Samsung Galaxy S II 4G Android Phone (T-Mobile)
by Samsung3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews) | Like (11)
List Price: $599.99
Technical Details
- 4G-enabled ultra-thin Android-powered smartphone with 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus multi-touch display
- 8-MP camera with Full HD 1080p video capture; 2-MP front camera for video chats; Wirelss-N Wi-Fi networking
- 16 GB internal memory; microSD memroy expansion; Bluetooth 3.0; GPS navigation; personal and corporate e-mail; DLNA wireless streaming
- Up to 4 hours of talk time, up to 200 hours (8+ days) of standby time; released in October, 2011
- What's in the Box: handset, rechargeable battery, charger, USB cable, wired stereo headset, quick start guide
Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
Offering a powerful, premium Android smartphone experience in a pocket-friendly design, the ultra-thin Samsung Galaxy S II 4G for T-Mobile gives you extreme multitasking abilities and the smoothest game play possible thanks to its powerful dual-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 processor. Measuring a mere 9.4mm (0.37 inches) at its thinnest from front to back, the Galaxy S II easily it slips in and out of your pocket even with its huge 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus multi-touch display. It's perfect for immersing yourself in cinema-quality video and intense on-the-go gaming.
Enjoy super-fast mobile broadband speeds with T-Mobile's faster 4G (HSPA+ 42) network (view larger).
Samsung Galaxy S II
At a Glance:
- 3G/4G (HSPA+ 42) connectivity
- Android 2.3 OS
- 1.5 GHz dual-core processor
- 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus touchscreen
- 16 GB memory + microSD expansion
- 8-MP camera + Full HD 1080p video capture
- GPS navigation
- Wireless-N Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 3.0
- Personal/corporate e-mail
The Galaxy S II will be one of the first smartphones to take advantage of T-Mobile's faster 4G (HSPA+ 42) network technology, allowing you to browse the Web faster than on the average home Internet with average download speeds approaching 8 Mbps and peak speeds around 20 Mbps.
With support for Near Field Communications (NFC), the Galaxy S II can read information from "smart" tags, or everyday objects that have NFC chips in them--from stickers and movie posters to t-shirts and even mobile payments (in the future). And you can easily watch movies, shows, video, or view photos on your own TV via the HDMI output or wirelessly using built-in Samsung AllShare DLNA capabilities.
Other features include an 8-megapixel camera with Full HD 1080p video capture, 16 GB internal memory, microSD memory expansion to 32 GB, Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, DLNA wireless streaming capabilities, GPS for navigation and location-based services, access to over 200,000 apps in the Android Market, streaming video from T-Mobile TV and downloaded movies and TV from Samsung Media Hub, and up to 4 hours of talk time (see full specifications below).
The Brightest, Most Colorful Screen
With an incredibly colorful 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, the Galaxy S II delivers 50 percent more sub-pixels than the previous generation display for better contrast. The display also offers unmatched outdoor viewing quality, even in the brightest sunlight.
Super Sharp Photos and Videos Plus Video Chat
This Galaxy S II also captures sharp photos with its 8-megapixel camera with flash, and it records videos in stunning Full HD 1080p resolution. An additional 2-megapixel front-facing camera gives you the power to connect with your friends and family face-to-face via video chat. And with Google Talk, you can video chat with all of your Google Talk contacts, whether they are on a mobile phone or a computer.
Mobile Entertainment
Samsung's Media Hub enables you to rent or purchase movies and TV shows within seconds watch from the convenience of anywhere. With Media Hub's progressive downloading feature, you can start watching your content almost immediately as the rest of the file downloads to the Galaxy S II. Plus, all Media Hub content can be shared among five Media Hub-enabled devices on the same account.
Intuitive TouchWiz Interface
The Galaxy S II features Samsung's TouchWiz user interface, providing superior multi-tasking and customization for an enhanced visual and intuitive smartphone experience. Live Panel features provide immediate access to weather, social updates, e-mail, news and photos, which can all be customized on any one of the seven home screens. All of the widgets can be positioned and re-sized to create unique home screens and one-touch access to the services and apps you use the most. The Notifications Panel allows one touch access to a separate menu for managing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and Flight Mode settings.
