The Phones Show 140 (Samsung Galaxy S II)

[urbanfireblade]

Excellent review Steve, i've just ordered mine today sim-free on Amazon, £399 free postage. And also ordered 2x 1900mAh batteries increasing battery life around 20% and like you say in your review, a protective case! Cant wait to get it, i'm sure i won't go back to my trusty but ageing iphone 3gs. It was between the samsung and an iphone 4 or 4s, and tbh, i've been using my iphone for 2 yrs now and am getting bored-i just want a change rather than the 'same-but-better' apple product.

[oscar75206]

Tell me that was not checker boarding on the browser bit..time line 6:07...hum.

[drpiercy]

Hi Steve,

Do you know any fix for the S 2 pink spot problem? Is there any hope for a solution?

Love the phone but NEED a good camera. What to do.....

Dave

[stevenojops]

Sorry Steve but still iPhone over galaxy s

[pachinko1972]

Had the phone for 2 months now and it still kicks butt. Even the newer android phones coming out niw

[techjam11]

Is there anyway for you to be sure if the sg2 sort contacts by company name. It's a big investment and I need know before I buy.

[stevelitchfield]

@techjam11 As I don't have the phone anymore, no. Sorry. On Twitter, ask @jsatherley

[techjam11]

My Nokia n97 called it quits, that was a big waste of time and money. I really would not start talking about how bitter I am towards Nokia. If that phone had more ram, a faster processor a better keyboard and for the love of god a better lock screen button (mine came off), it would have been a great phone.

Well I want to buy the samsung galaxy s2, but I have a problem. I have alot of customers and I can't remember neither first or last name, but I will remember the company name.

[stevelitchfield]

@techjam11 Android lets you search by company name - at least on my Nexus S. Hopefully SGS II is the same?

[AdjewareZ]

iphone goodbye

[zephxiii]

Great review, you forgot to how the S II is a full fledged Release 7 21mbps HSPA+ device!! A hugely important feature (though I don't know about HSPA+ status in the EU). In the US though the Infuse 4g (also full HSPA+ 21mbps) has shown a significant improvement in speeds over the Inspire 3G (Desire HD) or Atrix which are only 14.4mbit devices (with supposedly having other Release 7 features, but their general performance has been the same as iPhone 4 which is just a release 6 HSPA 7.2mbit).

[stevelitchfield]

@zephxiii Well, yes, but out in the real world, where I live, I'm lucky to get 3G at *all*, let alone those exalted speeds.... 8-)

[zephxiii]

@stevelitchfield :-(

[ibunkatraining]

I finally got the S2 and it is the b+++y best phone I have ever used. I took it on a trip and it provided me with so many uses, even playing Bob the builder of Youtube without a hassle to pacify my kids. Japanese text input, incredibly fast, real flash, GPS that works like a spell!

I am speechless. (The battery is a problem though but what can you expect if the specs are higher than that of a netbook), The camera is not that great in some settings. This one will last me for a couple of years.

[velt1870]

I don't like the build quality of the samsung galaxy s2 and the iPhone 4 which I'm using may have tons of apps but it's so limited that it's quite boring

[paul2020uk]

In regards to the keyboard, getting to a comma, if you long press on the full stop, you get a list of further punctuation symbols, so you don't have to swop screens. In regards to protecting it, you can get a nice samsunsg own case from phones4u for around ten of your english pounds.

[pachinko1972]

Steve i just got the Galaxy S 2. The mother of all Android phones.

[thelinuxfag]

Are you going to review Tablets?

[bharath144]

Happy to see the N8 in the top 5 :)

[hockamania]

@stevelitchfield I too would rank the N8 just below the iP4, but hey its your show, and excellent review of the SGS2!

[iscogd]

Samsung II - speedy hardware, lousy software. What's the big deal of Android? in the end we only use additional 5 - 6 third party apps and every phone can do it, and no need for messy software that you cannot find your legs and hands.

