Epic 4G - 6/7 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Aug

Amazon Gets Aggressive - Samsung Epic 4G For $200 With New Contract

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Epic 4G, News, Off-Topic

Looks like Amazon isn't going to wait a few weeks to drop the price on the Epic 4G: they're already offering it for $200, $50 less than the other big-name stores. The device won't ship until launch (August 31), but they're offering free two-day shipping - albeit, with a minor disclaimer:

The new Samsung Epic from Sprint is now available for pre-order and should begin shipping on August 31, 2010. Due to demand for this device, you may experience a slight shipping delay.

_{"See price in cart?" Oh Amazon, you're so sneaky.}

I suppose that's to be expected with such a major launch, but it's hard not to wonder if Sprint wouldn't be doing a little better right now if they could actually keep up with the demand for their hottest hardware.

Aug

[Updated] Hands-On Review Of Sprint's Samsung Epic 4G

Posted by Ian Douglas in Epic 4G, News, Phone Reviews, Reviews, Samsung, Sprint, Videos

Last Updated: July 24th, 2011

When offered to preview Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy S offering, the SPH-D700, also known as the Epic 4G, I immediately jumped on the opportunity. While my first personal-use Android device was the Nexus One, I’ve handled my share of Android smartphones, and my history of smartphone use has included several Samsung phones over the years. This being the first Galaxy S device I’ve personally handled, I’m glad to say that Samsung does not disappoint, and I can highly recommend the device to users who need a physical keyboard and can sign up for a contract with Sprint.

Update #1: added a 720P video sample.

Aug

Samsung Epic 4G Review Roundup: Keeps The 4G Fire Burning

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Epic 4G, News, Phone Reviews, Reviews, Sprint

Last Updated: July 24th, 2011

After months of leaks, announcements, and the releases of its sister phones, the Epic 4G is here... sort of. While the device won't go on for sale for another two weeks, the big players in tech have managed to snag some early review units. We've filtered through the roundups and come up with the four that we deemed most worthy. Let's take a look:

Engadget

Chris Ziegler (who seems to get all the flagship phones) spent some time with the Epic 4G and came away extremely impressed, despite a having a few minor niggles:

So is it the right phone for the job?

Aug

Samsung Epic 4G Pre-Order Begins - Here Are Your Options

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Epic 4G, News, Sprint

Looks like the floodgates have opened and pre-orders have started for the Epic 4G. All the usual suspects are offering the device, and all in their own way. As with the EVO 4G, Sprint will be requiring the Premium Data (or 4G) surcharge of $10/month. As always, to get the lowest price, you need to sign a 2-year agreement.

Sprint is selling the device for $350 with a $100 mail-in-rebate (MIR). Currently, if you pre-order online, you pick it up in-store on the August 31 and pay for it then. Looks like full retail on the phone is $500.
Best Buy is pricing the device at $250 with no MIR, as usual.

Aug

[BREAKING] Sprint: Samsung Epic 4G Will Be Available August 31st For $249, Pre-Orders Start August 13th

Posted by David Ruddock in Development, Epic 4G, News

UPDATE: Customers can reserve their smartphone for purchase at www.sprint.com/epic4g beginning Friday, Aug. 13

Well, it would appear we were off a bit on our August 20th estimate. Sprint has just informed us that the Epic 4G (the first Galaxy S keyboard phone, and the first 4G keyboard phone) will be available for purchase on August 31st on the Sprint network, specs below:

4” Super AMOLED Capactive Touch Screen (Resolution: 480x800)
Slide-out QWERTY Keyboard
TouchWiz 3.0UI overlay
1GHz Hummingbird A8 Cortex Processor
512MB RAM
512MB ROM
MicroSD external storage
5MP camera with LED flash
Front-facing camera
Sprint 4G Service
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
720P video recording
FM radio support
Android 2.1
1500mAh battery

Sprint’s official press release on the Epic 4G:

Samsung Epic 4G will be available beginning Tuesday, Aug.

