3G, Android 4.1, 4.27 ", 800x480, 16GB, 116g, 8MP camera, Bluetooth

MAIN TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Nutrition

Battery capacity: 1650 mAh Battery type: Li-Ion Talk time: 18.3 h Standby time: 710 h Music listening time: 30 h

Additional Information

Features: the USB on the Go function is supported (using an adapter to the microUSB connector, you can connect flash drives or hard drives); screen covering - glass, technology Gorilla Glass; talk time: up to 1100 min. (2G), up to 520 min. (3G); slave time Announcement date: 2011-02-14 Sales start date: 2011-05-18 Package contents: phone, battery, wired stereo headset, USB cable, charger

General characteristics

Type: smartphone Weight: 116 g Control: mechanical / touch buttons operating system: Android 4.1 Case type: classic Number of SIM-cards: 1 Dimensions (WxHxT): 66.1x125.3x8.49 mm Type of SIM-card: regular

Screen

Screen type: color AMOLED, 16.78 million colors, touch Type of touch screen: multitouch, capacitive Diagonal: 4.27 inches. Image size: 800x480 Number of pixels per inch (PPI): 218 Automatic screen rotation: yes Scratch-resistant glass: yes

Multimedia capabilities

Camera: 8 million pixels, 3264x2448, LED flash Camera functions: autofocus, macro mode Video recording: yes Max. video resolution: 1920x1080 Front camera: yes, 2 million pixels. Audio: MP3, FM radio Headphone jack: 3.5 mm Face recognition Geo Tagging: Yes Video output: MHL

Communication

Interfaces: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 3.0, USB Standard: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G DLNA support: yes Satellite navigation: GPS A-GPS system: yes Use as a USB storage device: yes USB-host : there is

Memory and processor

Processor: Samsung Exynos 4210, 1200 MHz Number of processor cores: 2 Internal memory: 16 GB Size random access memory: 1 GB Video processor: Mali-400 MP Memory card slot: yes

Other functions

Controls: voice dialing, voice control Sensors: lighting, proximity, gyroscope, compass Handsfree (built-in speaker): yes Flight mode: yes A2DP profile: yes Reviews Articles Prices

Description Samsung Galaxy S II GT-I9100

The Galaxy S II (GT-I9100) is larger and thinner than its predecessor, with a larger display, more powerful hardware and enhanced functionality. The display size has been increased from 4 inches to 4.3 inches, the processor has become dual-core, the amount of RAM has doubled to 1 GB, the thickness has decreased by about 1.5 mm and is 8.5 mm. The smartphone is equipped with a display manufactured using Super AMOLED + technology. Galaxy S II is equipped with the latest Android 2.3 OS, supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n, including Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 3.0 + HS, HSPA + with data transfer rates up to 21 Mbps and NFC technology ...

Main technical characteristics

Features:
A type	communicator
operating system	Android
Version	2.3
CPU	ARM Cortex A9
Frequency	1200 MHz
RAM	1024 MB
Flash memory	16384 MB
Screen
Diagonal	4.3 "
Resolution	800 x 480
Color rendering	16 million colors
Digital camera
Camera	8 million pixels
Dimensions and weight
Width	66.1 mm
Height	125.3 mm
Depth	8.5 mm
Weight	116 gr.

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Samsung Galaxy S II smartphone: first test in Russia

The more successful the start, the more difficult it is to maintain the quality bar in the future. The second generation of the hit Samsung Galaxy S II is now one of the most talked about devices, in order not to disappoint the fans and not to give a reason for the gloating of opponents, the company took a lot of effort to create a new device. In fact, the Samsung Galaxy S II is all the best in the mobile industry put together by the Korean giant in one package. We had the first copy at our disposal, imported to Russia specifically for the Samsung representative office, nevertheless, the device was a fully finalized smartphone, despite the formal status of an "engineering sample".

NEW QUALITY OF CONTENT VIEWING
E-books, websites, videos and more are now available to Galaxy S II owners in a quality that was previously unattainable on a smartphone. The super-bright 4.27-inch SUPER AMOLED Plus display delivers crisp detail and vibrant color. Read, search the Internet or enjoy your favorite video from the Samsung GALAXY S II - and don't be surprised if everyone's eyes are on you!

Super AMOLED Plus display
The Super AMOLED Plus display boasts excellent color reproduction, high legibility and low power consumption. You will be pleasantly surprised by the natural color reproduction, as well as how bright and vivid images can be reproduced on the Samsung Galaxy S II. The ultra-fast response time ensures smooth graphics and text, and the 4.27-inch display size gives you a true wide-screen photo and video experience.

Proprietary Samsung TouchWiz 4.0 interface
Download apps and get direct access to your content using the updated proprietary TouchWiz 4.0 GUI. All widgets can be customized according to your preferences and provide quick access to all content elements. With one touch, you will have access to gallery, music, video, social networks, e-mail, notes, games displayed on the home screen. Don't look for content, live in it!

Fully functional web browser
Information is the most valuable thing. Smartphone GALAXY S II allows you to find information quickly and easily. A complete web browser with an improved user interface provides access to the entire information universe. The browser is fully optimized for Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), search options are easy to customize, and the 4.3-inch SUPER AMOLED Plus display and Adobe Flash Player will allow you to enjoy all the possibilities of multimedia. Surf the Internet in style and ease with the Samsung GALAXY S II.

