Samsung Galaxy Exhibit Review

Introduction:

Surprise, surprise! Another year, another entry-level Samsung handset for T-Mobile bearing the Exhibit moniker. With this particular third device, however, Samsung decided to also include it into its Galaxy series – so we’re now presented with the Samsung Galaxy Exhibit. Basic smartphones don’t get enough love amongst other things, but let’s hope that’s not going to be the case here.

The package contains:

• microUSB cable
• Wall Charger
• Quick User Guide
• Important Safety and Handling Information

Design:

Boring. That’s all we can say about this one, seeing that there’s nothing particularly compelling with its design. Sure, we like that it’s compact and lightweight, but when it’s construction is flimsy and has that distinct cheap feel with its plastic casing, it’s pretty much the epitome of something we’d expect from the entry-level segment.



Following in tandem to the existing line of Galaxy devices, the Galaxy Exhibit also sports an oval shaped home button that’s surrounded by capacitive menu and back keys. Around its trim, we spot its 3.5mm headset jack, volume controls, microphone, microUSB port, and microSD card slot.

When it comes to cameras, there’s a VGA 0.3-megapixel one in the front, and a 5-megapixel auto-focus snapper with an LED flash in the rear – both of which are recognized as being average in the category. Inside, it’s packing along a 1500 mAh battery and standard sized SIM slot.


Display:

Its relatively small figure is mostly attributed to its 3.8-inch 480 x 800 (WVGA) TFT display. Honestly, there’s nothing too pretty with this one, since it’s obvious even from a cursory look that it’s a low quality display on here. In fact, its viewing angles are so weak that it distorts colors and prevents us from properly viewing whatever is on screen – even from a straight angle. Moreover, it doesn’t help when its color reproduction is leaning towards the bland and washed out side.

Interface and Functionality:

Taking a look around the interface, we instantly recognize it’s running Sammy’s TouchWiz Nature UX experience, but unlike its esteemed siblings, it lacks many of the interface’s comprehensive and flagship features – essentially limiting its similarity to just the visuals. In addition, it’s running on top of Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. For what it’s worth as an entry model, the experience is sufficient enough, but don’t expect to show off any neat hand waving tricks to your friends.


Veteran users of this specific interface will notice that its core set of organizer apps are all intact, so their presentations and functions are identical to any devices in Sammy’s stable. However, due to its smaller sized display, it doesn’t make for the best typing experience with its cramped layout. Making matters worse, its sluggish performance makes it agonizing trying to speed type.


Processor and Memory:

It’s not to say that dual-cores are incapable for delivering performances that are likable, but it’s just not cutting with this smartphone. Packing along a dual-core 1GHz STE U8420 processor coupled with 1GB of RAM, the Samsung Galaxy Exhibit is plagued with an overall laggy feel.

Stuffed with 1.34GB of internal storage out of the box, it’s nothing we’d regard as an ample tally. Nevertheless, it’s comforting to find a microSD slot in tow to help complement things.

Internet and Connectivity:

Having LTE on board helps with page loads, but even despite having a fast connection, it doesn’t help with its slower page rendering. On one hand, navigational controls are responsive, but its painstakingly slow page rendering becomes a hindrance.


Armed with all the usual connectivity arsenal, its offering is pretty much the standard fanfare with basic smartphones. To be exact, it features aGPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.

Call Quality:

Listening through the earpiece, we’re able to make out voices with relative ease. However, it doesn’t feature noise-cancelling technology, which means that it picks up all background noise.

Battery:

With very light usage, which consists of web surfing, sending emails, and replying to text messages, we’re able to get almost two whole days out of its 1500 mAh battery.

Conclusion:

Now that the Exhibit has been accepted into the Galaxy line, you’d think that we’d be given a versatile entry-level model that could easily stand head above water over other similar offerings. Sadly, the Galaxy Exhibit fails to impress us with its egregiously slow performance, which is its biggest Achilles Heel. Certainly, some might be attracted to its down payment of $19.99 with 24 months of paying $9 each month thereafter, but it undoubtedly doesn’t warrant our attention due to its unflattering looks, void features set, and painfully slow raw performance.

Software version of reviewed unit:
Android version: 4.1.2
Build number: JZO54K
Kernel version: 3.0.31