The Samsung S Galaxy 2 Galaxy successor to the famous S released mid-2010. It features a 4.27 inch touch screen and Technology "AMOLED Super Plus". This technology provides a Samsung color rendering, a level of contrast and image clarity unmatched.
Powered by the operating system Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), this smartphone offers easy access to mobile Internet, Google services, and the Android Market application store. With the new hubs exclusive Samsung, the Galaxy S 2 provides instant access to numerous services and content: music, games, books and magazines, social networks?
With its Dual-Core 1 GHz and 3G + (21Mbps HSPA +), S 2 the Galaxy offers Internet browsing and management multitasking comparable to a PC environment, and a 3D interface very responsive on large screen.
The Galaxy S 2 also loads an 8-megapixel camera with video recording and playback of Full HD 1080p. Note the presence of a front camera (VGA) for video.
HSPA + connectivity increases download speeds of the mobile phone while Bluetooth 3.0 Stereo shortens the data transfer. The Galaxy S 2 is equipped with WiFi (b / g / n). It may also embed NFC technology (Near Field Communication), in response to the emergence of new uses and services such as payment with their mobile.
Competition in the smartphone market is fierce Android. However, Samsung has decided to get everyone to agree with the Galaxy and S 2 sheet stunning. Let's see if the beast is up to the expectations of the manufacturer.
When Android has begun to democratize almost two years now, Samsung has not immediately backed the operating system from Google were able to do as HTC and Motorola. The Korean manufacturer has taken its time, merely a first step to launch mid-range smartphones like the first Galaxy and the Galaxy Spica. It was not until last summer to see out the big guns with the first Galaxy S. The success of this product was massive and immediate. So much so that Samsung announced that it had passed the 10 million units sold worldwide as of January 2011, after just over six months of life.
Successor to such a phenomenon is therefore not a cakewalk. But this is the Herculean task facing the Galaxy S 2 we test here. The smartphone has started his life in South Korea in early April, and it seems that it will fulfill its complicated task with ease. He did indeed had a small month to reach the one million mark for units sold, when it took 70 days to cross its predecessor this symbolic milestone. And accelerating the pace of sales since Samsung announced it had sold 3 million Galaxy 2 S in 55 days! I must say that Samsung has put the dishes in the large c to melt? Cores and loose pockets. The datasheet for the Galaxy S 2 is a real delight, judge instead.
The smartphone features a large multi-touch screen of 4.3 inch AMOLED technology Super Plus, and has a WVGA resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. This display is certified "Gorilla Glass", which should give it some resistance to small uncertainties of everyday life. Despite the large screen, the Galaxy S 2 is the thinnest smartphone in the world with a thickness of only 8.49 millimeters hallucinating at its finest. The rest of the dimensions is reasonable with 125 x 66 mm.
Under the hood is a real list of v? Ux for technophiles with the presence of a Samsung chipset integrates a dual Exynos c? Core 1.2 GHz (each course), a Mali GPU 400 and 1 GB of RAM. Everything is animated by Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread). Samsung has also added its own TouchWiz user interface, which is presented here in its new version 4.
Multimedia side, it is a true racing machine with a sensor camera 8 megapixel autofocus, able to shoot in 1080p! It can also play most file photos, videos and music that you store on your computer. Finally, it includes an FM tuner to enjoy the good old radio without being connected to the Internet.
Connections and connectivity are also high-flying as the Galaxy S 2 quad is for both 2G and 3G and it appears compatible with the Bluetooth 3, assisted GPS (A-GPS), Wi-Fi b / g / n and DLNA. The French version of the product will not include, however, no NFC chip, but hard to blame him given the usefulness of this technology in our country green. There is also no HDMI connector but MHL to connect the smartphone to a TV with HDMI. This connector also allows, via a dedicated adapter to read USB devices such as keys directly on the phone.
To store all the multimedia content or otherwise, the Galaxy 2 S available in France has an internal memory of 16 GB, 12 GB are available to the user. And if that's not enough, you can always increase it via the microSD port.
Pack contents
The pack is provided in which this smartphone include:
• charger
• Battery 1650 mAh
• A hands-free stereo wired
• A cable microUSB
• The manual
If no memory card is due to the generous internal memory of 16 GB, we regret, however, that Samsung has not deigned to provide the cable MHL. The latter is essential if you want to connect the smartphone to a TV with HDMI.
