smartphone

The Samsung Galaxy range of mobile smartphones seems to be growing all of the time and the latest addition to the family is the new Galaxy S Advance. Previously we took a look at screen technology and processing power on this device and looked at how it compared with the best selling Samsung Galaxy S2. This time we look at camera features on both of these models and also see how the models compare in terms of design.

The new Samsung Galaxy S Advance features an improved camera facility from the Galaxy S model that it is based on. Still photography quality is impressive and images can be captured at a resolution of 5 million pixels. As you would expect a wealth of additional features are available to help you capture the highest quality images possible. Auto focus will help ensure that there is minimal blur on any photos and the useful Smile Detection function will take the photograph the moment it detects people smiling. Thanks to the phone incorporating GPS all photographs can also have location details stored about where the snaps were taken. Despite the Galaxy S Advance offering a high quality camera feature the Samsung Galaxy S2 offers a little more in terms of quality in this area. An 8 mega pixel camera captures an incredible quality of image although many of the additional features are the same as can be found on the Advance model. Both handsets offer a secondary front facing camera which is ideal for video calls and both are also capable of capturing still images. The Galaxy S2 can record 2 mega pixel resolution from this camera while the Galaxy S Advance offers just 1.3 mega pixels.

One of the key areas on modern smartphones is design. A great looking device will always grab the customers attention while a more dated design will often be overlooked. The Galaxy range of devices are famous for their stylish looks and both of these handsets do not disappoint in this area. The Galaxy S Advance looks very similar similar to the original Galaxy S device. The handset measures 123.2 x 63 x 9.7mm which makes the phone one of the most compact currently available. At just 120 grammes in weight the model is also surprisingly lightweight considering it includes a 4 inch display. Although the Samsung Galaxy S2 includes a larger 4.3 inch screen the phone manages to weigh less than the Advance model at just 116 grammes. The model measures just 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5mm and is constructed from some very durable plastic. This black plastic gives the phone a very modern look which combines well with the curved corners of the phone to leave us with a device that may not win any awards for innovation but still looks superb.

The Samsung Galaxy S Advance is a superb addition to the Galaxy range and will strike a chord with consumers looking for great value for money. The Samsung Galaxy S2 is still the premium model in the range and offers superior camera features and excellent design despite its advancing age.

The Samsung Galaxy S2 is available now and the Samsung Galaxy S3 is coming soon.

Samsung are refreshing their 2012 range of models with two exciting new handsets that look destined to be a success with consumers. The new Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy S Advance both boast some superb features combined with modern styling. We take a look at the media facilities likely to be featured in these two models and also see how the two devices may compare in terms of design.

Although we have no official confirmation on the specification for the forthcoming Samsung Galaxy S3 rumours seem to suggest that we will see this model offering a high quality 12 mega pixel digital still camera. This feature is likely to be accompanied by a host of facilities that have become standard features on modern premium smartphones. Autofous will definitely be included as will a dual LED flash to help users achieve the best possible results in poor lighting conditions. Users will have the opportunity to add a geographical location tag on all images by utilising the GPS receiver that will be incorporated in the model. A high quality video capture feature will record footage in 1080P quality which is currently the maximum resolution that can be achieved. For video calls a secondary front facing camera will be featured and this is likely to also be able to record still photographs at a resolution of around 2 million pixels. Specification has been confirmed on the new Galaxy S Advance model. Still photographs are captured at 5 million pixel resolution which is considerably lower than what the S3 will offer but it is worth remembering that this model is pitched as a cheaper option for consumers who do not require the very latest technology. The usual array of extras are present including Face Detection and a powerful LED Flash. Video footage can be recorded at 720P quality which is technically classified as High Definition and the front facing camera can record 1.3 mega pixel still images.

With no official pictures yet released for the Samsung Galaxy S3 there is much speculation about the appearance of the device. One thing that we are certain of is that the model will be much slimmer than the Galaxy S2 that was released last year and that the model is also likely to be one of the slimmest phones on the market. Many reports suggest that the model will measure around 7mm in depth although the width and height measurements are likely to increase slightly due the larger screen set to be fitted in the model. Samsung favour the use of strengthened plastics on their devices so expect this type of material to be used once again which means that the handset will weigh a lot less than models that use heavier metallic materials. The Galaxy S Advance uses the same chassis as the Samsung Galaxy S which means that it offers a slim 9.7mm depth and weighs just 120 grammes. The black gloss finish looks modern and the minimal bezel that surrounds the display gives the device a very stylish and minimal appearance.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is the handset that many smartphone fans have been looking forward to but the Galaxy S Advance may strike a chord with consumers looking for great features at a more wallet friendly price.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is coming soon and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is available now.

Samsung are releasing yet another phone in their Galaxy range in the shape of the new Galaxy S Advance. This new model is designed to sit somewhere in the middle of their line up and offers some impressive specification. We take a look at how this new model compares with the Samsung Galaxy S2, the premium device which helped make the Galaxy range so famous.

When we take a look at the screen technology used on both of these models it is the Samsung Galaxy S2 that comes out on top. Despite being nearly one year older than the Galaxy Advance the model still manages to offer a display that can compete with the very latest technology. This 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Plus screen reproduces stunning colours and also offers user great viewing angles and superb legibility in sunlight. The screen can show a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels which means that the pixel density equates to 217 pixels per inch. The Galaxy S Advance uses a smaller 4 inch screen that can display the same 480 x 800 resolution as the S2. Unfortunately this model only incorporates a Super AMOLED screen which does not perform as well as the Plus variety on the Galaxy S2. The result of this is that the S2 manages to produce the crisper images although in fairness both models offer exceptional quality in this department.

