Samsung Galaxy S II T989 is one of those devices that tries to pack a lot into one package. Let us see if Samsung has managed to put together a phone that is actually worth your money. Announced in 2011, August. Released 2011, October, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
Up front there is a 4.52 inches, 58.2 cm 2 (~65.1% screen-to-body ratio) screen, pushing a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~206 ppi density), and in real-world use it looks bright, crisp and easy on the eyes. The build feels well put together, and Samsung has clearly paid attention to the in-hand feel. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Titanium.
Performance & Software
At the heart of it sits the Qualcomm APQ8060 Snapdragon S3, paired with 1GB of RAM, which means smooth scrolling, quick app switching and no real hiccups in normal use. It runs Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
On the camera side, the Samsung Galaxy S II T989 is led by a 8 MP main sensor. Expect solid detail in good light, with the usual softness creeping in once the sun goes down.
Battery
There is a Removable Li-Ion 1850 mAh battery battery inside, and that is a healthy number that keeps range anxiety at bay.
Our Opinion
After spending time with the spec sheet and what Samsung is promising, here is where we land. Samsung has clearly gone for substance over gimmicks here, and we respect that approach. It gets the basics right, offering a dependable main camera, a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. If your priority is a phone that just works, day in and day out, then this one deserves a spot on your shortlist. There are rivals that beat it in one area or another, as is always the case in this segment. Overall though, the Samsung Galaxy S II T989 is easy to recommend to the right buyer. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
