Is it a good buy? - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I am thinking of buying the Samsung Galaxy S II.
Is it a good buy?
What are the drawbacks/quirks?
How is battery life?
Are there good stable custom ROMs for it or are you still better of with stock?
Would I be better off buying something else? Any suggestions?

There are plenty of them already discussed with the same queries.
Please do a 'Search'.
Regards.

I did with virtual no filtering,probably 80% of existing threads show up in most of the searches.

Please, do search via google: xda "what-ever-you-need"
and you will get everything you want.

Click Samsung Galaxy S II I9100 Forum, Click Galaxy S II General, Scroll down, read thread, see many wonderful answered to all your questions.
I hear the Q&A section has loads of questions that have been answered, aint that great!
And the Original Dev section, wow, its full of custom roms, kernels and all other wonderful things!

MutantWizard said:
I am thinking of buying the Samsung Galaxy S II.
Is it a good buy?
What are the drawbacks/quirks?
How is battery life?
Are there good stable custom ROMs for it or are you still better of with stock?
Would I be better off buying something else? Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously need searching dude.
But, here's my take.
Good to buy
Battery last 12 hours for medium usage. Could you last longer or shorter depending on self
If you want an article of custom roms, check my siggy.
Definitely custom over stock.
Send from my 'iPhone Killer' Samsung Galaxy S II using Tapatalk

nicregi said:
Seriously need searching dude.
But, here's my take.
Good to buy
Battery last 12 hours for medium usage. Could you last longer or shorter depending on self
If you want an article of custom roms, check my siggy.
Definitely custom over stock.
Send from my 'iPhone Killer' Samsung Galaxy S II using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stupid ads pop up before i could read your guides. WTF. Nod32 even detected an attack. Forget it. Not clicking any of your links.

Related

[Q] Help! My galaxy s2(tmobile) is dead after flashing VillainRom 3.0?

