What makes the SGII better than the HTC Sensation?

Goose · 11 Sep 2011 at 17:24

Im a total smartphone noob but will be getting one of these two phones next month. A lot of people seem to complain that the Samsung is too plasticy and that HTC Sense is much better than the Samsung alternative.

I haven't yet had a play on either phone so I have no oppinion on the matter but was wondering what people thought of each?

My main use of the phone will be web browsing and music rather than calling or texting if that makes any difference?

Thanks

Fallen god · 11 Sep 2011 at 17:41

Well basically the hardware is better on the Samsung side, as it has a better processor and Graphics than the Sensation. The screen the Sensation has a higher res screen so might be better for web browsing, however the the super amold plus is just amazing on the samsung and personally makes up for having a lower res for me. The software on the sense as a whole is much more refined with all nice flashy graphics going on and quite a lot of functionality, in general people really like it however they are those who hate it.

Personally the difference isn't much and both are great phones each is better at certain things. Just give them both a play and pick the one you like the most.

kona786 · 11 Sep 2011 at 17:41

There's not much in it and its all down to personal preference. I have a SGSII and my brother-in-law has a Sensation. Both are great Android smartphones.

I prefer the SGSII because of the AMOLED screen (richer colours, perfect blacks, best viewing angles). The battery life is significantly better. Better processor with gpu acceleration of Android (butter smooth and no other android phone has this). Plays nearly all video codecs (mkv etc). Better camera and video camera. 16GB on board storage. I prefer the looks of the SGSII. Slimmer and lighter. Its a big list and i've probably missed a few points but you get the idea.

Robbo · 11 Sep 2011 at 17:57

To put it simply -

The Galaxy S II is a Ferrari.

The Sensation is a Rolls-Royce.

HTC Sense is the big thing for me anyway, Android is just so much worse off without it.

The Galaxy S II is the better phone overall though, no doubt about it.

sarge78 · 11 Sep 2011 at 18:11

Anandtech's rather epic SGS2 review is up. http://www.anandtech.com/show/4686/samsung-galaxy-s-2-international-review-the-best-redefined

Go to a shop and just pick your fav! :cool:

(don't forget the new iPhone 5 should be out by then, maybe the new Nexus too?)

Oh, I'd take the Samsung for all the reasons Kona gave

kona786 · 11 Sep 2011 at 18:24

cheers sarge78 - been waiting a long time for the Anandtech review.

Jabbs · 11 Sep 2011 at 19:18

It all depends if Sense is a big thing to you, personally I don't like it and never have there are better launchers on the market now, back in the day when Android was so infant sense was huge but its really nothing special now adays.

The GS2 is all round a much nicer and faster phone to use and the reason I think most go for it, also the screen and the camera/video recording qualities are the plus points for me.

Kreeeee · 11 Sep 2011 at 20:08

sarge78 said:
Anandtech's rather epic SGS2 review is up. http://www.anandtech.com/show/4686/samsung-galaxy-s-2-international-review-the-best-redefined

Go to a shop and just pick your fav! (don't forget the new iPhone 5 should be out by then, maybe the new Nexus too?)

Oh, I'd take the Samsung for all the reasons Kona gave

They seem to have missed that holding menu gives you search functionality.

Merlin5 · 11 Sep 2011 at 20:19

Robbo said:
To put it simply -

The Galaxy S II is a Ferrari.

The Sensation is a Rolls-Royce.

HTC Sense is the big thing for me anyway, Android is just so much worse off without it.

The Galaxy S II is the better phone overall though, no doubt about it.

There was a time once when a Rolls-Royce was THE best car in the world. Of course, we all know the SGS2 is the best.

chiggz · 11 Sep 2011 at 21:45

Diff:
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=3621&idPhone2=3875

I need a new phone. I've decided to wait a month or two to see if a whole new phone drops with Android 4. You may want to look into that too...

DefiantAsh · 12 Sep 2011 at 00:42

chiggz said:
Diff:
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=3621&idPhone2=3875

I need a new phone. I've decided to wait a month or two to see if a whole new phone drops with Android 4. You may want to look into that too...

Android ICS :cool:

Supposed to be coming out soon isn't it? Sure i read it somewhere, or watched a YouTube tech vid when it was mentioned.

kona786 · 12 Sep 2011 at 01:14

Yes Samsung Galaxy Prime running ICS coming Oct/Nov 2011

rapid64k · 12 Sep 2011 at 09:00

kona786 said:
There's not much in it and its all down to personal preference. I have a SGSII and my brother-in-law has a Sensation. Both are great Android smartphones.

I prefer the SGSII because of the AMOLED screen (richer colours, perfect blacks, best viewing angles). The battery life is significantly better. Better processor with gpu acceleration of Android (butter smooth and no other android phone has this). Plays nearly all video codecs (mkv etc). Better camera and video camera. 16GB on board storage. I prefer the looks of the SGSII. Slimmer and lighter. Its a big list and i've probably missed a few points but you get the idea.

Well said Kona786.
My girlfriend has the Sensation, i have the SGSII i came over from a HTC Desire and have to admit that im sold on the screen and the way SGSII goes about its business compared to the Sensation way of doing things. I find that things have been given much more thought into their general use and application.

DefiantAsh · 12 Sep 2011 at 11:44

kona786 said:
Yes Samsung Galaxy Prime running ICS coming Oct/Nov 2011

You mean the Samsung built Google Nexus Prime, surely?

Never heard of the Samsung Galaxy Prime before. :rolleyes:

kona786 · 12 Sep 2011 at 14:48

DefiantAsh said:
You mean the Samsung built Google Nexus Prime, surely?

Never heard of the Samsung Galaxy Prime before.

Sorry, I meant its rumoured to be called the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

http://www.gsmarena.com/support_pag..._up_we_get_tips_from_an_insider-news-3105.php

loltim · 12 Sep 2011 at 15:18

my sgs2 is useless in direct sunlight! gf's iphone4 is way better

Robbo · 12 Sep 2011 at 15:19

loltim said:
my sgs2 is useless in direct sunlight! gf's iphone4 is way better

Indeed.

alchemistkevin · 12 Sep 2011 at 15:20

loltim said:
my sgs2 is useless in direct sunlight! gf's iphone4 is way better

do you have yours set to auto brightness?

A few friend's with iPhone's have commented on how my SGS2 is more readable in bright light than their fruits'.

alchemistkevin · 12 Sep 2011 at 15:21

I've got an SGS2 and if I had to go through the choice again, I'll take the SGS2.

Robbo · 12 Sep 2011 at 15:22

alchemistkevin said:
do you have yours set to auto brightness?

A few friend's with iPhone's have commented on how my SGS2 is more readable in bright light than their fruits'.

Are they iPhone 4's?

I've got both and the iPhone 4 is certainly better outdoors, the SGS2 screen was a bit of a let down for me in that regard. Even the Sensation screen is noticeably better outside.