The original Samsung Focus may be a year and a half old, but it is still one of the best Windows Phones around. Though I liked the Samsung Focus Flash and Focus S, both models lacked the style of the original model. Enter the Focus 2. Samsung has revived the style original Focus for AT&T and brought back its gorgeous 4-inch AMOLED screen, but this model is catering to 2012 pretty heavily. It also comes with high-speed 4G LTE connectivity and a glossy white finish. Best of all, will cost only $50.
The Focus was, and still is, a great phone to use. It also benefited greatly from its early adoption of AMOLED screen technology, which looks especially good on Windows Phones due to the operating system’s simple tiled design.
Those who need cutting-edge hardware probably left Windows Phone a while ago, but here’s what the Samsung Focus 2 is packing under the hood (that we know of). It has a 1.4GHz single-core processor, a 4-inch “Super AMOLED” screen, a 5-megapixel rear camera, a 0.3-megapixel (VGA) front camera, 4G LTE and 3G HSPA+ connectivity, and runs on Windows Phone 7.5. It’s also ever so slightly heavier and thicker than its predecessor at 11mm thick and 4.3 ounces. The original Focus was 10mm thick and 4.07oz, but who’s counting?
Though Samsung hasn’t revealed any other specs, we are guessing that the Focus runs on 512MB of RAM and has an 800×480 pixel screen. We guess this because every Windows Phone has these specs. The white finish also hints at HTC’s success with the Radar 4G on T-Mobile, which was also white. The days of black phones are over, it seems.
AT&T is definitely the place to get a Windows Phone right now. If you don’t like the design of the Focus 2, you can always opt for more expensive models like the Samsung Focus S, HTC Titan II, or Nokia Lumia 900.
The Samsung Focus 2 will hit AT&T shelves May 20 for $50 with a two-year contract. The CTIA 2012 show in New Orleans is set to begin later today. Hopefully we’ll have some hands-on time soon.
Why would MS subsidize Nokia when a world class manufacturer needs no subsidy. Moreover, Samsung won’t be bankrupt by fall, when the MS windows for mobile advertising blitz starts.
Just to get it out of the way, the author is obviously click-baiting with his title.
In regards to the article, the Lumia 900 has a larger screen, Clearblack + Gorilla glass technology, double the storage, and a better camera, so no, its not the same comparison when looking at the specs. Nevermind the fact that many people think the Nokia Lumia 900 is prettier as well.
The Samsung phone is priced right where you expect it should be, in between the Nokia 710 (free w/ contract) and the Nokia 900 ($99 w/ contract), but that wouldn’t make for the catchy title you were looking for now would it?
:)
i’m sure this is a fine device, but you can’t compare this to the lumia 900. as the others say, maybe the 710. one other thing, i’m not buying another phone without a clearblack display!
This is all wrong, not against the Lumia 900.Maybe the 710
I love my original model Samsung Focus, although I find myself accidentally hitting the volume and power buttons a lot. Not a big deal, but I am wondering if there is a better way to lay out the buttons or if I just need to pay more attention when I take my phone out of my pocket.
Either way, it is good to see more Windows Phones hit the market.
The title of your article is all wrong.
First off, I used the Focus for 1.5 years and it was a great phone. Good screen, very lightweight, never had problems with it. The Nokia is heavier, but has a bigger screen, better sound quality, excellent build quality, and a FAR SUPERIOR hard button layout. The phones will compete, but to say it makes the Nokia look bad is a lie. I would not trade my Nokia for the new Focus unless they were to change the button layout and include the bigger sceen. I accidentaly hit buttons on my Focus, never happens on the Nokia because they are all on one side.
The thing I do miss about the Samsung is the lighter weights and the curved edges. Hydro Thunder is easier to play with the curved edge of the Samsung.
Both phones are good choices, it depends on how you want your phone to look and feel. I would still go with the Nokia due to the button layouts. I can’t tell you how many times I would hand my Samsung to show a photo to someone, only to have them hit a button and lose the screen. VERY ANNOYING!
I am speaking of the Nokia Lumia 900, the only phone I would bother to compare this to. And BTW, the Lumia 900 is $50.00 – with the larger gorilla glass screen, better camera, and sensible button layout, it is a better buy than the Focus 2.
With all respect, but who makes who look bad. Please take a look at the Nokia Lumia 900 and redefine your headline again. Personally I think this Samsung phone should be compared with the Lumia 710, which comes for free with a 2 year contract at other operators (AT&T does not sell Lumia 710). Btw, I read the lumia 900 comes at $ 49 at Amazon. So… it is hard for me to take you Nokia bashing headline serious.
It has a nicer design than the 710, a larger screen, 4G LTE, and AMOLED. Internally its virtually identical to the 900 and it is cheaper on AT&T. Amazon gives crazy prices on everything. Either way. This is a competitor to the 900.
Design is a matter of taste. Personally I prefer the 710 for its design and replaceable colours. The Lumia 710 has Clear Black technology and has Gorilla glas on top of it. Furthermore you get various Nokia apps thrown in it for free, like Nokia Drive and Nokia Maps. At a price point of $ 0 the Lumia 710 is far more of a serious competitor to the Samsung Focus then the Samsung is to the Lumia 900. Saying that this Samsung makes Nokia look bad is rather ridiculous.
Ok, so outside of design, Jeff just told you why the Samsung Focus is better. It’s hardware is virtually the same and it has 4G!
I do like Nokia’s apps a lot. That is a big advantage Nokia has. Samsung and HTC would do themselves a big favor if they invested in Windows Phone further. So sure, that is an advantage every Nokia phone has, but I think I’d go for the Samsung Focus 2 over the 710. But I say that without actually having used it yet. I’ll hopefully have some hands-on soon.