Samsung launches its 7 inch handset in Korea

posted by Alan F. / Jun 01, 2014, 11:30 PM

The 7 inch Samsung Galaxy W handset has launched in Korea

Earlier this month, we told you that the South Korean launch of Samsung's massive 7 inch handset was imminent. Monday morning, the device was released by the manufacturer, in its home country. The Samsung Galaxy W is equipped with a 7 inch screen featuring resolution of 720 x 1280. A 16:9 aspect ratio allows the device to keep that smartphone look.

The rest of the specs include a quad-core 1.2GHz CPU under the hood, 1.5GB of RAM on board and 16GB of native storage inside. An 8MP snapper is on back, while the included 3200mAh battery is necessary, because of the size of the screen. Android 4.3 is pre-installed. The 7 inch screen is a record for a smartphone, topping the 6.44 inch display on the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. Samsung's previous record for a smartphone screen was the 6.3 inch glass found on the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3.

The price of the phone is 499,400 Korean Won ($487 USD), and the device is being made available in black, white and red. Strangely enough, this is the second Samsung Galaxy W to be released by Sammy. Back in 2011, a 3.7 inch handset powered by Android 2.3 carried the same name. The new Samsung Galaxy W has a model number of SM-T2558, and might be limited to the Asian region.

Thanks for the tip!

source: Asiae via Underkg.co (translated)

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31 Comments

1. maherk

Posts: 6715; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Looks stupid on that guy's ear. Still, it is very very compact for a 7" screen tablet.

posted on Jun 01, 2014, 11:38 PM 10

2. KickRocks

Posts: 267; Member since: Mar 22, 2011

Wow, WTF??

posted on Jun 01, 2014, 11:39 PM 5

3. fzacek

Posts: 2486; Member since: Jan 26, 2014

720p? WTF Samsung? 1080p would have cut it just right, but no... You had to mess this up just like you did with the Mega 5.8 and 6.3...

posted on Jun 01, 2014, 11:41 PM 7

8. The13thKing

Posts: 849; Member since: Feb 26, 2014

I had a Mega for the last year before I bought the Galaxy S5, despite a 233ppi it's display was awesome. 720 is not sharp but what really matters is the display.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 12:08 AM 10

22. mr.techdude

Posts: 571; Member since: Nov 19, 2012

720p HTC one x still amazes me.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:58 AM 2

30. Armchair_Commentator

Posts: 222; Member since: May 08, 2014

This. I have a few friends who have the 6.3 Mega and for the most part the clarity is great very comparable to my 720p Note 2 despite the large increase of screen size.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 12:00 PM 1

11. skyline88

Posts: 697; Member since: Jul 15, 2013

not sure about Mega 5.8 as it was not available in my country, but the Mega 6.3 is indeed one hell of a phablets. it wont win in the specs competition, but it is much better than its competition of that time (eg. Ascend Mate).

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 12:20 AM 6

18. g2a5b0e unregistered

It's called a mid-range device. Perhaps you've heard of them. You want awesome pixel density, go spend more money.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:20 AM 2

4. ihavenoname

Posts: 1693; Member since: Aug 18, 2013

So... Low-mid range tablet you can use as a phone with price tag that is more than you would pay for it. Not even running Kitkat (and tbh, I doubt that it will ever get it).

posted on Jun 01, 2014, 11:43 PM 4

5. Conjo

Posts: 1; Member since: Jun 01, 2014

"The 7 inch screen is a record for a smartphone, topping the 6.44 inch display on the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. Samsung's previous record for a smartphone screen was the 6.3 inch glass found on the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3." Isn't the Galaxy Note 8 the biggest "smartphone" I mean, it is able to make calls so... (quote: "Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is (...) in Europe and Asia (..) with HSPA+ version available, too, from which you can make phone calls" phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-8.0-now-official-with-improved-S-Pen-tech-and-Smart-Remote-mode_id40121 )

posted on Jun 01, 2014, 11:55 PM 0

13. gehrig

Posts: 423; Member since: Apr 17, 2014

Technically, yes. But Samsung didn't market it as a phone. Samsung is, however, marketing this as a phone.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 12:47 AM 5

6. schinnak

Posts: 116; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

Samsung Galaxy W - Protects your face from the sun.

posted on Jun 01, 2014, 11:56 PM 12

19. express77 unregistered

Galaxy W mini with 6.5 inch is coming. It too is capable to protect the mini face.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:30 AM 0