NEW QUALITY OF MULTIMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT
What used to just help pass the time is now giving way to a whirlwind of immersive entertainment: With the Samsung GALAXY S II, you will see the possibilities of mobile devices through different eyes. Explore a world of interactive 3D games, Full HD videos and superb music. Delight is guaranteed!

Samsung Exynos 1.2 GHz dual core processor
The 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 Samsung Exynos processor is a revolutionary approach to improving mobile performance. It provides multitasking without lag and freezes, fast loading of web pages, instant responsiveness, fast image editing, and great game quality and user-friendliness. Thanks to incredibly fast data processing, the smartphone is able to play and record videos in Full HD (1080p) quality at 30 fps.

8 megapixel camera with LED flash
Appreciate the moments! The 8 megapixel camera with autofocus will allow you to get the perfect picture clarity, even when photographing moving subjects. The built-in LED flash ensures high-quality shots with detailed details, even in low light. Thanks to the improved interface on android platform 2.3 (Gingerbread), the user can instantly change the scene modes, and the function of quickly switching to the front camera with a resolution of 2 megapixels will allow you to take a self-portrait in no time. Samsung GALAXY S II - the art of seeing the world in your own way.

Full HD (1080p) video recording and playback
Become a star! Let the built-in camera Samsung GALAXY S II show you to the world in all your splendor. Full HD (1080p) recording makes every captured moment a masterpiece. Not only can you capture action-packed high-resolution, high-speed action with the dual-core processor, you can instantly play back and edit footage in Full HD on the bright 4.27-inch SUPER AMOLED Plus display.

Music portal (Samsung Music Hub)
Live to the music! Samsung's new built-in music player features an intuitive playback system. You can start playing a sample, purchase a melody, or download an audio recording on the go. The music portal contains more than 900 thousand songs for download or purchase. This app will also allow you to get detailed information about the albums and tracks you've purchased, including artist details, lyrics and reviews, as well as music recommendations. Finally, bass amplifiers and a 5.1-channel playback system add rich, deep sound.

Game portal (Samsung Game Hub)
Play by your own rules! The game portal (Samsung Game Hub) allows you to download high-quality games to your smartphone, and also provides access to games on social networks, as well as 3D HD games. With the help of this service you can easily find new products in the gaming industry or information about their launch, or just choose your favorite game and have fun! With a position sensor, digital compass and 3-axis gyroscope, your games will be especially sharp, and you will have an incredible dynamic and spatial experience. One wrong move and you are killed! This is real fun!

Books and Press Portal (Samsung Reader's Hub)
Leave your heavy books at home - take only the Samsung GALAXY S II. Convenient service "Books and Press" will allow you to read any book from the library of classical works or find the latest bestseller among 64 thousand volumes of Russian and foreign literature. You can also subscribe to the press: 2500 magazines in 20 languages \u200b\u200band 1600 newspapers in 47 languages \u200b\u200bare at your service. Reading is easy on the eyes: clear text is clearly visible on the display. In addition, you can enlarge a section of text, choose to view the entire page or text only, send it by e-mail with two taps of the display, and use many other smart features. Paper is time-bound, e-books are not.

NEW COMMUNICATION OPPORTUNITIES
Technological progress is expanding the possibilities of communication. Samsung GALAXY S II is powered by the latest technologies that make life colorful and the impossible possible.

Video call
More recently, it seemed like fantasy. Now is the reality embodied in smartphones Samsung... Thanks to 3G support, you can not only hear, but also see the interlocutor! You do not need to configure your smartphone additionally: after you have typed desired number Samsung GALAXY S II will prompt you to select the type of call ( voice call or video call). Before making a video call, we recommend that you make sure that the called subscriber's phone also supports the 3G network, and your mobile operator provides the appropriate service.

Social Portal (Samsung Social Hub)
With this service it will be much easier for you to sync your contacts. You will be able to send email, SMS, instant messages and messages to social networks from one application. Which way is more convenient to contact the right person - the choice is yours. Communicate more, easier and faster. Communicate on your terms.

UTalk multi-messenger
uTalk is universal application, with which you can send text, photo and voice to your friends and family, wherever they are and no matter what social network they use! Using uTalk is simple and convenient, everyone can quickly understand the application and send messages to friends and family in a couple of minutes after registering in the program. UTalk multi-messenger is designed specifically for mobile platforms.

SamsungKies 2.0 and KiesAir
The new and improved Kies 2.0 application, which replaces the Kies 1.5 version, allows you to sync the Samsung GALAXY S II with your computer via Wi-Fi to make backup copies of organizer data, subscribe to services and transfer multimedia content. With SamsungKiesAir, you can connect to any computer via a web browser (even if it doesn't have Kies installed) and work with information and multimedia content on a large monitor.

AllShare
Let's go to the screens! From now on it's easier than ever. The AllShare function allows you to wirelessly connect the Samsung GALAXY S II to a TV, laptop or audio system and play multimedia files directly from your mobile device. AllShare syncs your smartphone with compatible DLNA devices, allowing you to stream content to your large monitor in FullHD format. We are blurring the boundaries in the world of digital devices!

HSPA + 21 Mbps
Smooth video streaming is now even faster with super-speed standard wireless transmission data HSPA + 21 Mbps.

