I can’t imagine it’s been 15 years since I reviewed my smartphone. Most individuals most likely don’t keep in mind the Samsung Epix, identified elsewhere because the Samsung SGH-i907, but it surely did handle to go away an enduring impression on me for being my first skilled evaluate.
I nonetheless cringe each time I watch my first YouTube video on it. Issues have modified dramatically since then, and whereas I’m trying ahead to seeing how the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely will push the needle ahead for flagships, it might stand to be taught a factor or two from its long-ago relative.
All eyes are undoubtedly on Samsung’s flagship, which might set the tone for all different telephones in 2024 — similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Extremely. The rumors make it a compelling cellphone that would assist Samsung to retain the highest spot in our greatest digital camera telephones record, and Samsung is pushing closely into AI with the Galaxy S24.
I do know that there are issues which are unlikely to make a comeback, like resistive touchscreens, detachable batteries, and as a lot I beloved them again then, we undoubtedly received’t get bodily QWERTY keyboards once more. We most likely received’t see one other Home windows-based cellular working platform both. But, I’m reminded about some options on the Samsung Epix that would profit the Galaxy S24 Extremely.
Measurement does matter for some folks
Samsung’s anticipated to announce its traditional slate of three telephones that make up the upcoming Galaxy S4 Collection: the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Extremely. Holding onto the Samsung Epix once more makes me understand that dimension does matter for some folks.
Have you ever ever tried to make use of the Galaxy S23 Extremely one-handed? It’s almost unattainable for me, which is why there might be an argument for a extra compact model of Galaxy S24 Extremely.
We solely want to have a look at what Apple has been doing with its iPhones. Contemplating how the iPhone 15 Professional Max can be the direct rival to the Galaxy S24 Extremely, it’d be good to get a smaller model that’s extra manageable to carry within the hand to compete in opposition to the iPhone 15 Professional.
An optical trackpad might be useful
Lifeless middle on the Samsung Epix is an optical trackpad that acts to maneuver the mouse cursor in Home windows Cell, one thing I believe might additionally remedy my disdain for unwieldy sized telephones. It might be useful in conditions once I’m simply counting on my one hand to make use of the cellphone.
I’m not saying that the Galaxy S24 Extremely ought to slap the same optical trackpad someplace on the show (that’d be ridiculous), however on the again as an alternative. Thoughts you, this wouldn’t be the primary time this has been executed, seeing that I keep in mind how the Motorola Backflip had an optical trackpad customary on the again of the cellphone once I reviewed it.
This optical trackpad might enable me to simply navigate across the software program whereas holding the cellphone and once I can’t stretch my thumb to succeed in the higher corners of the show. Not solely might the optical trackpad be used for navigation, however I believe it might additionally assist multitouch gestures to carry out particular actions. I suppose it might be its model of the Motion button on the iPhone 15 Professional.
Telescoping S Pen means extra room for different stuff
Paradoxically sufficient, the Samsung Epix contains a stylus, which was all too frequent with the Home windows Cell phones on the time due to their tiny, resistive touchscreens. What’s fascinating although is that it’s a telescoping stylus that shrinks right down to a a lot smaller dimension when it’s stowed away within the cellphone.
On the skin, the S Pen appears nothing extra like some other stylus you’ve most likely come throughout, however there’s numerous tech packed within it. Nonetheless, the Galaxy S24 Extremely stands to be taught from the Epix’s telescoping stylus — leaving a bit of extra room for different issues. Should you take a look at the present S Pen with the Galaxy S23 Extremely, it takes up greater than half the peak of the cellphone in its cutout slot.
Whether or not it’s further room to incorporate a bigger battery, or just to assist trim the cellphone’s total dimension, I believe the S24 Extremely may gain advantage from a telescoping S Pen.
Deliver again the microSD card slot
As a videographer that usually goes by means of reminiscence playing cards full of 4K video, I actually would like to see the microSD card slot make a comeback. We haven’t seen the microSD slot in Samsung’s flagship sequence because the Galaxy S20.
What I like concerning the Samsung Epix’s implementation is that the microSD slot is definitely accessible by means of a single cowl on the facet of the cellphone. After I shoot video or images with my Panasonic Lumix S5 mirrorless digital camera and wish to share them on my social media shortly, it’s typically a painful, laborious course of utilizing the Lumix app on my cellphone to switch these recordsdata over Wi-Fi. I’d a lot slightly simply pop within the reminiscence card into my cellphone.
Earlier microSD slots in Samsung’s telephones typically required customers to take away the SIM slot, however that’s additionally inconvenient. As an alternative, there might be a devoted slot that might be strengthened with a canopy to retain the cellphone’s waterproof score — or maybe a spring loaded slot.
There is a purpose why Samsung is the place it’s, and I believe it is all the time good to be reminded about what labored and what did not. Whereas the Epix is now historical past, it is a testomony to see how far we have come since its launch 15 years in the past.
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