Dear Trashbox users, this smartphone, or rather the Samsung GALAXY Ace 2, fell into my hands at the end of May and I decided to make a review dedicated to this smartphone.
So let's start with the technical specifications:
- 3.8" TFT display with 480 x 800 pixel resolution
- dual-core processor ST-Ericsson NovaThorU8500 with a clock frequency of 800 MHz, video accelerator MALI-400MP (single-core)
- RAM 768 MB
- built-in memory 4 GB
- two cameras: 5MP main, 0.3MP front
- battery 1500 mAh
- communications USB 2.0 / Bluetooth 3.0+EDR / Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n+DLNA) / GPS (with a-GPS support)
- dimensions 118.3 x 62.2 x 10.5 mm
- weight 122 g
EQUIPMENT
Samsung GALAXY Ace 2 comes in a miniature white box. The box shows the smartphone itself, several Samsung logos, on the right side there is a short list of technical characteristics, on the left side we see the inscription Samsung GALAXY Ace2.
The device contents are standard: the smartphone itself, charger, headphones, microUSB cable, documentation, warranty card, screen cleaning cloth.
APPEARANCEThere is nothing special about the design of the Samsung GALAXY Ace2; it can easily be confused with the Samsung GALAXY Ace Plus or the Samsung GALAXY W, so let's not get hung up on the design.
The case material is plastic, the back cover material is corrugated surface.
On the front side there is a 3.8-inch display.
Below it there are two backlit touch buttons – “Back” and “Menu”, between them there is a mechanical oval “Home” button. A long press will launch the Application Manager.
Above the screen there is a proximity sensor, front camera, speaker, and Samsung inscription.
On the back side we see a 5MP camera, flash, speaker, and Samsung inscription.
On the right side there is an on/off button, which also functions as a phone lock.
On the left side there is a volume up/down button, just above the strap mount, and a slot for microSD memory cards.
At the top end we see a standard 3.5 mm audio output for headphones or a headset, a small recess, with the help of which we can remove the cover
At the bottom end there is a microUSB connector and a microphone.
Under the cover we will see a battery and a SIM card slot.
To give you an idea of the size of a smartphone
(Left to right: Samsung GALAXY Ace2, Nokia 5230, old Nokia) SCREEN
Samsung GALAXY Ace 2 is equipped with a 3.8-inch screen with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels (up to 10 simultaneous touches) and excellent sensitivity. The screen is quite bright, the pictures on it are very “juicy”. I also wanted to say about the viewing angles, they are maximum, the picture is not distorted at all, the colors are just as rich. The material of the wheelbarrow is glass. SYSTEM At the time of writing this review, Samsung GALAXY Ace 2 runs Google Android version 2.3.6. The shell is the same as in Samsung GALAXY S2 TouchWiz 4.0.
PERFORMANCE
Samsung GALAXY Ace2 is equipped with a dual-core ST-Ericsson NovaThor U8500 processor clocked at 800 MHz, and a MALI-400MP video accelerator, 768 MB of RAM, 4 GB of internal memory and a slot for microSD memory cards.
As for simple games like angry birds or cut the rope, they go great, besides these I tested
Samurai II
The technical specifications stated that the device has 4 GB of internal memory, but in fact only 1.1 GB is free. This means you won’t be able to play NFS: Most Wanted, Real Racing 3, GTA VC, of course this can be fixed, but you need to get Root rights, which means losing the warranty. I was only able to test the game Iron man3. During the gameplay, no lags or glitches were detected. The quality of the graphics can be seen in the screenshots below 
Benchmark testing results
Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.
Design
Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.
| Width Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 62.2 mm (millimeters) 6.22 cm (centimeters) 0.2 ft (feet) 2.45 in (inches) |
| Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 118.3 mm (millimeters) 11.83 cm (centimeters) 0.39 ft (feet) 4.66 in (inches) |
| Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement. | 10.5 mm (millimeters) 1.05 cm (centimeters) 0.03 ft (feet) 0.41 in (inches) |
| Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement. | 122 g (grams) 0.27 lbs 4.3 oz (ounces) |
| Volume The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. | 77.26 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 4.69 in³ (cubic inches) |
SIM card
The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.