Wi-Fi Direct technology
Forget about wires. Samsung GALAXY S II allows direct (without Internet connection) transfer of data from a smartphone to other devices via Wi-Fi. The transmission speed complies with the Fi a / b / g / n 802.11 standard even without an access point.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS PEOPLE
Samsung GALAXY S II is a real office in your pocket. To ensure you get the most up-to-date enterprise solutions, Samsung has teamed up with leading IT experts. As a result new smartphone features the most complete mobile version of Exchange ActiveSync. Samsung GALAXY S II guarantees the reliability and security of your data and comes with all the necessary business applications. This smartphone is ready for serious work!

Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
GALAXY S II provides secure access to corporate resources on a Microsoft Exchange server. Your built-in calendar, email, contacts, and task list will be updated regularly and stay current. Samsung GALAXY S II provides the most complete support for Exchange ActiveSync settings.

Polaris mobile office
The Polaris office app lets you work with documents saved over the Internet directly with your Samsung Galaxy S II. You no longer need a laptop to quickly edit a document. The Polaris app allows you to open office documents of various formats, add a photo or image, make corrections to text, and save changes. Stay productive - even outside the office.

Contents of delivery:

• Telephone
• Li-Ion 1650 mAh battery
• Wired stereo headset
• USB cable
• Charger

Attention. Unlike the preliminary review, here you read the review of the final sample, as a result, you can evaluate all aspects of the phone without any discounts. Some parts are repeated with the first material, some are greatly supplemented and expanded. This is the final review.

Positioning

The success of the Galaxy S has never been predicted, and for such a product it has achieved phenomenal sales. The model is an unconditional bestseller, it set the bar for the Android phone market, but also caused problems within Samsung. No one counted on a resounding success, as a result, no one could predict that the demand for phones would skyrocket. The company was let down by the lack of SuperAMOLED screens, their shortage did not allow to achieve large sales, the demand for the model is high, but it is not available in many markets in sufficient quantities. As one of the measures, Samsung has launched a cheaper variant of the Galaxy S, the i9003, which uses a SuperClear TFT display. It loses to SuperAMOLED in all respects, but remains one of the best screens on the market. At the same time, the price of the i9003 with the minimum memory capacity is 100-120 euros less than the original Galaxy S, the price difference will grow even more over time. It's not a bad proposition that will exploit the popularity of the original Galaxy S.

After the announcements at CES, when NVIDIA showed the first solutions on Tegra2, in particular, LG Optimus 2x, Motorola Atrix 4G, Motorola DROID Bionic, a natural question arose: how can Samsung answer these devices? It seemed that dual-core processors are becoming a necessity in flagship solutions, a good marketing ploy, even if there is no practical need for them so far, since there is no corresponding software, games, and the speed gain in conventional applications not that great. But at CES, Samsung didn't say a single word about such plans. The reason is that the company wanted to close the gap between product announcement and market launch as much as possible. So that potential buyers can get this solution in the same time frame as competitors.

Is Samsung counting on the success of its updated flagship? Definitely yes, and there are simply no prerequisites to believe that it will not be successful. Building on the sales of the previous device, this model will make the market for itself. It has several unique features that competitors do not yet have. The first is the screen technology race. The new term SuperAMOLED +, an improved version of the previous display, which did not have time to become obsolete, and competitors simply do not have an analogue. Why such a technology race is needed, I have no idea, but the screen is becoming a visible advantage of Samsung's flagships. One of the strengths. I like the screen quality of the Galaxy S, but it's not as sharp as the iPhone 4, not as crisp, and the fonts are a little blurry. The new SuperAmoled + version has sharpened, not yet the iPhone, but not the Galaxy S.

The second feature is not yet applicable in practice in most situations, but it provides a huge reserve for the future, it is a dual-core processor. For technology lovers, such a processor has an undoubted advantage; its presence gives the phone extra shine. But for practical people this is not the case. The presence of such a processor does not have an undoubted and quick benefit. Another thing is that over time, more and more programs will appear for such solutions, then this phone will show its capabilities.

In terms of technology, the first Galaxy S set a very high bar, not a showcase for technology's sake, but a demonstration of how to bundle all the latest technology into one compelling product. The S II went even further, this is the first phone that supports Wi-Fi Direct, does not need special software to work with any computer and synchronize data, the phone can send files via Wi-Fi, has a number of additional programs that are not familiar to other Android phones, but which will soon become standard. I can list the technologies used for quite a long time (NFC, MHL, and so on), there are an impressive number of them here. Without any discounts, Samsung created a flagship and did it without wasting money. Unfortunately, there is not a single device on the market that is similar in characteristics and overall capabilities. The devices based on NVIDIA Tegra 2 came close to the Galaxy S II, but they, as a rule, significantly worse camera, larger size, noticeably worse displays. Surprisingly, Samsung has created a flagship with an excellent price / quality ratio for its segment. A year will pass, and the device will functionally remain at the level of the best solutions, it will not be greatly outshined by other models, although more interesting solutions from different companies will appear. This product is positioned as a long-term flagship, that is, a model that is bought in order not to change the phone for a long time. The life span of this device for most markets and consumers will be maximized.

It is also worth noting the HTC Sensation model, which is technically very similar to the Galaxy II (dual-core processor, 1.2 GHz, but worse camera, less internal memory, simpler screen). This model wins by the presence of the Sense 3.0 shell, but at a similar cost, Samsung has a technological advantage. In any case, both models look extremely attractive, and choosing between them will be quite difficult.