[badopinion]

@iscogd If you owned a flagship android device for a month you'd have an answer to your question. My devices; Iph3gs, Nokia N8, Galaxy S. Love em' all but Android is really the bee's knee's. True Google integration has greatly simplified my mobile lifestyle.

[spurchrisd]

Steve, if somebody bought an N8 ahead of an I phone 4 based upon your ranking, you risk being sued!

[stevelitchfield]

@spurchrisd Why? In quite a few ways, the N8 can do a heck of a lot more then the iPhone. And yes, the iPhone's a heck of a lot easier to use. Different choices for different folk.

[spurchrisd]

@stevelitchfield Fair comment: the N8 has a superior camera and matches the I phone 4 in build quality.

However, the I phone has a more powerful processor, more RAM, far better display, an intuitive OS and an unrivalled range of apps. The I phone 4 and Galaxy S2 are in a different league to the rest in my opinion.

[stevelitchfield]

@spurchrisd Oh, the N8 has a FAR superior camera and camcorder. And disk expansion. And FM Transmitter. And USB on the go functions. And HDMI out. And the best real time sat-nav on any phone ever. Just sayin' - each of my top 5 has plenty of 'pros'.... 8-) But agree the iPhone's interface and apps raise it almost as high.

[stevelitchfield]

@stephensharples Yes, I'm writing a response to that for AAS. Give me a couple of days etc. 8-)

[stevelitchfield]

@stephensharples I'm coming round to the device - but it's still no E90 replacement in quite a few ways.... more on the E7 in the coming weeks - watch this space!

[qganie]

This must be one of the very few shows that Steve praises the phone so much. BUT I do agree that this is, presently, the very best smartphone in the world. Thankfully as well for us geeky users that Samsung has not locked the bootloader like Motorola did with the Atrix. It would suggest that good things are in store for us consumers in the coming months as all manufacturers start outputting phones that compete with the S2. Great show!!!

[pumpuppthevolume]

some sample videos wold be nice and a browser test .....it is supposed to be the best experience and i bet it is ... too bad we have to wait for the price to drop

[stevelitchfield]

@pumpuppthevolume I included a sample video in the review... or do you mean sample 1080p?

[pumpuppthevolume]

@stevelitchfield well sure plus different conditions plus there is zoom in 720p plus some sound tests while taking a video.........but there are plenty of those in youtube so no worries ;) if it was me i would definitely play a lot with it

[stevelitchfield]

@pumpuppthevolume I've got plenty of other phones to play with at the moment..... all in good time! 8-) Besides, Tim Salmon's having a couple of weeks with it next. We like to share the phones around!

[pumpuppthevolume]

it really is fascinating how they fit it all in .... /watch?v=QKztg1ra4-0 disassemble ..... the "motherboard" is tiny compared to the phone

[netwolff]

Way to big...that seems to be the way it goes but for me...way too big to carry around all day. Doesn't fit into a shirt pocket, looks totally stupid putting it in your pants...

Anyway - do you have an idea when you get to check the Nokia E6?

[stevelitchfield]

@netwolff As soon as humanly possible.... 8-) Now expected in early June....

[ibunkatraining]

Could the HTC sensation be a competitor? It is even more expensive though...great review!

[stevelitchfield]

@ibunkatraining Nice, but a hard sell after seeing the SGS2 - HTC must be gutted.

[tochistube]

Why oh why do manufacturers omit the camera shutter button. For all the innovation Apple brought to the smartphone world, they also introduced some brain dead trends. Software based camera shutter button is as dumb as it gets !!. I'll stick with my Nokia 5800XM and N900 until they give up the ghost. God, please dont let Nokia die.

[tochistube]

Steve Litchfield numero uno. Looks like this has the speakers I've been looking for.

[redshovel]

Great review Steve and agree SG2 looks like Androids best ship to date. Also reminded me while I never use a device without a case, that wound looked painful especially on a new device. Again you place N8 over iPhone 4 - nah!