Mobile networks
A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.
Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds
Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.
Operating system
An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.
SoC (System on Chip)
A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.
| SoC (System on Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components, such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation. | ST-Ericsson NovaThor U8500 |
| Technological process Information about the technological process by which the chip is manufactured. Nanometers measure half the distance between elements in the processor. | 45 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor (CPU) The primary function of a mobile device's processor (CPU) is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications. | ARM Cortex-A9 |
| Processor size The size (in bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of the registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have higher performance compared to 32-bit processors, which in turn are more powerful than 16-bit processors. | 32 bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture Instructions are commands with which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute. | ARMv7 |
| Number of processor cores The processor core executes software instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed in parallel. | 2 |
| CPU clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in terms of cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 800 MHz (megahertz) |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphics applications. In mobile devices, it is most often used by games, consumer interfaces, video applications, etc. | ARM Mali-400 MP1 |
| Number of GPU cores Like a CPU, a GPU is made up of several working parts called cores. They handle graphics calculations for various applications. | 1 |
| Amount of random access memory (RAM) Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. Data stored in RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted. | 768 MB (megabytes) |
| Type of random access memory (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device. | LPDDR2 |
Built-in memory
Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.
Memory cards
Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.
Screen
The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.
| Type/technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the quality of the information image directly depends. | PLS |
| Diagonal For mobile devices, screen size is expressed by the length of its diagonal, measured in inches. | 3.8 in (inches) 96.52 mm (millimeters) 9.65 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate screen width | 1.96 in (inches) 49.66 mm (millimeters) 4.97 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate screen height | 3.26 in (inches) 82.77 mm (millimeters) 8.28 cm (centimeters) |
| Aspect Ratio The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side | 1.667:1 5:3 |
| Permission Screen resolution shows the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. Higher resolution means clearer image detail. | 480 x 800 pixels |
| Pixel Density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be displayed on the screen with clearer detail. | 246 ppi (pixels per inch) 96 ppcm (pixels per centimeter) |
| Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors that the screen can display. | 24 bit 16777216 flowers |
| Screen area Approximate percentage of screen area occupied by the screen on the front of the device. | 56.04% (percent) |
| Other characteristics Information about other screen features and characteristics. | Capacitive Multi-touch |
Sensors
Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.
Rear camera
The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on its back panel and may be combined with one or more secondary cameras.
| Svetlosila F-stop (also known as aperture, aperture, or f-number) is a measure of the size of a lens's aperture, which determines the amount of light entering the sensor. The lower the f-number, the larger the aperture and the more light reaches the sensor. Typically the f-number is specified to correspond to the maximum possible aperture of the aperture. | f/2.8 |
| Flash type The rear (rear) cameras of mobile devices mainly use LED flashes. They can be configured with one, two or more light sources and vary in shape. | LED |
| Image Resolution One of the main characteristics of cameras is resolution. It represents the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in an image. For convenience, smartphone manufacturers often list resolution in megapixels, indicating the approximate number of pixels in millions. | 2592 x 1944 pixels 5.04 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum video resolution that the camera can record. | 1280 x 720 pixels 0.92 MP (megapixels) |
| Video recording speed (frame rate) Information about the maximum recording speed (frames per second, fps) supported by the camera at maximum resolution. Some of the most basic video recording speeds are 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps. | 30fps (frames per second) |
| Characteristics Information about additional software and hardware features of the rear (rear) camera. | Autofocus Continuous shooting Geographical tags Panoramic photography Touch Focus Scene Selection Mode |
Front-camera
Smartphones have one or more front cameras of various designs - a pop-up camera, a rotating camera, a cutout or hole in the display, an under-display camera.
Audio
Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.
Radio
The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.
Location determination
Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.