Battery was fully charged when i did the process, all processes went thru fine then the phone just shut off and i can't turn back on, any ideas? appreciate the help
Can you get into recovery?
nope, no response from phone
cast466 said:
nope, no response from phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you do a full wipe of data and cache before flashing the rom?
Yes i did, but i found out what happened, the villain rom is not compatible with the tmobile version of the galaxy s2, don't know what to do now
cast466 said:
Yes i did, but i found out what happened, the villain rom is not compatible with the tmobile version of the galaxy s2, don't know what to do now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to carry it in under warranty (you know the drill ).
wait, WHAT?
some obscure thread is 'mentioning' that VillainRom is not compatible with Tmobile's GS2, oh and btw it bricked my phone and there's no blatant warning or any other mention of this on VillainRom's thread and download in here?
i bricked mine three days ago and up until NOW have been thinking it was something i did wrong. just happened across this thread as i was JUST ABOUT to run the thing again on my new GS2.
i can't believe the mods in XDAD are letting this go. damn. i'm glad i was looking around for some suggestions which led to this little comment.
)
Well considering that VR is in the Europe s2 section then user error is at fault if you have a T-Mobile or at&t they are different and the user should at least take the time to look at the forums present before flashing ROMs hence there is no need for Pulser or any other chef to note that its not compatible with XY&Z....
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
stylez said:
Well considering that VR is in the Europe s2 section then user error is at fault if you have a T-Mobile or at&t they are different and the user should at least take the time to look at the forums present before flashing ROMs hence there is no need for Pulser or any other chef to note that its not compatible with XY&Z....
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
except the many end up there from Google and don't even know that they're in the "Europe S2" section. i had no idea til just now.
simply saying some bolder warning might save a few people a very expensive phone. i found a couple others who'd made the same mistake - there are lots of NOOBS in the way of ROMS like myself who don't even know. your forum is HUGE, and there are MANY google results linking you. that's a LOT of NOOBS ...
a little warning would have saved our asses. T-Mobile saved mine, tho, so it's all ok.
There is a completely seperate forum for the Tmobile SGSII. When the SGSII, and probably that ROM came out there were no variations, just the European version. It is not up to a dev to save your phone, it is up to you to put in the time and research before deciding to mess with it.
glennnall said:
except the many end up there from Google and don't even know that they're in the "Europe S2" section. i had no idea til just now.
simply saying some bolder warning might save a few people a very expensive phone. i found a couple others who'd made the same mistake - there are lots of NOOBS in the way of ROMS like myself who don't even know. your forum is HUGE, and there are MANY google results linking you. that's a LOT of NOOBS ...
a little warning would have saved our asses. T-Mobile saved mine, tho, so it's all ok.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not our place to do your homework for you. This is what happens when people dont research before rewriting the OS on their phone. People are so fast to want to flash a custom rom before they even know what it is doing that this happens. Flashing a custom rom is not for everyone. If you cant put at least 20 hours into just reading up before you do it maybe you should rethink flashing a custom rom. Roms are not for the average person as they dont have the time to keep it up. I am all for custom roms but have come to understand that the "average" person has no business messing with the OS on their Phone
glennnall said:
except the many end up there from Google and don't even know that they're in the "Europe S2" section. i had no idea til just now.
simply saying some bolder warning might save a few people a very expensive phone. i found a couple others who'd made the same mistake - there are lots of NOOBS in the way of ROMS like myself who don't even know. your forum is HUGE, and there are MANY google results linking you. that's a LOT of NOOBS ...
a little warning would have saved our asses. T-Mobile saved mine, tho, so it's all ok.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you enter the world of pimping phones then the legwork to understand your device is down to user...
Coming from the days where not every kid with a gat "comedy value" had a smartphone I remember when the info was far less and smaller user base. "Yet have never flashed a wrong ROM or bricked a device"
If a user is prepared to flash there expensive smartphone without searching reading then its there fault.
After all there are disclaimers on pretty much all threads and XDA as general so as to stop anyone taking flak for user error.
_________________
Only just noticed you above Zel diffent avatar
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Odin flash a stock rom and your good to go
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
stylez said:
When you enter the world of pimping phones then the legwork to understand your device is down to user...
Coming from the days where not every kid with a gat "comedy value" had a smartphone I remember when the info was far less and smaller user base. "Yet have never flashed a wrong ROM or bricked a device"
If a user is prepared to flash there expensive smartphone without searching reading then its there fault.
After all there are disclaimers on pretty much all threads and XDA as general so as to stop anyone taking flak for user error.
_________________
Only just noticed you above Zel diffent avatar
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man hit up my email we need to chat. Yeah I swap it up. Now so I stay on topic as well lol. Please do your homework. We are not coming down on you to be mean. Stylez is right in what he says. when I started here there was like 2 roms for the device and the steps were far more complex. Stylez I am sure remembers lol I blew his pm up lol while doing my research with questions till I knew what I was doing. There was no flashing stock and returning the phone under warrenty which mind you breaks you warrenty. So please for the love of all things tech. Take the time and do the research.

Does the Galaxy Nexus now have the edge over the S2????

I am not asking this question based purely on the specs but more based on the specs and the world these phones live in. What i mean is, both are proven, good, reliable Android phones. But consider the price you would pay for an unlocked contract free handset on Ebay or somewhere. Availability off latest software and updates etc.
I was looking on Ebay UK and seems you could get a good example of either phone for around £250. Now i hate bloatware so rooting on the S2 is essential to remove any crap useless programmes.. stock market prices app as standard...!! do they think we are all rich stock market traders!!!
Galaxy Nexus is pretty much bloatware free and i actually now run the F1 Galaxy Nexus ROM on my S2 and i prefer it 5000% over any version of GB or ICS.
So seeing now that JellyBean 4.1 is available for Nexus phones and may/may not ever appear on the S2 and if it does it could take a while. Google Nexus phones seem to be getting their Google updates pretty much straight away, take these things into account....
Does anyone think the Nexus might currently have gained an edge over the S2, maybe even the S3 and the best Samsung Android phone currently available?
sferg.410 said:
Does the Galaxy Nexus now have the edge over the S2????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Testraindrop said:
No.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True !!
really... is that the intelligent replies that are going to be posted??? how disappointing...
well your worthless replies can be ignored seeing as you obviously couldn't be bothered to back up your answer with a few reasons why.
Worthless questions are doomed to get worthless answers. Specially when they are made in the wrong forum.
I think this beats both the Nexus & the S2.
(as the poster above me said, you deserve nonsensical answers because threads like this are stupid. They don't belong here. This isn't Sammobile or GSMArena).
eskostar said:
Worthless questions are doomed to get worthless answers. Specially when they are made in the wrong forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S2 General Forum and you say that is the wrong one... a forum for 'general' discussion about the S2 phone. i think asking a question like i have counts as general and i am an S2 owner so i am asking from the point of view of an S2 owner.
So which would be the correct forum oh mighty forum god????
I didn't know you had a learning disability, my apologies.
On top of the general forum you will find a sticky reading:
***QUESTIONS BELONG IN Q&A!***
But hey dude, keep fighting the good fight and ignoring guidelines and rules, after all the whole world is here to serve you!!!!!!!!!!!111111111111
Okay I will tell you what I think about. My suggestion is, that more and more people want the newest Google experience. So they want the Galaxy Nexus. It´s a good device, but it has not the power off the Galaxy S 3. But you must ask, is it be needed? I think not! You can have a good OS without much power. Look at windows phone single processor and 512 MB of RAM and not so bad performance in many cases.
Some little points are very imported you may miss. The GN has no FM-Radio, "only" a 5 MP Camera and no SD Slot. So everybody can choose what is imported for yourself.
One point I miss... Do we need a update each time?
Thread closed
This isn't going anywhere we need to go.

