The Samsung Epic 4G gets torn down by the FCC
With just hours before the official launch of the Samsung Epic 4G, we thought it’d be interesting to take a look inside the device, thanks to internal photos provided by the FCC.
Much of the Epic 4G’s functionality is provided by the circuit board to the left. You can see a Qualcomm QSC6085, which enables CDMA and EVDO calling/data capabilities.
Next to the QSC6085 is the brains of the Epic 4G – a Samsung Hummingbird processor running at 1GHz. The Hummingbird is actually quite similar to Apple’s A4 processor – both chips are manufactured by Samsung and both chips feature a Cortex A8 core.
Near the top of the main board you can see a NEC MC-10170 image processing chip – the same chip found in other Galaxy S devices.
Finally, there is what appears to be a Samsung memory module below the NEC image processor. We don’t have a good close-up view of the chip’s part number, but it appears to be some sort of MCP.
You can see additional pics of the Epic 4G in various stages of disassembly below.
Samsung Epic 4G hitting Sprint on August 31st for $250 with contract and rebate
It’s been a big week for Android news, and tonight, Sprint added to the fray by formally announcing that the Samsung Epic 4G will be available on August 31st for $250, after rebates, with a two year contract. The Epic 4G is Sprint’s second 4G WiMAX phone, the first of course is the HTC EVO 4G.
Based on the Samsung Galaxy S platform, the Epic 4G features a 4” Super AMOLED display, Android 2.1, a 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor, front (VGA) and rear (5MP) facing cameras, 720p HD video recording, 802.11 b/g/n/ WiFi, wireless hotspot functionality, and a 16GB microSD card. And as you can see, the Epic 4G will sport a full QWERTY keypad.
Interestingly, the Epic 4G doesn’t appear to have any onboard storage, while other Galaxy S smartphones such as the Captivate featured up to 16GB of onboard memory. We’re also a bit disappointed to see that the Epic 4G will sport Android 2.1 – according to Sprint, an Android 2.2 update will be available for the device in “the coming months.”
Samsung Epic 4G coming to Sprint by August 20th?
The Samsung Epic 4G is one of the more compelling incarnations of the Samsung Galaxy S. With a slide out QWERTY keypad and WiMAX, the device promises to be a hot seller for Sprint.
So when can we get our hands on the Epic 4G? The Android Police have a few data points that suggest the device will be on sale by August 20th. They base this timeframe on the release date of a Samsung TV video featuring the Epic 4G. Previously, Samsung TV videos for mobile phones have come between one and four days after the device was released. The Samsung TV video for the Epic 4G is scheduled to be released on August 20th, so if the timing of this video is anything like previous Samsung TV videos, then the Epic 4G should be released before August 20th.
Sure, the Android Police’s theory isn’t solid proof, but the August 20th timeframe does jive with Samsung’s announcement that the Epic 4G will be available by “mid-summer.” We’ll keep you up to date as we learn more.
Samsung’s Galaxy S Pro coming to Sprint as the Epic 4G with WiMAX goodness
Rumors of a WiMAX equipped Samsung Galaxy S Pro device first emerged earlier this month, and today Sprint officially unveiled the device. Now known as the Epic 4G, the device will be Sprint’s second WiMAX phone, and boy does it have an impressive feature set.
The Epic 4G will rock Samsung’s 1GHz Hummingbird processor, a 4” Super AMOLED display, 5MP camera with 720p video capture, a VGA front facing camera, 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth. The device will also feature a six-axis accelerometer, and will come preloaded with a racing game called Asphalt 5.
Interestingly, the Epic 4G will support eBooks from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Skiff and Kobo, making the device one of the more capable eBook readers on the market today. If you don’t mind reading books on a 4” screen, that is.
Overall, the device is quite impressive, and it is a great alternative to the EVO 4G if you want a full QWERTY keypad. The device also runs Samsung’s version of Android 2.1 with DLNA support and the company’s Social Hub. We’re intrigued by the six-axis accelerometer, as well, and hope that game developers take advantage of this feature.
No word on pricing or a release date, but you can sign up for email alerts on Sprint’s website here.
