Is Samsung Galaxy S Wifi 5.0 a Phone?

I've been receiving this question in the TP Mailbox almost on a daily basis ever since Samsung gave away three Samsung Galaxy S Wifi 5.0 units during last month's UAAP Cheerdance Competition (, which reminds me, who exactly are the winners? Anyway.):

"TP, is Samsung Galaxy S Wifi 5.0 a phone?"

TP Answer:

Nope, Samsung Galaxy S Wifi 5.0 does NOT have GSM phone functionality. It's just a portable media player (PMP).

Think of it like an iPod Touch 4G to an iPhone 4. An iPod Touch has the same operating system and user interface, and almost the same number of supported applications as the iPhone -- BUT it doesn't have GSM phone functions.

Similarly, Samsung Galaxy S Wifi 5.0 has the same operating system as Samsung Galaxy S and Samsung Galaxy S2, which is Android, same UI and almost same number of supported apps via the Android Market -- BUT you can't make GSM calls and send text messages (as you would on a regular cellphone) using Samsung Galaxy S Wifi 5.0.

Nonetheless, Samsung Galaxy S Wifi 5.0 does support VoIP, Skype and Video calling over Wifi.

There you go. I hope you find this helpful. Let your friends know.