GADGET WATCH: Samsung Galaxy Ace

With the number of Android handsets on the market expanding every month, there are now a wide range of phones to choose from at a number of different price points. The Galaxy Ace is an attempt to attract that lower portion of the market.

But will it stand up to the more expensive competition?

Hardware and Features

The Samsung Galaxy Ace features an 800Mhz CPU, 384MB of RAM, and 512MB of storage, although that can be upgraded through the MicroSD slot.

The gadget appears quite similar to the iPhone 4, featuring a flattened, aluminium band across the edges with rounded corners. The screen is also the same size, 3.5 inches, with a home button alongside two options buttons on the bottom of the face.

The device also features a five megapixel camera, although it has no front facing camera to speak of. It does, however, have a flash. A micro-USB charging socket is also featured, with physical volume buttons on the side of the case as well.

What’s the consensus?

TechRadar praised the build of the device, despite some lacklustre screen quality, saying the rubber back was “secure in the hand… while also making it easy to feel for it in your manbag or handbag”.

It also said the touchscreen was responsible, but noted the lights behind the buttons at the bottom of the screen turn off after a few seconds, “so if you haven’t memorised what’s where, it can be quite frustrating”.

Over at ExpertReviews, the reviewer noted the Ace has less software installed pre-buy, but said this makes sense due to the smaller screen size. However, it also noted the absence of the Kies Air app, which allows you to browse the phone’s contents through a browser.

“Instead, you’ll need to download the 74MB Kies application for Windows if you want a PC sync tool. We prefer simply using Google’s cloud synchronisation, which is half the reason for buying an Android phone in the first place.”

However, CNET noted the phone’s user interface is smooth, with the TouchWiz UI including up to seven home screens for widgets. It also praised the inclusion of the Swype keyboard, but complained about the unusual absence of Flash support.

“Flash is one of the major points of difference for Android compared with other platforms, and we believe that most people choosing an Android phone would expect to be able to watch videos in the browser.”

It also said the processor and dedicated graphics provide a smooth and “seamless” experience, along with decent battery power, although said this was due to the lower quality screen.

Engadget also noted the comfortable back, and “decent” processor, but said whether you prefer the Android 2.2 software comes down to “personal experience”. (Since these reviews have been published, multiple Android updates have been launched).

Who’s it for?

This is a discount Android phone. It’s on the cheaper side and doesn’t have as many features as some of its competitors, such as the Galaxy S. If you’re happy with that, then this is a decent phone, but if you’re willing to spend a little more you’ll get a better experience.