Samsung Galaxy Ace

Jackobyte

There isn't a thread on this phone yet so I said I'd start on. It's a pretty new Samsung mid-range android available for €279 on prepay with 3. It appears to be a very capable phone with 800MHz processor. It boasts a 5mp camera, a 3.5" HVGA screen (480*320) and runs on FroyoPlus (2.2.1) out of the box. Shop claim it will be upgradable to gingerbread. I picked up this phone on Thursday. Anyone else have it? Apparently it is easy to root with superoneclick but there isn't much discussion on it yet so I'm going to wait and see before I try.

Amalgam

I like the shape of it. Very i_____.

Tech Radar have a satisfying review on it.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-ace-930912/review

What's real world battery use like?

Jackobyte

Amalgam wrote: »

I like the shape of it. Very i_____.

Tech Radar have a satisfying review on it.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-ace-930912/review

What's real world battery use like?

The front of it is somewhere between an iphone and a galaxy s all right. The back of it less so. It comes with two backs in the box, a shiny white one (which looks totally out of place on it) and a black one with this anti-slip design which is very effective.

I haven't had any problems under very heavy usage. I've charged overnight both nights though. I'd say 2 days is manageable with moderate usage. Today I've used it constantly (to see what it can do) and now have 32 percent left. That mightn't seem the best but I've had it connected to the internet all day. I used the mobile data for about an hour when I woke at about 11 and have had it connected to the internet via wifi since about 12.30. It wasn't just updating feeds, I was reading boards, watching youtube, downloading apps, playing games, using google, had push email on, etc. It was receiving data traffic all day and it seems to have coped alright. This is my first post on boards with my computer all day.
Give me a few days days and I can give you a better answer.

Jackobyte

Jackobyte wrote: »

The front of it is somewhere between an iphone and a galaxy s all right. The back of it less so. It comes with two backs in the box, a shiny white one (which looks totally out of place on it) and a black one with this anti-slip design which is very effective.

I haven't had any problems under very heavy usage. I've charged overnight both nights though. I'd say 2 days is manageable with moderate usage. Today I've used it constantly (to see what it can do) and now have 32 percent left. That mightn't seem the best but I've had it connected to the internet all day. I used the mobile data for about an hour when I woke at about 11 and have had it connected to the internet via wifi since about 12.30. It wasn't just updating feeds, I was reading boards, watching youtube, downloading apps, playing games, using google, had push email on, etc. It was receiving data traffic all day and it seems to have coped alright. This is my first post on boards with my computer all day.
Give me a few days days and I can give you a better answer.

Battery has last me a full day, everyday with lots of usage but low screen brightness.

I'm still quite tempted to root but I want to hear other successes in Ireland first in case there is an issue with the Irish models (just to be sure to be sure)

Zeppi

I've been keeping an eye on it since it was launched. I do like the style. I'm due an upgrade so I need to wait till May :mad:
Is yours with Three?, if yes can you confirm if skype works through planet 3?. This is going to be my first experience with Android, I always had Nokia's, so if you have any good links to share about android OS please do share.

regards
Zeppi

Jackobyte

Zeppi wrote: »

I've been keeping an eye on it since it was launched. I do like the style. I'm due an upgrade so I need to wait till May :mad:
Is yours with Three?, if yes can you confirm if skype works through planet 3?. This is going to be my first experience with Android, I always had Nokia's, so if you have any good links to share about android OS please do share.

regards
Zeppi

Can't download it through Planet 3, no. It says it is not available on my handset currently.

One other thing is that I've been having a few issues with the wifi not turning on and an error coming up. Turn off-turn on the phone fixes the issue but I've been logging the times it has happened. (4 times in a week) and I'll be going back to them with it if it persists.

Zeppi

Jackobyte wrote: »

Can't download it through Planet 3, no. It says it is not available on my handset currently.

that's not good news because I do need skype from planet 3.

Jackobyte

Jackobyte wrote: »

Battery has last me a full day, everyday with lots of usage but low screen brightness.

I'm still quite tempted to root but I want to hear other successes in Ireland first in case there is an issue with the Irish models (just to be sure to be sure)

Another comment on the battery life.
I've never felt short with it yet. I got up earlyish yesterday and had it fully charged. Used it a fair bit last night 2 and a half using wifi for internet and another 5 just connected to the wifi. Forgot to turn off wifi and slept with it with wifi still on. Woke up this morning and just using it as a normal phone (just calls and texts, no internet) I'm left with 20% now. I'd consider that decent for an android smartfone.

pocketvenus

Just wondering what the quailty of calls is like on the Ace.

