Globe hosted a lunch for the media this afternoon to introduce their very first Flagship Store in the country which is located at the Greenbelt 4. On display are live units of all high-end smartphones, an iPad 3G and the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S.
Globe’s concept of their Flagship Store was inspired from various telco stores around the world (yeah, they sent a team to check out the Apple Store in New York, AT&T, Orange and Vodafone in Europe and Singtel in Singapore).
Globe also promised that everything on display will be live demo units (no more dummies). Aside from mobile phones, they’ve go a PSP, netbooks, laptops and even an iPad 3G all on display and working.
They got Carlos Celdran to take us on a walking tour of the Globe Flagship Store but once we got there, my attention shifted to the demo units of the Samsung Galaxy S at the center of the aisle.
I’ve shared my first impression about the handset when I first had a chance to see it back in May. I wasn’t allowed to take photos of the unit then but not this time.
Globe executives told me that the unit will be launched on June 24 and will be exclusive to Globe Telecom. They didn’t told me about the price points but we can stick to the estimated Php32k for the 16GB. My guess is that it will be free at Globe Plan 5000.
Here’s a quick video I took of the Galaxy S’s UI:
(P.S.: I was told our developer friends here from Novare did the new IT System for the store.)
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paul e. says:
is that the one near powerbooks? passed by there a few days ago but didn’t have the time to take a peek.
Abe Olandres says:
@paul – that’s the one. it’s been open for a couple of weeks now.
Pol says:
eto na yun!!! Finally high end android device sa pinas!
roma says:
I was able to try the new Samsung Galaxy S here at the CommunicAsia exhibit at Expo earlier. Super Nice!!! =)
Calvin says:
all this time i thought spica and galaxy is one.
Jay says:
how about the iPad?
news from the ‘executives’?
cris says:
I noticed some lags when at some points. I hope “demo” unit lang yung nasa video.
But hey, the price is P32k! That’s quite pricey.
Teknisyan says:
nice very nice… I need to visit this store!!! :)
Ferdie says:
Samsung Galaxy Spica (i5700) is another android phone from Samsung. They earlier released Samsung Galaxy (i7500). Samsung Galaxy S is their latest android phone.
jonas says:
sir, ngsuicide attempt raw si villar? Sinisikreto raw nila sa press
chie says:
Sobrang laki lang kasi nung Galaxy S eh. Sana maglabas sila same spec pero ka size lang ng Wave.
Angie says:
Is it true that Samsung’s customer support isn’t that good? Especially on firmwares and OSes (Omnia)upgrade?
zEr0-IcE says:
Sir Abe, totoo bang exclusive ito for Globe? i’ve been waiting for months for this to arrive but only to find out that it’s exclusive to Globe.. I’m a smart subscriber and I intend to stay that way pa naman… Will Samsung Philippines release this to local dealers as well?
sylv3rblade says:
Good for Globe… Now let’s hope to see more of these brick and mortar shops get set up :)
Abe Olandres says:
@calvin – i9000 yhung Galaxy S.
@zEr0-IcE – yes, currently exclusive to Globe. Prepaid kit is Php32k payable in 12 months zero interest.
@sylv3rblade – they’ll do a few more before end of the year. Very expensive to put up one of these. Display units pa lang, in the millions na.
jayb says:
Sir yuga, i tour mo naman kami sa Globe Flagship store.. kuha ka videos sa loob or pictures….
crun22 says:
hanggang kelan po itong flagship store?
xtian1986 says:
what sucks about galaxy s is it’s under samsung, and sammy is that enthusiastic in updating softwares and firmwares. ive read somewhere they’re planning on NOT updating the galaxy S to 2.2
xtian1986 says:
sorry meant to say NOT that enthusiastic.
EarlZ says:
@yuga
I think they already confirmed the price of 32,000 coz if you ask anyone that works there they will say it is at 32,000.
I Wonder when this handset will arrive here in Globe cebu, probably 5-7days after the launch ?
Biggs says:
Paps, capacitive o resistive yung malaking touchscreen sa store?
lupita says:
exclusive sa globe? nagiging mahal kasi lalo ung phone pag exclusive e. hintayin ko na lang to sa mga friends sa greenhills :)
lupita says:
o kaya pag sale ung mga gadgets sa SG though i read somewhere na exclusive naman to sa singtel na counterpart din ng globe. guess friends na lang talaga sa greenhills ang option! c”,)
Bob says:
I think I will wait for a month before I decide if I will buy or not.