WiFi
Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.
| Version There are several versions of Bluetooth, with each subsequent one improving communication speed, coverage, and making devices easier to discover and connect. Information about the Bluetooth version of the device. | 3.0 |
| Characteristics Bluetooth uses different profiles and protocols that provide faster data transfer, energy savings, improved device discovery, etc. Some of these profiles and protocols that the device supports are shown here. | A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) AVCTP (Audio/Video Control Transport Protocol) AVDTP (Audio/Video Distribution Transport Protocol) AVRCP (Audio/Visual Remote Control Profile) GAVDP (Generic Audio/Video Distribution Profile) GAP (Generic Access Profile) HFP (Hands-Free Profile) HID (Human Interface Profile) HSP (Headset Profile) MAP (Message Access Profile) OPP (Object Push Profile) PBAP/PAB (Phone Book Access Profile) SPP (Serial Port Protocol) SDP (Service Discovery Protocol) |
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.
Headphone jack
This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Connecting devices
Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.
Browser
A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.
Video file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.
Battery
Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.
| Capacity A battery's capacity indicates the maximum charge it can hold, measured in milliamp-hours. | 1500 mAh (milliamp-hours) |
| Type The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more precisely, the chemicals used. There are different types of batteries, with lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries being the most commonly used batteries in mobile devices. | Li-Ion (Lithium-ion) |
| 2G talk time 2G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 2G network. | 16 hours 20 minutes 16.3 h (hours) 979.8 min (minutes) 0.7 days |
| 2G latency 2G standby time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 2G network. | 670 h (hours) 40200 min (minutes) 27.9 days |
| 3G talk time 3G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 3G network. | 7 hours 30 minutes 7.5 h (hours) 450 min (minutes) 0.3 days |
| 3G latency 3G standby time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 3G network. | 640 h (hours) 38400 min (minutes) 26.7 days |
| Characteristics Information about some additional characteristics of the device's battery. | Removable |
In February 2011, the Samsung Galaxy smartphone family was replenished with a new mid-price device - Ace. Despite the mediocre technical content, the communicator quickly gained popularity. For a not too high price, a consumer could get a functional device with the current version of the Google Android operating system, which also resembles an iPhone 4 from afar. The model is still selling well: in almost a year and a half, the price has decreased almost twice.
The need for a successor to the Samsung Galaxy Ace arose at the end of 2011. Right after 2012 arrived, Ace Plus was announced. The new model marked progress in almost all technical aspects: display diagonal, amount of RAM, processor type and frequency. But the new product was prevented from becoming an undisputed bestseller not only by the archaic screen resolution, but also by severe internal competition. The unbridled growth of the Galaxy family and not always thoughtful positioning led to the fact that sometimes a more powerful model was sold at almost the same price as an outright average one.
Finally, Samsung decided to fully continue the Galaxy Ace line. Already in February, the Ace 2 was officially announced, and in June the mobile device reached Russian retail. Will it become one of the most notable models in the mid-priced smartphone market, like the first Ace, or will it go virtually unnoticed, like the Ace Plus?
⇡ About APPEARANCE
Frankly speaking, describing the appearance of budget Samsung smartphones is a thankless task. The Korean company's mobile devices are similar, like 0.5 and 1.5 liter mineral water bottles: only the size differs. There are rare exceptions, but the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 is not that case. We could replace the photos of the device with images of the Ace Plus, and it's unlikely that anyone would notice the catch.
But even against the backdrop of the frankly boring design of the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2, there are no complaints about its appearance. All the classic controls and design elements are present here: a hardware Home button with a chrome edge, two touch-sensitive keys for back and context menu on the sides, a durable metal speaker mesh and a shiny bezel around the entire front panel. This description can be used for all Samsung smartphones from Galaxy Pocket to Galaxy S III.
The back cover of the smartphone is made of unpainted matte plastic. Its surface is not as grippy as the first Ace, but the fine notch pattern hides at least some of the fingerprints. There are no complaints about the assembly: uniform minimal gaps everywhere, the body does not creak even when compressed and twisted.
⇡ About SCREEN
Finally, a phone in the Galaxy Ace family has a screen with an acceptable resolution for 2012 - 800 by 480 pixels. Along with it, the diagonal has also increased to 3.8 inches. The pixel density is 246 ppi. Not 326, like Apple's Retina iPhone 4, but significantly higher than the 165 dpi of the original Galaxy Ace. If we take into account the device’s not very large diagonal and its budget positioning, the resolution is quite sufficient.
