Updated review 11.2.15: My Galaxy Grand Prime updated to Lollipop on 11.1.15 (more on this below in my review).
Before purchasing this SUPERB phone, I had the Galaxy Grand (original) yet it was time to upgrade with another 5 inch screen phone and for me, this phone is still a very nice phone even one year later!
My goal in this review is to give you the reasons why I love this phone and recommend it!
Before I begin the PROS and CONS I wanted you to know that the phone that I received the Grand Prime SM-G530H/DS, and it will work on these: Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900.n
**** This the United States version (US) and it is unlocked to work in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America with a US Sim card inside this. On the box it was stated this info: AMERICAN SIM CARD ONLY: This phone is compatible with a Sim card from the Americas (The North, The South, Central America and the Caribbean).
****It also states that the American Sim card can call overseas from American Operators, so this is NOT AN INTERNATIONAL PHONE, HOWEVER IT IS A US unlocked phone for any US Sim card.
Since I do not plan on going out of the United States, this is OK with me, however, if you need a phone to take outside of the US, South America or the Caribbean, (if you plan on traveling to Europe etc) I suggest that you purchase an UNLOCKED / INTERNATIONAL phone.
PROS:
+ Lollipop update Info: My phone updated and when it started the update, it showed the update would take over 500 mg or 1/2 gig of internal space, this is a lot of internal space. However, after the update, I had still had 2.8 gigs internal left and since I have apps Facebook, Twitter, and the Kindle app and a few other personal apps that I use, I was happy to have 2.8 gigs to add other apps later on if needed. Before you update to Lollipop, know it does take up over 500 megs of space to install, update on the phone.
****In my opinion after the Lollipop update, my phone runs very well and I like the new features of Lollipop.
+ SIZE AND WEIGHT: Perfect size considering the fact that it has the 5 inch screen. It fits easily into my smallest purse. And I purchased a leather vertical case that clips to my waistband so I take it with me to the gym to listen to my music or radio when I work out. Because the phone is so light, I carry it easily on my jeans with the pouch/case that I purchased for the phone.
+ Camera - This has a 8MP camera and I am amazed at the clarity of the pictures that I have taken with phone. For example, I took a close up of a greenish/multi-colored leaf and each vein of the leaf was very sharp and also vivid in color. Then I took outdoor shots of a few things around my home, indoor shots of special foods that I prepared and the results were truly amazing.
+ Screen Resolution - For me personally, I find the resolution (at 220 PPI - Pixels Per Inch) GOOD to VERY GOOD and I find that this screen is very VIVID and CLEAR AND EASY TO READ. In fact, webpages and my Kindle Reading app are just stunning on this phone! *All of my pictures and videos are crystal clear with this phone.
+ WiFi/3G (Internet): Connects to any WiFi and the signal strength is excellent (even in the very back of my home and outside), most of the time I have 4 bars (outside is 2.5 bars). When not near a router or WiFi hotspot, I use AT&T for data and easily get 3G and I have gotten 3G+ (there is no 4G in my area). The data is very fast, almost as fast as my home WiFi is.
+ Temperature of the battery and of the phone - This phone and battery runs very cool and normal temp and most of the time it is running at 78 degrees to 87 degrees. When I download lots of apps or play games, it may get up to 91 degrees for a couple of minutes but goes right down to normal temps. This phone DOES NOT OVERHEAT. I have read that some newer smart phones will sometimes get up as high as 112 degrees, this one for me has not done this.
It is important to keep a phone running cooler as it will prolong the life of the phone and it is easier on the battery as well.
+ Phone call clarity etc. - No matter what my location using this phone for phone calls the clarity of calls is loud and clear whether on the phone's speaker, headset etc. I even had to turn down the volume quite a lot as the calls come in so well.
+ Overall speed, performance, smoothness, picture quality of the screen--very, very fast and peppy. And I found a way to SAVE on both memory and on battery. * Since updating to Lollipop, the phone is very responsive and I am so pleased with the phone.
+ BATTERY LIFE: This phone has given me the BEST battery life of ANY smartphone or that I ever owned. And I use 100% brightness. For me, even at 100 brightness, if I use WiFi or Data just when I need it and then turn it off, I get all day into the night on one single charge! (I charge nightly and the phone is at 100% ready to go the next morning).
+ EXTERNAL SLOT FOR MICRO SD CARD (UP TO 64GB SD CARD) - I placed a SanDisk 64 SD card and it works great with this phone. This helped to sell me on this phone as I can add my personal music, photos, videos and more to this phone! (I placed a 64GB SD Card in this phone and I still have lots of room left).
*Keep in mind where External SD cards are concerned: They are JUST for your personal files: music, videos, photos, and other files. When you install apps from Playstore or other sources, they store either in INTERNAL Memory Card or sometimes in the phone area (most store in the INTERNAL SD AREA). This is the law of the land where Android is concerned and ALL newer Android devices (including Samsung) work this way when storing your downloaded apps are concerned.