31. BaffledTruffle

Posts: 523; Member since: Dec 07, 2013

I would never pay close to $500 for a sunvisor.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 12:40 PM 0

7. BaffledTruffle

Posts: 523; Member since: Dec 07, 2013

I feel like this is more of Galaxy WTF instead of just 'W'. This still looks hideous and unwieldy. For example, that guy holding the phone to his ear looks retarded. But whatever, this will sell because it has 'Samsung' on it.

posted on Jun 01, 2014, 11:59 PM 9

9. The13thKing

Posts: 849; Member since: Feb 26, 2014

Yes sadly :( great sony is underestimated :(

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 12:10 AM 0

28. skyline88

Posts: 697; Member since: Jul 15, 2013

so great, until it announced poor sales of its smartphones and tablets. and oh, same goes for the rest of its products.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 8:11 AM 0

14. MEeee

Posts: 400; Member since: Oct 19, 2011

It wasn't meant for you. So if you don't like it, don't buy it. Similar negative comments when Samsung released their first Note.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 1:26 AM 3

16. BaffledTruffle

Posts: 523; Member since: Dec 07, 2013

Not buying it. Hell, the only Samsung devices I think worth buying are the Galaxy S & Note Series. It's just ridiculous that people will buy it just because it's Samsung. It's just like how Apple fans buy everything Apple.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 1:54 AM 2

24. Chris30338

Posts: 2; Member since: Jun 02, 2014

You can still carry a Note 3 in your jacket or trouser pocket. It's a tight fit but you can. I know because my wife has one. But this thing is way too big. You would need bluetooth so as not to look like an idiot holding this thing to your ear and I can't see men or women sliding this into any trouser or jacket pocket because of it's size.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 3:56 AM 0

10. The13thKing

Posts: 849; Member since: Feb 26, 2014

You are better off buying a Mega 6.3...

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 12:19 AM 0

12. LeBrownJames

Posts: 201; Member since: Mar 17, 2014

Wow that's one HUGE phone! I see 10-inch phones in the future.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 12:35 AM 2

15. GreekGeek

Posts: 1276; Member since: Mar 22, 2014

Kinda really expensive for what it is and guess what... The Tab Pro 8.4 LTE (full phone fuctionality) is cheaper.? That"s some eff'd up pricing right there

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 1:32 AM 3

17. Cicero

Posts: 1106; Member since: Jan 22, 2014

Strange decision for Samsung.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 1:56 AM 2

29. skyline88

Posts: 697; Member since: Jul 15, 2013

and they said the same when Note 1 was launch in 2011

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 8:12 AM 1

20. galanoth

Posts: 428; Member since: Nov 26, 2011

Looks very compact for 7 inches. My Nexus 7 (2013) looks a lot bigger.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:45 AM 0

21. jeff1434325

Posts: 97; Member since: Aug 07, 2012

A 7-inch phone?.....well, I never saw this coming.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:52 AM 0

23. Chris30338

Posts: 2; Member since: Jun 02, 2014

OMG!!! That guy holding that thing to his ear looks ridiculous. As a tablet it's fine but as a phone, no freaking way! Here's my question: How the heck are men going to carry this thing around with them??? Women may be able to lug this thing around in a (big) purse but I really don't see them going to a party carrying a big purse for this thing. As for men, unless those silly looking mens purses/pouches from way back in the 1980s make a fashion comeback, I really don't see how men are going to carry this thing around in a trouser or jacket pocket. 6 inches was already stretching it and those phones are HUGE but you could still squeeze those into a pocket. You would need a bluetooth earpiece just to use this thing to prevent you from looking ridiculous holding this thing up to your ear but then you would still need to carry this monstrosity around everywhere with you. No thanks but for a phone, this thing is WAY too big.

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 3:48 AM 1

27. fanboy1974

Posts: 1345; Member since: Nov 12, 2011

I wouldn't buy this but many people want something like this. I actually give Samsung credit for doing it. No one is forcing you to buy this gadget and why should I care how someone looks while using this device?

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 5:18 AM 2

25. gigaraga

Posts: 1454; Member since: Mar 29, 2013

Why so many haters? I love this phone, actually...a large screen but compact body, good pricing...how is it even that bad? Btw I knew instantly that there would be heaps of troll comments on this page because of haters..but this phone is amazing and unique! Love it!

posted on Jun 02, 2014, 4:24 AM 1

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