The Best Phone I've Owned To Date!! October 9, 2012

Reviewer:  rick storms 

I have had, well pretty much you name one of androids phones. I have never had a phone perform as well as this one. All the androids I always hade to do reboots, master resets at times, and in general freeze frames etc. And I'm talking about top of the line androids (They are junk!). Google will just push out anything as fast as possible. They Do Not give two craps about you or me. And this expecially includes there developers!!! Shocker!! Well I know because I was one of them and I will not ever be again. I starting developing applications for windows now. Once windows releases there true finished products they are going to be great. (Not some quick make a buck now sinario being done by android right from the start)Windows is going to devistate the android world!! I hope you don't have any GOOG stocks!!! This will start happening real soon to a planet near you! Thanks for your time and I truly hope this helps you make a easier descision! :-)Since I had left this review, I have now bought my wife one and she feels the same about it. There just simply the best phones!

Awesome Phone June 21, 2012

Reviewer:  Jordan 

Super fast. Easy to use. Light weight. Awesome display. Long battery life, around 18 hours of good useage. Lots of apps now, 100k!

Sleek and slim phone. April 30, 2012

Reviewer:  Shaun A. Maxson 

The hardware of the Focus S is phenomenal! It is amazingly slim with an awesome camera. The pictures that it takes often surprise me with their beauty. The phone is light and slim providing a good feel in one's pocket. It's display is bright and has very vivid colors. Windows phone 7 is surprisingly responsive, navigating menus is quick and painless. I am slightly disappointed in available apps for windows phone however that is hardly a knock on the phone itself. If you are looking for a Windows Phone this or the Nokia Lumia 800 are by far your best options.

Best OS ever March 28, 2012

Reviewer:  Devil_trojan 

I have used iPhone and Android in the past but this OS is the best. It is not just about grid of icons and apps but has true integration so that you need as many less apps as possible.

Incredible phone February 12, 2012

Reviewer:  Jeffrey Herrera 

This has got to be the greatest phone I've ever owned. Right out of the box, I synced my accounts all into this phone and haven't had to update anything about my contacts, updates, or calendar. These were all brought together seamlessly. In addition the battery has been keeping up with the downloads, apps running, pictures, and calls for days now.
It's super slim even with the protective case I have & sounds great. These speakers blare over the crowd, my favorite shows and music.
I have the battery saver option enabled which it hasn't even had to initiate.
I've had other windows phones but this one takes the cake. In flat competitions with other smart phones side by side the Focus S won hands down in voice, data, built in tools, and ease of use/portability.

GOODBYE ANDROID...HELLO WP7 January 18, 2012

Reviewer:  CJ "ChefJeff"  (Ozone Park NY) -

After years of dealing with buggy android phones, I've finally come home.
The Samsung Focus S is what a smartphone should be, plain and simply, it just works.
I've had 7 android phones, from locking up, to random reboots, and app crashes to name a few, it made me feel like smashing the F***ING phones against the wall!

Windows Phone works like a charm, smooth and fluid, no bugs, crashes or reboots.
People may say the platform is boring, you can't customize it, yada yada yada.
But I'd rather have a phone that works and does what it was meant to without issues.

The OS takes a bit getting used to, but that comes from years of dealing with the android platform.
I was also pleasantly surprised how well this phone works with AT&T, I was the biggest hater of AT&T, but everything from data connections, to call quality has been superb!

Try this phone, you won't be sorry, Amazon gives you 30 days to test drive it, so if by some reason your not happy, you can always return it, but you won't.

Amazing January 9, 2012

Reviewer:  steigerwald21 

My last phone was the HTC Arrive, so I knew what to expect from the Windows Phone OS (which, by the way, is completely underrated). As far as hardware is concerned, I am impressed. The phone is thin, light, and has the best screen I've ever seen on a phone. The Super AMOLED Plus display is bright and crisp; the best part is that the color black is so dark and deep. I thought I would miss having the physical keyboard (the Arrive had a fantastic keyboard), but Microsoft has made an excellent virtual keyboard and the fact that it's a 4.3" screen makes typing a breeze. The only thing that I would change is the placemnet of the external camera button; I would move it down a half inch or so. Yeah, when that's the only thing I can be picky about changing... the phone is pretty amazing.

Great device December 28, 2011

Reviewer:  Archie M Block 

I tend to change phones yearly. This one phone may stick around longer than that. The only issue it has that I have phone is that the auto-brightness changes too much. I assume it will be a quick software update to resolve, though.

