Samsung T-Mobile Vibrant and Verizon Fascinate preview

You'd think we'd be totally sick of Samsung's Galaxy S phones after seeing AT&T's Captivate and Sprint's Epic 4G, but we're just not done lovin' the 4-inch Super AMOLED, Android devices. Verizon's Fascinate and T-Mobile's Vibrant happen to be the last two Sammy phones to jump into our hands-on, but coincidentally, they're also the most alike. Design-wise, both remind us of the iPhone 3G / 3GS -- they're all screen on the front, strikingly thin, and have black shiny backs. And just like the Captivate and Epic 4G, they've got four touch sensitive buttons along the bottom edge. The Super AMOLED screens continue to impress, and watching a clip of Avatar on both versions was pretty breathtaking. (No, we didn't have an iPhone 4 on hand for comparisons, but make sure to check out the post where we put them head-to-head).

We didn't get to put the 1GHz Hummingbird CPU to the test in our short hands-on time, though both Android 2.1-running phones seemed to perform briskly when opening videos and pulling up the browser. Beyond Samsung's TouchWiz skin, both are preloaded with Swype and other carrier apps -- Verizon's version had Skype Mobile as well as a number of VCAST applications. Oh, and unlike most of the other Galaxy S phones, the Fascinate had a flash on its backside. We don't have much more on these bad boys for now -- we're still waiting on pricing and availability -- but the pictures and videos after the break should hold you over.

Samsung T-Mobile Vibrant hands-on

Samsung Verizon Fascinate hands-on

Note: Pay no attention to the background -- there isn't any intended symbolism to draw here, it was just the best lighting arrangement we could muster.

[SharpShark Posted Jun 29th 2010 9:55PM]

Photos taken in front of some random bathroom... Fascinating!

[Nintendoftl Posted Jun 29th 2010 9:58PM]

@SharpShark Yeah but do u see how well the super amoled handles the liting
Lolz

[jayjaync Posted Jun 29th 2010 9:58PM]

@SharpShark
"Note: Pay no attention to the background -- there isn't any intended symbolism to draw here, it was just the best lighting arrangement we could muster."

It helps to read the article before actually posting a comment =)

Can't wait for the reviews guys, and prolly a review of all Galaxy S phones and which one can actually be considered best (if there is one)

[husher Posted Jun 29th 2010 9:58PM]

@SharpShark I just hope they washed their hands before they touched the phone.

or perhaps they were just testing for how texting and pooping at the same time performance tests ... thing

[Btbessey Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:00PM]

@SharpShark
And more on topic... I was skeptical at first of the original galaxy s that we all saw (too much like the iPhone, even it's android interface) but the mere fact that they made versions for all major carriers in the US? brilliant! I wish I could scold apple for their ignorance and narrow-mindedness exclusivity (not to mention their horrible choice of exclusive carrier) ANYWAYS. sorry for bringing up apple but I really want to praise sanding with their brilliance. I hope this phone does well. I happen to like it better than the EVO. Perfect size this thing is.

[djt Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:06PM]

@SharpShark NOTE: "Pay no attention to the camera in the bathroom, video surveillance is not in use. Now please carry on with your business"

[Son Goku Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:17PM]

Poor Samsung, they have an uphill smartphone climb as it is without Engadget taking shots of it in a freaking bathroom.

[elijahblake Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:40PM]

@SharpShark

damn, just when i was planning on going to cellular south for the Desire.. Please let cellular south get this... PLEASE!!!!

[EggoEspada Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:57PM]

@elijahblake I'm pretty sure I heard something mentioning Cellular South getting this as well. I don't know if anyone can confirm this, but I heard it somewhere..

[Zodiac Posted Jun 29th 2010 11:02PM]

@SharpShark

Glaxy vs Droid X. Fight!

[The Truth Hurts Posted Jun 29th 2010 11:18PM]

@SharpShark
*clicks the link*
watch the video before posting?
nahh

[coolkams03 Posted Jun 29th 2010 11:46PM]

LOOKS AWESOME !! ALL 4 OF THEM ACTUALLY. . SAMSUNG MIGHT HAVE HIT A HOME RUN WITH THIS ONE . . EAGERLY WAITING FOR IN DEPTH REVIEW . .

thanks for the pics joanna ..

[bob1000 Posted Jun 29th 2010 11:50PM]

@SharpShark I am in love with the hardware. I just want generic android. Is anyone else bothered by the iPhone-esque screens? I know I brought up Apple, but i'm not blind. Is generic android possible?

[Jollybee Posted Jun 30th 2010 12:08AM]

@Zodiac
Galaxy Ui looking a like an iPhone knock-off.

Droid X 1/ Galaxy 0

[clericva Posted Jun 30th 2010 12:30AM]

@djt. So that is how you guys get your exclusive looks at these things

[GaryZ Posted Jun 30th 2010 12:52AM]

@SharpShark Why is VZW version using bing as search engine. This is totally fucked up.

[huzzlehoff Posted Jun 30th 2010 1:32AM]

@Jollybee

iAndroid

[huzzlehoff Posted Jun 30th 2010 1:33AM]

@Jollybee

That's totally true, but watch us get downranked.

[fourzero40 Posted Jun 30th 2010 2:30AM]

@GaryZ Iphone 4 vs Samsung Galaxy S http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0BMBiYEKVE

[dracoaffectus Posted Jun 30th 2010 6:41AM]

@EggoEspada

They said that US Cellular is getting a Galaxy S model as well, which has not been named nor was it mentioned at the big Samsung NY event for the US Galaxy S phones.

