Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
The Samsung Galaxy Y ships with Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread) but with the specs it's packing don't expect an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich. Ever.
Samsung has slapped its TouchWiz interface onto the operating system which is simple to use and relatively easy on the eye.
However due to the 830MHz processor the Galaxy Y lacks the zip TouchWiz has on high-end phones such as the Galaxy S2, with the overall experience a bit laggy.
Widgets are available, but with just three home screens and a tiny display you'll want to pick and choose very carefully which ones you want taking up that valuable real estate. Compare that to the HTC Wildfire S and its severn home screens and you may feel like you've been a little bit robbed.
Hold down on a free space on a home screen to open up the Galaxy Y widget menu. The basics are there including; clock, weather and date options, news feeds, email and YouTube.
Don't expect any particularly fancy options though – there's no calendar or notes app for example. You can't resize widgets like with the Galaxy S2, which is probably a good thing given the amount of space you're provided with.
Apps are stored in the applications area, which is denoted by the blue button with four white squares on the home screen. Apps are displayed in no particular order, but you can re-order them to suit your taste. Press the menu touch button and select edit to move or delete apps.
Due to the small screen, just 12 apps are displayed at a time, so if you have a tendency to download a lot you will find yourself sifting through reams of pages.
Folders can be created the same way as widgets on the homescreens to allow some organisation of apps. However you are unable to place folders in the app draw, which means there is no escape from those endless pages – frustrating.
Menus on the Galaxy Y have been given a nice splash of colour, notably in the Settings area which gives a pleasant appearance.
The TouchWiz interface is simple to operate and works well even on a small screen. Don't expect to be dazzled with 3D animations, but we were able to find our way around without too much hassle.