The matrix belongs to the TFT family; it is made using the new PLS (Plane-to-Line Switching) technology developed by Samsung. In terms of production method and consumer qualities, such a display is close to the beloved IPS. In practice, this means that the record brightness and contrast of Super AMOLED is not inherent in the new type of screen. But many will be pleased with the natural color rendition, the absence of PenTile and large viewing angles. At maximum brightness, information remains readable even in bright sunlight.
It was not possible to put an end to the dispute about the use of Gorilla Glass in the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2. It is not mentioned in the lists of official characteristics; there is also no mention of it on the Corning website about the new smartphone. Samsung official representatives in different countries give opposite answers. One thing is clear: glass is used here and it is scratch resistant.
⇡ About the INTERIOR
Samsung has finally started installing dual-core processors in smartphones in the lower price group. The Galaxy Ace 2 uses the NOVATHOR U8500 model from ST-Ericsson. It is based on an ARM Cortex-A9 with two cores and an ARMv7 processor instruction set. The chip is made using a 45 nm process technology. The nominal clock frequency of the U8500 is 1 GHz, but in the new device from the Korean company it is reduced to 800 MHz. The same processor is used in more expensive smartphones, for example, in the Samsung Galaxy S Advance and Sony Xperia P, so the “stone” can be considered a plus of the Ace 2 in absentia.
The system-on-chip includes a Mali 400 graphics accelerator. Fans of 3D Android action games began to get a little shiver: exactly the same GPU can be found in yesterday’s flagship of the Koreans, Galaxy S II! But don’t rush to rejoice: in the top “Galaxy” the video chip is equipped with four cores, here - only one. The new smartphone also carries 768 MB of RAM and 4 GB of internal memory. To expand the volume, there is a slot for microSD cards.
| Specifications Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 GT-I8160 | |
|---|---|
| Screen | TFT, 3.8 inches 800x480, capacitive |
| CPU | ST-Ericsson NOVATHOR U8500 800 MHz + Mali 400 |
| Memory | 768 MB RAM 4 GB built-in + microSD |
| Wireless network | EDGE (850/900/1800/1900)/HSDPA (900/2100) Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n A-GPS+ GLONASS Bluetooth 3.0 |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, digital compass |
| Camera | Main: 5 MP, LED flash Video recording up to 720p@30 fps |
| Battery | 1500 mAh/5.55 Wh |
| Dimensions, mm | 62.2x118.3x10.5 |
| Weight, g | 122 |
⇡ About POWER
Since the second Galaxy Ace received significantly improved hardware, we can expect a significant increase in performance. Synthetic tests partly confirm this: a good level of “raw” computing power can be noted in the Linpack tests. And the newcomer performed well in Nenamark 2: despite the significantly increased screen resolution compared to Ace Plus, here the number of frames per second is higher. But the browser benchmarks SunSpider and Rightware BrowserMark disappointed: in the second, the new “Ace” manages to be inferior even to Ace Plus, and in comparison with more powerful competitors, the result is completely disastrous.
In reality, there are no complaints about the performance of the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2. The standard TouchWiz 4.0 interface spins quickly and smoothly. As far as Android itself allows it. Yes, and sites in the standard browser load quickly, and the limit of a maximum of eight tabs does not even allow you to completely fill the device’s RAM. Thanks to the good “Asu” graphics chip, it can handle games that are very demanding on hardware. The only thing that can stand in the way of conquering new three-dimensional heights is Samsung's software quirk, which appeared recently and is carefully selected from model to model: the phone understands the device's own memory as microSD, and the real card is disguised as the external_sd folder. Naturally, game manufacturers do not know about such a tricky feature, so the large cache does not fit on the built-in 4 GB, of which only 1.1 GB is allocated to the user. This problem can be solved, but using an unofficial method.
⇡ About the BATTERY
In moderate use, Ace 2 can be counted on for one and a half to two days of operation on a single charge. If you load your smartphone to its fullest, then the day will seem like a marathon with a trajectory close to the map of sockets at home, at work, at school and in the car. Everything is quite standard for a modern Android device - at least without any obvious failure.
