Mobile

Globe’s Android: Samsung i5700 Galaxy Spica

Name: Globe’s Android: Samsung i5700 Galaxy Spica
Brand: Samsung
Rating: 4.1 (1 reviews)

Abe Olandres April 8, 2010 · 2 min read

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Just found out that Globe is offering its own Android phone too with the Samsung i5700 Galaxy Spica. Now I didn’t see that coming considering Globe has its hands locked on the iPhone OS, a competing platform, for years.

The Samsung Galaxy Spica looks promising and from the specs alone, it seems better than my HTC Hero (recently crowned Mobile Phone of the Year at Mobile World Congress 2010 ).

Samsung i5700 Galaxy Spica
3.2 inches @ 320 x 480 pixels
800MHz Samsung processor
180MB internal storage
up to 32GB on microSD
3G/HSDPA 3.6 Mbps
WiFi 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth 2.1 w/ EDR
GPS (SGPS only, no A-GPS)
3.15 MP autofocus camera
Android OS v1.5 or v2.1
1500mAh Li-Ion battery

I think it’s the cheapest (or best bang for the buck, if you will) Android phone locally available — about Php14,995 on Globe Prepaid, Php10,900 on Globe 500 and totally free on Globe Plan 1800 (with free 1 month Super Surf). The speedy processor here is essential as Android handsets tend to slow down over time (the perils of multi-tasking).

As a comparison, Smart is also offering the Android-powered HTC Magic for free on Plan 1800.

Update: Went to a Globe Business Center and they could not verify the Android version. I had to wait in line for my turn but did not have the patience so I left. Found an un-locked unit being sold for Php14,900 but they would not un-box the handset unless I pay for it first (bummer). Already sent inquiry to Samsung and Globe but no response yet.

Update: Got SMS from a Samsung rep that told me it’s Android Donut out of the box and upgrade-able to Eclair.

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

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412 Comments

idlewild · 16 years ago

for those who would like to try alternative soft keyboards, here’s one ported from HTC:

http://forumuk.samsungmobile.com/PostsList.aspx?ForumPostID=172801

napry · 16 years ago

@ gtpet4u: go to phone settings and uncheck the option where it says use the phone as memory card only. Voila, the software can now recognize your phone.

napry · 16 years ago

I got the phone, Samsung i5700 Spica and it indeed delivers what it says. Im very happy with this phone except for the following:

1. It comes with Adroid 1.5, not the latest 2.1. I have been waiting since March for the 2.1 upgrade but up to now, no official update is available (although there are downloadable “roms” availble. Risky).

2. Since it is an android os, it will attempt to connect to internet whenever possible. Be sure to disable this feature because you might incur considerable charges. Even with wifi at the office and at home, I was charged 1200 on the first five days because it tries to connect via 3G especially with the GPS on. I had to have the GPRS deactivated from my subscription to prevent it from connecting outside. Be careful with your settings and with what you install.

3. The UI is very responsive and fast, sometimes you tend to activate commands unintentionally especially during calls where you ear touches the screen. Careful….

4. The globe unit was white. I was expecting the black version.

5. Globe service sucks. It was sim locked and the customer service could not help me when I wanted to re-connect to the GPRS via prepaid Globe sim. The phone model is not supported by GPRS activation settings.

6. Overall, I can say I am a very satisfied user but a very disapponted subscriber.

bastard · 16 years ago

@patricia: it’s good. if like me, u find it ridiculous on spending a lot of bucks on fones, its a really good find and worth the price. based on samsung’s press release, you can personally update ur fone using their pc suite (which by the way sucks big time when running on windows 7 LOL).

@jay: mine’s running completely fine on 3g network, didn’t adjust any setting. but i’d prefer running on 2g, just to save up the battery. hehe

have been reading some forums with regards to upgrading to the standard 2.1 version..kinda having second thoughts, i’m afraid i’ll brick my fone. can anyone suggest a good tutorial on how to do this?
any nice feedback would be highly appreciated. ^_^

idlewild · 16 years ago

finally got one and i have to say it’s definitely worth the price. the stock android (v1.5) is actually good. might probably hold off the 2.1 update until it’s officially available.

Jay · 16 years ago

@patricia, you will be able to upgrade the firmware for free when Samsung Philippines decide to distribute it through their software.

BTW, did anyone successfully set this phone to use GPRS/3G data connection? (For a prepaid sim card) I can’t get it to work.

patricia · 16 years ago

@bastard how do you find the galaxy? will the samsung store upgrade ir fone once the update is out for free??? ;) thanks!

bastard · 16 years ago

got mine at 13.7k yesterday at v-mall. with regards with the warranty, as i understand, the warranty is covered by samsung and not the store itself where you bought it. are there any downsides with upgrading to 2.1 firmware when its not officially from samsung?

terence chan · 16 years ago

also have spica, bought it more than 1 month ago for p13.7k. same with jay, i flashed it with the 2.1 fw (JB3, earlier version). i really recommend this phone. walang lag and you get 2.1 fw pa, beats the hero which sells for more than 20k here and is still on 1.5. good value for the price.