Angie says:
@xtian yun din pagkakaalam ko. My friend was very disappointed with his omnia kasi rather than give them the upgrade of their current WinMo version, nagrelease nalang ng omnia 2 ang samsung, where the latest WinMo version (at that time) was used. The same stories with some people on GSMArena’s Galaxy S page. Parang Nokia lang na pinapabili tayo lagi ng bagong model.
How about Android 2.2? How about Flash support? How about bug fixes?
Abe Olandres says:
@angie – I think it’s true with all phone manufacturers. They are in the hardware business not software. They don’t make money by releasing updates. They make money by selling new handsets.
blitzkrieg says:
@yuga – hey! By any chance, were you able to ask them if users can disable the S-Life interface? I’m holding out because of the rip-off interface. It looks too much like the iPhone. I want the stock Android goodness.
Miguel says:
That’s what we do!!
Thanks for the mention ;)
– Miguel from Novare
roiji says:
sabi nung natanungan ko 31k daw.. i guess may 999 sa dulo -> 31,999 LOL
http://blog.roiji.info/samsung-galaxy-s-now-available-on-globe-for-pre-order
zEr0-IcE says:
I just went to a store in Megamall and the sales lady told me (she was from Samsung) they’re most likely going to release an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S possibly on the 2nd week of July.
Also, I saw a dummy Samsung Wave on display which only means that the phone will be avaiable very soon (the sales lady also confirmed this).
I really am hoping that an unlocked Galaxy S will be released soon. I’m dying to get this phone!
Kevin says:
Wow! Just look at that gorgeous screen!! *drools..
Arvee says:
@Angie @xtian1986
It’s not only Samsung. Some other manufacturers fails to give their users appropriate OS updates too. Like for example, HTC Magic is stuck with the Android Cupcake OS. The only phone, I think, which would get regular Android OS updates is the Nexus One since it’s branded as the Google Phone.
lupita says:
@zero-ice which store in Megamall? i remember they have a kiosk in ground floor when i visited last month but i’m not sure if they are going to be there permanently like sony ericsson on cyberzone
lolipown says:
@Arvee
The G1 is the very first Google Phone but it isn’t getting Froyo.
Angie says:
@lolipown It’s not actually the first Google phone. When you say it’s a Google phone, it’s marketed by Google. And if it was marketed by Google, they won’t release it just through T-Mobile (I forgot, maybe verizon)
@Yuga but how about firmware updates? they should have that, at least.
EarlZ says:
If Globe is getting the exclusive then 2nd week of July for all other retailers is pretty soon, as what their reps say, they will have the units on June 24 so its only logical for the exclusivity to on the July 24 as well and stocks for other stores arrive probably on Aug first or 2nd week.
Arvee says:
Okay so you see, G1 is a Google Phone. Yes, all Android phones are considered Google Phones. BUT N1 is “Google’s Phone”.
At the back of each phone, you’ll see “with Google” on the G1, while “Google” on the N1.
Just to clear it out. Anyway, Samsung officially announced that they will release the 2.2 update for the Galaxy S. Though the release date is still a mystery.
Frank says:
its free on Plan 2500 on Globe and Php 31,999 if Prepaid kit
Ralph says:
Bought mine yesterday (6/20/2010), before the supposed June 24 release.
PHP 31995 (can be divided into 12 months if paid via CC) for the unit with a prepaid sim (I just used my existing number). No plans available yet, but if I remember correctly, it’s free for the 3500 (?) Plan with 2 year lock-in period.
Loving it so far. Just curious how the upgrade will happen from Eclair to Froyo. :)
zEr0-IcE says:
@Ralph: OMG!!! I am drooling over that phone for months already…
Dammit… I am really really wanting to get one… unlocked of course.. I’m with a rival network, so I couldn’t just switch over to Globe.
Darn… inggit ko! LOL!
paul says:
Really? Its available now? Which store? The flag ship store?
zEr0-IcE says:
How true what’s been circling the net that the Galaxy S is unlocked daw when you purchase one from Globe???
Coz if that’s true, I’m gonna buy one now!
DaRkMyk says:
Maganda talaga yang Galaxy S.. I bought mine here at Singtel Singapore, and my plan comes with a 12Gb Data plan..
The “Super AMOLED” is just AWESOME! you just can’t compare it with TFT’s and AMOLED…
Another thing is, this device can play MKV videos with 720p.. Flawlessly! take that iPhone.. :)!
you can also buy it here without a plan for S$900, but for sure you guys can get it cheaper at Greenhills..FTW..
Ralph says:
@zEr0-IcE and Paul: Yep, at the Globe flagship store at GB. I think that’s the only place that’s selling it now.