But in AnTuTu Tester, testing the battery for stress resistance showed the best qualities of the smartphone: despite the average 1500 mAh for the market, Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 scored 732 points. From the initial 97% to 16% at maximum brightness and full processor load, the battery reduced its charge in 4 hours and 5 minutes. Bravo!
⇡ About COMMUNICATION
The GSM module works without significant complaints, but you shouldn’t expect unexpected results from it either: the quality of communication decreases where the average competitor also has difficulty receiving a signal. There were no issues with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
In open areas, the GPS Test utility finds up to 15-18 satellites in a matter of seconds, allowing you to determine coordinates with an accuracy of up to six meters. Without the help of a mobile connection, the device takes more time to achieve the same result, but still copes with the task relatively quickly.
⇡ About the CAMERA
The Korean company tried to provide the camera of the new budget phone with the maximum number of additional settings and modes. The interface cannot be called too friendly, but there is an opportunity to properly customize it for yourself - it’s convenient. There is focusing by pressing the screen. It sometimes works thoughtfully, but this allows you to achieve good accuracy: in good lighting there are few mistakes in most modes.
A matrix with a resolution of 5 megapixels, which has become the de facto standard for the budget-mass segment, allows you to take pictures of acceptable quality. The main condition is good lighting. However, even in the dark, automation cannot increase light sensitivity beyond the ISO 400 threshold, which avoids a terrible pixel mess. In a word, the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 takes photographs acceptable, and for an inexpensive solution on Android it is quite confident. However, the phone often makes mistakes with the placement of colors; some bright objects can turn into one big spot. Sometimes white balance is determined incorrectly in automatic mode. The smartphone also has a front camera with VGA resolution for video calls.
The maximum video recording quality is 720p at 30 frames per second. In 2012, even inexpensive smartphones can demand full 1080p.
⇡ About SOFT
The Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 comes with Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread installed from the factory; there are no official updates for the smartphone. There are persistent rumors that soon owners of the new product will be able to install Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, but Samsung has not given any official confirmation. With the interface, everything is quite ordinary - TouchWiz 4.0, known from the army of Korean devices produced in 2011.
⇡ About OUTPUT
A year and a half has passed since the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy Ace. The device remained popular for a long time thanks to a good balance between characteristics and price. The Ace Plus, released in 2012, at first glance seemed like a much-anticipated evolution, but the weak screen and unclear positioning did not allow the model to repeat the success of its predecessor. But Ace 2 is more balanced: it has a nice screen, a modern dual-core processor, and a sufficient amount of RAM. The price will decide everything.
The recommended retail price of Galaxy Ace 2 is 11,990 rubles. But today, with some persistence, you can find it for 10,700, and some time ago the smartphone was officially sold in a large chain store for 9,690 rubles. Against this background, the average price tag of 9,700-9,900 rubles for the Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus definitely does not look attractive. In addition, buying a Galaxy W, which is slightly inferior to the Galaxy Ace 2 in a number of parameters, for 12,500 rubles becomes clearly unprofitable. Among the closest competitors, it is difficult not to mention the Sony Xperia sola. This is an almost complete technical analogue of the hero of our review, for which it is not a shame to pay 13,000 rubles.
Would we recommend the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 for purchase? The device has no significant technical flaws, but still does not have support for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which can be considered its main disadvantage. If you are not tired of the constant design of Korean smartphones, and the proprietary TouchWiz 4.0 shell does not cause rejection, then there is no reason to refuse to buy Ace 2. This also applies to the owners of the first Ace: you can safely exchange it for the next successor.
The exterior of the new product will not surprise the advanced gadget lover. The shapes reveal the features of another popular middle-class smartphone - the Samsung Galaxy W. We will not discuss the design from the point of view of originality, there is nothing to catch the eye, and the general features of the model are nothing more than traditional. However, the device does not evoke negative emotions, and mass-produced products rarely get spectacular contours. If the flagship Galaxy S III did not come out of the designer’s pen as the most original, then it remains to be said about the more modest version. The dimensions of the gadget are chosen to be as comfortable as possible; the smartphone is medium in size, so it will appeal to both adults and children. You can carry it with you in any clothes, it does not burden your pockets. The dimensions are: 118.3 x 62.3 x 10.5 mm, weight 118 g.
