The Samsung Galaxy S II and S III were flagship phones in their time, representing significant leaps in mobile technology. But with age, how do they stack up against each other? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall value to help you decide which one might still be worth considering.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S III clearly wins thanks to its quad-core processor, improved camera, and slightly better display. While the Galaxy S II remains a capable device, the S III offers a noticeable performance boost and a more modern experience, justifying its upgrade.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, October | 2012, May. Released 2012, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 2), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 126 x 66 x 8.9 mm (4.96 x 2.60 x 0.35 in) | 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm (5.38 x 2.78 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 121.9 g (4.27 oz) | 133 g (4.69 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~306 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~63.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.8 inches, 63.5 cm2 (~65.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED Plus | Super AMOLED |
| | TouchWiz UI v4.0
| - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Exynos 4210 Dual | Exynos 4412 Quad (32 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP4 | Mali-400MP4 |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), 4.3 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3.0", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 1.9 MP, f/2.6 |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, aptX |
| NFC | Optional | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, 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 |
| | MP4/DivX/XviD/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+/AC3/FLAC player
Photo/video editor
Document editor | S-Voice natural language commands and dictation |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 400 h | Up to 590 h (2G) / Up to 790 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | Up to 21 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 11 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1650 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 2100 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Pebble blue, Marble white, Amber brown, Garnet red, Sapphire black, Titanium grey, La Fleur |
| Models | - | GT-I9300, GT-I9300I, SHV-E210S, SHW-M440S |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | 0.36 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.25 W/kg (head) | 0.21 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -90.3dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 50h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.419:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Samsung Galaxy S II I777
- Compact and lightweight
- Good value for money (if found cheap)
- Decent display quality
- Outdated processor
- Lower camera quality
- Limited app support
Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III
- Faster performance
- Better camera
- Larger display
- More modern design
- Older device
- Battery degradation likely
- Limited software updates
Display Comparison
Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S III boasts a slightly larger 4.8-inch screen compared to the S II's 4.3-inch display. While both have a nominal 'infinite' contrast ratio, the sunlight readability is reported as 3.419:1 for both, suggesting similar outdoor visibility. The S III's larger size provides a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Galaxy S III generally delivers better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The S III's processing algorithms and potentially slightly improved sensor contribute to more detailed and vibrant photos. Video recording capabilities are comparable.
Performance
The Galaxy S III's Exynos 4412 Quad-core processor is the clear winner here. Its quad-core architecture and higher clock speed (1.4 GHz vs 1.2 GHz) provide significantly faster performance in demanding tasks and multitasking. The S II's dual-core processor is adequate for basic usage, but struggles with modern apps and games.
Battery Life
Both phones are reported to have an endurance rating of 50 hours, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage. However, the S III's more efficient processor and slightly larger battery capacity (2100 mAh vs 1650 mAh in the S II) might give it a slight edge in real-world scenarios.
Buying Guide
The Galaxy S II I777 is a good option for budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone and don't require high-end performance. The Galaxy S III I9300 is ideal for those seeking a more responsive experience, better camera quality, and a slightly more premium feel, especially if found at a low price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy S III worth buying in 2024?
If you can find one in good condition at a very low price, the Galaxy S III can still be a usable phone for basic tasks. However, be aware of potential battery degradation and limited software support.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Galaxy S III's quad-core processor provides significantly better gaming performance compared to the Galaxy S II's dual-core processor. Expect smoother gameplay and better frame rates on the S III.
