We unbox the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2!

Samsung announced the successor to their Android/point-and-shoot hybrid, the Galaxy Camera during CES at the beginning of the year. Today, we finally got our hands on the updated version, simply named Galaxy Camera 2, and like all the new gadgets that arrive at the Unbox HQ, we’ll be unboxing it for you guys!

Samsung Galaxy Camera specs

• 1.6GHz quad-core processor
• 2GB of RAM
• 4.8-inch HD display, 720 x 1280 resolution
• 8GB internal memory, expandable via microSD up to 64GB
• 16.3-megapixel 1/2.3? BSI CMOS, 21x Optical Zoom Lens, 23 mm Wide Angle, F2.8(W) ~ 5.9(T) IS OIS, up to 3200 ISO
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS/GLONASS, NFC
• Android 4.3

Packaging and contents

Like most of Samsung’s high end offerings, the Galaxy Camera 2 comes in a very nice and sturdy box with the photo of the device printed on the front. The sides of the box give you an idea of the specifications of the Galaxy Camera 2, as well as some of the key features of the gadget, which include the 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 21x optical zoom lens and the 4.8-inch HD LCD.

Once you open the box, you’ll see the device itself covered in plastic, as well as the charger, USB cable, leather camera strap and assorted manuals and warranty cards.

Initial impressions: Still looks and feels like an Android smartphone had a baby with a point-and-shoot camera

Much like the original Galaxy Camera, the Galaxy Camera 2 runs off of Android. It makes sense really – the Android ecosystem gives users a myriad of connectivity and sharing options that would either be impossible or very difficult and expensive without it. Like most things nowadays, the Galaxy Camera 2 isn’t a major upgrade from the previous version, and retains the same 21x optical zoom lens of the previous version, as well as the 16.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, with only a slight speed bump in the processor and updated software. Interestingly, the Galaxy Camera 2 is a Wi-Fi only affair now, as Samsung has ditched the 3G/4G connectivity of the previous device.

Much like any Android device, the Galaxy Camera 2 has Wi-Fi that allows it to connect to the internet and download apps off of the Google Play store. This also makes sharing photos a breeze to your social networks as you won’t have to connect the device to a PC to be able to upload your photos.

It can also install other Android apps on the Galaxy Camera 2 like Instagram, Camera 360 and the like.

As far as the overall look of the camera is concerned, it definitely looks premium. The leather finish on the front of the camera combined with the silver trim on the top and bottom of the device really make it stand out from your regular point and shoot.

There’s not a lot of manual controls on the Galaxy Camera 2, since most of the settings can be accessed and changed through the 4.8-inch HD touchscreen display.

The Galaxy Camera 2 is very responsive and felt really quick. It scored high on its AnTuTu benchmark test so we’re sure that this particular gadget can make short work of any app that you decide to throw at it.

That’s it for now. Expect the review of this gadget in the near future.