Have it, love it. December 23, 2011

Reviewer:  Shaun T  (Springfield, IL) -

It's a great phone -- does everything I need with no effort on my parent. The XBOX integration is interesting, but what I enjoy most is being able to access my social networks on-the-go. No other phone I've tried does it as well as this phone.

Worthy upgrade to the original Focus December 23, 2011

Reviewer:  Michael Lekas "Curmudgeon in Training"  (Seattle, WA) -

For the last year I've been using a Samsung Focus, which is a very good phone with one limitation: screen size. Having a 4" screen is nice, but coming from a 4.3" HD2 before the Focus I found the browsing experience cramped on the Focus. The Windows Phone "Metro" Interface is very touch friendly, so most of the time I didn't mind the smaller screen.

Then I saw the Focus S. It is thinner, lighter, and the 4.3" screen is back to what I consider the right size for a phone screen. Browsing is a lot easier in desktop mode, with links appearing just the right size. I think the faster processor makes a difference in game load times and browser speed - I am able to view websites in Desktop mode and it performs very well. But for me the single greatest aspect of this phone is the screen - Super AMOLED Plus, with vibrant colors and very good brightness outdoors. 800x480 resolution does not seem pixelated on the screen, which was the case on my old HD2.

Some Samsung-exclusive apps include Now (a wide app when pinned to the homescreen that displays weather on the live tile); Tango (video conferencing app - I don't use it yet) and MiniDiary (a very useful app that lets you store images, sound and text as diary entries). Also the Focus S came with some exclusive sounds for message notification and ringtones.

Other comparisons with the original Focus:

- The 8MP camera is about the same quality as the 5MP from the Focus. I do not use the front-facing camera, but I can see how it would be nice during video chat.
- Size: it is wider and much thinner than the original Focus. The Back protrudes at the bottom, giving you a better sense of orientation.
- buttons: The power, camera and volume buttons stick out farther than on the original Focus. This was annoying at first, but I got a phone case ([[ASIN:B006GHAYX4 Case-mate Barely There Case for Samsung Focus S i937 - Blue [AT&T Retail Packaging]]]) that helped with accidental button pushes. Incidentally it makes the phone look great - a little like the blue accents on the new Nokia Lumia 800.
- Battery Life: longer than the Focus. I frequently end the day with 1/3 battery charge remaining (with the focus it would be drained).
- micro-USB port is on the bottom now! This is great for orienting your phone in a dock or holder (as the Focus would have a cable sticking out of the top).
- storage: the Focus had 8GB internal and a micro-SD port that could expand by another 32GB. The Focus S has 16GB internal and no expansion. Although a step back, I still haven't filled up my 16GB yet.
- screen: bigger, same resolution. Brightness is dimmer by default (due to aggressive battery saving settings), but enabling Medium brightness on the Focus S is brighter than the Focus in default.

Overall I'm very happy with my upgrade, and extremely happy with the phone overall.

Best Phone I've Ever Used! December 23, 2011

Reviewer:  Todd 

After switching from old Windows Mobile(5.x/6.x) devices to iPhone years ago, I was really hesitant to give Microsoft another chance. After 1 month of using the Focus S, I can honestly say that I'm really glad I gave them that second chance. This phone is simply the best phone I've ever used. The user interface is unique, refreshing, simple and super SMOOTH. I love the dedicated hardware camera button and the screen is absolutely gorgeous. I'm not a huge fan of the light, plastic(y) feel (compared to iPhone) but I am adjusting.

The fact that my wife, an avid iPhone user is even considering Windows Phone as her next...speaks volumes (to me at least)

FYI - I originally purchased a Galaxy SII Skyrocket to replace the iPhone but returned/exchanged it (for the Focus S) after only a week (see below). Also, Amazon Wireless customer service also gets 5 stars for the exchange process.

Galaxy SII Skyrock Review
[...]

Patience if the mother of all virtues December 22, 2011

Reviewer:  Yves Pitteloud  (San Diego, California United States) -

After witnessing the evolution of the iPhone and the arrival of android, I found myself still hesitating and not buying one of them. One year ago, when Microsoft announced their Windows Phone, I was intrigued by its user interface which is very different than what I was used to while I was "playing" with the iPhone or android.

