The Samsung Galaxy S II and S III were flagship devices that defined an era of Android smartphones. Both offered impressive features for their time, but significant differences exist. This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide which phone holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S III clearly wins due to its quad-core processor, improved display, and slightly better camera. While the S II remains a capable device, the S III's performance and features offer a noticeable upgrade, making it the superior 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 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, Q3 | 2012, May. Released 2012, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 2), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm (4.93 x 2.60 x 0.33 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 | 116 g (4.09 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 (~63.5% 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 | TI OMAP 4430 | Exynos 4412 Quad (32 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX540 | Mali-400MP4 |
| OS | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), 4.3 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, 1/3.2", f/2.6, 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 | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG |
| 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, 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 660 h (2G) / Up to 560 h (3G) | Up to 590 h (2G) / Up to 790 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 9 h (3G) | 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, White, Pink | 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 220 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 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 I9100G Galaxy S II
- Compact and lightweight
- Good value for money (if found used)
- Reliable Android experience
- Outdated processor
- Lower performance compared to S III
- Limited software updates
Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III
- Faster performance (quad-core)
- Improved display
- Slightly better camera
- More responsive user experience
- Older device, limited support
- Battery degradation likely
- Larger size compared to S II
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 slightly larger size and potentially improved panel technology give it a marginal edge.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities, but the Galaxy S III generally produces slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The S III's processing algorithms and potentially 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 a significant upgrade over the Galaxy S II's dual-core OMAP 4430. This translates to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness. The S III handles demanding games and applications with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both phones are reported to have an endurance rating of 50 hours. However, real-world battery life depends heavily on usage patterns. The S III's more efficient quad-core processor and slightly larger battery capacity *could* provide a marginal advantage in certain scenarios, but the reported endurance rating suggests similar performance.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S II is a good option for budget-conscious users seeking a reliable, albeit older, Android experience. The Galaxy S III is ideal for those wanting a more powerful and feature-rich phone, even if it's a legacy device. Consider your budget and desired performance level.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy S III still worth buying?
If you're looking for a budget Android phone and don't need the latest features, the Galaxy S III can still be a decent option. However, be aware of its age and potential battery degradation.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Neither phone receives active software updates anymore. Both are running older versions of Android, so security vulnerabilities are a concern.
