Samsung Galaxy S2.

[smokeysmoo]

Has anyone got one? I very nearly got one today but an admin error has meant I'll have to wait until tomorrow.

So while I wait is anyone using one? If so what do you think? The online reviews seem pretty unanimously in favour, generally rating it as the best smartphone currently available.

I've never used android having been using iPhone 3gs for the last 2 years, and I am a little wary of the change.

All thoughts welcome

 

[vernon]

I have learned that with smart phones that need and want are very different.

I 'moved up' to a refurbished 3GS. In December. It languished unused on my desk from early February, only the presence of Angry Birds kept in use for six weeks before I gave it to my daughter a month ago.

Do you really need to change the OS/platform? What does the Samsung/android combo offer that an iPhone4 or even your current phone doesn't?

 

[smokeysmoo]

It's not that any of them really do that much more, but I'm eligible for an upgrade so I might as well get a shiny new phone if I can, and I think it's time to move away from the iPhone 3gs.

As much as I've liked my iPhone, the iPhone 4 is just not deiiferent enough to warrant me paying for the handset and tying myself into a new contract.

I can get the Samsung for no upfront money, get the same amount of minutes I currently get, 9 times more text and most importantly, (for me), unlimited data for the same monthly amount I've been paying o2 for the last 2 years.

I do use (almost) all the functions of my phone, and after 2 years iPhone ownership I am now hopelessy addicted to everything a smartphone offers

 

[fossyant]

I like Android - was an early adopter, but have kept my rental reasonable, so got a Desire a few months back when update time came (not the latest phone). Very good, just a different platform from iPhone - oh and apps are free/very cheap. Never paid for an android app yet.

Does the same as an iphone with out the tie to i-tunes

 

[Riverman]

I use a Samsung Galaxy S i9000. It's a great phone, the screen is fantastic and I imagine the same goes for the S2. I also bought a HTC Desire Z but decided to sell it after I bought it as it's a very different phone to the galaxy even though they both run Android. HTC phones seem well made, certainly more robust than the plastically feel of samsung ones but the screens are generally not as good and the speaker is laughable.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I have been eyeing up the switch to android for a while, and I was fancying a HTC Desire HD, but I actually think they look pretty plascticky TBH.

I've actually avoided Samsung for years, due only to the fact that you could never change the message tone, (I know it's petty but hey, you gotta have standards ).

My mind is pretty much made up, but I was just hoping somene could give me some real world views rather than just reading reevoo reviews written by bloody kids

 

[Red Light]

I've actually avoided Samsung for years, due only to the fact that you could never change the message tone, (I know it's petty but hey, you gotta have standards ).

That definitely rules out an iPhone 4 then. Can't change the message tone on that either.

 

[dodgy]

The Galaxy s2 is a huge phone, really, it's massive!

 

[smokeysmoo]

That definitely rules out an iPhone 4 then. Can't change the message tone on that either.

^it's not actually an issue anymore as my phone spends 99.9% of it's time on silent
As for the iPhone 4, it's just not different enough from my 3gs either

 

[smokeysmoo]

The Galaxy s2 is a huge phone, really, it's massive!

All smartphones are big though. I actually laid my iPhone 3gs on top of the Samsung in the shop this afternoon, and it's only marginally longer and wider despite having a far bigger screen, and the Samsung is considerably thinner and lighter than the iPhone 3gs and iPhone 4.

 

[Riverman]

I'd love this phone but can't afford it sadly. I'd definitely choose Samsung over HTC. The only thing I don't like about these samsung phones is how the backcovers on them are so flimsy. However you can get some more durable ones off ebay if necessary.

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tco2hjkkgm0[/media]



And using an iphone is a bit like going on the internet at school as a kid and discovering they've restricted the websites you're allowed to look at. In contrast Android is quite open and in lots of ways. It's an operating system based on linux and thus is very open.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I'd love this phone but can't afford it sadly. I'd definitely choose Samsung over HTC. The only thing I don't like about these samsung phones is how the backcovers on them are so flimsy. However you can get some more durable ones off ebay if necessary.

I know what your saying, and I've read this in some reviews, but they only seem to be relating it to the back cover when it is removed, and TBH how often do you remove it? The one I was playing with today felt well made and durable, and the back cover didn't seem as thought it would cause any issues in daily use, (and it will be in a case anyway). The Samsung's plastic chassis is obvious as it weighs less than my iPhone, but it still felt well made and less plastic than the HTC's.

 

[mark barker]

I got an S2 on friday, and so far I'm loving it! It is huge though, so lots of thought required regarding pockets! The instruction manual is useless, but the phone is pretty easy to use, although assigning ringtones etc isn't as straight forward as on my old (also samsung) non android handset.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I got an S2 on friday, and so far I'm loving it! It is huge though, so lots of thought required regarding pockets! The instruction manual is useless, but the phone is pretty easy to use, although assigning ringtones etc isn't as straight forward as on my old (also samsung) non android handset.

Cheers Mark, the size doesn't bother me as it's not really that much bigger than my iPhone, and it is much slimmer. The Android OS (Gingerbread?), seemed pretty straight forward when I was playing today. I think unless someone throws a large spanner shaped object in the works I'll be getting one tomorrow

 

[Red Light]

^it's not actually an issue anymore as my phone spends 99.9% of it's time on silent
As for the iPhone 4, it's just not different enough from my 3gs either

It does have Personal Hotspot which I am using all the time to create myself a wireless hotspot for the laptops.