Samsung Galaxy S2: model characteristics, reviews, description and photos. Phone Samsung Galaxy S2 I9100: characteristics, comparison with competitors and reviews Samsung Galaxy s2 dimensions

Review No. 2 about the Samsung Galaxy S II GT-I9100 phone

PS. New Year 2015 is coming soon, and the phone still works. I was already ready to purchase a more recent brother, when the CM11 firmware came out and I was completely satisfied. I installed the original enlarged battery... of course, it doesn’t last as long as I’d like, but it’s quite satisfactory.

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Price of Samsung Galaxy S II GT-I9100 phone

Market price at the time of page creation

Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.

Design

Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.

SIM card

The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.

Mobile networks

A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.

Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds

Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.

Operating system

An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.

SoC (System on Chip)

A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.

Built-in memory

Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.

Memory cards

Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.

Screen

The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.

Sensors

Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.

Rear camera

The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on its back panel and may be combined with one or more secondary cameras.

Front-camera

Smartphones have one or more front cameras of various designs - a pop-up camera, a rotating camera, a cutout or hole in the display, an under-display camera.

Audio

Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.

Radio

The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.

Location determination

Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.

WiFi

Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.

HDMI

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital audio/video interface that replaces older analog audio/video standards.

Headphone jack

This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Connecting devices

Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.

Browser

A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.

Audio file formats/codecs

Mobile devices support different audio file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital audio data.

Video file formats/codecs

Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.

Battery

Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.

Galaxy smartphone S II was released back in 2011 by mobile standards, but still enjoys attention from users. At the time of release, it was a real flagship: a chic 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus matrix with decent WVGA resolution, a 2-core processor, brand new Android 2.3 with a good proprietary shell - beauty!

Is this the return of the legend, improved and modernized? At first glance, you can’t say that: the technical specifications seem to have not changed, the design is the same, even the dimensions remain the same down to a fraction of a millimeter. Today we will figure out what kind of “beast” the Galaxy S II Plus is, whether it differs in any way from the flagship two years ago and why Samsung released it.

Appearance

Deja vu is the first feeling when you pick up the Galaxy S II Plus. The smartphone exactly repeats the design of its famous ancestor. Nothing has changed significantly at all: the “hump” at the bottom of the rear panel, the location and size of the controls, the camera, speakers, microphones, even the recess to hook the lid - everything remains the same.

The only difference from the Galaxy S II is the rear panel. In the updated model, it is glossy and made in the style of the Galaxy S III. Let us remind you that the original device, produced in 2011, has a textured lid. Rough plastic is much more practical than the gloss of the Galaxy S II with the “Plus” prefix. The latter retains fingerprints and any dirt, and all this is clearly visible on the dark surface. The “fingers” are easily erased, but appear again in no time.

When we tested the Galaxy S II, its dimensions were alarming. Why: width 66 mm, height 125 mm! Today, compared to tablet phones and other devices with a screen diagonal larger than 4.5 inches, a smartphone looks quite compact. The device fits comfortably in your hand. It does not seem heavy, although, judging by the technical characteristics, the Plus model weighs 5 grams more than the “progenitor”.

The build of the smartphone is still good. The lid still sits firmly in place, the buttons are pressed clearly, do not play, and protrude from the body just enough to make them convenient to use blindly.

Well, Galaxy design The S II Plus has not changed, but the material from which the rear panel is made is even worse than the original. Maybe the new product will surprise you with something different? For example, an improved display, increased performance or an even more advanced camera?

Display

It's amazing how perceptions change in just a year and a half. It seems that just recently the screen of the Galaxy S II was one of the best in the smartphone segment, and no one noticed the pixelation. In the era of Retina, HD and Full HD Galaxy resolution The S II Plus can be called an anachronism. Among models in the middle and even lower price ranges, 480x800 resolution has become the norm, but you still expect a more modern screen from a new device costing more than $500.

The Super AMOLED Plus matrix will delight lovers of “acid” images with bright and saturated colors. Viewing angles are good, deep blacks and dirty whites are present. In general, everything is the same as in the Galaxy S II.

Camera

At one time, the Galaxy S II boasted one of the best “smartphone” cameras. So far, pictures taken with this device look decent even when compared with photographs taken with new flagship models.

