The smartphone landscape has changed dramatically. Let's take a trip down memory lane and pit the T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide, a pioneer of the Android era, against the Samsung Galaxy S II, a powerhouse that defined the early 2010s. This comparison will highlight how far mobile technology has come.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S II utterly dominates this comparison. Its dual-core processor, superior display, and significantly better camera offer a vastly improved user experience compared to the myTouch 3G Slide's single-core processor and dated features. It's a clear win for Samsung.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 1700 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, April. Released 2010, June | 2011, February. Released 2011, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 114 x 58 x 15 mm (4.49 x 2.28 x 0.59 in) | 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm (4.93 x 2.60 x 0.33 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 167 (5.89 oz) | 116 g (4.09 oz) |
| | Optical trackpad | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.4 inches, 34.4 cm2 (~52.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~63.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 65K colors | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | - | Exynos 4210 Dual |
| GPU | Adreno 130 | Mali-400MP4 |
| OS | Android 2.1 (Eclair), upgradable to 2.2 (Froyo) | Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 512MB RAM, 512MB | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3.2", AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 2 MP |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 3.0, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | - | Optional |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 286 h | Up to 710 h (2G) / Up to 610 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 40 min | Up to 18 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 8 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1300 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1650 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black, Red | Black, White, Pink |
| Models | - | GT-I9100, GT-I9100G, GT-I9100T |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | 0.75 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) | 0.16 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.34 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.4dB / Crosstalk -89.7dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 40h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.832:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide
- Compact form factor
- Slide-out QWERTY keyboard
- Early Android experience
- Slow performance
- Low-resolution display
- Poor camera quality
- Limited app support
Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II
- Fast performance
- Excellent Super AMOLED display
- Good camera
- Larger app ecosystem
- Longer battery life (relatively)
- Outdated software
- Security vulnerabilities
- Battery degradation over time
Display Comparison
The Galaxy S II boasts a Super AMOLED display with a significantly higher resolution and vibrant colors compared to the myTouch 3G Slide's smaller, less impressive screen. The contrast ratio, while nominally 'infinite' on both, translates to a much better viewing experience on the S II, especially in sunlight.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer photo and video capabilities, the Galaxy S II's camera is noticeably superior in terms of image quality, detail, and low-light performance. The myTouch 3G Slide's camera is adequate for basic snapshots, but the S II delivers a much more satisfying photography experience.
Performance
The Galaxy S II's dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 processor is a world apart from the myTouch 3G Slide's 600 MHz ARM 11. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and overall responsiveness is dramatically improved on the S II. The Slide struggles with even moderately demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both devices are reported to have an endurance rating of 40 hours, but the Galaxy S II's more efficient chipset and larger battery capacity likely translate to longer real-world usage. The myTouch 3G Slide's battery life was generally considered average for its time.
Buying Guide
The T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide is purely for nostalgia or collectors interested in early Android devices. The Samsung Galaxy S II, while old, is still usable for basic tasks and offers a far more enjoyable experience for anyone seeking a functional smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide worth anything today?
Primarily for collectors or those interested in early Android history. It's not a practical daily driver.
❓ Can I still find apps for the Samsung Galaxy S II?
Finding updated apps can be challenging due to its age and Android version. However, many core apps will still function.
❓ What are the main security concerns with using an older phone like the Galaxy S II?
Older phones often lack security updates, making them vulnerable to malware and exploits. Use caution when browsing or downloading apps.