The Samsung Galaxy S II was a flagship that set the bar high, while the Galaxy Mega 5.8 aimed for a different market – larger screens. But which phone holds up better today? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S II offers a more refined experience with better overall performance and a more compact design. The Mega 5.8's larger screen is its main draw, but it compromises in speed and build quality. For most users, the S II remains the stronger choice.
| 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 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 - I9152 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, Q3 | 2013, April. Released 2013, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm (4.93 x 2.60 x 0.33 in) | 162.6 x 82.4 x 9 mm (6.40 x 3.24 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 116 g (4.09 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~190 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~63.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.8 inches, 92.7 cm2 (~69.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED Plus | TFT |
| | TouchWiz UI v4.0
| - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 | Dual-core 1.4 GHz |
| Chipset | TI OMAP 4430 | - |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX540 | - |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, 1/3.2", f/2.6, AF | 8 MP, f/2.7, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 1.9 MP |
| Video | | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Optional | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 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 |
| | MP4/DivX/XviD/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+/AC3/FLAC player
Photo/video editor
Document editor | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 660 h (2G) / Up to 560 h (3G) | Up to 440 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 9 h (3G) | Up to 12 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1650 mAh battery | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Pink | White, Black, Plum Purple |
| Models | - | GT-I9152, GT-I9150, GT-I9152P |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 280 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.21 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.25 W/kg (head) | 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 I9100G Galaxy S II
- Superior Performance
- Compact and Ergonomic Design
- Vibrant Super AMOLED Display
- Generally Better Camera Quality
- More Premium Build Quality
- Smaller Screen
- Older Battery Technology
- Limited Software Updates (Historically)
Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 I9150
- Large 5.8-inch Display
- Longer Battery Life
- Potentially More Affordable (depending on market)
- Slower Performance
- Less Premium Build Quality
- Bulky and Unwieldy
- Mediocre Camera
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Mega 5.8 boasts a significantly larger 5.8-inch display compared to the Galaxy S II's 4.3-inch screen. Both offer a contrast ratio of 1003:1 (nominal) / 1.350:1 (sunlight), suggesting decent viewing angles and color reproduction. However, the S II's Super AMOLED display generally provides more vibrant colors and better outdoor visibility. The Mega 5.8's larger size can be unwieldy for one-handed use.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are listed as 'Photo / Video' for both devices, indicating a lack of detailed information. However, based on general knowledge, the Galaxy S II's camera is generally considered to be superior in image quality, offering better detail and dynamic range. The Mega 5.8's camera is adequate for casual snapshots but doesn't excel.
Performance
The Galaxy S II's TI OMAP 4430 with a 1.2 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 CPU generally outperforms the Galaxy Mega 5.8's 1.4 GHz dual-core processor. While the clock speed is higher on the Mega, the OMAP 4430 in the S II is known for its efficiency and responsiveness. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the S II.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Mega 5.8 has a larger 2600 mAh battery compared to the Galaxy S II's 1650 mAh battery. This translates to longer battery life on the Mega 5.8, especially when utilizing the larger screen for media consumption. However, the S II's more efficient processor helps to offset the battery size difference somewhat.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S II? Users prioritizing performance, a compact form factor, and a premium feel. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8? Those who absolutely need a large screen for media consumption and are less concerned about raw power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy S II still worth buying in [current year]?
Yes, the Galaxy S II remains a capable device, especially if you prioritize performance and a compact design. However, be aware that it's an older phone and won't receive the latest software updates.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos?
The Galaxy Mega 5.8 is better for watching videos due to its larger screen, although the S II's display quality is superior.
