Samsung makes 5-inch Galaxy Grand official: affordable phablet with 8MP camera and dual-SIM option

posted by Victor H. / Dec 18, 2012, 2:50 AM

Samsung makes 5-inch Galaxy Grand official: affordable phablet with 8MP camera and dual-SIM option

The 5.5-inch Galaxy Note II is one of Samsung’s finest, a huge high-res display, the stylus and all the neat tweaks of TouchWiz UI, but it comes at a hefty price that not many in developing countries can afford. Samsung now provides the solution by officially introducing the Samsung Galaxy Grand, a 5-inch smartphone with a dual-core processor, made for the masses.

The Galaxy Grand is mostly about having a big screen at an affordable price. The screen is not HD, it is not a high-resolution display, but instead to arrive at that price Samsung had to pick a WVGA, or 480 x 800-pixel panel. That works out to a pixel density of around 186ppi, which is far from retina and decisively mid-range, so you’d be able to see some jagged edges on icons.

Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy Grand runs on a 1.2GHz dual-core processor of unknown breed, and on the back there is a capable 8-megapixel camera. Good news is there is little shutter-lag and start-up is allegedly quick. The camera features backside illumination sensor (BIS) for better shots in low-light conditions, and it is capable of recording 1080p video.

The Grand also has a front-facing, 2-megapixel camera for video calling.

It all runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, which should mean that performance is smooth lag-free with Project Butter.

Finally, the Samsung Galaxy Grand will first launch in a dual-SIM version (the GTI9082), and the single-SIM model (GTI9080) will come later on. Release date and pricing of the Grand are still a mystery, but our guess is that Samsung won't wait long to release this.

source: Samsung Tomorrow

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68 Comments

1. Shino

Posts: 196; Member since: Jul 23, 2012

Oh, my God! This thing is even more senseless than their Note!

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 2:57 AM 12

5. phljcnth

Posts: 548; Member since: Apr 30, 2012

Senseless when you already have a high-end one. It is a different case for those who consider affordability. At least Samsung is giving us another choice in phablet market.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 3:15 AM 29

14. eisenbricher

Posts: 973; Member since: Aug 09, 2012

All you people don't get it, right? World isn't only in US, where you get every device so cheap on Contract. Let's forget about contracts, assume that you are buying every phone at its international unlocked price, plus also assume that your annual salary is less than $5500, and you'll see the significance of price. And I'm just mentioning typical 'fairly good' salary in the developing countries. Grow up people don't start bashing. If it doesn't seem good, it's not for you. But certainly for some class of people.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 4:17 AM 34

21. rf1975

Posts: 264; Member since: Aug 01, 2011

May be you are right, If this (s**t) priced at half of Nexus 4 price. Otherwise this is a another way of cheating customers.http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=5162&idPhone2=5048

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 4:46 AM 0

32. T....

Posts: 18; Member since: Dec 02, 2012

Opera mini browser (or any other browser for that matter) would look perfect on this :) -- no need to zoom in beyond 100%, sharp pictures guaranteed when browsing the web, with very legible text :D

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 6:25 AM 4

35. taz89

Posts: 2014; Member since: May 03, 2011

exactly some people think its all about the US market only...this phone is for people who want a large screen like the note but cant afford it..since when giving someone a choice become a bad thing.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 6:38 AM 5

22. redmd

Posts: 1872; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

if you could access the nexus 4 at the playstore that is. because outside the playstore the nexus 4 costs around 600 USD.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 4:49 AM 4

67. subasreenivasan

Posts: 1; Member since: Dec 19, 2012

ya really changing some of the features and the apps in the mobile introducing the new model, now this is the trend to the mobile companies

posted on Dec 19, 2012, 1:20 AM 1

20. rf1975

Posts: 264; Member since: Aug 01, 2011

Yeah....Same boring design. Hey Samy better try to copy some Chinese Android manufacturers. They have some good design & spec than this paper weight.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 4:42 AM 3

39. MeoCao unregistered

for a midranger this design is ok, but hopefully GS4 will have a beautiful design.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 6:47 AM 3

30. sid07desai

Posts: 290; Member since: May 03, 2012

It is a literal copy of Micromax Canvas 2 A110.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 6:02 AM 4

41. dragonscourgex

Posts: 307; Member since: Jan 16, 2012

After looking up the phone you stated, I would have to believe your claim is the other way around. Given the S3 was released July were this phone was released around October-November. How can Samsung copy a phone that was not out? Please stop making baseless claims. They bring nothing to the site accept misinforming people.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 6:57 AM 3