Aug

From The Horse’s Mouth: Samsung Epic 4G Pre-Order Not Starting Today

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Epic 4G, News, Sprint

Earlier today, Engadget reported that Sprint would begin taking pre-orders for the Epic 4G later today. Before running with the story, we wanted to fact-check with our Sprint rep, and we’re glad we did - his response:

No plans for pre-order today. As you know, people can however sign up to get additional information sent to them when it’s available - but not pre-order.

There you have it - as much as we wish it was true, looks like we have a bit longer to wait.

Aug

[Updated: Watch Out!] On-Phone One Click Root Available For Samsung Galaxy S

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Captivate, Development, Epic 4G, Fascinate, News, Vibrant

[Updated August 6 @ 10:15 AM EST]

Enterprising user rhcp0112345 over at XDA-Devs (where else?) has come up with an on-phone, one click root/unroot for the Samsung Galaxy S line of devices. It has only been tested on his Vibrant, but it should work across the line of devices.

There are no real details on the process yet - but it seems that you just install the app, hit “root” or “unroot,” and reboot your device. Sounds simple enough.

Full post:

Hey,

I just wrote this up.

Thanks to jcase for the information and his root for eris: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=742228

This will root/unroot.

Aug

Sprint Rolls Out 4G In Modesto, Stockton, CA; Jacksonville, FL; Wilmington, DE; Grand Rapids, MI

Posted by Brian O'Toole in Epic 4G, EVO 4G (Supersonic), News, Sprint

EVO 4G and would-be Epic 4G owners, rejoice! Sprint has just unveiled further additions to its ever-spreading 4G WiMax network. 4G device owners in the following markets can now expect cellular performance that lives up to their phones' moniker:

Modesto, CA
Stockton, CA
Jacksonville, FL
Wilmington, DE
Grand Rapids, MI

This brings Sprint’s grand total to 48 urban hotspots, with more to surely follow. Still no sign of that whiff of 4G we caught in the Bay Area solidifying into something more official, however.

As Sprint’s 4G network expands, be sure to follow its growth on our up-to-date 4G coverage tracker, right here at Android Police.

Jul

Samsung Shows Off All US Samsung Galaxy S Series Phones In This Promo Video - Share It With Your Non-Android Friends

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Captivate, Epic 4G, Fascinate, Galaxy S, News, Samsung, Vibrant, Videos

Samsung Galaxy S series phones - Captivate, Vibrant, Epic 4G, and Fascinate - are definitely the cool new kids on the block, and Samsung wants everyone to know that.

In this relatively lengthy promotional video, Samsung has showcased all 4 models (though, we don't get much of the Fascinate past the initial glimpse), highlighting some important aspects of these devices, such as:

Super AMOLED display
keyboard on the Epic 4G
1GHz Hummingbird CPU speed
3D audio
DLNA output
Android 2.1 Eclair (though, the Froyo upgrade is only 1-2 months away)
TouchWiz interface
HD video
Swype
social integration
apps and 3D games
browser with pinch-to-zoom

Of course, they forgot to mention that the phones that are already out have been successfully rooted, but we'll keep that between us.

Jul

Sprint's Samsung Epic 4G Galaxy S Series Phone To Be Released By August 20th?

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Epic 4G, News, Samsung, Sprint

Last Updated: April 2nd, 2011

If the past is any indication of the future, it looks like we may now have the latest release date for the Epic 4G on Sprint. Let me explain.

You see, Samsung has so far posted 2 SPS TV (Samsung TV) videos of their hosts showcasing the Captivate and the Vibrant, with video post dates coinciding with the official phone release dates:

the Captivate video was posted on Monday, July 19th, which happens to be the first business day after the official launch date that fell on a Sunday (July 18th)
the Vibrant video was posted on Wednesday, July 21st, which seems late, as the phone was released on the 15th.