The Samsung Galaxy Mega series aimed to deliver large screens at affordable prices. But with two iterations, the Mega 2 and the 5.8, which one holds up best today? We'll break down their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Mega 2 generally edges out the 5.8 thanks to its potentially more powerful chipset (depending on the variant) and slightly more modern design. However, the 5.8's excellent contrast ratio display is a strong point. Ultimately, the Mega 2 offers a better balance of features for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - I9150 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - SM-G750F | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 17, 29 - SM-G750A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 - I9152 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2014, September | 2013, April. Released 2013, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 84.9 x 8.6 mm (6.44 x 3.34 x 0.34 in) | 162.6 x 82.4 x 9 mm (6.40 x 3.24 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~190 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.8 inches, 92.7 cm2 (~69.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz (SM-G750F)Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 (SM-G7508) | Dual-core 1.4 GHz |
| Chipset | Exynos 4415 (SM-G750F)Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) (SM-G7508) | - |
| GPU | Mali-400MP4 (SM-G750F)Adreno 306 (SM-G7508) | - |
| OS | Android 4.4.3 (KitKat) | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.7, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2.1 MP | 1.9 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 440 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 12 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | White, Black, Plum Purple |
| Models | SM-G750F, SM-G7508, SM-G7508Q, SM-G750H, SM-G750A | GT-I9152, GT-I9150, GT-I9152P |
| Price | About 340 EUR | About 280 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.21 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.21 W/kg (head) 0.37 W/kg (body) | 0.22 W/kg (head) 0.30 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1003:1 (nominal) / 1.350:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 71dB |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1003:1 (nominal) / 1.350:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 71dB |
Samsung Galaxy Mega 2
- Potentially more powerful chipset (Exynos or Snapdragon)
- Slightly more modern design
- Larger screen size (generally)
- Better potential for app compatibility
- Battery life could be shorter under load
- Camera quality is basic
- Limited availability of information on display quality
Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 I9150
- Excellent contrast ratio display
- Affordable price (if found)
- Large screen for media consumption
- Slower performance due to dual-core processor
- Basic camera capabilities
- Limited app compatibility compared to newer devices
- Battery life likely average
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, but the Mega 5.8 boasts an impressive contrast ratio of 1003:1 (nominal) and 1.350:1 in sunlight, suggesting better visibility outdoors. The Mega 2's display details are less readily available, but it likely offers a standard LCD experience. The Mega 5.8's display is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. Both are described simply as 'Photo / Video'. Given the age of these phones, expect basic camera performance with limited features and image quality. The Mega 2's potentially more powerful processor *might* allow for slightly better image processing, but it's unlikely to be a significant difference.
Performance
The Mega 2 has a significant potential advantage here. It comes in two chipset variants: an Exynos 4415 or a Snapdragon 410. Both are quad-core, but the Exynos 4415 is generally considered more powerful. The Mega 5.8, with its dual-core 1.4 GHz processor, will feel noticeably slower, especially with multitasking or demanding apps.
Battery Life
Battery information is missing for both devices. However, considering the age and screen size, both likely offer a day's worth of moderate use. The Mega 2's more powerful processor could potentially drain the battery faster under load.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Mega 2 is a good choice for users prioritizing performance and a slightly more modern experience. The Galaxy Mega 5.8 is ideal for those who value a vibrant display and are on a very tight budget, accepting compromises in processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
Given their age, these phones are primarily suitable for very basic use or as secondary devices. Don't expect modern features or performance.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Neither phone receives active software updates. They likely run older versions of Android, posing security risks. Using a custom ROM is possible but requires technical expertise.
