3.2
20 reviews
63

Samsung Captivate (SGH-I897)


$499.00 Released August, 2010

Product Shot 1 The Pros:Stunning 4" Super-AMOLED display @ 800 x 480px, takes phone displays to a new level (esp. color, contrast, viewing angles & brightness). Runs a current generation high end 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU by Samsung (Hummingbird). 5MP backside camera with HD video recording (720p @ 30fps).

The Cons:No camera flash. No HDMI output port. No FM transmiter for in car stereo wireless audio.

The Samsung Captivate (SGH-i897 in the US, SGH-i896 in Canada) is a high-end smartphone running Google's Android version 2.1 on AT&T (US) or Rogers (Canada). Being a Samsung Galaxy S line phone, the Samsung Captivate is essentially the North American version of the international Galaxy S as it sports basically the same specs and features: a 4-inch Super-AMOLED display, 7.2Mbps HSPA, a 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor, 5 megapixel camera with 720p recording, a 3.5mm headphone jack, 802.11n WiFi and 16GB of onboard storage (expandable to 48GB via microSD).

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Product Shot 2 At the time of its release, the Samsung Hummingbird integrates the most powerful graphics accelerator found in mobile phone processors: Its PowerVR SGX540 processes 28 MPolys/s and 1Gpx/s@200MHz. As a comparison, the iPhone 4 and 3GS use the SGX535 (14 MPolys/s, 1Gpx/s@200MHz) and Motorola's Droid X uses the SGX530 (14 MPolys/s, 500Mpx/s@200MHz). The Samsung Captivate's US siblings are: T-Mobile Vibrant, Verizon Fascinate, and Sprint Epic 4G.

Differing from the international version of the Galaxy S, the Captivate does not feature a front-facing camera, has a different body design, and has four main buttons on the front (instead of three).

Features

  • Android 2.1 OS
  • 1GHz Hummingbird processor
  • PowerVR SGX540 (powerful graphics accelerator integrated into Hummingbird processor)
  • 5 megapixel camera with 720p recording
  • 4-inch Super AMOLED display
  • 802.11n WiFi, 3G, 7.2Mbps HSPA
  • 16GB of onboard storage (expandable to 48GBGB via microSDHC card slot)
  • 3.5mm headphone jack

User Reviews (27)

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63
ProScore
Pros
  • 12

    stunning 4" Super-AMOLED display @ 800 x 480px, takes phone displays to a new level (esp. color, contrast, viewing angles & brightness)

  • 8

    runs a current generation high end 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU by Samsung (Hummingbird)

  • 7

    5MP backside camera with HD video recording (720p @ 30fps)

  • 7

    stunning graphics acceleration (PowerVR SGX540 GPU): 90 million triangles/sec (iPhone 3GS: 28 million/sec; Snapdragon Adreno: 22 million/sec)

  • 6

    WiFi (802.11b/g/n) and 3G (HSPA max downlink 7.2 Mbit/s, max uplink 5.76Mbit/s) connectivity

  • 4

    runs the latest version of the open source Android OS (2.1)

  • 3

    incredibly thin (9.9mm)

  • 2

    GPS with 3D maps

  • 2

    16GB built-in flash memory

  • 2

    user-removable Li-Ion battery with 1500mAh capacity

  • 2

    one of the first mobile phones to support DivX HD

  • 2

    memory expandable with standard microSD/microSDHC cards

  • 2

    charging/data transfer via standard microUSB port

  • 2

    very responsive UI

  • 2

    3-axis gyroscope plus accelerometer for precise 6-axis sensing (same STMicro chip as on iPhone 4)

  • 2

    bootloader is unlocked & Samsung released their code for the Galaxy S - will make it an excellent phone for hackers and consumers looking for custom ROMs and "unofficial" OS updates

  • 2

    Corning® Gorilla® glass (environmentally friendly alkali-aluminosilicate thin sheet glass that is both scratch resistant and durable)

  • 2

    Support for CyanogenMod so you can upgrade the O/S to their popular flavor of Gingerbread

  • 1

    supports Bluetooth version 3.0

  • 1

    standard 3.5mm headphone jack

  • 1

    Atmel maXTouch sensor for multi-touch (high precision, very low power, can detect indefinite number of points on the screen)

  • 1

    Swype keyboard included (faster than any other keyboard input, predictive text, can also be as normal keyboard)

  • 1

    Samsung provides a desktop sync app ("Samsung Kies") - Outlook contact sync, SMS backup, tethering setup, etc.

