the same.
General comparison
Compare Samsung Galaxy S3 and iPhone 5 exclusively on technical specifications it would be wrong, since they have some nuances, and very significant ones.
Of course, the most significant nuance is that the iPhone does not support memory cards, which means that you are initially limited by the available built-in memory. Some may refer to the fact that they say that you can use cloud applications and thereby solve the issue with the memory card, but I will still revive it. It's one thing when all the information is stored in the phone, and another thing is when this information is stored on a server, access to which requires Internet access, and far from EDGE, but preferably Wi-Fi or 3G. If your Internet speed is low, then you will not have any sense in cloud applications. The issue can be solved by buying an iPhone with 64 GB of memory, but this is several times more expensive than the Galaxy S3.
Also, the advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S3 include the ability to access and replace the battery. For many Internet surfers, it is worth mentioning the presence of a flash player, which is not in the iPhone. And, of course, the price of the Samsung Galaxy S3 is lower than the actual product. Apple- iPhone 5, almost 4 thousand less.
In favor of the iPhone, the brand should be attributed first of all, and you can’t argue with this fact. Also noteworthy is the convenience iOS updates, which unfortunately is not available in Android. The quality of applications and the “philosophy” of iOS itself is captivating.
The final choice is yours: it's either a branded iPhone 5 with its own "philosophy", or a powerful and cheaper Galaxy S3.
Galaxy S3 impression
Summing up the review, in principle, the gadget left me with extremely positive impressions. Of the advantages, I would like to highlight the speed of the device, a large and bright screen, a camera, as well as common work devices. Of the minuses, I will single out the body, especially the plastic one back cover, which, for me, is very uncomfortable and looks very poor, especially for a device that claims to be the first in the field of smartphones. As for the price, after some time the price of the gadget has become more or less adequate.
Answering the question whether it is worth buying this smartphone model, based on the "atomic" parameters of the device, it is worth it, especially if you want to purchase a Samsung or Android device, or 2 in 1. The smartphone is perfect both as a phone and as gadget for using Internet services.
Video review Samsung Galaxy S3 video review in Russian
