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Lab tests confirm Samsung Galaxy S3 is a display dimwit

G

gme109

Android Enthusiast
Lab tests confirm Samsung Galaxy S3 is a display dimwit | ITProPortal.com

"The Galaxy S3 uses a 1280 X 720, PenTile AMOLED screen, which is higher resolution, but dimmer than the Galaxy S1 and Galaxy S2 screens, Soneira said. The culprit seems to be power management: in trying to get decent battery life with its huge 4.8-inch display, Samsung had to turn the brightness down."

Was a little concerned about the brightness issue on the S3 so I decided to head on down to the Sprint store and make a direct comparison. I compared the S3, S2, and the HTC EVO 4GLTE, along side my Samsung Epic 4G. Made sure the brightness was turned up on all 4 phones, and stood by the front window in direct sunlight.
Starting with the brightest:
HTC EVO
S2
Epic 4G
S3
After finally deciding on the Samsung S3, based solely on specs, I'm back to the drawing board. I'm more than a little disappointed that Samsung decided to downgrade the screen on their Flagship smartphone. But the screen issue is bad enough to make the phone just about impossible to use outdoors, which even my 2.5 year old Samsung Epic was capable of.


For me, the S3's dimmer and less sharp screen, compared to my S1, is a deal killer.


​
 
lets not forget this though...
The lower power usage, however, lets the S3 get solid battery life even with the larger screen: running time with the display on increased from 4.4 hours on the Galaxy S2 to 5.6 hours on the S3.
Click to expand...


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Musky said:
The same article you quoted sums up the issue by saying this:

"That doesn't change our overall conclusions about the Galaxy S3 line. Thanks to its low reflectivity, the screen is bright enough to use anywhere you need it - and the all-around excellent performance of Samsung's new phones have received rave reviews from virtually all corners of the tech world."

Read more: Lab tests confirm Samsung Galaxy S3 is a display dimwit | ITProPortal.com
Click to expand...

That wasn't my findings when I compared all four phones. My Epic was far less reflective and had better viewing at sharp angles than the S3. I also found the S3's screen almost impossible to view in direct sunlight. Where as I could make out everything on my brighter Epic 4G. Believe me I wish it wasn't so, I really wanted to buy the S1. I spent hours researching phones and combing over the specs before tentatively deciding on the S3.
 
The good: The Samsung Galaxy S3 comes fully loaded with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, 4G LTE/HSPA+ 42 capability, a zippy dual-core processor, and a strong 8-megapixel camera. S Beam is an excellent software enhancement, and the handset's price is right.


The bad: The Galaxy S3's screen is too dim, and Samsung's Siri competitor, S Voice, disappointed.


The bottom line: Pumped with high-performing hardware and creative software features, the Samsung Galaxy S3 is an excellent, top-end phone that's neck and neck with the HTC One X.



Samsung Galaxy S III Review - Watch CNET's Video Review
 
Yeah, it's a little dim in direct sunlight, but with it turned up to 100% brightness, it's usable. Don't let a review turn you off to the GS3.
 
I can't even look at the screen at 100% brightness on the phone, I can't understand how anyone would think it's too dim.
 
gme109 said:
The good: The Samsung Galaxy S3 comes fully loaded with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, 4G LTE/HSPA+ 42 capability, a zippy dual-core processor, and a strong 8-megapixel camera. S Beam is an excellent software enhancement, and the handset's price is right.


The bad: The Galaxy S3's screen is too dim, and Samsung's Siri competitor, S Voice, disappointed.


The bottom line: Pumped with high-performing hardware and creative software features, the Samsung Galaxy S3 is an excellent, top-end phone that's neck and neck with the HTC One X.



L]
Click to expand...

The very bottom line, you cannot change the battery in the One X, how "Dim" is that ?
 
gme109 said:
Lab tests confirm Samsung Galaxy S3 is a display dimwit | ITProPortal.com

"The Galaxy S3 uses a 1280 X 720, PenTile AMOLED screen, which is higher resolution, but dimmer than the Galaxy S1 and Galaxy S2 screens, Soneira said. The culprit seems to be power management: in trying to get decent battery life with its huge 4.8-inch display, Samsung had to turn the brightness down."