  • 1

    Can be upgraded to CyanogenMod running the latest, greatest versions of Android OS

  • 1

    Similar to other Galaxy S phones and the Google Nexus S, so it gets a lot of community support

  • 1

    The capacitive touch buttons can be modded to display notification status

  • -1

    great battery life - gets through a day easily even with above-average use

Cons
  • 4

    no camera flash

  • 3

    no HDMI output port

  • 2

    no FM transmiter for in car stereo wireless audio

  • 2

    GPS accuracy problems

  • 1

    no forward-facing camera (international version Galaxy S has 1.3MP front-facing camera)

  • 1

    Samsung has never provided a premium UI / good support for their mobile devices

  • 1

    charge port is at the top, which makes it annoying to use while charging

  • 1

    dedicated menu, home, back, and search touch buttons aren't illuminated at first and can be hard to find in the dark

  • 1

    Battery life isn't the greatest. Screen can suck a lot of power.

  • 1

    takes a long time to charge

  • 1

    CPU feels underpowered, especially with all the newer dual-core smart phones coming out like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

  • 0

    No dedicated Camera button

  • 0

    extremely glossy glass screen atop the display

  • 0

    lots of extra bezel above and below screen, makes the device fairly tall

  • 0

    runs pretty warm after using for a while

  • 0

    awkward placement of screen lock button

Comments (15)

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Erik
Erik: #samsung_captivate_sgh_i897 I've had this phone since Nov. 2010 and it's still going strong. I've been flashing the bleeding edge CyanogenMod versions, and have been extremely happy with this phone. I have it running CM10 (Jellybean) right now and it's actually doing quite well for a single-core processor. Because of the continual software updating I've been doing, I haven't felt like I "needed" a new phone like the SGS III. Aug 27, 12
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nm
nm: #samsung_captivate_sgh_i897 i bought this samsung galaxy captivate 3 months before. now my displays screen always changes to green color i'm not able make a call or anything..after removing battery and again putting it works but now it is also not working..
if anybody knows the solution pls let me know Dec 13, 11
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Erik
Erik: I flashed the first test release of CyanogenMod 7 running Gingerbread 2.3.3 on by #samsung_captivate_sgh_i897 phone this weekend and I love it! The process is fairly complicated and involves flashing back to stock, flashing to speedmod, flashing CyanogenMod recovery firmware, then finally installing CyanogenMod 7 using the recovery mode.

This ROM in spite of being an initial release is by far better and almost as stable as other custom ROMs I've tried (Perception, Cognition, Serendipity). The update process is a very simple Recovery Mode install, so I'm looking forward to future releases from the CyanogenMod team.

I feel like my Android phone destroys the iPhone now, however, they need to get out of the test stage before other would agree with me. (Random reboots on WiFi sleep for example).

Learn more here (I recommend watching the video vary carefully): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=978150 Josh from Mobile Tech Videos does an amazing job stepping you through the process.

I've done the mod twice now (I mistakingly flashed the Galaxy S version instead of Captivate and had to restart). I can help anyone who asks. Mar 8, 11
comments (1)
  • Erik

    Erik: I've installed the 2011-03-09 update and it went perfectly smoothly. The initial install of CyanogenMod is a pain, but updating is a snap. It's way easier, and faster than iOS. Mar 10, 11

LISA
LISA: #samsung_captivate_sgh_i897 Does this phone have a front camera if not can you buy something to adapt to your phone to do this Feb 18, 11
comments (1)
Omar
Omar: Alright. Here we go... I just played around with @erik's #samsung_captivate_sgh_i897 today at lunch and I have to admit. It's pretty good. The custom ROM he's using addressed my biggest concern, which was the sluggish responsiveness when swiping and all of that. On top of that I found the act of opening apps to be extremely fast, much better than what I've seen with iOS.

Compound the slow opening apps with the archaic icon grid of iOS and I have to say that Android is really moving up in my mind.

