Going from the iPhone 4 to the Samsung Galaxy S Captivate?

[GamecockMac]

As far as comparison between LCD and AMOLED is concerned, what is so funny about, say, the difference in contrast ratio: 100,000 to 1 for Samsung vs 800 to 1 for iPhone 4?

What's funny is that you've based your opinion off the information provided by a website called oled-display.net. Yeah, no bias there at all. Also funny that the only direct comparison they show in an article titled "Iphone-4 Retina Display LCD-IPS vs Super AMOLED" is a picture titled "Super-Amoled vs Iphone 3GS LCD IPS". Very telling.

Also, everyone with half a brain knows that contrast ratios are the biggest scam running in the world of display technology. There are no standards governing the reporting of these numbers, and anyone who has bought a flat-screen TV is familiar with the ridiculous gamesmanship of constantly increasing huge numbers, which culminated in the absurd Infinity:1 ratio being used by some companies. Anyone who wants to actually learn something about displays, and not just read FUD spouted by a well-known Apple hater on a web forum, can check out an excellent article here: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/display_myths_shattered

 

[Ferris23]

I've decided to get rid of my iPhone 4 [proximity sensor is killing me] and was wondering how the transition would be?

I've had the iPhone ever since they originally came out so I've gotten pretty used to the way contacts sync and everything. Can someone give me any helpful advice as to how things are going to sync with a Macbook Pro and what not?

Are there any programs in terms of iTunes that I will need/want to manage everything?

Thank you for your time.

I have both an Iphone 4 and just got a Captivate, I switch between the two. Honestly I really can't pick a favorite, they are both awesome phones. The screens on both are stellar, iPhone wins in clarity and Samsung dominates on contrast, black levels and color vividness, again both just amazing.

There is certainly more of a learning curve with the Captivate, but it's really fun to mess with and tweak to your liking.

I think you'll be happy with the Sammy.

 

[lilo777]

What's funny is that you've based your opinion off the information provided by a website called oled-display.net. Yeah, no bias there at all. Also funny that the only direct comparison they show in an article titled "Iphone-4 Retina Display LCD-IPS vs Super AMOLED" is a picture titled "Super-Amoled vs Iphone 3GS LCD IPS". Very telling.

Also, everyone with half a brain knows that contrast ratios are the biggest scam running in the world of display technology. There are no standards governing the reporting of these numbers, and anyone who has bought a flat-screen TV is familiar with the ridiculous gamesmanship of constantly increasing huge numbers, which culminated in the absurd Infinity:1 ratio being used by some companies. Anyone who wants to actually learn something about displays, and not just read FUD spouted by a well-known Apple hater on a web forum, can check out an excellent article here: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/display_myths_shattered

Are you denying that newer LCD TVs with higher contrast ratios are better than the old ones? Everyone who compared SAMOLED and LCD screens stated much better contrast and saturation. BTW, according to you Apple must be the greatest scammer of them all. They dare to list contrast ratio for iPhone 4 display on their web site! OR you are saying that they just do not understand what they are doing?

 

[Tarzanman]

Regarding the displays

The iPhone4 is sharper for text and small details (duh, the resolution).

The Vibrant/Captivate is considerably more vivid for images and videos.

There's nothing wrong with the iPhone4 IPS display... the Vibrant/Captivate display is just *that* good. If you haven't seen it then you should go to the AT&T/Tmobile store and see for yourself

 

[gapperonduty]

man this is insane!

Vid 1) scratch test! skip to ~1:35min if you want! Barely anything!
http://vnexpress.net/GL/Vi-tinh/2010/08/3BA1FA22/page_3.asp

Vid 2) Drop test! Crazy!
http://vnexpress.net/GL/Vi-tinh/2010/08/3BA1FA22/page_4.asp

website in vietnamese but the video works good! Some group in korea or something did the torture test

Looks like the galaxy S is as tough as our milkyway!

 

[GamecockMac]

Are you denying that newer LCD TVs with higher contrast ratios are better than the old ones? Everyone who compared SAMOLED and LCD screens stated much better contrast and saturation. BTW, according to you Apple must be the greatest scammer of them all. They dare to list contrast ratio for iPhone 4 display on their web site! OR you are saying that they just do not understand what they are doing?

I see you didn't bother to read the article I thoughtfully provided.

Directly from page 2:

Contrast-ratio specs are tremendously inflated. For the best LCDs, scientifically measured contrast ratios are actually between 1,500 and 2,000. But manufacturers almost never publish real contrast ratios anymore.

So if anything, Apple is reporting numbers that may actually have been scientifically measured, since they aren't in the hundreds of thousands or millions to 1. Good for them!

 

[dranakin]

The Captivate is $0.01 for new two-year contracts on Amazon right now.

