Samsung Brings Mango To AT&T This Fall
by Jason Inofuentes on September 12, 2011 12:02 PM EST- Posted in
- Windows Phone 7.5
- AT&T
- Samsung Focus
- Mango
Not content to flood the market in Android variants, Samsung is starting their roll out of Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) devices. The release we received this morning was scant on details or images [Ed. note: The image above is from our Samsung Focus review], but a look at the specifications tells us to expect a significant performance upgrade from Windows Phone's first generation hardware. The new models being premiered share similar internals, including a 1.4 GHz single core SoC, most likely an MSM8255 variant, as found in the HTC Flyer and HP TouchPad. But where the Focus S stands a full head over its sister, the Focus Flash, is in display. The 4.3" Super AMOLED Plus display in the Focus S is wrapped in an 8.55 millimeter that challenges the Galaxy S II for thinness. The Focus Flash provides a smaller frame with its 3.7" Super AMOLED screen, but no details on its thickness. Having split the difference on size around the original 4" Samsung Focus, early adopters need not worry that they are going to be left behind, as Samsung has promised to bring Mango to their first generation hardware.
AT&T was a strong proponent of Windows Phone during its roll out, and it seems they're going to double down with the first major update to the platform. Release and pricing, though, remain unannounced. We'll update with pictures when we've got them.
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Iketh - Monday, September 12, 2011 - link
can't wait!! (original Focus owner)Spivonious - Monday, September 12, 2011 - link
I hope the smaller version is affordable (<$200 no contract). I'd love for MS to get some competition to the small Android phones.Alexvrb - Monday, September 12, 2011 - link
I think that's part of their goal. However, I own a 3.7" now, and I won't be getting the Focus Flash or any similar sized phone. It might be a good phone for those who can't "lug around" a 4+ inch phone, and for entry-level smartphones.The Focus S on the other hand looks pretty nice so far. I hope a variant of this hits Verizon.
ph0tek - Tuesday, September 13, 2011 - link
I'm interested in Windows Phone, but like MANY others i think they seriously need to increase the hardware. Loads of early adopters for this kind of thing are people who are interested in cutting-edge hardware, not just a good software/OS. This has the software side of things but the hardware seriously lacks. A 1.4GHz single core does not cut it. If that was dual core and they vastly improved the GPU too (and other specs), as well as putting it all inside a sexy case, then i would definitely get a Mango phone. Basically a Samsung GSII-like phone but running WP7.5. That would definitely sell.Does anyone know why WP7 phones dont have dual-core SoC's so far? And i wouldn't be surprised if they all used the same GPU again. Why is this? I know it helps make the whole experience more polished and consistent, but surely you would want to use the latest and greatest hardware if you're only going to support very few SoC's..
damianrobertjones - Tuesday, September 13, 2011 - link
"Does anyone know why WP7 phones dont have dual-core SoC's so far?"To avoid fragmentation and to ensure that all games/apps run as they should run on every damn single phone instead of 'ohh this isn't available for your model' type rubbish.
As for hardware... at times people just want to use the phone
JasonInofuentes - Monday, September 19, 2011 - link
So the key thing to remember is that you, the readers, are not the market. We love our readers, not in small part because you all share our passion for good hardware and good software. But, for better or worse, the market consists of lots of people who just want a phone that works. To that end, Microsoft has succeeded in a lot of ways. Like WebOS before it (as the third horse in the race) everyone agrees that Windows Phone 7 is a refined and capable mobile operating system, and the hardware isn't the problem. Would we love to see this thing sporting a quad-core Qualcomm Krait SoC at 2.5 GHz? You bet. But if it works as well at 1 GHz on a single core, then Microsoft has done their job. And if Microsoft has done their job, we'll be happy, even if it isn't on Krait.Thanks for the comments, keep'em coming!
Jason