SPECIFICATIONS
Operating System: Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
CPU: 1.2GHz Quad-<ore Cortex-AS Processor
LCD size: 4.7 inches
Physical Dimension: 1333 x 70.7 x 9.7mm
Weight 143.9g
Band: GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz; HSDPA: 900/2100MHz
Memory: 1GB RAM; 8GB internal memory; microSD up to 32GB
WHAT’S HOT
- Runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean OS
- Powerful processor
- Dual-SIM support with smart dual-SIM feature
- Decent battery life
WHAT’S NOT
- Low resolution display
- No ambient light sensor
- Only 720p video recording
- Poor front camera and mediocre rear camera
- Slight lag during wake up
BOTTOMLINE
If you’re looking for awesome performance and features in a mid-range budget, the Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro is the right choice to go for.
In ltalian,”quattro” means “four:’ When I was handed the “quattro” phone for review, I immediately wondered what its connection is with four. Perhaps it’s the phone’s 4.7-inch display, or maybe its 480 x BOO pixels of resolution? Hmm.
REVIEW
The Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro, also known as the Galaxy Win Duos, has a 4.7-inch capacitive touch-screen display with a resolution of 480 x BOO pixels and 198-ppi density. It offers a 1.2GHz Quad-core Cortex-AS processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage. Likewise, it has dual-SIM support that features micro-SIM slots.
A good thing about Galaxy Grand Quattro is its build quality. In fact, the material used in this device is nothing less than the material used in premium Galaxy phones. Curved corners and a chrome finish mean that the device is good to hold and feels very solid on the hand. At 143.9-grams, it’s quite lighttoo.
Up front, there are the usual home and capacitive keys. The home key is slightly in relief, which makes it nicely accessible. The power key, which doubles as a lock/unlock key, is placed to the right, while the volume rocker is nicely placed to the left, matching the phone’s shiny bezel. The 3.5mm headset jack is aptly located on top. The port for charging and data syncing is located at the bottom, as well as the microphone hole. On the glossy, rear side is the 5-megapixel camera that’s accompanied with a LED flash and a speaker.
The home screen of the Grand Quattro is practically the same as other Samsung devices nowadays. The phone’s 4.7-inch TFT display with 480 x BOO pixels of resolution at 198ppi density is obviously not great, and it has no ambient light sensor, but the good news is that everything, including the images and viewing angles, appear smooth. Even up close, the images look good and soothing to the eyes.
Running on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean OS, the phone offers customizable quick launch apps that launch your favorite apps right from the lock screen, as well as a Smart Alert system that alerts you of notifications through a vibrating motion when you pick it up from rest. It also features Google Now, an app that allows you to do a variety of things, like search via the Google search engine or apply different voice commands. Setting my alarm at 6 am, calling my best friend’s mobile number, and setting weekly schedules didn’t feel like a chore so I had a particularly good time with Google Now. It was the sloth in me that enjoyed it best, and with the Grand Quattro’s Shake to Update feature enabled by the phone’s Motion UX function, I felt like I was being coddled like a baby.
As for the camera, you get a VGA camera on the front and a 5-megapixel camera at the rear. But while camera features such as Continuous Shot, Best Photo, Color Effect, and Scene Mode enhance the photo-taking experience, the results are not really encouraging-at least when compared to a few other phones in the same segment. With videos, the 198ppi gives decent visuals. The problem though is that the Grand Quattro cannot handle full HD, so videos tend to lag and appear pixelated during playback. It’s also disappointing that the phone doesn’t have a touch-to-focus feature during videography.
One app that you will find similar to other Galaxy devices is the Music Player. It’s the same music player you get from the Galaxy Grand Duos and the Galaxy Note II. When playing music, you can turn over the phone to pause. By and large, the music capability of this phone is very good, plus, voice clarity is excellent. With the Sound Alive enhancement, you can fiddle with a lot of preset equalizers and custom options to set different kinds of effects to your music.
Internet browsing on the Grand Quattro feels effortless. Double-tapping and pinch-zooming on the screen is fluid and quick. The 1GB of RAM is enough for playing high-quality games and running large applications. With 2,000 mAh, you also get decent battery life. If you’re using the device for heavy email, moderate browsing, and calling-with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned off-it should last you throughout the day.
All in all, the Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro, or the Galaxy Win Duos, has got a lot of nice features, not to mention, a Ul that’s also very smooth and fast. It’s a revolutionary device that combines powerful performance with smart multi-tasking and advanced usability. If you’re looking for awesome performance and features in a midrange budget, look no further, the Grand Quattro is the right choice.
Words by Janelle M. Bustilla
First published in Gadgets Magazine, September 2013