Straight Talk Samsung Galaxy Precedent Review

I thought I was going to have a couple of weeks before I needed to work on my Staight Talk Samsung Galaxy Review.  Like I mentioned in my Straight Talk Samsung Galaxy Preview, the Straight Talk website (the only place you can currently order this phone) said the phones wouldn't ship for a couple of weeks.  I guess 2 to 3 weeks in Straight Talk time is the equivaluent of less than one week of real time because mine arrived today!

I noticed on the bottom left corner that it says CDMA-S and the bottom right shows the map that says Nationwide Coverage on America's Best Networks.  The support reps on Straight Talk's Facebook page have stated that the Galaxy will run on Sprint.  All signs here seem to confirm that, but I'll verify once I get it unboxed.

Here's the code from the bar code sticker on the bottom of the box:

The box itself is pretty standard for Straight Talk with the flap that opens to reveal the phone and list more features.

Here are the features in case it's a litte small to read:

• 3.2" Touch Screen
• Android 2.2 (an older version of Android)
• 3g/Wi-Fi Connectivity
• 2MP Camera/Video Recorder
• Bluetooth
• Multitasking
• Instant Messaging
• Hearing Aid Compatible (HACI M4/T4
• GPS Enabled
• 5 Home Screens
• Download over 250,000 Android Apps (Angry Birds?) 
• Supports microSD card up to 32GB
• Gravity Sensor/Tilt and Shake
• Battery Talk Time up to 6 hours
• Stand By Time up to 9 days
• Includes Battery, Charger, 2GB microSD Memory Card, Activation Card, Services Guide, and User Manual

Did I just read that it comes with a 2GB microSD memory card?

It's time to unbox this puppy and see how it looks!

Yes, it comes with a 2GB micrSD card.  I came in the phone, but I took it out for the pic.

It also comes with a usb cord and charger and all the standard Straight Talk pamplets (not pictured).

Here's the unbox video I posted on Youtube:

Tip:  Read the instructions and activate on the Straight Talk website before turning on the phone.  Otherwise, it sits there and thinks for a few minutes before it comes back and tells you it can't activate.  Aside from that, the activation process went smoothly.

One of the first things I did was go to the Android Marketplace and download a free, though it has ads, version of Angry Birds.  Success!  It plays pretty well, but not quite as smoothly as on an iPhone.  

Please excuse the lousy photography when I take pictures of the screen.  It's hard to take a decent picture of a phone's screen, and the actual screen doesn't have those funny lines. 

9/9/11

Here's a new video I made covering some of the main features of the phone.

So far, everything on the phone seems to work as it should, and I haven't found anything that's been locked down like is sometimes the case with TracFone, Net10, or Straight Talk phones.

Tomorrow I'll take a little drive outside of the Sprint coverage area to see if roaming works. <crossing fingers>

9/10/11

I did test of the Straight Talk Samsung Galaxy coverage area, and unfortunately I found that it does not do roaming.  Once I left the Sprint service area, I had no voice or data service.  Click here to read more about my test.

One thing I did notice was that the GPS worked fine even when I was out of the voice/data coverage area.  It's too bad you can't use the GPS satellites for voice and data coverage!  One issue was that Google Maps couldn't download the higher resolution maps as I drove along outside of the coverage, so I soon got into an area where the map was a little fuzzy.

Once I got back into the service area, I called home to tell my wife that we were on our way home.  I asked her what she thought of the call quality with the Precedent, and she thought it sounded better than the iPhone.  I don't know if that's because the phone is better or because it's using Sprint instead of AT&T, but I agreed with her that the call quality sounded good.

9/12/11

I've been asked several questions, so I'll pull together the answers here.

First, I've been asked a few times is I recommend this phone.  My answer is that as long as you are OK with the Sprint coverage area, then I do recommend the Straight Talk Samsung Galaxy Precedent.  Everything works as advertised, and having access to the apps in the Android market is a big plus.  Sure, there are more expensive phones out there, but at $149.99 with no contract on the $45/month unlimited plan, I have no problems recommending this phone.