The positioning of the phone as a flagship determines the portrait of its consumer, these are primarily those who buy the latest and best solutions... Of course, this device also belongs to them. The second and notable category is tech enthusiasts (geeks). Those who care about how powerful their phone is. For them, this model offers a win-win option, because other phones simply have nothing comparable in terms of technology. For practical buyers, this is an interesting model, since over time you can be sure that it remains relevant and does not require replacement.

Design, dimensions, controls

Here I heard a lot of different opinions. Someone judged by the picture and said that the model looks exactly the same as the previous device, someone from the previous Galaxy owners complained that the device has become wider, and it is not very convenient. Some were just waiting for a different kind. Samsung considered the design of the first Galaxy S to be successful, and sales confirm this. And we decided not to change anything. In some ways, this approach is rational.

At the same time, due to the fact that the area of \u200b\u200bthe device has become larger, it has been made thinner. An impressive 8.5 mm (the press release says it is 8.49 mm, but we won't calculate it with such accuracy?), Make this device one of the thinnest on the market. Sony Ericsson Arc immediately comes to mind, its thickness is 8.7 mm, which also looks thin, due to this the device is perceived quite differently and makes an impression. A forgotten trend that was in phones 4 years ago has been revived again for the smartphone segment. Remember the Ultra line of phones from Samsung, and before that there was a device with a body thickness of 9 mm, and this was perceived as a breakthrough. Everything new is well forgotten old.

Comparison with Sony Ericsson Arc:

By the way, Samsung Galaxy S II somewhat reminded me of Sony Ericsson Arc, and in terms of proportions, it is possible that the size and diagonal of the screen leave an imprint, it is similar in both models. The Arc is 4.2 inches, while the Samsung 4.27 is not a deafening difference. But Samsung's screen is orders of magnitude better and more interesting. Galaxy S II uses DNIe + technology (that's where the plus sign in the screen name comes from). This is a processor that processes any graphics, for example, photos, pictures, videos, and makes it better for perception on the phone screen. The same technology is used in all Samsung TVs. Curiously, something similar under the name BraviaEngine is used in Sony Ericsson Arc. These technologies are not used in the interface, that is, they are not responsible for drawing the menu.

The phone measures 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm (Galaxy S has 122.4x64.2x9.9 mm) and weighs 116 grams. For my taste, the device is a little too wide, to some it will seem a disadvantage. But you adapt to it quickly, there is no discomfort. It's nice that the device is invisible in your pocket, it looks good in a shirt as well.

Comparison with Samsung Galaxy S:

The answer to why the back cover is made of plastic and not metal can be found pretty quickly. With active use of the phone, when you watch videos, download large files, transfer them, it starts to get very hot. If the back cover were metal, then it would be impossible to touch the device, it would burn. The honeycomb structure of plastic was invented for a reason, it is a kind of passive radiator. But even with him, the phone sometimes heats up, does not burn, but you feel the heat. Warmest areas around the camera.

The lid is very thin and when you snap it you need to run your finger around the perimeter to make sure it fits snugly. Sometimes you don't close the lid completely, and this creates certain inconveniences. If the cover falls off, it is knocked out by the battery. My phone flew several times, but the cover did not receive any damage. Despite the thinness of the plastic, it is resistant to both shocks and bends.

The phone has a 2MP front-facing camera, a proximity sensor, and lighting. The central key is mechanical, but the menu and return buttons are touch sensitive. On the left side is the volume rocker, on the right is the on / off button. We failed to find the camera key, as before, it is not there, and the camera will have to be called from the menu.

At the top, there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack, the microUSB connector has been moved down. On the back you can see the lens of an 8-megapixel camera, plus an LED flash, and a speaker is located below.

For several weeks my main phone was exactly the Galaxy II, so it went through fire, water, and copper pipes. The body does not wear out anywhere, with the exception of the rear ledge, a slight wear appears here, it will intensify over time. It is clearly visible only in the light and at the correct angle. The second point is the back cover. In my pocket, it rubbed against the lining, unevenly, and separate rubbed areas appeared. But I will say again, they are visible upon a very careful examination of the phone, in fact it is difficult to find them. In total, everything is expected, the plastic case has both advantages (weight, practicality) and disadvantages.

I honestly admit that I do not share the opinion of many people that the phone case must necessarily be metal, especially if it is flagship model... It can be made of plastic, glass and other materials. The question is how the material behaves over time, ages or not, wipes off or not. For example, the glass used in the Apple iPhone 4 is relatively fragile; if you drop the device on the asphalt, it can be broken. Does this stop someone from buying a device? I think no. This is one of its features. The model turned out to be very light in weight, but at the same time wide, and this is captivating. Constantly using HTC Incredible S and Galaxy II, I caught myself thinking that Galaxy is more convenient for me. The reason is the weight and thickness of the case.

Display

Those who argue that SuperAMOLED Plus is just a marketing ploy should take a look at how different the picture is compared to regular SuperAMOLED. It is brighter, sharper with the increased diagonal of the screen, but the main thing is that the screen consumes less energy. An option to save energy has appeared in the settings, when the power consumption is regulated depending on the picture that is currently displayed (using DNIe +). This technology is also used in all Samsung TVs, a special processor analyzes the information and then improves the picture, making it more beautiful for us. A side effect is that the phone can now analyze how energy is being spent. Wallpaper selection also takes into account the fact that AMOLED screens use energy in different ways, depending on the color. A similar technology is used by Sony Ericsson, it is called Bravia Engine, but the gain on TFT screens is not so noticeable, rather there is a technology only for visual improvement of the displayed picture.

