Samsung Galaxy Y Pro DUOS first Hands on Review.

It seems I am one of the first persons that got in my hands the new Galaxy Pro DUOS. So I guess it is the FIRST real hands on REVIEW (cool). Here is the unboxing

Real Hands on Review :)

Practically it is the same as the older Galaxy Y pro (1 SIM) but with two SIMs and some upgrades. I will share with you my impressions, after a weekend of use. I should state here that I do not have 3G network in my area so I haven't test its 3G capabilities (like video-calling, data services) but I can deduce some answers to your questions.

Some General Specs.

• LCD: 2.6'' 320 x 240 pixels landscape, Touch - capacitive (not multi-touch but not sure)
• RAM: 289mb (strange number 289) and NOT 384 mb as some sites state. After fresh boot, about 170 are occupied.
• CPU 832mhz
• Storage: Internal storage 161mb free/available for user applications + microSD (up to 32gb)
• 3.2 mp rear camera, free/fixed focus, video 320 x 240 pixels, No LED
• front Camera for video-calling VGA
• FM radio (no RDS), mp3 player etc..
• DUAL SIM, Dual Standby (NOT dual active).
• Android 2.3.6 (as for today 22/01/2012)
• QWERTY keyboard
• A-GPS, Wifi b/g/n, BT, Orientation Sensor.
• Proximity Sensor
• battery 1350 mAh
• 110.8 x 63.5 x 11.9 mm, 112g

 I bought the device from Wind Stores - Greece for 139€ (no contract just a sim free device). Here is the first uboxing. 

Installing the two SIMs, is easy and so is the operation of them. There is a new dedicated key on the qwerty keyboard to choose between SIMs at any time. As we have said the device is Dual Standby, meaning both SIMs can receive calls at any time but if/when one SIM is "talking" the other appears unreachable (for a long as the calling lasts). For example  if you talk using SIM2 and somebody calls you on SIM1 it will look like it your SIM1 is unreachable. There are some other Samsung Phones which are dual active (you can receive call on any SIM even if you are talking at the time). Galaxy Y Pro DUOS is NOT dual Active, it is Dual Standby as MOST of today DUAL SIM Phones (almost all nowadays) so this is not a big deal.

There is a good trick to "fix" the problem on any dual standby. You can do that by enabling call forwarding from one SIM to the other (and vice versa) when they are unreachable (conditioning forwarding). Of cource this costs every time you answer the forwarded call, or it can be free if either you don't answer the forworded call or disable on both SIMs the call-watting (the callers gets a busy tone and tries later ;) ). Anyway.. This is out of the scope of this review but keep in mind.. 

Two SIM Slots

You can have Video calling on any SIM. I haven't try it (My carrier doesn't have 3G in my town) but the button is there as you can see. You can also receive calls from ANY sim when using data services (from any SIM). I haven't try that too, but the option is there as you can see.

Any SIM can be 3G (but only one at a time). Only one SIM can be used for DATA, but you can choose which one.  I haven't try that too, but the option is there as you can see

The things get better with the two SIMs managment. You can name the SIMs (f.e. Work, Personal) and even asign an icon for each of them to minimize the risk of calling using the wrong SIM (not to be confused). I 've used a red-heart icon for SIM2 as I use it to contact my girlfriend.

Receive Incoming calls via OTHER SIM
card while using data services

Each SIM can of course have its own ringtone, and volume, for both calls, ans SMS. You can also easily choose which to have OFF or ON (1, 2, both, none - flight mode). Vibration is controlled for both SIM not separately.

Otherwise the phone is identical to the Galaxy Y Pro but I will share my impressions after a 3 days living with it.

Video Calling Button!

The Good

• Good (but plastic, no metal) quality, light and thin. 
• Nice comfortable qwerty keyboard 
• Good Batery life. First charge and it lasted about 3 days (Profile of use: 2 SIMs, Some Wifi and Internet, some BT transfer, some applications installation, lots of talking, ONLY 2G used, no "active" widgets on home screen). More demanding users should expect about 2 days per charge. I need more testing on that but it looks strong. (update: 2nd charge lasted 4.8 days or 112 hours and had 15% more to give, Third charge 4 days at 22%. Usage, about 20-25min/day talking, 1-2 sms, little Wifi/data/ app installations etc, 2G only, no data widgets on first screen) 
• Responsive Menu
• Playable angry birds (good CPU for my needs)
• Samsung Interface (launcher) is very usable  - but not visually imprecise. 
• Excellent Sound quality during call (headphone, mic)
• Good Signal (GSM, GPS)
• A good anti-theft application from Samsung (need to test it thought) plus some other nice apps and widgets.
• SD is hot swappable. 
• excellent two SIM management (dedicated button, lots of options).
• A customizable key (bottom right). I set it to "contacts". Verrrry useful. 
• Phone rings from loudspeaker when connecting hands free (not like some Alcatel). You can hear the ringing from inside the handfree as well (both work). 
• Price (139€ in Greece today)
• This is for Greeks. It Supports 160 chars/SMS when using Greek letters (non Unicode) - (Αυτό αφορά μονο Έλληνες)

289mb RAM

The Bad

• Camera is very minimalistic (only 3.2 fixed-free focus, no LED). It's not good for today's standards. Details are absent and everything is bluered (even a good 1.3 mp camera has more detail). Low light shooting is posible but not good at all.
• Video-capturing is even worse (QVGA eg 320 x 240). I dont now fps..
• Internal Storage only 161mb available (maybe rooting can fix that). You can use the SD for more storage but it is not the same. 

The moderate

• RAM is 289 mb (w.t.f. what kind of binary number is that?). After a fresh boot about 170 is occupied, after a RAM clean it gets down to 140. So far i had no issues with RAM but many consider it little (why?)
• TFT Screen 2.6''. Well When you have QWERTY you sacrifice INCHES from your screen. Can't have both (unless you have a slider qwerty model like mini pro). Its quite bright, but touch filling is not he best. Its moderate. Letters can be small for some people.  Due to the landscape orientation some apps have issues.  I am also not sure if it is multitouch or not. It appears to work on one direction (when zooming in) but not he other.. Anyway assume it is NOT (like Galaxy Y Pro I).
• External back loudspeaker (at the back) is moderate. Not so loud but clear.
• Wifi Signal sensitivity moderate..

Verdict:

Good buy  ;) An enjoyable android phone with nice features.

Real size camera samples here.

Review By Keysmith (or Matt)


Disclaimer. Sorry if I made any mistakes (specs, functionality), i tried not to. Please refer to official site for detailed information and specifications.