Introduction & summary
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 vs Samsung Galaxy S2 is a great way to see how quickly the market for mobile phones is improving. These two phones are from the same family. Their launches are separated by only 18 months or so and yet there is an enormous difference between their capabilities.
The Note 2 is by far the better device from a features and functions capabilities. But if you’re weighing up whether the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 or Samsung Galaxy S2 is the right phone for you then then you’re probably seeing if the price difference is worth it.
- The Note 2 is a stunning phone. LTE ( or really fast mobile broadband ) capabilities and a stunningly beautiful screen make the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 a much, much better phone. If you can afford it, get it.
- But if you have to settle ( or even you’d rather pay less and get ) the Samsung Galaxy S2, don’t feel bad. It’s a fantastic phone in it’s own right and potentially the best ‘bang for buck’ you’ll find in the mid tier handset range.
- If I had to choose, I’d choose the Samsung Galaxy S2.
Comparing them on looks & screen
Clearly, the Note 2 is a physically, much bigger phone than the Samsung Galaxy S2. The Note 2 has an enormous 5.5 inch screen, the biggest in the mobile phone ( or ‘phablet’ ) market. The Samsung Galaxy S2 has a 4.3 inch screen which puts it in the middle of all available screen sizes and towards the smaller end of Android screens.
From a screen resolution point of view, the S2 has an ‘unusual’ and, by current standards, low, resolution of 480 x 640. Using it on it’s own, it’s fine. Aficionados might notice the pixilation on a deep dive zoom in to the screen. To me, and I believe most people, it’s fine.
However, next to the high definition of the Galaxy Note 2’s 1280 x 720 screen, it must be said that the screen on the Galaxy S2 is found wanting. Both are bright and, since they’re both Galaxy products, both are Super AMOLED. The colours are rich and bright. They’re a pleasure to watch.
But the screen on the Note 2 is just unbelievable. It’s partly because of the real estate it covers, it’s partly the housing, it’s partly the resolution. Together, it’s just jaw dropping. In every situation, the Note 2’s screen drew me back to it. On the bus, on the ferry, sitting at home or having a spot of lunch and scrolling around Flipboard.
The size of the S2 is familiar. It’s ‘the right size’ for a mobile. Using the Galaxy Note 2 for a full week, I came to get used to the size, to the point I didn’t notice even the weight difference. The Galaxy S2 is an exceptionally light device at 116 grams. The Note 2 is 60 grams heavier – a fair chunk of change ! – and comes in at 180 grams.
The chassis of the Note 2 is the better part of a full inch ( about 2.5 cm ) wider than the Galaxy S2. It’s also about 1.5 cm taller than the S2. But there’s more to the difference. Both are made of plastic but the aesthetics ( looks ) of the Galaxy Note are next generation and modern next to the Galaxy S2s black body. They look streets apart by way of quality. The Note 2 is truly next generation looks wise.
Great Galaxy Family Features
The S2 holds its own when it comes down to core phone features. The reason the Note has many of the same elements to its design must be because the S2 blazed a very popular trail.
Both phones have removable back plates. Unfortunately, both, still flimsy and which feel as though they’re ready to crack at any minute. Brilliantly, both have removable batteries, which allows you to carry a backup or two and swappable memory cards.
The ability to buy yourself a Micro SD memory card at Dick Smith and swap it between your digital camera and your phone is a fantastic feature which should be available on every device in the market if you ask me. It makes it easier to transfer multimedia ( video and audio ) files from your PC and it’s usually a heck of a lot cheaper than buying the memory installed up front, from the manufacturer.
The same 8MP camera is available on both products. The video is smooth, again, on both at 30 FPS ( Frames Per Second. ) Most Samsung Galaxy S2s sold in Australia have Android Gingerbread 2.3 which I find to be slightly old and less reliable than never versions. The camera software is more basic on the S2. There are all sorts of software features only available on newer phones ( e.g. burst shot ) on the Note 2. The Note 2 also benefits from a faster response time to a shutter press.
LTE sets the Note 2 apart
Apart from the screen, probably the key distinguishing feature when you’re comparing the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 vs Samsung Galaxy S2 is LTE, also known as Long Term Evolution or ‘4G’. LTE / 4G means much faster data on your phone.
LTE is 4G or next generation network speed on the telco network. Optus and Telstra spent a fortune on it in 2012. Vodafone launched theirs 2013 ( last year ). It’s hard to overstate just how impressive the Galaxy Note 2 is with LTE. Pages, applications, podcasts and even You Tube video download faster than you think possible. It completely changes the experience of the device. As a single feature, the Note 2 beats the Samsung Galaxy 2 hands down, simply based on how it feels to browse using LTE. Tie that in with the beautiful screen and you have yourself a clear winner in the Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Summing up & considering pricing
The Note 2 is a much better device. But it’s also a high end product. The latest components come at a price and, at the time of writing, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is twice the price of the Samsung Galaxy S2. Whether it’s worth it is a very personal decision.
For me, the Note 2 is worth the money. But if I dropped my Note 2 and needed a replacement, the Samsung Galaxy S2 would genuinely not be far behind. It’s a work horse, it’s great value and it shares many of the best features of the Note 2.
Good luck finding what phone is right for you.
Oct ’12
This article was edited last in January 2014.
Written by:
Kurt Hands