When we were first introduced to Samsung's MultiView series with last year's MV800, we were certainly intrigued by the original design -- the LCD flips up to face directly forward, resting just above the main camera module and enabling front-sided operation, for self-portraits and the like. What the camera appeared to offer in ingenuity, however, it lacked in image quality -- shots looked quite mediocre during PC-based reviews, and when viewed on the low-res capacitive touchscreen display. This year's iteration, the MV900F, promises improvements down the 800's list of shortcomings, ranging from an f/2.5-6.3, 25mm 5x optical zoom lens to added WiFi, which brings the model's social feature set in line with otherSamsung SMART cameras. There's also a 16.3-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor on board, along with that 180-degree MultiView display, this time equipped with a 3.3-inch WVGA AMOLED panel. Physically, the camera is similar in appearance, but it's noticeably larger, to accommodate that larger touchscreen (the MV800 included a 3-inch display).
We were able to take an early look at the MV900F, and the display improvements were immediately noticeable. We weren't permitted to review sample shots on a computer, but with so much room to grow from its predecessor, it's safe to say that this lens/sensor combo should yield a noticeable image quality boost. The front-facing display is certainly the star of the show, even enabling gesture controls -- you can zoom in and out or capture a shot just by waving your hand (there's a tutorial on-board, but the movements aren't difficult to master). There's also a handful of WiFi options, including Facebook integration, along with instant uploading to sites like Picasa and YouTube, and integration with Samsung's other products, including TVs and Galaxy smartphones. Video capture has also been boosted from 720p to 1080p, letting you take full advantage of HDTV playback, while a variety of photo and movie filters let you get creative in-camera, including a twilight mode that combines three sequential frames in order to snap steady shots in low light. The camera is set to ship in late August for $349.99, and will be available in black and white, so if you were considering the MV800 but opted to hold out while Samsung worked out the kinks, this may be the time to jump. Catch the MV900F in action, including those nifty gesture controls, in our hands-on video after the break.
While regular consumers still wait for the first big screen OLED display to make it to big box stores, Korea's Ministry of Knowledge Economy has chosen LG to lead the a consortium charged with developing a 60-inch flexible OLED by 2017. Part of the Future Flagship Program, its goal is to generate exports and create jobs by promoting next-generation technologies. The idea is that these flexible displays could be used in windows displaying information say at a bus stations or other public places like a store. So while it appears the focus is currently on commercial applications, we for one have our hopes that we'll one day be able to roll down a giant OLED screen where most might expect the screen for a projector.
Nikon's D4 is currently the only belle at the XQD ball, and until now, Sony was its only memory suitor. However, Lexar's just arrived with a new line of cards to compete for the D4's affections. The Fremont-based company says it collaborated with Nikon to build the PCI Express-based memory, and that they'll hit the market sometime in the third quarter of 2012 -- with no mention of specs or prices so far. Unfortunately, that means we don't know how Lexar's offerings will stack up against Sony's H-series orS-series cards already on the market. That said, while you wait for more details about Lexar's new cards, feel free to check out the lovely data the D4 will be putting on 'em when they arrive.
The good:The Sony STR-DN1030 is the only midrange receiver with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Its networking features also include built-in AirPlay, plus plus support for DLNA, Pandora, and Slacker. And the STR-DN1030's sound quality is excellent.
The bad:The STR-DN1030's five HDMI inputs are fewer than many competitors have. The user interface is particularly bad and makes it frustrating to use some of the streaming music services. And the STR-DN1030's multiroom functionality is very limited.
The bottom line:The Sony STR-DN1030 is the only midrange AV receiver with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making it one of best receiver values this year.
This year it's built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the Sony STR-DN1030 is the only receiver at this price that supports both wireless networking features. It's surprising that Sony is alone in offering wireless capability, since it's such a convenient feature for anyone without Ethernet wiring in their living room. Onkyo has a $25 Wi-Fi dongle for its AV receivers, but other manufacturers expect you to come up with your own solution or pay for a dongle that costs a lot more.
Aside from its wireless prowess, the STR-DN1030 also has built-in AirPlay functionality, support for DLNA and a few built-in streaming services, including Pandora and Slacker. Its five HDMI inputs are fewer than some competitors have, but it should be enough for most home theaters. The toughest decision is whether to favor the STR-DN1030 over Onkyo's value-packed TX-NR616 ($410 street), which lacks AirPlay, but has eight HDMI inputs and can be made wireless with the cheap dongle. For our money, the TX-NR616 is an overall better value, especially since you can add a full-fledged Apple TV for a total cost that's just a bit more than the Sony, but the STR-DN1030 is a very close second, especially if you don't want to deal with dongles or a separate box.
