Galaxy S II vs. Samsung Galaxy Nexus
What's the Difference?
The Galaxy S II and Samsung Galaxy Nexus are both smartphones manufactured by Samsung, but they have some key differences. The Galaxy S II was released in 2011 and was highly regarded for its powerful performance and sleek design. It features a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display, an 8-megapixel camera, and a dual-core processor. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, released in 2011 as well, was known for being the first device to run on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It boasts a larger 4.65-inch Super AMOLED display, a 5-megapixel camera, and a slightly faster processor. Additionally, the Galaxy Nexus introduced a new design with a curved display and on-screen navigation buttons. Overall, while the Galaxy S II was a popular choice for its performance, the Galaxy Nexus offered a more advanced operating system and a unique design.
Comparison
| Attribute | Galaxy S II | Samsung Galaxy Nexus |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.3 (Jelly Bean) |
| Display | 4.3 inches Super AMOLED Plus | 4.65 inches Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels | 720 x 1280 pixels |
| Processor | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| RAM | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16/32 GB | 16/32 GB |
| Camera | 8 MP (rear), 2 MP (front) | 5 MP (rear), 1.3 MP (front) |
| Battery | 1650 mAh | 1750 mAh |
| Weight | 116 g | 135 g |
Further Detail
Introduction
The Galaxy S II and Samsung Galaxy Nexus are two popular smartphones released by Samsung. While both devices belong to the Galaxy series, they have distinct features and specifications that set them apart. In this article, we will compare the attributes of the Galaxy S II and Samsung Galaxy Nexus, exploring their design, display, performance, camera capabilities, and software.
Design
The Galaxy S II features a sleek and slim design with a plastic back cover. It has a physical home button at the bottom of the display, accompanied by capacitive touch buttons for navigation. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus has a more modern design with a curved glass display and a unibody construction. It lacks physical buttons on the front, utilizing on-screen navigation buttons instead. The Galaxy Nexus feels more premium and offers a more immersive display experience due to its design choices.
Display
The Galaxy S II sports a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. It delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks, providing an enjoyable multimedia experience. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus boasts a larger 4.65-inch Super AMOLED display with a higher resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. This results in sharper text and more detailed visuals, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming. The Galaxy Nexus takes the lead in terms of display quality and size.
Performance
Under the hood, the Galaxy S II is powered by a dual-core 1.2 GHz Exynos processor and 1GB of RAM. It offers smooth multitasking and handles most tasks with ease. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus features a dual-core 1.2 GHz TI OMAP processor and 1GB of RAM. While it may have a similar processing power to the Galaxy S II, the Nexus benefits from running a stock version of Android, resulting in a more optimized and fluid user experience. Both devices are capable performers, but the Galaxy Nexus has a slight advantage due to its software optimizations.
Camera
The Galaxy S II comes equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera that captures decent photos with good color reproduction. It also offers features like autofocus, LED flash, and 1080p video recording. The front-facing camera is 2 megapixels, suitable for video calls and selfies. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus features a 5-megapixel rear camera with similar features to the Galaxy S II. However, it lacks the same level of image quality and detail. The Nexus also has a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, which is slightly lower in resolution compared to the Galaxy S II. Overall, the Galaxy S II offers a better camera experience.
Software
The Galaxy S II originally launched with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and received an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It also features Samsung's TouchWiz user interface, which provides additional customization options and features. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus was the first device to debut with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, offering a pure Android experience without any manufacturer overlays. It received updates up to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The Galaxy Nexus provides a more stock Android experience, which some users prefer due to its simplicity and faster software updates. However, others may appreciate the additional features and customization options offered by TouchWiz on the Galaxy S II.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Galaxy S II and Samsung Galaxy Nexus have their own strengths and weaknesses. The Galaxy S II offers a sleek design, vibrant display, powerful performance, and a better camera experience. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus boasts a more modern design, larger and sharper display, optimized software, and a stock Android experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two devices depends on individual preferences and priorities. Whether you prioritize design and camera quality or prefer a larger display and stock Android experience, both the Galaxy S II and Samsung Galaxy Nexus are capable smartphones that have stood the test of time.
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