[Q] Custom ROMS

Hi guys, new to the forum and fairly new to android, I've got a galaxy s3 international version locked to the three network in the UK, I've been considering using a custom ROM but wanted to know your opinions?
Criteria for me are simple, I like the look of stock android so I want that or something similar, but I like the functionality of TouchWiz so would like to retain that if possible. The only other thing is the quick settings/toggles on the notification bar in TouchWiz, this is something I now cannot live without so it needs to have that or something similar (tbh i just like the auto rotate, wifi and brightness toggles).
Thanks in advance guys, look forward to your answers.
Chris.
Welcome to the forums. Always check the stickies before you post.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1935514
the best thing to do is to try different ROMs for yourself. Everyone has their own preference and no 2 rom set ups are exactly the same.
Cake_CYP said:
Hi guys, new to the forum and fairly new to android, I've got a galaxy s3 international version locked to the three network in the UK, I've been considering using a custom ROM but wanted to know your opinions?
Criteria for me are simple, I like the look of stock android so I want that or something similar, but I like the functionality of TouchWiz so would like to retain that if possible. The only other thing is the quick settings/toggles on the notification bar in TouchWiz, this is something I now cannot live without so it needs to have that or something similar (tbh i just like the auto rotate, wifi and brightness toggles).
Thanks in advance guys, look forward to your answers.
Chris.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Ms team rom....youll love it....lots of customization......
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Thanks for the advice, ill look into some roms and try a few out, another question i have though is whats the difference between the android development forum, and the original development forum?
Also in regards to checking the stickies about asking which rom is best I did not ask that, I simply asked for a recontamination from experianced users to help me find a rom which suited my specification, it wasnt as simple as which rom is the best, it was more of a "which rom can provide these features" kinda thing.
Thanks for the help though appreciate it, cant help but think how much better/faster my s3 will be without the samsung software
Cake_CYP said:
Thanks for the help though appreciate it, cant help but think how much better/faster my s3 will be without the samsung software
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will be much better. :highfive: I will be closing this though, as it will turn into a best rom thread and "who has more features" or "whose is more stable". Best thing to do is read up and try.

Completely new to rooting.

