HTC Sensation v Samsung Galaxy S2

bubblesmoney

see comparison reviews http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_sensation_vs_galaxy_sii_vs_optimus_2x-review-608.php

http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/HTC-Sensation-vs-Samsung-Galaxy-S-II_id2766

http://blog.gsmarena.com/htc-sensation-vs-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-comparison-table/

http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/htc-sensation-vs-iphone-4-vs-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-942788

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/htc-sensation-vs-samsung-galaxy-s-2-vs-lg-optimus-2x-vs-motorola-atrix-50003481/

http://pocketnow.com/android/htc-sensation-vs-samsung-galaxy-s-2

http://www.androidauthority.com/htc-sensation-vs-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-flagship-superphone-fight-14017/

http://newyork.ibtimes.com/articles/164901/20110617/htc-sensation-4g-samsung-galaxy-s2-comparison-smartphone.htm

also see http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s2-930907/review

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s2/344398-samsung-galaxy-s2-vs-htc-sensation.html

Dont forget to see the SGS2 reviews on gsmarena and phonearena websites.

HTC = total ram memory 768mb , Available 558mb , free after clear memory 185mb.
GS2 = total ram memory 1024mb, Available 837mb ,free after clear memory 558mb.
The Samsung GS2 has over 3 x as much free ram memory as the HTC Sensation.

also see the gsmarena and phone arena reviews of the SGS2.

Personally I think the SGS2 beats the !!!! out of the HTC sensation, mainly because of the internal memory available (think of how many times you get the low memory alert on your desire like I do. The sensation has less internal memory available for apps than a year old samsung galaxy s forget the samsung galaxy s2), USB on the go feature which is invaluable for directly connecting other equipment like usb memory sticks and other gadgets etc. http://blog.clove.co.uk/2011/05/12/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-gt-i9100-usb-otg-democonnect-a-hard-drive-to-your-samsung-galaxy-s-ii/ Dont forget to watch the video on the link. You can connect external hard disk via powered usb hub, or keyboard, mouse etc! this killer feature beats the !!!! out of the sensation.

You will have to buy the samsung MHL and usb on the go cables separately though.

speaker, audio, gaming, basically anything media related better on sgs2 http://blog.clove.co.uk/2011/07/12/htc-sensation-review-vs-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-entertainment-media-gaming-browsing/

http://blog.clove.co.uk/2011/07/06/htc-sensation-review-vs-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-video-playback-shootout/ See the video for the difference.

also better contrast, update history of the manufacturers (the desire still cant get the gingerbread update unless you get the RRU even then it is a stripped down version but the samsung galaxy s which was released around the same time already has gingerbread and probably is capable of getting icecream sandwich too, so scrimping on hardware by HTc affects future update. Like i said earlier the internal memory available for app on the sensation is lower than a year old samsung galaxy s forget the SGS2).

Also the screen viewing angle, sunlight visibility and contrast is better on the SGS2, see http://www.geekanoids.co.uk/reviews/2011/6/6/samsung-galaxy-s2-vs-htc-sensation-vs-iphone-4-screen-compar.html.

Audio and video codecs support, camera better on the SGS2.

The exynos chip on the sgs2 performs better in benchmarks that the one on the sensation.

On the Mobile radio the SGS2 come with a lot of options when compared to the HTC. The SGS2 has HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 frequencies whilst the HTC only supports 900 / 1700 / 2100 frequencies on their 4G version.

Where the SGS2 shines is in the radio speed on 3G - HSDPA, 21 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps while the HTC is only HSDPA 14.4 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps. http://www.raajmenon.com/2011/06/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-vs-htc-sensation-shootout/

The HTC has an LED which can be used for notifications such as SMS, emails etc whilst the SGS2 does not have such a feature. Phone Vibration on the HTC is better.

Heavy users find the ram inadequate on the sensation compared to the sgs2. see explanation on the clove tech blog. http://blog.clove.co.uk/2011/07/04/htc-sensation-review-vs-samsung-galaxy-sii-round-one-initial-impressions-build-quality-screen-benchmarks/ Please note that clove is a HTc ultimate partner!

Many other things on both the phones will be down to personal preference including the sense or touchwiz interface. Personally after having 2 desire phones I will buy the SGS2 soon unless a better phone comes out soon.

there are issues with connectivity on the sensation. The so called flimsy backside of the sgs2 is actually very sturdy, see youtube videos of it being bent deliberately on itself but it doesnt break.

jforrest

The SII is definitely the technically superior phone, with a better screen, more RAM, a better camera, better graphics unit etc etc.

When I bought my desire HD I chose it purely on the grounds of it being technically advanced, I was set on the device before I had checked it out in person. Fortunately it's a great device and I am very pleased with it, but I now believe that phones are a much more subjective sort of purchase. The DHD lacks that premium hardware feel that I love in other phones, such as the iPhone 4 and Nokia N8.

That said I was impressed by the SII's build quality (very light device, yet very solid. Feels high-tech). Equally, the Sensations' Sense 3.0 software has some fantastic animations and details, which made Samsung's UI seem a little 'cold'.

I now reckon buying a phone is a bit like buying a car

Alison_B

Not_a_Newbie wrote: »

Thanks franklally, like most on here, I'm not sure I could part with £400+ to buy the phone. I know it works out much more expensive over the term, but still.

Going to try and pop into town next weekend and have a good look at them both.

