Samsung Focus
| Industry | Consumer electronics |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 13, 1969 in Suwon, South Korea |
| Headquarters | Suwon , South Korea |
| Products | Smartphones, consumer electronics |
| Website | www |
The Samsung Focus—also identified as the SGH-i917 or Samsung Cetus—is a slate-style smartphone operating on Microsoft's Windows Phone platform. It is equipped with a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processor clocked at 1 GHz, a vibrant 4.0-inch Super AMOLED display, and comes with an internal capacity of 8 GB, expandable up to an additional 32 GB via microSD card, totaling a maximum of 40 GB storage. By November 2011, it ranked as the fourth slimmest and lightest device running Windows Phone OS, trailing behind models such as the Samsung Focus Flash, HTC Titan, and the more premium Samsung Focus S.
Launch and promotion
The Samsung Focus debuted on November 8, 2010, alongside the HTC Surround, exclusively through AT&T's network. Samsung promoted it as the sole Windows Phone model featuring a microSD card slot for expandable storage.
Simultaneously, the device was introduced in Canada via Rogers Wireless on the same date. Rogers' version differs visually by displaying the Samsung logo at the top of the handset instead of the AT&T branding found on U.S. models. As of March 20, 2012, Rogers Wireless discontinued offering the Samsung Focus in their lineup.
Successor
Following the Focus, Samsung introduced the Samsung Focus S in November 2011, which boasts a larger 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Plus screen. In the United States, the Samsung Focus Flash is also recognized as a successor; however, in other regions, it serves as the successor to the Omnia model.
Display
The Samsung Focus is equipped with a Corning Gorilla glass[1] Super AMOLED[2] display technology similar to that found in its Galaxy S counterparts. This display offers significantly higher brightness compared to traditional LCD panels while consuming less power. Its impressive contrast ratio between light and dark areas ensures excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. Due to the capacitive touchscreen design, some users have reported unresponsiveness when placing the device on soft surfaces like plush materials.[3] Nevertheless, typical handheld operation remains highly responsive.
Software
Upon launch, the device came pre-installed with Windows Phone alongside several AT&T applications including Navigator, Radio, myWireless, and Uverse; all of which can be removed by the user. Additionally, it featured Samsung’s "Now" app, also referred to as "Daily Briefing," which provides updates on weather, news, and stock information.[4] The device supports an upgrade path to Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango).
Languages
At release, the Rogers variant supported English and French languages, whereas the AT&T version included additional support for German, Spanish, and Italian. The Windows Phone 7.5 update subsequently introduced Korean language support for both versions.
Reception
The Samsung Focus was met with favorable evaluations from critics. Engadget awarded it a score of 7 out of 10, describing it as "the everyman of the Windows Phone line," noting that while it lacks standout features or striking design, it effectively fulfills its purpose. They concluded that although it nearly hits the ideal mark for many users, it falls just short.[4] Meanwhile, CNET rated the phone 4 out of 5 stars and recommended it as a solid alternative to the iPhone for those seeking enhanced multimedia capabilities and a more streamlined interface than Android offers, highlighting its reliable performance and sleek design.[5]
Gizmodo commended the device’s Super AMOLED display along with its slim and lightweight form factor but criticized the glossy plastic and imitation chrome finishes for imparting a cheap feel despite the advanced technology inside.[6] According to SlashGear, the Focus "may well be the top Windows Phone option available in North America."[7] PC Magazine described it as "likely the best among Windows phones."[8] In PC Magazine’s 2011 Readers' Choice Awards, the Samsung Focus achieved the highest overall rating among AT&T smartphones, surpassing even Apple’s iPhone.[9]
Expandable storage challenges
Although the Focus is promoted as the sole Windows Phone featuring a microSD card slot, many users have encountered difficulties during installation. The microSD cards compatible with the Samsung Focus must adhere to specific performance criteria, including random read and write speeds, which are not indicated solely by the speed class rating. When a new microSD card is inserted into the Samsung Focus, the device requires a reformat and a return to factory default settings. Customers have been advised by AT&T to purchase only "Samsung Focus approved" microSD cards to ensure proper functionality of the slot. Once an SD card is installed, it cannot be removed without consequence; removing the card will result in a complete wipe of both the phone’s internal data and the card itself.
See also
References
- ↑ Get to Know the Samsung Focus™ with Windows® Phone 7 | Samsung Articles & Insights. Samsung.com (2010-11-29). Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
- ↑ Features - AT&T Cell Phones SGH-I917 | Samsung Cell Phones Archived 2011-09-04 at the Wayback Machine. Samsung.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
- ↑ Samsung Focus Screen Oddity. YouTube (2010-11-29). Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Topolsky, Joshua. (2010-10-22) Samsung Focus review. Engadget.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
- ↑ Samsung Focus Review - Watch CNET's Video Review. Reviews.cnet.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
- ↑ Samsung Focus Review: The First Windows Phone That Matters. Gizmodo.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
- ↑ Samsung Focus Review. SlashGear (2010-10-20). Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
- ↑ Samsung Focus (AT&T) Review & Rating. PCMag.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
- ↑ PC Magazine. Pcmag.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
External links
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