Hi all,
I am very fresh to this forum. Even though I got my account created in 2006 on this website I never used it.
All over the internet and the forums people mention about rooting the phones. I never really cared about rooting my phone out of the fear of bricking it. So I always put that option away. Now its serious time to learn it, as I am understanding the real benefits of it.
I own a Samsung Galaxy Note LTE SGH -i717D which is from the carrier Telus in Canada. How do I start of with rooting on this device? What is the latest version of Android available for this device for rooting? Are the custom ROMS really flawless?
Somebody please kindly help me get rid of the starting trouble I have.
Thanks all.
sumchans said:
Hi all,
I am very fresh to this forum. Even though I got my account created in 2006 on this website I never used it.
All over the internet and the forums people mention about rooting the phones. I never really cared about rooting my phone out of the fear of bricking it. So I always put that option away. Now its serious time to learn it, as I am understanding the real benefits of it.
I own a Samsung Galaxy Note LTE SGH -i717D which is from the carrier Telus in Canada. How do I start of with rooting on this device? What is the latest version of Android available for this device for rooting? Are the custom ROMS really flawless?
Somebody please kindly help me get rid of the starting trouble I have.
Thanks all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is where you need to start. Read all you can.. Good Luck.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1740367
☆ ★☆ ★Galaxy Note Super Everything Thread (I717) 13 Apr☆ ★☆ ★
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
http://rootgalaxynote.com/galaxy-no...y-note-sgh-i717-icsgingerbreadeasiest-method/
Sorry for the long link, but that's the link I've used both times rooting my phone. It works on both gb and ics. Hope this helps
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda app-developers app
k9time said:
This is where you need to start. Read all you can.. Good Luck.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1740367
☆ ★☆ ★Galaxy Note Super Everything Thread (I717) 13 Apr☆ ★☆ ★
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the best thread to learn about what's what and how to's!
Theoriginalgiga said:
http://rootgalaxynote.com/galaxy-no...y-note-sgh-i717-icsgingerbreadeasiest-method/
Sorry for the long link, but that's the link I've used both times rooting my phone. It works on both gb and ics. Hope this helps
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This has got to be the easiest method of rooting. It's what I've used on a few different phones and has never failed me!
Custom roms vary in stability. If they are based on source code they are going to be more stable than others. They will say "built from official source". Other roms can be just as stable depending on the developer and how much effort was put into the rom. You have to read the threads on the roms to compare issues if any, then pick the one you want to try.
The best advice I can give you is before you install or flash anything you verify it's for your device, and read the instructions at LEAST twice!
Welcome to xda ... I suggest you first read the xda rules. This is the general forum. Not for questions. There is a Q &A forum to ask questions in ... After searching.
That said ... Super everything thread is for you.
Sent from my Big Ass Outlaw Phone
Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and help issues go in Q&A
Thread moved
Thank you for your cooperation
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
Theoriginalgiga said:
http://rootgalaxynote.com/galaxy-no...y-note-sgh-i717-icsgingerbreadeasiest-method/
Sorry for the long link, but that's the link I've used both times rooting my phone. It works on both gb and ics. Hope this helps
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That link works basically for all i717's but the OP has a Canadian Note and it requires another step.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1775263
Agoattamer said:
That link works basically for all i717's but the OP has a Canadian Note and it requires another step.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1775263
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoa, that's freakin bizarre that it does an auto reinstall of the stock recovery. very creative.
Wow, Thanks to everybody who got involved. I didn't know that I had this many replies, I just got a notification for the first reply. Thanks a lot.
sumchans said:
Hi all,
I am very fresh to this forum. Even though I got my account created in 2006 on this website I never used it.
All over the internet and the forums people mention about rooting the phones. I never really cared about rooting my phone out of the fear of bricking it. So I always put that option away. Now its serious time to learn it, as I am understanding the real benefits of it.
I own a Samsung Galaxy Note LTE SGH -i717D which is from the carrier Telus in Canada. How do I start of with rooting on this device? What is the latest version of Android available for this device for rooting? Are the custom ROMS really flawless?
Somebody please kindly help me get rid of the starting trouble I have.
Thanks all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Admin, my intention isn't to hijack this thread. But I thought I'd ask prior to starting a new thread since I having the same concern, and before I get flamed. Please let me know which approach would be suitable to ask more questions while staying on topic.
I've been researching and reading tons of information everywhere. However I reached the conclusion that the more I read the more confusing it became. Whenever I thought I was ready to take the plunge, It's so overwhelming even figuring out what's current or what's outdated methods and files needed - I simply can't catch up without direct assistance.
OP: Thanks so much for starting this thread. For me, being a long time Android OS lover, yet entirely newbie when it comes to rooting jargons - I couldn't have said it any better - you took the words right out of my mouth!!!... The only tiny difference is that I have the SGH -i717R (Rogers).
lousk said:
Admin, my intention isn't to hijack this thread. But I thought I'd ask prior to starting a new thread, having the same concern, and before I get flamed at, I just want to be certain I'm not hijacking this thread. Before starting a new thread having the same concern, please let me know which way would be suitable to ask more questions on the same topic.
I've been researching and reading tons of information everywhere. However I reached the conclusion that the more I read the more confusing it became. Whenever I thought I was ready to take the plunge, It's so overwhelming even figuring out what's current or what's outdated methods and files needed - I simply can't catch up without direct assistance.
OP: Thanks so much for starting this thread. For me, being a long time Android OS lover, yet entirely newbie when it comes to rooting jargons - I couldn't have said it any better - you took the words right out of my mouth!!!... The only tiny difference is that I have the SGH -i717R (Rogers).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Lousk,
I know its really hard for a newbie to even think of where to start when it comes to rooting, because there are tons of information on rooting all over the internet and moreover confusion too. I learned it the hard way and I am glad to say now that I came out with flying colors. As with each official update, my device was getting totally sluggish, non responsive and out of all very little battery life. I couldn't stand this at all, one evening I sat on the internet, took the whole night before starting to do on anything with my device.
I didn't install any custom roms, but I rooted it which in turn helped me turn off a lot of services running in the background and also uninstall all the Samsung bloats, mainly the touchwiz. That thing is really resource hungry. Now my device is working at lightning speed and I have a feeling that it wont be obsolete in another 10 years.
I have all the files and also the instructions on rooting on my drive, unfortunately XDA is not allowing me to paste the link over here unless I have made 10 posts. They say it is just to prevent spams. If you are willing to give me your email id I can sent the link to you.
Go ahead and root your device to get the full potential of your unit.
Good luck,
Sumesh
sumchans said:
Hi Lousk,
I know its really hard for a newbie to even think of where to start when it comes to rooting, because there are tons of information on rooting all over the internet and moreover confusion too. I learned it the hard way and I am glad to say now that I came out with flying colors. As with each official update, my device was getting totally sluggish, non responsive and out of all very little battery life. I couldn't stand this at all, one evening I sat on the internet, took the whole night before starting to do on anything with my device.
I didn't install any custom roms, but I rooted it which in turn helped me turn off a lot of services running in the background and also uninstall all the Samsung bloats, mainly the touchwiz. That thing is really resource hungry. Now my device is working at lightning speed and I have a feeling that it wont be obsolete in another 10 years.
I have all the files and also the instructions on rooting on my drive, unfortunately XDA is not allowing me to paste the link over here unless I have made 10 posts. They say it is just to prevent spams. If you are willing to give me your email id I can sent the link to you.
Go ahead and root your device to get the full potential of your unit.
Good luck,
Sumesh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always copy/paste the link and remove the www. and .com then someone with more posts can repost it for ya.
Thanks 440bro,
drive.google/folderview?id=0B7ZJDVyHHL5bbjZMcHdwQmZRalE&usp=sharing
Add "https://" before drive & ".com" after google for this link to work.
sumchans said:
Thanks 440bro,
drive.google/folderview?id=0B7ZJDVyHHL5bbjZMcHdwQmZRalE&usp=sharing
Add "https://" before drive & ".com" after google for this link to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B7ZJDVyHHL5bbjZMcHdwQmZRalE&usp=sharing
440bro said:
No problem
Thanks again 440bro.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for your replies and links.
I'll follow up and let you know of the outcome or if I have additional question(s).
You guys are great!