Now, it's still ridiculous that things are so fragmented with operating system versions and all of that, so I still can't give it a full recommendation, but the future looks bright. Dec 20, 10
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  • Omar

    Omar: Oh, and the WinPhone7 browser is supposed to be pretty horrible. I mean it's based on IE7 for crying out loud.

    Right now... if I were to buy a new smart phone right now... I'd have to say I'd go with the Captivate with custom ROM. Thankfully I'm not currently in the market for a new phone so I can see how things play out over the next 6 months or so. Dec 20, 10

  • Erik

    Erik: Ya, waiting a bit, might be the right strategy. It's pretty tumultuous right now in the smart phone arena. Dec 20, 10

dom
dom: I love that Samsung Captivate! Awesome 4" Super-AMOLED display, 16GB internal storage plus microSD expansion, great reception & call quality, loudspeaker with ample volume for navigation, Google Maps Navigation, that awesome central notification system of Android. widgets, and infinite customizability.... only downsides are that Skype isn't working yet though it installs (Skype's fault, again...) and AT&T permanently disabled non-market app installs. Dec 9, 10
comments (2) like this
  • Erik

    Erik: Join the club! Interesting that AT&T disables non-market app installs. That begs the question: are you going to be rooting that bad boy? Installing custom ROMs? Dec 9, 10

  • dom

    dom: I really would have loved to install CyanogenMod 6.1 which just came out, but unfortunately they dropped the Galaxy S phones from their promised device additions. Are there any other stable ROMs for the Captivate? I'm still thinking about rooting, but the Froyo update seems to be awfully close, so I guess I'd do that when I got my hands on Froyo. Dec 10, 10

Erik
Erik: #google_nexus_s I just got my #samsung_captivate_sgh_i897 and seeing this on the front page of ProductWiki made me a little jealous. Android Gingerbread 2.3 out of the box and the front-facing camera are what get me the most. I'm only consoled by the fact that this phone will never see the light of day in Canada. Dec 7, 10
comments (2)
  • Yale

    Yale: why do you think that? The Nexus One is everywhere today - currently even Mobilicity carries it officially. I guess that's now yesterday's news, though. I wonder if the the recent Android / Samsung love by Canadian carriers means we are more likely to see it? Dec 7, 10

  • dom

    dom: funny Erik, the same happened to me.... although, I got a ridiculous deal on the Captivate. I got it unlocked for $80! That was at a fun(d)raising luncheon/auction for a community service organization I'm part of, and there were also three smartphones among a ton of other stuff.... the BB Torch, iPhone 3GS 32GB, and the Captivate. The two others sold for only $60, which is interesting... Dec 8, 10

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  • Erik

    Erik: Ya, I've been following the CM6.1 thread on XDA, and it seems like they're making good progress. I'll probably switch to Cyanogen when it's available because of it's ease of update and from the praise it gets. For now, I'm happy with Perception 8. The Rogers stock firmware has all the things you mentioned, plus better GPS, and WiFi Access Point built-in to the settings menu. Dec 15, 10

  • Erik

    Erik: My Android ROM flashing obsession continues. I had some problems with Perception 8, so I was forced (albeit happy to do so) to go back to stock and flash a new ROM. I decided to try out Assonance 5.0. Overall, it has Gingerbread theme, and is a rock solid performer. I love the lock screen that allows you to change to vibrate mode without unlocking, as well. One thing that I missed from Perception, was the ability to see the actual % remaining of the battery in the status bar.

    What ROM next? It looks like it's a race between Cyanogen 6.1 which is now in Beta 4, or a port of the Nexus S Gingerbread ROM which has already undergone it's first successful boot on a Galaxy S series phone. I'm rooting for the latter. No pun intended. There is also a long shot possibility of Rogers getting into the foray, but they need to get Froyo released first, so that seems extremely unlikely.

