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 Samsung Galaxy Alpha in White | |
| Brand | Samsung Galaxy |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Samsung Electronics |
| Type | Touchscreensmartphone |
| First released | 12 September 2014; 11 years ago (2014-09-12) |
| Predecessor | Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini |
| Successor | Samsung Galaxy A3/A5/A7 (2015) |
| Related | Samsung Galaxy S5 Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini Samsung Galaxy Note 4 |
| Compatible networks | (GSM/GPRS/EDGE): 850, 900, 1,800 and 1,900 MHz; 3G (HSDPA 42.2 Mbit/s,HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s): 850, 900, 1,900 and 2,100 MHz; LTE: 800, 850, 900, 1,800, 2,100 and 2,600 MHz 3GTD-SCDMA 1900 / 2000 MHz LTE-TDD |
| Form factor | Slate |
| Dimensions | 132.4 mm (5.21 in) H 65.5 mm (2.58 in) W 6.7 mm (0.26 in) D |
| Weight | 115 g (4.1 oz) |
| Operating system | Original:Android 4.4.4 "KitKat" Current:Android5.0.2 "Lollipop" |
| System-on-chip | Exynos 5 Octa 5430 (Global) Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC (U.S & China) |
| CPU | ARM Big Little (ARM Cortex-A15 MP4 1.8 GHz CPU + ARM Cortex-A7 MP4 1.3 GHz CPU) (Global) Qualcomm Krait 400 MP4 2.5 GHz (U.S & China) |
| GPU | ARMMali T628MP6 (Global) Qualcomm Adreno 330 578 MHz (U.S & China) |
| Memory | 2GB |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Battery | Replaceable 1860 mAhLi-ion-Battery |
| Rear camera | 12 megapixels List
|
| Front camera | 2.1 megapixels (1080p)HD video recording @ 30 fps back-illuminated sensor |
| Display | 4.7 in (119 mm) 1280×720pxSuper AMOLED (312 ppi) |
| Connectivity | List
|
| Data inputs | List
|
| References | [1] |
TheSamsung Galaxy Alpha (SM-G850x) is anAndroidsmartphone produced bySamsung Electronics. Unveiled on 13 August 2014, the device was released in September 2014. The Galaxy Alpha is Samsung's first Android-powered smartphone to incorporate a metallic frame, although the remainder of its physical appearance still resembles previous models such as theGalaxy S5. It also incorporates Samsung's newExynos 5430 system-on-chip, which is the first mobile system-on-chip to use a 20nanometermanufacturing process.
The Galaxy Alpha received mixed reviews; although praised for its higher quality build and design in comparison to earlier products, the device was panned for its modest specifications in comparison to its flagship counterpart, the Galaxy S5, and for being priced too high for what they considered to be a "mid-range" smartphone.
In early-June 2014, images leaked of an upcoming Samsung phone tentatively known as the "Galaxy F", shown alongside aGalaxy S5: it incorporated a metallic frame, thinner bezels around the screen than the S5, and was to allegedly include aquad HD display,[2]Snapdragon 805 system-on-chip, along with the heart rate sensor and water/dust-proofing from the S5.[2][3] On June 18, 2014, Samsung would unveil anLTE-Advanced version of the S5 with a quad HD display, exclusively for release inSouth Korea. A Samsung representative stated it had "no plans" to release this device globally.[4]
In late July 2014, further images leaked of the rumored device, now identified as the "Galaxy Alpha"; the device depicted was now a mid-range device positioned below the S5, incorporating a metallic frame, a720p 4.7 in (119 mm) display similar to theGalaxy S III, and no expandable storage.[5][6] On July 31, 2014, Kim Hyun-joon, senior vice president of Samsung's mobile business, told investors that the company was planning to release a major new device incorporating "new materials" by the end of 2014. Critics interpreted his statement as signs that the company was planning to make a metal smartphone, but that it could also be a new entry in theGalaxy Note series.[7][8]
On August 13, 2014, Samsung officially unveiled the Galaxy Alpha. Samsung Electronics CEO JK Shin explained that the Alpha was "built and designed based on the specific desires of the consumer market."[1] The company stated that the Galaxy Alpha would mark a "new design approach" for Samsung's products, and that elements from the Alpha could appear on future Samsung models.[9] Later in 2014, Samsung would unveil the low-end and mid-rangeGalaxy A3 andA5, which featured slim builds and a similar metal design.[10][11] TheGalaxy S6 would fully realize Samsung's new design direction, utilizing a unibody metal frame and glass backing.[12]
