T-Mobile offers up official Samsung Vibrant (a.k.a. Galaxy S) details
By Donald Melanson 
posted June 27th 2010 10:41PM
posted June 27th 2010 10:41PM
We already knew that T-Mobile's version of the Samsung Galaxy S would be called the Vibrant, and it looks like the carrier is now starting to share a bit more not-too-surprising information about the phone in what they call an "early FAQ." That includes the first official pictures of the device with T-Mobile branding, and details on some of the phone's specs, including the somewhat interesting tidbit that while the Vibrant "benefits from enhanced speeds with T-Mobile's HSPA+ network," it is "not an HSPA+ device." Otherwise, T-Mobile has simply confirmed that the phone will indeed come with Android 2.1, and that it of course packs a 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor and that standout 4.0-inch Super AMOLED display. Still no official word on a launch date just yet, but T-Mobile is promising to share at least a few more details when its countdown reaches zero late tonight.
[Thanks, Brent]
[Thanks, Brent]
front camera delete ftl
@mosaicbrandon Dam Why is AT&T and T-Mobile crippling the Samsung Galaxy S by removing the Front Facing Camera??? Sprint kept it and added 4G to it, lets hope Verizon does not take any features away...
@liftedngifted1 Last time I check, AT&T/T-Mobile do not make cellphones/the Galaxy S, Samsung does, so the question would be why Samsung removed that feature?
@pika2000
But AT&T can impose stipulations on phones and basically make it so that handset manufacturers bend to their rules or deal with not having phones on the network.
Backflip and Yahoo search anyone? Android and sideloading? The copious amounts of crapware on WinMo and Symbian phones?
AT&T has a tendency to handicap phones. Though they are really going above and beyond with their Android phones. IMO anyway.
@liftedngifted1 Sprint has the best 3G network and so far the only 4G network, plus their charging an extra 10 bucks a month for unlimited data and 4g access. Front facing cameras use (though low res) use a good amount of data, which both Tmobile and specially ATT&T can't provide due to limitations, not in technology but on the business side.
If Samsung doesn't remove the camera the only provider that would accepted is Sprint. There's always the option of a "Beautiful Wifi experience." Thanks Apple.
@pika2000
T-Mobile can request that Samsung delete the front camera so that subscribers cant use that feature which requires more bandwidth than if the phone didn't have it at all. Its definitely not a Samsung decision. It would up their production costs to manufacturer more variations of the same phone. Carriers have a heavy hand in the hardware features and software lockdowns these days and not a lot of people are aware of that.
@pika2000 Engadget, please delete this troll. He keeps repeating himself and it's hurting my head to think how anyone could be this dumb.
@rhomaion Don't worry. I'm already on Engadget's blacklist as I cannot post anything bad about HTC without my comment being blocked.
@mosaicbrandon Nobody's stopping Samsung from doing both a fully featured version sold by themselves, and these carrier-specific versions. I still fail to see the point of blaming T-Mobile for Samsung's decision.
Samsung will discontinue Galaxy S on Nov, 2010 and then launch new model. They might not support Galaxy S anymore. The internal code name is M140X. (Reference: samsung's docs).
@mosaicbrandon - Oh, well forget it then. NO front cam, no reue HSPA+? Ill wait for streak or Android Sidekick.
JIZZ IN MY PANTS
Ahh Samsung. An "Early FAQ" eh. That's what she said.
@buoy
Your profile picture fits...
@New Reformation ok, ok - but in my defense I had Jimmy Fallon's protest song in my head when I wrote that.
@buoy Dbl fail for liking Fallon
@Xtole lol damnit! there's no way out! aaaaaaarghhh!! :X
*dies*
I wish this was on Sprint.
Samsung, why do you release the best shit for the worst carrier.
@xxjoaquin sprint is getting the Samsung Galaxy S pro same phone wtih a keyboard and rumors are flying sprint maybe getting this one as well
@xxjoaquin That's funny! I don't think sprint is THAT bad but when people release a phone on sprint everyone generally says why did you release on the worst carrier!
