By It’s here. The successor to the hugely successful Samsung Galaxy S became official yesterday at Mobile World Congress, and we were on hand to have a go with the refined and updated handset. Let’s get this out of the way first: the Galaxy S II is definitely an incremental evolution of the original, but the areas that have been improved only make for that much better of an experience. A dual-core CPU, 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, Android 2.3 and NFC support are just a sampling of where the Galaxy S II takes a huge leap forward.
Immediately the Samsung Galaxy S II feels a bit more sturdy in the hand than the Galaxy of old, but its slimmed down 8.49mm profile and light weight make it one of the sleekest handsets we have seen. This is in part thanks to the thinness of the new Super AMOLED Plus display, which is undeniably one of the most gorgeous screens we have seen. Compared head to head with the old Super AMOLED you immediately notice an improvement in brightness and color.
We’re still not huge fans of the TouchWiz interface, but here it is updated to version 4.0 and rests upon Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It brings in more customization options and the introduction of four separate “hubs” taking the place of Samsung Media Hub. Books, music, games, and social are all featured.
So far we are pretty impressed, even if the Galaxy S II showed up a bit late and after too many leaks to really get us pumped up. This definitely will be a strong frontrunner for best Android phone of the year (thus far, anyway).
No news as far as when it will be released in the US?
Has the dual core processor been confirmed
should be announced at 2nd unpack this afternoon.
Media hub is gone?? So u can’t download or rent movies anymore?
Not enough to make me wan’t one. They can keep that trash lol.
does it have an LED notification light?
is there a notification light in the front?
is there a notification light in the front?
I thought google removed the ability to skin android upon 2.3
Fool me once Samsung shame on me, fool me twice shame on you. It looks like an iPhone knock off wtf.
Some Questions:
– Is the GPS fixed? I love my SGS but i hate that GPS problems (standing 10 to 20m next to me), which cannot be fixed (I really tried). I know it’s hard to figure out…
– Does it feature an analog TV-Out through the 3,5mm jack like the SGS I? That would be awesome! So is there an TV-Out option in Settings/Display?
– Price and Release in Germany ;-)
Mine! :)
– How much RAM does it have?
– Does it use the RFS filesystem?
– Any HDMI port?
– How much RAM does it have?
– Does it use the RFS filesystem?
– Any HDMI port?
– How much RAM does it have?
– Does it use the RFS filesystem?
– Any HDMI port?
It looks good but after the non-existent updates for the original Galaxy S plus the fact I hate TouchWiz I wouldn’t be tempted. I’d rather go for LG Optimus.
I would think of buying this, but with all the problem Samsung had with there customers. Also not updating them make me not want it. I know it will come out with 2.3, but still what about other customers who still do not have the update or took forever to get 2.2. Why not 2.3 now since it is going on there new phones??? Why not upgrade to that. Why not upgrade to 2.3???
I would think of buying this, but with all the problem Samsung had with there customers. Also not updating them make me not want it. I know it will come out with 2.3, but still what about other customers who still do not have the update or took forever to get 2.2. Why not 2.3 now since it is going on there new phones??? Why not upgrade to that. Why not upgrade to 2.3???
If you dont want to buy it that is fine….I will buy it…LG Optimus 2X will be crushed and eaten alive…period!!!
you know, i applaud Samsung for releasing such high end devices. there’s just 2 problems i have with this, though. one – slowww updates, and two – this thing is longer than an Evo! it’s a little uncomfortable as it is to hit the power button on an Evo. imagine doing it on something even longer.
I’ll consider it right after my Galaxy S Captivate gets the Froyo update it was promised oh what, 6 months ago?
This is the specs the Nexus S should have had. Such a shame such an awesome phone will be boycotted by so many people because the software will undoubtedly be crippled by Samsuck.
This is the specs the Nexus S should have had. Such a shame such an awesome phone will be boycotted by so many people because the software will undoubtedly be crippled by Samsuck.
Well y’all can keep bitching about slow updates. I’ll be buying this power house. Rooting it and taking care of the updates myself. This will be one of the best and most powerful phones this year. PERIOD
@mr.walker Let me correct you sir. “This will be one the best and most powerful phones this year for the 1% of people who know how to root. PERIOD”. Just because folks like me and you know how to root their phone, that doesn’t make the “best phone”, that would be the phone that has the latest update and does not require rooting. The thing we like about Android is the software and if your phone isn’t really software supported then there is no way that phone could be considered one of the top Android phones.
Any noise cancelling mic?
Does GPS work?
Why a 4.3? 4″ screen is the sweetspot!
Launch w 3.0? Doubt it! Update to 3.0? Dont hold your breath.
I own a Samsuck Captivate, which has been exchanged twice so far (phantom shutdown and GPS, which still doesn’t work right). Still waiting for my promised Froyo (where is the class action law suit for false advertising that we are all waiting for?).
Samsuck: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice shame on me. No way anyone in his right mind should get a Samsuck phone, no matter how alluring the trade press makes it sound. If you know their history of customer support, you run as far away from them as possible. Get an HTC or Motorola.
hardware is great but can samsung keep up with the update on sofware android OS. If they can get their crappy record on updates to get well a good record. This could be a great phone to buy . But until i can see that samsung can do better i will pass on this
Samsung should stop making new phones until they figure out how to take care of their old phones (froyo / gingerbread on the epic!)
I´ve seen several sites saying that the release date is at 4th March 2011. Has anybody been reading something different? I´m getting mine as soon as..
How much RAM?
Dual core? Great! But Will AT&T disable one of the cores?
Does it have GPS? Will the GPS actually work? Even on AT&T?
Does it have RFS? (retarded file system)
How much internal storage? 16 GB? More?
No pentile please it looks bad on the galaxy s so a bigger screen will make it look more blurry!
I must be super lucky, because I have a Captivate with one of the early launch serial numbers that is supposed to have the shutdown issue, and I’ve never had it happen. GPS? Mine locks in about 10 seconds and is accurate 99% of the time for me. 2.2? I’m one of the 1% outlaw root folks, and have had it for months.
The captivate is my 4th Samsung phone, and I’ve never had an issue with any of them, plus I have a Samsung fridge and a Samsung computer monitor. All reasonably priced and solid build quality.
I probably *won’t* buy this phone, simply because I don’t feel the need to upgrade currently (and I’m super impressed with my wife’s new HTC Inspire/Desire HD) but it seems to have the firepower to put it on my short list of things to consider.
Galaxy s 2.3 will be out when the infuse comes or the s2 are released. I guess. Lol. Someday my friend.
Do u know how many chicks I’ve pulled with my awesome Epic 4g?(try doing that with an Evo or iphone).I get the fact that Sammy has been a jerk about releasing 2.2 but If you are really looking for an iphone contender, Sammy is the way to go, and since Google worked with Sammy in making Nexus one Successor, Nexus S, Sammy shouldn’t problem keeping up with updates. Plus, the freaking thing is coming out with 2.3! I’ll keep my eyes out for Galaxy II n LG Optimus. Atrix is not even out n it’s already old news. Note to Sammy: PLS STOP MAKING DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE SAME PHONE!!!
Samsung needs to make good on its promises with the Captivates before I would even consider any other purchases from this manufacturer! They’ve lost a lot of trust in the developer community.
Image360. Lies!
stop winging about updates ive a sgs and i got 2.2.1 a couple weeks after it was released / any idea of price in australia im in grade 8
Wouldn’t touch a galaxy s device. Gps issues and no updates. And touch wiz….. ewww.lol