Category Archives: Samsung Galaxy S II

Samsung to Use 1.5GHz Dual-Core Qualcomm CPU in T-Mobile Galaxy S II

Posted by on September 13, 2011 No comments

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According to the folks running the @GalaxySsupport Twitter handle, the dual-core processor replacing the Exynos chipset for T-Mobile’s Samsung Galaxy S II is the 1.5GHz Qualcomm APQ8060. Understanding that you can’t always trust the person on the other end of a big company’s social media account to be in possession of all the facts, the revelation makes sense. Samsung has kept a lid on information regarding the processor to be found in the Galaxy S II variant, perhaps in favor of promoting their own Exynos platform for the time being, but compatibility with a Qualcomm modem tuned for T-Mobile’s 42Mbps HSPA+ network may have been the deciding factor.

You will note that the APQ8060 was the processor to be rumored to be powering the Samsung Hercules the device that evolved into the 4.5-inch Galaxy S II.

[Twitter via TechCrunch]

Samsung Galaxy S II Monitors New Ford Electric E-Bike Concept

Posted by on September 13, 2011 1 comment

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First it was the Nike Mags and now this — the Ford E-Bike Concept. I think it’s safe to say, the future has finally arrived. This Android powered hybrid electric bike packs an electric motor built into the front wheel delivering up to 25 km/h maximum speeds on a 9.2Ah battery. If you’re still living in last century, you can also pedal the old fashioned way but really, why bother? The device you see in between the handle bars is a Samsung Galaxy S II installed with some specialized apps, effectively allowing you to change the bike’s suspension, keep an eye on your battery charge and use our favorite Google apps like Navigation (Gmail is not recommended). So when will this Android powered cycle go into mass production? Well, probably never. But it’s awfully purty, isn’t it? Now where’s my damn hoverboard?

[Via Engadget]

Samsung Galaxy S II GPU Clocks in at Nearly 2x the Competition

Posted by on September 12, 2011 No comments

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Samsung’s Galaxy S II flagship was put through its paces by AnandTech, and the results should have T-Mobile customers feeling a bit snubbed by a lack of an Exynos processor in the carrier’s upcoming version of the handset. Benchmarks found that the CPU’s accompnaying Mali-400 quad-core GPU performs at nearly twice the speed of any any other Android device. That includes not only smartphones, but tablets as well.

The Galaxy S II scored a 42.5 on the GLBenchmark 2.1 scale. For a bit of perspective, the Samsung Infuse 4G scores a 25.5 on the same test, while the Galaxy Tab 10.1 scores a 20.8. The iPad 2 trumps all with an 85.7. The full report can be found over at the source link below.

[via AnandTech]

No Exynos Processor for T-Mobile’s Samsung Galaxy S II

Posted by on September 12, 2011 No comments

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While Sprint and AT&T’s variants of the Samsung Galaxy S II will retain the Exynos processor found in the international version of the phone, T-Mobile’s will not. Samsung’s marketing manager Philip Berne confirmed that the 1.2GHz dual-core CPU made in-house by the manufacturer of the Android smartphone would not carry over to the handset, but didn’t do much to shed light on which processor could replace it. While NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 chipset seems an obvious choice, speculation is now centered on Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon APQ8060. The chip was most recently seen powering the now discontinued HP TouchPad. While Samsung has placed orders for NVIDIA’s quad-core Tegra 3 CPUs, don’t expect to see the processor in T-Mobile’s Galaxy S II.

[via Electronista]

AT&T’s Samsung Galaxy S II Sign-Up Page Now Live

Posted by on September 10, 2011 No comments

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In case you missed it, the sign-up page for the Samsung Galaxy S II is now live on AT&T’s website. Keep in mind this is not the pre-order page but merely the page where you can sign-up and get notified on things… like when the pre-orders begin. It’s like the shirt before the shirt — ahhh forget it.

[Via AT&T]

Samsung Galaxy S II Makes its U.S. Debut on Alaska’s GCI, Priced at $100

Posted by on September 9, 2011 No comments

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Sorry, Sprint, but you were a bit too slow. Alaska’s regional GCI has beaten the nationwide carrier to market as the first U.S. carrier to offer a subsidized Samsung Galaxy S II. Those citizens residing in the colder of the two non-contiguous United States have the pleasure of heading out and picking up what looks to be an unadulterated version of the Galaxy S II for a mere $99.99 on contract. The GSII operates on GCI’s “4G” HSPA+ network and features a dual-core CPU, Super AMOLED Plus display, and more. We suppose with an asterisk Sprint can still be the first carrier to release the Galaxy S II in the continental US, right?

