Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch Comprehensive Review & Details

Design and Build

The Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch is a visual and ergonomic treat, reflecting the engineering prowess of Samsung during its prime. Released in September 2011, the device featured dimensions of 130 x 70 x 10 mm, weighing in at a light 130 g. Its slim design made it an easy fit for the hand, a characteristic enhanced by its smooth curved edges and a matte-finish back panel that added to the grip for secure handling.

Display

The standout feature of the Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch is its expansive 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, protected with Corning Gorilla Glass. This screen technology was groundbreaking at its time, offering richer colors, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles compared to other displays of the era. With a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and a density of approximately 206 ppi, it provided clear and vibrant visuals, though it might seem less sharp by modern standards.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the device was powered by the Exynos 4210 Dual chipset, featuring a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU and Mali-400MP4 GPU. This combination was quite potent for 2011, offering seamless multitasking and gaming capabilities, albeit with some constraints given the 1GB RAM. However, the hardware provided a reasonably smooth experience for most applications available at the time.

Camera System

The Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch featured an 8 MP rear camera with an f/2.6 aperture and autofocus, capable of shooting 1080p videos at 30fps. The LED flash was a handy feature for low-light conditions. On the front, a 2 MP camera handled selfies and video calls, a standard specification for phones during this period. While imaging capabilities have substantially improved since then, at its time, it offered commendable quality for its class.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 1800 mAh battery, the device offered decent longevity. It supported up to 252 hours of standby time and up to 8 hours and 45 minutes of talk time. This flexibility in battery removal allowed users to carry spare batteries for extended usage, a feature much appreciated by power users.

Software and User Interface

Running on Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, the Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch featured Samsung's TouchWiz UI skin. While the OS appears dated today, back then, it offered a user-friendly interface with various customization options. Although it didn’t have the extensive feature set of later Android versions, it provided a smooth and functional experience for average smartphone tasks.

Network and Connectivity

The device supported CDMA/EVDO technology with bands for both 2G and 3G connectivity, achieving speeds up to EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps. This was satisfactory for browsing and some basic streaming tasks. The inclusion of WiMAX was an innovative feature, although WiMAX did not gain mainstream support and was quickly overshadowed by LTE. Other connectivity options included Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot functionality, and Bluetooth 3.0, rounding out a robust connection suite for its time.

Miscellaneous Features

Incorporating sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass sensor, the device supported various apps and games that relied on these inputs. The HTML browser, along with Adobe Flash support, provided a fuller browsing experience, even though Flash has since been phased out. Optional NFC support offered some early adoption of contactless technology, though it was not widely used in 2011.

Price and Value

At launch, the Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch was priced at around 130 EUR, offering significant value for technology enthusiasts seeking a powerful device at a competitive price. Available in classic black and white color options, it suited different style preferences.

Conclusion

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch stood out during its time for its vivid display, solid performance, and impressive design aesthetics. Even though advancements in technology have surpassed its capabilities, it remains a beloved relic that reflects the innovations and robust engineering Samsung was known for in the smartphone market.