The Samsung Galaxy S (I909) and Samsung Mesmerize (i500) were early Android powerhouses, representing a significant leap in smartphone technology. While sharing a core chipset, subtle differences existed that impacted the user experience. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone ultimately holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
Both phones offer a similar experience due to their shared Hummingbird chipset and Cortex-A8 CPU. However, the Galaxy S generally edges out the Mesmerize due to slightly better software support and potentially a more refined design. Ultimately, both are relics of a bygone era, but the Galaxy S has a slight advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / EVDO | CDMA / EVDO |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, September. Released 2010, October | 2010, October. Released 2010, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 123 x 64.2 x 10.8 mm (4.84 x 2.53 x 0.43 in) | 124.5 x 64.3 x 9.9 mm (4.90 x 2.53 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 123 g (4.34 oz) | 117.9 g (4.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~57.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~56.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | TouchWiz 3.0 UI
| TouchWiz 3.0 UI
|
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 |
| Chipset | Hummingbird | Hummingbird |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX540 | PowerVR SGX540 |
| OS | Android 2.1 (Eclair) | Android 2.1 (Eclair), upgradable to 2.2 (Froyo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 16 GB included |
| Internal | 16GB | 2GB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP, aptX | 3.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot (Android 2.2) |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash Lite | HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP4/DivX/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+/AC3/FLAC player
TV-out
Photo/video editor
Document editor | MP4/DivX/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+/FLAC player
TV-out
Organizer
Photo/video editor
Document editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 312 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 7 h |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black and Grey |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.17 W/kg (head) 0.34 W/kg (body) | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.52 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.27 W/kg (head) | - |
Samsung I909 Galaxy S
- Slightly better camera
- Potentially better software support (historically)
- Larger battery capacity
- Generally considered the more popular model
- Outdated hardware
- Slow performance by modern standards
- Limited app compatibility
Samsung Mesmerize i500
- Compact size
- Simple Android experience
- Relatively affordable (if found)
- Good for basic tasks
- Lower resolution display
- Weaker camera
- Smaller battery
- Outdated hardware
Display Comparison
Both the Galaxy S and Mesmerize featured Super AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S typically had a slightly higher resolution (800x480 vs 480x320 on the Mesmerize), resulting in marginally sharper visuals. However, the difference is subtle on these smaller screens.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy S boasted a 5MP camera, while the Mesmerize had a 3.2MP camera. Image quality on the Galaxy S was noticeably better, with more detail and accurate colors. Both cameras struggled in low-light conditions.
Performance
Powered by the same Hummingbird chipset and 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU, performance is largely comparable. Expect some lag by modern standards. The Galaxy S might have benefited from slightly better software optimization over its lifespan.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S had a 1500mAh battery, while the Mesmerize had a 1300mAh battery. Battery life was generally adequate for the time, but modern usage would drain them quickly. The Galaxy S likely offered slightly longer battery life due to its larger capacity.
Buying Guide
Who should buy Samsung I909 Galaxy S? Collectors of vintage Android devices or those seeking a basic, functional smartphone with a familiar interface. Who should buy Samsung Mesmerize i500? Similar to the Galaxy S, it's best suited for collectors or those needing a simple, older Android device. Neither is recommended for primary daily use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
Yes, but with significant limitations. They run older versions of Android and have limited app compatibility. Performance will be slow compared to modern smartphones.
❓ Where can I find these phones?
You'll likely find them on online marketplaces like eBay or through collectors. Expect to pay a small price, but condition will vary greatly.