Design The front panel of Sony's AV receivers always have a surplus of buttons and knobs, the vast majority of which you'll never use. The STR-DN1030 is no different, with an overpopulated front panel that makes it tougher to find the controls you're actually interested in versus seldom-used buttons like "movie" and "music" modes. AV receiver looks aren't that important, but Sony's busier, less elegant design puts it in the bottom of the pack, with Onkyo's utilitarian style.
You know a remote's gone wrong when you see text on the buttons, different colored text above the buttons, and a cryptic yellow circle that appears above some buttons, but not all. The STR-DN1030's included remote isn't much worse than the clickers that come with Yamaha orPioneer's remotes, but they're all equally difficult for tech novices to use. However, if you're willing to invest $500 in an AV receiver, you'll likely consider using a universal remote to render Sony's lousy remote irrelevant.
When connected to your home network, the STR-DN1030 can also be controlled by Sony's smartphone app, Media Remote, available for iOS and Android. It largely just duplicates the buttons on the physical remote, rather than offering an interface more customized for the smartphone, like the remote apps from Denon and Onkyo. But remote apps in general aren't as useful, where, again, you'll be better off with a universal remote.
User interface
(Credit: Matthew Moskovciak/CNET)
The STR-DN1030 may be ahead of competition in terms of networking features, but its user interface is archaic even by AV receiver standards. Despite the fact that most people have wide-screen TVs these days, the interface has a smaller, boxier shape that makes it feel cramped. In fact, the onscreen display often only shows a few characters at a time, leaving you to wait for the slow, automatic scroll to reveal the full line. It's no fun. And although AirPlay interfaces on AV receivers never look as good as the one on an Apple TV, Sony's interface is the crudest.
(Credit: Matthew Moskovciak/CNET)
(Credit: Matthew Moskovciak/CNET)
If you only have to use the interface when you first set up the receiver, it's fair to discount its importance. You'll see it more frequently, however, if you plan on using built-in streaming media services, such as Pandora or Slacker. If you're going with the STR-DN1030, you'll have the best experience by avoiding its frustrating interface as much as possible, for example by using those apps on your smartphone or tablet and streaming via AirPlay or Bluetooth.
Features
Click to enlarge.
Five HDMI inputs: The STR-DN1030 has five HDMI inputs, all on the back panel, which will cover most home theaters, although many of its competitors offer more. If you want the most HDMI connectivity for your buck, however, go with Onkyo: the TX-NR616 ($410) and TX-NR515($400) both offer eight HDMI inputs. The rest of Sony's AV connectivity is actually pretty extensive, with three digital audio inputs (two optical, one coaxial), two component video inputs, and five analog audio inputs. That's nice, but probably unnecessary since most home theater devices use HDMI these days. (Check out CNET's 2012 AV receiver spreadsheet for a more detailed comparison of AV receivers' connectivity.)
Built-in Wi-Fi: The real standout feature of the STR-DN1030 is its built-in Wi-Fi, which isn't offered on any competitors at this price. Onkyo's receivers do come close since you can add Wi-Fi functionality with a tiny USB dongle for just $25, you'll need a different dongle for Bluetooth. (Pioneer and Yamaha also offer Wi-Fi dongles, but they're annoyingly expensive and not nearly as compact.) If you prefer the stability of a wired connection, the STR-DN1030 also has an Ethernet port.
The built-in networking features of the STR-DN1030 allow for all kinds of networking functionality, including firmware updates, AirPlay, smartphone control, and media streaming via DLNA, Pandora, Sirius, Slacker, Sony Music Unlimited, and Internet radio. I still don't think networking is an absolutely essential AV receiver feature (largely because AV receivers shouldn't be media streamers), but it's a nice bonus. The STR-DN1030's set of streaming-audio apps is somewhat limited compared with Onkyo's, but in reality it's much more limited because of how poor Sony's onscreen user interface is. Buyers should ignore the built-in apps and plan on using the STR-DN1030 with AirPlay or Bluetooth.
Built-in AirPlay: If you own an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, the STR-DN1030's built-in AirPlay is a nice bonus, although it's not essential since you can always add AirPlay later with a $100 Apple TV. If you're not sure whether you should pick a receiver with built-in AirPlay, check out our rundown of the advantages and disadvantages of built-in AirPlay versus buying a separate Apple TV box.