[stevelitchfield]

@redshovel Well, I do like the iPhone 4 - but iOS seems so limited in 2010/2011.... Apple have GOT to do something about having an info-centric homescreen and bringing the OS into this decade....

[ASTMA193]

Great review....

[sab611]

4:35 "and the TouchWiz ForeSkin over the top, isn't too intrusive".

4:50 "any way there's plenty to fiddle with ..."

all good info; it's amazing the features smartphones come with these days. : -)

[stevelitchfield]

@sab611 Oh, you guys..... that's enough already!

[Gregz0r1]

Errr, "A TouchWiz foreskin on top"? @4:33

[stevelitchfield]

@Gregz0r1 A TouchWiz 4 skin on top. 8-) I know, I know, I rushed that phrase a little too fast!! [grin]

[Arjoma92]

1st step: Download Opera mobile or Dolphin HD.

[gavrilaeugen]

hello steve i hope u replay my coment on the 139 episode , i have seen on the new galaxy the same problem as n86 on camera the zig zag lines on objects

[stevelitchfield]

@gavrilaeugen Umm..... zig zag lines? Please tell me you're not using digital zoom!!

[gavrilaeugen]

@stevelitchfield i think the sharpness , a magazine made a review of galaxy end the photos was horrible i don't know why , i will make a video to show what i what to say about the sharpness in pictures :) pls see my comment on episode 139 :)

[rizwan1983]

Thanks for your advice earlier. I have now rooted and installed a custom ROM on my Orange San Fransisco and it has been quite an addictive experience with all the options from the marketplace.

Regarding the Galaxy SII. I heard that it's predecessor had a Wolfsen DAC chip inside which made audio playback quality very nice if paired with good sound output devices. Do we know how the SII sounds as a dedicated mp3 player?

[stevelitchfield]

@rizwan1983 SGS2 is as good. Can't test specifically because @timsalmon now has the device for a week or so, for his own tests! 8-)

[gregralls]

A highly watchable review... I've spent weeks watching YouTube videos on the SGS II, waiting patiently for its launch in Australia. This review is probably the best I've seen. Original and informative. Many thanks Steve.

[badopinion]

Awesome review Steve. Love the energy! Check out the screen on that thing! The biggest AMOLED yet?

[Arjoma92]

@badopinion It should be the only Super AMOLED plus screen (what a name) on the market right now. Only the Samsung Infuse 4G (US) has a 4.5 inch (!) screen.

[Anphase]

:-o Jaw dropping phone but a little pricey for me. With the Litchfield Seal of Approval (LSA), this will probably be my next phone in a few months.

[weetanhops]

I've been torn between holding out for solid news on the next iPhone or upgrading to this beast when my contract expires in July - this was a fantastic review and it's made me lean more toward sticking with Android 8-)

[MrKozeljko]

@weetanhops

If you cant wait buy it, but if you can wait then iPhone. More elegant, better software, better battery, better screen, better hardware etc.

[stevelitchfield]

@MrKozeljko Er.... how do you know? The iPhone 5(?) isn't even going to be ANNOUNCED for another four+ months!! #boggle

[Arjoma92]

@MrKozeljko If you are an Apple fanboy,(and have the money) wait for the iPhone 5 to come and fall in love with it because it is an Apple product. If you are an Android fanboy (and have the money) buy the Galaxy S II and fall in love with it. The iPhone 4 is not better than this and I don't suppose the next one will be, in terms of hardware and software. But it's probably a matter of personal preference.

[O01J]

Hi Steve you can hold full stop button to access comma.

[stevelitchfield]

@O01J Yes, spotted that now. Amidst a sea of smileys.... would have been far better to have had 'comma' on the keyboard from moment one though. IMHO.

