Samsung Galaxy S II Plus Archives

Samsung recently launched a refresh of the Galaxy S II handset, calling it the Galaxy S II Plus. In reality, it is really a refresh of the software features of the Galaxy S II since the hardware has remained the same for the most part. Samsung's strategy is sometimes questionable. It is fine to issue updated versions of devices but with the Galaxy S II, it doesn't seem natural since there is already a Galaxy S III in the market. The Galaxy S II is a fine device, I must admit, but releasing an updated version mostly with software updates does not seem logical. A simple software update could have simply been made available to current owners, even for a fee if Samsung's intention really was to earn something from it. In any case, the Samsung Galaxy S II Plus still has the same display, the same processor and the same cameras. In particular, the display of the Galaxy S II is a 4.3-inch WVGA(480x800) Super AMOLED Plus, the same type we saw on the Galaxy S II. The handset is still powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, still packs an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera, and is still powered by a 1650 mAh battery. The internal storage has been surprisingly downgraded as it now only features an 8GB memory while the original version had 16GB and 32GB variants. The Galaxy S II Plus has no 4G or LTE connectivity, so it's basically still a 3G device. As previously mentioned, the main upgrades are software-related. The Galaxy S II Plus now runs Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) with a nature-inspired user-interface similar to what we see in the Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II devices. The Galaxy S II Plus also now features Direct Call, Smart Stay, Smart Alert, Popup Video, S Voice and Voice Unlock. Considering the availability of Samsung's flagship handsets like the Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Note II, the Samsung Galaxy S II Plus is most likely geared towards the budget-conscious market. If priced right, the Galaxy S II Plus could sell well despite its aging specs. Samsung Galaxy S II Specs 4.3-inch WVGA(480x800) Super AMOLED Plus display 1.2GHz dual-core processor 8-megapixel rear camera 2 megapixel front camera 8GB memory, expandable via microSD 1GB RAM GPS, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi 1650 mAh battery NFC (optional) Price: Unknown