The STR-DN1030 also goes above and beyond with built-in Bluetooth, making it easy to wirelessly stream audio from non-Apple smartphones and tablets. Sure, you can add Bluetooth connectivity to any AV receiver with a simple dongle like the Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter ($40) and Belkin Bluetooth Music Receiver ($25), but having it built-in is a more streamlined solution.
Your girlfriend might be three times a lady, but the Samsung Galaxy S III is four times a smartphone -- at least when it comes to the US. Indeed, the manufacturer's latest flagship device has managed to hit the cellular equivalent of a grand slam stateside, as each of the four national carriers are adding it to their respective smartphone lineups. For the first time since the original Galaxy S series made its debut two years ago, customers won't have to bother switching carriers just for the privilege of using one of the best devices on the planet.
But there was a rather significant asterisk associated with the original Galaxy S's reign on American soil: even though all four major networks offered it, none of the carrier-branded iterations used the same name or design as the original model that inspired them. Fast-forward two years to 2012, and it's a completely different ballgame -- the Galaxy S III on each mobile operator bears the same name anddesign. Hold an AT&T-branded model next to its T-Mobile counterpart, for instance, and you'll have a rather difficult time telling the two apart. Same with Sprint and Verizon; aside from the logos on the back and a couple other tiny differences, you're seeing the same exact phone across the board.
Not only has Verizon been waiting in the dugout for its time to step up to the plate, but an untold number of customers undoubtedly have been, too. Given its brand recognition and top-of-the-line features, the Galaxy S III has a shot at becoming the all-star in Big Red's lineup. So how does Samsung's new darling hold up on the country's biggest network? Join us after the seventh inning stretch to find out.
What is there that hasn't already been said about this esteemed collection of devices? In the US, a Galaxy S III is a Galaxy S III is a Galaxy S III. Aside from the tiniest of carrier-dependent software tweaks (more on that later), you're going to be hard-pressed to hunt down any variation in Verizon's model compared with the other three we've tested. We're still waiting on regional networks like US Cellular andC Spire to push their respective versions of Samsung's flagship device, but we have a hard time believing those models will be any different than what we've already seen.
We've stressed in the past that even though this uniformity in design makes for relatively abbreviated reviews, we're immensely content with what Samsung's been able to accomplish. Essentially, the company was able to use brand cachet as a bargaining chip with the carriers so that its choice smartphone arrived in the US virtually unchanged, and closer to the global launch and at a reasonable subsidized price. (The phone does have extra RAM and a different chip, but we'll delve into that more later.) Only one other OEM has wielded this much power in negotiating with operators: Apple.
Inside, the Verizon-branded GS III sports LTE band 13 (700MHz) to support the carrier's 4G service, as well as CDMA / EVDO and radios for international GSM roaming. The global antennas are currently disabled, but Verizon has promised that a software update is coming sometime this summer to enable that functionality. The device, also known as the SCH-i535, comes with a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 (MSM8960) with a full 2GB RAM to back up all that horsepower. You also get the brilliant Super AMOLED HD display, which registers a resolution of 720p and offers a pixel density of 306ppi.
Much like its brethren, this particular iteration of the Galaxy S III offers a 2,100mAh battery that can be swapped out for a spare. But it doesn't stop there: the battery cover can also be switched out. And this alludes to another triumph not only for Samsung, but for the customer as well -- given that millions of these devices will be sold and all offer the same design and nearly all of the same components, we're likely to see a massive pile of universal accessories.
Given that millions of these devices will be sold, we're likely to see a massive pile of universal accessories.
In addition to the generously sized power pack hanging out underneath the hood, you'll find a microSD / microSDXC port (sadly, no actual card comes included, so you'll need to grab one of your own should the occasion arise) next to the device's micro-SIM slot. You're going to see one key difference here that doesn't apply to the other Galaxy S III models we've reviewed thus far: a set of shiny contacts for inductive charging. Verizon's been purveying of wireless power for over a year now by incorporating golden contacts into almost every LTE phone in its lineup. Aside from this unique feature, everything else remains the same as its GSM counterparts (Sprint's GSIII is different in that it utilizes an embedded SIM card).
Software
The Galaxy S III is blessed with Android 4.0.4 and comes with none other than Sammy's trademarkTouchWiz UI. Put simply, if you've been an avid user of Samsung devices in the past, you'll feel right at home with the layout here -- naturally you'll find a few adjustments to accommodate Ice Cream Sandwich along with the suite of special features the GS III boasts: S Voice, Smart Stay, S-Beam and others. Your experience with these will remain the same across the board, so don't let this be a deciding factor between which Galaxy S III to choose.