The Precedent does do 3 way calling.  If you call the first person, then hit the menu button, you will have the option to add a call.  That puts the first person on hold, and if you press the menu button again you can merge the calls.  When you hang up, it ends the entire call and hangs up on everyone.

The text messaging is organized into threads, so you can see the whole conversation.

There is a Netflix app that you can download, but I found the playback to be a little stuttery, and it gets a buffering message every couple of minutes.  Overall, the Netflix app isn't an enjoyable experience on this phone.  Youtube videos, on the other hand, have all played flawlessly for me.

You can configure the phone to unlock using a pattern on a grid of 9 circles, or a PIN, or a password.  If you don't configure any lock settings, then you just swipe a little unlock icon across the screen.  Here's a picture of the 9 circles thing:

What you do is configure a pattern through the circles that you swipe with your finger to unlock the phone.

Tomorrow I'll write some thoughts about the voice recognition features, and I'll post the answers to more questions.

9/13/11

When I first received the phone, I had tested some of the voice recognition features, and found that the phone was surprisingly accurate in translating speech into text.  

One place you can use voice recognition is on the Google search widget on the home page.  You can touch the box to type in your search term, or you can touch the microphone icon and say your search term, and it will magically translate your speech into text and pull up the search results.  Kinda cool!

Another place you can use the voice recognition is on the keyboard.  That way you can say the words for a text message, or whatever other short sentence you might want to enter.

This had all worked great until yesterday, when everthing I said was translated into text totally wrong.  After pulling my hair out for a while, I finally figured out that I had accidentally hit the button on the keyborard that switches the voice recognition from EN (English) to ES (Espanol).  Note to self, speaking words in English produces weird results when your phone is set for Spanish.

The EN/ES toggle key is on the bottom row next the the SYM key, which brings up the symbols keyboard.  It's all too easy to toggle your voice recognition into ES if you're not careful.

The microphone key to activate the voice recognition is on the bottom right of the keyboard.

I was asked today if the phone does picture text messaging.  I tested that tonight, and it worked just fine.

9/18/11

I've tested the Android voice actions on the Precedent some more, and it's pretty slick.  Here are the options:

send text, listen to, navigate to, call, send email, map of, go to, note to self, directions to.

But rather than me trying to explain how it all works, here's a video Google put out that explains how the voice commands work.  They all seem to work as advertised on the Precedent.

One thing I learned from my testing is that the voice to text feature isn't very accurate when a four year old is doing the speaking, but a four year old will endlessly pester her daddy, and find it wildly entertaining, to let her say words to see what words the phone comes up with when it translates it to text.  If you also have young children, you've been warned.  :-)

The Straight Talk Samsung Galaxy Precedent and the Boost Prevail are physical close, so any of the Boost Prevail Accessories that you find will work with the Precedent.  I do recommend a screen protector, because I have caused a few little scratches in the screen already after using the phone for 10 days now.  The body of the phone still looks fine, but the screen has a few hairline scratches.

The Precedent does not have a proximity sensor, so when you place a call the phone locks.  If you need to use the dialpad again during the call, or when it's time hang up, you press the power button to unlock the display.  You can then swipe the dial pad slider up to show the dialpad, or you can swipe the end call icon across the screen to hang up.  It's all intuitive, and I didn't find it very cumbersome.

I was asked if the wifi works, and I not noticed any problems with the wifi.

I was asked if you can change the wallpaper, and you can access several options when you press the menu button.  One is to use one of your pictures on the phone or from your picasa gallery.  You can also select from some images that come with the phone.  There is also what it called live wallpaper, where the image can move and change.  For example, the one I have now shows blades of grass swaying in the breeze and the sky changes from day to night based on the time.  It's maybe a little gimmicky, but it's pretty neat.