One month ago, during Thanksgiving weekend, my wife and I took the decision to upgrade her phone and got a Windows Phone / Samsung Focus S. We are not very tech savvy people and our experience with this phone has been very satisfying. It was very easy for us to link her personal hotmail accounts and professional Outlook account. We easily connected the phone to her FB. Downloading music and pictures was very easy as well.

The day to day usage of the phone (calling someone, answering calls, accessing contacts, sending pictures, writing txt messages, reading/writing emails, etc.) was not a problem at all. My wife loves it and she is very satisfied.

Overall, Windows Phone is for our needs an excellent product so far. No buyer's remorse. I don't need anymore to play with an iPhone or an android phone to find out which one suits our needs the best. Our patience paid off.

Very Happy Former iPhone User December 22, 2011

Reviewer:  Louis W. 

I feel like iOS was a real game changer. It said, "Hello, welcome to the 21st century."

Windows Phone comes along and says, "Welcome to century 21.1."

That is, iOS feels like it belongs in the last decade, and the Windows Phone design is where we're currently at in this second decade of the 21st century.

As for this particular phone, even though it's got a bigger screen and is a bit taller, it's lighter than the iPhone.

The pixel density at ~217 pixels per inch, is pretty good. It's not as high as Apple's Retina display (around 326 ppi), but tremendously better than the 3GS's 163 ppi. 54 pixels may not sound like a lot, but on the whole it's about a 25% improvement. Combined with the Super AMOLED Plus techonology, we get the tremendous visual improvements.

I once read the reason that Apple keeps a 3.5" display is because the average human hand is too small for anything bigger. Trust me, that is absolutely ridiculous. 4.3" is so much better. You'll actually use the web browser on this screen.

The phone is very fast and snappy. I need to switch between English and Japanese keyboards often, and this was really slow in iOS 5. There was a tap-delay. On Windows Phone, the keyboards switch instantly. It's the little things like this that add up.

The battery life is very good. I don't have any numbers but I think the auto-brightness setting really does a good job at maxing out battery life. It should definitely last all day.

I have been having a problem with the camera not detecting that I'm holding it to my ear, and my cheek keeps pressing the speakerphone button.

Simple put: the best phone I've ever had December 22, 2011

Reviewer:  pseudosavant  (California) -

This phone is by far the best phone I have ever had. I've had an iPhone 4, Blackberry, Palm Pre, Treos, etc. So much better.

Pros:
Excellent battery life, great camera, and the best screen of any phone. The OS, email app, Office, web browser, and hardware are fast and fluid.

The on-screen keyboard is the best phone keyboard I have ever experienced, even better than the iPhone 4's. The built-in Facebook and Twitter integration is excellent too. Even the ringtones, sms alerts, etc sounds are really good.

Also, I absolutely love the dedicated camera button. All cell phones should have one.

Cons:
The voice controls aren't as sophisticated as Siri on the iPhone 4S. I do use it to text pretty regularly, but that is about all it is useful for in this version of Windows Phone.

Fast, light, bright & sleek December 9, 2011

Reviewer:  T. Ido "nyc male"  (NYC, NY) -

Love this phone! The OS is simply easier to use (and more FUN to use) than either iPhone or Android. This phone is fast, light, bright & sexy. People can't believe how light it is! And, in my opinion, the sleek design makes the iPhone look dated & clunky. I highly recommend this phone to anyone who's willing to take a chance & march to the beat of their own drum. You won't be disappointed. I'm even considering buying one for my mom.

Great Phone December 6, 2011

Reviewer:  Bradley D. McPeak 

This phone is really the most intuitive user-friendly device I've ever used. I've had Android (Gingerbread) and iPhone (iOS 4) and I find this phone to be more fun and easier to use than either of those. If you want to do a few things on your phone (answer email, browse the web, order from Amazon, read on a Kindle, Netflix, text, etc) this is the phone to get. If you use a lot of esoteric apps, then you'll probably prefer the versatility of Android or Apple.

