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Samsung Galaxy Alpha

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Samsung Galaxy Alpha
Samsung Galaxy Alpha in White
BrandSamsung Galaxy
ManufacturerSamsung Electronics
TypeTouchscreen smartphone
SloganJust Alpha.
First released13 August 2014; 10 years ago (2014-08-13)
Availability by region12 September 2014; 10 years ago (2014-09-12)
Discontinued29 December 2014 (2014-12-29)
SuccessorSamsung Galaxy A3/A5/A7 (2015)
RelatedSamsung Galaxy S5
Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini
Compatible networks(GSM/GPRS/EDGE): 850, 900, 1,800 and 1,900 MHz;
3G (HSDPA 42.2 Mbit/s, HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s): 850, 900, 1,900 and 2,100 MHz;
LTE: 800, 850, 900, 1,800, 2,100 and 2,600 MHz
3G TD-SCDMA 1900 / 2000 MHz
LTE-TDD
Form factorSlate
Dimensions132.4 mm (5.21 in) H
65.5 mm (2.58 in) W
6.7 mm (0.26 in) D
Weight115 g (4.1 oz)
Operating systemOriginal: Android 4.4.4 "KitKat"
Current: Android 5.0.2 "Lollipop"
System-on-chipExynos 5 Octa 5430 (Global)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC (U.S & China)
CPUARM Big Little (ARM Cortex-A15 MP4 1.8 GHz CPU + ARM Cortex-A7 MP4 1.3 GHz CPU) (Global)
Qualcomm Krait 400 MP4 2.5 Ghz (U.S & China)
GPUARM Mali T628MP6 (Global)
Qualcomm Adreno 330 578 Mhz (U.S & China)
Storage32 GB
BatteryReplaceable 1860 mAh Li-ion-Battery
Rear camera12 megapixels
List
Front camera2.1 megapixels (1080p) HD video recording @ 30 fps back-illuminated sensor
Display4.7 in (119 mm) 1280×720 px Super AMOLED (312 ppi)
Connectivity
List
Data inputs
List
References[1]

Samsung Galaxy Alpha (SM-G850x) is an Android smartphone produced by Samsung Electronics. Unveiled on 13 August 2014, the device was released in September 2014. A high-end device, the Galaxy Alpha is Samsung's first Android-powered smartphone to incorporate a metallic frame, although the remainder of its physical appearance still resembles previous models such as the Galaxy S5. It also incorporates Samsung's new Exynos 5430 system-on-chip, which is the first mobile system-on-chip to use a 20 nanometer manufacturing process.

The Galaxy Alpha received mixed reviews; although praised for its higher quality build and design in comparison to earlier products, the device was panned for its modest specifications in comparison to its flagship counterpart, the Galaxy S5, and for being priced too high for what they considered to be a "mid-range" smartphone.

Development

Samsung has historically been criticized for its continued use of low-quality polycarbonate materials on its flagship smartphone products, even as its competitors have made phones utilizing higher quality plastics or unibody aluminium frames.[2][3] Despite these issues with build quality, Samsung has still been considered the most dominant Android OEM.[4] However, in July 2014, the company reported its lowest profits in over two years, and a drop in market share from 32.3% to 25.2% over the past year. The loss in market share was attributed primarily to growing competition from vendors such as HTC and LG, and similarly increased competition in the low and mid-range markets from vendors such as Huawei and Motorola (who is currently in the process of being sold by Google to Lenovo).[4][5]

In early-June 2014, images leaked of an upcoming Samsung phone tentatively known as the "Galaxy F", shown alongside a Galaxy S5: it incorporated a metallic frame, thinner bezels around the screen than the S5, and was to allegedly include a quad HD display,[6] Snapdragon 805 system-on-chip, along with the heart rate sensor and water/dust-proofing from the S5.[6][7] On June 18, 2014, Samsung would unveil an LTE-Advanced version of the S5 with a quad HD display, exclusively for release in South Korea. A Samsung representative stated it had "no plans" to release this device globally.[8]

In late July 2014, further images leaked of the rumored device, now identified as the "Galaxy Alpha"; the device depicted was now a mid-range device positioned below the S5, incorporating a metallic frame, a 720p 4.7 in (119 mm) display similar to the Galaxy S III, and no expandable storage.[9][10] On July 31, 2014, Kim Hyun-joon, senior vice president of Samsung's mobile business, told investors that the company was planning to release a major new device incorporating "new materials" by the end of 2014. Critics interpreted his statement as signs that the company was planning to make a metal smartphone, but that it could also be a new entry in the Galaxy Note series.[11][12]

On August 13, 2014, Samsung officially unveiled the Galaxy Alpha. Samsung Electronics CEO JK Shin explained that the Alpha was "built and designed based on the specific desires of the consumer market."[1] The company touted that the Galaxy Alpha would mark a "new design approach" for Samsung's products, and that elements from the Alpha could appear on future Samsung models.[13]

In December 2014, it was reported that, only three months after its release, Samsung planned to end production of the Alpha in favor of its successor, the similarly-designed, but more competitively-priced fully metal Galaxy A5 along with Galaxy A3 and the A7.[14] Samsung's new design philosophy would be fully realized by its 2015 flagship, the Galaxy S6, which combined a unibody metal frame with a glass backing.[15]