Near-Field Communications
An NFC Reader application lets your read and interact with near-field communication (NFC) tags. For example, you can "touch" or "swipe" an NFC tag that might be embedded in a poster, sticker, or advertisement, then act on the data read from the tag. A typical use would be to read a tag at a restaurant, store, or event and then rate or register by jumping to a web site whose URL is included in the tag data.
Vital Statistics
The Samsung Galaxy S II 4G weighs 4.77 ounces and measures 5.11 x 2.71 x 0.37 inches. Its 1850 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of talk time, and up to 200 hours (8+ days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies, as well as T-Mobile's 3G/4G network (1700/2100 MHz; UMTS/HSDPA/HSPA+ 42).
What's in the Box
Samsung Galaxy S II 4G handset, rechargeable battery, charger, USB cable, wired stereo headset, quick start guide
T-Mobile's Super-Fast 4G Mobile Broadband Network
T-Mobile's super-fast 4G network (HSPA+ 21) is getting even faster, doubling the speed with T-Mobile's lightning-quick 4G (HSPA+ 42) network technology. New smartphones that include this technology will now be able to browse the Web faster than on the average home Internet, as well as enjoy uninterrupted video streaming and quicker app downloads. T-Mobile's 4G (HSPA+ 42) network average download speeds approach 8 Mbps with peak speeds around 20 Mbps.
And T-Mobile's increased network speed capabilities will benefit its customers using 3G and 4G (HSPA+ 21) devices for data services, as the backward compatible network pushes the limits of 3G and 4G devices to achieve maximum speed performance.
As of October, 2011, T-Mobile's 4G (HSPA+ 42) network has been rolled out to more than 150 markets across the United States, and its 4G (HSPA+ 21) network is available in over 190 major metropolitan areas across the U.S.--covering 200 million people across the country. Network upgrades will continue rolling out through 2012.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent phone with the best display I've ever seen, October 20, 2011
By
This review is from: Samsung Galaxy S II 4G Android Phone (T-Mobile) (Wireless Phone)
I was a little apprehensive when I picked this phone up, knowing that the Galaxy Nexus would be announced and coming out soon, but I'm really happy I went with the GS2. The phone feels amazing to hold, it's really light, and the display is incredible. I don't get into the iPhone/Android wars, but finally I have a phone that doesn't get written off as junk by my friends once they've taken a look at the phone and played around with it.
Pros
- Very light, but feels solidly built
- Amazing screen
- Very fast web browsing performance
- Good battery life (I turn off data while on WiFi and at the end of the work day I still have about 75% battery left)
- Doesn't feel bulky in my pocket
- Call quality is good
- Camera is great and has a very fast shutter
- Large screen makes typing MUCH easier with the software keyboard
Cons
- T-Mobile installs tons of extra apps that are junk (I use LaucherPro and hide them)
- No word yet on if/when it will receive Ice Cream Sandwich update
- There's an LED on the front, but can't see how to enable it for notifications
Overall it's a great phone and I'm sure I'll be happy with it for the next year or two. I was weary of giving up a physical keyboard, but having a large screen really makes typing easy.
Awesome piece of hardware. Poor battery life, October 21, 2011
By
Jose A. Campo "SQL DBA [MCTS on SQL2005 & 2008]" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Samsung Galaxy S II 4G Android Phone (T-Mobile) (Wireless Phone)
I hate to write this, I really hate it, but the battery life of this phone is bad! I will expand on that in a few lines later.
-- The Good --
Screen
4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus display. It is not just enough for mobile browsing, but really clear and vivid. Not the same resolution like other cellphones of similar size and price, but the size and amazing colors compensate. In my personal opinion, anything bigger will start being too bulky for being a cellphone and anything smaller, too small for being a smart phone. I currently own a Samsung Sidekick 4G and even though is a good cellphone, the 3.5 screen size is too small for a nice browsing experience.
Camera
Great outdoor camera. Not much to say here. I have never been a huge fan of using my cellphone to take vacation pictures, I prefer dedicated cameras instead, but you won't be disappointed. Indoor pictures are ok. Good flash but pictures tend to be too bright because that and with the "red eye" effect. But it's a good camera. However, keep in mind that front facing camera is not integrated into Google Talk. I love the "panoramic" feature though, really easy to use and you can take a panoramic picture just joining several single pictures while joining or moving your hand to the side.
