Samsung Galaxy S II 4G I9100M Comprehensive Review and Insights

Overview of Samsung Galaxy S II 4G I9100M

The Samsung Galaxy S II 4G I9100M, announced and released in July 2011, is part of Samsung’s popular Galaxy series of smartphones. Although it was officially discontinued, it remains a notable device in the evolution of smartphones, known for its variety of features that were quite advanced for its time.

Design and Build

The Galaxy S II 4G I9100M features a sleek design, measuring 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm and weighing just 116 grams. This compact size coupled with a weight of only 4.09 ounces makes it easy to handle and carry. The device utilizes a Mini-SIM and boasts a sturdy construction with Corning Gorilla Glass for added screen protection.

Display

This device sports a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, providing vibrant colors and deep contrasts. The screen resolution is 480 x 800 pixels with a 5:3 aspect ratio and approximately 217 ppi pixel density, ensuring clear and crisp visuals, ideal for multimedia consumption and general use.

Hardware and Performance

Powered by the Exynos 4210 Dual chipset, the Galaxy S II 4G I9100M features a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU alongside a Mali-400MP4 GPU. With 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, it supports microSDHC, allowing users to expand storage for apps, music, and other media. The device's hardware capabilities were truly cutting-edge at the time of its release.

Camera

The main camera of this device is an 8 MP shooter with an aperture of f/2.6, autofocus capabilities, and an LED flash. It can record video in 1080p at 30fps, quite impressive during its time. The selfie camera features a 2 MP lens, sufficient for video calls and simple self-portraits. These specifications made it a strong contender for photography enthusiasts in the smartphone industry back then.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 1700 mAh battery, the Galaxy S II 4G offers reasonable battery performance. The device could last up to 372 hours on standby (2G) or 610 hours (3G). The talk time lasted up to 6 hours on 2G and 8.5 hours on 3G, comparable to other devices released during the same era.

Network and Connectivity

Supporting GSM and HSPA networks, it covers 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100/1800). The device handles speeds up to HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps. It comes with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 3.0, A2DP, aptX and GPS with A-GPS. It also features microUSB 2.0 with MHL TV-out and OTG support, enhancing connectivity options.

Software and Features

The Galaxy S II 4G I9100M shipped with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Samsung utilized its TouchWiz user interface for an enriched user experience. For sensors, it includes the accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass. These features provided an intuitive experience for smartphone users during its active years.

Sound and Miscellaneous

For audio, the Galaxy S II 4G I9100M includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, a standard in many smartphones back in 2011, yet appreciated by audiophiles for personal listening. Released in black, it was known to have been constructed with quality in mind. Although it had no built-in radio, this was no major issue for users at the time.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy S II 4G I9100M was a significant player in the early era of smartphones, blending advanced technology with user-friendly design. Although it is now discontinued, it holds a place in the history of mobile technology development as a pioneering device during its peak.