Let's go back to screen technology. The first SuperAMOLED matrices used PenTile technology, when one dot on the screen is formed from two subpixels. Surprisingly, this caused quite heated discussions in many forums, in which it was argued that the effective resolution of any screen with PenTile technology is lower than the stated one by at least a third. Quite a bold and stupid statement, since the number of dots did not differ in any way from any screen, and if the manufacturer spoke about a matrix of 800x480 dots, then there were exactly that number of them on the screen. No more, no less.

Another thing is that in some aspects, a smaller number of subpixels gave visible distortions on the screen, which, coupled with high definition, annoyed individual users. For example, for the first generation SuperAMOLED, the fonts had a sharply outlined outline with a ladder, in fact, this is the only visible difference from most screens that arises from the use of PenTile technology. It is enough to look at the icon captions in the main screen and see this effect on the same Galaxy S. Comparison with the second Galaxy will show that there is nothing like this there.

The explanation lies in the Real RGB Stripe technology used in SuperAMOLED Plus matrices. Now a separate point on the screen is formed not by two, but by three sub-points. The picture from Samsung Displays shows the difference, the increased number of dots makes the picture smoother, including fonts, there are no sharply outlined contours that could be annoying. I honestly admit that until they began to discuss this topic, to procrastinate it, I did not even pay attention to the fonts. But then, of course, I saw this sharpness, although it had no effect on my perception of the previous Galaxy.

In the sun, the screen behaves worse than in the first Galaxy, the explanation is that the size of the matrix has increased, but the resolution remains the same, plus the technology has changed. The picture is readable at right angles or in a not very bright sun. But otherwise everything is exactly the same as on other types of screens, there is no advantage that was in the first SuperAMOLED.

At the moment, SuperAMOLED Plus technology does not allow creating screens with a pixel density of more than 200 ppi, the iPhone has a matrix with more than 300 ppi. Samsung will change the matrix manufacturing technology in order to get more than 300 ppi in 2011.

For my taste, the picture on SuperAMOLED Plus looks smoother, the brightness control is well matched. But the main point is connected with the fact that the user can choose the saturation of the picture (Movie, Standard, Dynamic). In fact, this is a setting that allows you to set the color temperature of the screen, change the saturation of colors. Some people like bright colors - keep the default. Someone likes less bright colors - choose the Movie mode.

The diagonal of the screen is 4.3 inches (in the previous model it is 4 inches, but the difference is huge, striking), the resolution is 800x480 pixels (displays 16 million colors). In practical terms, the display is extremely convenient, there is an automatic adjustment of the image brightness depending on the lighting. The protective glass is tempered, covered with a special anti-reflective material. Also, the screen has an oleophobic coating, which in theory means that it does not get dirty with your hands. A similar coating is used in the Apple iPhone. Users of this device know that prints still remain, just a little less. The story is exactly the same here. There are greasy marks, but they are not so striking.

Samsung devices also use VibeZ technology - when you press the keys, the body vibrates, which confirms your action.

The screen fits up to 16 lines of text and up to three service lines. In the mode of reading messages, this can be up to 24 lines, depending on the selected font. For the screen in the settings, you can choose the size and style of the font, but they are not very different. Another thing is that, unlike many models, the screen font is huge here, it can be read without difficulty from any distance. This is a plus of the apparatus.

Comparison of the screen with Galaxy S (maximum brightness, the same pictures).

Comparison of the screen with Sony Ericsson Arc (maximum brightness, the same pictures).

Battery

The phone uses a 1650 mAh Li-Ion battery. According to the manufacturer, the battery is capable of providing up to 6.5 hours of talk time and up to 350 hours of standby time. In the conditions of Moscow networks, the device works on average for about one day. Fully charging the battery takes about 3 hours.

Playback of unconverted video is possible for approximately 8.5 hours. Music playback - up to 30 hours.

Perhaps, checking the operating time of the device was the most difficult and voluminous test for me. The number of settings related to energy consumption is huge, and you can customize the phone for yourself, and besides, save time. For each person, this device will be able to show its results, it is very individual and depends on hundreds of settings (screen brightness, number of programs in memory, and so on). Therefore, I decided to carry out comparative tests with the first Galaxy. SIM-cards of the same operator were installed on two phones, PUSH-mail was set up, the same applications, programs and so on were also used. In fact, I even tried to call from the same places and talk for the same amount of time. The result was rather unusual - the Galaxy II battery life increased from 1.5 to 2 times. In my case, the first Galaxy, starting to work at 9 in the morning, was already completely discharged by lunchtime (yes, I'm not a very ordinary user, for many it works longer), but Galaxy II worked for a long time.

I will briefly tell you about the settings that are present in the phone and can do a good job in saving energy. First, you should go to the Wi-Fi section and, in the advanced settings, establish a connection only when the screen is active. This will save a little energy, especially if you do not use any IM-messengers and want to see the information the moment you pick up your phone. Secondly, it is worth considering whether you need PUSH in mail, if you receive a dozen emails per hour, this function greatly affects the operating time. You can set the interval to 15, 30 minutes or even an hour. This gives a noticeable increase in operating time.

I recommend setting the automatic brightness control in the screen settings, but also adding an analysis of the picture on the screen (a separate item, absent for all competing products). This item allows the phone to choose the brightness depending on the applications used, everything works quite well. Regardless of whether this item is selected or not, the temperature sensor works in the phone. If you are in the sun and at the same time play some kind of toy, simultaneously download a large file, the screen brightness will automatically decrease so that the device does not overheat. Until this moment, I have not seen such functionality.