Stability and speed
Moving among screens is easier than ever. So far and after almost a week, I have not noticed any lag at all. This one is using Gingerbread, so I believe the multitasking and overall operating system got some improvements on that aspect; even with several widgets on background, feel fast and responsive. To give you an idea, I run the following widgets on the cellphone: Facebook, Weather, NBC news, Google Calendar, Email, Google Voice. As you should know widgets are active processes that consume network and resources all the time. So with all those on my virtual desktops or several ones, I noticed zero or no lag when moving between screens or waking up from standby. It does not come "free" though, so wait a minute and you'll read the downside.
I have not noticed any crash or Os problem, but as usual, that's an application issue more than an Os issue. Crappy applications will crash you cellphone. But so far, no issues at all. I should say it boot up in about 20 seconds, really impressive!
Sound quality
This is a cellphone, right? lol ... so let's talk about sound quality. The speakerphone is good. Not too loud, but good. The regular ear speaker is ok. I notice the Sidekick I have sounds louder, but not sure is because carrier issues or what. Overall, has a decent sound quality in my opinion, but could be more clear and louder for my taste.
Android
Like the interface. Even though it comes with some Tmobile programs, the customized Android interface is cool. Gingerbread is very eye appealing and very easy to use. Netflix is also compatible and most well known apps work on Gingerbread as well: Facebook, Kindle, B&N nook, most USA Android News, etc. So no complains at all. YouTube works without any problems and it's a real pleasure on this screen.
-- The not so good ---
Battery
I disagree with the other reviewer. Even though I like the cellphone, the battery life is poor. And let me explain.
If you are expecting to buy this phone to keep it on your desk the whole day and call your wife (or receive calls) one of two times per day, light browsing during lunch hour (20 min or so) using 4G, and sending 2 or 3 text messages, you are ok. But honestly speaking, that's rare. What's the point of buying a smartphone if you are not going to browse internet, texting, making several phone calls, and still having plenty of juice during your commuting hours or driving home?
If I browse Internet like 30 or 40 min total during my business day. Make a couple of phone calls (5 or 10 min each). Text my wife several times, make other work related phone calls or sustain a 1 hour phone meeting, this cellphone will be dead by 6pm. At 5pm is usually at 20%, if I'm lucky. And that's with brightness at 20% or lower. No, the battery is not broken, is because that beautiful screen plus widgets, which consume battery like crazy!
So let's face it: if you are a realtor, work from home, need to use your cellphone and mobile Internet several times during the day, YouTube addict, you will be in serious issues at the end of the day. And spending 500+ on a cellphone (without contract) and not been able to do business with it, is unacceptable, in my humble opinion.
I do IT for living. So I know how to customize the cellphone. Trust me. I tried all the tricks: Juice Defender, lowering brightness, reducing widgets, did not help. There is nothing broken, it's just that uses lot of battery. Also, what's the point of buying such a beautiful smartphone if you can't use it.
Battery cover
This is a expensive phone. And has no safe or useful way to remove the battery cover? You need long nails to open it. It is really difficult and tricky to do it. I do not understand how Samsung engineers did not provide a better solution for something so simple like opening the battery cover.
Wifi calling
No wifi calling. Again, my beloved, cheap and small Sidekick 4G does wifi calling. So if I travel, turn roaming off, wifi on, I can make phone calls to USA while traveling, really handy! No longer supported!
-- Summarize --
If you barely use Internet and make a couple of phone calls, and you don't mind spending 500+ on a cellphone like this, get it. The screen and user interface is fantastic! However, and like I explained before, you will need an extra battery or a bulky one, to get a full working day (8am to 8pm) including commuting. For that only reason I'm seriously thinking in returning the cellphone.
My Sidekick 4G does not have the same speed, and the screen can't even compare, but it does the job and has a fantastic full physical keyboard! So sounds weird, but for a hardcore user SGII does not look is a good choice.
C'mon Samsung ... why you don't ship this with a more powerful battery or tweak screen's brightness a bit? Don' give us accessories, we're paying 500+ already, give us a total solution for that, within the phone itself.
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