46. anirudhshirsat97

Posts: 408; Member since: May 24, 2011

You are the misinformed here The above phone is not S3 its the Grand. I mean common its RIGHT there in the title! And he was referring to the GRAND, NOT THE S3.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 7:50 AM 0

48. brokenchains

Posts: 17; Member since: Nov 28, 2012

The Galaxy Grand uses the same design, meaning probably the same molds/casings/etc as the S3 dude. THE SAME DESIGN. It's right there in the photo! CAPITAL LETTERS. RAH RAH RAH.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 9:23 AM 2

50. sid07desai

Posts: 290; Member since: May 03, 2012

I wasn't referring to the design solely. I was referring to the idea of the mid-range phone. The micromax phone was a huge hit and a lot of people who can't afford the high-end versions bought this one (around 200$). So Samsung thought, "Why not release a similar phone with a Samsung tag?" I'm saying they copied the market strategy along with the phone.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 11:39 AM 3

52. anirudhshirsat97

Posts: 408; Member since: May 24, 2011

my point exactly.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 12:13 PM 1

53. anirudhshirsat97

Posts: 408; Member since: May 24, 2011

here S3 quadcore processor 4.8 HD screen, Canvas dual core processor wvga 5 inch screen, grand dual core wvga 5 inch screen. Geez look it up before commenting

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 12:16 PM 0

62. dragonscourgex

Posts: 307; Member since: Jan 16, 2012

Yes go figure, they use similar parts to keep in the price point they were aiming for.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 2:26 PM 0

61. dragonscourgex

Posts: 307; Member since: Jan 16, 2012

Sorry, I should have been more clear. The Grand use the exact same design as the S3 just a little bit bigger. So, my original point still stand that they did not copy the phone from Micromax. You can not copy an "idea of a mid-range" phone. To make such a claim is just silly. So again, your claim that Samsung copy Micromax is not valid. Samsung is trying to compete in all price range, this is how business works. It's most likely more along the line that Micromax used a similar design to the Galaxy line cause of the hit sucess

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 2:25 PM 0

68. rusticguy

Posts: 2828; Member since: Aug 11, 2012

Yes i have ordered A110 canvas 2 for replacing my wife's ageing phone. $180 is not a bad price for A110 Canvas 2.

posted on Dec 19, 2012, 4:19 AM 2

43. networkdood

Posts: 6330; Member since: Mar 31, 2010

poor, poor widdle ole Shino...aka strikercho

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 7:15 AM 0

2. zaryab_hussain77

Posts: 104; Member since: Jun 30, 2011

thank u samsung.. Note 2 alternative for people having financial problems....

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 3:00 AM 14

7. smartphone

Posts: 160; Member since: Oct 21, 2011

Yes, its a poor man galaxy note but making it look like a flagship undermines the flagship device but samsung's strategy is to make a great high end device and then makes some cheap knockoff of it and cash the popularity. Galaxy s3 mini , ace , s duos , galaxy R etc are examples of this. its great for sales but it dilutes the flaghship.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 3:45 AM 4

3. _Bone_

Posts: 2155; Member since: Oct 29, 2012

N + 1th Samsung, but one that will play an excellent part advertising the phablet series for first time customers. A well-rounded device like the S3 Mini, it's a peek to high-end goods at an affordable price with the sole purpose of upgrading to the real deal at some point. It's most definitely not for us reading and commenting on geek sites 24/7, but for those who in Samsung's hope will end up here after they settle in the big screen smartphone world.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 3:02 AM 0

4. KingKurogiii

Posts: 5713; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

what the hell is this trash? why would i get this over a Note II? it better be because it has a wayyy low unsubsidized price point, like way, wayyy low because i'd get a Nexus 4 before i got this if this wasn't low enough.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 3:08 AM 5

15. eisenbricher

Posts: 973; Member since: Aug 09, 2012

you shouldn't even bother to look at this phone, because you live in US. No need at all, get Note II and be happy.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 4:20 AM 2

19. garz_pa

Posts: 154; Member since: Nov 03, 2011

KingKuroji, didn't you read the first paragraph?

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 4:40 AM 2

25. KingKurogiii

Posts: 5713; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

yeah. why?

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 5:40 AM 0

23. redmd

Posts: 1872; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

don't get this is you already have the Note 2. listen people, nexus 4 is not all that cheap outside the playstore and not everyone gets access to the playstore. Stop that comparison already.

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 4:56 AM 2

26. KingKurogiii

Posts: 5713; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

oh, thank god you stopped me. i was right there at the checkout when i decided to come and refresh this page. :P get it from ebay, that's everywhere isn't it?

posted on Dec 18, 2012, 5:43 AM 1

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