Samsung Galaxy Alpha is the first mobile device in a line of smartphones from the Korean manufacturer, made in a stylish metal case and based on the new SoC technology.
Packaging and delivery set
The device is sold in a small rectangular box made of solid embossed cardboard. Due to the minimum number of images and notes applied to the surface, the packaging looks expensive and stylish.
The package includes a charger, a USB connection cable, a stereo headset, and a small stack of accompanying documentation neatly tied with a ribbon.
Design and usability
The most important change in the appearance of the new Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone is the presence of an acute-angled metal rim. Previously, this frame was made of plastic, had a rounded and streamlined shape, giving airiness and lightness even to such oversized smartphones as the Galaxy Note. Now the bezel is made of metal and differs in stricter forms, which in turn gives the appearance of the device more visual volume, a certain brutality and high cost.
Otherwise, the appearance of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone practically does not differ from previous versions. The reverse side of the mobile device, like that of the Galaxy S5 smartphone, is made of embossed plastic in the form of small dots.
Fingerprints are not visible on the back cover and side surfaces, so the device turned out to be non-marking. Thanks to the embossed surface, the Galaxy Alpha smartphone fits comfortably in the hand without slipping or jumping out of it.
The weight and dimensions of the device are such that it fits easily even in a small pocket. Thus, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha is not only stylish and neat, but also a very compact smartphone.
The back cover of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha, as before, is removable, so the method of installing the SIM card has remained standard for all smartphones of the Korean company - it is inserted into a slot located under the cover and is supported by a removable battery. Samsung this time has deprived the new smartphone of a slot for flash cards, explaining this by a sufficient amount of internal memory - 32 GB.
The new smartphone from Samsung uses a Nano-SIM card. However, this change was quite expected, since most of such well-known manufacturers as HTC, Sony, Acer, Huawei, released their latest versions of mobile devices with support for SIM-cards of the new format.
On the back of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone, in addition to the usual window of the main camera and the LED flash, there is also a heart rate sensor. If you put your finger on this window, you can determine not only the heart rate, but also assess the level of stress at the moment. The sensor works in conjunction with the preinstalled S Health app.
The loudspeaker grill of Galaxy Alpha is no longer brought out to the back side, but to the surface of the lower end, which is very convenient, since the sound of the phone is not blocked by the surface on which it lies. Next to the grill is a standard USB connector that supports connecting external devices to your smartphone. At the top there is a stereo headphone jack and a hole for an auxiliary microphone.
The front panel of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone is covered with a special protective layer that prevents scratches. In the upper part there is a metal grille for the earpiece, next to which you can see small eyes of the front camera and sensors.
The oblong mechanical button at the bottom of the screen, typical for all flagship smartphones from Samsung, not only remained in its place, but also acquired an additional option - a fingerprint scanner.
The side buttons of the device are also made of metal. Despite their diminutive size, the buttons respond quickly when pressed and are easy to grope in the dark.
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone is available in several colors - black, white, gold and silver.
Screen
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone is equipped with a touchscreen 4, 7-inch screen with a resolution of 1280x720. The brightness of the display can be adjusted either manually or automatically. With the help of modern multitouch technology, the smartphone can handle up to 10 touches at the same time. The phone can be operated without any problems with gloves, and the built-in motion sensor locks the sensor when the device approaches your ear.
The display of the Galaxy Alpha is bright enough with excellent anti-reflective properties, so the smartphone can be used even in sunny weather.
Sound
The sound quality of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone is average - it is quite clear, but lacks noticeable bass sound. The auditory speaker during a conversation very clearly conveys the timbre of the voice and intonation of the interlocutor, however, the sound of the speaker is somewhat deaf.
Camera
The camera in the Samsung Galaxy Alpha is less advanced compared to the flagships Galaxy S5 and Note 4. The device is equipped with a main and front camera of 12 and 2.1 megapixels. The camera has autofocus and LED flash, but unlike previous flagships, it lacks the Smart IOS function (intelligent optical stabilization system).
Software
The new Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system is installed on the Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone. The software interface is completely identical to the Galaxy S5. The settings menu can be either in the form of icons or in the form of a list. A special button can be placed on the smartphone's desktop, clicking on which provides quick access to the most in-demand applications. The touchscreen is locked using a fingerprint.
Also, the smartphone is equipped with a special application S Health, which helps to monitor the state of physical health (pedometer, fitness trainer, nutritional control, heart rate sensor, etc.).
Battery life
A lithium-ion rechargeable battery with a relatively small capacity of 1860 mAh is installed under the back cover of the Galaxy Alpha smartphone. This choice of the Korean manufacturer is primarily due to the slim body of the device. Despite this drawback, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone demonstrates quite acceptable battery life. So, in the continuous reading mode in the FBReader program at the minimum brightness level, the smartphone can work for about 18 hours, while watching a video - about 10 hours. In more active mode (3D games), the battery lasts for 4 hours of uninterrupted operation.
Price
In the Russian market, the price for a new smartphone Samsung Galaxy Alpha is 25,000 rubles, which is quite acceptable for a device with such powerful technical characteristics and stylish design.
