The Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE is a solid entry-level Sprint Android for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. It won’t impress anyone upgrading from a flagship, but for a first-time Android buyer or a budget upgrade, it gets the job done.
Specs
- 4-inch 480×800 WVGA display
- 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8960
- Android 4.0.4 with Samsung TouchWiz
- 5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, hardware camera button
- 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera
- NFC, 2,100mAh battery, 4GB storage with microSD slot
Hardware
The Victory is thicker than most 2012 Android phones, and that density is noticeable in a pocket. The power button moved to the top rather than the right side. Plastic construction gives off a budget feel, though the added heft provides some reassurance when holding it. The device fits well in hand but is small by 2012 standards.
Display
Samsung’s 4-inch WVGA panel performs well and looks sharp given the price. It’s not competing with the Galaxy S III or HTC One X+, but it exceeds expectations for the segment. The smaller size requires adjustment coming from larger screens.
Camera
The 5-megapixel camera performed admirably, producing clean photos in most conditions. A hardware camera button was a welcome inclusion. The front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera handled self-portraits and video chat adequately.
The capacitive buttons
The three capacitive keys (Menu, Home, Back) have a chrome outline that makes them look like physical hardware buttons. They are not, and the mismatch is persistently irritating. Worse: there is no haptic feedback option in settings. Not even a toggle. The only alternative is a sound-on-press setting that affects every screen touch. It’s a baffling omission.
Performance
Quadrant scores around 4200 put it among respectable 2012 midrange devices. Daily performance was smooth with minimal lag. Games played without issue. Samsung’s keyboard on a 4-inch screen is cramped; SwiftKey resolves this quickly. A recurring Wi-Fi bug turned the radio on without connecting to networks; Samsung updates may address this.
TouchWiz
Useful additions include S Voice, a native file manager, Memo, and Samsung Media Hub. The folder creation workflow differs from stock ICS in a confusing way; a third-party launcher like Apex or Nova resolves it. Sprint bloatware (Hotspot, iD, Zone) rounds out the preloaded list.
Battery
The 2,100mAh battery covered a full day of heavy use reliably. Average users will have no issues. LTE coverage was unavailable in the review area (Birmingham, AL); battery life will take a hit on LTE as Sprint’s network expands.
Final Thoughts
Most of the Victory’s cons are software-based and fixable with third-party apps. The capacitive button design is the one issue that can’t be patched with a download. For its intended audience, a budget-conscious first-time Android buyer, the Victory at $99 delivers everything that matters.