For the sake of differentiation and leaving at least a little branding on the device, Verizon opted to pre-install a few apps onto the Galaxy S III. Most of these programs can at least be disabled, so you won't need to look at them or be tempted by their wiles. Below, you'll find a table listing off the unique software each carrier brings to their respective version of the phone.
Verizon
T-Mobile
Sprint
AT&T
Color
Access T-Mobile
SprintZone
AT&T Navigator
My Verizon Mobile
T-Mobile Name ID
Google Wallet
Device Help
Apps
T-Mobile TV
Sprint Voicemail
AT&T Messages
VZ Navigator
Visual Voicemail
Sprint Hotspot
YP Mobile
VCAST Tones
myAT&T
VPN Client
As you can see, Samsung has achieved another minor victory over US carriers: the Galaxy S III's carrier-branded bloatware is kept to a minimum, and almost all of it can be hidden or disabled. Granted, there are still plenty of Samsung apps on the device, but that's going to be the case no matter which model you choose to buy. Unfortunately, though, Verizon's decided not to offer the 50GB Dropbox storage allowance handed out by T-Mobile and Sprint.
Another important distinction, specifically for those interested in expanding the capabilities of their GS III (or simply escape TouchWiz) by flashing it with a non-stock ROM: in line with its wider policy, Verizon has seen fit to close the bootloader on its variant, which is going make this extremely difficult -- even though some level of customization has already proved possible.
Performance and battery life
Verizon's Galaxy S III takes advantage of a dual-core Snapdragon S4 (Krait) processor clocked in at 1.5GHz, uses an Adreno 225 GPU and is supplemented by 2GB of RAM. Since we've seen this very same setup in the iterations used by AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, we came into this review knowing roughly what to expect: lower benchmarks than the international GS III's quad-core Exynos processor, but still quite fast and definitely respectable for all but the most nitpicky of power users. It's speedy, and offers virtually no lag.
How did this particular device hold up in the oh-so-mighty benchmark scores of its US siblings, and how does it do against the competition? We have two tables below for you to feast upon.
Verizon device comparison
Samsung Galaxy S III (SCH-i535)
HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE
Motorola RAZR Maxx
Quadrant
4,937
4,247
2,949
Vellamo
2,398
2,045
1,288
AnTuTu
6,857
6,001
6,073
SunSpider 0.9.1 (ms)
1,740
1,871
1,841
GLBenchmark EgyptOffscreen (fps)
54
56
29
CF-Bench
9,375
7,778
6,146
Battery life
9:15
7:15
11:25
SunSpider: lower scores are better
US Galaxy S III comparison
Verizon (SCH-i535)
T-Mobile (SGH-T999)
AT&T (SGH-I747)
Sprint (SPH-L710)
Quadrant
4,937
4,853
5,084
5,130
Vellamo
2,398
2,360
2,153
2,117
AnTuTu
6,857
6,765
6,713
6,536
SunSpider 0.9.1 (ms)
1,740
1,764
1,926
1,882
GLBenchmark EgyptOffscreen (fps)
54
54
54
54
CF-Bench
9,375
8,759
9,439
9,567
Battery life
9:15
8:58
9:05
9:20
SunSpider: lower scores are better
Given the horsepower behind the GS III, we can't say we're shocked that it beat the pants off its Verizon competitors in all but two benchmarks: the ones focused on graphics processing and battery life. Regarding the latter, the Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx, with its 3,300mAh power pack, is the undisputed champion not only within the network but the entire market. Keep in mind, though, that Samsung's 2,100mAh battery is no weakling either, and its performance in the video rundown test seems to suggest most heavy users will easily last a full day with nary a struggle. As an aside, our unscientific, regular-use tests (consisting of taking pictures, regularly updating and checking social media, emailing, texting and even making the occasional call) showed that all but the heaviest of gamers and / or talkers will easily make it until the end of the day before needing to charge up.
In terms of graphics, the scores reflect GLBenchmark's 720p Offscreen test -- which puts high-res and low-res devices on an equal playing field -- and the HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE barely squeezed past our protagonist. This isn't an area we'd be terribly concerned with, as the Galaxy S III has always been reliable and satisfying when gaming or undertaking any other graphics-heavy tasks.
Comparing the I535 to the trio of other US variants isn't going to make your decision any easier, since the benchmarks we ran are in parity with each other. It's better in a couple areas and worse in a couple others, but none of the scores are set to any sort of extreme -- in other words, the Verizon GS III doesn't stand out of the crowd for better or worse.
