Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 4.0 Pro Reviews

The Samsung Galaxy Player has two distinct advantages over the iPod touch: its wide file support, and its expandable storage. Those are important features, and they might win some users, but they’re not enough to overtake the iPod. The iPod has access to more and better apps, it’s easier to sync and manage on your computer, and most importantly it’s just a better music player. Plus, when you can walk into a Boost Mobile store and buy the ZTE Warp phone for only $50 more, I’m not sure why you’d want the Galaxy Player. We’ve waited a long time for “the iPod touch for Android,” but if this is it I’m not sure that’s a very exciting concept.

Even if the Galaxy Player 4.0 existed in a vacuum we'd have a hard time getting excited about it. When positioned as the Android answer to the iPod touch, things go from bad to worse. Even its strengths ultimately become weaknesses when placed next to its competitors. Its Super Clear LCD display is nice, but it's nowhere near as crisp as the Retina Display on the Apple's touchscreen media player. Taking pixel density out of the equation -- it still can't stand up to the abyss-like blacks of the Super AMOLED Plus display on the Galaxy S II. That expandable storage sounds nice until you realize that even if you max it out with a 32GB microSD card you're only looking at 40GB -- 24GB less than the high-end iPod Touch. And, yes, we know a Galaxy Player 4.0 and a 32GB microSD card would cost much less than the $400 top-of-the-line touch but, the truth is, most people don't want to go out buy (then swap) a microSD card. Out of the box an entry level touch offers the same storage for just $200. Even the user-replaceable battery doesn't seem like such a great thing when it adds so much bulk and (at least according to the manufacturers) lasts two hours less than Apple's device when playing video. Even its one clear and decisive victory -- its camera -- isn't really a selling point. It's just that the shooter on the iPod touch is that bad.

As an iPod Touch alternative, the Galaxy Player 4.0 has much to like--especially if you're already familiar with Android and have invested money in the ecosystem. The quality of audio played back through the stock Samsung music app is poor, but the Android advantage includes letting you choose third-party player options from Android Market. If you are looking for a taste of Android without having to pay for cellular service, the Galaxy Player 4.0 is a good Android device to tinker with.

Samsung's Galaxy Player 4 and 5.0 are the Android answer to Apple’s iPod Touch, the long-reigning king of portable media players. Of the two Samsung options, the highly portable Galaxy Player 4 should especially appeal to people who wish to remain within the realm of Android for music, video, and apps, but don't want to pay for monthly service with an Android phone. With specs similar to those of its iOS rival, the Galaxy Player 4 makes a gallant attempt to beat the iPod touch at its own game - but it falls short on battery life and audio quality. See also: Philips GoGear Connect 3 review.

The Samsung Galaxy Player 4.0 is a tough sell. If you're looking for a fun, pocketable, kid-friendly media player with a glut of games and apps, the $199 iPod Touch is a slam dunk. If you have an axe to grind with Apple, 7-inch tablets like the Kindle Fire or the Nook Tablet offer more media bang for your buck.

Aiming directly at the iPod touch, the Samsung Galaxy Player 4.0 gives you all the power and features of a popular Android phone, just without the phone.