Appearance and Design
Before discussing in detail the aesthetics of the device and its manufacturing quality, it is worth noting that Samsung has once again quite significantly inspired by the look of the iPhone, especially when the Galaxy S 2 is off or in standby. When the smartphone is in this state, only the central mechanical key appears on the front. So just like the iPhone. It's a little less obvious when the phone is working and the two touch-sensitive side at the bottom of the front panel are lit.
The first Galaxy S was captivated by his abilities, but not by its looks rather arbitrary. His successor follows suit unfortunately not in this area. It indeed takes the same structure described on the front a little higher, that is to say, with a central button below the display and two push buttons on each side of the mechanical button. Her dress all in black plastic is not very original. The Galaxy S 2 states, however, more pronounced angle than its predecessor that focused more on smoothed curves. But the family resemblance between the two is obvious. Above the screen, there is the Samsung logo and the earpiece and a facial photo sensor 2 megapixel for video calls.
Galaxy S (left) and Galaxy S 2 (right)
Samsung has used as plastic coatings for the entire front and rear of the unit. A bit of aluminum or other noble material had been welcome to a high-end smartphone. Fortunately, the plastic used here are of excellent workmanship and are at no time "cheap" as one might sometimes complain that the first model. The black glossy in places, is becoming a real success which gives the Galaxy S 2 an air at once simple and elegant. The latter is three grams lighter than its predecessor with 117 grams on the scales. It is exceptionally light for a product with a screen that big. As you can see, even if it does not show an overwhelming originality in design, this smartphone is still quite successful in terms of aesthetics. And even if not to your taste, you'll find the worst mat, but never ugly.
Especially since it has a sacred asset to seduce you: the thickness of 8.5 mm! The iPhone 4 seemed already late with its 9.4 mm waist, so imagine with nearly an inch less. The location of the photo sensor and the bottom of the unit are a little thicker, but this does not change the incredible smoothness of the whole. 4.3 inch screen requires the width and height are slightly greater than that of the first Galaxy S, S 2 but fits comfortably in your hand and the extra size is not disabling.
The perimeter of the device is just as stingy in the front panel buttons. On the right side we find the button that allows you to turn on / off and lock / unlock the smartphone.
On the left side, only two buttons to raise and lower the volume are present.
High throne on the edge connector 3.5 mm mini jack for connecting headphones or a wired hands-free kit.
Finally, the lower portion houses the multifunction connector which also serves as microUSB connector MHL.
So there is no connector or mini microHDMI. Rest assured, this does not mean you can not connect the smartphone to a flat screen. In fact, as the first and HTC Galaxy S Sensation, MHL requires an adapter to connect to the Galaxy S 2 to a TV via HDMI. As mentioned just above, this adapter, not supplied by the manufacturer, is housed in the same port as the microUSB which allows charging and synchronization with a computer.
There is little doubt that Samsung has made the choice to preserve the delicacy of his smartphone. But the lack of HDMI requires not only invest in an accessory that still costs thirty euros.
All the buttons and connectors are located in the same place as the first S Galaxy, so that those who move from old to new will keep the same references.
Finally, the back of the unit, there is the 8-megapixel photo sensor. Samsung did not repeat the same mistake with its previous smartphone star and a well thought out this time to include an LED flash to support the sensor when the light runs out. The coating of the back is made up of tiny honeycomb patterns. So, it is totally insensitive to fingerprints.
The battery cover is not very difficult to remove? as long as you nail. However, the battery cover is so small we really afraid to break when it is removed. And that is problematic in that the location for the memory card is also accessible by removing the battery itself, which is not very practical.
OS & Ergonomics
Unlike LG and Motorola are engaged in a race against time to propose as soon as possible their first smartphone double c? Heart, respectively 2X and Atrix, Samsung took its time. We will not back here in detail the technical, but know that the manufacturer has provided the same care for the hardware and the software. The Optimus 2X LG and Motorola Atrix came out with Android 2.2, with the promise that they would be updated in 2.3 "as soon as possible." The Galaxy S 2 is immediately available in this version of Android is the latest to date. At the time of publication of this test, it is the same 2.3.3.
If each new version of Android brings a lot of new, more or less important, less important than it did in the case of a smartphone like the Galaxy S 2n since Samsung superimposes its own user interface ( IU) on the Android. Called TouchWiz 4, it really comes to maturity on this smartphone ..
