Android Smartphone Shootout
The Samsung Galaxy R is a slightly subdued version of the Galaxy SII powerhouse. It offers a pretty similar experience but at a cheaper price. So, what is the Galaxy R missing out on that was found on the Galaxy SII?
The Galaxy R bears a large resemblance to the SII. It has a similar shape and home button and is similarly a very slim phone at only 9.3mm thick. The device is also well built and has a lovely feel in the hand, though it has a slightly smaller screen, a 4.19 inch compared to 4.3inches of the SII.
This all bodes well for the new device and it looks and feels great. Inside it has a 1GHz dual core processor, slightly smaller than the 1.2GHz dual core processor of the Galaxy SII, though virtually just as capable as the more expensive phone. Like the SII the Galaxy R does not encounter much that really pushes this processor to its full potential, let alone beyond it.
The phone’s screen as we said is smaller; it is also a different make of screen from the almost phenomenal Super AMOLED Plus of the SII. The Galaxy R has a Super Clear LCD with a digital natural image engine, the same as is used in the company’s TVs. This screen is excellent for all forms of media as well as browsing. Perhaps not as vibrant as the SAMOLED+, it at least fares better in sunlight.
Both phones have the Android Gingerbread operating system and both include the TouchWiz user interface which is an excellent one with some very innovative things such as tilt to zoom and the like. This is all very nice to use and the Galaxy R utilises the hardware to the best of its abilities.
The two phones also have the choice of up to 32GB of memory via an SD card. They both have 8GB when purchased, though the increase in memory is a necessity for those who wish to make the most of the phones.
The Galaxy SII has a large 8mp camera capable of 1080p shooting, the Galaxy R has a 720p 5mp camera that is nearly as good and it is still very suitable for use as a camera and has all the software needed to customise photos and the like.
The Galaxy SII also has a slightly better battery and much of this is to do with the screen, the Super AMOLED Plus is that bit better for use with the battery and gives bout 10 per cent more time for usage.
Overall the phone is a great one, though slightly lesser in spec it still manages to be an excellent device and one that is one of the best out there. Even though the Galaxy R saves a bit of production cost with the screen, battery and camera it is still almost indistinguishable from the highly popular Galaxy SII in terms of looks and usability.
See a Video Review of the Samsung S2
About the Author
Simon Drew writes for Best Mobile Contracts a UK based mobile phone website.
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