Comparing 2 of the best Samsung products
Pitting the Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy S2 against each other is pitching the old against the new. Check out our detailed, feature by feature – ‘as used in real life’ comparison, below. Both are outstanding products, they separated by a year. They no longer represent the latest and greatest in Android device capability. What they still share, however, is some of the best performance per dollar on the market today.
The Galaxy S3 wins on :
- Screensize
- LTE or 4G capability
- Latest software features
- Battery life
- Bang for buck
Below are more details on the pros and cons are of each. Let’s find out what phone is right for you.
Not exactly love at first site
The Galaxy S2 was ahead of its time when it was released in 2011. It went on to become one of the best selling Samsung mobile phones of all time. Even now, it stacks up reasonably against far newer releases.
The Galaxy S2 does look physically slightly dated ( it has a matt cover on the back ) alongside its newer, sleeker brother, the S3. The Galaxy S3 is longer, curvier, shiny plastic, and slightly wider than the S2 which looks like a ‘shrunk’ Galaxy Note. Considering ‘feel’ of device for Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy S2, they both have a slightly ‘plastiky’ element to them when they’re touched. It’s highlighted when the back plate is removed from either or both devices. The back plate is very, very thin and feels too delicate.
What’s different between the Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy S2 ?
- Screen : The Galaxy S3 has a 4.8 inch screen, one of the biggest in market now. This is compared to the S2’s 4.3 inch screen, which, at launch was, again, one of the biggest in market. The resolution on the S2 is 480 x 800 and the picture it shows on its Super AMOLED Plus screen is great until you view it next to the clearer, crisper, brighter and somehow ‘more real’ images on the 720 x 1280 pixel Samsung Galaxy S3 counterpart. The screen is obviously a big deal on a device. You spend your life looking at it. The S2’s is great. The S3’s is stunning.
- Processing power : The Samsung Galaxy S3 comes with quad core, 1.4 GHz processors. The S2 has Dual core. In practical effect, there is very little difference between them. The Galaxy S2 is lightning fast with whatever you want to do. Browsing is smooth on both – although slightly better on the S3 even allowing for the bigger screen. Icons scroll slightly smoother but I really think that you’d only notice if you had the two side by side. On paper, this difference looks like a big deal. In practice, it’s not.
- Weight : They both feel about the same although the S3 is 17 grams heavier. It’s hardly noticeable, even when you have them side by side.
- Nature UX features : The Samsung Galaxy S3 benefits from a few features you might have heard talked about at the launch, if you can remember that far back. For example the ‘burst’ feature which allows you to capture several images of things moving quickly – let’s say sports cars and / or kids – and then pick your favorite. There is also the Samsung Version of Siri – S Voice. These are minor enhancements. Nice to haves.
- Battery : The battery on the Galaxy S3 is just not big enough to keep up with the demands of a screen and someone who uses their device all day, heavily. The Galaxy S2’s battery is fine. This isn’t necessarily a deal breaker if you can compromise on your screen brightness and install an app to extend the battery but you need to be aware of it before you buy.
- LTE. Although the original Samsung Galaxy S3 was only 3G, it was soon superseded by the Samsung Galaxy S3 4G. LTE or 4G offers genuinely faster internet capability on your phone. This single feature sets the Samsung Galaxy S3 4G apart substantially from the 3G Samsung Galaxy S2.
They have in common the best of the Galaxy range’s features
- Expandable memory : Both devices will take an extra micro SD card, a feature that sets them apart – positively – from their HTC competition.
- Video : Both take 1080 High Definition video. I had no problem with the quality of the video produced by the Samsung Galaxy S2.
- Camera : Both have an 8MP camera. The results of using the camera are, other than the Burst component almost indistinguishable between the two.
Same OS but different ‘experiences’
While the Whatphone Galaxy S2 device is now running a slightly older version of the Android OS and Samsung TouchWiz overlay, if you pick yourself up a new one, it’s very likely to come with the same ICS ( Ice Cream Sandwich ) software that the Galaxy S3 has.
The Galaxy S3 however, is the only device in market right now which has the TouchWiz ‘Nature’ User Experience. It looks fresher, more modern and has a few features I’ve mentioned above in the detailed specification section.
Summing up
If you’ve read a few of the Samsung Galaxy S3 reviews or comparisons on WhatPhone, you won’t be surprised to hear me say that, for me, the S3 wins. The 4G or LTE capability puts it ahead. What is surprising is by how little it wins. There are small User Experience tweaks to the capabilities of the S3. It certainly looks newer, sleeker and more modern.
But the Galaxy S2 is STILL a great device, now so long after launch. If I didn’t work at Whatphone and I had a Samsung Galaxy S2 now, I’d only upgrade to the LTE Galaxy S3 – which is now available.