The Power Save Mode section allows you to install an assistant that will turn on the power saving mode when the battery is discharged to a certain level. In doing so, you can specify exactly how the phone will save energy. This is a pretty good setting as it allows you to flexibly set your priorities. When the battery reaches 15 percent, the camera stops working. The phone is focused on the fact that you can call until the last moment. It's nice that at 15 percent the device lives for 1.5-2 hours, you can talk for up to 15-20 minutes.

Surprisingly, the Galaxy SII lasts longer than the first Galaxy. And this is not affected by a slightly larger battery, but by the technological platform itself, the Exynos processor turned out to be very economical. In terms of technology, this is an extremely complex phone, in which many settings have been applied, with the help of which real energy savings are possible without compromising the user characteristics of the device. I will hint that by studying in detail the phone and its capabilities, you can save up to 50 percent of the operating time, which is just great. Other devices do not provide such tuning possibilities even close. And if you also have straight arms, you know how to dig into the insides of the apparatus, then even more. In short, among the latest generation flagships, it is Samsung Galaxy SII that has one of the longest-lasting batteries.

Below are screenshots of the built-in Android utility that shows runtime and power consumption.

USB, Bluetooth, NFC, communication capabilities

Bluetooth... Bluetooth version 3.0, also called High Speed. When transferring files to other devices that support this technology, Wi-Fi 802.11 n is used, and the theoretical transfer speed is about 24 Mbps. Testing the transfer of a 1 GB file showed a maximum speed of about 12 Mbps within three meters between devices.

The model supports various profiles, in particular, Headset, Handsfree, Serial Port, Dial Up Networking, File Transfer, Object Push, Basic Printing, SIM Access, A2DP. Working with headsets does not raise any questions, everything is routine.

USB connection... In the menu, you can select one of three possible operating modes: Media Player, Mass Storage, Samsung Kies. The device can be easily used as a modem by turning on Wi-Fi Hotspot or by activating a similar function for USB.

IN uSB mode Mass Storage the device is perfectly picked up without additional drivers, you can copy the necessary data. USB version is 2, data transfer rate is about 25 Mb / s.

When connecting to a PC, the simultaneous operation of USB and Bluetooth is unacceptable, the device requires you to turn off Bluetooth regardless of the current state (whether there is a connection and transmission or not), this is extremely inconvenient. When connected via USB, the device is charged.

The USB on the Go function is supported, which means that using a special adapter, you can connect any flash drives or external hard drives to the microUSB connector, in this case, you will get the ability to view files, copy them, and so on in the file manager.

The microUSB connector also supports the MHL standard, which means that using a special cable (available from electronics stores), you can connect your phone to a TV (to the HDMI output). In fact, the standard describes the ability to connect via microUSB to HDMI. This solution looks preferable to a separate miniHDMI connector on the case.

For GSM networks, EDGE class 12 is provided.

Wi-Fi... The standard 802.11 a / b / g / n is supported, the wizard is similar to that for Bluetooth. You can remember the selected networks, automatically connect to them. It is possible to set up a connection to the router with one touch, for this you need to press a button on the router, and also activate a similar button in the device menu (WPA SecureEasySetup).

Wi-Fi Direct... A new protocol that aims to replace Bluetooth or compete with its third version (it also uses Wi-Fi version n to transfer large files). In the Wi-Fi settings menu, select the Wi-Fi Direct section, the phone starts looking for devices around. We select the desired device, activate the connection on it, and voila. Now, in the file manager, you can view files on another device, as well as transfer them. Another option is to simply find the devices connected to your router and transfer the necessary files to them, this can be done from the gallery or other sections of the phone. The main thing is that the device supports Wi-Fi Direct.

NFC (Near Field Communication)... The phone has a built-in NFC technology, with its help in some countries they create payment systems, when you can pay for a purchase with your phone in a parking lot or at a kiosk. Such systems will evolve, and Samsung has incorporated these capabilities into the device to make it the most advanced. For individual countries, this option will not be available in the menu (Russia is one of them, at the same time, NFC is physically present).

Kies via Wi-Fi... Motorola was the first company to offer working with a phone without having to download any software to a computer. You connected to a PC using Wi-Fi, in the browser you could view individual sections of the phone. Samsung went a little further and gave access to all sections of the phone. Enter in the browser the address provided by the phone, and you can work with all your data, upload them to your PC. Convenient and simple. No special programs, you can write SMS from your computer, read them and so on.

Motion control

Individual functions can be controlled using movements. In most cases, these movements are contrived. For example, in the gallery you can touch the picture with two fingers and, by tilting the device, zoom in or out the image. It is not always possible to adjust the rate of change of the picture; it is easier to zoom it with your hands. The only convenient function is unlocking, touch the screen and shake the phone, the lock is removed. There are good tutorials on the menu showing how to work with movements, but to save energy it is better to turn them off.

Memory, memory cards

The phone has 16 GB of internal memory (a version with 32 GB is planned), initially about 14 GB is available to the user. The memory card is visible separately, it is possible to display all folders (both from the memory card and internal). There is a file manager that allows you to copy files both from the card and to it. Memory cards are not hot swappable. We tested microSD cards up to 32GB, everything works.

The amount of RAM is 1 GB, after downloading about 800 MB is free. This is enough for all applications, the phone is one of the best on the market in terms of RAM.