The front surface is covered with a fiberglass layer that protects the 3.8-inch display. Above the display there is a proximity sensor, a camera for video calls and a speaker slot. In this case, a PLS matrix with a resolution of 480 x 800 is used. The display is made using capacitive technology, and 5-point multi-touch operates. The display is attractive with rich colors and fairly good viewing angles. The picture is bright and juicy, 16 million shades are displayed. In the sun, the screen fades, but remains readable, but for this you will have to set the maximum brightness in the menu. The model does not have a light sensor, and therefore will not be able to adapt to changing lighting conditions. A proximity sensor is responsible for locking the screen during a call; the built-in accelerometer allows you to adjust the data on the display depending on the position of the device in space. For unknown reasons, the smartphone lacks a sensor for automatic brightness adjustment. Therefore, you have to change this parameter manually in some cases. At the bottom there is a single mechanical button to return to the main screen. On either side of it are two touch keys: Menu and Back. They have sufficient area for error-free clicks and comfortable use. In the menu you can set the milky white backlight time. The backlight is activated when touched; the rest of the time, only markings indicating the purpose of the buttons are visible.
The 3.5 mm headphone jack is located at the top end. A standard microUSB port is located at the bottom, and there is also a microphone hole located here.
There are buttons on both sides: on the left side there is a volume rocker, and on the right side there is a power key. The buttons have a soft stroke and are convenient for everyday use. Also on the right is a compartment for microSD memory cards, closed with a special plug.
The back of the device is made of standard plastic with a barely noticeable texture. The surface is distinguished by the fact that it allows you to confidently hold your smartphone in your hand without fear of either dropping the device or scratching it. At the same time, various types of fingerprints and other traces from everyday use of the device are excluded. In the center there is a 5-megapixel camera lens, next to which there is a flash and a speaker.
Software features
The smartphone uses the Touch Wiz 4 shell. Getting to know the device begins with the lock screen. The time and date are displayed there, as well as information about unattended events. They can be messages or calls. By pulling one of the shortcuts, you can immediately go to the call or SMS log. To unlock the screen, you need to slide the translucent layer in any direction.
Above the main screen there is a status bar that promptly notifies you of various actions using visual icons. The drop-down menu consists of a string that combines 5 clear characters. This is to disable the wireless module, sound, GPS and auto-rotate screen. All display space is reserved for widgets and auxiliary elements. These include folders and application shortcuts. There are 7 zones allocated for them, each allowing you to place several widgets. Of course, size also plays a role: sometimes a beautiful virtual detail takes up the entire screen. At the bottom there is a line of 4 icons that you can set at your discretion.
To add new items to the screen, you can hold your finger on the display for a few seconds, after which the auxiliary menu will open at the bottom of the screen. It is called in another way, through a function key. Here you need to choose what exactly you want to replace or supplement. Widgets are displayed in one line of 4 icons, which must be scrolled to access new ones. There are not only standard ones for Android, but also branded ones from Samsung. If you wish, you can replenish the assortment of widgets through the Samsung Apps application.
Not only static wallpapers from Samsung are used as background images, but also animated background pictures that colorfully highlight the bright colors of the display. Fans of laconic design can remove unnecessary details at their discretion. The menu has become a little stricter. This is all thanks to the lack of a multi-colored outline for the icons, which not everyone liked. Instead of a boring black background, the background is a translucent pattern of the main screen. The icons are ordered by name, arranged in a 4x4 matrix on three zones. They scroll cyclically with a simple finger movement to the side. You can display all the data in a single list or arrange it as you wish. Icons are transferred to folders that everyone creates independently, dividing icons into groups.
