Samsung Galaxy S II user review - Software developer
- — 03 June, 2011 11:53
“ Overall, I love the Samsung Galaxy S II. It's fast, the screen is big and bright, and it is a great phone for watching videos and listening to music. I'll definitely be getting one when I retire my iPhone 3GS. ”
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 programmer and co-founder of a Sydney-based software development studio and consultancy. I mostly use my phone for reading news feeds, making calls, listening to music and checking e-mail.
How does the phone feel to hold? Does it fit easily into a pocket or bag? Does it feel solidly constructed?
The Samsung Galaxy S II feels well constructed, and fits easily into my palm. The back of the phone takes a bit of getting used to, but I had no problems with it once I'd made sure to press down all of its edges. The back of the phone does take away from the overall quality feel of the phone in my opinion, but it helps make the phone feel lighter and thinner than my iPhone 3GS, even though it's wider and taller.
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 one of the best parts of the Galaxy S II. Adjusting it to full brightness is an eye-opener — very bright, and crisp colours in any light.
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?
Making and taking calls with the Galaxy S II is easy, and on-par with my iPhone 3GS. The speakerphone works well, and I didn't have any problems with a conference call where two of us used the phone at the same time.
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?
Coming from an iPhone, the Galaxy S II took a little bit of getting used to. Once I'd adjusted to using the back and menu buttons on the bottom right and left of the phone, I was quickly able to navigate around. Ease of use is not on par with my iPhone, but is still very good.
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?
It took me a while to figure out how copy music from my Linux laptop onto the phone, but once over that hurdle, the experience was seamless. My music was automatically imported into the music library, and the built in speaker sounds very good, better than my iPhone 3GS' speaker. The headphones that came with the phone are also good, cancelling out most background noise.
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 is great. The quality of the photos surpassed those from my iPhone 3GS, and the video recording and playback was very good. I own and love a Canon SLR, so I'm not ready to use the phone as my primary camera, but I often don't have the SLR with me, so I'll be using the Galaxy S II to take photos most of the time.
Is the touchscreen keyboard easy to type on for messages and e-mails?
Sending text and email with took a little bit of getting used to, but I like the physical feedback the phone gives you when typing more than not having it. I nearly turned it off, but it has grown on me, and now feels very natural.
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 didn't find anything compelling in any of the Samsung apps, though the basic TouchWIZ overlay makes the phone reasonably easy to use. The Social Hub sounds compelling, but I much prefer accessing services through separate apps. The interface of this app is not great.
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.
The Samsung Galaxy S II's battery life is good. I use the phone for my music, with it running all day at work, and web browsing while commuting. I was able to get through a full day using the phone more or less constantly without needing to recharge, though I only made three calls during that time. Battery life is not a big issue for me, as I work in front of computer all day so can easily keep the phone charged.
How does it compare to the phone you are currently using? (Please specify your current phone).
As mentioned, my current phone is an iPhone 3GS and although the iPhone remains easier to use and provides similar voice quality for phone calls, the Galaxy S II feels thinner and lighter, has a better camera, and a bigger screen.