Was a little concerned about the brightness issue on the S3 so I decided to head on down to the Sprint store and make a direct comparison. I compared the S3, S2, and the HTC EVO 4GLTE, along side my Samsung Epic 4G. Made sure the brightness was turned up on all 4 phones, and stood by the front window in direct sunlight.
Starting with the brightest:
HTC EVO
S2
Epic 4G
S3
After finally deciding on the Samsung S3, based solely on specs, I'm back to the drawing board. I'm more than a little disappointed that Samsung decided to downgrade the screen on their Flagship smartphone. But the screen issue is bad enough to make the phone just about impossible to use outdoors, which even my 2.5 year old Samsung Epic was capable of.


For me, the S3's dimmer and less sharp screen, compared to my S1, is a deal killer.


​
Click to expand...

Less sharper screen then the S1? How is that possible?
 
Hrethgir said:
Yeah, it's a little dim in direct sunlight, but with it turned up to 100% brightness, it's usable. Don't let a review turn you off to the GS3.
Click to expand...

I didn't let a review turn me off, I did a comparison in person with the above mentioned phones, so I could see for myself. The S3 was the hardest phone to view in direct sunlight.
 
gme109 said:
I didn't let a review turn me off, I did a comparison in person with the above mentioned phones, so I could see for myself. The S3 was the hardest phone to view in direct sunlight.
Click to expand...

If you dont want an S3, dont get one, simple as. Maybe wait for a note 2, oh wait, an evan bigger screen so I guess that'll be evan dimmer than the S3. :rolleyes:
 
Personally... I tend not to stand around in the hot Florida sun while using my phone... at least not anything that requires extensive interaction with the screen. I figure if it's too sunny for my bald head to be comfortable... there's no reason to hold my phone to a higher standard.

Don't over-analyze. The S3 is a hit. Buy it and enjoy!
 
the article points out that the the phone can still be seen well under direct sunlight but not as good as other handsets due to making compromises for better battery life.

guess samsung figured people would value battery life over the ability to watch youtube videos in the sun. its all give and take.
 
BWDscott said:
Personally... I tend not to stand around in the hot Florida sun while using my phone... at least not anything that requires extensive interaction with the screen. I figure if it's too sunny for my bald head to be comfortable... there's no reason to hold my phone to a higher standard.

Don't over-analyze. The S3 is a hit. Buy it and enjoy!
Click to expand...

Probably am over analyzing things, but screen view ability rates high on my list of priorities. I wear contacts to correct for nearsightedness, which compromises near vision, making screen acuity all the more important.
To me the screen on the HTC EVO 4G LTE is way easier to see, but I like the features of the S3 better. May have to wait for the S4, for a more compelling reason to upgrade.
 
gme109 said:
Probably am over analyzing things, but screen view ability rates high on my list of priorities. I wear contacts to correct for nearsightedness, which compromises near vision, making screen acuity all the more important.
To me the screen on the HTC EVO 4G LTE is way easier to see, but I like the features of the S3 better. May have to wait for the S4, for a more compelling reason to upgrade.
Click to expand...

understood..
 
Stock auto brightness is definitely for Max battery life.

I use Lux which has a free version which takes over the auto bright adjustment and it works waay better. You will sacrifice a little battery performance but its worth it to me.
 
Okay I'm going to recant some of what I've said.

I think part of the problem I encountered at the first Sprint store when I compared screens, was that the display of the S3 phone was totally marred with finger prints. The Sprint store I went to today had one locked up in a case, and the screen was fingerprint free.
I could definitely see the screen well enough to make phone calls and do basic functions in direct sunlight.
Yeah its not one of the brightest nor sharpest screens available today, but its a gorgeous screen otherwise, and adequate in direct sunlight.

Based on these findings, along with all the other things I like about this phone, think I'm going to finally pull the trigger and buy one.
 
gme109 said:
I didn't let a review turn me off, I did a comparison in person with the above mentioned phones, so I could see for myself. The S3 was the hardest phone to view in direct sunlight.
Click to expand...

I didn't realize that people purposefully went outside and tried to have direct sunlight on their screen in order to use their phone? I don't know about others, but I just use a little common sense and create some shade for my phone if it is hard to view outside, regardless of the brand. Why is this an issue?
 
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