Specifications

The Galaxy Alpha's overall design is an evolution upon that of the Galaxy S5, incorporating a chamferred metal frame and a dimpled, plastic rear cover.[1][13] With a thickness of 6.7 mm (0.26 in)At the time, the Galaxy Alpha was the company's thinnest smartphone.[16]

International models of the Alpha utilize an octa-core, Exynos 5430 system-on-chip; consisting of a bank of four 1.8 GHz Cortex-A15 cores, and four 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 cores. The Exynos 5430 is the first ever mobile system-on-chip to use a 20 nanometer HKMG manufacturing process.[1][17][18] The international model was the first device to incorporate Intel's XMM7260 modem for category 6 LTE Advanced support.[19] U.S. models include a 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 processor instead; both models will include 2 GB of RAM.[19]

The Galaxy Alpha features a PenTile 720p 4.7 in (120 mm) Super AMOLED display, and also incorporates a 12 megapixel rear-facing camera, fingerprint and heart rate sensors, and removable 1860 mAh battery. The device includes 32 GB of non-expandable storage, and runs Android 4.4.4 "KitKat" but can be upgraded to Android 5.0.2 "Lollipop" with Samsung's TouchWiz software suite.[1][19]

Reception

While praising Samsung's decision to begin manufacturing a smartphone that incorporates actual metal in its design, critics noted that despite its "premium" appearance, the internal specifications of the Galaxy Alpha were "mid-range" in comparison to the S5, with particular emphasis placed on the device's smaller, lower-resolution screen, the replacement of its USB 3.0 port with a USB 2.0 port, and its smaller battery. However, Ars Technica noted that the lower screen resolution could offset the lower capacity of the device's battery, and ExtremeTech also noted that the smaller battery would make the device lighter, and the lower resolution of the display could improve the responsiveness of Samsung's Android distribution.[1][20] In conclusion, the Alpha was considered by ExtremeTech to be "a hedge against several troubling trends for the world’s largest smartphone maker", believing that its slimmer build and higher quality design were an attempt to compete against the then-upcoming iPhone 6, which features a 4.7 inch display.[20]

Engadget described the Galaxy Alpha as Samsung's "most beautiful phone yet", praising its design for being "simple, yet elegant; minimal, yet profuse". Its overall performance was considered to be up to par with the Galaxy S5, and its display was described as being "acceptable" for its class. However, the Galaxy Alpha was criticized for being too expensive for its class, concluding that "the only reason you'd want to pick this over the Galaxy S5, which is available for a similar price, is that you prefer a smaller size or more solid build. But even then, this design isn't a one-and-done; you'll be able to get the same fit and finish on the Note 4 and Note Edge (albeit with larger screens)."[21]

Singer Beyoncé filmed the video for her 2014 song 7/11 (song) using its camera.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Samsung announces Galaxy Alpha—built with metal, but on a budget". Ars Technica. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  2. ^ "Why the plastic body of the Samsung Galaxy S5 is its secret weapon". CNET. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  3. ^ "Samsung's devices are for those who want cheap plastic, says HTC's Mackenzie". PhoneArena. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Samsung profits decline as other OEMs eat its lunch". ExtremeTech. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  5. ^ "Samsung's phone market share takes a bruising as Chinese rivals surge". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Samsung Galaxy F images allegedly leak, metal body in tow". PocketNow. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  7. ^ "Metal Samsung Galaxy F gets snapped next to the Galaxy S5, boasts LG G3-like slim bezels". PhoneArena. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  8. ^ "Samsung has no plans to launch the Quad HD Galaxy S5 LTE-A in the US (or in any other market except Korea)". PhoneArena. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  9. ^ "Samsung Galaxy Alpha gets snapped looking like the Galaxy S2". TechRadar. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Samsung Galaxy Alpha shows its metal trim". PocketNow. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  11. ^ "Samsung promises to release a non-plastic phone this year". The Verge. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  12. ^ "Samsung will ditch plastic for 'new materials' on a 2014 phone". TechRadar. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  13. ^ a b "Samsung ditches all-plastic design with metal Galaxy Alpha". The Verge. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  14. ^ "Samsung set to discontinue Galaxy Alpha in favor of cheaper phones". The Verge. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  15. ^ Etherington, Darrell. "The Story Behind Samsung's Galaxy S6 And S6 Edge Design Departure". TechCrunch. AOL. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  16. ^ "Samsung Galaxy Alpha is now official: metal-made and the thinnest Galaxy yet". PhoneArena. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  17. ^ "Samsung's Galaxy Alpha comes with Exynos 5430, the world's first 20nm HKMG based chip". PhoneArena. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  18. ^ "Samsung Announces Exynos 5430: First 20nm Samsung SoC". Anandtech. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  19. ^ a b c "Samsung launches the Galaxy Alpha". Anandtech. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  20. ^ a b "Samsung announces the metal-frame Galaxy Alpha to compete with the 4.7-inch iPhone 6". ExtremeTech. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  21. ^ "Samsung Galaxy Alpha review: Samsung's most beautiful phone yet". Engadget. Retrieved 25 December 2014.

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