Samsung Galaxy S II user review - Businessman
- — 03 June, 2011 11:47
“ Overall, in the short time I have had with the Galaxy S II I have found it to be a great phone. The 4.3in screen is large, clear, and crisp, and the phone is very responsive which I would guess is largely to do with its 1.2GHz processor. Its camera and video capabilities are very good and most importantly I can view text on Web sites clearly, without having to squint. ”
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 a financial analyst. I undertake strategic performance reviews of Government businesses including electricity, water and ports in order to improve productivity, efficiency and profitability. I normally use my phone for calls, SMS, e-mail and web browsing.
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 sits nicely in my hand despite its size, and this is mainly due to its light weight. Even though the phone is large it fits easily into my pocket and at times I hardly notice it is there. Overall the handset feels solid despite its all plastic case, although the battery cover is quite thin and flimsy.
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 is excellent, colours are crisp and both images and text are very clear. In direct sunlight text and images are still remarkably visible, and although the quality does tend to drop a bit, this is not a big problem at all. The screen is very responsive with no lag whatsoever. The screen is bright but not overly so and is very easy on the eye. The display brightness adjusts depending on the surrounding light levels which is great.
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?
Phone call quality is good and the volume controls are easily accessible. I was able to clearly hear the caller even when in noisy environments which was a nice surprise. The speakerphone function was very good and call quality did not suffer too much.
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?
The Galaxy S II takes a little while getting used to especially coming from an iPhone. However after using it for a short time it becomes second nature to use. Messaging and making calls is a breeze and I especially like the feature of being able to message or call a contact by swiping left or right over their name. Web browsing is simple due to the large screen and it is easy to navigate between sites. The touchscreen is very responsive with no lag and the handset is fast.
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?
As an entertainment device the Galaxy S II shines, particularly thanks to the large, high quality screen. This means you can watch video's without having to squint. The Galaxy S II's music player is easy to use and has good sound quality. Photos look great again thanks to the large screen, however it takes a little time for the photos to load through the Social Hub application, and the Facebook app, which can be an annoyance.
Is the touchscreen keyboard easy to type on for messages and e-mails?
The Galaxy S II's keyboard is relatively straightforward however the keys are too closely spaced which results in some misspelt words. I found turning the screen horizontally fixes this to an extent.
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?
I have had limited experience with some of the Samsung functions and apps however the Social Hub is a useful way of organising your Facebook and Twitter accounts. This allows you to view all updates together in one place without having to click on two or three different applications. However, I found the separate downloadable Facebook app to be easier to read and use compared to the Social Hub version.
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.
After using the Galaxy S II for a few days I found that the battery life was very good for a smartphone. I was able to get nearly a full day and a half without having to charge the phone which was good, although this would drop with extended music player and video use. My daily usage pattern consists of three to five phone calls, eight to 10 SMS messages, 45 minutes of Web browsing (including Facebook) and 10 minutes of e-mail.
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 Galaxy S II's 8-megapixel camera takes good quality pictures and the additional zoom function is good, although photos turn out grainy with the zoom used. The built-in flash worked well, but the main problem with the Galaxy S II's camera is the lack of a physical camera button. This can make keeping the camera still when taking photos difficult. The video camera is also very good and is able to capture motion reasonably well for a camera phone.
How does it compare to the phone you are currently using? (Please specify your current phone)
I currently use an iPhone 3GS, and while the iPhone provides a more streamlined and user friendly experience, the Galaxy S II's large screen, 8-megapixel camera, and its lightening fast responsiveness really make this phone a much better proposition than the 3GS. This is especially evident for Web browsing, which is the most important aspect I look for in a phone. My iPhone 3GS also has a tendency to lag and to freeze during use, which I did not experience with the Galaxy S II.