+ INTERNAL STORAGE SPACE:
This phone is advertised at 8GB of Internal space. The 8GB is the space BEFORE the drive was formatted, OS installed and then factory apps installed. So what I had on the phone BEFORE I installed any apps it had 4.5 GB left. This is how it is on any flash drive, SD card, Hard Drive as formatting alone takes up space. Now with my Lollipop update, I still have 2.8 gigs internal space left. Note that I do not install games, just apps like FaceBook, Twitter and Kindle app.
Also, since 3.0 Android and above, you cannot save any apps to your personal SD card. Instead the apps are installed one way or the other to the INTERNAL SPACE. However, the good thing is that your personal files as photos, music, videos, and more can be installed to your EXTERNAL SD Card so you do have that space for yourself.
**I have a few apps I downloaded from the Playstore, but no games so I still have about 4.3 GB left on my phone for more apps later should I wish to install them.
+ Reading/Creating/Editing Word, Excel, Text Files and much more on this tablet: I downloaded a FREE APP called Kingsoft Office which I use for Office files (it reads, edits and creates Office files). And it also reads PDF eBooks so there is no need to download a separate PDF Reader app. *This is a MUST have if you have to read PDF or Word Docs etc, my docs are crisp and clear using this app.
+ Bluetooth Speed and Performance - The Bluetooth paired quickly with several devices and copied files at a great rate of speed.
+ Cover for this phone - I bought a soft silicone cover for the original Grand phone and it fit this phone OK however, I ordered a TPU cover online for the phone.
CONS:
- Adobe Flash is not supported in this phone or ANY ANDROID DEVICE after 4.0 OS. The only way to get flash is to get a archived flash and use a high end browser such as Puffin or Maxthon Browser. So downloading the older archived flash gives the ability to view SOME internet videos, but this is better than no flash at all. Keep in mind this is a problem with ALL brands of Android devices with 4.0 OS and higher it is just after 4.0 Android came out, the NEW and best flash is NOT supported for Android devices. It is what it is...Also, there is a newer Archived Flash out. So ask me in the comments if you need instructions and I will send them to you.
- Very small instruction "manual" provided with the phone, however, I went to the Samsung site and downloaded the full manual and saved it in PDF on my laptop for reading anytime I need it. If you want the link for the manual, let you know in the comments and I will give it to you.
- This phone will NOT accept an OTG (On the go) USB plug for flash drives, mice, etc. This was not a problem for me, I just plug in the USB Cable to copy files to the phone. So no big deal as I use Dropbox to download my photos and files and it is fast and easy.
- This phone is NOT AN INTERNATIONAL PHONE to bring to Europe with you. If you plan on not leaving the United States or just planning traveling to Central America or the Caribbean, then this phone should work out just fine for you. (I am going by what the box for this phone stated as I have not tested this phone anywhere but in the United States).
Bottom line: Would I buy this phone all over again? Yes I certainly would because it is so much better than the first Samsung Galaxy Grand and for me the best phone that I have ever owned! And for the money, I believe this is the best deal out there dollar for dollar. Will this phone be a good choice for you? Yes, as it is a very easy to use phone, will receive Lollipop and for me, this is the BEST SMART PHONE I HAVE EVER USED.
The advertised internal storage is 8gb before the OS andcapps leaving it at about 4.5 gb of so. If you are not into installing lots of games, but want say the FaceBook app. Twitter App, and Kindle App and a few other basic apps, then I recommend this phone to you. If you like lots of games, lots of BIG Apps, then go with a phone like Samsung Galaxy J with 16 gb and 13mp camera and Lollipop etc or a 16gb internal storage phone..
Hope this review has assisted you and thank you for reading it. Please feel free to ask me any questions in the comment area and I will answer all questions in a very timely manner.
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From the manufacturer
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What is an unlocked phone?An unlocked phone is a device that is not bound to any carrier or plan. It allows you to choose your phone first and your carrier second. Upon selecting a plan, simply insert the carrier's SIM card into the phone and you're ready to go. If you decide you want to change carriers down the road or want to take an international trip, it's as simple as replacing your existing SIM card with a new SIM and activating your new plan. |
What are the benefits of an unlocked phone?Freedom: Choose the carrier with the best service or price. If you find a better deal later, you have the ability to change to a different carrier. Travel: Take your phone internationally and use the carrier of your choice. It's as easy as inserting an active SIM card. Selection: Choose the phone with the features you want, whether or not your carrier sells it, and get more service options without a contract. |
How do I set up my unlocked phone?The first thing you’ll need is a SIM card for your desired carrier. When activated, the SIM card will let your phone connect to your carrier’s network. If you decide to upgrade to a newer unlocked phone in the future, you can easily remove the SIM card from your old phone and put it in your new phone—just make sure you get the right size of SIM card (nano, micro, or standard) for your phone. If you want to use your phone while traveling internationally, you can easily buy a SIM card for a carrier that operates where you’re traveling. As long as it’s activated, you can just swap SIM cards when you arrive at your destination. |
Reviews with images
A good international phone.
Very happy with this phone, works well and easy to install. Recommend that you get a google email account - it will make the set up easier as it is an Android phone. The only issue to be aware of is that the power cord to recharge the battery is for Europe. You will need to buy an adaptor to use in the Caribbean, South America, etc.
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kam
Even if the seller presents the mention '' Unlocked '- ...
Reviewed in Canada on October 24, 2015
