To have you expect not much text, I quote here all positives and negatives to using bullet points.
POSITIVE:
+ Very thin, lightweight phone which is still well in hand
+ Android system without any lag and a huge variety of apps in the Market
+ An absolutely awesome display with high contrast and great colors
+ Battery life is very good and enough for my use a little more than 2 days
+ GPS reception is very good and takes the position within 30 seconds to 9m exactly (in my case)
+ The reception of the mobile phone is great and the voices heard on both sides of the phone well to
+ WLAN reception keeps its promises on paper - have scarce 400MB loaded within good 80 seconds
NEUTRAL:
+ - The camera takes in daylight very good photos but does not replace any compact digital camera (due to lightning, etc.)
+ - The speaker on the back is sufficiently loud, but is only mono - my I8910 had 2 speakers
+ - The Samsung KIES software since version 2.0 is acceptable and makes no problems, but I have this so far only rarely used
NEGATIVE:
- Nothing
I hope that the software update 2.2 also known as Froyo comes to Android in the next 2 months, because then the mobile is even faster than it already is now ... I can not give any of the interested in the device an absolute buy recommendation.
Addendum of 10/08/2010:
Since the new version of KIES far everything works as it should. Therefore, there is no negative characteristics more for me. In addition, Samsung has surely come a long way when it comes to software, because the forums around the I9000 are full of contributions from new firmwares that improve GPS and all in all is running smoothly. It is even spoken of Android 2.2 firmware, the more alpha or beta are but. Samsung therefore seems to have learned something this and I hope that Android 3.0 will come on SGS also in terms Firmmwares.
Addendum of 03/11/2010:
KIES has become usable for quite some time. The latest version has no adverse effects, but KIES react now and then lazily.
As for SGS (I9000), Samsung makes so when it comes to firmware continues progress. So the latest 2.2 Beta makes (Froyo) firmware a very good impression. I assume that Froyo will be available soon really officially ready. But what knocks me is the fact that the Community is constantly evolving and always bring better apps, tweaks and lagfix kernel out. Only then does the SGS really fun.
Addendum of 11/01/2010:
I wanted to write something again to the SGS and update my assessment. Since a few days ago version 2.0 of gravel is out there and I have this installed instantly. So far, this version makes a better impression than the versions before. However, I use KIES not really. You sure are wondering what kind of software I use instead. Well, I used to flash the firmware Odin, to transfer files AndFTP (have a NAS in the network) to manage (via USB) and my contacts, etc., or the normal mass storage connection Kies Air, which Samsung in the Samsung App Store has loaded. I can only lay near each SGS owner Kies air. Managing the contacts, etc. I find so ingenious. You do not need software on the PC and the whole works well on Mac and Linux.
But now back to SGS itself. Meanwhile, I've firmware JPY (Froyo 2.2.1) running on my SGS on and have made some further modifications to it. So I got the Speedmod kernel of Hardcore (see XDA forums) recorded and created my own theme for the SGS. I'm still very happy with my SGS and going so quickly buy any other device. Should anyone have any questions about the modifications, so simply replies to this assessment.
Addendum of 06/05/2011:
After more than 4 months without an update, I want to write something to SGS again. Last year in May I had to decide my I8910 to be apostate and to change the camp from Symbian to Android. This step was probably the best I could do.
Now almost a year ago and actually it itches me annually in the fingers to bring / buy something new, but this failed to materialize so far. Well, a dual-core mobile phone would be cool, but for what? To record 1080p video would be certainly a feature which would justify a new device, but for what? The SGS runs with my DocRom v9.9.5 (based on XWJS8 firmware) so fluid and stable, that I am currently so pleased with the machine that I did not look around for a new device.
As my girlfriend but still running with my I8910 rum, I am currently looking for a new mobile phone, of course, with Android. I currently tend even to buy her a I9000. Because with the price and the firmware that I have it, the phone is really NEN very good price / performance tip. But for that I will write something if I have made a purchase.
Oh and one more thing ... for all those who read this and think twice to buy the I9000 or a dual-core mobile phone ... read you once a android-hilfe.de on. For the SGS there is so much to modifications that make the SGS fast and stylish ... really the HAMMA. I have an apprentice flashed at me at work the same FW / Rome, as I have, and he was amazed by the performance difference. The best we have seen it when you (read the menu) applies Pinch to Zoom in the App Drawer. With him it had wiggled before the Flash and then ran all around.
For me, the purchase was worth over 10 months ago and I'm still satisfied with the device.