@xxjoaquin
T-Mobile has about 23 million customers.
Sprint Nextel, about 48 million.
Samsung, you could've doubled your customer base!
And I hope those rumors of a Galaxy S for Sprint are true, I always thought Sprint and Samsung had a "special" relationship.
@xxjoaquin
It's not a rumor. Its practically confirmed. There was a huge leak of the phone recently. Haven't you seen it?
@ConceptVBS
Link please?
@xxjoaquin search function
@jayjaync
Already tried, asshole.
@xxjoaquin
Try harder
http://www.engadget.com/search/?q=galaxy+s+sprint&invocationType=wl-gadget
and keep the name calling for yourself when you realise how stupid you are.
@That guy 2 T-Mobile has no 3G in my city (population of 250,000) yet has HSPA+ in the only other biggest city in the state (population 500,000).
@xxjoaquin it's a good match IMO. samsung = shit support. they sell hardware, and leave you waiting for software.
disclaimer: i'm the guy who owns a samsung phone and has pledged his efforts to the cause of dissuading as many people as i can from making the same mistake.
Vibrant > iPhone 4
@ConceptVBS
Crippled Vibrant not > iPhone.
@TareG Galaxy S > iPhone 4
Android > IOS/OSX
how can you go wrong?
Either this or a WP7 device will be my next.
Basically,
my preferences > everybody else's preferences
@jayjaync
Coca Cola > Pepsi
@DrScope
I guess you missed the "crippled" part in my post.
Why can't Samsung's overlay look more elegant, like Launcher Pro's monochrome semi-transparant icons? It's bad enough the hardware is crippled without the front camera and all its possibilities.
@TareG SHW-M110S (Korean version + free DMB, no 4G costs) > Sprint's (bc of 4G premium) > All Galaxy S (I9000) (international) > crippled alternatives.
Honestly, i thought Tmo would come in for the win with something, HSPA+ without the 4G cost would've been a huge score in spite of it's missing front facing camera (I'd take faster speed at the same price any day over the ff-camera). I thought another possibility would've been LED flash that people complained about. This is just meh relative to what AT&T will have (wow, that's so sad and previously unpredictable) and super-meh compared to the rest of the world.
@juanvaldez Since it's looks like I'll be back and forth between the ROK and the US for some time to come, I want so badly for a reason to pick this up instead of iPhone4, but between Samsung's shitty track record for supporting devices through updates, worrying about an unlock (not to mention I'd be restricted to the GSM carriers in the US if I want 3g, or the others for only 2G thanks to the wonky system here), and the W900k asking price to stay out of contract...sigh
Finally TMobile gets a decent smartphone instead of those toys they call My Touch...lol
Sent using Droid Incredible
@agar65
lol
I c wut u ded thar.
Did they remove the front camera, or is it still there?
@TareG apparently it's gone.
@TareG gone.
@buoy
F*ck.
Everyone said when AT&T announced the Captivate that they wiped out the front camera because of iPhone 4. So is that why TMO's version is also missing it?
I don't know why, but I just can't get excited over any phone maker's options except HTC. This just looks so generic.
@Colours
Yep. Everyone on T-Mobile, do yourself a favor and buy an HD2, a real HSPA+ device.
@Jukah I tried that. I couldn't last 2 days on WinMo, even with the gorgeous UI HTC provided. It's just too horrible.
@Colours Anybody who is actually interested in Android would've bought the Nexus One. All the others are just training phones, as they offer no certainty in longevity/true experience of the OS.
good job T-Mobile! That is a great phone that you are finally getting!
Somebody needs to get this rooted, and get stock Froyo on it. Then I'll buy it.
Now here is hoping
a) the samsung overlay is not crap
b) Samsung does not pull a behold 2
c) the phone is not as light weight and plasticy as they say.
Once my plan ends September I am going to be the proud owner of the Samsung Vibrant. I can do without FFC.