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.

[olypdd Posted Jun 30th 2010 6:06AM]

also- http://www.androidguys.com/2010/06/25/project-emerald-prediction-update/

So, we'll see. But I'm not locking into a 2 year agreement with this Vibrant when I am mo to mo, and carry an N1 with froyo, and something super is coming.

[jareth86 Posted Jun 30th 2010 1:46AM]

I hate it when apple fan boys accuse phones of being iPhone wannabes, but the "S" in Galaxy S must stand for "shameless".

And why?! Hell, stock android would look nicer than this.

[tranquilnight Posted Jun 30th 2010 2:42AM]

@jareth86
It stands for sexy.

[Mehdi90 Posted Jun 30th 2010 2:22AM]

looks beautiful. :D

[bathellfire Posted Jun 30th 2010 2:42AM]

iPad was a product between laptop and cellphone
This product goes between cellphone and tablet.
A bit bulky...

[rhomaion Posted Jun 30th 2010 2:49AM]

I'm sorry but unless they allow you to disable that disgusting UI Sammy thinks is so great then I will be getting the Droid X.

[olypdd Posted Jun 30th 2010 2:59AM]

I see the Vibrant has 512 MB of RAM, so a ton of ROM there.

[sighclops Posted Jun 30th 2010 3:09AM]

so, not only a blatant hardware rip-off of the iphone (3G) (save the hardware buttons), but also a software rip-off.

as much as i like samsung products, this is a total fail. with the droid x and evo already in the mix. they have no excuse to release something like this.

[olypdd Posted Jun 30th 2010 3:58AM]

I will say that with the night shot mode- 2.8 aperture, the flash probably is hardly ever needed.

[unseen Posted Jun 30th 2010 4:04AM]

now the question is droid x or this.

also, uploading to youtube as 480p rather pointless, 1080p or 720p should be pretty simple for a gadget blog.

[ASEVENSEE4 Posted Jun 30th 2010 4:56AM]

Joanna

Manicure?

[MagnetMan Posted Jun 30th 2010 7:44AM]

The vibrant (IMO) has a GORGEOUS design. It also has a camera flash!

It's really too bad these are lacking a front-facing camera, though the phones are near perfect otherwise.

Glad to hear that they will be getting Froyo! Since this is bound to be a big seller, they will be likely to have a bunch of community support which likely means ports of Gingerbread if Sammy drops the ball.

[MagnetMan Posted Jun 30th 2010 7:45AM]

@MagnetMan

*FASCINATE has a gorgeous design. Sorry for the mistake.

[Eric H Posted Jun 30th 2010 8:27AM]

Is it me or does it just have a cheaper look to it?

[FZeroWing Posted Jun 30th 2010 8:56AM]

I wish it had a slide out qwerty like the epic..but still looks quite fascinating

[bjjones Posted Jun 30th 2010 9:32AM]

The Verizon Fascinate is in my opinion the nicest looking out of the Galaxy S series, but Verizon screwed up with only offering 2GB of internal memory (16GB is standard on the Vibrant, Epic & Captivate) Only 2GB of internal memory on a state of the art smart phone is simply absurd? What the h%^& was Verizon thinking?

Even though all the other carriers (except Sprint) chose not offer the FFC (front facing camera) at least T-Mobile, Sprint & AT&T got it right with their versions of the Galaxy S by not screwing with the one of the most important factors on a smart phone, the internal memory.

[sroach23 Posted Jun 30th 2010 9:40AM]

when being held in the left hand can it still make a phone call?

[breambeem Posted Jun 30th 2010 9:57AM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMsl7ceJuK4&feature=player_embedded

Retina and Super Amoled... Why Super Amoled?? Watch This one

[jdog25 Posted Jun 30th 2010 11:12AM]

Did I see Bing as the default search talk about a big FAIL mostly because Micro$oft said they would never have Google search on their phones.

[aphextwin07 Posted Jun 30th 2010 12:21PM]

i was holding out for the verizon-branded galaxy s but i caved yesterday and just got an iphone instead.

all the talk from former samsung owners about how infrequently OS updates are applied and how you may not even see one update over your ownership-lifetime, and the fact that verizon adds tons of unwanted bloatware to the OS, pretty much changed my mind on that one.

that, and apparently samsung is adamant about releasing it with android 2.1 when 2.2 is already out and android 2.3 is on the horizon.

[JAG Posted Jun 30th 2010 1:35PM]

@DoctarPeppar
i think you should stop using ipad or anything that have an apple in the back or you will never see those videos.

[JAG Posted Jun 30th 2010 1:55PM]

Why are they using bing? what is up with samsung? i bet moto or htc will never replaca it, and dont tell me backflip uses, because you know that was at&t fault

[ArcticWolf Posted Jun 30th 2010 8:37PM]

Is it possible that Samsung or T-Mobile still add the FCC and Flash? Take a look at this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl8LA0ij78g Notice at 2:08 the sign says, "Please note that devices on display are pre-production units." Could this mean that there is still a chance of the Vibrant getting flash and/or a front facing camera?

[smallvile Posted Jul 8th 2010 10:11PM]

So how much does it cost to get the T-Mobile version unlocked so I can switch out some SIM cards in Canada?

[tonyprince Posted Jul 15th 2010 11:49AM]

sexy kinda, but its no winpho7

[Gohlool Posted Jul 15th 2010 6:32PM]

Hi,

I don't get it? Who does produce the Samsung Fascinate? That must be Samsung? Isn't it? Well, that means there are 3 Galaxys S produced by Samsung?
1) standard with the big button in the middle
2) Verizon Fascinate and
3) Vibrant

What's going on?
How could I get one SGS (Verizon Fascinate) with that Flashlight here in Europe?

I am just getting crazy after (3 days of reading reviews) almost deciding for the "original" SGS and checked here and sow this posting! OMG?!!

Cheers
AK