Samsung Infuse 4G Android Smartphone Review

AT&T continues to flesh out their 4G capable smartphone offerings with a device that some might consider a "superphone," as the term has been coined recently. Take a goosed up, Samsung Hummingbird processor at 1.2GHz, drop in Samsung's gorgeous and gargantuan 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, power it with Android 2.2 (Froyo) along with a few tweaks of Samsung' s handset UI and you have what's affectionately known as the Infuse 4G. That said, the Infuse isn't actually going to run at true 4G speeds on AT&T's network, but rather their HSPA+ technology, but you knew that. Or did you?

The kicker here is that though AT&T recently announced a 4G LTE rollout is coming this summer, the transition is expected to be a slow ramp.  So where does that leave current AT&T customers with devices like the Infuse 4G? In short, for the time being, AT&T's HSPA+ network is about as fast as you're going to get for now if you're on contract already. So, how fast and capable is AT&T's HSPA+ network and the Infuse 4G?  You're about to find out.

The Infuse 4G's display has to be its main selling point. Let's face it, when it comes to high-end smartphones, as long as the processor can pass muster, the touch screen display is the next major consideration for many end users.  Photo's don't do the Infuse 4G's absolutely stunning display justice...

Samsung Droid Infuse 4G Specifications & Features

Processor and Memory	Samsung 1.2GHz Hummingbird (ARM Cortex A8) 16GB built-in, 2GB microSD card pre-installed
Operating System	Android 2.2
Connectivity	HSDPA 21 Mbps, HSUPA 3.6 Mbps Bluetooth v3.0 with A2DP Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n; DLNA GPS microUSB microHDMI
Display	4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen
Size and Weight	132 x 71 x 9 mm 4.9 ounces
Cameras and Multimedia	8 megapixel camera with LED flash, auto-focus front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack
Additional Features	Mobile Hotspot capability Samsung Media Hub
Battery	Usage Time: Up to 480 Minutes Standby Time: Up to 400 Hours
Carrier	Verizon Wireless
In-Box Content	Standard Lithium Ion Battery 1750mAh 2GB microSD card preinstalled Wall/USB charger Product Safety & Warranty Brochure Quick Reference Guide
Price	$199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement

Surprisingly, this 4.5-inch beauty, as large as it is, doesn't carry a weight proportional to its dimensions.  At just 4.9oz., it's one of the lighter smartphones on the market right now and it helps the feeling of "pocketability" with the device. In addition, its 1.2GHz processor is powered by a rather stout 1750mAh battery and Samsung's new Super AMOLED Plus display reportedly consumes less power on average versus their previous generation Super AMOLED screens. All, told the Infuse 4G is a potent package on paper. Let's get a closer look at its design and build quality...