Another question was whether you can upgrade to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).  It looks like Gingerbread required a 1Ghz processor, and the Precedent has a 800mhz processor, so you won't be able to run Gingerbread on the Precedent.

This brings up another point about the fact the the Precedent is an entry level Android phone.  Let me just say it:  The Precedent is an entry level Android phone.  If money is no object, then by all means go out and buy a new high-end Android phone or iPhone and sign up for a 2-year contract.  If money doesn't grow on trees for you, however, and you don't care if you don't have the latest and greatest fastest whizbang bells and whistles phone, then I think you will find that the Precedent will meet your needs just fine.

More to come...  

If you have questions about the phone that you want me to try to answer, please leave a comment!

If you want to order a Straight Talk Samsung Galaxy for yourself, you'll can go to the Straight Talk website and enter your zip code to see if it's available in your area. 

Comments

[Cassey]

How is the phone working for you so far now?
I just ordered it and was hoping for some kinda feedback from people. and so far your the only person i can find with some kinda feedback on this phone.

[Keith Tyndall]

Cassey - So far the phone is working as advertised. All of the Android features seem to work, and I haven't found anything that's been locked down. It's not blazingly fast, but not so slow that it's cumbersome. Is there anything in particular you want me to test?

[zz]

can you please test google voice and call internationally- someplace like canada or something. If you have no place, call like a walmart in canada (google). Also are you using phone data and not wifi to download the apps. Thanks for your help.

[Donna]

I am interested in purchasing one, the store representative at WalMart Chipley, Fl said this phone runs off Verizon network.

[Keith Tyndall]

zz - I just downloaded an app using the 3G instead of the WiFi, and it worked just fine.
Unfortunately, I don't currently have a Google Voice account setup, so I can't test an international call just yet.

[Keith Tyndall]

Donna - While some other Straight Talk phones use the Verizon network, this one definitely uses Sprint.
Also, as far as I know, you can currently only order it from the Straight Talk website. Here's a link that will send you to their order page.
http://www.fone-review.com/Straight-Talk-Samsung-Galaxy-Order

Did you see this phone in a Wal Mart store?

[Matt]

How does the phone compare with Virgin Mobile's LG Optimus V, if you have had any experience with it? I'm in the market for my first android phone, and those are the two I've narrowed it down to. Also, can you use the hotspot on the Straight Talk Samsung Galaxy Precedent?
Thanks a lot.

[Gracie]

Have you tested the roaming areas yet? I will mostly be in roaming areas and if this phone doesn't work i will have to return it when it gets here :(

[Mark]

I agree with Gracie.
Where I live is mainly only roaming area.
So could you please check it out in areas that are roaming to see if you get good signal on calls, internet and 3g coverage as well. Please and thank you :)

[Cassey]

what tower dose it run off of??

[Keith Tyndall]

Matt - I don't have first hand experience with the LG Optimus V, but looking at the specs it seems almost identical to the Galaxy Precedent. My thought would be to pick the company/plan that you think works best for you.
Straight Talk has $45/month for unlimited talk, text, and web. For $45/month VM gives you unlimited web and text, but only 1200 minutes. It costs $55 to have unlimited everything on VM. Of course, they also have a $35 plan that has unlimited web and text, but only 300 talk minutes.
So whether Straight Talk or Virgin Mobile would be a better deal just depends on how you think you would use the phone. As for the phones themselves, I think you're going to find the experience very similar.
The Precedent does not have the hotspot feature that I could find. According to the Q&As on the VM website, the Optimus does not offer hotspot functionality either.

[Keith Tyndall]

Gracie and Mark - I tested the roaming capability today, and unfortunately, it did not go into roaming when I left the Sprint coverage area.

http://tracfone-blog.fone-review.com/2011/09/straight-talk-samsung-galaxy-precedent-coverage-area.html

The call quality when you do have service is good. My wife commented that she thought it sounded better than the iPhone.

(I have updated this review with these new findings)

Cassey - It runs off Sprint towers.