Snow photographed in bright sunlight

The Galaxy S II Plus smartphone also received a main 8-megapixel photo module. Most likely, the camera remained the same, that is, not bad. However, our copy clearly had defects either with the matrix, or with the software processing of the images, or both. There is a noticeable pink spot in the center of all the photos, there are problems with white balance and focusing, some shots even turned out as if they had gone through an Instagram vent.

Functionality

The Galaxy S II Plus we tested ran under Android control 4.0.4, although the device should go on sale with the more recent Android 4.1. The new, up-to-date firmware out of the box is a significant advantage over the Galaxy S II, but only if the owners of the second smartphone for some reason do not want to update it to the official Jelly Bean.

The interface and capabilities of the device now resemble or rather . The similarity is in everything, from the lock screen with a gurgling sound to some proprietary Samsung functions.

For example, when working with long lists of contacts, addresses Email or messages, you can go to the beginning of the list by double-tapping the top of the device. It is possible to zoom in and out on web pages and photographs by holding two fingers on the screen and tilting the smartphone. The same principle underlies moving a shortcut to another desktop: the icon itself is held in one place by your finger, and you need to move the phone to the right or left. Another feature is called “Shake to Refresh.” No, shaking the smartphone’s firmware will not update, but the Galaxy S II Plus will be able to find available Bluetooth devices.

The device can also track the user's gaze, preventing the screen from turning off. Thanks to “Direct Call”, you can call the subscriber whose contact or message is open on the display without touching the display - just bring the smartphone to your ear.

Some of these features are useful, others are only interesting for a short time for fun, and others don't always work correctly (like eye tracking).

Performance and battery life

Finally, the first significant hardware difference from its predecessor! The Galaxy S II Plus smartphone is built on the Broadcom BC28155 platform with two Cortex-A9 cores operating at 1.2 GHz, 1 GB of RAM and Broadcom VideoCore IV graphics. The predecessor was based on the Exynos 4210 chip, the specifications of which do not differ from the Broadcom BC28155.

It is currently difficult to compare the performance of the Galaxy S II and Galaxy S II Plus in synthetic tests due to different versions operating systems and benchmarks. All that remains is to focus on working in conditions close to reality and subjective impressions.

The capacity of the latter is 1650 mAh. Subjectively, the new product is more “tenacious” than its predecessor. This can be explained new version OS and possibly a more energy efficient processor. In video playback mode at maximum brightness and with wireless modules turned off, the smartphone lasted 5 and a half hours. In most cases, with everyday use, the device will need to be charged once every day and a half.

Samsung has seriously taken up the project of conquering gadget lovers around the world. Last year we saw a beautiful and controversial masterpiece at the same time - the Galaxy S i9000. Wonderful, because hardly anyone remained indifferent after getting to know this smartphone. Its thinness, excellent performance and the most colorful display left a lasting impression. And the model was controversial because of the glossy plastic case, which at such a price did not look very presentable, as well as some similarities with the competitor “X”.

Galaxy S has become not just popular, it has truly become a religion of android engineering. Other manufacturers looked up to it, they tried to catch up with it in terms of performance, camera quality, etc. Did anyone succeed in this last year? No. May fans of other manufacturers and owners of other flagships of last year forgive me, but the SGS was fast, had a lot of memory on board and, something no one can boast of, the pictures and videos taken with the Galaxy turned out to be Hollywood-like. The first to encroach on the position of leader in photography and videography was , but this is already a new year’s model. And the Galaxy S easily competes with it.

Surprisingly, Samsung managed to release not just good smartphone, but a good long-lasting smartphone. At a time when, by the standards of modern smartphone manufacturing, the lifespan of the Galaxy S was supposed to fade, a second nexus was released - Nexus S, based on the i9000. After some time, the company releases modifications of the Galaxy S with a different display and a different processor. Surprisingly, even after a year, the smartphone remains relevant almost as much as before. Many of my friends are buying SGS right now, due to the reduced cost and lack of alternatives for the money. I recommend it myself. If you don't already know, I have both a Nexus S and a Galaxy S in my family.

But if you are content with a successful product for a long time, you can follow the path of company “N”. And company “M” will be happy to enter into a partnership with you after some time. It's as if we wrote one successful article, and then they wouldn’t write anything for a month. Samsung understands this, so today we will talk not about the i9000, but about the i9100 or Samsung Galaxy S 2.