I read some reviews which say the sound quality on callls isn't great and if you have it on a high volume it gets worse. Not a good thing on a phone

As my budget does not stretch to a Galaxy S or the S2 when it is released, the Ace seems like a great option within the price range.

So any feedback would be great as well as some pro's and con's of the Ace.

Jackobyte

pocketvenus wrote: »

Just wondering what the quailty of calls is like on the Ace.

I read some reviews which say the sound quality on callls isn't great and if you have it on a high volume it gets worse. Not a good thing on a phone

As my budget does not stretch to a Galaxy S or the S2 when it is released, the Ace seems like a great option within the price range.

So any feedback would be great as well as some pro's and con's of the Ace.

I haven't noticed any problems but I haven't made that many calls either. And I have no idea what volume they were at.

Pro's:
Nicely sized
Well built (no creaks when squeezed)
Lovely Screen
Decent Camera (but no zoom:()
Decent processor (800mHz)
Decent OS (Froyo Plus in the box, 2.2.1)

Con's:
Lags at times (angry birds being one instance)
Small internal space (181mb)
Small RAM (278mb)
Lack of front facing camera
Slow turn off/turn on cycle

EDIT: Battery comment: with mobile data on, battery life is now down to 1 day

pocketvenus

Jackobyte wrote: »

I haven't noticed any problems but I haven't made that many calls either. And I have no idea what volume they were at.

Pro's:
Nicely sized
Well built (no creaks when squeezed)
Lovely Screen
Decent Camera (but no zoom:()
Decent processor (800mHz)
Decent OS (Froyo Plus in the box, 2.2.1)

Con's:
Lags at times (angry birds being one instance)
Small internal space (181mb)
Small RAM (278mb)
Lack of front facing camera
Slow turn off/turn on cycle

EDIT: Battery comment: with mobile data on, battery life is now down to 1 day

Thanks for that. Overall it sounds like a quality phone and I suppose is a little bro to Galaxy S. Considering it is about 1/2 the price of the S you cannot expect all the features but still I think I may go and purchase it.

Jackobyte

pocketvenus wrote: »

Thanks for that. Overall it sounds like a quality phone and I suppose is a little bro to Galaxy S. Considering it is about 1/2 the price of the S you cannot expect all the features but still I think I may go and purchase it.

My local 3 shop had a working display model. I spent about 30 minutes playing with it before buying. Have a go with it instore, see if you like it or if you have any issues with it. Best way to get a feel for it. There is no point me trying to describe it to you.

seathestar

Im considering getting a galaxy ace, later this week. has anyone had any issues with theirs so far, and does it come reccomended?

Jackobyte

seathestar wrote: »

Im considering getting a galaxy ace, later this week. has anyone had any issues with theirs so far, and does it come reccomended?

Got mine replaced due to mentioned wifi issue. Don't know whether it will reappear yet.

snowdaze

I've just got this phone and it is very much like the S which a family member has. I've had a problem though, with my music files. When i recieved the phone in the box there was a micro sd card adapter (the size of a normal sd card which you'd put in a camera or laptop and u slot the micro sd into it and then slot that into your laptop) so i thought great! I've been meaning to get one. I then put a few songs onto my micro sd card using the adapter and replaced the micro sd back into my ace. Only, when i went into Music Player, the folder i'd saved them in didn't show up. I then went to files-music. It showed there but i was unable to play any music files acctually saved in files!?!?
I'd really like to know if anyone knows a solution to this problem.

Another querey i have is being able to set your own music files as the ace's ringtone, i've tried many ways and still don't know how! Please if anyone knows the answer to these questions, let me know.

Jackobyte

snowdaze wrote: »

I've just got this phone and it is very much like the S which a family member has. I've had a problem though, with my music files. When i recieved the phone in the box there was a micro sd card adapter (the size of a normal sd card which you'd put in a camera or laptop and u slot the micro sd into it and then slot that into your laptop) so i thought great! I've been meaning to get one. I then put a few songs onto my micro sd card using the adapter and replaced the micro sd back into my ace. Only, when i went into Music Player, the folder i'd saved them in didn't show up. I then went to files-music. It showed there but i was unable to play any music files acctually saved in files!?!?
I'd really like to know if anyone knows a solution to this problem.

Another querey i have is being able to set your own music files as the ace's ringtone, i've tried many ways and still don't know how! Please if anyone knows the answer to these questions, let me know.

If you are manually moving music, it goes in a folder called music. This folder isn't a subfolder of anything, it goes straight to the memory cards root (so that would be Memory stick>Music). If you use Kies or Winamp to transfer music, you shouldn't have any problem.

Once you have the music player working, you can set songs as your ringtone by clicking menu (garage door looking button) and set as ringtone from the now playing screen.

staker

If you were to go back Jackobyte,which would you chose? Galaxy S or Ace?

