The Samsung Galaxy Grand is powered by 1.2GHz dual core processor with 1GB RAM running Jelly Bean OS with TouchWiz UI. The performance is excellent, features are impressive but I think it’s over priced.
The Galaxy Grand Box pack
Inside the box you will find the Grand handset, a free flip cover, USB to Micro USB cable, premium quality earphone, ear plug cover, 2100 mAh battery, power adapter and user guide.
Design
Almost all of the Samsung Galaxy models have the same design. The handset is sleek (9.6mm thickness) and weighs 161 grams. The rear side is glossy white with finger resistance coating and the front side surrounding the screen is also white color. The sides are silver colour. The Grand is available in white and metallic blue.
On the top side there is the 3.5mm jack, on left the volume rockers, on the side right the power/ lock button and on the bottom side there is the mic and micro USB port.
5 inch Display
The 5 inch screen is simple TFT screen not an AMOLED screen and the display resolution is 800×480 pixels. For the price the resolution is too low. They should have given a slightly better resolution. There is light, proximity, G-sensor and magnetic sensor.
Unique feature
This handset comes with Smart stay option that makes use of the front camera to keep the screen active as long as you are viewing it. It is a good option if you are reading stuff and want to avoid the screen timing out and shutting off.
There is Auto Adjust screen tone option that will automatically adjust the tone based on the image that you are viewing to make the image livelier.
Another unique feature is the Multi Window option wherein you can run applications simultaneously within multiple windows. For example on half of the screen you can run the browser and on the other half you can chat with your friends via Google Talk or even view a movie.
Then there is the page buddy option that will fill the home screen with related pages that may be of interest to you.
OS, Memory and Storage
This handset sails on the Jelly Bean OS version – 4.1.2. The Grand comes with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage.
- Of the 1GB RAM you get around 517MB Free.
- Of the 8GB storage 3.9GB is allocated for apps (3.8GB available) and there is no other internal phone storage.
- You cannot install apps on external SD card.
Performance
The dual SIM (dual Standby) Galaxy Grand is powered by a 1.2GHz dual core (ARM Cortex A9) processor (Capri_SS_Baffin) with Broadcom VideoCore IV HW GPU. The performance is excellent and this hardware can easily play 1080p (full HD) videos.
Benchmark results
- Quadrant Benchmark: 3706.
- Antutu Benchmark: 7746.
- Nenamark 2: 58.9 fps.
- Linpack : Single 46, Multi 76.
- Multi Touch: 5 point, some users say 9, 10 points.
Connectivity
This is dual SIM handset with 3G support, there is built in Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, micro USB port and 3.5mm jack. USB tethering, Bluetooth tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot are supported.
Gaming
The handset is powerful and the benchmark scores are impressive, no doubt all games that can be played on MediaTek processor will easily run on the Grand.
8MP AF Camera
The camera quality is really good better than as seen on MediaTek processors. There is a 2MP front camera with video call support. This handset can record videos in 1080p resolution at 30fps. Check the sample video and sill image at the end of the article.
There is no continuous auto focus option so when shooting videos you will need to tap the screen to focus as required.
Battery
The battery is of 2100 mAh capacity, you will easily get over a day of backup time with moderate usage. There is the power saving option in settings which you can use to get more juice out of it.
Samsung Galaxy Grand review
A very good phone with lots of features but the price tag is way too high. At 21,500 this is not the phone that many users can afford. The Micromax A116 is yet to be released and it would be interesting to compare the performances. I am not sure if 1080p movies can be played on the A116.
I think the price of Grand should have been around 16,000 to 17,000 this would have made it an excellent buy, especially when compared (price wise) with quad core handsets that are yet to be launched. The weakest link on the Grand is the TFT screen with 800×480 pixels resolution. For this price Samsung should have added an AMOLED screen with Gorilla glass and a slightly higher resolution.
