Samsung Galaxy S III
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| Samsung Galaxy S III | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Samsung Galaxy S III |
| Manufacturer | Samsung Electronics |
| Series | Galaxy S |
| Released | 2012 |
| Predecessor | Samsung Galaxy S II |
| Successor | Samsung Galaxy S4 |
| Display | 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED |
| Os | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (upgradable) |
| Cpu | Exynos 4412 / Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 |
| Memory | 1–2 GB RAM |
| Storage | 16/32/64 GB |
| Battery | 2100 mAh (removable) |
| Connectivity | 3G, 4G LTE, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Samsung Galaxy S III The Samsung Galaxy S III is a flagship Android smartphone developed by Samsung Electronics and launched in 2012. It served as the successor to the Samsung Galaxy S II and preceded the Samsung Galaxy S4, competing against devices from Apple Inc., HTC Corporation, Motorola Mobility, and Nokia. The device combined a high-resolution Super AMOLED display, a quad-core ARM-based processor or dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon variant, and software features aimed at differentiating Samsung in the global smartphone market.
Design and Hardware
The hardware design emphasized a rounded, pebble-like aesthetic influenced by Oliver Gilkes-styled industrial trends and the work of Samsung Mobile design teams, drawing comparisons to the HTC One X and the Apple iPhone 4S in contemporary reviews. The body used polycarbonate plastic with a removable rear cover and interchangeable back plates, allowing user access to the removable battery and microSD card slot; this contrasted with the unibody approaches used by Apple and Sony Mobile. The 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display offered 720×1280 resolution, rivaling displays in devices such as the Sony Xperia S and the Google Nexus 4. Internally, regional variants shipped with the Exynos 4412 quad-core SoC or the dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 for LTE markets, paired with 1 or 2 GB of RAM and up to 64 GB of internal storage, similar to capacities in the HTC One X+ and LG Optimus G. Camera hardware comprised an 8-megapixel rear sensor with features comparable to the Nokia Lumia 920 and a front-facing 1.9-megapixel camera for video calling. Connectivity supported 3G HSPA+ and 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, Wi‑Fi Direct and DLNA, aligning with standards employed by Google Nexus devices and Sony Ericsson models.
Software and Features
Launched with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Samsung's TouchWiz Nature UX, the S III integrated software gestures and contextual functions inspired by research from companies like IBM and Microsoft Research. Key features included Smart Stay, which used face detection to keep the screen lit when the user was looking, Multi-Window multitasking influenced by work in Research at MIT, S Voice voice recognition derived from acquisitions and technology comparable to Nuance Communications offerings, and Pop-up Play for floating video windows reminiscent of concepts from Qualcomm and Adobe Systems. The software supported Samsung Kies and later Samsung Smart Switch migrations, and received updates to Android Jelly Bean (4.1–4.3), incorporating Project Butter performance improvements and Google services such as Google Now, Google Play, and Gmail. Integration with Dropbox storage and AllShare DLNA mirrored ecosystem strategies used by Amazon (company) and Microsoft OneDrive partnerships.
Variants and Models
Samsung released multiple regional variants targeted at carriers and markets, including LTE-enabled models for Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Vodafone, and NTT Docomo, and Exynos-equipped international models sold through carriers like O2 (UK), Orange S.A., and Telstra. Special editions and carrier-locked variants included differences in baseband, supported radio bands, and preinstalled operator apps, similar to fragmentation seen across devices from Motorola and HTC. A miniaturized follow-up, the Samsung Galaxy S III Mini, and later models in the Galaxy S lineage extended the hardware choices, while aftermarket firmware communities such as XDA Developers produced custom ROMs based on CyanogenMod and later LineageOS sources for unlocked units.
Release and Marketing
Announced at a dedicated Samsung press event in London, the S III launch was part of a global release strategy coordinated with Samsung Electronics America and regional subsidiaries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Marketing campaigns featured high-profile carrier partnerships with AT&T and Verizon, retail promotions with Best Buy and Carphone Warehouse, and advertising buys during major events such as broadcasts akin to the UEFA European Championship and sponsorships similar to Olympic Games tie-ins in previous Samsung campaigns. Samsung emphasized natural imagery and "human-centered" design in promotional materials, aligning with trends from IDEO and agencies like Wieden+Kennedy.
Reception and Sales
Critics praised the S III for its display quality, battery life, and performance in daily tasks when compared to contemporaries such as the iPhone 5, HTC One X, and Nexus 4, while reviewers from outlets like The Verge, Engadget, CNET, and GSM Arena highlighted TouchWiz enhancements and camera performance. Commercially, the device achieved strong sales figures, contributing to Samsung Electronics becoming the world's largest smartphone vendor in 2012 and 2013, outperforming competitors including Apple Inc., Nokia Corporation, and Huawei Technologies. The S III's market success influenced carrier subsidy strategies at T-Mobile US and global handset inventory practices at retailers such as Amazon (company) and Walmart.
Issues and Controversies
The S III experienced several controversies, including disputes over design similarities raised by Apple Inc. and commentary in the press comparing Samsung's design choices to those of the iPhone family. Legal battles between Samsung Electronics and Apple Inc. over patents and trade dress encompassed the S III among other Galaxy models in high-profile litigation across courts in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, High Court of Justice (England and Wales), and Seoul Central District Court. Reports of issues such as random reboots, GPS reception problems, and battery drain prompted warranty claims and carrier exchanges, while security researchers and communities like XDA Developers and Android Police documented exploits and proposed firmware patches. Despite controversies, successor devices and software updates addressed many user-reported defects, feeding into ongoing debates about planned obsolescence and smartphone update policies driven by manufacturers and carriers.
Category:Samsung mobile phones