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Samsung Focus Flash (Hardware) Review

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Uploaded by on Nov 5, 2011

The Focus Flash is really a rather unassuming device. Sure, it packs Mango and a 1.4GHz Snapdragon, but its 3.7-inch Super AMOLED screen (no Plus here) and $49 price point aren't the sort of thing that scream "buy me" to gadget fiends and power users. In fact, since it was first announced, the Flash has been living in the shadow of its bigger brother (literally and figuratively), the Focus S. But, considering the number of similarities between the two devices (and most of WP7 handsets for that matter), is it right to regard the Flash as the runt of the litter? Is it the Windows Phone equivalent of those bargain-basement Android devices that aren't worth the paper your receipt is printed on? Obviously, we're not gonna tell you up front -- you'll have to keep reading after the break.

The Focus Flash feels surprisingly nice in the hand. Though most of the body is plastic, it has a pleasant heft and there's a large swath of brushed, dark gray metal across the rear that actually makes it feel like more of a premium device than its more expensive sibling. While it's not the thinnest phone on the block, it's certainly not a heffer at 0.41 inches thick. The rounded trapezoid profile also feels quite natural to grip, providing just enough slope to cradle effortlessly in your palm. Just above that pleasant expanse of actual metal is the five megapixel camera and LED flash (more on that later) and the speaker phone which is serviceable, but hardly impressive.

All four sides of the device are interrupted with some form of port or button. Along the top edge is the 3.5mm headphone jack, while the bottom is home to the all-important microUSB plug -- you know for charging and syncing and stuff. On the left is the volume rocker, which doesn't have much travel, but is surprisingly clicky and sturdy. The same can be said about the power button on the right, which depresses with a satisfying tick. Sadly, the camera button, while it does provide some resistance feels significantly less robust (again, more on that later). There's also the trio of buttons up front. The physical Windows key is a nice touch and is flanked by the search and back buttons, both of which are capacitive. The two touch-sensitive keys seemed a tad too responsive in use. Simply brushing our fingers in the general vicinity of the search key was more than enough to launch Bing. This turned out to be particularly frustrating when trying to take a photo since our thumb naturally wanted rest right on top of it.

Obviously, the part of the phone you'll be interacting with the most is the screen. At 3.7 inches and only 800 x 480 the display isn't exactly lust worthy in the specs department. Thanks to Windows Phone 7's blocks of solid color and stark, straight lines you'll barely miss the extra pixels found on handsets running other OSes. In fact, the Super AMOLED panel does a great job of highlighting the beauty of Metro's minimal design, even if it does lend everything a slightly bluish tint, likely thanks to its pentile matrix. The only spec that had us scratching our heads was the paltry 8GB of storage. Sure, this is a budget device, but without the ability to expand via microSD, any media mavens will chew through the available space in no time at all.

Source : Engadget

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  • Thumbs up if you watched this on Nov 4

  • nice thumb.

  • This phone or iPhone 3GS? Which would u recommend?

  • is there a spotify app for this phone?

  • Just wanted to mention something... in this video you stated that the flash has a 1.3mp front facing camera, but it doesn't it has a VGA front facing.

    The Focus S, has a 1.3mp front facing camera.

  • this phone is amazing! can't wait to get it :D

  • @Catscratcher1 ...i think this one is better...i have no reason but from what i know this is a very reliable phone and its just overall amazing..

    this might have helped ..it might not have im just trying to get you to lean towards this phone :D

  • ....ive been waiting for a phone like this and il be getting it next friday :D THANK YOU for the review im a little on edge about this phone but now i am in love with it...cant wait to get it thank you for the review..:D

  • Windows Phone OS needs a flagship phone like the iPhone and the Galaxy Nexus. The Lumia 800 would have been that had it not been for its lack of a front-facing camera, it's poor rear-facing camera quality, and the non-US availability..

  • @Catscratcher1 Im not sure about the samsung captivate, but you should definitely consider getting a windows phone device!

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