The Samsung Galaxy S II first went onsale in mid-2011 and quickly became a firm favourite with gadget fans. Six months later, it is still the standard bearer for Android smartphones. In this fast moving world, that’s quite an achievement. See also Samsung Galaxy Nexus review
There are several reasons for the Samsung Galaxy S II’s enduring popularity. It has superb design and build qualities, high end specifications that continue to impress more than six months after launch, and it benefits from the backstory of a popular predecessor in the original Samsung Galaxy S. Take a look at Samsung Galaxy S3 release date, specs and rumour round-up.
A key attraction of the Samsung Galaxy S II is its very impressive 4.3in SuperAMOLED Plus screen. With 640x960 pixels on offer it is sharper than many other smartphones, and the AMOLED technology means the screen is delivers very vivid colours. It comes into its own particularly for video viewing. Visit Group test: what's the best Android phone?
The presence of a 1.2GHz dual core ARM Cortex A9 processor is also a draw. The Samsung Galaxy S II was one of the first phones to have a dual-core processor, and it zips along very nicely. The advertised generous 16GB of built-in storageis reduced to 12GB actually accessible on the handset but a microSD card can accommodate more. If you’re likely to need to swap storage cards, note that Samsung places the bay for this out of easy reach under the backplate. See also Samsung Galaxy S3 review.
Samsung’s rather good Kies Air application is supported. This allows you to access the device over Wi-Fi through a web browser for file copying. Kies Air doesn’t look very pretty, but it works well. Go to Samsung Galaxy S3 specs and pictures.
HDMI is supported, though there’s no dedicated expansion slot. Instead HDMI is delivered via the microUSB slot, and you’ll need to invest in a cable. The presence of HSDPA goes without saying in any modern smartphone, but the Samsung Galaxy S II can handle downloads to an impressive maximum of 21Mbps. Visit Samsung Galaxy S3 launch: as it happened.
With attractive Android skinning and a good array of widgets, many of which are resizable, the Samsung Galaxy S II lends itself to plenty of user customisation too.
Six months might be a long time in smartphone development, but the Samsung Galaxy S II holds its own very well against recently launched competitors. While its price has fallen since launch it remains an expensive option, though.
Original review by By Spencer Dalziel and Rosemary Hattersley on next page >>
Comments
Leonsfree said: May be You Got fake one
Bandooh said: I have a problem have Galaxy S2 a year to date amp all of a sudden the battery dies nafter 1 day any advise
Altaa4t said: just to ask ull a question i just want to save my conversations frm my yahoo messenger to my other phone so hw can i do tht plz any one can guide me with it
Sam Boycott said: S2 is a crap phone with nothing special in making smartphone experience The body is very dull and dirty the rear camera is too distracting why is samsung not changing its body material quality and colors Every samsung users complaints about this i too have used a galaxy s2 and the screen and battery i have no words to describe itSamsung phone are dull phones
Littlelizzi_20 said: I dont recommend this phone at all battery life doesnt hold up for long Forever needs charging Not only this Ive had mine 5 mths and front screen main button has gone faulty Was pressing it 8 times sometimes to get front screen on Not good Orange brought me a replacement handset out amp guess what Next day sending a text to a good friend of mine the phone completely froze I switched it on again and the screen was pure white Then blue lines were coming down the screen Now i am supposed to be having a second replacement within 3 days tonight People are telling me this is best phone on high street Its CRAP
Jesus Lopez said: I agree the popularity of the Samsung Galaxy S1 definitely has a lot to do popularity of the S2 but that doesnt dismiss that fact that alone the phone is definitely one of the best available I really like the Super AMOLED Plus display which I perfect because both the S1 and 2 are made for viewing video which is why the S1 came with a movie preloaded in HD I just really can wait to get the Galaxy S2 especially since I just got the Sling adapter while working at DISH Network Im actually surprised that there arent more Android users that own a Sling adapter Now I can stream live and recorded TV to all my android devices everywhere that I have 3G coverage or Wi-Fi Now I can finally catch up on all the movies that I have stored in my DVR that I never have time to watch
Xing Guo said: if anybody want to buy it I suggest you go httpwww2011bestphonecom to know more information about it i think it can help you very much
Katyroo12 said: i really dont know whether or not to get the samsunga galaxy S2
Keatescarn said: I just got this phone the pfone itself is fanrastic except its has very poor signal i dont get any more than 2 bars 3g even though my other same network htc nexus 1 gets full signal other thN THIA IT IA GREAT very fast
Concoc said: I am also fond of Super AMOLED Plus display
paul brown said: Mans not sure which phone to chooseHTC incredible is a beautiful phone with I think a better user experience than the Samsung Galaxy S2 On the other hand the Samsung Galaxy S2 is thinner with a bigger internal memory 16 and 32 mega bites as aposed to 1GB on the HTC Thats not to be ignored And it doesnt stop there The S2 has a 2 mega pixel front facing camera versa 13 mega pixel offering from the Sensation The S2 has1 gig of ram and the Sensation has 765 gig of ram The Sensation is said to have a brighter screen too The Samsung Galaxy S2 out specs the HTC Sensation which leaves me with the problem of which phone to choose Both run on Android Ginger Bread 23 and both sport a 12 Dull Core processer with an 8 mega pixel camera with LED flash and full 1080 HD video recording Which one would you choose Let a brother knowAny thoughts would be a great help
Nenen Ubasa said: Samsung Galaxy s or HTC Incredible S Consider the price D