Galaxy SII and Iphone 4s ( Yes, old question, I know )

[beckyolt]

Don't know if this is the right place but since it says "anything techy" in the forum description so...

This is a really old question, and there's loads of comparisons in the internet. But those are frequently biased and I've seen several of them having really different verdicts.

Gonna get a new phone and I'm debating with myself wether I should get a Galaxy S2 or an Iphone 4S.

Galaxy is cheaper , has a bigger screen and heard it has a better processor.
But people say Iphone 4s has more apps, has a far better interface and operational system.

So could anyone who had experience with these two phones help me out here?

[Zerosliver]

I've got the Galaxy SII: it's a great phone. I'm still loving it, the screen is very responsive, the camera has never let me down, except maybe when using the flash. Browsing is great, and definatly better than on the Iphone, which doesn't support flash player. I never really experienced any hick-ups processor wise.

Biggest let down is the android market, just less apps than iphone. Which is a shame, seeing how this market uses open source software. But that doesn't mean there aren't a lot of apps.

[beckyolt]

What kind of apps people really miss on Galaxy?

Does it has any issues while browsing Internet?

What about its interface?

[Musthavename]

Galaxy is cheaper , has a bigger screen and heard it has a better processor.
But people say Iphone 4s has more apps, has a far better interface and operational system.

Android is a better OS and has a better interface. Why? Because it's much more customisable. If you want to, you can make the thing look exactly like an iPhone. It all depends on how techy you are and how far you want to go.

The thing with Android is because it's used on so many phones, your experience won't be as "focused" as that of the iPhone. If you don't want to do anything techy and want a high end smartphone with lots of apps, the Apple route would probably suit you more. Anything else though and Android phones are a better bet, especially the SII since it's a fantastic phone.

Edit: As for browsing the internet, it'll be fine. Unlike Apple you won't be restricted to just their browser (I use Opera's myself rather than Google's stock browser). I've got an Android phone with half the power of the SII and it browses fine, so I can't imagine any problems.

[Adar]

I am in a similar position but right now I am actually favouring Galaxy SII over Iphone 4s but I am seriously considering Sony Xperia Arc S or Motorola Razr over Galazy SII.

Xperia Arc just seems like a slightly more durable and competent phone while the Razr attracts me due to it's sturdiness and good battery. The problem with Razr is that the screen is less sharp than it's competitors due to some weird pixel scheme.

[beckyolt]

If you don't want to do anything techy and want a high end smartphone with lots of apps, the Apple route would probably suit you more

What do you mean with this?

[Zerosliver]

What do you mean with this?

What he means, is that Apple products focus on easyness of use and apps.

Or in other words: one phone, one os, one manufacturer to give you updates on firmware and the biggest app store available.

However, Android offers much more in terms of freedom and hardware. In general, high-end Android phones usually blow iPhones away in terms of specs. A good example would be the galaxy S II you're looking at. On the software end it's all open source, so that's a plus for Android as well.

A big letdown of course is the fact that the new firmware's release is dependant on the manufacturer of the phone and the model you are using.

To turn towards the letdown of apple again: their iPhones are way more expensive than an Android phone with the same specs, again the Galaxy SII vs the iPhone 3GS(or was it 4 already?) is an example of this.

In the end it's up to you: are the apps worth 200 euros extra to you? Or would you rather pay less and get better hardware specs but lose on the apps part?

Hope I made it clearer to you, if not, I'll be here to explain further .

[Musthavename]

What do you mean with this?

Basically, if you wanted to change Android's interface, you're going to have to download some apps and spend some time getting it right. If you really want to heavily modify your phone you may even have to resort to gaining root access and flashing custom roms on.

Android is something that will yield more and more as you put more effort in. Apple's stuff comes with all the bells and whistles with relative ease, and will do its utmost to restrict you from changing things on your own whims.

[karamazovmm]

Since you are in Brazil I would avoid getting an apple product, their customer support is just... absent. YOU ARE going to PAY for the repairs

[beckyolt]

I don't really care about getting every app. Many of Iphone's apps look really silly ,actually.

Well, Android phones may be tricky to customize as you guys said but it seems like the payoff outweighs the effort.

What I want in a phone:

- ( very ) good internet browsing, videos especially.
- customization
- Not too hard to put stuff from PC on it.
- A good camera.
- Some nice, simple games.
- Some nice apps.

A pity Galaxy s2 is so damn ugly.

[Zerosliver]

Ugly? I don't find it ugly at all .

If you're looking at Android, I'd suggest getting a Galaxy Nexus, it's newer, has the newest OS and is pretty much a Galaxy SII version 2.0.

[beckyolt]

A pity Galaxy s2 is so damn ugly.

Ugly? I don't find it ugly at all .

If you're looking at Android, I'd suggest getting a Galaxy Nexus, it's newer, has the newest OS and is pretty much a Galaxy SII version 2.0.

Yes, I find it ugly. Maybe it's just the ugly button that ruins its look . Galaxy Nexus is even uglier

Ugh, what really kills the iPhone for me is the lack of bluetooth connection with other phones.

Android is a better OS and has a better interface. Why? Because it's much more customisable. If you want to, you can make the thing look exactly like an iPhone

Really? How? Because, I must say, while using a friends' Iphone 4s, I really liked Apple's interface.

[CDMan477]

I have Verizon and recently purchased a razor maxx. While still running Gingerbread, I agree with the others that I like Android over Apple's OS. Battery life is superb as well.

[Zerosliver]

Comparing the Galaxy SII to the Iphone, well, I like it's looks way better. The home button is barely noticable but works really well, as it should be.

Samsung has also delivered a phone much more capable of taking hits, if your phone should fall by unfortunate accident. The Iphone however gets completely destroyed, seen it happen with a lot of people.

Not to mention the weight.. The phone is bigger than the Iphone, but is remarkably thinner and lighter.

And of course, it's much cheaper. Going for an Iphone isn't worth the cost at all imo.

[DAVIDE]

I purchased a Galaxy S Plus for 199 euro few weeks ago (Android with the last firmware). I made a gigantic deal at the Vodafone Store

[Zerosliver]

Those are around 270 euros here, that's a nice deal if you want a good low budget Android phone.

[beckyolt]

Well, yeah, I'm going with a Galaxy S2 phone. More resistance, bigger, and cheaper .

Do you guys have any problems with its size though?

[Zerosliver]

Size? Nope, you'll get used to it after a day's use. My friend has the galaxy note, that thing is huge, but even that thing fits his pockets.

Because the SII is so light-weight and thin I don't even notice it sitting in my pocket that much. Handling it with one hand is easy enough to do, I can reach everywhere with my thumb.

If anything, the big screen is a huge plus.