Samsung Galaxy S II - look and feel of hardware?

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blair003

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#89154 26-Aug-2011 12:19

I own an HTC Desire and really like the look and feel. After I got my Desire a friend of mine purchased an original Samsung Galaxy S and I thought it felt cheap in comparision - no way I would have owned one.

Here we are 14 months later and I'm looking for a new phone. The screen of the new samsung has me thinking it may be a better option than the HTC Sensation.

I want to know: How much has the situation changed regarding look and feel when it comes to the Galaxy S II? If I like the look and solid feel of the HTC Desire, iPhone4, HTC Sensation.. am I likely to think the Galaxy S II feels cheap and plasticy?

Was anyone here in my boat when it came to the look and feel of the original galaxy but has changed their view and now owns the S II?

(not meant as a flame thread -- I'm just not living in a city so I don't think I can easily go and get my hands on the phone to test it just yet)

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Debin

111 posts

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#512409 26-Aug-2011 12:29

I wouldn't say it feels cheap, but it is very very light. Doesn't really creak or anything like that, don't get the impression of moving parts. I like it - nice and light without the bad parts.

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#512434 26-Aug-2011 12:50

I can't highly enough recommend it, really impressed. I have owned probably 60 phones over the years, and this is by a COUNTRY mile the best I have had.

Wade

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#512442 26-Aug-2011 13:00

I can't comment on the SGS but as far as the SGS2 goes the hard smooth outer never quite felt right in the hand (especially after i dropped it on day 3), but i then bought a $20 Mercury AV snap on case which with its rubberised coating feels 100x better in the hand.

The phone is fantastic, you will not regret the purchase that is for sure!

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#512457 26-Aug-2011 13:11

it may be cheap and plasticky but it stops to feel like it once you appreciate how feather weight it is. i think it's intentional (the weight saving material used).

blair003

557 posts

Ultimate Geek

#512503 26-Aug-2011 14:18

I've no doubt its intentional in order to save weight and size -- but I prefer something that feels higher quality even if it means some added weight.

But from the few responses here it sounds like its the phone to get if I want in on current generation smartphones. The case is a good idea if I really don't like the feel.

I'll wait till telecom start retailing them to get one - must be pretty soon anyway, next month I'm guessing.

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#512511 26-Aug-2011 14:32

I think the SGS II has a better feel than the original SGS - it's very light but feels a bit more solid. The original SGS was very slippery but the SGS II is less so because of the dimpled finish on the back. I have a Case-Mate 'Barely There' hard case on my SGS II which I think is just about perfect. The case is light and thin but solid and has a fine, rubberised non-slip feel to it. Overall a great combination because the phone itself is fantastic.

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NZtechfreak

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#512537 26-Aug-2011 14:56

It definitely feels a lot better than the SGSI (I have both), but with its plastic construction its not going to feel as good as an HTC or iPhone 4 in the hand. I'll make the point again that its build materials are average, but its build quality is excellent (the Sensation for example feels great in the hand and gives a nice impression, but actually has a worse build quality and I'd actually expect the SGSII to last better).

I think its the best phone on the market presently, I'd be surprised if the overall goodness didn't sufficiently compensate you for the choice of materials. Best advice as always remains to try and get your hands on one and see.

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CdTDroiD

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#512701 26-Aug-2011 21:10

Feels cheap, looks real nice though. screen is great but yea, definitely feels cheap imo. Sensation feels much better in the hand. But i do like the screen on the SGS2 the blacks are REAL black. Screen is good for keeping fingerprints off to.

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mentalinc

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#512705 26-Aug-2011 21:14

Buy some lead weights to hide in your case.

You get the best phone and it is then nice and heavy :S

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CdTDroiD

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#512707 26-Aug-2011 21:17

If you like the Desire you would be more pleased with the Sensation imo i think its a better phone and i have both...

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Wade

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#512711 26-Aug-2011 21:21

You get used to its featherlight weight after a few days, these phones have no real flaws other than being data heavy as they are so enjoyable to use you will probably double your normal usage :P

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#512721 26-Aug-2011 21:48

Just go into vodafone store in the mall and play with one, they have real ones on display. Also if you plan on using a case then the feel of the outside is moot.

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mrgsm021

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#512744 26-Aug-2011 23:08

The weight doesn't bother me at all since I had the original SGS but the plastic used on the SGS2 is definitely better quality and feels more solid in the hand, maybe its because it doesn't have the entire back as the battery door. I like the slimness of it as well.

blair003

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#512853 27-Aug-2011 12:30

CdTDroiD: If you like the Desire you would be more pleased with the Sensation imo i think its a better phone and i have both...

Why do you think it's a better phone? You mean design wise?

I figured that would be my upgrade path but I tried the Sensation for a week and I was underwhelmed. Basically not enough of a step up from my Desire to warrant getting one, so I figured I would wait 6 months and miss this generation and see what happened.

But as it happens, I may have an opportunity to upgrade for free, hence considering the SGS2.

CdTDroiD

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#512858 27-Aug-2011 12:56

blair003:
CdTDroiD: If you like the Desire you would be more pleased with the Sensation imo i think its a better phone and i have both...

Why do you think it's a better phone? You mean design wise?

I figured that would be my upgrade path but I tried the Sensation for a week and I was underwhelmed. Basically not enough of a step up from my Desire to warrant getting one, so I figured I would wait 6 months and miss this generation and see what happened.

But as it happens, I may have an opportunity to upgrade for free, hence considering the SGS2.

Yea the build quality is definitely better on the HTC, battery is better (big plus for me), I know its small but the no led notification is annoying as hell (on the SGS2).. i know you can get apps to display it on the screen but still not the same. I think the camera is a TINY bit better on the SGS2 but not after the camera hack on custom ROM's. I dont really like touchwiz either but whatever (personal preference =])

They are both cool but i like HTC better. Better ROMs and more choice.

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