This is the direct successor of the legendary “galaxy”. Since the parent was a concrete revolutionary in the market, the son should be raised in the best traditions. And it will turn out proportionally better. What happened?

Design and first impressions

Before I first got acquainted with the SGS 2, I was prepared for the following: it is thin, too wide and not very comfortable to hold in your hand. Objectively, this is true. Subjectively, I have huge paws and the sizes are comfortable for me. In the video review I spin it easily in one hand, demonstrating appearance. The Galaxy S 2 is truly incredibly thin at just 8.5mm. If for the first SGS I asked the question: “How did all this fit in such a weight?”, now I pose the question: “How did so much technological goodness fit into a smartphone as thick as tights?”

The feeling from the case materials is not enthusiastic. I admired the case, although these devices are in different price categories. The body is completely plastic, and in some places the plastic seems to be of lower quality than in the first Galaxy S. The phone is assembled well, during use I could not feel the appearance of any gaps, I think there will be no problems with this. There is no flexibility of the case in bending and torsion, which I observed in the SE Xperia arc. There are much fewer glossy surfaces, for example, all back cover corrugated. Of course, it doesn’t feel like an expensive thing, as is the case with the iPhone 4, but this is at the level of stereotypes. It’s interesting that Samsung really doesn’t pay attention to such “little things” as metal in the case, but users don’t go on strike over this issue either.

The design clearly shows the features of its predecessor, but the second “galaxy” does not evoke such strong associations with its competitor. Now this is a unique model, no one will consider you a poor smartphone owner who has not saved up for a competitor. To complete the experience, you need to not only twirl the smartphone in your hands, but also turn on the display. This is what gives the most originality to the model.

Overall, the impressions were great, but I won’t lie, I expected a little more.

Location of elements and their description

Let's move on to the tedious part of the review - looking at the elements located on the sides of the SGS 2.

At the front we see a large 4.27″ display with a resolution of 480x800 pixels, made using Super AMOLED Plus technology. The resolution is the same as on the previous model, but with a larger diagonal the clarity should be less. But she's more! The reason for this is the abandonment of PenTile technology; now there are not two, but three subpixels located at one point. It looks like this:

In practice, the 4.27″ picture of the SGS 2 is clearer than the 4″ picture of the SGS. The screen continues to amaze with its colors, I think for a smartphone and mobile device in general - Super AMOLED (even without the PLUS prefix) is the right technology. In addition, now you can adjust the image temperature yourself by choosing a comfortable range of colors for yourself in the settings.

The control key block is similar to that in the original SGS. Located above the screen front-camera, proximity and light sensors, as well as a speaker.

On the right is the key to lock the screen and turn on the device, on the left is the volume key.

The MicroUSB connector is now at the bottom and this is correct; in the first model the location was not the best. Or rather, the only worse placement would be on the front side, near the screen. On top there is only a headphone jack left. There is also a microphone on the top and bottom.

The back side pleased with its practicality. The gloss remained, but only at the very bottom, on the ledge. By the way, this particular solution may not be the most successful, because with this protrusion the phone will rest on all surfaces and will definitely become matted over time. And the quality of the glossy plastic seemed worse to me than in the original Galaxy S, but in general, of course, this arrangement of materials is better.

What is very surprising is the camera. In a body of such thickness they placed not just a camera “for show”, but a full-fledged photo and video camera. Both photographs and videos are of excellent quality and without any discounts on thickness. Photos can be taken with a maximum resolution of 8 MP, and video in 1080p. The manufacturer claims a frame rate of 30 fps even at maximum resolution, but the naked eye can see that the picture is much smoother in 720p.

I can call the Samsung Galaxy S 2 camera, if not the best, then one of the 2-3 best on the phone market in general. At such a size! Yay-yay-yay to all competitors! This is exactly the smartphone that you can safely take on vacation instead of a photo and video camera. This is not a “DSLR”, but it is a very high-quality solution for good memory.

Sample photos

Video examples

The battery cover is so thin that it is difficult to simply grasp without bending it. However, the plastic is elastic; you are unlikely to break it if you use the phone without fanaticism.

