AT&T Samsung Captivate hands on!

By on Jul 9, 2010 at 5:45 PM
Exclusive July 9, 2010

att-samsung-captivate

We have just received our very own Samsung Captivate device and have put together some first impressions as well as some great photos. The Samsung Galaxy S is launching in some form or fashion on practically every U.S. carrier, and AT&T’s model, the Captivate, is pretty action-packed. As far as specifications, the device is powered by a 1GHz CPU, 2GB 16GB of internal storage, a 5 megapixel camera, Super AMOLED screen, and Android 2.1. As far as the hardware goes, the device is very, very thin, but comes across as feeling pretty cheap thanks to a, well, really cheap plastic casing. Samsung tries to add a little pizazz with the textured back battery cover, but honestly it gets lost in a sea of mediocrity. The display is top notch, though, very readable and usable in sunlight, with great colors. The blue default color scheme on here really pops with the contrasting deep black. As far as size, 4 inches of display seems like the perfect compromise between the gargantuan DROID X and EVO 4G and the smaller iPhone-sized handsets.

The Captivate seems very snappy, and it isn’t as molested as we’d figured it would be. You know, when mixing AT&T and Samsung together, well, we don’t tend to get pleasant thoughts about that collaboration. We’re not saying there isn’t enough AT&T-branded apps and content in here to make Andy Rubin nauseous, we’re just saying it’s more tolerable than we thought, and that’s a good thing for everyday usage. We’ll get started on our full review, but in the meantime check out some pretty pictures!

Click on over to our AT&T Samsung Captivate hands on gallery!

Update: After playing around a bit, it looks like AT&T has blocked the installation of non-Market apps, and we can’t find Google Navigation on here. Neither of those are big surprises, but hey, a guy can dream, right?

Update 2: We have received word from some AT&T sources and readers, and Google Navigation is actually supported on the Samsung Captivate. You have to update to the latest Google Maps through the Market, then enter an address to get driving directions to, and then you can click Navigate. There isn’t a separate Google Navigation application, but it can most definitely be accessed.

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  • rob

    or you could just get an iphone and be happy with your purchase

    • Chris

      Sorry, I like making phone calls with my phone

    • non bias

      iphone iSucks !

    • champ

      yeah, but who wants a phone they can’t hold. Android FTW

    • b

      ios = communism… get an iphone… go to n.korea!

  • Kaitlyn Muckler`

    I

  • Kaitlyn Muckler`

    I have an iPhone and I hate it. I can’t pick out a new phone fast enough

    • thedeadbaby

      AGREE! The iPhone 4 sucks. I’m so happy that I’m in my 30 day return window. I’m either going to get a bold 9700 or a captivate.

      • Kat

        GET THE CAPTIVATE!!!

  • Mark

    i have an iphone 3g currently and im debating between this captivate or the iphone 4. Ive never had an android phone so im hesitant to get one also because of the fact how every new phone released soon becomes obsolete in a matter of months because of the constant update cycle and how fast better phones are released. What do you all think? i really do like android for its openness and customization tho i really only like iphone for its applications

    • PhoneFan

      I have the Captivate and an iPhone.

      Captivate
      -great screen. 4 inches is awesome. Very noticeable compared to the iPhone.
      -More customizing than the iPhone
      -Good app selection but not quite as good at the iPhone
      -Best virtual keyboard on a smartphone, 2nd only to the iPhone
      -Battery life is less than the iPhone.

      iPhone
      -Easier to use than Android
      -Much better media player.
      -Better RF reception
      -Easier to use app store

      I would try one out at a store before buying. Each platform has advantages. Both devices are solid choices.

      • VeinyBoto

        I think you mean that the Captivate is a better media player since it can play .avi, mkv. wmv, rmv, (Divx, Xvid, H264 etc) whereas the iphone can only play .mp4 media.
        Also the Captivate can output to a TV via DLNA and 3.5mm headset port right?

        Also, you dont need Itunes approval to put a video or file on the phone.

      • JimJam

        No, he meant that as a media platform, Android currently blows in comparison to iTunes/iPhone.

