The debate over Samsung Galaxy S iii or Samsung Galaxy S ii in Kuwait continues. How do I know? Guess who’s been phone shopping? Me. Finally. Before moving to Kuwait I was an iPhone girl all the way. For whatever reason, I switched to Blackberrybecause I thought it was the thing to do in this country. Now, I am ready to branch out and the Galaxy came up in so many conversations that I am seriously considering abandoning my old habits. First I did some research about Samsung whether phones or tabs just to have an idea, I started to review galaxy tab and compare galaxy tab with other tabs out there and I found out that when compared to various tablets, the samsung galaxy tabs were doing just great.
I looked then into phones and I found a lot of versions and types.There is this samsung galaxy wifi that has the latest Android operating system, galaxy samsung white in colour is also available for the same type which is W I8150. I also checked the Gio S5660 and Pocket S5300, both are impressive especially when you check samsung galaxy features or samsung galaxy specs, however; the ones I liked the most were the 5830 samsung, the Samsung Galaxy Sii, and the latest phone from Samsung, the Galaxy Siii. But if I decide to rock a Galaxy is it really necessary to make the leap to the more expensive S3 or will the S2 do the job?
So, both Samsungs use Android software, both are touch-screen, and both offer the Social Hub, the Games Hub, and the Music Hub apps. The S3’s screen is a half an inch-bigger than the S2 but doesn’t use the Super AMOLED technology which is tech-e speak for “more sub-pixels” giving a clearer display. Both of them have 1 GB of RAM and both have a micro-SD slot, but honestly, who would need that if they have 64GB offered from the S3. The only options from S2 are 16GB and 32GB which is still substantial. But if I decide to rock a Galaxy is it really necessary to make the leap to the more expensive S3 or will the S2 do the job?
[quote]I just don’t want a Smartphone. I want to be smart about my phone.[/quote]
Okay, the camera is important to me. Both S2 and S3 have an 8 Megapixel Camera except the S3 has so many extras like face/smile detection, touch-focus functionality, and 1080p HD playback. Connectivity isn’t an issue for either phone at speeds up to 21Mbps, 3G/HSDPA and HSPA+ are possible on every band of Wi-Fi. The cool thing about the S3 is by way of its micro USB port it can use MHL to output to a monitor. The only thing left to think about, in my opinion, is how the thing fits in my hand. It seems phones have been moving toward the micro-wave/toaster-oven sizes and are hard to hold. S2 is smaller by all comparisons as it weighs 116g compared to S3 weighing 133g. Also, the S2 measures 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.49mm while the S3 measures 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6mm.
Deciding will probably come down to what it always comes down to, the balance in my bank account. I have to consider the Samsung Galaxy cost. Though being informed of the differences has heightened my concept of what the extra cash is going towards. There are enough enhancements on the S3 to justify the extra money, but there are some serious changes like the lack of the Super AMOLED technology and the increasing size of the phone that doesn’t interest me. Decisions. Decisions. I just don’t want a Smartphone. I want to be smart about my phone.
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About Ahmad S
Ahmad Shahroor is a self-proclaimed ‘techspert’; though he has proved it to be the case on countless occasions, his title is currently being challenged by Ahmad Taha; a battle no one cares for. A devoted Real Madrid CF fan, Ahmad thinks that electronics and football should not mix. His irrefutable love for all that is PC technology goes unquestioned. He is currently on his 35th attempt at trying to use his soccer ball as a router…
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S3 is a marked improvement over its predecessor…. A must have it if you are an android fan
Ali, this is exactly the boost I needed. I’m motivated now to buy the Samsung Galaxy Siii after comparing the Samsung Galaxy Sii. I’m not familiar with the Android software but I’m eager to learn. Oh, and I love that it comes in white.
this is cool gadget.. thank you x-cite blog for posting this topic:)
Mario, are you a Samsung Galaxy S2 or Samsung Galaxy S3 user?
SIII aslo have same screen as SII, Actually better than SII
SIII Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors 720 x 1280 pixels, 4.8 inches (~306 ppi pixel density) Vs. SII Super AMOLED Plus capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors 480 x 800 pixels, 4.3 inches (~217 ppi pixel density) (gsmarena.com)
Also other feature like S-Voice, Smart Stay eye tracking, better Battery life etc etc
So, Zaheer… I’m thinking you’re thinking that I should be thinking about buying an SIII.
Hi,
I’ve been an S2 user since last August. Oh cool, it’s been a year already =). Before that, I was a feature phone user (Sony Ericsson K800i SE – yeah it’s old, but I loved it).
I just saw this today….you might have bought a phone already. I would like to point out that there are some incorrect points:
- Galaxy S3 has MHL. The Galaxy S2 also has MHL. You even have an OTG capability for both phones.
- The camera functions such as face/smile detection, touch focus and 1080p are in the S2 as well. The only different feature of the camera in S3 is the ability to take a snapshot whilst actually taking a video
- Both come in white.
