Samsung Galaxy R Announced - A Tegra 2 Smartphone
by Brian Klug on August 10, 2011 9:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Samsung
- Tegra 2
- Mobile
- galaxy R
Earlier this year while at MWC, Anand and I broke news of a Samsung Galaxy phone with Tegra 2 inside. At the time, we assumed it was a Galaxy S2 variant, the GT-I9103. At the time, the suspicion was that either Samsung was preparing a Tegra 2 variant in case Exynos yields weren't good enough, or that it was a cheaper regional variant for some markets. Since then, we've seen Galaxy S2's international launch come and go, with no Tegra 2 variant.
That changes today, as Samsung today is announcing the Samsung Galaxy R, which includes a Tegra 2 SoC along a number of other important changes that differentiate from Galaxy S2. Most notably, instead of Super AMOLED Plus, the Galaxy R includes a 4.19" 'Super Clear' LCD display and 8 GB of NAND, as opposed to 16GB or 32GB on the Galaxy S2. In addition, the Galaxy R shoots 720p HD video, runs Android 2.3, and has slightly larger dimensions of 125.7 x 66.7 x 9.55 mm. Judging from the photos, the Galaxy R is styled very similarly to the international Galaxy S2, and likewise includes a front facing camera of unknown resolution, though on the rear it looks like a 5 MP camera with LED flash.
Armed with all that information, it does look like Galaxy R is the Tegra 2-based Galaxy S2 that we suspected all along, but under a different name. It appears that the Galaxy R is shaping up to be a lower-cost, mass-market Galaxy S2 alternative in some markets, as evidenced by component selection that seems to be mature or available in steady volume (Tegra 2, 5 MP camera, LCD display, e.t.c.). There's no word on price, but the Galaxy R is immediately available in Sweden, and coming soon to North & Eastern Europe, South East & West Asia, Middle East Asia, and China.
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B3an - Wednesday, August 10, 2011 - link
If the price of this is anywhere close to the Galaxy S2 then theres no point in getting this phone, it's inferior in every way to the S2, even the size dimensions are larger when it has a smaller screen.nastyemu25 - Wednesday, August 10, 2011 - link
where exactly can you get a galaxy s 2 again? i've been hearing about this supposed phone for a year now.LostPassword - Wednesday, August 10, 2011 - link
Amazon & newegg are selling the unlocked international version for 650. Only 30 day warranty tho. Hoping prices come down when subsidized versions are released.aryonoco - Wednesday, August 10, 2011 - link
I was on a trip to a few different countries about two weeks a go, and there were big Galaxy SII ads in London, Dubai, Hong Kong, Manila and Melbourne. The phone was available in every mobile shop I could see on the streets, and judging by the billboards, there is a massive marketing push behind it in all those countries.The US is a strange place when it comes to smartphones. Not necessarily better or worse, just very different.
Who knows why the GSII is not available in the US, probably no carrier has picked it up yet (don't ask me why). But there is a big market outside of the US, and apparently the GSII has been selling very well.
aegisofrime - Thursday, August 11, 2011 - link
I have had mine for a month now, got it here in Singapore from the telcos. :)B3an - Thursday, August 11, 2011 - link
Pretty much anywhere but the U.S. I've had a S2 since late April but i live in U.K.It's been the best selling phone here since release.
poohbear - Saturday, August 27, 2011 - link
anywhere but the USA.:) u guys stick with ur iphones.;)LauRoman - Wednesday, August 10, 2011 - link
How can it be immediately available but with no price... Are you people insane?sleepeeg3 - Wednesday, August 10, 2011 - link
It looks like they made design cuts to afford the increased price of the Tegra 2 chip. Reduced memory, reduced camera size, LCD display and reduced display size, as Price pointed out.Samsung Galaxy SII has just received FCC approval for all major carriers and was rumored to be out at the beginning of August. Should be out soon...