Those who have used the previous version of the user interface of Samsung home will be in familiar territory with the new version. However, improvements are legion. Aficionados are sure to notice changes from the lock screen. It can now interact with the device without the unlock to read a message or dial a missed call.
4 does not overturn TouchWiz interface completely original, since Android is based on the same principle to offer home screens and a menu that includes all the applications. But Samsung has added many enhancements, animations, transitions, etc.. It does not revolutionize the use, but it provides an interface very pretty to watch. You can add up to seven home pages and place widgets and shortcuts to applications. It is very easy to edit these pages Home Office or the pages of the menu. Note that you can now create offices directly from the menu that contains all the applications and not just on the reception desks.
Widgets are an important part of the use of an Android smartphone, and Samsung has particular care in its TouchWiz user interface 4. They are more numerous and more varied than in previous iterations of the UI of the manufacturer. Among the most useful, note the one called "energy conservation" and to better manage the use of smartphone by activating and deactivating the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, adjusting the brightness or by accessing directly to the menu of energy-saving mode. Other widgets allow, among other things, access to calendar information, to the unread emails in clocks, the activities of social networks, etc.. This list of widgets, of course, since you can re-download from the Android Market. Note that some applications automatically install a widget in addition to faster access to information they provide.
As for the tray, it keeps shortcuts energy management device. It switches to vibrate mode, cutting the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS to virtually anywhere in the user interface.
TouchWiz 4 also has two new animated wallpapers, related to the weather. Developed in collaboration with Accuweather, they display real-time weather. One is a beach and the other a rural landscape.
As Optimus 2X LG, Samsung Galaxy S 2 has a few commands through movement. Being able to disable incoming calls by turning the phone is a classic. Much more original, another movement can zoom in and out in the web browser or in the photo gallery by pressing two points of the screen simultaneously and by tilting the device forward or backward. A final movement can change places an icon by selecting it and then moving the camera in the desired direction. All these gestures work very well and suffer no reproach. Maybe some of you will use them. But overall, the vast majority of users should not use it a few times to try and forget their existence.
Samsung has also added a whole new way "Discussion" that appears when you double-tap the "Home" button. This mode is especially useful in the car as it features large icons, and you can totally control the voice. A double tap on the top of the device used to start speech recognition without pressing the screen. Since that clear and effective interface, you can make a call, send a message, start of songs, take notes or navigate to a route. Nevertheless, the voice recognition seemed to us very temperamental. We were unable to determine whether it is based on the same speech recognition engine that is used by Google in its applications, but the result is much less convincing than for Google apps signed.
Let's finish this passage reviewed by the responsiveness of the system. Unfortunately, we have seen with Optimus LG 2X a dual processor c? Heart did not guarantee a flow at all times. The management of the RAM is very important, and this is where LG fished. The Galaxy S 2 does not suffer the same problems fortunately. Admittedly, on paper, it has broad shoulders with his dual processor c? Core clocked at 1.2 GHz and 1 GB of RAM. In practice, the smartphone brilliantly confirms its good dispositions. You have beautiful using it for hours and hours after, making him suffer the worst abuse, it never slows down! He always between 200 MB and 300 MB of RAM, a total worth 833 MB It's simple, never smartphone will have been such a treat.
We spent the Galaxy S 2 through a battery of benchmarks. And while it is true that the results of these are sometimes unreliable, know that the Samsung smartphone beats the competition every time in virtually all areas.
Multimedia (capture and playback Photo / Video / Sound)
The multimedia capabilities of the first Galaxy S were unanimously acclaimed both for its office in reading than in capture. Samsung has used the same formula for the Galaxy S 2, the significant improvement in the process. The opposite would be surprising given that the newcomer benefits from a much more powerful hardware allocation. The new Samsung smartphone star board and a photo sensor 8-megapixel autofocus.
In light environment, it can take some great pictures with vivid colors, contrasts well managed, sharp contours and a great level of detail. The good surprise comes from the indoor shots are not as bad as those of the competition. This applies certainly not a dedicated camera, but the pictures in dark environments are still quite detailed, with little apparent noise. This is particularly surprising that this smartphone features a simple LED flash and no xenon. Finally, the photo function is a major success story.
