Samsung Galaxy S II user review - Small business owner
- — 03 June, 2011 10:19
“ The things I love about the Galaxy S II are the screen size, the camera, the keyboard, the handling of e-mails, and the ease of Internet access. Coming from an old Nokia phone, I feel like I have made a quantum leap in relation to modern technology, and am no longer hiding in the dark ages. Additionally, I am looking forward to further exploring the applications that are on the phone. ”
What is your profession and, in general, what do you do on a daily basis for work? How do you normally use a phone (calls, emails, SMS, Web browsing etc.)?
I am the owner and business development director of an advertising services business providing a range of specialised products and services to better enable experiential marketing channels. I usually use my phone for calls and texts only.
How does the phone feel to hold? Does it fit easily into a pocket or bag? Does it feel solidly constructed?
The Galaxy S II feels great to hold. It has an unbelievable slender look and feel about it. The rear of the phone has a rough texture that aids to grip the unit. It fits easily into either my jacket or top shirt pocket. The phone has a solid feel to it as well and even feels comfortable being carried around in the front pocket of my jeans.
How does the screen look? How easy is it to see in sunlight? Is it responsive? Is text crisp and clear? Is it bright?
The screen size is ample with bright and clear imaging, text and nice resolution. I was genuinely surprised at how clear the resolution remained in direct sunlight.
What is the quality of phone calls like? Is it easy to hear? Is the speakerphone clear and loud? Can you still have a clear phone conversation with noise in the background?
Call quality of the Galaxy S II was good in both normal mode and speaker mode. The sound was coming through loud and clear. I can also confirm that I was being received clearly at the other end.
How easy is the phone to use? Are core functions like messaging, making a phone call and browsing the Web easy to access? Is the touchscreen responsive? Does the phone slow down during regular use?
As a newcomer to smartphone technology, I found the Galaxy S II easy to use and relatively easy to set-up. I had no trouble working my way through the basic functions such as calls and texts (I have always had a Nokia, so I was not sure how I would go with a different style operating system). Surfing the web proved simple and the screen tilt function works well.
How does the phone perform as an entertainment device? Is it good for watching videos or listening to music? Is it good for viewing photos?
The video feeds I was receiving from various sites over the web was impressive, I would have never expected it to be as good as it was on a phone. This included viewing sport highlights, sampling music and receiving live surf check feeds from cameras set-up around the coast. The accelerometer function that provides wide screen viewing was necessary in most cases.
Is the touchscreen keyboard easy to type on for messages and e-mails?
At first I found the key board a little difficult to use as my fingers are reasonably fat. Once I discovered the accelerometer function and had time to use it I was won over. What I have currently been using can't even be compared to it. I found it fast and simple. In the past when I needed to get a text out quickly I would pass the phone over to the wife. Not necessary any more.
Do the extra Samsung functions and apps (TouchWIZ 4, Games Hub, Social Hub, Reading Hub etc.) work well and how do they fare during day to day use?
The Galaxy S II is easy to use once you get the hang of it, but the Samsung apps didn't offer much for me, though this will vary between users. I mostly use the phone for calls and text and now some occasional Web browsing, so the gaming, reading and social hubs that are on the phone don't really interest me.
How would you rate the battery life of the phone? How long does it last after a full charge and what is your typical daily use pattern. E.g: An average of four phone calls, 10 texts, 20 minutes of music listening, 10 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of Web browsing? etc.
On initial testing the Samsung Galaxy S II's battery life appears good. The battery lasted a couple of days, in this time I made countless calls and spent over an hour surfing the web. Obviously the use of Web and video functions would drain the battery faster, but for my needs it lasted long enough.
How would you rate the camera and video recorder on the phone? Is it good enough quality that you would consider using it as your primary camera?
The camera and video functions appear to work well. The camera quality is way beyond the capabilities of my current Nokia phone so I will certainly use it more often. As I deal with images professionally, I will probably stick to the purpose built digital camera for images I take that require a high resolution.
How does it compare to the phone you are currently using? (Please specify your current phone)
My current phone is an old Nokia, possibly four or five years old. It did have web access although it was very difficult to use. I basically just used it for calls and texts.