Di ko pa natry kung openline. Masubukan nga.
Again, loving it. Just really interested how the Froyo upgrade will happen. Globe don’t know daw when I asked eh. :)
zEr0-IcE says:
@Ralph
Try mo na pare para lang malaman natin kung unlocked nga ba. Please?
I really wanna buy it soon… but if naka-lock, then I guess I have to wait.
Is it true na SingTel nga yun logo na lumalabas when you start-up the phone? Can you confirm?
Thanks a lot man!
rommelcv says:
meron pa bang available na galaxy s sa Globe Flagship Store?
rommelcv says:
wala na palang stock sa globe – gb4. august na magkakaroon. :(
JUN says:
Want an Android phone with a whacking great big screen for watching video or surfing the web on? The Samsung Galaxy S and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 are two phones you seriously need to consider. Which is better? Read on to find out…
OS and Interface – Timescape vs TouchWiz
These two Androids have significant differences in the software department. The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 features Android 1.6 and the Timescape/Mediascape UI, while the Samsung Galaxy S uses the newer Android 2.1 OS and the TouchWiz 3.0 UI. The Sony Ericsson ’scapes are less intrusive than TouchWiz as they leave the basic vanilla Android look ticking on underneath custom widgets and apps.
The Samsung Galaxy S’s TouchWiz interface isn’t so easy-going. It sticks a static dock at the bottom of your phone’s screen, which you can’t remove, and arranges your apps menu into pages – like the iPhone interface – although you can revert to the standard scrolling stream if you want. Neither the Samsung Galaxy S’s or the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10’s widgets are quite as good as those of HTC Sense, but you’re supplied with the usual smattering of social networking, calendar and memo functions in both cases.
Which is better? For day-to-day simplicity, we prefer the Samsung Galaxy S’s widgets, but Mediascape and Timescape are harder to replace wholesale with Android Market equivalents, so it’s a close-run battle.
Winner – Samsung Galaxy S. Only just
Screens and video
These two are the real big boys of Android, with four inches of screen on show a piece. The tech they use is different though. The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 uses a standard TFT LCD screen while the Samsung Galaxy S features a Super AMOLED screen. The Samsung Galaxy S has much better contrast – blacks are incredibly deep – but the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 is no slouch either. The more vivid image produced by the Galaxy S means its our mobile cinema pick though.
The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 starts well on the video front with Mediascape, a very pretty media player app, but it doesn’t have the file type support to back it up. No Divx/Xvid support means many of the videos you’ve downloaded of the net won’t play. The Samsung Galaxy S’s media player is less swish than the Xperia X10’s, but with fab media support that includes Xvid, Divx and MKV – and even Wi-Fi streaming – there’s no contest here. If you want the ultimate mobile video player, you have to go for the Samsung Galaxy S. It’s as simple as that.
Winner – Samsung Galaxy S
More after the break…
Looks and build
The Samsung Galaxy S, at 118g, is significantly lighter than the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. It’s also thinner too, but we can’t get over the sense that Samsung might have gone a bit too far with the Galaxy S. It’s a classy phone, but without a rock-solid body to lend it some weight – in the literal sense too – the Samsung Galaxy S ends up feeling a little flimsy.
The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10’s look might be a bit conservative for some, but we dig its more generous curves, and that its battery cover doesn’t feel like it’s on the verge of snapping in half when you try and take it off. We also find the real buttons of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 more satisfying than the touch-sensitive softkeys of the Samsung Galaxy S.
Winner – Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
Camera
At first glance, it seems like the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 flattens the Samsung Galaxy S, with its 8-megapixel sensor and LED flash against the Galaxy S’s 5-megapixel camera and lack of flash. The Samsung Galaxy S does have one thing over its rival though – 720p video recording.
We have a feeling the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 may gain HD video recording with a firmware update, but for now you’re stuck with just 800×480 WVGA recording. The lack of a flash on the Samsung Galaxy S isn’t that easy to forgive though – especially when it’s holding back an otherwise decent mobile snapper.
Winner – Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
winwin says:
pwede na pong iupgrade ang android 2.1 to 2.2 aka froyo check nyo sa android.com, sa singapore ung 16GB na Samsung Galaxy S nsa P25,920, eto ung website http://www.whymobile.com/
Leonard S Anterola says:
Hi, I want to buy a book “Samsung Galaxy tab 7 for Dummies”It can be either PDF or book format. I can pay either in MC or bank to bank. Book will need to go via LBC. Thanks
L.S Anterola