Nostalgia for older Android devices is real! Today, we pit two Samsung powerhouses from a bygone era against each other: the Galaxy Mega 2 and the Galaxy Note II. Both offered large screens and decent performance for their time, but which one holds up better in a comparison?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Note II edges out the Mega 2 thanks to its superior chipset, slightly better display, and overall more refined experience. While the Mega 2 boasts a larger screen, the Note II's performance and features make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - SM-G750F | 3, 7, 8, 20 - N7105 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2(LTE)/21.1(3G)/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 17, 29 - SM-G750A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - N7105 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2014, September | 2012, August. Released 2012, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 84.9 x 8.6 mm (6.44 x 3.34 x 0.34 in) | 151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4 mm (5.95 x 3.17 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| | - | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~68.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz (SM-G750F)Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 (SM-G7508) | Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Exynos 4415 (SM-G750F)Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) (SM-G7508) | Exynos 4412 Quad (32 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP4 (SM-G750F)Adreno 306 (SM-G7508) | Mali-400MP4 |
| OS | Android 4.4.3 (KitKat) | Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, 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, EDR, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS - N7100 model only |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG |
| 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, barometer |
| | - | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 980 h (2G) / Up to 890 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 35 h (2G) / Up to 16 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable | Removable Li-Ion 3100 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | Titanium Gray, Marble White, Amber Brown, Ruby Wine, Pink, Blue |
| Models | SM-G750F, SM-G7508, SM-G7508Q, SM-G750H, SM-G750A | GT-N7100, GT-N7105, SHV-E250S, SHV-E250K, SGH-I317M, SHV-E250L, SGH-T889 |
| Price | About 340 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.23 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.21 W/kg (head) 0.37 W/kg (body) | 0.17 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -90.2dB / Crosstalk -90.7dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 69h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 402 (nominal) / 2.307:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 80dB |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -90.2dB / Crosstalk -90.7dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 69h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 402 (nominal) / 2.307:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 80dB |
Samsung Galaxy Mega 2
- Very large screen
- Relatively affordable (if found)
- Decent for media consumption
- Slower performance
- Lower image quality
- Less refined user experience
- Battery life not as impressive
Samsung Galaxy Note II N7100
- Faster performance
- Better display quality (Super AMOLED)
- Longer battery life
- More premium feel
- Slightly more versatile
- Older device - limited software updates
- Larger size may be unwieldy for some
- Finding replacement parts can be difficult
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, but the Note II's Super AMOLED technology generally provides richer colors and better viewing angles. The Mega 2's screen is larger (6.0 inches vs 5.5 inches), but the Note II's resolution is higher (1280 x 720 vs 1280 x 768), resulting in a sharper image. Contrast ratios are similar, both performing well in sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are similar on paper, but the Note II generally produces better image quality due to its superior image processing. Both phones offer decent photo and video capabilities for their time, but don't expect flagship-level results. Low-light performance is a weakness for both.
Performance
The Galaxy Note II's Exynos 4412 Quad is noticeably faster than the Mega 2's chipset options (Exynos 4415 or Snapdragon 410). The Note II's Cortex-A9 CPU offers better single-core performance, while both have quad-core setups. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the Note II.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Note II boasts an impressive endurance rating of 69 hours, a significant advantage over the Mega 2. While the Mega 2 has a larger battery capacity, the Note II's more efficient chipset and software optimization contribute to its superior battery life.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Mega 2 might appeal to those seeking a very large screen on a tight budget, primarily for media consumption. The Galaxy Note II is better suited for users who value performance, a more premium feel, and a slightly more versatile feature set, even with its age.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are software updates available for either of these phones?
Both phones are very old and no longer receive official software updates from Samsung. You might find custom ROMs available, but proceed with caution as they can void warranties and potentially brick your device.
❓ Where can I find these phones?
You'll likely need to look on used marketplaces like eBay, Swappa, or Facebook Marketplace. Be sure to check the condition and seller reputation before purchasing.
