From the moment you power on the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S II it becomes obvious this phone is not joking around. One look and you know this phone is a perfect blend of beauty, class, and sophistication. The back’s soft-touch finish and chrome bezel add a touch of elegance and beg for attention.
Short and Sweet
Good: The Galaxy S II is one of the first devices to support T-Mobile’s faster HSPA+ network with theoretical speeds of 42Mbps. Add a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, a gorgeous Super AMOLED Plus display, and 16GB of internal memory and you have a definite winner.
Bad: Priced slightly above other high-end Android phones on T-Mobile.
Takeaway: If you want cutting-edge hardware and access to T-Mobile’s fast 4G network, the Galaxy S II is on a very short list. You’ll pay a premium, but the hardware should last a while. After the problems with the Vibrant, update cadence is a chief concern.
Design
As a successor to the T-Mobile Vibrant, the Galaxy S II is stunning to behold. The soft-touch back and chrome-like accents give it a premium feel. At 5.11 inches tall and 2.71 inches wide, it’s somewhat cumbersome for calls, but the slim profile makes it more enjoyable than thicker phones of the same era. Very light in hand, fits well in pockets, and feels like all display when in use.
Display
The Super AMOLED Plus display is genuinely difficult to describe in text. Sharp, vibrant, spacious, bright, and responsive. Web pages, email, and games look stunning even at 800×480 resolution, and the Gorilla Glass protection held up to daily pocket carry without scratches.
Performance
The Galaxy S II is fast. The difference over previous-generation Snapdragon devices was immediately noticeable. Swiping screens, opening apps, installing apps, changing wallpapers, handling notifications: all blazing. In Canton, Ohio on T-Mobile 4G, download speeds routinely hit 15Mbps or higher, often topping 21Mbps, with a peak test result of 23.05Mbps. Call quality was solid with only occasional tinny moments; Bluetooth pairing and audio quality were both reliable.
Software
The Galaxy S II runs Android 2.3.5 with Samsung’s TouchWiz 4.0. The aesthetics are considerably improved from earlier TouchWiz versions, blending into Android more smoothly. Seven home screen panels, resizable widgets, integrated task manager, screen capture, and a clean drop-down notification panel all add value. T-Mobile’s carrier bloatware was extensive (411 & More, Bonus Apps, More for Me, My Device, T-Mobile Name ID, T-Mobile TV, and others), though Netflix, TeleNav, and Asphalt 6 were all apps worth having regardless.
Camera
The camera is excellent. Picture quality is superb even in less than ideal conditions. 1080p HD video looks great, especially when shared over DLNA or via HDMI adapter. With 16GB internal storage and microSD expansion up to 32GB, there’s no excuse not to use it regularly.
Conclusion
The Galaxy S II is one of the top Android phones on the market and T-Mobile’s best overall. There’s something to offer across the full range of users, from first-time smartphone buyers to seasoned veterans. If you can justify the price, you’ll be seriously impressed. For those looking to save, checking Amazon or Wirefly on the right day can yield a meaningful discount.