new s3 user...

hello all,
i'm a new samsung user, just came over from "iphone hell"!!! i just wanted to know which are the better pages to read to understand how to root, and which roms are lighter, faster and provide better battery life?
btw, although i like all the information i see on this site, i HATE the idiotic image verification prompts, as most of the time you can't read what the letters are yourself!!!
stevae said:
hello all,
i'm a new samsung user, just came over from "iphone hell"!!! i just wanted to know which are the better pages to read to understand how to root, and which roms are lighter, faster and provide better battery life?
btw, although i like all the information i see on this site, i HATE the idiotic image verification prompts, as most of the time you can't read what the letters are yourself!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the Sticky collections & FAQ in the Q&A section, that will give you anything you should know before rooting. After that try out different roms, no one can answer you what is the best one (and btw it is not allowed to ask).
Man you should have bought the s4 cause it was just released a few days ago
stevae said:
hello all,
i'm a new samsung user, just came over from "iphone hell"!!! i just wanted to know which are the better pages to read to understand how to root, and which roms are lighter, faster and provide better battery life?
btw, although i like all the information i see on this site, i HATE the idiotic image verification prompts, as most of the time you can't read what the letters are yourself!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well.. i learned everything in google.. the more sources the better
also, there are guides in every forum you find here in XDA
WELCOME ABOARD!
Juhan Jufri said:
Man you should have bought the s4 cause it was just released a few days ago
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
truuuuedat
Juhan Jufri said:
Man you should have bought the s4 cause it was just released a few days ago
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people say that s4 isnt as strong as it seems to be...I mean s3 still kicks ass and s4 may be out of his budget

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