The HTC Radar and Samsung Galaxy S II 4G represent a fascinating snapshot of the Android landscape in 2011-2012. Both devices aimed to deliver a premium smartphone experience, but they took markedly different approaches to achieving that goal. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which phone offered the better value proposition for users at the time, and how they hold up under scrutiny today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a more capable smartphone experience, the Samsung Galaxy S II 4G I9100M is the clear winner. Its Exynos 4210 dual-core processor provides a substantial performance uplift over the HTC Radar’s Snapdragon S2, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding applications. While the Radar boasts a respectable contrast ratio, the S II 4G’s overall feature set and processing power are more compelling.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 /1800 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 1700 / 2100 - for T-Mobile | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, September. Released 2011, October | 2011, July. Released 2011, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 120.5 x 61.5 x 10.9 mm (4.74 x 2.42 x 0.43 in) | 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm (4.93 x 2.60 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 137 g (4.83 oz) | 116 g (4.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~246 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.8 inches, 41.1 cm2 (~55.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~63.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | S-LCD | Super AMOLED Plus |
| | - | ClearBlack display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Exynos 4210 Dual |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Mali-400MP4 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5 Mango | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 512MB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3.2", AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 2 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | SRS audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 3.0, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Bing Maps | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | HTC Locations
MP3/eAAC+/WAV/WMA player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
Document viewer/editor
Facebook integration | Microsoft Continuum support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired
Wireless (Qi) |
| Music play | - | Up to 67 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 480 h (2G) / Up to 535 h (3G) | Up to 372 h (2G) / Up to 610 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 8 h 5 min (3G) | Up to 6 h (2G) / Up to 8 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 1520 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1700 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Active White, Metal Silver | Black |
| Models | - | GT-I9100M |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | 0.45 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | 0.16 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.34 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.3dB / Crosstalk -74.7dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 34h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 797:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB
| - |
HTC Radar
- Respectable display contrast ratio (797:1)
- Decent battery endurance (34h)
- Compact form factor (assumed based on market positioning)
- Underpowered Snapdragon S2 processor
- Limited camera information
- Lack of fast or wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S II 4G I9100M
- Powerful Exynos 4210 dual-core processor
- 18W wired charging
- Wireless (Qi) charging support
- Missing display specifications
- Battery endurance rating unavailable
- Potential for overheating with the Exynos chip (common issue with early Exynos chips)
Display Comparison
The HTC Radar features a display with a contrast ratio of 797:1, a respectable figure for its time, suggesting good black levels and vibrant colors. However, the context data lacks information regarding resolution, pixel density, or panel technology (IPS, AMOLED). The Samsung Galaxy S II 4G’s display specifications are also absent, making a direct comparison difficult. Given Samsung’s early adoption of AMOLED technology, it’s likely the S II 4G offered superior color reproduction and viewing angles, though potentially at the cost of lower peak brightness compared to an IPS panel. Without further data, it's difficult to assess which display is objectively better.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight into camera quality. Without megapixel counts, sensor sizes, or aperture information, a detailed comparison is impossible. However, given Samsung’s historical emphasis on camera technology, it’s reasonable to assume the Galaxy S II 4G likely featured a more advanced camera system. The absence of any mention of features like HDR or image stabilization suggests both cameras were relatively basic by modern standards. The Radar's camera would likely be sufficient for casual snapshots, but the S II 4G likely offered more versatility and image quality.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is significant. The Samsung Galaxy S II 4G’s Exynos 4210 dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 processor represents a substantial leap over the HTC Radar’s Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU. The Cortex-A9 architecture is inherently more efficient and powerful than the Scorpion core. While both are based on older fabrication processes, the dual-core configuration of the Exynos chip allows for true multitasking and smoother performance in demanding applications. The Snapdragon S2, while adequate for basic tasks, would likely struggle with more intensive workloads. The lack of RAM specifications for both devices makes a complete performance assessment challenging, but the CPU difference is the dominant factor.
Battery Life
The HTC Radar boasts an endurance rating of 34 hours, indicating a focus on battery life. However, this rating is a composite measure and doesn’t reveal the battery capacity in mAh. The Samsung Galaxy S II 4G lacks an endurance rating, but it compensates with 18W wired charging and wireless (Qi) charging support. This faster charging capability significantly reduces downtime compared to the Radar. While the Radar may last longer on a single charge under light use, the S II 4G’s charging speed and wireless charging convenience offer a more practical advantage for power users.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Radar if you prioritize a compact form factor and a decent camera experience within a budget. Its 34-hour endurance rating suggests a focus on longevity. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S II 4G I9100M if you value performance, faster charging, and the convenience of wireless charging. The dual-core processor and 18W charging make it a more versatile and future-proof option, even by today's standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Exynos 4210 in the Galaxy S II 4G prone to overheating during extended use?
Early Exynos chips, including the 4210, were known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load. While not a catastrophic issue, users might experience performance dips during prolonged gaming or video recording sessions. The HTC Radar’s Snapdragon S2, being less powerful, is less likely to overheat, but also offers significantly lower performance.
❓ Does the HTC Radar support any form of fast charging?
No, the HTC Radar does not support fast charging. It relies on standard USB charging, which will take considerably longer to fully charge the battery compared to the Samsung Galaxy S II 4G’s 18W charging capability.
❓ How does the Snapdragon S2 processor in the Radar compare to modern entry-level chipsets?
The Snapdragon S2 is significantly less powerful than even the most basic modern entry-level chipsets. It would struggle to run current Android versions smoothly and would be unsuitable for most modern applications and games. It represents a substantial step back in processing power.