Jay · 16 years ago

My spica runs eclair 2.1 with the official samsung firmware (I570EDXJC4). It may not be available through the samsung’s software provided with the phone, but you can manually do it by using a custom software.

Aja · 16 years ago

great phone. i bought mine in uae for 995aed (12200 pesos). the only problem with this phone is that it doesn’t have an android market icon.

so what i did instead was i sent gphone file manager apps on my email account and downloaded it on my phone and installed it. i put all the apk files on my sd and install it one by one.

got tons of games and great free apps. loving it!

dongv · 16 years ago

looks like this is a great value Android phone to try out the OS.
is it sure capable of upgrading to 2.1?

how much lowest & where to find?

Lucien Tiojanco · 16 years ago

I just downloaded the a Philippine JA2 firmware from Samsung’s FUS server yesterday. My brother won’t let me install it on his phone to test though but I’m quite sure it’s not yet version 2.1.

Chris · 16 years ago

downside ng spica, pag 3g use, 3 hours lang, drained na battery, pero, still a great phone… Anyway, available po ba yung HTC magic as prepaid sa smart?

idlewild · 16 years ago

saw this one priced at around 15K at a local shop here in davao. if only i had waited longer, i would have surely bought this instead of the S5233W. this is really the cheapest android phone i’ve seen so far. hope we get more android phones here in the philippines.

rye · 16 years ago

@abe

Thanks a lot! we’ll just wait for galaxy spica’s turn.

rye · 16 years ago

@pedrosantosjr

memo express and a store that starts with B near the Sun Shop. Sorry I can’t remember the exact name.

@RJ

I agree. That’s why I’m always waiting for Abe’s review. Yup, with the prices that I am seeing, its definitely worth it (well, it depends on the review of Abe, :grin:).

xpac · 16 years ago

aw it got only 3.2 screen?
should have been around 3.6+.

RJ · 16 years ago

@rye:
I would say na di masyadong reliable yung user reviews sa gsmarena. Lagi namang may inerereklamo yung mga tao dun(usually Indyano).. They would expect a very nice phone pero di ba, be realistic.. 13.5k-16k is a good enough price for that phone.. Kung maghahanap pa sila ng mas maganda pa dun, prepare to shell out 40k+ for a phone.. I kinda got tired reading user reviews sa gsmarena., ang dami nilang demands tapos ganun lang yung budget nila..

RJ · 16 years ago

wwwaaa!!! this is uber cool!! An Android phone with Google Experience GUI.. I don’t want HTC Sense GUI kasi minsan yung updates di kaagad nare-release kapag yung phone manufacturer may sariling GUI.. will definitely buy this.. saan nabibili to?? saan pinakamura??

ethan · 16 years ago

I’m planning to buy a samsung s5620 monte when i spot this i5700..

10.3k is the lowest price of monte.
*Not a smart phone, small screen.

13.7k is the lowest price of i5700.
*Android, bigger screen.

gtpet4u · 16 years ago

Hey guys! just bought a samsung GT-i5700 Galaxy Spica at Mall Of Asia Memo Express. To all those interested in buying one, you could purchase one at Hello or Memo Express. I got mine for P16k. I have a question though, after installation of New PC Studio the PC couldnt detect the phone itself. it just say “unregistered model detected cannot continue with communication” kinda weird. although the MicroSD is working perfectly fine. Nice phone better than my previous HTC Hero cause its not laggy and definitely better response on the touchscreen since the screen’s like glass or hard plastic (better than Hero’s). It’s OS is Android ver1.5 cupcake.

pedrosantosjr · 16 years ago

Hi, where exactly in MOA? The Samsung store? I’m really interested. :)

rye · 16 years ago

hi abe, would it be possible that globe can send you a review unit? gusto ko kasi malaman gano to talaga kaganda like you reviewing other androids.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@rye – I still have 2 Samsung phones lined up for review (Genoa & Monte). Maybe after these are sent back.

rye · 16 years ago

yes abe, its available at MOA. I want this phone. ganda. :(

patricia · 16 years ago

question lng po, if the update for galaxy spica rolls out (let’s say on april) will the new batches of cellfones from globe still have version 1.5 or will it have 2.1? thank you! ;)

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@patricia – it will still be v1.5 but I guess you can request Sales reps to upgrade it to 2.1 for you once you buy one from them.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@pedrosantosjr – as indicated in my updates, several stores in Mall of Asia are selling the Spica unlocked.