My son was after the HTC Sensation and someone on here kindly posted about this deal. Go to mobiles.co.uk and then go to the exclusive deals on the right hand side. You need the Talkmoible deals button. For some reason the link is not working.

12 months @ £30 = £360 plus £70 for the phone - Total £430. That worked out cheaper for his calls etc for the year plus phone than he was looking at for the phone alone.

itsdavid

Same choice for me, went for the galaxy and in general it is excellent BUT
Poor battery life and trying to work the voice commands is a nightmare, no support from Samsung UK.

However overall I still love the phone, hope that helps

:beer:

rodenal

I have the galaxy s2, my friend has a sensation - both excellent phones. If you like sense on your desire then I don't see any reason not to take the sensation as it'll feel instantly comfortable.

In saying that touch wiz on the galaxy is fine, I came from a desire and the only thing I had to change was the keyboard. Assuming you'll root eventually anyway there isn't much between the phones other than the screen, which to me is no big deal really. I just got a better offer on the S2 than I could on the sensation.

Oh and the S2 has 16gb internal memory, with my 16gb card it's more than I'll ever need, can't rememvber the memory spec of sensation but I had loads of storage issues on the desire before I rooted it.

Not_a_Newbie

Topper1900 wrote: »

However unless you really need a new phone now I would wait a month or so as it is rumoured the SG2 will be upgraded to include NFC and also a possible boost in processor speed, once the iphone 5 appears.

No don't especially need a new phone, more want one as my contract is coming to an end, and I usually upgrade.

Not sure what you mean my NFC?

Not_a_Newbie

bubblesmoney wrote: »

Many other things on both the phones will be down to personal preference including the sense or touchwiz interface. Personally after having 2 desire phones I will buy the SGS2 soon unless a better phone comes out soon.

there are issues with connectivity on the sensation. The so called flimsy backside of the sgs2 is actually very sturdy, see youtube videos of it being bent deliberately on itself but it doesnt break.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. As usual with your posts, I'm afraid alot of the techie stuff you have mentioned has gone right over my head. Unfortunately I'm just a lowly accountant who only knows about macros and spreadsheets...:o

Yes, the memory thing is very annoying with the desire.

I'll have a look at the links that you have suggested.

To be honest, and I'm ashamed to say, that apart from Angry Birds I don't play any other games on my Desire. So the gaming thing wont really make that much difference to me.

Also, as the battery on my Desire is poor, I tend to use my Ipod for music, don't have any music on my phone at all.

I think the HTC Sense will be the biggest thing I will miss if I go for the SG2. Is the touchwiz a similar thing to the Sense?

I think the best thing for me to do is try and find a store that has them both working, like someone suggested in an earlier post.

Thanks again.:T

Not_a_Newbie

Thanks everyone else for responsding. I'm definately going to have a look at that contract Alison_B. Most of the contracts I have seen are for 24 months, which I'm not happy about.

rodenal

Touchwiz is quite similar in that you have multiple screens to fill with Widgets etc, it doesn't have the friendstream thing if you use that, i've always used individual apps for Facebook etc so never bothered me. It does have something called friends hub or social hub but it's crap basically

App drawer is very similar, browsing experience is much the same as is messaging. One thing you'll notice over the desire is the lack of a wait for things to open (except when unlocking)

As it uses the stock android mail app you can get Hotmail to push properly same with calendars etc if you sync them.

bubblesmoney

Not_a_Newbie wrote: »

Thanks everyone else for responsding. I'm definately going to have a look at that contract Alison_B. Most of the contracts I have seen are for 24 months, which I'm not happy about.

the SGS2 is also available on 12m contracts for about 30£ a month plus 119£ for the phone. see http://!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/samsung-i9100-galaxy-s-2.html#MobilePhoneTariffs (mobiles dot co dot uk slash samsung-i9100-galaxy-s-2.html#MobilePhoneTariffs) 400 mins, 1gb internet 12m contract on talkmobile which i 'think' is the vodafone network based company. Dont know how good they are though but I am looking at this deal too, but waiting a few days to see if the NFC enabled SGS2 gets released in september as rumoured, by NFC i mean http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communication . The nexus prime is due soon too. But new phones will keep getting released every month, so no point waiting endlessly.

you can see other accessories available for the sgs2 and further details here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S_II

You can install various launchers and get the sense like experience if you wish on the SGS2 too or better ones too.

Personally i got fed up of the low memory issues on the desire and will buy a phone with better hardware like on the sgs2. a few people i know bought the SGS2 and all are pleased with it.

the reviews seem to state the battery life on the sgs2 is better. if you want the sense experience then better to go for the htc evo 3d as the ram is better and the lag is not there as seen on the sensation in reviews but the memory issues will be the same as the sensation and neither will you see the usb on the go features. see the videos on the links i provided earlier, mainly see the gsmarena and phonearena and cloveuk videos. see the other reviews if you have time. If you need more tech details about the phone then check out anandtech website reviews.

see youtube video comparison reviews on both the phones.

look out for various mobile related deals on quidco and hotukdeals websites. dont bother looking for good deals on mse as the good ones like above mentioned deal gets filtered out by mse filters probably because it is not in the interests of this websites owners to show the actually good deals!!! so look for better deals on other websites and dont bank on finding any good mobile deals on MSE. Thats my impression seeing how the deals get filtered out automatically here now a days.