    In other news, Perception is up to version 9, and Cognition is up to version v2.3b8. Both are recent updates this week. Dec 18, 10

Erik
Erik: #samsung_captivate_sgh_i897 I just wanted to point that out that in Canada, on Rogers, it goes by the model # SGH-I896. AT&T is the SG-I897 Dec 4, 10
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Erik
Erik: I tried #google_maps_navigation out for the first time yesterday on my #samsung_captivate_sgh_i897
IT IS AMAZING. It is better than any consumer GPS on the market, and it's free. The traffic and satellite layers are great, and with a simple press of the screen you can go into street view. The analogy for me is Google Maps Navigation to All Other GPS units is Google Maps to MapQuest. If that makes any sense. (@dom have you tried this bad boy out?) Nov 24, 10
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  • Erik

    Erik: Ya it does, but not in my version for some reason. Nov 24, 10

  • Omar

    Omar: Oh, that's strange... I saw my friend use the voice search and it's pretty damn sweet. So if you think the app is good now, definitely get voice search working. Nov 24, 10

Omar
Omar: @scottp you mentioned that you were a Blackberry user before your #samsung_captivate_sgh_i897 and I also know that a lot of your friends are Blackberry users. What do they think of your phone? Any of them questioning their Blackberry loyalty? Nov 24, 10
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  • Amanie

    Amanie: I've heard this argument a lot re: the business world - tthe main issue being "security". I was talking to a realtor who said they HAD to use blackberry's because of the sensitive documents they send back and forth. Is there really such a gaping security hole in other phones? Nov 24, 10

  • Omar

    Omar: I guess that archaic view is similar to how the music industry is against digital distribution. Sometimes people are just set in their ways. And when a group of people share similar ideas you get this self-reinforcing group think where they validate each other's opinions. You then have the pride issue because people hate admitting that they're wrong.

    I've seen this many times, most notably when people hold out on signing up for Facebook for no real good reason, mainly pride.

    The thing is that deep down they know they're wrong and are just waiting for the "right time" to jump ship. I would be very surprised if in 2 years more than half of your current Blackberry owning friends will still have one. Nov 24, 10

Erik
Erik: OMG. I just played with @scottp 's #samsung_captivate_sgh_i897 and I fell in love. I need to get one ASAP. To me, Android combines what I like about BB and iPhone in one product. My #apple_iphone_3g feels extremely antiquated next to this device.

It's definitely a more "technical" product than the iPhone, but that suits me just fine. The Samsung skin is really good, and what sold it on me was the notification system and how it integrated with txting and GTalk specifically. No need for #kik_messenger anymore for me. Nov 18, 10
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  • dom

    dom: sweet! how's it working? I wish Google would make a new innovative media player app that would sync with Androids (and others), kind of like the Picasa app that does a whole lot more than just syncing with Picasa Web Apps. There are plenty of good syncing solutions for Android, but an official Google app for the desktop would give iPhone users even one more reason to switch. iPhone users have no understanding of syncing according to my experience in conversations.... Dec 3, 10

  • Erik

    Erik: Haven't had the chance to give it a fair shake, yet. Hopefully, I can find some time this weekend. I don't have a deep understanding/appreciation of syncing yet. I like the idea of my home media library always available on my Android phone wherever I go either over WiFi or from the physical media. What excites you? The WiFi streaming or the physical syncing? Is it music or video? Or something else? Dec 3, 10

ScottP
ScottP: Finally after months of waiting I got my #samsung_captivate_sgh_i897 !!! Upgrading from a #rim_blackberry_curve_8310 is like going from the outhouse to the penthouse. The Super AMOLED screen is as impressive as advertised. Samsung's Touchwiz interface is what I'm enjoying most about the phone. It allows a more efficient home screen that's not cluttered with Apps I never use. I've already added the "Daily Briefing" and "Feeds and updates" widgets and both are great. As frustrated as I was waiting so long for this phone it was definitely worth the wait. Nov 14, 10
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  • Erik

    Erik: Do you get a full day out of it at least? (about to pull the trigger as I type) Nov 18, 10

  • ScottP

    ScottP: Sorry, to be more specific I can get a full day out of it. I'm a little spoiled going from a BlackBerry I very rarely used. Nov 18, 10

Erik
Erik: #samsung_captivate_sgh_i897 I may pull the trigger on this phone rather than upgrade my iPhone 3G to an iPhone 4. What do you think? I'm a Google fanboy. Sep 10, 10
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dom
dom: #samsung_captivate_sgh_i897 There's a fix for the GPS locking issues at intomobile.com. Looks like Spirent's LBS server is corrupted; the instructions after the link change the LBS server and port to Google's own. Jul 21, 10
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