There is also very little to choose between the two models when it comes to processing power but the Samsung Galaxy S2 once again outshines the Galaxy S Advance in this area. When the S2 was released in 2011 it boasted a chipset that was far superior to many rivals and even now the model still manages to shine. The model makes use of the superb Samsung Exynos chipset which includes a very fast 1.2Ghz ARM Cortex A9 dual core processor. Fans of mobile games will appreciate the superb Mali 400MP graphics processing unit that delivers a superb experience on games titles as well as movie playback. The Galaxy S Advance also uses a dual core ARM Cortex A9 processor but the power of the chip used on this model is slightly lower than the S2 at 1Ghz. The model uses the same graphics processing unit as the Galaxy S2. For a mid range phone the Advance is a very well equipped model but the extra power available on the S2 means that it offers slightly better performance.

For a mid range mobile phone the Galaxy S Advance is a great model that should prove a more pocket friendly alternative to the Samsung Galaxy S2. If you do not mind spending a little extra however the S2 still offers screen technology and performance to rival the majority of devices currently available.

The Samsung Galaxy S2 and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus are available now.

The range of modern smartphones available is increasing at a fast rate and many consumers who would have once opted for a feature phone are now finding themselves either owning or considering a smartphone. There are a number of smartphone operating systems available to choose from but the front runners are undoubtedly the Google Android service which offers excellent models such as the Samsung Galaxy S2 and the Apple iOS system which is used by the famous iPhone.

A new report reveals that first time smartphone buyers are favouring the Android platform over other formats such as iOS and Windows. According to market research firm NPD Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S2 dominated the market among first time buyers in Q4 of 2011 with a massive 53% share. Apple followed in second place with 34% which left the remaining 9% to be shared between alternative platforms. The gap between Android and Apple is much closer in terms of general smartphone sales but these figures for first time buyers may not come as a great surprise. Android is the platform used by major manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC and Motorola which means that consumers have a wide choice of devices from premium smartphones like the Galaxy S2 to smaller budget devices such as the HTC Desire S. Apple simply offer the new iPhone 4S or an older version which may be a reason while Android is currently dominating. In the US the Apple iPhone runs on three of the major network providers while Android phones run on all four which means potentially more customers also have access to one of these devices.

As we previously mentioned there is a massive selection of Android handsets available to tempt consumers who are looking to purchase their first smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy S2 is undoubtedly the most well known of these models. This handset is the flagship model in the exciting Galaxy range of models and went on to become the biggest selling phone of 2011. The device boasts a dual core processor to help it deliver a very fast operating speed while the gorgeous 4.3 inch Super AMOLED display looks fantastic. First time consumers however may not be looking for such high specification on their first purchase and a more simple option is the excellent HTC Explorer. This entry level phone boasts all of the connectivity options that users look for in a smartphone but in a compact design with more basic camera and video features. There are also a wealth of models that can be classed as mid range devices including the Samsung Galaxy R which is a more basic version of the Galaxy S2 and also the hugely popular HTC Desire S.

Although the gap between Android and Apple is decreasing in terms of general sales it is evident that Android is still the platform of choice for newcomers to the smartphone scene. Models such as the Samsung Galaxy S2 offer a multitude of great features but there are plenty of cheaper models available to suit all requirements.

The Samsung Galaxy S2 and the HTC Explorer are available now.

Recently we took a look at the iPhone 4S and how it could benefit users who were looking to use gym facilities or lose weight with a number of superb applications. We though that it would only be fair if we looked at some similar features available for the Samsung Galaxy S2, the device that became the best selling phone of 2011 and remains one of the most popular handsets on the market.

Many of the applications that we highlighted in our recent look at the iPhone 4S are also available for the Samsung Galaxy S2 so we will not look at these again as the functionality is identical on both devices. There are several superb applications available that can help S2 users reach their fitness goals. Everybody know that drinking plenty of water is vital for anybody who is looking to lose weight. The problem is that many of us do not consume the recommended levels so an excellent, simple new app is available to help in this area. Drinking Water is developed by Chickpin and is available for free form the Android marketplace. This simple software allows you to specify how many glasses of water you would like to drink per day and enables you to check them off as you consume them. When using this application the Galaxy S2 can also alert you when you are due another glass by activating an alarm. If you have been drinking too much alcohol and not enough water then the Beergut Fitness application lets you tell the phone how many drinks you have consumed and the device will then calculate how much walking, cycling or running you need to perform to work these calories off. The application is not designed to be a complete fitness plan but it is a very useful tool if you are feeling guilty about a night out or a few drinks at a restaurant.

If you are looking to use your Samsung Galaxy S2 as part of a more structured fitness regime there are some excellent applications available for users of all fitness levels. The excellent C25K application aims to take a beginner and have them comfortably running 5km within nine weeks. The software schedules a number of runs over the nine week period that increase in intensity each week. When you are jogging the software gives you audio alerts that tell you when to increase or decrease your pace. If you prefer to use the services of a gym then Jefit is a superb application for both newcomers and experienced gym users. This software tracks all of your repetitions and routines and generates a number of body statistics that inform you of what areas are benefiting most from your regime. Over 500 different exercises are included on the application which is available for free from the Android marketplace. If you opt to purchase the premium edition this will set you back £4.99 but it dispenses with adverts and also gives you access to a more detailed analysis of your workout.

Modern mobile phones are the perfect accessory for anybody who is looking to lose weight or keep fit and the Samsung Galaxy S2 is no exception. Whether you simply want to be more careful about what you eat or you want to build fitness levels by running or using a gym there are numerous excellent applications available to help you in this area.

The Samsung Galaxy S2 and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus are available now.