Photos taken from the Samsung S Galaxy 2 [click to enlarge]
But where the Galaxy S 2 hits hard, is its ability to record video in Full HD 1080p resolution, that is to say 1920 x 1080pixels! This is not the first, because the LG Optimus 2X also permitted. However, LG was "hacked" to do so because the NVidia Tegra platform 2 to 2X the team does not allow it natively. And the end result was disappointing. Samsung does not have the same problems with its processor Exynos "home made" perfectly manages the "High Profile" 1080p raises so many concerns to NVidia. The Galaxy S 2 so natively capture videos in full HD 1080p. The videos are shot through with many beautiful details, the flow measured at just under 30 frames per second on average and the respect of colors. However, despite the chorus of praise, a point is a little darker the picture. The development of the video is after you launch the capture. If you shoot a still shot, you do not cause any problem. However, as soon as you move, the sensor again a focus, which is to blur what you're shooting for a short period of time certainly, but still annoying. Strongly that an update to come fix this problem!
The manufacturer also revised the interface of the function photo / video. The most notable new feature is that you can now choose and place five of the options you use most in the interface of the function, to keep them on hand. These options are numerous with the adjustment of white balance, scene modes, resolution pictures and videos, etc.. For development, you can let the autofocus or decide to focus on your own area of the fingertip.
Media player
Excellent capture in multimedia, Galaxy S 2 is just as in reading. But it will not surprise anyone familiar with the first model. To give you an idea of Samsung's advance in the field of video playback, for example, know that the first named Galaxy S is capable of playing almost all popular video formats, including famous. mkv, up to 720p HD resolution. The recent dual core competitors such as Optimus 2X LG, Motorola or HTC Atrix are feeling better on paper as they can play videos up to 1080p Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels). The concern is that all these smartphones are unable to read format. Mkv. Yet the vast majority of HD video that is on the Web have now in this format. This is even more annoying than all the high-end smartphones now offer video outputs that can connect them to a flat panel via HDMI.
With the Galaxy S 2 you will not have to ask existential questions about the formats. He follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, is "merely" to improve an already exceptional video player. Do not rely on the interface since the stripped version of this player plays almost every format you could give it as food? including. mkv 1080p! And it reads smoothly, without jerks or cuts. You can also watch the usual formats like. MP4,. Avi (DivX / Xvid usually) and even. Wmv. We really tried dozens of videos and Galaxy 2 S was able to read everything with disconcerting ease. The only minor complaint could be made to the function is that the subtitles are sometimes poorly managed in the. Mkv. And even if you do, just download from the Android Market mVideoPlayer. The AC drive provides better ergonomics and above all masterfully handles subtitles. It also supports the same formats that the player base. Finally, in the autonomy, the S 2 impressed us because it took about 8 hours of continuous play. And even after that the battery is still charged at 10%, but the smartphone so unilaterally refuse to run intensive applications like video player or camera function. Note that even if this smartphone can play videos in full HD, its file management system does not support files larger than 4 GB When you know a movie in full HD "weighs" between 8 and 18 GB You understand that if you really want to watch such a film on the smartphone, you will have to split it into several parts. .
The music player is of the same ilk as the video player, not paying much open to criticism. It is conventional in its functions but has all the options that we have become accustomed to find in this kind of player as the ability to create playlists, listen to randomly display pockets etc.. Besides, if some of your songs are not illustrated with an album cover, the Galaxy S 2 does not display a background or a gray square as was previously the case, but a pretty generic image color . It did not look like much, but it gives a more convincing to all. As for the photo viewer, it is found that basic Android. Rather, it is pretty and functional, but without offering innovative features to roll over you with joy. Note that if the device does not offer shortcut keys to control audio / video player, it still has shortcut on the lock screen that can quickly change songs, pause or access the music library.
All these multimedia contents are displayed on the screen sublime Super Plus 4.3-inch AMOLED Galaxy S 2. The display of the first Galaxy S was already neck and neck with the iPhone 4 for the title of "best smartphone screen." The S 2 the tiebreaker by winning again the setting. In addition to being larger than its predecessor, the screen of the new smartphone from Samsung offers blacks even deeper. The contrasts are beautiful and the rendering is quite exceptional. The brightness is the same ilk as the first S Galaxy, so good but not great. One of the main criticisms Super AMOLED screens found on the S Galaxy, the Omnia and Wave 7, is too much color saturation. Some were beautiful this process and other annoying because the colors are flattering shot of the screen, but not in tune with reality. Samsung has heard the critics because now is a menu that lets you adjust the color tint. Yes, you read that? like on TV! That should please the majority. Purists will no doubt notice that the display of the S 2 takes a little to the blue. It is however not a problem.
