Hands-on with Samsung's Galaxy Core LTE smartphone (pictures)
We get up close with the Samsung Galaxy Core LTE, a midrange handset that the company plans to release in the UK in the second quarter.
Xiomara Blanco
Xiomara Blanco is an associate editor for CNET Reviews. She's a Bay Area native with a knack for tech that makes life easier and more enjoyable. So, don't expect her to review printers anytime soon.
I'm a visual storyteller, working primarily in the medium of photography and photoshop. I listen to more podcasts than I can keep up with and enjoy gardening, cooking, reading, and am striving for a sustainable lifestyle. A big-picture thinker, I am always trying to put the pieces together, and though things are scary these days, I believe humanity will pull through.
We get our grips on Samsung's midrange 4G phone, the Galaxy Core LTE, which is set for a UK release in the second quarter. Click through for loads of photos.
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Bottom edge
The bottom edge of the Galaxy Core LTE houses a microphone pinhole and a mini-USB port.
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Volume rocker
The volume rocker on the side slightly bubbles above the edge, making it easy to find when in your pocket.
The sleek slides lose their high-end appeal due to the Galaxy Core LTE's extra girth.
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Jelly Bean flavor of Android
Though it ships with Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2., the Galaxy Core LTE still offers a bevy of useful features.
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Solid build for a budget buy
The Core LTE is expected to be affordably priced when it hits stores, yet its build feels anything but cheap. The solid smartphone appears to pack a solid build quality.
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Basic back in black
The aligned LED flash, 5-megapixel camera, and speaker is reminiscent of the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2, but with a less premium feel.
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Status-quo facade
The Galaxy Core LTE looks like your typical Samsung device, except its 4.5 inch screen makes it one of the smallest releases in Samsung's Galaxy.
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5-megapixel camera
These days a 5-megapixel camera won't impress many, but the one on the back of the Core LTE will still work for simple snapshots.
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Longer design
The Galaxy Core LTE sports a slightly longer body, even though it's a smaller smartphone.
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Touchwiz
It's no surprise that Samsung's Touchwiz makes an appearance on the Galaxy Core LTE. There's loads of apps and customization features to keep you occupied.
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Top bezel
The Galaxy Core LTE houses a front-facing 0.3 MP camera and ambient light sensor.
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Bottom bezel
The Galaxy Core LTE features capacitive, as well as a home button on its bottom bezel.
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It's almost like it's winking
If the LED flash was an eye, the camera a cute button nose, the speaker a winky eye, and the Samsung logo a smirk -- right? Is it just me? Anyways, the aligned features work best when using the smartphone in its default portrait orientation.
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4G LTE please
The fast browsing and data downloads while out-and-about is one of the main appeals of a tablet with 4G LTE capabilities.
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Back in black
Samsung offers the Core LTE smartphone in black or white.
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Black in the front
The black model adds a sleek touch to the otherwise humdrum Galaxy Core LTE.
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Capacitive buttons in action
Whether you're a fan of them or not, Samsung includes their capacitive buttons on the bottom bezel of the Galaxy Core LTE.
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Thick Core
The Galaxy Core thickness isn't as slim as some top mobiles, but for a smartphone on the budget end, it isn't too bad.
