Samsung has a knack for making devices of various screen sizes. The Galaxy View is their biggest yet with a gigantic 18.4″ screen and it runs on Android. In their latest ad, Samsung isn’t calling it a TV or a Tablet, but simply “entertainment reimagined”.
Since both TV and tablets are generally media consumption devices, Samsung attempts to blur the line between the two, offering a larger screen experience in a somewhat “portable” form factor. Weighing at about 2.65kg, it is heavier than your average mobile device. With a handle at the back of the kickstand, Samsung wants it to be as easy to carry as a shopping bag.
According to Samsung, the Galaxy View is designed to be used from an arm’s reach, hence they have created a new UI with larger icons and text for a more intuitive experience. Furthermore, the way people watch TV is much different now, with more opting to look for content when they want it, rather than to follow broadcast programs.
For gaming, the Galaxy View has an S Console game app, where you can project your mobile games onto a bigger screen. It turns your smart phone into a controller for a console gaming-like experience. While the hardware could potentially replace a TV, it is a pity that Samsung hasn’t included the essential TV ports such as HDMI. This could have opened up the Galaxy View as a portable TV for console gaming or to connect to other AV equipment.
In the US, it is currently priced at US$499 which is about RM2,110. It gets a 1.6GHz Octa-Core processor with 2GB of RAM and there’s a choice of either 32GB or 64GB of storage that’s expandable with microSD. With an on-board 5,700mAh battery, the Galaxy View can be used unplugged up to 8 hours. If it ever comes here, would you be interested to get one?
