Friend of mine bought a fake/clone/replica Samsung Galaxy S3 from Shenzhen, China. The phone just cost him around RM 500 in Malaysian ringgit. At first glance, the phone looks like the actual one, especially the back panel, you’ll find difficult to differentiate it if the person making a phone call even from a near distance.

(Guess which is real)

As for the spec, unknown processor/speed, 1GB RAM, Android 4.1.9 (actually a Gingerbread as you can see in video below) and less than 1GB Memory storage (though it stated 16GB there). The washed-out narrow angle display seems like a 4.7″ instead of 4.8″ after compared it with HTC One X+. The touchscreen is not as responsive as compare to old single-core Xperia Arc.

Checkout photos below, for the last two pictures, Samsung Galaxy S3 on the left is the actual where right is the fake:

UMS (USB Mass Storage Mode) is not available on Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note (latest firmware). User have to use MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) to transfer file. According to reddit comments titled “Whoa, whoa. ICS doesn’t support USB mass storage?“, differences between UMS and MTP:

  (Previous firmware)

  (Current firmware)

Transfer files using MTP Mode

This mode only works on my most recent Windows 7 laptop, it does not work on my Ubuntu PC and Windows XP Pc. After refer to “Ice Cream Sandwich explained: MTP – what is it, why use it, and how to set it up“,

In addtion, i’ve tested on PC with Windows Media Player 9, but it only allows to limited file-type to transfer through Windows Media Player. After updated to Windows Media Player 11, it allows to transfer any file-type with Windows Explorer as image below:

The reason for this are explained in article “MTP Function Driver“, “Media Transfer Protocol (commonly referred to as MTP) is part of the “Windows Media” framework and thus closely related to Windows Media Player. Support for Media Transfer Protocol in Windows XP requires the installation of Windows Media Player 10 or Windows Media Player 11.”

Sister of mine just got a White Samsung Galaxy S3, immediately play with it and compare it with my HTC One X. After helping sister to set all the things up and using it for few days, these are some of the differences that i discover:

DIGI started taking Pre-Order for Samsung GALAXY SIII (same as Celcom, only Marble White unit available) from as low as RM 999, as below:

Numbers of roadshow will be head at locations below:

Both Celcom and DIGI has started registration of interest site for the coming (31 May) Samsung Galaxy S III. Just input your details in those form and you’ll be informed once the device hit their stores. Websites links as below:

 (Celcom Samsung GALAXY SIII: http://goo.gl/s741d)

 (Digi Samsung GALAXY SIII: http://goo.gl/SUfJK)

According to Engadget, Pebble Blue colour might not be available in first round of launches. This seems to be true as Celcom ROI only offer Marble White Samsung Galaxy S III. For those that wanted a Pebble Blue S3, you might need to wait a little longer.

Seems like the actual launching date of Samsung Galaxy S III (GT-i9300) will be few days right after 24th May Samsung Media Launch. Estimate the phone will be official launch and able for customer to place order as early as 28th May at Plaza Low Yat roadshow and Celcom’s roadshow on 30th May at Mid Valley Megamall.

Refer images below:

#1 (Mid Valley What’s On page: http://www.midvalley.com.my/WhatsOn.aspx)

#2 (Plaza Low Yat Event Page: http://plazalowyat.com/eventcalendar.html)

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Sources:
  i) lowyat.net: ANOTHER WEEK-LONG SAMSUNG GALAXY S III ROADSHOW INCOMING
  ii) soyacincau: Samsung Galaxy S III to be available next week

Most of us already know Flipboard for Android will be exclusive on Samsung Galaxy SIII first. Few days ago, Flipboard officially launched this “Update me when Flipboard comes to Android” page, which it will send you an email to inform the application is available for Android.

But wait no more, thanks to XDA member Valcho extract the .apk out for us, read here: “[APP] Flipboard for Android“, i have installed on HTC One X and my old Android 2.3 Gingerbread Xperia Arc, both works very well.

  Flipboard 1.84 apk Update:
    i) Link #1 XDA
    ii) Link #2 XDA

  Flipboard .apk(older version) download:
    i) Link #1 Dropbox
    ii) Link #2 XDA

There are 2 points to note, as mentioned in XDA dev forum:

Korean electronics giant’s latest flagship smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S III. The Phone will be available in 145 countries, on 296 mobile operators around the world, making it the largest launch in Samsung history. Sales start on May 29th in Europe, US in june and 4G versions will be coming to North America and Japan.

 (“Designed for humans, inspired by nature”)

Specs

 (“Flipboard will debut on Galaxy S III”)

Features

Official Site: Samsung Galaxy SIII