Image Gallery
Sample images shot using Galaxy Grand
Samsung Galaxy Grand unboxing and review video
1080p video shot using Galaxy Grand
1080p playback using MX player
Hey Gogi, Due to certain circumstances I have to use my old Samsung Galaxy Grand.. and it has 4.1.2 Android version. Please let me know that should I update my device to 4.2.2 or not, because I am hearing a lot of hanging issues in this device after updating it.
Dear Gogi
what is the battery backup of this phone, give me a idea, i wana buy it 4 jan,
Pls check battery section and watch the video review.
Ok boss
Where is video review
Really a great review convered in details, but these days Galaxy Grand Quatro is also in the market, i had alread made my mind for Grand, but the processor in quatro is quad core where as in grand it is dual core and i am getting confused here… if anyone can help , so that I can reach a final decision whether to buy grand or grand-quatro..
depends on your usage and price difference, higher ram is better, but quad core and dual core may give same performance if you don’t need to play games. dual core will give more battery life. look at Canvas 4 mmx quad core, at 16,000 now.
Galaxy Grand Duos cost in market ( pune ) is rs. 18000 ( cash payment, credit card 18500 ) whereas Quatro is 15800 ( cash payment )
Grand Duos has 2 flip covers free , whereas u will hv 2 buy it for quatro, so total cost for quatro = 15800 +1400 = 17200.
Diff is rs. 800
pros and cons of both phone
1) screen of grand duos is bigger 5″ against 4.7″
2) Grand Quatro is lighter
3) Grand Duos CAN PLAY HD Video ( 1080p ) , Grand Quatro CANNOT Play HD Video ( 1080p )
4) Processor of Grand Quatro is better.
My Personal Verdict : If you can hold a bit heavier phone , Better go for Quatro.
ATB.
Sorry .. Better Go for GRAND DUOS .. ( plz ignore my mistake in last reply ).
Dear Gogiji,
Any option to move and install apps to ExtSD Card in JB 4.1.2(without Rooting). I can’t install or move apps to sd card. I tried many move2sd application none of them not working.
Request your help
samsung has give a 72.5 mb update for the samsung galaxy grand, can any one discuss the new features if update already.
thanks in advance.
USB Tetherning is not working asking for Driver. Where can I get driver tried samsund site but no luck
Pls any one can help
Dear gogi sir,
I am not able to get gmail app emails push mail notification in my Samsung grand duos.
Thanks.
Plz help me thanks in advance.
Can Any1 Help me root my grand
latesteventinfo.blogspot.in/2013/05/root-galaxy-grand.html
have fun
P.S : it will void your warranty
gogi sir,
plz help me i have bought otg cable for my grand but grand is not supporting how to configure it plz rply me as early as possible
Grand does not suppport USB OTG at all.
yes rejoice is right first turn off power saving mode and than run nenamark it will definately 58fps
Sir Wonder Zoo is not working on my phone
Those who get nenamark score 27fps. pls make sure u disable power saving mode feature. power saving mode will reduce the fps and cpu frequency to 800mhz. hope this will help u…
How can I install lime pie on Grand???
hey gogi sir. which gpu Samsung galaxy grand have [tegra , adreno , power vr , mali]
hello gogi sir,i am a crazy gamer and I have paid 21000 rupees for my galaxy grand but my bad luck the score in nenamark2 is only 27 fps and today I was go to Samsung service center and Samsung service officers don’t know about nenamark2 but they reinstall my mobile operating system and nothing change nenamark2 is again 27 fps. Samsung fk…………..
gogi sir if u have any suggestion please reply me and big fan of u and I have buy this mobile on ur review.
How is the game play is it too lagy ??
go more for brand name you could have bought a A110 for half the price and 1000 time better gaming or a quadcore A116 or Q1000
Gogi Bhai please answer this can we connect pen drive to grand
gogi sir
i had installd riptide gp game on grand but it did not work only game play selection screen is coming after selecting sceen, boat when i click play only loading is showing &screen get bulrr i.e graphics r nt supporting why this happens
i tried reducing resol to lowest but same result
what can i do my fav game to run it
plz reply
How to configure otg on galaxy grand duos ?
sorry.. grand does not support otg.
sir,
I want to buy Samsung s Duos. But My friend has purchased Grand. Which mobile is good to buy in this two.?
