Re: AT&T Galaxy S III First Impressions/Reviews
So far I am really liking the phone. I've had the phone for 4 days, so these admittedly first impressions.
My former phone was NS4G, so I have also moved from Sprint to AT&T. Goodbye unlimited data, hello much faster data - at least for the time being. I am very much impressed by the 4G speeds in Phoenix. I have also just started playing with some of the built in tools for reducing data consumption, so hopefully I will stay under my 3G monthly allotment.
The phone looks and feels very refined, and well built. Previously I've never used cases, only screen protectors, but I am thinking of trying a case on this phone.
I am still getting accustomed to the physical home button. My previous phone had all capacitive keys, which I grew to like. I expect that this will disappear as an issue for me as I continue to use the phone, but my immediate reaction is that it is ever so slightly hard to push the home button.
I have no complaints about the screen. It is big, clear, and as bright as I need it so far. I have not used it outside much yet. I know some people have complained about the brightness outside. I can't say that I experienced the same "wow" that I did when I checked out the HOX in the store, but so far the screen has been fine for me.
So far my battery life seems good, although it is probably too soon to tell. Today I am off the charger for about 6 hours, and at 88%. But today is probably the first day that I haven't played with the phone endlessly. To me it seems that the phone does a better job of conserving power when I am not actively using it.
My wifi radio seems stronger than my previous NS4G, but I found the wifi on that phone to be very bad.
Regarding the built in apps, my one initial gripe is with the built in messaging program. The notification icon for a text message is an envelope - so that I see it and think it is an email notification. I have not found a way to change that. I have previously used Chomp for texting, and have installed it on the new phone, so this is not a big issue. I just find that icon a little odd and confusing.
I do miss the stock ICS folders, which are easier to create and, in my opinion, better looking, But this is a relatively minor issue.
Overall I have found the phone to be speedy and relatively lag free. I have disabled (or kept disabled) a few features that I don't particularly want or need, such as double tapping the home key to call up S-Voice. I've only played with S-Voice a very small amount, and so far haven't found it very useful or effective, but I expect to spend more time with it soon, so my initial opinion may change.
I think that Smart Stay is working for the most part, but its the sort of thing that you might not really notice. There have been a few times when the screen has dimmed while I have been looking at it, but I think much less than any other phone I've had. My guess is that this feature will prove to be very useful, and that it will also prove itself in how unobtrusive it is.
This weekend will be my first weekend with the phone, so I will have more time to continuing playing with it and getting it set up how I like it. Can't wait.
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