Samsung dispatching free Galaxy S handsets to iPhone 4 whiners on Twitter?
By Richard Lai 
posted July 23rd 2010 2:23PM
posted July 23rd 2010 2:23PM
As if it hasn't already rubbed enough salt into Apple's wound, Samsung UK's also running new Galaxy S ads that take an indirect shot at the iPhone 4's antenna controversy with a clever bit of typography -- you can see the dirty work after the break. Very nice, Sammy, but you better be careful playing with fire here, as we've found it pretty easy to death grip Galaxy S phones like the Captivate into losing a fair bit of signal.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
looked at a first glance like an iphone 3g to me.
it's amazing more companies don't do this. this is one hell of a lot of good press for the cost of a couple phones. best $1000 marketing campaign ever.
Speak for yourself. I rsturned my iPhone4
on Tuesday. Enjoying my Captivate and not looking back.
I think a few people have exaggerated the death grip. Really, it's called the death grip because Iphone4 users DROP calls when they're held in that way....the attenuated signal in many areas goes from full to 1 or LESS in case of a true death grip.
On other phones claimed to be affected by the death grip (on Apples site) as seen on youtube and as I have tested in person, I can't get less that 2 or 1 bar in all except the Eris which is def. affected by the death grip in that it CAN lose signal completely and drop calls.
What I mean is that in all but in the Iphone4 and Eris, you don't/won't drop calls - the signal is simply reduced. In fact, most of the other phones drop 1 or 2 bars and not down TO 1 or 2, which happens in the most extreme cases like indoors/underground or in a home built with cement (bricks) and steel (rare in the U.S).
In essence, Apple's trying to drag people down with them...when the truth is far from what we're seeing. The Iphone4 DROPS calls when held in the death grip, all but 1 of the other phones on Apples website don't.
@tyraelos No, that was a direct result of the misrepresented signal strength. Now that they are accurate, the only ones dropping calls doing this (if any) were starting with a weak one bar to begin with.
Education is key.
Everyone needs to calm down. If you bought an Android phone and are happy with the purchase, voice that you are happy with it and STFU. If you bought an iPhone and are happy with it, voice that you are happy and STFU. There is no need to bash the opposing product just because it is the competing product. You all are worse than the Playstation/Xbox 360 fanboys and I'm willing to bet that your average age is higher as well. It's pathetic, guys.
Touch is the word everyone is looking for. Simple, easy, soft, gentle ... a touch is all it takes. Not a "Death Grip" or "Iron Clenched Fist" or "Almighty Force of Oppression"... a simple touch. That is what makes the issue with the iPhone a real one.
This is the saddest, most pathetic attempt I have ever seen of a company trying to spread negative buzz about a competing product. It's BEGGING users to complain even if they have nothing to complain about just to get something for free.
Gee, sure are a lot of Android / Microsoft attack dogs around these parts....Do they pay you extra or is all the Apple hating part & parcel of your regular salary package?
@MyDogJustFarted JakeInDc shows the apple boys are out in force too.
i have my vibrant on t-mobile if you hold it in your hand my signal will go from 4 bars to none. i think this is common on any smart phone.
@burnphreak
It's not common to Nokia phones. They drop a bar sure, but they don't drop calls.
LOL, somebody forgot to tell Samsung their phones are bigger POS than the iphone.
@JakeInDC I will tell you now that you are biggest POS!
sorry to break to you.
This is totally true - I'm one of the lucky ones to get a free GalaxyS (Twitter - @joseespinosa ). Although I am in digital media (partner at Marketing Company, no we do not do any work at all in any way with Samsung or its affialtes) I wouldn't say I'm particularly influential. As someone pointed out I have around 400 followers. I have pruned my followers so thats mostly 400 REAL people not bots. I am pretty vocal on twitter though, and if you see my feed you'll know I am loving the Galaxy S. I am/was a die-hard apple fanboy to. Simply too much fail in the new iPhone 4. I had already upgraded back to my 3GS and was perfectly happy going back.
I should note that Samsung was prompt in sending me the phone - got it within 2 days of me tweeting them my address.
Well done Samsung!
I can tell you right now, that the samsung galaxy s has the same antenna issue as an iPhone 4. If you hold it a certain way it will lose all bars of signal and drop the call. You have to use the same death grip as you do with the iphone 4. will samsung offer free cases or tell me to hold it differently probably not, but the media hasn't run off with another lame story and called it breaking news.
Death grip? On a Galaxy S? No Engadget. No.
Say what you will about other carriers, I can't confirm or deny those, but the Vibrant on T-mobile does not have a death grip. It will drop a bar, MAYBE two if you have FULL BARS (remember its not linear), but you will not drop a call unless you already had damn near no reception anyway. the iPhone will Lose more than 60% of its reception if you hold it wrong, and will do so when you have little to start with; the galaxy S (and most other phones) will drop some, but few will register a dropped bar, MAYBE two if you know how and where to hold it; but even then, only on the iPhone will it make a difference between keeping or losing a call.
Ouch Apple that must sting..
Well to be fair nobody (including samsung) could have made that buzz without you so you kind of asked for it!
Not that you realease the iPhone 4 without properly testing the antenna thingy, everyone can make a mistake (ahaha) but to botch about it for weeks is really the way to massive PR shit-storm !
Here you go !
I think it's hilarious that all of these android users are getting butt hurt when engadgets says the Captivate has the same issue. Lololol
Dirty work? How much does Apple pay engadget these days?
Another Apple PR disaster. Oh, except for the Mac fanboys who would think it was brilliant if Jobs beat them to death with a non-functional shiny object.
Why is android a better platform than iOS? iOS has an infinitely better app selection with an extremely user friendly interface,optimized perfectly for one device with no fps caps and no lags and no manufacturer skinning.I don't own either devices but android looks so uninviting and ugly,with constant updates which makes your phone outdated in no time.Just my opinion.
Being a Vibrant User (coming from a jailbroken 3g... I just couldnt cope with edge any longer... and since tmo is planning on changing frequencies.... oh well)....
The Signal loss in the Vibrants signal strength read out can be reproduced.... however, it does not result in a reciprocal loss in data speed or call quality. No drops whatsoever.
I complained on Twitter about my Galaxy S's crappy UI.
Will I get a free iPhone?