Design & Build
People have criticized Samsung quite a bit and called the Galaxy S III plasticky. We don’t think so! The build quality has a classy feel to it. Allow us to explain. The 4.8-inch display is flanked by a very thin bezel, which inevitably helps keep the form factor within control, and that is critical considering this genre borders on the very thin line separating usable and ungainly.
People have criticized Samsung quite a bit and called the Galaxy S III plasticky. We don’t think so! The build quality has a classy feel to it. Allow us to explain. The 4.8-inch display is flanked by a very thin bezel, which inevitably helps keep the form factor within control, and that is critical considering this genre borders on the very thin line separating usable and ungainly.
There are two touch sensitive keys below
the display – options and return, with the Home key being the hardware
one. This one doubles up as the S-Voice
and the ICS task manager key. The minimalistic design speaks loudly, so
much so that when not backlit, the touch sensitive keys do not give you
any indication of their presence. Above the display are what
essentially looks like three tiny circles – LED notification, proximity
sensor and the front facing camera. The earpiece has a silver finish to
it, and a very thin border treatment to the home key as well.
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 The three circles on the front - notification LED, proximity sensor and front camera |
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On the right spine is the power key, which has become a Samsung trademark! No hardware camera key, and that is sorely missed – we will get on to that a bit later. On the left spine is the volume rocker. On the top is the 3.5mm jack and on the bottom is the micro USB port. The fake aluminum frame around the phone isn’t appreciated though. That just shows disrespect to the buyer, by faking stuff. Anyone buying this phone already has made his / her peace with the plastic build, and this isn’t going to be fun to discuss at the next drinks party with friends!
The volume rocker on the other side. No hardware camera key though
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It is a Samsung trademark - power key on the side. Don't like the fake metal frame around the phone
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Flip the phone over, and the enamel white finish immediately makes us compare it to the looks of the HTC One X (read our review).
The Galaxy S III and the One X both have the polycarbonate finish, but
the S III’s enamel finish has a bit more shine to it. In turn, that
makes fingerprints quite visible, and will be prone to scratches from
car keys, for example, when in the same pocket. The One X has a matte
finish, and for anyone who isn’t using a protective cover or skin on the
device, the One X will probably remain happier, and unblemished longer!
The Galaxy S III has more understated
looks, while the One X has a slightly more aggressive tone. In both
cases, the build quality is very good, with the polycarbonate present in
both phones. Critical to mention that we do not agree with the
so-called plasticky build quality criticisms the S III has faced all
along. We had read all those criticisms, but didn’t let that have a
bearing on our judgment when we first saw the Galaxy S III.
Even in the first impression story
after the launch event, we had praised the build quality of the S III.
Now that the review unit is here, all those who doubted my initial
opinion are now becoming fans as well, having experienced the phone! The
simple fact remains, just because the iPhone is aluminum doesn’t mean
everyone will go the same way. If that were to be true, maybe the HTC
One X should have received the same amount of criticism.