[wrziegler]

Does this phone permit 3 - way calling?

[bob newhart]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArZuVtIV-VM this review explains some great stuff about this phone if you are interested!

[Megan]

what is your overall opinion on the phone? is it worth buying?

also is the text messages set up in a conversation?

[Keith Tyndall]

wrziegler and Megan - I've updated the review to answer your questions, but here's a quick answer: It permits 3 way calling, I do think it is worth buying if you're OK with the Sprint coverage area, and the text messages are organized into threads.

[Joel]

I have seen conflicting remarks on this phones true carrier coverage. Some say it is Sprint and others say Nextel/Boost, I am trying to determine the actual carrier because I am currently using Nextel/Boost and am sick of having NO signal and dropped calls in my house! Wheras guests I have had over with Sprint, Verizon and AT&T all have decent signal. This factor is my only hangup from getting this phone & service. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[James]

Seen this phone in the Renton, WA Walmart.

[Keith Tyndall]

Joel - It's confusing because Sprint and Nextel merged several years ago, but the Precedent phone has the Nextel coverage area, which is the same as Boost and Virgin Mobile.

James - Thanks for the update! I was wondering when they would start showing up in Wal Mart stores.

[Aztd1.wordpress.com]

STAY AWAY FROM THIS PHONE! I was told it was on the Verizon network and when I received it Friday I called to activate it and couldn't get a signal. That's when I finally found out it's on Sprint only, which means you won't be able to use it in most of the country. Not only that, you have to pay the $45 for the month even though you can't use it, AND you have to pay to send it back. Total rip-off.

[Brandy]

I am curious about the touch screen. I have owned several touch screens that do not also have key pads and that was a problem. In my experience, once the touch screen starts acting up (freezing, locking up)you are very limited as to what you can do with the phone. Have you noticed any type of freezing up with the keypad?

[Keith Tyndall]

Brandy - I've not had any problems with the touch screen keypad freezing or locking up.

[Bill]

Keith
Can you still make calls out of service area? Statement above you said the voice was better than Iphone when you have no service.

[Bill]

Keith
Sorry I miss read, ignore previous post

[Aren]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on using the onscreen keyboard for texting. I read in a review of a similar phone (the Ssamsung Galaxy s2, I think?) that the swipe texting was a bit wonky.

I've never had any kind of touchscreen or smartphone (my current phone is an LG 290C, through Straight Talk), so I'm definitely interested in this one, but I don't want to spend $150 on a phone if I don't like the onscreen keyboard.

[Keith Tyndall]

Aren - I know that some people loved the "swype" functionality where you trace your words over the keyboard without lifting your finger between letters. I tried it, though, and didn't really like it.

Instead, I type out the letters just like normal. I find that the typing is easiest for me if I turn the phone sideways (landscape) and use my thumbs.

Of course, the easiest way for short sentences is to use the voice control. You press the microphone key and say your words, and voila! - the phone translates it to text and types it for you!

[Marc Jackson]

How has the wifi been for you? I have a Droid X and got rid of it due to wifi not working properly and currently have a cheap straight talk to test the system.

Thanks
Marc Jackson

[Keith Tyndall]

Marc - I use the wifi when I am at home, and it has worked flawlessly on the Precedent, even in the back bathroom where the wifi signal is weak.

[Aren]

Thanks for the reply, Keith. Based on price and features, and heavily influenced by your excellent review, I think I'll be ordering myself one of these this week. : )

Keep up the good work!

[Jeff]

First off, let me say that I have spent several hours looking for info for this phone on several sites, and your site is by far the most helpful! Great job, Keith!! :D
Anyways, I was wondering about the android system. Do you think this phone will ever get an update for the android 2.3 (Gingerbread) system? It would stink if it was one of the few Galaxy phones to not get the update. :( Thanks in advance!!

