Samsung Focus S (AT&T) Review

Those who doubted that Windows Phone isn't a mobile platform to be reckoned with need to check out the new Samsung Focus S for AT&T. Equipped with a fast 1.4-GHz CPU, a vibrant 4-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen, and all the goodness of Windows Phone 7.5, this handset has a lot going for it. Best of all, you can now snag this smartphone for $99, much less than the $199 launch price.

Like a Galaxy S II in Windows clothing, the Samsung Flash S looks very similar to its Android kin. Its front is a smooth slab with gentle curves and rounded edges, and the back has a slight chin at the bottom. On the front is a large 4.3-inch display, framed by a 1.3-megapixel camera and an earpiece above and three capacitive buttons (Back, Search, Windows) below it.

Flat and extremely thin, the Flash S (4.9 x 2.6 x 0.3 inches) sports a marginally smaller profile than the Galaxy S II (5 x 2.6 x 0.4 inches). At a feather-weight 3.9 ounces, this Windows Phone is almost a full ounce lighter than the HTC Radar (4.8 ounces), and a hair lighter than the Galaxy S II and even the diminutive Samsung Focus Flash (both 4.1 ounces).

Of course, the Focus S is much wider than the Focus Flash, its smaller 3.7-inch Windows sibling. The Focus S is less of a fingerprint magnet too, thanks to a textured back plastic battery cover--the Flash's battery door is brushed metal. Similar to the Galaxy S II, the thin cover of the Focus S feels flimsy and flexes easily.

Also on back is the 8-MP main camera and LED flash and speaker. A headphone jack sits on the handset's top edge, while camera and power buttons occupy the right. The bottom lip holds a microUSB port and a thin volume rocker runs along the left side.