Samsung Focus Flash Review
Share:
Being part of the new class of Windows Phones, the Samsung Focus Flash is outfitted with an upgraded processor to meet the times. Specifically, it’s powered by a single-core 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 processor that’s coupled with 512MB of RAM. Granted that it’s the second-generation Snapdragon CPU, as opposed to the third-generation one in use by some Android smartphones, it’s nevertheless still more than enough to provide one wickedly fast platform experience – though, Windows Phone in general exhibits these qualities.
We’ve gone through Windows Phone 7.5 Mango extensively in our overview article, and more recently, we experienced it on the HTC Radar 4G. In any event, it’s an incremental step that deepens the platform’s core functionality to better adapt to the existing standards we expect to find nowadays – like Twitter integration and multi-tasking. Still, Mango retains the same visual eye-candy with its Metro UI that made us gravitate towards the platform from the beginning, like its dynamic live tiles, but it’s still sorely behind in the personalization department when you compare it to something like Android.
 |  |  |
The interface of Samsung Focus Flash | ||
As much as we adore the handset’s compact figure, it does prove to be a challenge in the messaging department for individuals that have larger sized fingers. Sure the keyboard layout is rather cramped, but as we’ve seen countless times, the Windows Phone keyboard is remarkably adept in keeping us typing without much falter – thanks to its dashing responsiveness and killer predictive text.
 |  |
Virtual keyboard | |
With Mango’s presence, the email experience has been refined to offer a universal inbox system and threaded conversations. And of course, the setup process is simple as pie seeing that it essentially requires only our email address and password to automatically set up.
 |  |
Interestingly enough, there aren’t a whole lot of apps preloaded on the device – though, AT&T is the exception since its presence is pronounced. In fact, its packs apps like AT&T Code Scanner, AT&T myWireless, AT&T Navigator, AT&T Radio, AT&T U-verse Mobile, and YPmobile. Besides those, Samsung’s very own Now app is once again a featured item as it aggregates the weather, news, stocks, currency, and top tweets.
 |  |  |  |
Preloaded apps on the Samsung Focus Flash | |||
Internet and Connectivity:
By now, we’ve come to terms that we’ll never experience Flash content on a Windows Phone device, but despite that, we’re not all that heartbroken about it. For starters, thanks to its HSPA+ speeds, the Focus Flash is able to easily load our web site in under 30 seconds. Additionally, when you throw in its buttery smooth operation with its navigation controls, it essentially provides us with a useful and engaging web browsing experience.
 |  |  |  |
The web browser provides buttery smooth operation | |||
Due to the fact that this is an AT&T bound smartphone, it’s also compatible to work with other GSM networks around the world – with 3G and HSPA+ connections intact with most places too. Not surprisingly, it features all the usual suspects of connectivity items like aGPS, Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR, and 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi.
Share:
Motorola DROID RAZR vs Samsung Galaxy S II 
Motorola DROID RAZR vs Apple iPhone 4S 
Related phones
8 Comments
1. networkdood posted on 16 Nov 2011, 10:05 2 0
Seems like a solid smartphone alternative to those who do not want an iphone, do want to pay a lot of money, and are not techies. Nice job, samsung......in case anyone wants to know:
http://www.phonearena.com/howdowerate
2. snowgator posted on 16 Nov 2011, 10:16 0 0
Agree, networkdood. This is a great price for an established device. (It has been released as the Omnia in Europe for some time.) For the consumer who just stumbles into an AT&T store looking for a budget smartphone, this will be a fantastic option.
4. senbobaggins posted on 29 Nov 2011, 10:14 0 0
Amazing. Yet again phonearena harshly review another windows phone. Complete lick arses to Android!!! Users rate it 9. More trustworthy than these reviewers.
5. M-Walsh posted on 01 Dec 2011, 06:38 0 0
The Windows Phone OS is wonderful so I will just focus on the hardware.
Just got this phone for my wife a week ago. I wanted to get her the Focus S or Titan, but she is new to smart phones and thought those phones were too humongous. So I got her the Focus Flash and she loves it. It is small enough for her, yet the screen is still plenty big enough to type on and get a great Windows Phone experience.
The phone is extremely light in the hand. Camera works very well. One particular thing I noticed was that the battery life is great, which is important for my wife as she rarely remembers to charge the phone. The AT&T guy only charged the phone up to 25% in the store yet it still lasted without recharge for almost two days afterwards until I finally forced my wife to recharge.
This was while she was syncing her Live and Facebook accounts and exploring the phone for the first time, so it was plenty busy. Overall we have not found a fault with it yet.
I suggest check for best deal before you will buy this phone at http://www.bestdealschecking.info/samsung-focus-flash
Enjoy!
6. anidude posted on 12 Dec 2011, 02:58 0 0
can anybody tell me if the camera is better than nokia e72 ?
7. maen555 posted on 18 Feb 2012, 10:22 0 0
49.99 2 years contract its about 1199.76$
well it is expensive!
8. sped800 posted on 04 Jun 2012, 22:04 0 0
Focus Flash freezes? Has anyone heard about this? Many of the forum messages I found from Google complained that their Focus Flash freezes up, particularly when receiving text messages. They say the only fix is to remove the battery. I'm very interested in this phone because of Windows and because it is smaller and lighter. You don't suppose Google would filter positive reviews of Windows phones, do you? ;-)
