The device is being kept in a sealed glass box (nobody can touch it), and Samsung/T-Mobile alike are being silent about what SoC is inside the phone - I think that's pretty interesting, to say the least :)
T-Mobile wants a DC-HSPA+ smartphone, and based on what I've heard likely uses MDM8220 to do so. Of course, MDM8220 is not natively voice enabled, except through "SoC Fusion" with, of course, a QCT SoC. Hence the reason for it not being Exynos.
Makes sense. Plus, PCMag ran benchies on the ATT and Sprint versions but weren't allowed to do so on the TMo unit. This would make sense if it does in fact run off of a QCom 8260.
This is a mess. Glad i dont live in the U.S. Not only is this amazing phone released late, but it comes in 3 different versions with different specs, looks AND names? (confusing much?) and each looking worse than the original GSII design. 4 buttons on the front is one button too many as well IMO. Most people dont need a dedicated search button. Should have been kept at 3. I also hate how american carriers always have to stick there names all over a phone, looks really tacky.
All these things have pretty much messed up the U.S. SGII. This is only going to hurt the Galaxy SII perception in the US and confuse people. It's always better to just have one product that always looks the same which people can recognise.
Having used a 7in Galaxy Tab (with dedicated search button), a UK Galaxy S2 (without search button) and currently on a UK HTC Sensation (with search button) I disagree as the lack of search button on the S2 was a surprising annoyance. A lot of applications support the functionality but they don't tend to have the search button in a convenient place. For example, if you've scrolled down a list in the Android market you have to scroll back to the top then reach your thumb/finger to the top of the screen to hit the search button away from their resting spot at the bottom of the phone. By contrast wherever you are in the market you can hit the search button and immediately enter your search term.
Secondly and less obviously, on the UK S2 it's easy to catch the bottom right corner as you turn it round, using the camera or various other actions. On the Tab when you do this you just catch the dedicated search button which pops up a search bar which is easily cancelled. On the S2 though you hit the back button and quit the screen you're on which depending on the application can mean having to re-run the application and wait for it to get going again, it's easily possibly to lose worrk this way.
On an aeshetic note I think the four buttons make it look like an Android device rather than an Iphone replica which is a definite bonus in my book.
Did they announce prices and shipping dates? Not much of a launch event if all they said was "it's coming, but we still don't know when"... I heard Sprint announced a Sept 16 ship date with a contract price of $199. Any news from the other carriers?
I look forward to reading your in depth review on these units. Also see if you can find out Verizon's supposedly "similar to the SGS II" phone because that's more of a mystery than the T-Mobile chip.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
20 Comments
Back to Article
DavidoFoo - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
when are the white variants going to be announced? or is it going to be by providerBrian Klug - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
You mean variants for other carriers inside the USA/outside the USA?Honestly I have no idea, I'd expect word of those to come at a later date.
-Brian
mythun.chandra - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
Are you sure the TMo variant is running an 8260?Brian Klug - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
The device is being kept in a sealed glass box (nobody can touch it), and Samsung/T-Mobile alike are being silent about what SoC is inside the phone - I think that's pretty interesting, to say the least :)T-Mobile wants a DC-HSPA+ smartphone, and based on what I've heard likely uses MDM8220 to do so. Of course, MDM8220 is not natively voice enabled, except through "SoC Fusion" with, of course, a QCT SoC. Hence the reason for it not being Exynos.
-Brian
sigmatau - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
I was hoping to see phones like this for Microsoft's OS. Any word of anything like this coming out with Mango?mythun.chandra - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
Makes sense. Plus, PCMag ran benchies on the ATT and Sprint versions but weren't allowed to do so on the TMo unit. This would make sense if it does in fact run off of a QCom 8260.Thanks Brian! :)
Brian Klug - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
Yep, nobody was allowed to touch the T-Mobile variant. Hmm, I wonder why... :P-Brian
B3an - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
This is a mess. Glad i dont live in the U.S. Not only is this amazing phone released late, but it comes in 3 different versions with different specs, looks AND names? (confusing much?) and each looking worse than the original GSII design.4 buttons on the front is one button too many as well IMO. Most people dont need a dedicated search button. Should have been kept at 3. I also hate how american carriers always have to stick there names all over a phone, looks really tacky.
All these things have pretty much messed up the U.S. SGII. This is only going to hurt the Galaxy SII perception in the US and confuse people. It's always better to just have one product that always looks the same which people can recognise.
Johnmcl7 - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
Having used a 7in Galaxy Tab (with dedicated search button), a UK Galaxy S2 (without search button) and currently on a UK HTC Sensation (with search button) I disagree as the lack of search button on the S2 was a surprising annoyance. A lot of applications support the functionality but they don't tend to have the search button in a convenient place. For example, if you've scrolled down a list in the Android market you have to scroll back to the top then reach your thumb/finger to the top of the screen to hit the search button away from their resting spot at the bottom of the phone. By contrast wherever you are in the market you can hit the search button and immediately enter your search term.Secondly and less obviously, on the UK S2 it's easy to catch the bottom right corner as you turn it round, using the camera or various other actions. On the Tab when you do this you just catch the dedicated search button which pops up a search bar which is easily cancelled. On the S2 though you hit the back button and quit the screen you're on which depending on the application can mean having to re-run the application and wait for it to get going again, it's easily possibly to lose worrk this way.
On an aeshetic note I think the four buttons make it look like an Android device rather than an Iphone replica which is a definite bonus in my book.
John
mlj11 - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
@Johnmcl7Just long press the menu button on your UK SGS2, and the search function will be activated.
Works just like the US variants' dedicated search button, in any app.
Johnmcl7 - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
I found that worked intermittently on the version I had and it doesn't stop the problem of catching the return button accidentally.Pessimism - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
+1. You stole the words from my brain. The entire Galaxy line is a nightmare. Some very capable hardware but with ridiculous naming and submodels.LostPassword - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
how does snapdragon compare to exynos?is hercules still going to have both t-mobile & at&t bands?
wgoldfarb - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
Did they announce prices and shipping dates? Not much of a launch event if all they said was "it's coming, but we still don't know when"... I heard Sprint announced a Sept 16 ship date with a contract price of $199. Any news from the other carriers?sleepeeg3 - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
^sleepeeg3 - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
Sprint is releasing Sept. 16 @ $200.http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/08/30/galaxy-s...
No release date for AT&T, but they posted a press release 5 hours ago:
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=20904&cd...
sleepeeg3 - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
AT&T is allegedly releasing Sept. 18 (Sunday?)http://www.androidcentral.com/att-and-samsung-unve...
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/08/30/samsung-ga...
bplewis24 - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
The Sprint version is looking like the real winner here:LED Notification Light
WiMax
Omega215D - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
I look forward to reading your in depth review on these units. Also see if you can find out Verizon's supposedly "similar to the SGS II" phone because that's more of a mystery than the T-Mobile chip.dfgddfdf - Thursday, September 1, 2011 - link
Come go and see, will not regret it Oh lookhttp://www。ifancyshop。com