UltraTouch
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Samsung Series 5 UltraTouch review: a solid, if slightly overpriced, mid-range Ultrabook
More Info Samsung demos Series 5 Ultra Touch and Series 5 Ultra Convertible Ultrabooks, we go hands-on Samsung Series 5 UltraTouch Ultrabook arrives October 26th, starting at $799 Samsung refreshes its mid-range Series 5 Ultrabook with touch; arrives in February for $749+ If you read our latest laptop buyer's guide, you may have noticed we included a lot of high-end PCs. Which makes sense: we've been quite busy reviewing flagship devices since Windows 8 went on sale last fall. We're talking the best Microsoft's partners have to offer: twisting screens, dual screens, 8-second boot-up times. That's been fun, and we're pretty sure those are the more interesting products to read about, but even so, we decided it's high time we started reviewing some more mid-range systems -- you know, those models that don't cost $1,200. So, in the coming months, you're going to see us review more of these everyman systems, in addition to those lustworthy flagships. First up: the Samsung Series 5 UltraTouch. We'll admit, we're a little tardy here, as this went on sale late last year, but if you've never heard of it, it's basically last year's Series 5 Ultrabook with a touch panel appended. For the money ($800 and up), you get some modest specs (Core i3 / i5 processors with hybrid storage and a 1,366 x 768 screen), though if our research is correct, those are the same basic specs you'll find on most competing models. Given that, any display snobs can show themselves the door now, before we even get started. But what if you've been looking for a more affordable Windows 8 system? How does Samsung's entry stack up?%Gallery-178896%
Samsung UltraTouch S8300 review
Samsung has had quite a sideline in handsets sportin' AMOLED displays as of late, and you know what? We're fans -- that's why we were more than happy to get our hands on the UltraTouch S8300 for some in-depth use and abuse. At first glance it seems to be a worthy successor to the Soul -- we had no complaints with the 8 megapixel camera, the integrated FM radio brought us our tunes loud and clear, and who can find fault with 16GB microSD card support? But that isn't the whole story, not by a long shot. Hold tight as we examine the pros and cons and answer the question: Is this one destined for greatness, or just an average feature phone in a handsome package?
WinMo-packin' Samsung B7300 surfaces overseas
Lookie here -- yet another Samsung leak from over in Asia. Just a day after we caught wind of the elusive S8000 comes yet another touchscreen-based handset from the company. Sporting Anycall and China Mobile labeling, we've all ideas the B7300 will be reserved (at least initially) for markets not named North America. As of now, all we know is that it comes loaded with some level of Windows Mobile, a rear-mounted camera, a carbon fiber-esque rear cover, USB connectivity and a microSD card slot. Check the read link for a few more looks, and then peek that mysterious presentation slide to see if you can figure out which row and column it's in.[Via GSMHelpDesk]
Images leak of Samsung's stylish S8000 touchscreen handset
It's hard to say if this elusive new touchscreen handset will indeed be slotted between a few of Samsung's other UltraTouch phones, but either way, we're digging it. We get the feeling this so-called S8000 was already shown to us in that now-famous slide of Sammy's upcoming lineup, but the whole "blur factor" kept us from really keying in on it. At any rate, we're really feeling the style presented here, and despite the fact that we know absolutely nothing about its specifications (save for the flash-equipped 5MP camera), we definitely want to hold one. Check the read link for a few more (amazingly clear) looks.
Samsung Tocco Ultra Edition coming to the UK on March 19
We're still not sure how we feel about "Tocco" being used to describe a phone -- it just makes us kinda hungry -- but at any rate, Samsung's lovely S8300 Ultra Touch is officially hitting the UK on Vodafone as the Tocco Ultra Edition in just a few days' time. With an 8 megapixel cam, AGPS, HSDPA, a WQVGA touchscreen OLED, and a body just 12.7mm thick, you'd think this thing would run... you know, at least a few quid on contract, but nope -- as usual, Vodafone is somehow able to get this thing to customers for free if they pick the right plan. Bless 'em.[Via MobileBurn]
Samsung UltraTouch hands-on
The hits keep coming at MWC 09, and while we're racing around from liveblog to liveblog, the crew at Engadget Spanish managed to snag some quality time with Samsung's Ultra Touch S8300 slider. The refined Touch Wiz interface does a good job of transcending its terrible name -- it's not the prettiest thing we've ever seen, but it's fast, reasonably intuitive, and seems to get the job done. Spanish-language video after the break -- trust us, you'll know what's going on without subtitles.%Gallery-44881%
Samsung's Omnia HD and Beat DJ unveiled in massive MWC ad
Samsung has plastered MWC's host city of Barcelona with huge ads depicting its new Ultra Touch handset, alongside the previously unannounced Omnia HD and Beat DJ. We've spotted both of these handsets previously, the former being a dead ringer for the incredibly-specced Acme i8910, and the latter being that M7600 set which sports a Bang & Olufsen amplifier in a Ocean-like form factor. There's nothing else revealed by the ad, but we're obviously expecting to find out a lot more this coming week once the show proper gets underway.[Via Phone Arena]
Samsung S8300 and updated TouchWiz UI previewed
While we've gotta wait until Barcelona to see Samsung's Ultra Touch S8300 slider for ourselves, a handful of outlets have already played around with a preview unit, complete with the TouchWiz UI makeover. It's not the slimmest of touch phones, measuring 110 x 51.5 x 12.7 mm, but props are given to the 8 megapixel camera and OLED touchscreen, unsurprisingly, as well as the simple drag-and-drop widget menu and three separate home screens for micro-app organization. Other than some of the icon graphics and the aforementioned menu updates, the UI is largely unchanged from its previous form. The lack of WiFi is gonna ruffle a few feathers, but the HSDPA will probably assuage some of that pain. Hit up the read links for impressions and video -- with any luck, we'll be getting our own hands-on time at next week's Mobile World Congress.Read - Mobile-reviewRead - GSMArenaRead - Stuff.tv's
Samsung melds slate, slider with Ultra Touch S8300
If having your cake and eating it too is just how you roll, you're probably the kind of hard-to-please son of a gun that wants a numeric slider keypad to go along with your phone's AMOLED WQVGA touchscreen. Wait, let us guess: you also want an 8 megapixel camera, AGPS with geotagging, integrated FM radio, stereo Bluetooth, and microSD support up to 16GB. And naturally, you want it all somehow magically packed into a shell measuring no more than 12.7mm thick. Well, guess what, sweet pea? Samsung's gone and called your bluff with the rumored Ultra Touch S8300, earning itself an official announcement ahead of MWC -- and as long as a real smartphone OS isn't on your shopping list, this 7.2Mbps HSDPA monster should fit the bill. We don't have launch territories or pricing just yet, but see that little "Barcelona" on the weather widget there? Yeah, we suspect we'll be seeing plenty of this one on the Mobile World Congress show floor.
