Samsung Galaxy SII

Bob · May 29, 2011, 10:52:07 PM

Thanks for sharing your experiences folks!

I'm still on my HTV Hero, and even though it's rooted, running 2.2 and has given me much joy through the last two years, I'm really starting to fell the need for an upgrade. Haven't really been reading too many reviews yet, but my eyes have picked up the Galaxy S2 as a very good option.

Other then your general impression (both first and after using it for some time) of the phone, I'm also interested in how you find their UI experience (touch wiz, isn't that it?) - especially when coming from HTC Sense or stock android. And how easy is it to root it (and perhaps even install custom roms/plain vanialla android)? And I guess the battery time isn't anything more impressive than anything else these days (i.e. must charge every night)?

I too, as many others have said, feel that the size is a bit too big. I would prefer a phone with less than four inches... But perhaps as OB mentioned, he was sceptic too, but got used to it quite fast... How do the rest of you S2 owners feel about this?

OldBloke · May 30, 2011, 10:00:58 AM

Quote from: Bob;325912... I'm also interested in how you find their UI experience (touch wiz, isn't that it?) - especially when coming from HTC Sense or stock android. And how easy is it to root it (and perhaps even install custom roms/plain vanialla android)? And I guess the battery time isn't anything more impressive than anything else these days (i.e. must charge every night)?

Just as Sense soon became stale for me I could see that TouchWiz would follow suit. This is Samsung's 4th go at getting TW right but I don't think they're quite there yet. I'd been using LauncherPro Plus and Beautiful Widgets on my Hero's custom rom so I stuck them both on the phone and I'm very happy with what they offer me in terms of function and appearance.

Root and custom roms are a doddle (XDA is your friend

. Having said that, there's been three official rom updates from Samsung since the phone was released and I'm not feeling the need (yet) to put anything else on.

I have no regrets getting this phone. Yes it's slightly bigger than I would have liked but it's only real competitor (HTC Sensation) is not getting anywhere new as good reviews as this piece of kit. Did I mention the glorious screen?

Bob · July 14, 2011, 10:30:18 PM

Today I finally had it with my old HTC Hero and ordered the Galaxy S2. Going away for the weekend, so really hoping it'll be in place by Monday :woot2:

I've rooted my Hero and installed custom ROMs almost since the beginning, as a bare necessity to get some half-decent performance out of it. With the S2 however, I assume it will work like a charm out of the box. I do consider rooting it (mainly to get full use of Titanium Backup), but keeping t the default OS.

But I have thought about installing a custom ROM straight away (I see the guys over at VillainROM have one going, and I've been very happy with what they have done for my Hero). Do some of you that have used the phone got any advice? Are there any particular custom ROMs you have tried and would like to recommend?

And one more thing btw: have any of you found a nice cover/casing for use with the S2 (kinda like those you see for the iphone 4)?

Naldo · July 15, 2011, 09:31:59 AM

Hi Bob,

You will have android 2.3.3 out the box which is the latest software released. There is an issue with the phone and this version were basically the battery gets eaten by the OS. There is lots of info on the web about this.

2.3.4 partially solves this issue, but has not been released yet. Although it has been leaked on the net.

I rooted my phone and as you mentioned above am using the VillainROM which solves the issue. I have VR 1.6 installed and don't have any issues at all.

There has been a new release of VR 2.0 recently, that uses 2.3.4 as its base. I have not upgraded or read into it yet as I am to busy in RL atm.
Might stay up late tonight and give it a go. If you want me to test anything let me know.

DrunkenZombiee · July 15, 2011, 11:16:47 AM

Quote from: Bob;328762And one more thing btw: have any of you found a nice cover/casing for use with the S2 (kinda like those you see for the iphone 4)?

I have a "barely there" case for mine: Link Remember to use the DMW affiliate link!

It retains its slim and lightweight look and feel with decent protection to everything apart from the screen. The phone has "gorilla glass" which I have to say I am very impressed with as its Uber scratch resistant and tough. It does attract fingerprints and smears like a magnet though. I don't have a screen protector on mine as it was un-pleasurable to use on the phone.

If I dropped it from a height the screen would break but that what insurance is for =).

Hope this helps.

DZ.

Naldo · July 15, 2011, 11:49:18 AM

I use the exact same one DZ without a screen protector.

I have dropped the phone twice now and had no issues.

Screen is still perfect and I have it in my pocket with coins and car keys, not a scratch.

Bob · July 19, 2011, 09:06:10 AM

Thanks to both Naldo and DZ for your advice. I'm going to pick up my phone after work today, so getting really exited now! Won't have time to play around too much with installing a different ROM for the next week, but I hope I'll get there in not too long :-)

[strike]I also ordered myself one of those "Barely There" cases, looking good.[/strike] No, I did not. For some messed up reason, Amazon won't ship that item to Norway :angry:

DrunkenZombiee · July 21, 2011, 08:59:42 PM

People have been complaining about the battery life on their phones. I have just been to Germany/France/Switzerland for the last 4 days with my phone on but data off. My battery dropped 12% and I was using the phone for an alarm and listening to music for about half an hour. Really impressed with that!

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

Naldo · August 14, 2011, 11:31:34 AM

Moved over to onto Lite'ning Rom v5.0 XXKG6 last week.

Will let you know if I hit any issues. This one is my favorite so far.

Link >>>> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1095274