I've never heard of Cellular South, but I'm guessing it's a different company than US Cellular.

[BerkleyBerkley2011 Posted Jun 30th 2010 9:12AM]

The best part: You can hold it in any way, and it will work all the time.

[Kid Red Posted Jun 30th 2010 9:23AM]

@SharpShark Man, does that come with a backpack to carry it in?

[elijahblake Posted Jun 30th 2010 9:28AM]

@dracoaffectus

yes Cellular South is a Regional Provider located in Mississippi that provides Nationwide service, I believe they use Verizon's network for out of state service.. They are CMDA/EVO and I believe use the same frequencies as Verizon.. (Their Coverage map is exactly the same as Verizon's)

But something making me think they will get this is that they've announced they'll be getting the Milestone and Desire, both of which US Cellular is getting. So i'm hoping they'll get this one as well.. They have announced they'll be getting 5 Androids this summer and 1 Game Changing device, so maybe this will be it...

[elijahblake Posted Jun 30th 2010 9:30AM]

@elijahblake

And hoping they get the one based off of Verizon's version since it has flash, eventhough I've seen some pics taken with the phones with no flash at XDA by using night mode and it really looks like flash isn't needed on this phone...

Or better yet maybe they'll get the REAL Samsung Galaxy S. That'd be awesome

[jaycemiskel Posted Jul 16th 2010 12:54PM]

@elijahblake Cell south is getting it in fall 2010

[Jukah Posted Jun 29th 2010 9:55PM]

I must admit, I was a bit skeptical about the whole Galaxy S line but I think I'm warming up to it.

[JUSTQUAN2 Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:58PM]

@Jukah yes me too bro!!!!!!!!

[Bskballa92 Posted Jun 30th 2010 12:52AM]

@Jukah

I know exactly what you mean, I wish Tmo didnt get a gimped version (by that I mean no flash and no camera). And after the Behold II, Im terrified that this thing will lose all support. So I think Im gunna wait a few months and see what xda can do to this :)

[Bskballa92 Posted Jun 30th 2010 12:54AM]

@Bskballa92

Edit: No front camera**
Also I'm not likin the whole "looks like iOS" deal they got goin wit touchwiz

[Lamar Posted Jun 30th 2010 1:28AM]

@Bskballa92 not xda but sdx-developers.com will handle this

[MagnetMan Posted Jun 30th 2010 7:25AM]

@Jukah

I think the fascinate is the nicest of the Galaxy S variants. It also seems as though it's the thinnest and has a camera flash!

Too bad it doesn't seem to have a front facing camera though, but this is a very minor complaint.

Galaxy S is going to do exceptionally well. They are very well polished and well positioned devices.

[MagnetMan Posted Jun 30th 2010 8:06AM]

@MagnetMan

Slightly off topic:

For those of you that want to see a more fluid UI in android using the GPU (like iPhone/palm pre), and more fluid scrolling in apps, please cast your vote by following the link below and placing a star on this issue (and optionally leave a comment). We need around 3000 votes.

http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=6914

Pass this link along in new threads anywhere you can! The more stars we have, the sooner this issue will be resolved!

[Jordus Posted Jun 29th 2010 9:56PM]

Youve got man hands, joanna.

[RoyFokker Posted Jun 29th 2010 9:58PM]

@Jordus She has tiny hands. Everything looks huge.

[ArcticWolf Posted Jun 29th 2010 9:57PM]

So no front facing camera for the Vibrant?

[patp Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:03PM]

@ArcticWolf Thats what im wondering....

[Ic3Cold Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:21PM]

@ArcticWolf
took the words outta my mouth

[Schmich Posted Jun 29th 2010 11:02PM]

@ArcticWolf And no camera flash like the Fascinate :/

[tonethebone Posted Jun 30th 2010 9:38AM]

@ArcticWolf
Seems no front facing camera on any US bound Galaxy S ... dang, I was so looking forward to one of these.

[deliteguy Posted Jun 30th 2010 11:01AM]

@tonethebone

Yeah but they tried to make up for it by giving you sims 3 collectors edition and avatar, so at least you've got that as well as fastest internet of all 4 galaxy s. At least in the north east 7.2 Mbps

[oldmanhorton Posted Jun 30th 2010 1:12PM]

@tonethebone there is on the Epic 4G. none of the others do though (unless US Cellular somehow slipped one in there in Stealth mode)

[merovingian Posted Jun 29th 2010 9:57PM]

Where are the videos...?

[Joanna Stern Posted Jun 29th 2010 9:59PM]

@merovingian Hold tight. Having viddler issues, uploading to YouTube.

[DoctarPeppar Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:21PM]

@Joanna Stern
You guys should stop using viddler :|
It's annoying when I come to the site on my ipad and can't see any videos.

[aliendude5300 Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:31PM]

@Joanna Stern The top viddler video is broken. The YouTube one works fine.

[MowDownJoe Posted Jun 30th 2010 4:46AM]

@DoctarPeppar Your the one that bought an iPad. You knew what you were getting into.
Or rather:
http://twitter.com/chrisgrant/status/17046174092

[summx Posted Jun 29th 2010 9:58PM]

ah, female hands make this thing look oddly large.

[husher Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:02PM]

@summx Thats what she said?

[summx Posted Jun 29th 2010 10:08PM]

@husher it's what he said

[MrLinux Posted Jun 30th 2010 2:20AM]

@summx reminds me of the Rodney Rude song "I like girls with small hands they make my d**k look big"