Review: Samsung Galaxy S Lightray 4G for MetroPCS
Camera
The Lightray runs Samsung's camera application rather than the stock Android tools. There's a control strip for adjusting the flash, exposure, switching to the user-facing camera, or accessing the full options.
The Lightray takes about a second to focus before snapping the picture. There's no physical button, so you have to use the software button on the screen. The Lightray includes touch-to-focus. Press the spot in the screen you want in focus, the Lightray focuses there, and then you have to press the shutter button to take the picture. This feature has been improved when compared to other Samsung phones, which required you to move your fingers around fast.
Rather than offer a review screen, the Lightray takes you right back to the viewfinder.
Gallery
The gallery is the stock Android option. Photo albums float in stacks in the main gallery view, and you can sift through them in the chronological timeline in which they are arranged. Editing options are severely limited. Crop and rotate are all you get. Sharing options are solid, and incorporate all the social networking apps on board the Lightray.
Photos
The Lightray has an 8-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash. It performed well. The vast bulk of images I captured were in focus, had accurate white balance and color, were free of grain and other digital noise, and just plain looked good.
Video
The highest video resolution that the Lightray can capture is 720p HD. I wasn't very impressed with the video quality. There was definitely some grain present, and I noticed a bit of smearing in the results from time to time.
Hands On with Dyle Mobile TV
MetroPCS Galaxy S Lightray 4G, With Dyle Mobile TV, Costs $459
Samsung Lightray Bringing Dyle TV To MetroPCS
Samsung Galaxy S Lightray 4G
