Samsung recently unveiled a new addition to its line-up of Galaxy-branded Android phones. The new handset is the Samsung Galaxy Grand, a 5-inch phone that’s nearer in size to the Samsung Galaxy S III than the Samsung Galaxy Note II. Is the Galaxy Grand an improved Galaxy Note II? Hardly. From the specs and features, it’s possibly marketed as a cheaper alternative to the Galaxy Note, considering the disappointing 800 x 480 WVGA display. Unlike the Galaxy Note II, though, there is no stylus input, so consider the Galaxy Grand a bigger alternative to the Galaxy S III instead. In terms of design, the Galaxy Grand looks like the Galaxy S III anyway. It also appears slim, coming in at only 9.6mm.
The Samsung Galaxy Grand packs a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. The handset also features the Multi Window mode found on the Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Note II. The Galaxy Grand has features found on premium Samsung phones like Direct Call, Smart Alert, Popup Video, S Voice and AllShare Play.
The rest of the main specs include an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 2-megapixel front camera with 720p video, an 8GB of built-in storage with microSD expansion slot capable of up to 64GB, and a 2,100mAh battery. The phone’s camera zero shutter-lag camera with backside illumination sensor and Full HD video recording. Connectivity features on the Galaxy Grand should be sufficient for current mobile users. The Galaxy Grand has HSPA+, Bluetooth, DLNA and WiFi.
The phone will be offered in both single SIM and dual-SIM variants. Dual-SIM capability is important to some mobile users so that should sway dual-SIM users looking for 5-inch phones to consider the Galaxy Grand. This phone may be a hit depending on how cheap it will be priced by Samsung. A handset with dual-core CPU with 1GB of RAM isn’t much nowadays. The WVGA screen with low resolution doesn’t help.
Samsung Galaxy Grand Specifications
- 5-inch 800 x 480 WVGA screen
- 1.2GHz dual-core processor
- 1GB RAM
- Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
- 8GB storage, expandable via microSD
- 8-megapixel rear camera
- 2-megapixel front camera
- HSPA+, Bluetooth, DLNA
- Wi-Fi
- 2,100mAh battery