The mid-2010s were a golden age for Android innovation. Two contenders vying for attention were the T-Mobile Garminfone, a unique collaboration with GPS giant Garmin, and the Samsung Vibrant, a powerhouse with a vibrant display. Let's revisit these devices and see how they stack up today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Vibrant clearly wins this comparison. While the Garminfone offered unique navigation features, the Vibrant's superior processor, display, and overall performance make it the more compelling choice, even by 2010 standards. It's a faster, smoother, and more enjoyable Android experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 1700 / 2100 | HSDPA 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, February. Released 2010, June | 2010, June. Released 2010, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116 x 62.2 x 12 mm (4.57 x 2.45 x 0.47 in) | 122.4 x 64.5 x 9.9 mm (4.82 x 2.54 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 136 g (4.80 oz) | 117,9 (4.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~50.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~57.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | Super AMOLED |
| | - | TouchWiz 3.0 UI
|
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 |
| Chipset | - | Hummingbird |
| GPU | - | 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), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 4GB 256MB RAM | 16GB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 3.15 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@24fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP, EDR | 3.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, Garmin navigation | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n; DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP3/eAAC+/WAV player
MP4/H.264 player
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor
Organizer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | MP4/DivX/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+/FLAC player
Organizer
Photo/video editor
Document editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 144 h | Up to 432 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h | Up to 6 h 30 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1150 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black and Grey |
| Price | About 340 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.89 W/kg (head) 0.92 W/kg (body) |
T-Mobile Garminfone
- Integrated GPS navigation
- Unique design
- Potentially good for offline maps
- Likely slower performance
- Less vibrant display
- Limited app support now
- Unknown specs make full assessment difficult
Samsung Vibrant
- Super AMOLED display
- Faster processor (1.0 GHz Cortex-A8)
- Better app support
- More responsive user interface
- Dated hardware
- Limited storage (likely)
- Outdated software
Display Comparison
The Samsung Vibrant boasts a Super AMOLED display, offering richer colors and better contrast compared to the Garminfone's likely standard LCD. The Vibrant's screen is generally considered superior in terms of visual quality and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
While both phones featured cameras, the Samsung Vibrant likely had a slightly better camera sensor and image processing capabilities, resulting in marginally better photo quality. Both cameras were limited by the technology of the time.
Performance
The Samsung Vibrant's 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 Hummingbird processor provides a significant performance advantage over the Garminfone's likely less powerful chipset. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user interface on the Vibrant.
Battery Life
Battery life was likely comparable between the two devices, offering a full day of moderate use. However, the Vibrant's more efficient processor might have given it a slight edge.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the T-Mobile Garminfone? Primarily those interested in a historical artifact or a phone with integrated GPS navigation features. Who should buy the Samsung Vibrant? Anyone looking for a capable, albeit dated, Android phone with a good display and decent performance for basic tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What was unique about the T-Mobile Garminfone?
The Garminfone's primary distinction was its integration with Garmin's navigation technology, offering offline maps and GPS features directly within the Android operating system.
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While technically usable, both phones are severely outdated. App compatibility is limited, and security updates are long gone. They are best suited for nostalgic purposes or as historical artifacts.
