First truly 4G AT&T phone is the Samsung Infuse

Do not imagine the hype: the Samsung Infuse 4G may be AT&T's first true 4G cellphone, however AT&T would not seem to have the network to back up the Infuse's HSPA+ 21 speeds. The Infuse is the primary cellphone we have examined that packs an extra-large, 4.5-inch touch screen. It is also amazingly thin-thinner even than the Samsung Galaxy S 4G ($199, four stars) on T-Mobile. Nonetheless, a couple of quibbles here and there add as much as a cellphone that is excellent, but not great.

This is a stellar multimedia machine. The usual-dimension 3.5mm headphone jack is all the time a plus, and Samsung includes a full-sounding wired set of stereo earbuds within the box. Music tracks additionally sounded clear and detailed through Samsung Modus HM6450 Bluetooth headphones ($99, four stars). Standalone SD and 720p HD videos performed smoothly and vibrantly in full display screen mode. The deep black levels and boosted coloration intensity really showed here. There is no kickstand, however that's an inexpensive tradeoff contemplating how skinny the Infuse 4G is. Samsung additionally features a microUSB-to-HDMI dongle for hooking the Infuse 4G as much as a tv, but the dongle also requires simultaneous use of the AC adapter; name that one a non-starter.

There's 14.6GB of onboard inner storage. That helps offset how Samsung buried the microSD slot behind the battery; my 32GB SanDisk card labored positive, and Samsung throws in an extra 2GB card as well.

The Infuse 4G packs two cameras: an 8-megapixel auto-focus digital camera on again with a big LED flash, and a a lot less helpful, 1.three-megapixel entrance-dealing with camera. There's nonetheless no good video chat program for Android, so forget the front camera. The again digital camera, alternatively, was great. Test photographs looked sharp, detailed, and well balanced, with crisp definition on tree ranges and patio bricks outdoors. Indoors, photographs have been slightly softer, and there was a touch of noise, however it wasn't bad. Recorded 1280-by-720-pixel (720p) and 720-by-480-pixel movies have been smooth and detailed at an even 30 frames per second.

General, the Samsung Infuse 4G is a satisfying Android smartphone. When you like large screens, look no further. The Apple iPhone four ($199, 4.5 stars) lacks the Infuse 4G's bigger display and free voice navigation, however it has a smoother, more dependable OS, and the world's finest third-occasion app selection. The HTC Inspire 4G ($99.99, 4 stars) is now $a hundred cheaper, it is a greater voice telephone, it is made of classier materials and it features HTC's better Sense UI interface. Even though the Infuse has a quicker Web connection, we desire the Encourage overall. The Motorola Atrix 4G ($199, four stars) can also be superior; it's the same worth as the Infuse 4G, but it surely accommodates a quicker, dual-core CPU and higher decision (if slightly
smaller) screen.