HTC Desire S vs. Samsung Galaxy S II (Galaxy S2) Model GT-I9100

Attribute	HTC Desire S	Samsung Galaxy S II (Galaxy S2) Model GT-I9100
Operating System	Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)	Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Processor	1 GHz Scorpion	1.2 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9
RAM	768 MB	1 GB
Internal Storage	1.1 GB	16/32 GB
Display Size	3.7 inches	4.3 inches
Display Resolution	480 x 800 pixels	480 x 800 pixels
Camera	5 MP	8 MP
Battery Capacity	1450 mAh	1650 mAh
Weight	130 grams	116 grams

Design and Build Quality

The HTC Desire S features a sleek and compact design with a unibody aluminum construction, giving it a premium feel. The phone has a 3.7-inch display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S II boasts a larger 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display with a higher resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. The Galaxy S II also features a slim and lightweight design, thanks to its plastic construction.

Both phones have physical buttons on the front, but the placement and design differ. The Desire S has touch-sensitive buttons below the display, while the Galaxy S II has a physical home button with capacitive touch buttons on either side. The Galaxy S II also has a dedicated power button on the right side, while the Desire S integrates the power button with the volume rocker on the left side.

In terms of build quality, the Desire S feels more solid and durable due to its aluminum body. However, the Galaxy S II's plastic construction allows for a lighter and more comfortable feel in the hand. It ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of design and build quality.

Display

Both the HTC Desire S and Samsung Galaxy S II feature vibrant displays, but the Galaxy S II takes the lead with its larger and higher-resolution screen. The Super AMOLED Plus technology used in the Galaxy S II offers deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better outdoor visibility compared to the Desire S's Super LCD display.

The Desire S's 3.7-inch display is still impressive and provides a good viewing experience for everyday use. However, if you prioritize a larger and more visually stunning display, the Galaxy S II's 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen is the clear winner.

Performance and Hardware

When it comes to performance, the Samsung Galaxy S II outshines the HTC Desire S. The Galaxy S II is powered by a dual-core 1.2 GHz Exynos processor, while the Desire S runs on a single-core 1 GHz Snapdragon processor. This difference in processing power translates to a noticeable performance gap between the two devices.

The Galaxy S II also has double the RAM compared to the Desire S, allowing for smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. Additionally, the Galaxy S II offers more internal storage options, with models available in 16GB and 32GB variants, while the Desire S only comes with 1.1GB of internal storage.

Both phones support expandable storage via microSD cards, but the Galaxy S II supports higher capacity cards, allowing for more storage space for media files, apps, and documents.

In terms of connectivity, both phones support 3G networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. However, the Galaxy S II also supports NFC (Near Field Communication), which enables contactless payments and other convenient features.

Camera

The camera capabilities of the HTC Desire S and Samsung Galaxy S II are quite similar. Both phones feature 8-megapixel rear cameras with autofocus and LED flash. They also offer similar camera features such as face detection, smile detection, and geotagging.

However, the Galaxy S II has a slight advantage with its ability to record videos in Full HD 1080p resolution, while the Desire S is limited to 720p HD video recording. If video recording quality is a priority for you, the Galaxy S II is the better choice.

On the front, both phones have VGA resolution cameras for video calls and selfies. The image quality is decent for basic usage, but don't expect exceptional results.

Battery Life

Battery life is an important consideration for any smartphone user. The HTC Desire S is equipped with a 1450mAh battery, while the Samsung Galaxy S II has a larger 1650mAh battery. Both phones offer similar battery life under normal usage conditions, but the Galaxy S II's larger battery provides a slight advantage.

However, it's worth noting that battery performance can vary depending on individual usage patterns and settings. Heavy usage, such as gaming or streaming media, will drain the battery faster on both devices.

Software and User Interface

The HTC Desire S runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread with HTC's Sense UI 2.1, while the Samsung Galaxy S II originally launched with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and Samsung's TouchWiz UI. Both phones have since received updates to newer versions of Android.

HTC's Sense UI offers a visually appealing and intuitive user interface with various customization options. It includes features like HTC's Friend Stream for social media integration and HTC Hub for accessing additional apps and widgets.

Samsung's TouchWiz UI, on the other hand, provides a more colorful and feature-rich experience. It includes Samsung's own apps and services, such as Samsung Apps and Social Hub, for a seamless user experience.

Ultimately, the choice between Sense UI and TouchWiz UI comes down to personal preference. Both interfaces offer a smooth and user-friendly experience, so it's worth trying them out to see which one suits your needs and preferences better.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both the HTC Desire S and Samsung Galaxy S II were impressive smartphones in their time. The Desire S offered a solid build quality, a compact design, and a good display. However, the Galaxy S II surpassed it with its larger and higher-resolution screen, superior performance, and more advanced features like NFC support.

If you prioritize design and build quality, the Desire S may be the better choice. However, if you value a larger and more visually stunning display, faster performance, and additional features like NFC, the Galaxy S II is the clear winner.

Ultimately, the decision between the two phones depends on your personal preferences, budget, and specific needs. Both devices have their strengths and weaknesses, so it's important to consider what matters most to you when making a choice.