Zaheer pointed out some extra features of the phone, such as S-Voice, smart stay eye tracking, better battery life….Yes, these are some great features of the phone, however with regards to the battery life…I would have to disagree. The Galaxy S2 has a dual core chip, with a 1300mAH battery. If used wisely, it could give the user up-to 8hours of battery life. As for the Galaxy S3, it has a quad core chip, with a 2100mAH battery. Do the math, it would also provide you with 8hours if used wisely.
As for the storage, this is something that is kind of misunderstood with new comers (happened to me as well). The phones have 1GB of RAM, and is sold in either 16GB or 32GB (64GB with the S3). The microSD slot for the S2 see up to 32GB of memory, whilst the S3 can see up to 64GB of memory. The 1GB of RAM is used to store programs, and almost everything else. The user is the one who’s supposed to determine if they want the programs to stay in RAM, or be moved to the internal sdcard (16, 32, 64GB). However, part of the programs shall still stay in memory.
The additional microSD card (external sdcard) can be used to store user data. You cannot store system data onto it. I have specified system data rather than application data, because with some applications you can do it.
Finally, the best thing with an Android phone (regardless of the make) is that it’s open source. If you don’t like the stock software, you can always remove it and install something new =). This however could void your warranty. You should consult the seller before doing such a thing. For me, it voids the warranty, but I continued with it for the sake of learning something new…and I like it.
I hope you chose a great phone and that you’ll like it. If you need any more information about how to tweak your phone (even in a manner that won’t void your warranty) please ask, I’d be happy to provide the information.
You. Sir. Are. Amazing.
When researching, clearly I misinterpreted what I was reading. Thank goodness you exist. Clearly, you are the hand I should be holding through the process.
Just so I’m clear about the information, both phones can be used for output into a monitor, both phones have face/smile detection, touch focus and 1080p… and S3 allows pictures during videos? How does that work? Is it the ability to choose your picture from a video? That sounds pretty amazing, actually.
I like your hunger for knowledge and your willingness to share it. Thanks for sharing. It means the world!
Yes, both phones can use the MHL cable to output into a monitor. An extra feature with Samsung monitors (smart TV) is the “easy share” feature, where you can output via a wireless connection. However your smart TV must be connected to your LAN (either through cable or wireless – though this features isn’t available in Kuwait as a built-in option for TVs, nor can you find the external wireless adapter). :’(
As for the face/smile detection, with the S3 the function has been given a shortcut, and as such the mix-up. You can find the smile detection under the “shooting mode”, and the face detection under the “focus mode” in the S2. A feature that I like with the S2, and am not sure about it’s availability on the S3 is the blink detection, which I think is more feasible.
The touch focus on both phones is automatically achieved by touching the required part of the screen, and of course 1080p is by default enabled on both cameras.
As for the still image pictures whilst taking videos, to be honest I didn’t test that one out yet.
You can find other features/tools/utilities on Samsung apps that could be useful, usually with Samsung’s smart TV, such as the “easy share”, remote control, etc.
I think I should change my career, and ….. apply to Babtain
Ahmad!!! Way to clear things up.
No wireless adapters in Kuwait? Hmmm… I smell an xcite.com opportunity. Wait, did you say blink detection? If the name is intuitive, it sounds like there is a feature that can detect when someone in front of the camera is blinking. *WoW* things have come along way.
Change your career? So, I’m taking it you’re not a mobile phone expert by trade? You could have fooled me. And Batain? Isn’t that in KSA?
Kuwait shouldn’t lose your knowledge.
Hmm…I’ll be your first customer for those…just keep them at a reasonable price
.
Yeah blink detection….the most feasible part of the software….except for those people who’s smile actually makes them blink (:D)
And nope, I’m in information/network security. Mobile phone technology researching is my hobby….on certain devices though.
I was actually referring to Babtain…otherwise known as BEC…but from your comment above, I just found out you’re an XCiter…..sorry about that
An Xciter? OoOooO I like that. ::curtsies:: Yes, I am a full-fledge Xciter. Tell your friends.
Ahmad, I fully intend to pass the lack of wireless adapters on to the powers that be. This is the type of dialogue that is so important. But I tell yah, I’m not just blowing smoke… this phone shopping ordeal is getting out of hand. As a consumer, its becoming more and more difficult to discern all of the features and all of the acronyms explaining the features without two search-pages open and an excel sheet for comparison purposes.
Your knowledge and willingness to share it is a bit heroic. Don’t get all misty-eyed, but you’re really appreciated. Thank you.
Glad to be of service.
Display: Galaxy s3 is pentile display (not separate red green blue leds per pixel) hence color are bit hazy, nevertheless not so prominent with 720p resolution but on closer view the issue sustains. whereas in s2, the disply is low resolution but is RGB full color leds, hence true and sharper images. RGB is not used anymore to keep costs at limit. Super AMOLED with RGB is the GOLD standard in displays.
The front camera in s2 is 2MP whereas in s3 its 1.9. Though the .1 is negligible but considering the pixel dif. between the screens, the image is sharper in s2.
Just some additions!