 

[emce]

The transition was difficult for me, that's why i went back to the iphone 4 after a month with the EVO and a some time with the Droid 2. Transition in terms of, overall os/responsiveness and ease of syncing.

however there are some good apps, To answer your question: for syncing music my best experience was with iSyncr ($).

 

[GamecockMac]

The Captivate is $0.01 for new two-year contracts on Amazon right now.

I'd hold off. They'll be buy-one-get-one-free by this time next month.

 

[sciwizam]

 

[lilo777]

I see you didn't bother to read the article I thoughtfully provided.

Directly from page 2:



So if anything, Apple is reporting numbers that may actually have been scientifically measured, since they aren't in the hundreds of thousands or millions to 1. Good for them!

There is one significant flaw in this logic. AMOLED is not LCD. This is why it's contrast ratio is out of this range.

Unfortunately, most of us view this picture on LCD screens and therefore we can not really see what AMOLED displays are capable of.

 

[PhoneI]

I have the Samsung Vibrant for Tmobile, along with an iPhone 4. I am not a fan at all of the Vibrant. GPS, video, pictures, apps, email, OS speed are all far better on the iPhone. When ever I need to do something, I always find my self reaching for the iPhone.

 

[GamecockMac]

There is one significant flaw in this logic. AMOLED is not LCD. This is why it's contrast ratio is out of this range.

Proof? Or is AMOLED just...magical?

Sorry, but I'm not buying contrast ratios well above the scientifically demonstrable range without some significant proof...which you don't have. I'm not using logic in my argument, I'm using facts. "AMOLED is just better" does not qualify as a fact.

 

[GamecockMac]

No proof whatsoever that this photo hasn't been altered. Not to mention, it's a picture of a screen that I have to view through another screen. I'll think I'll stick with hands-on (eyes-on?) reviews and my own personal experience over one jpg file.

But thanks for playing.

 

[capn7]

No proof whatsoever that this photo hasn't been altered. Not to mention, it's a picture of a screen that I have to view through another screen. I'll think I'll stick with hands-on (eyes-on?) reviews and my own personal experience over one jpg file.

But thanks for playing.

I don't get why you can't accept the Super AMOLED screens as better with contrast. Is it because you're ignorant? That's like me saying "well I'm ignorant and the iPhone 4 retina display is just like the other 3 iPhones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

 

[unagimiyagi]

I had the Captivate before the iPhone 4. Expect a nice honeymoon phase for a week, then realize that all your apps feel underdeveloped, the accelerometer is never works correctly, frequent boot outs, lock down from AT&T, and a 4 hour usage battery life.


However the screen is very nice.

I tend to agree with you. I feel like Android still feels unpolished and spartan compared to the iphone. Yes, you can do alot more with Android potentially, but there is something to be said for already realized potential and also for a seamless experience.

 

[GamecockMac]

I don't get why you can't accept the Super AMOLED screens as better with contrast. Is it because you're ignorant? That's like me saying "well I'm ignorant and the iPhone 4 retina display is just like the other 3 iPhones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Maybe because I'm not ignorant. Maybe because I've seen the devices side by side and I don't see one as "better" than the other. Maybe because I'm not a raving Fandroid who does nothing but read spec sheets and swallows any number that's bigger as being automatically better.

But hey, you keep right on believing what you want to believe. You'll have your version, and those of us who like to use our brains will have the truth.

 

[lilo777]

Maybe because I'm not ignorant. Maybe because I've seen the devices side by side and I don't see one as "better" than the other. Maybe because I'm not a raving Fandroid who does nothing but read spec sheets and swallows any number that's bigger as being automatically better.

But hey, you keep right on believing what you want to believe. You'll have your version, and those of us who like to use our brains will have the truth.

Sure, you are ignorant. Every publication out there says that the SAMOLED panel has much better contrast but you remain unconvinced. Good for you. For more technical details check this article. The guys actually used special equipment to measure both screens. Here is the conclusion: "A contrast ratio of 870:1 is a pretty good score that many computer screens don't manage. Especially those with IPS panels! Only latest generation screens reach such high scores.

Indeed, a year ago, IPS screens stood out for their washed out blacks. Progess has been made since then. We will moreover have more to say on this subject soon, but progress in comparison the iPhone 3GS is considerable! 3GS contrast: 170:1 as measured by our sensor!

The OLED doesn't disappoint. An infinite contrast ratio! Well, it isn't in reality but the black level is so deep that our sensor is incapable of measuring it. Perfect!

This enormous contrast ratio also gives the screen an enormous indirect advantage: the screen is legible in full sunlight. Even with reflections. In any case, much more legible than any other telephone. And this is a quality we love!"