Asking cos I'm due an upgrade and torn between either of these or the HD HTC..

Jackobyte

staker wrote: »

If you were to go back Jackobyte,which would you chose? Galaxy S or Ace?

Asking cos I'm due an upgrade and torn between either of these or the HD HTC..

Since I couldn't go bill pay (being 16 and all), the Ace was a fair trade off for the money saved. But, there is a reason the S is €200 euro more on prepay.

The internal space is small on the Ace (I've almost filled it both times I had it) and the processor can feel sluggish at times (Prolonged Angry birds play for example).

If you can afford it, the Galaxy S is the more powerful device but that doesn't mean the Ace isn't powerful. It is a very capable phone for what I use it for and I have to say I'm happy with it.

snowdaze

Jackobyte wrote: »

If you are manually moving music, it goes in a folder called music. This folder isn't a subfolder of anything, it goes straight to the memory cards root (so that would be Memory stick>Music). If you use Kies or Winamp to transfer music, you shouldn't have any problem.

Once you have the music player working, you can set songs as your ringtone by clicking menu (garage door looking button) and set as ringtone from the now playing screen.

Thanks for the advice... I dont know what you mean by using Kies or Winamp to transfer music . . . . . . Em see im using the same sd card as i used in my former phone ( samsung ping) and i had all my music files in order . . . so name of the folder would be the artist and then their songs inside. They all show up and play in the music player and they show up but don't play in the file folder called Music. Then i copied some songs from now 78 onto the sd card and put it bak in my ace. This folder shows up but doesn't play in the file folder Music. It also does not show up in Music Player . . . so im pretty confussed and all i really wanted was to play my songs from now 78 and make one of them my ring tone!

Jackobyte

snowdaze wrote: »

Thanks for the advice... I dont know what you mean by using Kies or Winamp to transfer music . . . . . . Em see im using the same sd card as i used in my former phone ( samsung ping) and i had all my music files in order . . . so name of the folder would be the artist and then their songs inside. They all show up and play in the music player and they show up but don't play in the file folder called Music. Then i copied some songs from now 78 onto the sd card and put it bak in my ace. This folder shows up but doesn't play in the file folder Music. It also does not show up in Music Player . . . so im pretty confussed and all i really wanted was to play my songs from now 78 and make one of them my ring tone!

What format are these songs? mp3/wma/etc?

Kies is Samsungs phone software. It allows you to sync contacts, pictures and videos to your device. It doesn't come in the box, you have to download it yourself from here.

Winamp is a program for windows similar to windows media player. There is also a winamp android music player available from android market. If you have both installed (computer and phone), you can transfer music over wifi to your device, provided that both the computer and your phone are connected to the same wifi network. This is the method I use as it means I don't need to use the USB cable/sd adaptor.

When you click the new songs in the folder from your phone (app drawer>my files>music>artist>song) does it do anything? I tried it with songs that work on my phone and it opens the music player.

If the previous files are being found and played by the music player, there is no reason why the new ones aren't. Did you turn off and on the device after putting back in the memory card? If you haven't, try that. It might remove a cache in the music player and allow it to find the new songs.

If that doesn't work, download WinAmp through Android Market on your device (this will cost you credit if you don't have an internet package so through wifi would be best). Open up winamp on your phone, it is just a differently designed music player. See if that can find these new files.

Sugglew

I got this phone the other day. When at full in-call volume it seems to clip (distort). If it's turned one increment away from full volume this doesn't happen. The best control example is when I'm calling someone. The tone that represents the person's phone ringing clips every time at full. Does this happen with everybody's? Or should I return it?

Jackobyte

Sugglew wrote: »

I got this phone the other day. When at full in-call volume it seems to clip (distort). If it's turned one increment away from full volume this doesn't happen. The best control example is when I'm calling someone. The tone that represents the person's phone ringing clips every time at full. Does this happen with everybody's? Or should I return it?

How do you mean it clips? I never noticed anything about the ring on mine but I never paid attention either. Mine mightn't even be at full. I'll check if I get a chance.

Sugglew

Jackobyte wrote: »

How do you mean it clips? I never noticed anything about the ring on mine but I never paid attention either. Mine mightn't even be at full. I'll check if I get a chance.

Thanks, that'd be great. There's little use in sending it back if all of them do it. It clips as in distorts (like the earpiece speaker is overloaded).

To test call another phone (preferably one in the room with you so you can let it ring). Once it's dialling turn up your galaxy ace earpiece volume to full with the button on the side. Turn it down and up again from here listening to changes in quality of the "ring ring" (can't think of a better way to describe it) tone. Mine distorts at full.