Performance

This is the first dual-core phone from Samsung, and is used internally by the Orion processor, which was recently renamed Exynos 4210. Compared to prototypes, the processor has been changed - it is also dual-core, but the maximum frequency is 1.2 GHz.

Is this solution comparable to NVIDIA Tegra2, which I was able to test in Motorola ATRIX 4G as well as LG Optimus 2x. Both phones were my main phones for several weeks. I can only evaluate the performance from the user's point of view, since there are simply no programs that use all the capabilities of such an architecture today. Samsung's solution is as fast as Motorola's or LG's. They are perceived at the same level. My impression is extremely positive, this is one of the fastest phones on the market. In a number of situations, the Samsung phone even looks faster, it seems that a lot of work has been done on its optimization.

So here are the results in the synthetic Quadrant test, the usual galaxy firmware SII shows about 3000 points, while competitors lag behind by a significant margin. I want to emphasize that these measurements are speculative in nature, they do not affect the real performance of the device, which depends not only on the processor, but also on the memory, as well as on how the programs are optimized and how stable they are in operation.

In Smartbench 2011 (optimized for dual-core processors), the results are just as impressive. At the time of testing, this is the only product that showed the maximum result, as you can see for yourself in the screenshot. Below are the results of the overclocked LG Optimus 2x, but this is not a very honest comparison, since you can raise the frequency on Oxynos to much higher rates (1.8 GHz, to be precise). In the absence of commercial samples of HTC Sensation, it is unfair to compare the performance of these two devices, while Sensation loses in performance in tests. In our Sensation review, we compare the processors and system performance with the Galaxy SII.

Camera

The model received a new 8-megapixel camera module from Samsung, which is one of the best on the market. However, let's compare it with that of Sony Ericsson Arc.

Sony has created the EXMOR matrix, which is used in the company's flagship - Sony Ericsson Arc. Countless advertising, marketing materials show the superiority of this matrix in low light conditions, and marketing has hammered into people's heads that this is the perfect solution. Or close to that. Unfortunately, Sony is not the leader in photo solutions for phones, moreover, the products of this company are secondary to what Samsung is doing. This can be seen in simple examples of comparative pictures.

So, we look at a photo of chrysanthemums without any lighting. The pictures look the same. Hereinafter, pictures from Galaxy SII are located on the left.

Let's take off the pencils on the table by the window. Side light, illumination is clearly insufficient. Both cameras did the job in about the same way, I would not single out a leader.

The laughing Buddha in my office turned out great on Galaxy, but for some reason Arc raised the ISO to 400 (250 on Galaxy), and at the same time darkened the picture. It is also not very sharp.

With the flash, the Arc is even worse, the device simply shoots as needed. See for yourself. I tried to take pictures several times, but all the time I got this result.

But in this picture (a rare case!), You can even say that Arc shot a little better. Little bit.

In daylight, bright lighting, the cameras parity, although not all Arc scenes work out well. But let me remind you that these are almost ideal conditions, and all cameras work well in them.

Well, a couple more pictures:

I hope this little comparison shows that Sony's EXMOR is pure marketing, nothing more. A regular, untitled camera from Samsung puts EXMOR on both blades and delivers the best picture quality in all conditions. I think that's enough to stop talking about Sony Ericsson's marketing bullshit about superior camera quality once and for all (and yes, the iPhone will use a Sony solution that won't be available on SE phones due to the high cost).

There is a small but major change in the camera interface of the Galaxy SII. Now the interface can be both horizontal and vertical, it all depends on how you hold the device.

All settings are shown on a semi-transparent background, which is also pleasing. I will briefly list the main settings.

The zoom is digital, 4x, you just need to swipe the screen with two fingers to activate it. Very convenient implementation (pinch to zoom). The quality of the zoom can be estimated from the following photos, it is not impressive.

Flash mode - automatic, always on, off.

Shooting mode - Single shot (default), Beauty (filter that hides blemishes), Smile Shot (find and respond to a smile), Panorama, Action Shot (pictures of moving people or objects), Cartoon (filter that turns a picture into something similar to the sketch).

Scene Mode - Portrait, Landscape, Night, Sports, Party / Indoor, Beach / Snow, Sunset, Dawn, Fall color, Firework, Text, Candelight, Backlight.

The shutter speed is adjustable from -2 to +2.

Focusing - autofocus, face, macro.

Timer for 2, 5 and 10 seconds.

Effects - negative, black and white, sepia.

Resolution - 8M (3264x2448), 6.5W (3264x1968), 7M (3072x2304), 5.7W (3072x1856) and lower resolutions.

White Balance - Day, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent.

ISO - auto, 100, 200, 400, 800.

It is also worth noting metering by point or matrix, automatic contrast, image stabilization, the ability to set a GPS tag.

You can find examples of photos below:

Video... To the already used 1280x720 resolution, 1920x1080 pixels (1080p) have been added. In this case, the file properties indicate up to 30 frames per second, but the picture looks a little jerky if you walk or drive. Constant autofocus is supported, while in difficult conditions the camera is not always able to quickly focus on the subject or subject (example with cocktails). But in general, the quality of shooting is quite at the level of other solutions and even better. See for yourself.

Samsung devices are, without a doubt, considered the best among mobile phones. Even the old versions have their own flavor and are still able to surprise.

Functionality of models of previous years

The evolution of mobile devices does not stand still, literally every day something new appears in phones. However, Samsung phones of old models look quite tolerable against the background of many of their contemporaries.