        First, the music players all suck. Period. List management is awful, and the current geeks writing for Android know nothing about serious music management. Apple has been doing it for decades (Pro Tools, hello?). Second, the ecosystem for media manipulation rules on MacOS, and nothing manages multiple devices with tens of thousands of media files as well as iTunes-> iPhone.
        Third – what’s the name of the rental service for Android where I can download new releases to watch on the plane? Amazon? dont make me laugh. iTunes rules here as well. You’re going to downconvert any movie that you have in mkv, etc, to a smaller screen size anyways (unless you’re retarded), so you might as well output it to the decent mp4 format. Unless you don’t give a shit about quality, in which case you’re better off on an Android phone.

        Seriously, if you want to dweeb out on icons, and swapping out keyboard layouts and flashing ROMs from xda – be my guest, grab a nice plastic Droid or Captivate. But don’t be fucking clueless about media. iPhone is peerless in this area, and paints big facials on Android’s face in the morning, then tells it to swallow. It’s that much better.

      • Alter

        What about Zune? Better hardware, better software. Oh I know, it doesn’t have the same market penetration, blah, blah, blah. It’s still a better music experience.

      • Elrabin

        Hey JimJam, i can simply drag/drop the nice 720×480 resolution dvd rips i have in DIVX to my HTC incredible and they just play. 40 pixel black bar on either side of the picture.

        How is this difficult?

        No encoding in iTunes needed, no hassle. It just works.

      • JakeMG

        @Alter: Totally, 100% agreed. Why Microsoft doesn’t just market that to people looking for a good music experience, and not to iPod touch owners (or even not at all) is totally beyond me.

      • shawn

        Hah, firstly this article isnt about droids, and secondly the droid is a brick, and its not plastic anywhere. Sure its not glass on both sides like some piece of shit shatter prone phone that you dumb ass apple fan boys want, but what do i know

      • Danix180

        -Better RF reception .. are you s***ting me?

      • NatMax178

        Actually No he is not s***ting you. Go to consumer reports and read the review!

      • Celz

        You forgot google navigation, voice, and gmail (apple makes better media players android has better everything else).. and the iPhone might have a bigger app store but you wont find the apps that android users use like skyfire, launcher pro, file mangers, swype, etc.. you forgot removable storage and battery.. you probably meant WORSE RF reception.. Swype and shapewriter are way better than the iphone keyboard unless being made by apple is a feature, they are faster and easier to use.. the capitvate has a faster processor.. and you forgot facetime video chat too..

    • robert smith

      i have an apple 3g. i was seriously thinking about getting an iphone 4 until, well you know what. at first i was like i’m going to get a bumper anyways. then when apple told people well you’re holding it wrong i was like f-ck it! android phones don’t become “obsolete” after a few months. i think the thing about android is that they put whatever current technology that they possibly can into a phone. so i think they give it their all. unlike apple they do it in segments. apple makes good products. but i’m not a big fan of people telling me what i can or can not have when i spend over 2,000 dollars over the next two yrs. im getting a droid x

    • Catherine

      to be honest… the samsung captivate has a lot of apps just like the iphone im satisfied with my decision of taking the captivate over the iphone4 the only swaying matter was the skype which can only be used with people that have the iphone4… the captivate as a lot of things the iphone doesnt…. its so worth it!

      • richard

        im with you cathrine, im seriously thinking captivate over iphone 4, reason = i wanted the nexus one with live wallpapers, and all, the captivate certainly is a great substitute , i tried it in store, and nexus is only on at and t, and i cant afford unlocked one, it is a beautifull phone, screen is stunning is the real attraction for me, gotta decide, love the iphone 4 , cause of the smoothness and speed, but love the big screen on captivate, all the best to your decision, i got to make mine

  • http://www.drooljunkie.com Vibhor Goyal

    The iPhone 4 next to DroidX in the Gallery has got GV Mobile? How come? BGR has a JB iPhone 4?

  • http://alghienkad06.student.ipb.ac.id/ thea

    i like at&t

  • abi

    Is the review for the Captivate going to be released today?

  • tysj

    Are demo models already at AT&T retail locations?