[Keith Tyndall]

Jeff - It's good to hear that you've found my review helpful! From what I understand, Gingerbread requires a 1Ghz processor, and the Precedent has 800mhz, so unfortunately I don't think you would be able to upgrade this phone to Gingerbread.

[Karen Whitney]

I have a few questions: 1) Does it have a flash for the camera and video; 2) What is the picture/video quality like; 3) Can you enter street addresses for the contacts; 4) Can you enter email and/or notes for contacts. 5) What about a photo in the contacts; 6) Can you use DocsToGo on this phone Thank you!

[Keith Tyndall]

Karen - 1) There is no flash for pictures.
2) It has a 2MP camera, so the picture quality is average. Outdoor pictures in bright light come out better than indoor pictures.
3) and 4) and 5) For contacts you can enter a photo, First Name, Last Name, multiple phone numbers, multiple email addresses, multiple street addresses, multiple organizations, multiple IM names, notes, nickname, and multiple websites. There's no shortage of options for contacts!
6) I downloaded the free version of DocsToGo, but it is so limited it's hard to tell how well it works. The phone comes standard with ThinkFree Office, and I was able to use that to view a pdf.

[Jeff]

Hey Keith,
I thought you would like to know that not long ago, a friend of mine called S.T. with that android update question, and they said that it might get the update. In disbelief, I called them and asked the same question. This time the answer was actually more certain. He told me that the precedent will "most likely" get the update. :O Either that 1ghz setback doesn't pertain to this phone, or your more knowledgeable than the S.T. representatives. xD
P.S. I asked if they have plans of releasing more touch screen smarts, and he wasn't sure about the touch screen part, but he made it sound like most of their phones that they haven't released yet are going to be smartphones! :O OK, I'll shush now. :P

[Androidfonefan]

Keith.
I was wondering if you could try out Android Assistant on the phone to see if it helps free up resources and keep the phone running smoothly, do any VOIP apps work on the phone for those times you might be outside of your tower area but near a McDonalds and maybe some free WiFi. And do apps like AppMonster work well on the phone? AM can move some apps off the phone on to the SD card to free up the phones physical memory. Sometimes Android Assistant can do this too but not always.

[Nicholas Tim Murphy]

Hey Keith I was wondering if you have any idea when this phone will be in springfeild missouri?Also your review was very helpful for me and will any android apps work with this phone?And can you see how many apps you can run at a time?

[Nicholas Tim Murphy]

Oh yea I 4got to ask but can you see what reading a book would be like on this phone? Please and thank you Keith.

[Keith Tyndall]

Jeff - It appears that there's confusion in the Android world over the processor requirements for Android. LG made a statement that it requires a 1GHz processor, and then later someone from the Android team said that there's no hard processor requirement. So who knows. :-) It does make me wonder though, whether Gingerbread would run well on a 800MHz phone, so maybe you wouldn't want to upgrade even if you technically could.
http://phandroid.com/2010/12/08/wrong-android-teams-dan-morrill-says-no-1ghz-requirement-for-gingerbread/

[Keith Tyndall]

Nicholas - I don't know when the Precedent will be in Springfield. They didn't have them at the Walmart on W. Sunshine, but I haven't checked the others.
You can run any app for Android 2.2, but some of them might require more resources that this entry level phone can provide. For instance, the Netflix app would run on this phone, but after a couple of minutes it stops and says it's buffering. So it can run the app, just not well.
As for how many apps it can run, I went to Settings -> Application Settings -> Manage Applications and pressed the Running tab. It shows about 30 apps running, but many of those are small apps for Android system functions. I have gotten in the habit of actually exiting apps when I'm done so that they will not be running in the background tying up resources.

[Keith Tyndall]

Nicholas - Reading a book on the Precedent would not be ideal, but probably not much worse than on most other smart phones. If you have the money, the iPhone4 has a better screen resolution and several high-end Android phones have bigger screens, either of which makes reading easier.
I downloaded the ESV Bible app by Crossway, and I find that I can read the text just fine.