Using GPS (which in the GS III is paired up with GLONASS support) was a solid experience, as the phone was able to track down our position within 40 meters in less than five seconds. It took an extra 15 ticks or so to hone in on our exact spot, but this is something we typically see in smartphones and didn't come as any significant concern to us.
As expected, we were quite happy with the call quality on the Galaxy S III. We didn't encounter any dropped calls, and voices came in perfectly clear. The external speakers were incredibly loud, and we were able to listen to conference calls -- and music -- on the speakerphone from every room on the same floor in our house. You may not be able to hear the finer details of your tunes, but plugging in a standard set of headphones solved that problem for us (and very much so, we might add).
Camera
Eight megapixels of rear-facing goodness are coming your way on the Galaxy S III camera, and it's as great an experience as we'd expect from Samsung. And despite the wide availability of Verizon handsets that offer this particular resolution, Sammy's flagship still comes out on top. Granted, the HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE comes pretty close in its overall performance here, but it lacks the ImageSense capabilities found in the HTC One series that we've come to admire.
We also appreciate the breadth and scope of the settings found in the Galaxy S III camera UI: Samsung spares no expense in its offerings here, with full access to white balance, ISO, exposure adjustment, shooting modes and scene modes, effects, macro focus and panorama. You can use the viewfinder to change your point of focus, and hold down the shutter button if you want to lock your exposure prior to taking the shot. This particular camera will, without a doubt, give you the best array of customization options found on any phone on the market today.
Ultimately, we don't see any telltale signs that your experience with this specific model will differ from what you'd have on the I9300 or any other US iteration. Please check out our review of the global Galaxy S III to get an in-depth assessment of the camera's performance, and our companionreviews of the US GS III devices all contain additional details and complete photo galleries from each individual model.
Video on the Galaxy S III is capable of capturing 1080p, and movies taken in 720p or higher were smooth and full of color. When taking footage in the middle of the day the sensor rarely needed to autofocus (the exception being when quickly panning to a different vantage point), but low-light situations didn't seem to fare as well -- when capturing video indoors, for instance, the camera needed to refocus on more occasions, but it didn't get in the way of an enjoyable experience.
Pricing and comparison
Verizon's adaptation of the Galaxy S III will be offered in 16GB and 32GB flavors, and you'll be able to grab them for $200 and $250, respectively. That's with a two-year contract, of course -- going the non-subsidized route will cost you $600 or $650. The on-contract price tag is on par with AT&T and Sprint's offerings and lower than T-Mobile's (which is going for $230 and $280 after a mail-in rebate), which means we once again depend largely on network performance as a key differentiator.
The Galaxy S III easily stands above its competition on Verizon's lineup.
What if you're already a loyal Big Reddite? In that case you'll be judging this against the rest of the carrier's smartphone lineup, and the GS III easily stands above its competition. Verizon's high-end Android offerings include the Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx ($300), Droid 4 ($200), HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE ($150) and Samsung's own Galaxy Nexus LTE ($150).
Of course, making the ultimate decision of which device to choose is becoming increasingly difficult as more and more tantalizing options enter the market -- believe us, we empathize. In an attempt to help you compare, we've compiled a handy comparison table. Unfortunately, we don't have enough room to add stats for all of the aforementioned devices, so we've whittled down the choices to three (although feel free to read our in-depth reviews of each handset linked above).
Galaxy S III
Droid Incredible 4G LTE
Droid RAZR Maxx
Pricing
$200 / $250
$150 after rebate
$300
Dimensions
5.39 x 2.80 x 0.34 inches (137 x 71 x 8.6mm)
4.8 x 2.4 x 0.46 inches (122 x 61 x 11.7mm)
5.15 x 2.71 x 0.35 inches (130.7 x 68.9 x 8.99 mm)
And there you have it. Our series of reviews of the esteemed Galaxy S III may be coming to a close, but its saga is just beginning. When it comes to US offerings, the circle of life is now complete for the Galaxy S III. The device -- this leader of the Galaxy brand, most likely until next summer -- is now fully represented on each of the four national carriers. This is an accomplishment that no other high-end phone has been able to pull off in a long time (unless you count unlocked iPhones working on T-Mobile). Fortunately, the model of choice is actually one of our favorites regardless of the network, offering amazing performance, new and unique software features, a beautiful display and plenty of other things that give your user experience a turbo boost. And on Verizon, it's rivaled by few, if any, competitors. Unless you crave a smaller screen or need your phone's battery to last an extraordinarily long time, it's difficult for us to steer Verizon customers toward anything else.
