After a long wait and lots of teasing, Samsung and three major US carriers (sans Verizon) unveiled the new Galaxy S II super phones as designed for American shores. All three phones will be available by fall, with Sprint's version coming first on September 16. Sprint's phone, called the Epic Touch 4G, will cost $199, which will hopefully set the standard for the device once it hits AT&T and T-Mobile later this year.
Unlike Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile opted not to give their phones flashy new names and are just calling them the Samsung Galaxy S II (guess the codenames Attain and Hercules didn't stick). The specs on the devices are predictably similar, and impressive (8 megapixel camera, 1.2 GHz dual core Exynos processor, Android 2.3 gingerbread, 4G-capable, 16gb of storage, Super AMOLED Plus screen, etc.) but there are a few noteworthy differences.
Here's the gist:
- AT&T's Galaxy phone has a slightly smaller screen than the others at 4.3 inches compared with 4.5 inches. It's also the thinnest of the bunch (and, according to AT&T, the thinnest 4G phone ever) coming in at just under 9 millimeters.
- Sprint's Epic Touch 4G has a built-in true WiMAX radio and a textured back. It will be the first to hit stores on September 16.
- T-Mobile's "Samsung Galaxy S II on T-Mobile" features the most distinctive design of the bunch, with smooth, rounded edges. It's packing the same 4.5 inch screen as Sprint's version.
Android enthusiasts, say hello the A-team.
[TNW]
