Samsung's got yet another mobile to add to its Galaxy stable in the Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus, a follow-up to the budget-friendly Galaxy Ace that came out in 2011, if you can remember that far back.
The inventively named Ace Plus ditches the iPhone 4-style design, instead opting for a curved back and silver surround that looks much like the iPhone 3GS.
You might say that doesn't sound like progress, but Samsung's seen fit to squeeze a 1GHz processor inside the Ace Plus, up from 800MHz in the previous version, and has bumped the screen size from 3.5 inches to 3.65 inches.
While the display real-estate has been improved, unfortunately the resolution hasn't. You'll be stuck staring at just 320 by 480 paltry pixels -- a far cry from the magnificent 720x1,280-pixel resolution found on the high-end Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
Another disappointment is that the Ace Plus will launch running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, rather than Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which is the latest version.
The original Galaxy Ace is missing out on an update to this exciting new version of Android, and it's a bit gutting to see its follow-up will also be lumbered with an older interation of Google's operating system. It's conceivable it'll be updated at some point, but we're not holding our breath.
Like the Ace of yesteryear, the Galaxy Ace Plus is packing a 5-megapixel snapper around the back. We're big fans of the original Ace, and while this new version isn't much of an overhaul, we're keen to see whether it can be just as successful when it comes to delivering a decent Android experience to those shopping on a budget.
It's out in Russia this month, with a European release to follow. Stay tuned for all the latest, and in the meantime tell us what you think in the comments below, or on our Facebook wall.
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anonymous 3 January, 2012 12:31
I just bought the ace for my daughter with the understanding that there would be an upgrade on the way. Guess not!
anonymous 3 January, 2012 15:32
The battery at 1300 mAh is worse than the original, which I believe was 1350 mAh. Bigger screen, faster processor - oh dear.
anonymous 3 January, 2012 15:44
Was looking for a cheap Android phone without the small screen (wildfire/Mini) and not too worried about the camera quality. The new bigger screen seems a token gesture while the extra 200mhz speed bump is a help. Anyone got a better alternative to the Ace assuming PAYG and sub 300 price? I reckon the 'old' iPhone 4S will have dropped to Ace prices when I need to replace the phone in 18mths. If Apple offered the iPhone4 at the same price as Ace+ once the Iphone5 is released, they could blow any cheap Android competition away .Sadly Mr Jobs did not like making phones for the masses. Looking around the Orange San Francisco 2 looks good...and perhaps Panasonic will launch soon. A promise of the Ice-Cream upgrade in future is OK with me.
anonymous 3 January, 2012 16:54
Think that Samsung must look after their present customers - and their children with devices like the SAMSUNG Galaxy Ace and offer Ice Cream Sandwhich also in first half of 2012! Why not? it will prevent customers going elsewhere for the updates to flash their devices so come on Samsung!
anonymous 4 January, 2012 06:48
when ll this phone ll be available ?