@anonymous – emailed you a copy of the test results in PDF.

anonymous · 16 years ago

The speedy processor here is essential as Android handsets tend to slow down over time (the perils of multi-tasking).

-pede mahingi source nito or opinion lng ba to?

pedrosantosjr · 16 years ago

Will Samsung stores be selling the Spica unlocked? I’d really prefer an unlocked unit.

jen · 16 years ago

any review for Samsung S8000 Jet

taiwo · 16 years ago

Please note: Speed doesn’t make multitasking better. The amount of RAM does.

Dodie · 16 years ago

What does it mean to be Globe Prepaid? Does it mean I’ll need to buy a new prepaid sim card to avail for it, or I can use my current sim? Lost. P14,900 is pretty cheap for a phone like this.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@dodie – you get a free Globe SIM if you buy the Spica but you can use your existing Globe SIM with it.

dongv · 16 years ago

seems like a good smart phone, never tried nor planned for an Android phone,
any advantage over blackberry or iphone?
sorry, newbie on this phone platform

Lucien Tiojanco · 16 years ago

Phone runs on Android version 1.5 (firmware version JA1) with a guaranteed update to 2.1. The update is slowly being rolled out, and was first released in Germany. The last time I checked Samsung’s FUS servers, the latest Android version 2.1 firmware released were for United Kingdom (JC4) and Hungary (JC2) (both dated 04/06/10).

And yes, I can access their FUS servers directly. That’s how I get my Omnia II firmwares in advance. I’m currently running the official JA5 for the Philippines and have access to the latest firmware (JC4) which is for China and Morocco. :-)

BTW, here’s a tip – JA1 means it was the first firmware (1) developed in January (A) of 2010 (J). That also means that the latest Android version 2.1 firmware (JC4) is the 4th (4) version released in March (C)of 2010 (J)

rye · 16 years ago

mas maganda parin ang HTC HERO kumpara dyan… tsaka nabasa ko na yung review nyan sa gsmarena last night.

snpklsdmbldr · 16 years ago

any news about the HTC Desire? will they release it here in the Philippines? :D

irv · 16 years ago

glad to see a lot of Android phones hitting our shores.

i hope and pray that this will eventually spur Google to let us buy apps in Market.

Miguel · 16 years ago

Can’t compare the HTC Hero with the Spica – they are in a different price segment.

pedrosantosjr · 16 years ago

I was surprised too when I saw that the Spica and the HTC Tattoo were on Globe’s lineup. It’s really tempting – the prospect of an Android 2.1 device with an 800 Mhz processor for 15k (or less).

Please update ASAP when you have further info from Globe or Samsung. Been looking for this phone for days.

Found a guy on ebay selling the Spica for 13.5k. He claims that his units come with 1-year Samsung warranty, which I found weird because Samsung stores don’t seem to have the Spica yet (although the SM North EDSA branch already has the original Galaxy in stock, for 16+k).

simplynice93 · 16 years ago

A must-have cellphone for us. Hopefully I can get it this year.

kiddo · 16 years ago

@Rom i agree.. my 3megapixel D900i cam takes way better pictures than my friend’s samsung Jet (5mp)..or is it just me. lol

daddy joey · 16 years ago

my friend has been using that smartphone for more than a month, and it seems he’s very satisfied with the performance and the apps available.

mcv · 16 years ago

That’s probably because the i7500 has a crappier 528MHz processor. People have been complaining about not being able to upgrade from 1.5 to 2.1 and the processor is the primary reason.

taiwo · 16 years ago

The HTC Hero is way better simply cos it’s got more RAM than the Spica. The Spica’s ram is too low and surely multitasking on it will be frustrating. Additionally, Samsung’s mobile phone support sucks!
I heard its gonna get Eclairs (2.1) update(whenever that comes) but i wouldn’t consider buying it when i factor in longevity (ask owners of the i7500 – Samsung’s first android handset)

Arnold · 16 years ago

pantapat ng globe sa HTC Magic which is also free at plan 1800.

Jon · 16 years ago

Wow. If only I needed a new Android phone. Very nice. I see it does not come with that crazy custom UI Samsung phones usually have. I’d rather stick to the default home screen, but if HTC Sense could be ported to this one, that would be perfect!. I do hope it has 2.1 out of the box though.

Rom · 16 years ago

I think even with it’s 3.15 megapixel cam it would still be better than HTC Hero’s crappy 5mp cam.

Rom · 16 years ago

I think even with it’s 3.15 megapixel cam it would be better HTC Hero’s crappy 5mp cam.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@Rommel – still waiting for confirmation from Globe but hopefully, it will be 2.1.

Rommel A · 16 years ago

I think this phone`s selling price outside is Php 13,700.00 if I am not mistaken,the cheapest Samsung Android phone. Will Globe offer Android OS 2.1 on their Php 15k tag?