We see under the cover battery capacity 1650 mAh. This is almost a record capacity among Android smartphones. The battery of the same capacity is installed in the Samsung i9003 Galaxy SL, but the Galaxy S 2 lasts longer on a single charge. This is due to the more energy-efficient display technology, even compared to the previous generation Super AMOLED, Plus is more careful with the battery. The processor also reduces the frequency when tasks do not require all the performance. The SGS2 easily lasted for a day and looked much nicer in terms of autonomy than my Nexus S.

Card slots are located above the battery MicroSD memory and SIM cards.

Unfortunately, the camera key was never attached; with such dimensions, taking photographs while aiming at the key on the display is not very convenient.

BY

The smartphone is sold with the latest Android version— 2.3 Gingerbread. As you would expect, TouchWiz fourth edition was pulled on top of Android. Among the features, I would like to note the modified function of adding widgets or icons to the desktop, advanced settings for energy saving, and many others system settings. The Samsung Galaxy S 2 features a gyroscope. For example, you can zoom images in the gallery or scale pages in the browser by slightly tilting the body, after placing two fingers on the screen. It’s pretty cool, I’ll tell you, and it works well.

I'm glad to see photo and video editors right in the stock smartphone. The controls in these applications are intuitive, and they may be useful to you.

Specifications

This is the strong point of the device. Galaxy S 2 - the first dual-core samsung smartphone, runs on a proprietary Exynos 4210 processor with a clock frequency of 1.2 GHz. When compared with Nvidia Tegra 2, the difference is unnoticeable. However, there is a nuance, everything developed for dual core processors games are being sharpened (read: imposed by marketers) for Tegra 2. Of course, the Galaxy S 2 can easily cope with them, but it cannot be done without updating the software.

The smartphone not only works quickly, the interface literally flies out of your hands. While using it, I didn’t notice any quirks from TouchWiz. 1 GB of RAM take up running applications almost impossible.

The main memory of the smartphone is formatted in FAT32, which negates the ability to record large files. The need for such files on the phone is negligible, but the fact itself is not encouraging.

Audio playback is good. The sound quality should satisfy the unbiased music lover, but it is inferior to the iPhone 4.

Videos of many formats are played out of the box, DivX/XVid are supported.

• Dimensions: 125.30 x 66.10 x 8.49 mm
• Weight: 116 g
• Operating system: Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread
• CPU: Exynos 4210 1.2 GHz
• Display: capacitive, 4.27 inches, Super AMOLED Plus, 480x800 pixels
• Memory: 16/32 GB flash, microSD slot (up to 32 GB)
• RAM: 1 GB
• Camera: 8 MP, video recording in 1080p, front camera
• Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0+EDR (A2DP),
• Interface connectors: microUSB, 3.5 mm headphone jack
• Battery: lithium-ion, 1650 mAh

conclusions

Before I said that we have one of the most anticipated new products of the year in our hands, I looked through several large forums and everywhere the discussion threads for the Samsung Galaxy S 2 have already grown larger than the threads of most established models. This despite the fact that the smartphone is not yet sold everywhere. The receiver of the first SGS was interesting long before the announcement; many tried to guess what it would be like. Were your expectations met? I can't say that this is a perfect smartphone for some reasons, including the proprietary processor, plastic case and others, but little things. But to first Galaxy S had more questions, remember at least all the negativity that poured in its direction because of the completely glossy body. However, the model became a real bestseller, even I had to buy it.

It’s a little confusing that the model has a chance to become a kind of passing link between the Galaxy S and Galaxy S 3, which, according to some rumors, may appear as early as this fall. The point is not that the second generation will immediately lose its relevance, but the question will arise as to why the manufacturer is so quickly introducing a replacement for the flagship to the market. But in my opinion, this should not happen for completely banal reasons - 3-4 months is too short a period for the life of a flagship. In the third quarter, the second Galaxy should only reach the states, so the autumn three will most likely remain a rumor.

My opinion is that this is one of the most multifunctional and technically advanced smartphones. I think the Galaxy S 2 will be great for advanced bloggers and journalists, when at any moment there may be a need to create high-quality material and post it on a website without being at their desk. You can shoot a “hot” video (in a good way), edit it, describe it and publish it on your blog or resource. Well, isn't it a song?