[mkwarner1]

You can just do a search in the Android Market for the Gingerbread keyboard and use that (officially the "Keyboard from Android 2.3" by Steven Lin). I find the standard Gingerbread keyboard to be very good - certainly better than the Samsung one!

[lanceealy]

This is like one of the best reviews ever... Great Job

[mazm88]

Most honest and realistic review so far. All the others mention the cool gimmicks which attract all the prospective buyers but this one surely puts all the pros and cons out on the table. Thanks, im actually re-considering buying this phone despite its awesome specs.

p.s. This doesn't mean im waiting for the iphone 5 ! :P

[zdibba]

for text zooming you have to activte it

[stevelitchfield]

@zdibba Yes, got that now. Seems crazy to hide the function away though, I'd have thought it should be on by default....?

[aznfratboy]

1650?! Is that bigger than the Nokia E series...?

[stevelitchfield]

@aznfratboy Yep. One of the bigger batteries in modern phones. And impressive, given the thinness!

[ManuelDr]

Nasty dent on the Galaxy.

[andylarge2m]

SGS II Looks terrific. Makes you wonder what's next in terms of design, because it has ticked so many boxes.

[stevelitchfield]

@6inbox Don't judge Symbian^3 by an older version running on crippled hardware.... 8-)

[thinkerman75]

Umm, what is that you say at 4:34 Steve?!

[stevelitchfield]

@thinkerman75 You mean the "Touchwiz 4 skin" bit? Yes, that did rather come out unfortunately!! 8-)

[pachinko1972]

Steve did you try the OTG USB mode? I heard you can connect a HDD like the N8.

[stevelitchfield]

@pachinko1972 Samsung don't provide an adapter... I'll get Tim Salmon to try his N8 adapter with the SGS2.... Tim's borrowing it next.

[mkwarner1]

The N8 adapter will not fit the SGS II, as Nokia uses a Type A MicroUSB connector and the Samsung uses the (more standard) Type B.

I say it will not work, but it does do if you 'shave' the edges off your adapter, as I have done :)

[MrKozeljko]

Anyone thinks that the middle button looks cheap?

[avifb]

Thank you for a lovely review. It IS a very good phone,

but the poor music player is the main deal breaker for me..

[MaTiCeKDS]

Nice review, had mine since friday, already managed to drop it once too. But fortunately, no harm was done.

[Muthor6266]

God, i couldn't wait till this episode. Thanks for your awesome review!:)

[bretttny]

i have a Samsung omnia 7, does anyone know when the Nodo update is coming out for it ?

[TheShittivator]

Great review off the sgs2 Steve, very tempting but at 500 quid ill stick with my nexus one and cyanogen mod 7 for the time being

[aatifsumar]

Great review Steve! Just a couple of corrections

1) Auto Text Reflowing IS possible. You just need to tap the screen once after zooming in.

2) Once you connect the phone via microUSB cable, you can pull down the notification bar and activate USB Storage.

[stevelitchfield]

@aatifsumar 1) Didn't seem to work for me. 2) Nope, not on this device. It's been Samsung-ised!

[shohid1234]

@stevelitchfield Hi Steve great show as usual, started listening t your podacst aswell! Reflow is possible but you need to enable it in the options. Great phone btw but have you noticed it getting really hot when using intensive applications like games?

[shohid1234]

@stevelitchfield 2. enable debugging. ta da!

[Andicowell]

Another great show Steve!!

[ratkat41]

To turn on intelligent text reflow in the browser, open browser then Menu/More/Settings and stick a tick in 'Auto Fit Pages'

Then just double click a text block to intelligently zoom.

And my Macro flower pictures were nicer than yours :-)

[stevelitchfield]

@ratkat41 Yeah, almost used one of your pics, but reckoned that was kind of cheating!!

[ratballbag]

Steve, will you be reviewing the Blackberry 9900/9930?

[stevelitchfield]

@ratballbag At some point, yes.

[ratballbag]

I love these vids, always check it out to see if Steve has reviewed a phone before I buy it.