after using it for a week November 12, 2011

Reviewer:  Jeff Peltier 

Clearly the best smart phone I've used to date. Anroid and Iphone 4 seemed like a step sideways regarding the UI but everything is intuitive with this phone. My wife switched from verizon to sprint to get their arrive a while back and she is so much more comfortable using it. I switched from Verizon to this one after fooling around with both the iphone and a couple of androids and wondered why I wasted my time with them. Battery life is excellent. I went 3 days without charging (phone use, email, some browsing, a few pictures and an occasional video). In the past, I would occasionally make 2 days, doing the same thing. Some people seem to associate light with cheap, but being able to leave this phone in my pocket while running and not have it bouncing around is a very much appreaciated. In the past, I had to hold the phone in my hand, so it wasn't a problem. Both camera quality and video seem very good and having everything synced with my other computers automaticlly is a huge plus. Doesn't matter where I change something, it's current with everything else almost instantly. One thing I would like to see improved is when automaticlly uploading pictures to skydrive, that I have an option to do so, without compressing. Currently, to get the full file, I have to upload through zune to my computer.
Also, password protected Office files don't open through Live Mesh. I sent them a request to get that done, so hopefully that will be there soon.
I was apprehensive about switching th At&t, but the coverage, so far is as good or better than Verizon.

Just a complete joy to use. August 14, 2012

Reviewer:  Snowgator 

I have owned this device since November 2011 and it is as much a pleasure to use today as when we first got it. Easily one of the best devices to ever run Windows Phone 7, it is a seamless, fantastic experience. The tile UI which makes up the home screen is a unique and very useful tool. Your favorite tools, apps, web stes and shortcuts can all be attached to the main screen in a square tile, and one tap opens it up within seconds. Tired of it, or want some bloat gone? Just uninstall it. It is like Microsoft was the first to find out this is your phone.

The Media plays very well on the Focus S, and Samsung's screens continue to perform well. Bright and vibrant, images pop off and colors excel. There are great tools- Microsoft Office has a very useful mobile version of Office installed, the Calander is as useful of a tool as I have ever come acrossed, "Local Scout" is great for food, movies and events, Zune player is a fantastic music/video service. If you are a social media nut, WP has changed the game with the intergration of your mobile sites into the "People" hub. Load up your information, and addresses, contacts, pictures, and phone numbers come in automatically and Birthdays get attached to the calander all at once. Samsung also provides an exclusive called "Chat On" which also does wonders for social media. "XBOX LIVE" hub is fun and will keep the Gamer happy. The app selection is now over 100,00 and still counting. The on screen keyboard is decent with good spell check options. Reception and call quality are great. IE9 is smooth as the web browser.

Only concerns: 16 GB hard storage with no expandable memory, the camera is decent but nothing special, the speaker phone quality is only average, and there is no support for "Flash" video.

Cannot say enough good things. Do not worry about support- Microsoft is pushing a major upgrade out to WP 7 devices dubbed WP 7.8 and apps will continue to be written for these devices when WP 8 comes out.

WP7 = Vista. CAN NOT upgrade to WP8! June 21, 2012

Reviewer:  JJ  (Los Angeles, CA United States) -

This phone is AWESOME! WP7.5 is intuitive, although its UI needs refinements still; which I was counting on MS for future upgrade when I bought it. Today's WP8 announcement by MS confirmed ALL current WP7 devices CAN NOT upgrade to WP8, really Microsoft?! Talking about epic fail. Who in the right mind would code a OS without supporting legacy hardware? Microsoft would and did LOL. MS said WP7 device will get 7.8 upgrade which is WP8 like. That will be the last major update for all WP7 devices.

Enough rants, I mainly use it to sync with Outlook via MS Office 365, which costs 6 bucks a month. You can also sync Outlook via MS Live, a "free" service like GMail. But like Google, MS Live has virtually no privacy. Everything you do with MS Live are subject to be scanned for marketing purpose.

WP7 & MS Office 365 works surprisingly well, it's almost seamless. It's deal for small business owners who want to sync with Outlook & MS office. MS Office 365 monthly fee is actually very competitive, it offers feature like web app, web hosting, cloud service...etc.

If you want to play HD games, then better wait for WP8 devices which will support multi-core CPU and high end mobile GPU.

Beatiful, fast and easy to use January 30, 2012

Reviewer:  Brian M. Hughes  (Bellevue, WA USA) -

As someone who used the original Samsung Focus, it's fantastic to see how they improved the phone for the Focus S. The phone is super thin and light, surprisingly so actually. It's a bit wide though, so check out the Focus Flash if you have smaller hands. The screen is fantastic with amazing contrast, and some of the best blacks I've ever seen on a cell phone. The processor is also very fast. There's almost no slowdown except in the most demanding of apps.

The front facing camera is fantastic as well. I've used it in a few Tango video calls (just waiting for Skype now!).

The OS itself is great to use. I love the Xbox Live integration. There's lots of good apps out there now too.

I would highly recommend this phone.