  • abi

    I went to an AT$T store today in Sacramento, CA and played with a floor model of the Captivate. Display/color popped out of the screen, switching between screen/apps/going to the web was fast and it was running live wallpaper also…The carbon fiber back was nice too…Felt very light given its size…

  • UncleCarl

    Go go full review pre-release BGR!

  • http://www.itsagadget.com Andrei

    Samsung Captivate features a 4-inches display, Android 2.1, 1Ghz processor and a 5 megapixel camera. Will be released on July 18 and will cost an estimated $199, http://www.itsagadget.com/2010/07/samsung-captivate-will-be-released-soon-at-att.html

  • Stromson

    Dammit! Why must AT&T continue to block the installation of non-Market apps? Such a buzz-kill on an otherwise solid looking phone.

    • http://benandjacq.com Ben

      Honest Question: what apps are we missing by not being able to sideload. Total android n00b, but I’ve seen this on multiple sites. What apps are not in the market? And why aren’t they in the market?

      • Lane

        Apps that may be in current development/beta (ie Swype for most devices, though I hear this may come with it preinstalled), stuff that the developer doesn’t want to release on market, etc. A lot of developers offer a sideload version of their app even if they have it on market too (it can just be quicker to scan a tag and install the app than find it on market).

      • JakeMG

        You’re forgetting the MiKandi porn app store. I mean, if Jobs is going to say Android is a porn-supporting OS, let’s install the porn app store.

  • http://www.mymobilemarketing.net/ Mobile Marketing

    Anyone find a place to pre-order the Captivate? I’ve been looking on Wirefly, Amazon, Letstalk…etc.

    • bbnetter

      AT&T has not allowed preorders anyplace except RadioShack. They had it on radioshack.com for $199.99 plus a $50 gift card, but that has now ended. I think you have to wait until Sunday. Best deal as usual will probably be Wirefly, especially with Bing cashback.

    • Kuietstorm

      I’ve had my Captivate since Thursday. Some AT&T stores began releasing them then. I gotta tell you, the phone is HOTT!

      • richard

        i agree , i havnt been impressed with a phone this much since nexus one, i tried it in store, love the wallpapers too, and im a phone nut, i was sold on bigger screen like evo, but this one is just right, who cares about a few 2 or three tenths of more screen, good luck with yours hope you enjoy,

  • Moonbaseone

    I would have checked this phone out if it had a flash for the camera.

    I don’t understand why they would make it without one.

  • Toddfromalbes

    Just thought I’d drop this in. Just got 10 Captivates on my purchase order, retail cost was just over $470. I’m an authorized retailer, but I’m starting to doubt the $350 full retail even through COR.

  • Joe

    Epic on Sprint is the best of the bunch, followed by Verizon Facinate (just because it has flash).

  • johdaxx

    I don’t care about rooting a device to get around ATT’s stupid restrictions, but does this phone have that Fuse bootloader that prevents anyone from loading your own image? That freakin scares me…

  • kyzipster

    A lot of complaints about the cheap plastic feel, also a lot of good reviews about how slim and light it is compared to other phones with similar stats. I think there’s a connection here. Can’t have it both ways.

  • kmonk

    Umm… well I can say that I just switch from my Iphone 3g s, to this phone and i love it. the phone is light but its not cheap looking or feeling. the phone runs faster that my 3gs and the graphics are better and can i say not one dropped call on the phone like my iphone did all the time!

  • cag

    Need a skype bad

  • logan

    great review. love my captivates. great unlocked cell phones. processor is faster, it’s lighter and easy to navigate. fits right in my pocket and the apps, games, and all that is great. keeps me busy! much better than my old unlocked blackberry phones. gps and email are great for my business and keeping in touch with my clients. got our blackberry unlock codes and cell phone unlock codes for free! facebook and games are fun, it’s like my own little computer for everything I need! speaker phone is loud enough and the web browser is great for my fantasy team. got our last couple unlocked samsung phones at unlockthatphone.com 2 thumbs way up

  • K_stenn

    How do I close out the Nav application once I am in it?  I can remove it from the screen but it is still tracking the location and consuming energy.  I touch the house icon which changes it back to an icon but it is not closed.  Can you help me?

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