The Samsung Galaxy S III and Galaxy S II were titans of their time, defining the Android landscape. While both are now legacy devices, understanding their differences can be valuable for collectors or those seeking a budget Android experience. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone still holds up.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S III (I9300) edges out the Galaxy S II (I9100) thanks to its superior quad-core processor, slightly better display contrast, and longer battery life. While both offer a nostalgic Android experience, the S III provides a more polished and capable performance.
| 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 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, May. Released 2012, May | 2011, February. Released 2011, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 2), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm (5.38 x 2.78 x 0.34 in) | 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm (4.93 x 2.60 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 133 g (4.69 oz) | 116 g (4.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~306 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.8 inches, 63.5 cm2 (~65.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~63.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9 | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Exynos 4412 Quad (32 nm) | Exynos 4210 Dual |
| GPU | Mali-400MP4 | Mali-400MP4 |
| OS | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), 4.3 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3.0", AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3.2", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.9 MP, f/2.6 | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, aptX | 3.0, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Optional |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS |
| 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 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 |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | S-Voice natural language commands and dictation | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 590 h (2G) / Up to 790 h (3G) | Up to 710 h (2G) / Up to 610 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 21 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 11 h 40 min (3G) | Up to 18 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 8 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 2100 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1650 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pebble blue, Marble white, Amber brown, Garnet red, Sapphire black, Titanium grey, La Fleur | Black, White, Pink |
| Models | GT-I9300, GT-I9300I, SHV-E210S, SHW-M440S | GT-I9100, GT-I9100G, GT-I9100T |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) | 0.16 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.21 W/kg (head) | 0.34 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -90.3dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB |
Noise -91.4dB / Crosstalk -89.7dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 50h
| Endurance rating 40h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.419:1 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.832:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III
- Faster Quad-Core Processor
- Longer Battery Life
- Slightly Better Display Contrast
- More Modern Android Experience (at the time)
- Older Device - Limited Software Updates
- Potential Battery Degradation
- May Lack Modern Features
Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II
- More Compact Size
- Lower Price (typically)
- Nostalgic Android Experience
- Slower Dual-Core Processor
- Shorter Battery Life
- Lower Display Contrast
- Older Software
Display Comparison
Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S III boasts a slightly higher contrast ratio in sunlight (3.419:1 vs 2.832:1), suggesting better visibility outdoors. Both have a 'nominal' infinite contrast ratio, which is a marketing term and not a measurable value. Screen sizes are similar, with the S III having a slightly larger 4.8-inch display compared to the S II's 4.3-inch.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Galaxy S III generally produced slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The S III's camera also benefited from Samsung's image processing algorithms, which were more refined at the time. Specific megapixel counts are not provided, but the S III's image processing gave it an edge.
Performance
The Galaxy S III's Exynos 4412 Quad-core processor is the clear winner here. Its quad-core architecture and 1.4 GHz clock speed provide a noticeable performance boost over the Galaxy S II's dual-core 1.2 GHz Exynos 4210. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the S III.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S III's endurance rating of 50h significantly surpasses the Galaxy S II's 40h. This translates to longer screen-on time and overall usage between charges, making the S III a more practical choice for extended use.
Buying Guide
The Galaxy S III is ideal for Android enthusiasts seeking a capable, albeit older, device with a bit more power. The Galaxy S II might appeal to those on an extremely tight budget or specifically looking for a smaller, more compact phone, but be prepared for compromises in performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with caveats. They'll run on older Android versions and may lack support for modern apps and services. Network compatibility can also be an issue depending on your carrier.
❓ Can I upgrade the software on either of these phones?
Officially, no. Samsung has ceased software updates for both devices. Custom ROMs are an option for advanced users, but this voids warranties and carries risks.
