Cell phone guru's Samsung Galaxy II Vs III

[scottmandue]

Our family cell phone contract is ending so time to look at new phones...

We are with T-mobile so no iPhone (sorry fanboys).

I have settled on the Samsung Galaxy.

Both have 8MP camera and dual core 1.5Mhz processors.

Only diff I see is II is Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) OS - III is Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

Can the II be upgraded to Android 2.3?

Galaxy III cost twice as much... is it worth it?

Thanks in advance!

[Paul_Heery]

I have a Galaxy S2 and am running Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

I like the phone and it has served me well. I would be surprised if they are delivering S2 with Gingerbread. I would have them deliver a new phone with ICS or not accept delivery.

[JavaBrewer]

I just flashed my 3 year old Samsung Captivate to Jelly Bean (4.1.1). Prior to that it was running Gingerbread (2.3.7). My Captivate sports a single 1Ghz processor so I was skeptical. I got the ROM from Cyanogen and well...it's amazing. The phone is noticeably faster and smoother running.

Android 4.x is where you want to go. Checking the Cyanogen site they do have a ROM for the Galaxy II but looking at the forum there appears to be some issues with it. I would recommend paying the extra up front for the Galaxy III. Hardware wise I have not spent any time playing with the III - my wife and kids are running the Galaxy II Skyrocket (ATT) and it is very nice. Note their phones are also running custom ROMs - stripped of ATT poop.

[scottmandue]

I am a tech but not into hacking phones... this will be the wifes phone so I don't want to push my luck (getting tech support calls from wife while I am at work).

I will see if T-mobile can put 4.0 on the Galaxy II.

She currently has a (pos) LG Optimus on I think android 2.0, so anything will be a massive improvement.

II is $150 with 2 year contract, III is $300, we are trying to do some remodeling around the house and money is real tight, every little bit helps.

Thanks for your input!

PS, only big improvement on the III that I can see is the upgraded touch screen.

[krystar]

S3 is a quad core processor. has more computing power than the space shuttle.

if u stick with oem ROM, at least root it and titanium backup strip out the junk apps.

my wife has the s3. i got the s2. honestly can't tell much diff in usage. i CM'ed my other s2. runs great.

[nostatic]

If you buy a Verizon iPhone5, you can use a T-Mobile nanosim.

Just sayin

Do you want a contract? Another way to go is to buy a Google Galaxy Nexus (which runs JB, and will always be upgraded before other variants) unlocked and do a month-to-month with T-Mobile.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by nostatic

If you buy a Verizon iPhone5, you can use a T-Mobile nanosim.

Just sayin

Do you want a contract? Another way to go is to buy a Google Galaxy Nexus (which runs JB, and will always be upgraded before other variants) unlocked and do a month-to-month with T-Mobile.

Originally Posted by krystar

S3 is a quad core processor. has more computing power than the space shuttle.

if u stick with oem ROM, at least root it and titanium backup strip out the junk apps.

my wife has the s3. i got the s2. honestly can't tell much diff in usage. i CM'ed my other s2. runs great.

Could I get that in English?

Verison doesn't have signal at my house... what do you mean by "nanosim"

I work with tech all day... don't want to mess with the phone... just want to buy and walk away... I have enough "projects" without turning my wifes phone into one.

Weird, T-mobile site says they are both dual (but they are notoriously inaccurate) if the III is quad core that would make more sense on the increased price.

We have considered buying a phone and doing month to month... but the three of us are on a family plan right now.

If money were no object I would just get the III and furgetaboutit... but money IS a big deal to us right now (he types eating his stouffer's frozen meal for lunch).

[Brando]

Originally Posted by krystar

S3 is a quad core processor. has more computing power than the space shuttle.

Where can I get a Space Shuttle app?

[krystar]

oh right. my bad. tmobile version is still dual core. i'm thinking international version.

Samsung Galaxy S2 vs Samsung Galaxy S3 - Comparison - Know Your Mobile

highlights...s3 has more powerful cpu, true 720p display and 720p front camera. some other software stuff.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Could I get that in English?

Verison doesn't have signal at my house... what do you mean by "nanosim"

I work with tech all day... don't want to mess with the phone... just want to buy and walk away... I have enough "projects" without turning my wifes phone into one.

Weird, T-mobile site says they are both dual (but they are notoriously inaccurate) if the III is quad core that would make more sense on the increased price.

We have considered buying a phone and doing month to month... but the three of us are on a family plan right now.

If money were no object I would just get the III and furgetaboutit... but money IS a big deal to us right now (he types eating his stouffer's frozen meal for lunch).

If you're on a family plan and your contract is up (and you're willing to sign on for another 2 years), then just pick whichever floats your boat. Unless you're a power user you're not going to notice huge differences. To me the size of the phone is a criteria (some of them are damn big - which can be good or bad depending on what you like), as is battery life and screen quality. Beyond that, they will run mostly the same apps.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Do you want a contract? Another way to go is to buy a Google Galaxy Nexus (which runs JB, and will always be upgraded before other variants) unlocked and do a month-to-month with T-Mobile.

I recently upgraded from a Nexus One with CM 7.1 to a Galaxy Nexus ($350 from Google, no contract) and flashed the factory JB image myself (it won't install the OTA after you root it and install ClockworkMod, which was the first thing I did - because nanodroid backups are a Good Thing). Nice phone.

I was with T-Mobile for 7 years - but I just kicked them and their month-to-month plan into touch in favor of Straight Talk, who, ironically, just re-sell AT&T or T-Mobile service.

At least for T-Mobile, I get more service (unlimited talk, text, data) for less - $45 a month.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by nostatic

If you're on a family plan and your contract is up (and you're willing to sign on for another 2 years), then just pick whichever floats your boat. Unless you're a power user you're not going to notice huge differences. To me the size of the phone is a criteria (some of them are damn big - which can be good or bad depending on what you like), as is battery life and screen quality. Beyond that, they will run mostly the same apps.

Right on... wife is low tech and I'm sure the Galaxy II will be over the top for her. As long as she can text, post to FB, GPS, take pictures, and make calls she will be a happy camper. My biggest criteria is it has to be dead on reliable because I'm the one who gets my ear bent if it doesn't work.

Thanks again!

And yeah what ever happened to the size of cell phones? They got smaller, smaller, smaller... now I see people talking into a 10" tablet!