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Samsung Galaxy S3 4G LTE mini review

The Samsung Galaxy S3 (S III) is definitely a hot smartphone right now and we recently told how EE would be the first to offer a 4G LTE network in the UK, although precisely when it will begin rolling out is not yet known. Today we have news on the Galaxy S3 4G LTE as it seems this will be available in the UK in time for the LTE network launch, expected before Christmas. We now have some details of a Samsung Galaxy S3 4G LTE mini-review that may help you make up your mind whether to opt for this LTE phone when the network goes live.

For EE (Everything Everywhere) to be the first to launch a 4G network is a real coup but of course the LTE network would be no good without LTE devices to use it. A speed test was run on the HTC One X 4G version and also the Galaxy S3 4G LTE model with impressive results as the 4G LTE phones were up to nine times quicker than usual 3G phones. Download speeds up to 45Mbps and upload speeds of 21Mbps were achieved. Of course this doesn’t take into account that nobody is yet using the 4G LTE EE network, which is bound to slow down at least a little once it’s rolled out.

Another factor that may make up your mind to purchase the Galaxy S3 LTE edition is that it will launch running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, rather than 4.0 ICS, according to ExpertReviews. This of course also indicates that if you already have the Galaxy S3 non-LTE model the 4.1 Jelly Bean update should be on your way. There’s another difference too as the Galaxy S3 LTE for EE will also be available in an exclusive color option, Platinum Grey.

No doubt once EE’s LTE network is finally up and running there will be plenty of other LTE devices becoming available. Are you in the UK waiting for the rollout of the first 4G network? If so do you think the Samsung Galaxy S3 with 4G LTE will be your first LTE phone? Send your comments to let us know.

Comments

34 thoughts on “Samsung Galaxy S3 4G LTE mini review”

  1. Dean says:

    I’ve just called Orange to upgrade my phone to a Samsung S3. They told me to wait until October when the Samsung S3 4G comes out as the current S3’s don’t work with 4G. I’m pleased I got a good advisor to tell me this or I would have upgraded today, PHEW!

  2. Dean says:

    I’d send it back if I were you Danny as there may be some new tweaks in the S3 4G, especially if you have a 18-24 month contract. That’s a long time to go without. However, I’m told that you will have to pay an additional £100 up-front payment, and an additional £10 a month payment just for the 4G. I’m not sure if this is true, but I remember when 3G first came out and the prices were a bit of a rip off compared to what we pay now. Either way, I would say to send it back and wait to see what your full options are when the 3S 4G is released. It’s only a month away 🙂

  3. Jonat says:

    I’m desperatly waiting for the launch of the 4G network to change both contract and phone. I tried to find some news about the actual launch date but couldn’t find any.. A month away you say Dean?
    And I think I’ll go for the S3, it still looks like the best phone out there. I am not convinced at all by the new iPhone…

  4. daft jonny says:

    I currently have an iphone4 was looking forwards to iphone5. How wrong was I. Tried sisters galaxy 2 and how elapsed how much better the phone is so now waiting for galaxy s3 lte on vodafone as long as they have the 4g up and running

  5. 4G LTE is good. faster download and upload speeds. But if that’s the only difference with the non-LTE version, I might go with the latter as LTE drains the battery faster. Unless Samsung ups the battery capacity of the LTE version. accordingly, it will have the same 2,100 mAh. The 4G allegedly will also have a 2 GB RAM. But seriously, for an average user, 1GB is more than enough.

  6. I have a samsung galaxy s3 that has not been
    rooted and also a USB-OTG cable. I read somewhere on a forum I can’t
    remember that its possible to use a play station 3 controller via USB on
    this baby without rooting or even sixaxis?

    Please let me know if you have tried it

    1. Yes it is possible. I myself dont own an S3 but am in the market for one. It is possible to use a PS3 (XBOX 360 too) controller on a GS3 without rooting. I’ll have you a know, theres a pretty tender application suprisingly available in the Play Store – Onlive. This app is free and so are the 30-minute game trials that you would see on consoles like Saints Row, Dirt 3 etc. You can also play online vs others, including those playing it on their PC!

      However, the controllers do not have 100% compatibility with all the games

  7. Guest says:

    For us in the UK, LTE is somewhat of an anxious wait. EE has launched, to all intents and purposes, but probably won’t be available to the public until October. That along with the yet to be released offerings from O2 and Vodafone means that the networks for LTE is not readily available and until then, neither will the phones be.

    I hope we do not end up with the situation, seen elsewhere in the world, where in one country different phones are available dependent on the mobile provider you decide to choose. so for example a phone purchased for Vodafone UK won’t work on the other LTE networks in the UK

    Personally I am hoping this is not the case and LTE enabled phones will work on all networks, then and only then would I consider LTE but until then I will watch on with interest.

  8. I was just about to buy a GS3, i’m not on Everything Everywhere. Anyone know if this 4G will be only available to EE customers? I’m thinking it’d make sens to have a 4G device in preparation for when the other networks catchup.

  9. poster says:

    In the U.S. the GS3 has a dual core processor, instead of the quad core of the international version. I’m pretty sure this is specifically because of LTE. I don’t know if it is an FCC limitation, or hardware/software incompatibility right now that is the factor, but the U.S. version is 1.2 Ghz dual core snapdragon, 2 GB RAM. I also don’t know if it will be the same in UK.

  10. Emma B says:

    I am currently due for a renewal on my phone now and I have a Samsung Galaxy (original). Should I wait for the 4g s3 update or get the current s3?? need dates people so I can make a decision ..help!!

  11. Wes says:

    I’m pretty sure you can get the phone now and I read that 4g will go live on 30th October. You will of course need the right phone but also SIM/contract plan. Hope this answers someone’s questions.

  12. Jester says:

    Looking forward to the galaxy s3 mini coming to the states. All the specs of the s3, but just the right size. 3.5in. Screen just a little too small, 4.3in. Screen a little too big, 4.8in. Screen way too big to carry comfortably, …. 4in. Screen is the perfect size for a phone to take with you where ever you go…. If you want something bigger, get a tablet…

  13. Swedger says:

    None of the anticipated 4G networks,ie EE, are offering true 4G but seem to be going to run HSPA+. True 4G should download up to 1Gbit/sec on say a laptop while a mobile should achieve up to 100mbs download whereas HSPA+ won’t even come close although will still be better than present 3G. Also a contract using HSPA+ does not guarantee HSPA+ speeds or even close to that. Ofcom needs to protect the public a lot better than it does now. In a decade it is expected 5G will go mainstream but I’m not holding my breath while these companies con their customer base. 4G should be advertised as enhanced HSPA which is nearer the truth…

  14. peeachediva says:

    Hi, I have had the Samsung Galaxy s 3 for several months now. While the video runs great, there are multiple quirks that rag me out. The batter doesn’t last as long as they promise…even though I close apps, etc. When I turn Wi-fi off, I look later and it has turned it on again. All I see is the 3g being available. I have yet to see any 4LTE. This particular phone, I was told does not run on 4g at all, and that 4LTE would be coming out soon….. This was told to me when it first came out. I am from Columbus Ohio…and still waiting. I realize it might be user issues, but I’m at a loss, as I have been through every settings window, window within a window on and on. Can any body advise? Thank you so much.

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