Samsung Galaxy S II - 16GB - Black Smartphone

I purchased a version of this that had been unlocked but previously with another provider which is why I am providing a 3 for ease of use.

I had some challenges setting it up as there was a provider conflict initially but I got there. I had to do some help desk time with my provider and also email the seller as the information I got was suggesting hardware then software. This was mostly set up related but also occurred when Samsung did a software upgrade. I put this down to the link back to the initial provider not the upgrade or the phone. Got there in the end.

I also have apps I can't get rid of. I did, briefly via Kies on the initial connection but after a Samsung software upgrade I got them all back (and lost my own service for a bit)so that was a complete stuff around and disappointing as I don't really want them there. Doing any sort of android fix will void my warranty so I'm stuck with them. Something to think about if you're going that way.

Other than that, the functionality is good. This is my 3rd Samsung and I like the set up, the screen, size and the way it's built. The help can swing between super helpful to no help and you have to figure it out yourself. I'm definitely not a fan of Kies. All versions of it I've used are annoying and crash my notebook as well but using Kies is an optional thing and depends on what you want to do, eg upload/download music/pix, sync contacts etc.

It's all google so gmail was an easy set up but my other email was not.

Battery life is great, even using navigation or running games doesn't drain it too quick. The biggest use of power is the screen and even on power saving mode will still use around 60% power but the battery holds well.

Overall though, I like it. Yes the rear casing is a little flimsy to feel but the rest of the phone isn't and the size/weight is about perfect. I've got a white phone and it's not bright white and there is some colour variation, the back cover and front is whiter than the sides which as discoloured a little where it gets handled a lot. It's not a deal breaker, none of the actual issues are. Still a great phone overall and up with technology enough that you don't need to upgrade to keep up but also have all you need if you want to access it.

I've had this phone for 2 weeks, and I love it! Coming from an iphone 3G, this phone was a replacement until the elusive iPhone 5 comes out (whenever that is!!). However, I might just stick with this one... To start with, the display is absolutely breath-taking! Colours are bright and vibrant; black is "absolute black"; and the detail is stunning. It's rather big, but quite thin and very light. I originally thought that the plastic housing felt cheap, but this was forgotten about when I got used to it. All of the buttons are well built and I can't see them failing any time soon. Battery and Micro SD card slots are easily accessed from the back plate, although I wouldn't want to open it up too many times in fear that the latches holding the back plate might wear (not a concern, just a note). Using the phone is beyond easy. You can call any contact from a number of ways, of which I use a few depending where I am in the menus when I need to make the call. Texting is easy, with a conversational style screen making it easy to see what has already been said. The onscreen keyboard is VERY sensitive, and has taken a bit to get used to (with the iphone you had to be more deliberate, making it easy to do exactly what you want - this one sometimes gets a little "letter happy" if you brush over the screen). The predictive text is TOO helpful, but the spell check is very handy, and both of them can be set to varying levels, or off completely. Speach to text is also very cool, but I find I revert to texting more often. The apps structure is very similar to the iphone, with the apps screen showing all of your available apps (funnily enough!). The home screen is a little bit different, with multiple pages of shorcuts and widgets. Coming from apple products, this is a SENSATIONAL feature. Shortcuts to apps and web pages is like the iphone, but nearly every app has a widget, best described as a small version of the app continuously running. Very cool feature for apps like the weather, facebook, music player, or I have a expense tracker app that has a "quick add" widget allowing me to make a new entry without opening the whole application. The camera is also incredible, and recording video is the best quality I've ever seen on a phone. Not lying. The downside, however, is potentially a deal-breaker for some. The phone is quite tricky to setup. Running Andriod as it's operating system (for the non-tech guys, think the differences with "windows" or "mac"), it wants everything to default to a google based service. Email is easily setup - if you have a G-mail account (I have yahoo). The Andriod app store, named "Market", wouldn't let me access it - until I had a gmail account, then it was easy! This carries on to almost all functions of the phone, with multiple setting pages, and not all of the settings that you want to access are in the spot that you would first look. They are there, but it's just not quick and easy like the iphone's "turn on and let apple decide the best thing for you" way of thinking. (Techies love this about andriod, the ability to get into the depths of the phone and tweak to their hearts content). The good news is most app developers for the app store have also made android versions too, meaning I have all of my favourite apps still at my fingertips. The truth is, once a gmail account was setup, it was simple. Opening apps is fast, purchasing is fast and cheaper, and the screen is always impressive! Great price for such a powerful phone

A superb phone.
Light and thin.
Easy to use with 7 scrolling screens.
Playing Angry Birds on the HTC Legend, the phone used to freeze - but the Samsung just eats it.Extremely fast CPU with the 1.2 Ghz dual core processor.
Quality of screen is exceptional and with Gorilla Glass for display makes a screen protector optional - if only for anti-fingerprint.
Phone reception is 10/10. Battery life, while ok, can be extended with a genuine Samsung Heavy Duty battery kit available.
I prefer it to the IPhone as it plays most formats of videos and music without installing ITunes or stuff like that.
All the buttons are easily accessible and easy to use.
Only draw back to me is I had a HTC Legend (sold aluminum frame) previously and the Samsung just feels a little more delicate.
But providing you're not a Tradesman it's an impressive phone and value for money.
Can't wait for the Samsung Galaxy 3 though later this year - supposedly with a FOLED Screen, increased battery life, light, a 5 inch screen and a 1.8 Ghz processor (fingers crossed).
The Galaxy 2 equals the IPhone (plus the Samsung has Gorilla Glass technology) however the Galaxy 3 will set a new bench mark when it comes out.

Purchase one for my wife after family members purchased. Fell in love with the phone and bought one for myself - have recommended to family and friends and others have since purchased. Whats good about this phone - well nearly everything!

You forget its a phone, it does so much else - the reception is very good; SAR radiation value is low - one of the lowest on the market - I have the Australia i1900T model (0.284w) - its a lot lower than the i-phone. The amoled screen is beautiful; its fast and responsive - The OS system is very good; Camera is as good as a lot of cameras in terms of picture quality and settings (there are heaps) - video is very good (HD) - the music player is extremely good - the best bit is no infernal I-tunes or conversion of files to worry about - picked up a 16GB SD card and loaded my mp3 and wma music straight in (its real easy, pick and drop, don't even need to sync it). The good bit is I still get all my album covers in full blazing colour - I own an i-pod 8GB touch which I thought was okay - add some decent sennheiser noise cancelling headphones and Samsung outperforms my i-pod by a good margin - its very good. The case is thin (8.9mm) and the phone light - I was worried about it being a bit fragile maybe so I added a leather case - all good.

The only negative I can find with the phone (after I tried real hard to find a negative) is the battery life is not overly great - I purchased an after market 2300ma battery and that has improved the operating time.

If you want a mighty fine phone that is easy to use and offers everything in a nice light and thin package then this is it - no need to look any further!!!!!!!

if your looking for a better, and cheaper alternative to the iphone then this is probably as best as you can get. great features and flawless design. everything works great together and anything you want (or anything from the apple app store) can be found on the android market place.
the only obvious flaw is the battery life but this is to be expected from any touchphone. but it doesnt do bad for a touchphone anyway. with the ability to turn off plenty of functions to enable a longer battery life.