The S2 i9100 device is capable of competing, if not with modern flagships, then with phones located in the middle price category. For a device released back in 2011, this is a huge advantage.

Design

The i9100 is distinguished by its discreet appearance. At first glance, it will be difficult to identify the functional flagship of 2011.

The body of the device is completely made of plastic, which does not provide much presentability. But among the models produced at that time, the phone stood out pleasantly against the general background.

There are three buttons on the body for working with the phone. On the sides are located the on and off keys of the device, and on the bottom of the front side there is a button to wake up the phone from sleep mode.

On the front side, in addition to the wake-up button, there is a four-inch screen, an additional camera, a speaker for calls, as well as light and proximity sensors.

The back cover that covers the battery is made of rough plastic for more comfortable work with the phone.

On the back is the main camera with 8 megapixels and a flash, and below, near the company logo, is the main speaker of the device.

At the top there is a headphone jack on the top, and a USB connector at the bottom. But that's not all, there are microphones for stereo recording at the top and bottom.

It should be noted that the device is significantly thinner than many phones, and this increases the comfort of use.

Display

One of the greatest assets on any Samsung phone is the display. Regardless of the increase in the size of the diagonal, the company remains at its best, improving and complementing screens.

Compared to the previous model, the Samsung Galaxy S2 i9100 got a slightly larger screen, now its diagonal is 4.3 inches.

The display on the Galaxy S2 features Super AMOLED technology with the Plus prefix, which significantly improves image quality. This technology delivers deeper images and amazing brightness.

Besides the application new technology manufacturers have also improved the display's behavior in bright light. And for greater protection, mineral glass is used to protect the display. Samsung i9100 Galaxy S2 is able to adjust the backlight automatically or manually.

The phone screen has a resolution of 480 pixels by 800 and is capable of displaying 16 million colors. Among its competitors in 2011, he was one of the best.

Camera

Another Samsung trademark is its amazing quality cameras. The camera of the Samsung Galaxy S2 i9100 also does not fail. Simple and intuitive settings allow you to fine-tune the camera to suit your needs.

Equipped with Samsung Galaxy S2 i9100 eight-megapixel camera and has a resolution of 3264 by 2448. A pretty good camera, even for modern phones, allows you to take high-quality and deep pictures.

The LED flash mounted on the device helps to use the camera in the dark at a distance of about several meters.

Got two megapixels, which is good when working with applications for communication.

Video recording on the Samsung Galaxy S2 i9100 is carried out at a resolution of 1920 by 1080 and at a shooting speed of 30 frames per second. However, if you work with the camera for a long time, you will need a lot of recording space. The sound of the camera recording is improved with additional microphones that record stereo.

Filling

At one time, the filling of the Samsung Galaxy S2 i9100 in the form of a 1.2 GHz processor, as well as one gigabyte in the form of RAM, looked very attractive. Even now, this hardware part is able to compete with many budget devices.

The phone works without problems with video having a resolution of 1080 p. There will be no particular difficulties in using many useful programs.

System

The Samsung Galaxy S2 gt i9100 device uses the "Android 2.3" system. Unfortunately, it limits the choice of programs and games to install.

The appearance of the system used has been redesigned to fit the corporate cover and has some nice additions.

The main changes affected appearance shells, changed and reworked some widgets, and also fixed slowdowns.

There were certain flaws in the standard system on the Samsung Galaxy S2 gt i9100. The firmware had limitations in the amount of online video downloaded to the clipboard. Most likely, these shortcomings will disappear when installing a newer version of android.

Memory

The Samsung Galaxy S2 gt i9100 device is equipped with 16 or 32 gigabytes of memory. In addition to the available memory, it is possible to increase its volume using a flash card.

The phone is capable of working with cards up to 32 gigabytes. As noted in the reviews, when using a 32 GB flash drive, there are no problems with the device.

Battery

The device is equipped with a rather weak 1650 maH battery, which is clearly not enough for Samsung Galaxy S2 i9100. The high-capacity battery begs to be replaced with the installed one.

The device is quite capable of functioning all day long if it is not very active. With constant use and the Internet turned on, the time will be reduced to approximately 4-6 hours.

The battery for the Samsung Galaxy S2 i9100 will most likely have to be replaced with a more powerful analog, because 1650 maH is not enough for such a device.

Sound

The earpiece of the phone produces a very high quality sound, and there are no complaints about the operation of the microphone either. A curious advantage is that the rear speaker, despite its small size, produces quite tolerable and pleasant sound.

In addition, the presence of two microphones that allow you to create stereo recordings looks like a nice bonus.

Additional features

The smartphone is equipped with the usual functions - "Bluetooth" 3.0, microUSB 2.0, "Wi-Fi", GPRS, EDGE. The device supports operation in GSM 800, 2100, 900, 180 modes.

Equipment

The set of the device includes already familiar things. Among them are headphones, a 1650 maH battery, an AC adapter and a USB cable.

Navigation

The standard navigation program that works with Google maps does its job fairly well. In addition to the route itself, the program displays traffic jams, which is undoubtedly a plus for motorists.

The main disadvantage of working with the program is the constant dependence on the network connection. Accordingly, it affects both the consumed traffic and increased battery consumption.

Dimensions

The smartphone is noticeably thinner than its predecessor, due to this, the weight of the device has also decreased. The smartphone is only 8.49 millimeters thick and weighs 116 grams.