Samsung Galaxy Beam Projector Phone Launches in the UK

Thanks to the advent of smartphones, we've grown used to the idea that our cell phones can do a whole lot more besides just making phone calls. Now, Samsung is adding pocket-projector to the list of things its smartphones are capable of. The South Korean company is launching its latest Galaxy smartphone in the United Kingdom this week. Dubbed the Galaxy Beam, this phone is a bit different in that it also boasts a built-in projector.

Packing a 4-inch display, and a 1 GHz dual-core processor, the Galaxy Beam was a long time coming. First unveiled at Mobile World Congress, the phone boasts an 5-megapixel camera (720p recording capabilities at 30fps), 8GB of internal memory, a 2000mAh battery, and the ability to share content instantly via the Beam's 15-lumen projector. The phone is capable of displaying HD images and video up to 50 feet wide.

"We were delighted by the hugely positive response we received from both customers and media when we first announced the Galaxy Beam at Mobile World Congress back in February," said Simon Stanford, Vice President of Telecommunications & Networks at Samsung UK and Ireland. "It's the kind of device you won't find anywhere else – a high definition projector within a standard sized smartphone – and is great for people who want to watch movies, show photos to friends or need to give a presentation while they're out and about."

Unfortunately, the phone is let down a little by the fact that it ships with Android 2.3. Samsung hasn't mentioned much regarding software updates, either. The Galaxy Beam is available for free on contract with Orange and T-Mobile UK.

_{Follow @JaneMcEntegart on Twitter.}

_{Contact Us for News Tips, Corrections and Feedback}

TOPICS

Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.

17 Comments Comment from the forums

Parsian

innovative? perhaps, but crappy on battery. but then again, the chances are, you can connect it to your laptop while u r using the projection function.
Reply
tapnick

I find this pretty cool but not very practical. In my experience its pretty standard for companies to have tv/monitors/projectors in every conference room, so I don't see a huge business demand for it. As far as personal use finding a good spot to project on in the real world to enjoy a quality viewing would not be worth the trouble in comparison to just have a phone with an hd screen.
Reply
NightbladeXX

ya this looks cool but when am i ever going to use it? my gs3 sucks the battery when im watching on the phone's screen i cant imagine the projector being easier on the battery
Reply
falchard

I am sure Apple is getting ready to deny Samsung from releasing this product in the UK for violating its patent on non-piano black finishes on phones.
Reply
CaedenV

I could use one of these for work, but without powerpoint, or being sold in the US it kinda makes it useless to me.
Reply
megamanx00

Kind of cool, but to be a high end phone it should really have a quad core by now :p
Reply
hp79

Battery will probably drain in less than two hours, and your phone is dead. (assuming projector is 5W, battery is 2000mah)
This is almost as useless as the Nikon point and shoot camera that has a integrated projector.
Making it worse, android 2.3..
Reply
eddieroolz

Not sure exactly what the use for these projectors may be.

Also, Samsung isn't the first one to come up with this. Sharp has made an Android smartphone with projection in 2011, and Fujitsu has made a projector Japanese phone in 2009.
Reply
digiex

At least, its the first smartphone with a working flashlight.
Reply
ben850

Didn't Apple buy a projection technology company along with their copyrights a year or two ago?
Reply

Show more comments