The worst phone I have ever purchase in my phone many problem are coming after I purchased my handset. The menu key doesn’t work proper. I upgrade my software 3-4 time but till now i don’t get solution of my problem. Some times touch panel also doesn’t work properly. When I type any message then I face many problem while typing message like keypad work automatically, other key pressed automatically, the sensor given in my cell phone also doesn’t work. I complain to the service station but there is no solution for my problem. Now I am feeling that even china cell phone is also far better than this phone. It is my advise than even by mistake don’t buy this phone. My other 3 friend also bought this phone but they are also facing many types of problem. like software problem, number key doesn’t work properly, and there is lot of hanging problem in this phone. Even service station also tired with this phone because there are many problem costumers are facing who has bought this phone.
I was very much brand loyal person of Samsung but the lesson which i learned from this phone i have decided that i will never buy Samsung product.
Hi kiran. I also facing lots of peoblems on this galaxy grand but
Now I feels great about samsung.just try this 1. Reset ur samsung grand. 2.reset done dont do any thing . 3.skip all startup options. 4.internet must access I mean wifi or data. 5.wait untill u see update option in notification bar. 6. Just download under 50 mb data firmwall file and update ur phone by patienctly.phone will reboot and tell bye bye to lag and hang issues which u was have in ur samsung galaxy grand.and I also was angry on samsung but I was wrong. Just try it and I am replying u by my s.g.grand.have a nice life.
Hi Gogi Sir,
I have purchased galaxy grand last week. I installed some of the apps from play store and done the nenamark 2 test. The result came 28.5 fps. Why the score is so low as in ur review it is 58.9 fps. Is there any prblm in my phone. Please reply sir. I m a new user of android phone. Thanx in advance.
Rajeev restart the phone and try running nenamark 2, it could be that you have some apps running when you ran the test.
hello gogi sir, i also have same problem that 28.6 fps in nenamark 2. 28.6 in galaxy grand that means no high end games. i hope you will reply me as soon as possiple.
I loudly shouting this woooooooooo.
Hey gogi sir recently I and rajeev asked u about 28fps in nenamark2
And I got the solution and its 100% genuine.1.internet needed.2.check for update ur phone.it will download under 50 mb data firmwall and just update it or install it.done open nenamark2 it will 58.9 fps. Gogi sir please post this article on gogi.in because my 5 or 7 friends and lots of peoples suffers by 28fps and lag or hang issues but after update I believe that samsung is not bad at what it promised please sir post this article on gogi.in because lots of peoples wating for this also on youtube.com . My ever trusted gogi.in bye.
Dear Gogi ji, How to use wifi direct
Hi, Gogi Sir.
Link for Samsung Galaxy Grand SHV-E270K.(1.4GhzQuadcore, 4G LTE, NFC)
open2012.openmobile.co.kr/review/?fn=phone&gubun=view&g_num=1386
Dear Gogi ji, My Ph. is sometime hangs. What’s the problem & one other problem smart stay how it is work because when i m chat with whatsapp & check facebook screen is off even i click the checkbox of smart stay. Please sir sort out my problem.
Thanks
Gogi sir, factory reset worked. THANKS. I have no issues with phone now. This phone is just awesome..
kavish shouche bro please tell me what is the nenamark score on your galaxy grand after reset, because i also have same 28fps issue in nenamark2.please bro reply me.
But factory reset will erase my all data like contacts in ph memory
And i mean swipe hand to capt screen shot.
Gogi sir
I had done both d things as u said but no diff.
What can i do now any solution plz tell me
I guess you need to visit the Samsung service center, to check the issue. Before that as a last resort try a factory reset and see if that works.. anyway its better to do a factory reset before handing over the handset to the service center.