Edit: I should excuse my fussiness, I'm a bit of an audiophile. It's hurting my ears!

Amalgam

No idea if this is a bargain, but Elara stock the Samsung Galaxy Ace for €284.35 Incl Vat + €8 Nationwide Delivery, or pick up from Parkwest, Dublin.

I presume it is sim free & unbranded. 'Stock'.

Interesting thing about the phone, from YouTube reviews.. seems to come preloaded with the Android app, ThinkFree Office.

keaves

Have the Samsung Galaxy ace about two weeks now maybe? its my second as the first one i got; as Sugglew said, when the volume was up between mid to high i couldnt hear anything except distortion and clipping. Would have to make phone calls in a really quite room with no tv or people talking in the background as the volume would have to be so low to even make sense of what the person at the other end of the line was saying! And you could hear it even distorting from the dial tone VERY annoying!
Was constantly asking ppl to repeat themselves! Returned it tho and got a new one that so far have no problems with! Id say return it Sugglew, not worth it if you cant make calls

Jarren

My mate got Samsung Ace two days ago and is planning to return it today.
3 complaints
- mediocre call quality
- dropped calls
- phone frezes quite often

I only hope that Meteor will keep their word and will issue a refund


If you change your mind about your purchase(we all do it!), you have 14 days to return it to us for a full refund. If you find that your phone is faulty you have 28 days to return it for a refund or exchange.

If you need to return your order simply follow the instructions below.

We hope you’ll be happy with your online purchase, but if you need to return your order simply follow the instructions below

Fill in our online store returns form
Choose whether you would like to return or replace your purchase.
We will send a postage paid addressed envelope to your address.
Return your order in it’s original packaging along with your delivery docket.
If you’re returning your order due to a fault within 28 days, you can indicate whether you require a refund or a replacement. We are unable to offer refunds on phones that have been physically damaged

For Bill Pay orders please note that if you wish to cancel your order you should call us on 1800 638 367

http://www.meteor.ie/support/onlinestorefaqs/return_policy/

Sugglew

keaves wrote: »

Have the Samsung Galaxy ace about two weeks now maybe? its my second as the first one i got; as Sugglew said, when the volume was up between mid to high i couldnt hear anything except distortion and clipping. Would have to make phone calls in a really quite room with no tv or people talking in the background as the volume would have to be so low to even make sense of what the person at the other end of the line was saying! And you could hear it even distorting from the dial tone VERY annoying!
Was constantly asking ppl to repeat themselves! Returned it tho and got a new one that so far have no problems with! Id say return it Sugglew, not worth it if you cant make calls

Great, thanks. I'm glad your new one is going ok. I'm really enjoying the phone other than the volume problem and didn't want to have to get a different one. Meteor have already told me they'll replace it so it's all good.

bruschi

Is there much of an 'ace community' out there or is it a relativley quiet phone. Modaco has no dedicated forum for it, or not that I can see anyway, and some of the other forums are a bit crap. just after getting it, and wondering if it is worthwhile flashing and installing a custom rom on it, but if there isnt much development of it, probably not much point.

also, I'm getting frustrated at solving simple things on it! Cant change the phones registered phone number, and text message contacts have gmail email contacts on them too, and cant seem to get rid of them.

Jackobyte

bruschi wrote: »

Is there much of an 'ace community' out there or is it a relativley quiet phone. Modaco has no dedicated forum for it, or not that I can see anyway, and some of the other forums are a bit crap. just after getting it, and wondering if it is worthwhile flashing and installing a custom rom on it, but if there isnt much development of it, probably not much point.

also, I'm getting frustrated at solving simple things on it! Cant change the phones registered phone number, and text message contacts have gmail email contacts on them too, and cant seem to get rid of them.

The development community seems to be expanding fast enough for it. In the last month or so, a few ROMs have started to crop up, as well as a clockwork mod port.

Most development for it is on xda. It is listed under legacy devices so you can read about the custom rom first and then decide.

Ace dev on xda

Just saw that there is apparently a CM7 port now as well.

I am still running stock so don't know what the ROMs are like, but they are available.

bruschi

had seen the xda forum alright and roms on it, but just doesnt seem to have the same pregression as others. I got a zte blade for the missus and flashed that and updated roms on that, and that seems to have lots of options and new developments nearly daily.

sorted my google mail contacts issue too, just saved contacts on my email, then deleted them all, synced the contacts, turned off sync and restored the contacts on email.

Slick50

I am looking for a "call recorder" app, for the ace. I have tried the total recall app, but doesn't seem compatable with the ace.

Has anyone had any luck getting a working app for this yet? Or am I going to have to go back to my old "dumb" phone.