[GCI via Engadget]

Galaxy S II to Feature NFC on T-Mobile and AT&T, Epic 4G Touch Lacking

Posted by on August 31, 2011 No comments

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Engadget has confirmed that the handset will launch with NFC support. Both kernel drivers and an APK for NFC support were located, and the handset was found to run in NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format) mode. This means the AT&T version of Samsung’s popular handset will join T-Mobile’s (as revealed by FCC filings) as part of the mobile payments revolution. At the launch event for the devices an AT&T representative confided to us that their version of the phone would launch with a unique feature, could they have been referring to NFC?

Left on the outside is Sprint’s Samsung Epic 4G Touch Their Galaxy S II variant was found to lack NFC. Also noted was the presence of the same WiMAX radio as that found in the Nexus S 4G Let’s hope WiMAX connectivity issues don’t carry over.

[via Engadget]

Official: Samsung Galaxy S II Announced for AT&T

Posted by on August 30, 2011 No comments

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It was announced today at a New York City press event hosted by Samsung that AT&T would join T-Mobile and Samsung in offering the highly-anticipated Galaxy S II smartphone. The device will largely mirror the international version of the phone, which debuted last sprint. It sports a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, and an 8MP camera capable of 1080p video capture. The phone is compatible with AT&T’s HSPA+ network.

While a naming scheme similar to that used for the Samsung Captivate was not announced (the AT&T S II has been rumored to go under the name Attain), it is still possible we will learn of a new carrier branding closer to launch. For now, the device is merely listed as coming in the next few weeks. Pricing details are not known at this time.

AT&T and Samsung Unveil the Nation’s Thinnest 4G Smartphone. Again!
Samsung Galaxy S™ II Powers the Fastest Smartphone to Date for AT&T Customers with a Dual-core 1.2 GHz Processor

Dallas, Texas, August 30, 2011
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Key Facts

AT&T’s Samsung Galaxy S™ II, the nation’s thinnest 4G smartphone at 8.89mm at its thinnest, will be sold in AT&T* company-owned retail stores and online in the coming weeks.
This new smartphone features the Android Gingerbread (2.3.4) platform, a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED™ Plus display, dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, Motion UX sensors and 8 MP camera.
HDMI-output at 1080p resolution lets customers rent or purchase movies and TV shows from the Samsung Media Hub and view on a television.
Customer Benefits

The AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II is designed to give customers a powerful, premium Android smartphone experience in a pocket-friendly design that is the thinnest of all Galaxy S II smartphones and the thinnest 4G smartphone on the market. A powerful dual-core 1.2 GHz processor offers customers smooth gaming and accelerates multitasking between browsing, sending email or watching video.

With an incredibly colorful 4.3" Super AMOLED Plus display, the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II delivers 50 percent more sub-pixels than the previous generation display for better contrast. The display also offers unmatched outdoor viewing quality, even in the brightest sunlight. This newest smartphone also captures sharp photos with the 8MP camera with flash and records videos in stunning high profile 1080p HD quality. An additional 2MP front-facing camera gives you the power to connect with your friends and family face-to-face via video chat with preloaded Qik™ Lite over Wi-Fi.

The AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II enables customers to output 1080p video to a HDTV using the an HDTV smart adapter (sold separately). The device also features next generation Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth technology, Voice Talk from Vlingo™ that enables voice-powered social updates, messaging, email, search and voice dialing, Motion UX sensors to mute incoming calls by simply turning the device over and business-friendly features such as Virtual Private Network (VPN) support, Quickoffice® and Exchange ActiveSync®.

Samsung Features

The Galaxy S II features Samsung’s TouchWiz® user interface, providing superior multi-tasking and customization for an enhanced visual and intuitive smartphone experience. Live Panel features provide immediate access to weather, social updates, email, news and photos, which can all be customized on any one of the seven home screens. All of the Samsung widgets can be positioned and re-sized to create unique home screens and one-touch access to the services and apps each individual uses the most. The Notifications Panel allows one touch access to a separate menu for managing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and Flight Mode settings.