BTW the article does conclude that iPhone screen is better overall in picture quality. Besides the contrast ration, SAMOLED has a couple more major benefits: much better power efficiency (i.e. battery life) and thickness. It's thin. This is why Samsung phone is almost as thin as iPhone even though it uses replaceable battery.

 

[GamecockMac]

For more technical details check this article

Thanks for the informative material. For those who just want a summary of the article lilo provided, here it is:

RESOLUTION: APPLE WINS
CONTRAST: SAMSUNG WINS
COLOUR TEMPERATURE AND GAMMA: APPLE WINS
COLOUR ACCURACY: APPLE WINS
RESPONSIVENESS: APPLE WINS
VERDICT: iPhone 4 WINS

That should put the issue of which display is superior to rest. Thanks again for all your help, lilo!

 

[Mad Mac]

GamecockMac, you should try educating yourself before you spout "facts". OLED is nothing like LCD. For starters, there's no backlight. Hence the higher contrast ratio.

Second, the Captivate has a 15:9 ratio screen which is better for viewing movies than the iPhones goofy 3:2 aspect ratio. Well, unless you enjoy watching movies on a tiny 3.5" screen and have the movie be letterboxed so that it's even smaller.

Third, have a read on this comparison review and see how the Captivate dumps on the iPhone. http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i9000_galaxy_s_vs_apple_iphone_4-review-500p3.php

 

[GamecockMac]

Second, the Captivate has a 15:9 ratio screen which is better for viewing movies than the iPhones goofy 3:2 aspect ratio.

I quit reading right there, as I was laughing too hard to go on any further.

Anyone who touts an extra half-inch of screen size on a cellphone and tells me it's "better for viewing movies" doesn't deserve to have their opinions taken seriously.

Have a nice day!

 

[nhlducks35]

I quit reading right there, as I was laughing too hard to go on any further.

Anyone who touts an extra half-inch of screen size on a cellphone and tells me it's "better for viewing movies" doesn't deserve to have their opinions taken seriously.

Have a nice day!

So you're saying that a smaller screen is better for viewing movies ?

 

[sciwizam]

So you're saying that a smaller screen is better for viewing movies ?

Let him live in his universe, else he will start demanding proof!

PROOF! PROOF!! Show me the proof!!!

 

[subserved]

Curious?

I currently have a macbook pro. What application are you using on the macbook pro to sync with your Captivate?

I have both an iPhone 4 & Captivate. While they are each excellent smartphones, I've become very impressed with the Captivate.*

The key to success with any phone is to remember it will be different from the phone you are migrating from.*

I believe much of the Android bashing in this forum comes from those who expect it to be like their iPhone. When they find out it's different, instead of remaining open minded & learning it, they return it and criticize it.*

I have found the Captivate to be a pleasant surprise. Unlike Samsung's of the past, call quality is stellar. The ability to hang onto a signal is amazing. I travel all over California for work, my Captivate is the best phone I've had, and I have many.*

I've had mine over a month and haven't had a single problem. It easily syncs to my new MacBook Pro, and the battery life is amazing. The key is it's super amoled display. This technology uses 20% less battery power than the retina, therefore it's lager size does not drain the battery faster.*

For clarification the Captivate & Vibrant come with the same embedded 512mb memory. Originally the Vibrant shipped with a 2gb sd card, so that's why the other post here claimed it had more than the Captivate. These two are identical except the shape and body materials. The Vibrant has a plastic body. The Captivate has a plastic inner chassis with an all metal body. There are no antenna issues period. I get phenomenal performance. *

All too often we enthusiasts get caught up in having to have the latest, even before it's released. What I'm leading up to, is how good I find android eclair version 2.1 to be. I use my smartphones quite heavily, and typically use all the features. Eclair 2.1 as implemented by Samsung on the Captivate is stellar. I've not experienced any issues with lagging, nor crashing. The phone has been delightfully fast & stable. I encourage you to do what I do when getting a new phone. Approach it with a positive attitude and open mind. Drop all preconceived notions about having to root it, and you will find this phone is truly fun, fast, and versatile.**

 

[GamecockMac]

So you're saying that a smaller screen is better for viewing movies ?

I'm saying that no cellphone screen is decent for viewing movies. For watching a 1-5 minute YouTube video, absolutely. For watching a 10-30 minute podcast, sure. For watching the occasional 30-60 minute TV show, now we're pushing the limit. But for sitting down and viewing 1.5-3 hours of video that was expressly made to be viewed on a huge screen with surround sound? Don't tell me that you're going to get much satisfaction out of that, and don't try to make me believe that a half-inch is going to make a world of difference if and when you decide to do it. Not to mention the battery issues.

Those T-Mobile commercials that boast of bundling Avatar with the Vibrant (Galaxy)? Absolutely hilarious.