The Galaxy S 2 does not have HDMI output micro as some of its competitors. This does not mean you can not connect to a TV via HDMI. But to do so, we must have an HDMI adapter that comes to take its place in the same connector as the microUSB. The adapter sold by Samsung also features a microUSB input so you can recharge the device while watching its content on the TV. Too bad this adapter is not supplied with the smartphone. It costs at present the trifle of thirty euros.
There is also another USB Host adapter for connecting peripheral devices (USB so) as USB drives, keyboards, mice, etc.. Again, this adapter seems very convenient, but it either does not come with the phone, and we were not able to find one at the time of writing this test.
Other functions (internet, email, GPS ...)
We have described at some length the multimedia features, but be aware that other functions are not to be outdone either. The Web browser is just as exceptional. It offers an extremely smooth sailing, even in busy sites in Flash. Samsung has just revised ergonomics and especially improved windowing. So that people used several clicks to view all open windows, zoom out with your fingers when the page is displayed in its entirety is sufficient to show the different windows in a visual success.
The manager of emails moving a little too. Samsung took advantage of the additional space on the screen to provide a more rich when you turn the smartphone into landscape mode. You then email the list on the left and a preview of the message to the right, making the Galaxy S 2 a real little tablet. Otherwise, the manager of emails is very effective, and notably to send as an attachment any type of an attachment present on the phone.
The presence of Google Maps Navigation allows the smartphone to ship an application GPS voice guidance turn-completely free. However, it must necessarily be connected to the network to use it, but it is very practical and functional. We especially liked the speech recognition and highly effective use of the impressive views Satellite StreetView. Clearly, you just get into your vehicle, to state an address for the application to do the rest of the work and leads you to your destination.
You can also work without downloading anything from the Android Market with the Office software suite Polaris integrated in the basic smartphone. It can view, create and edit documents like Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). It fulfills its role very well, especially since the keyboard is responsive and accurate. Also commend the system to copy / paste / cut has been reviewed and is quite effective. Especially a clipboard keeps a record of your actions.
Finally Kies Air is an application on behalf misleading. One might think at first that it is a wireless connection to synchronize with PC and Mac Samsung Kies. But it is not. This is actually an application that lets you view all the contents of S 2 from a web browser! This requires being on the same LAN. You can manage from the web interface contacts, view images, view or post messages and even run a streaming photo or video! Kies Air operates more than admirably.
Conclusion (Pros and Cons)
You have probably realized by browsing this test: History stutters. The first was THE S Galaxy Android smartphone in 2010. Although he came out to c? Heart of summer, no one has done better in the months that followed. In fact, it has even been the only mobile to compete a bit with the iPhone 4. The Galaxy S 2 is on track to follow the same route. It scans the entire competition Android, and even pays the luxury of stealing the title of "best smartphone in the world" to the iPhone 4. Of course, Apple has not announced its iPhone 5, and it might give a hard time in the jewel of Samsung. But for now, the horizon opens to the Galaxy S 2 is absolutely brilliant.
It surpasses the head and shoulders all competitors double c? Sisters Android. The Sensation and other HTC Motorola Atrix déméritent do not, but they are dominated in almost all compartments. It is indeed the best multimedia smartphone, and also the most powerful in the benchmarks. It also provides smooth navigation through menus and never slows down due to its large amount of RAM, well run at that. By buying now Galaxy S 2, you are almost certain that your smartphone will not become obsolete in the week or month. Although some devices quad c? Sisters will be announced this summer it will probably wait until the end of the year before they landed in France. And one wonders what they will be able to serve in that very few applications and games on Android exploit two c? Sisters of the latest smartphones.
The radius of the criticisms, there is hardly any, except for the reluctance of Samsung design. Although it is by no means ugly, Galaxy S 2 is a classic at any event away from the plume of a Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, yet also all plastic.
The phone features of the product does not spoil the table as the latest addition to Samsung offers a good quality conversation, whether in transmission or reception of Appeal. Most impressive is the battery life. While it should not count on more than a day in average use, and less intensive use, with other smartphones such, the Galaxy S 2 is a big day without flinching use really heavy. In average use, that is to say, with twenty minutes of calls, a bit of surfing, the use of some applications, some parts (not too long) of Angry Birds, about twenty minutes of reading videos, a dozen pictures and over two mailboxes, the smartphone can take more than two days!
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