Samsung Media Hub puts thousands of hit movies and next-day TV shows at your fingertips, ready to rent or buy and watch instantly with progressive downloads. Kies Air allows your PC to wirelessly sync with your Galaxy S II when they are on the same Wi-Fi network. This allows you to view call logs, videos, photos, bookmarks and IMs, plus send messages from your PC. With Samsung Social Hub, synchronize and better organize all of your online contacts by streamlining your email, SMS, IM and SNS information into one unified box.

Quotes

"The nation’s thinnest 4G smartphone is designed in every way to give AT&T customers a superb mobile entertainment experience," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "With a vibrant screen, high-definition possibilities and faster processing speeds, Samsung Galaxy S II is the latest addition to the industry’s leading smartphone portfolio."

"The Galaxy S II, powered by a dual core application processor, paired with AT&T’s advanced 4G network, gives users fast download speeds along with a premium multi-tasking experience," said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile. "We are proud to bring our fastest selling smartphone in the world to AT&T customers, packaging it in the nation’s thinnest 4G smartphone."

AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II Specifications

  • 4G - HSPA+
  • Android (2.3 Gingerbread)
  • GSM Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900MHz)
  • UMTS Tri-band( 850/1900/2100MHz)
  • Screen: 4.3" Super AMOLED Plus
  • Processor: 1.2Ghz x 2 (dual core)
  • Camera: 8MP AF with LED flash + 2MP front
  • Video Record: 1080p Full HD
  • HDMI Out: HDMI via HDTV Smart Adapter with HDCP
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0
  • Battery: 1650mAh
  • Sensor: Motion UX, 6-axis gyroscope, proximity, light, noise (Audience A2220)

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

Important Information: Limited-time offer. Mobile broadband coverage and other coverage not available in all areas. See coverage map at store for details. Two year agreement with qualifying voice plan and a minimum $15 a month smartphone data plan required. Subscriber must live and have a mailing address within AT&T’s owned wireless network coverage area. Up to $36 activation fee applies. Equipment price and availability may vary by market and may not be available from independent retailers. Early Termination Fee: None if cancelled in the first 30 days, but up to $35 restocking fee may apply to returns; thereafter up to $325. Some agents impose additional fees. Other conditions and restrictions apply. See contract for details. Sales tax calculated based on price of unactivated equipment.

Official: T-Mobile’s Samsung Galaxy S II Is Announced

Posted by on August 30, 2011 No comments

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We’ve just received a press release from T-Mobile announcing their upcoming Samsung Galaxy S II. Details were vague with a release date of “this fall” and no official name for the device (possibly just Galaxy S II?). There’s was definitely no mention of the “Hercules” moniker we’ve known as the device for months now. Details we can confirm are a monster sized 4.5-inch SAMOLED Plus display, 1.2 Ghz Exynos processor, 8MP camera with 1080p video recording, 2MP front facing camera 16GB of internal storage and support for T-Mobile’s 4G network, although we still don’t know if this device will be taking advantage of T-Mobile’s faster 42Mbps HSPA+ data speeds when it’s released.

So there you have it. Other than a bigger screen and slightly modified curvier design, this is pretty much the standard Galaxy S II fare that most of us have been waiting 6 months for. A few things are still left up in the air but providing there are no extra surprises, is this Galaxy S II finally worth the wait?

T-Mobile Statement: Galaxy S II (Aug. 30)

T-Mobile USA, Inc. is pleased to announce the upcoming availability of the Samsung Galaxy S™ II at        T-Mobile this fall. Featuring a brilliant 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus touch screen - one of the largest screens available on a Galaxy S II device - T-Mobile’s Galaxy S II promises to keep customers entertained and connected while on the go. We look forward to sharing more information in the coming weeks.

Watch Samsung’s Galaxy S II Event Live at 6:30PM EDT

Posted by on August 30, 2011 No comments

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Samsung is set to kick off their US unveiling of the Galaxy S II line in a matter of moments. We’ll be there live providing a first look at newly revealed devices, but you can witness the announcements yourself via a live webstream of the event. Tune in to Samsung’s stream at 6:30PM EDT.

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