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Samsung Galaxy Admire 4G arrives at MetroPCS

The small, $170 handset is LTE-ready, but lags behind the times with Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

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Samsung Galaxy Admire 4G
MetroPCS

It may look much more like the Samsung Galaxy S3 than the original Samsung Galaxy Admire, but the Samsung Galaxy Admire 4G, available today from MetroPCS, does boost the Admire name.

Namely, it adds LTE connectivity, which brings much faster data transfer compared to Metro's 2.5G network.

However, those hoping to brandish a high-end smartphone won't get one in the Admire 4G. Instead, the specs stack up to a small, but affordable entry-level device.

Let's start with the 3.65-inch HVGA screen, which is minuscule by today's standards. Then add the 1GHz processor, and top it off with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, which is already a few versions old at this point.

The Admire 4G also carries a 3-megapixel rear-facing camera and a VGA front-facing camera for video chats. While I fully expect this phone to satisfy the requirements of budget smartphone seekers on MetroPCS' network, I am disappointed that the phone isn't a little more high-powered with Android 4.0 Gingerbread and a faster dual-core processor.

MetroPCS begins selling the Admire 4G online today for $169 with no contract requirement. It goes on sale in stores beginning tomorrow.