The Galaxy Alpha's overall design is an evolution upon that of theGalaxy S5, incorporating achamfered metal frame and a dimpled, plastic rear cover.[1][9] With a thickness of 6.7 mm (0.26 in)At the time, the Galaxy Alpha was the company's thinnest smartphone.[13]
International models of the Alpha utilize an octa-core,Exynos 5430 system-on-chip; consisting of a bank of four 1.8 GHzCortex-A15 cores, and four 1.3 GHzCortex-A7 cores. The Exynos 5430 is the first ever mobile system-on-chip to use a 20nanometerHKMG manufacturing process.[1][14][15] The international model was the first device to incorporateIntel's XMM7260 modem for category 6LTE Advanced support.[16] U.S. models include a 2.5 GHzSnapdragon 801 processor instead; both models include 2 GB of RAM.[16]
The Galaxy Alpha features aPenTile720p 4.7 in (120 mm) SuperAMOLED display, and also incorporates a 12 megapixel rear-facing camera withoutoptical image stabilization, fingerprint and heart rate sensors, and removable 1860 mAh battery. The device includes 32 GB of non-expandable storage, and runsAndroid 4.4.4 "KitKat" but can be upgraded toAndroid 5.0.2 "Lollipop" with Samsung'sTouchWiz software suite.[1][16]
The Galaxy Alpha is equipped with Samsung'sAir View (using floating finger), air gesture controls (also known as"Motion Gestures") andSmart Screen functionality introduced on theGalaxy S4.[17]
Air View is enabled using aself-capacitive touch screen layer that is also referred to by Samsung as"TSP Hovering".[18]
The rear camera is able to record video footage at2160p (4K) at 30frames per second (fps),1080p at 60fps, and720p at 120fps.
This makes it the first smartphone by Samsung outside of the Galaxy S and Note series to feature 2160p (4K) video recording, and the second one after theGalaxy K Zoom (if not regarded as "S5 Zoom") to feature 1080p video recording at 60 frames per second and 720p at 120 frames per second. However, 2160p videos are limited to four minutes per video, after which the video recording has to be restarted. In addition, 720p at 120fps video footage is recorded without sound and encoded as slowed-down video.[19]
While praising Samsung's decision to begin manufacturing a smartphone that incorporates actual metal in its design, critics noted that despite its "premium" appearance, the internal specifications of the Galaxy Alpha were "mid-range" in comparison to the S5, with particular emphasis placed on the device's smaller, lower-resolution screen, the replacement of itsUSB 3.0 port with a USB 2.0 port, and its smaller battery. However,Ars Technica noted that the lower screen resolution could offset the lower capacity of the device's battery, andExtremeTech also noted that the smaller battery would make the device lighter, and the lower resolution of the display could improve the responsiveness of Samsung's Android distribution.[1][20] In conclusion, the Alpha was considered byExtremeTech to be "a hedge against several troubling trends for the world’s largest smartphone maker", believing that its slimmer build and higher quality design were an attempt to compete against the then-upcomingiPhone 6, which features a 4.7 inch display.[20]
Engadget described the Galaxy Alpha as Samsung's "most beautiful phone yet", praising its design for being "simple, yet elegant; minimal, yet profuse". Its overall performance was considered to be up to par with the Galaxy S5, and its display was described as being "acceptable" for its class. However, the Galaxy Alpha was criticized for being too expensive for its class, concluding that "the only reason you'd want to pick this over the Galaxy S5, which is available for a similar price, is that you prefer a smaller size or more solid build. But even then, this design isn't a one-and-done; you'll be able to get the same fit and finish on theNote 4 andNote Edge (albeit with larger screens)."[21]
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