The built-in accelerometer not only allows you to change the position of data on the display, but also supports gesture control. By turning your smartphone screen down, you can interrupt music playback or turn off the ringtone of an incoming call. Holding the Menu button will open a list of running applications.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2:: Review:: Phone book and call service
To dial a number, large keys are used, where only Latin characters are printed. This suggests that automatic search of names from the phone book in Russian is impossible. However, the smartphone can analyze the order of the entered numbers and show the appropriate numbers. To some extent, this compensates for the limitation of the search system. The call list combines the history of not only telephone conversations, but also includes messages. All data is displayed in a long list, which is divided by day. Calls to the same number are not grouped, so the list of numbers becomes unnecessarily long.
The picture assigned to the contact is displayed on the left. On the same line the name of the caller is indicated, as well as his number. A clear icon displays the type of call: incoming, outgoing or missed. By selecting one of the items in the list, an additional window will open, which will display the complete history of calls to a specific number, indicating the time and date. From here you can add a number to your phone book, creating a new contact or adding to an existing one. The blacklist function will eliminate unnecessary calls.
There is a tab with a separate list of the most needed numbers, which are highlighted in the Favorites group. It includes not only contacts added by the user independently, but also the most frequently used numbers. This list is generated automatically.
The phone book is presented as a list that allows you to store an unlimited number of contacts in the device’s memory. It is complemented by kinetic scrolling, as well as a quick search bar. By touching it with your finger, it is easy to select the desired letter of the alphabet and select the desired recipient. When viewing information about a contact, you can see not only the general data that is assigned to it, but also some additional information. These include the history of calls and messages, as well as correspondence on social networks. By swiping to the left, you can send a message to a contact; a similar swipe to the right will allow you to make calls directly from this menu without performing any additional actions.
A new contact automatically receives many fields that will allow you to save the most complete information about the subscriber. The first step is to select memory for storing data. It can be a SIM card, the phone itself, or Google account data, without which using the device is impossible in principle. Here you can find speed dials for 8 numbers, as well as several ways to organize names. The operating system settings allow you to select the necessary contacts for display, hiding the unnecessary ones.
As for the information itself that can be entered, it is as follows. First name, patronymic, surname, family prefix, nominal suffix, phonetic name, phonetic patronymic, phonetic surname
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2:: Review:: Organizer, office
An animated gallery is used to view photos and other images. Here all contents are divided into folders, if they were originally created on the memory card or in the device itself. Pictures are transferred from the phone in various ways, including MMS and email, you can use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Uploading to various social networks is provided. The gallery operates not only in portrait, but also in landscape view. There is a built-in photo editor that will help you make a collage, crop a frame, or make additional changes to it.
When creating a new alarm, you can select the days to be triggered again, the volume of the melody, and the type of notification: a combination of sound and vibration. In addition, there is an interesting pre-tone function, which is accompanied by one of six pleasant audio effects. Sets the period during which the alarm will sound until it is turned off.
The calendar displays scheduled events for a month, a week, a day, or a general list. Here the weekday is indicated in white, Saturday is indicated in blue, and Sunday is highlighted in red. The week number of the year is highlighted on the left. The current date is highlighted with a blue cursor. If you point it at the day where an event will take place, information about it will be displayed at the bottom of the display. When you create a new calendar entry, it is assigned various information: date, time, location, participants, recurrence period, reminder, and description. In the application settings, the default view and the first day of the week are set. In addition, the type of notification for various events changes.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2:: Review:: Tasks
Various kinds of reminders are entered in this section, which is designed in the form of a leather diary. Enter the name of the task, its deadline, priority, reminder and a text note with additional data. The list is organized by several categories, including: due date, status, priority.
Mini Diary can combine images, geotags and text into small notes. Here you can see the date the post was created, the tag assigned to it, and the photo is the assigned picture. Simple text entries are added to notes. They can then be sent in various ways to other devices.
The calculator turns out to be not as simple as it seems. If you turn the phone on its side, an additional panel with various mathematical functions will open on the screen.
To clarify the weather forecast, there is a built-in application that will predict weather conditions for a week in advance. Another tab in this program opens the news feed headlines menu. By clicking on one of them, a browser opens where you can read the entire content of the article.
Viewing various types of documents on the large screen of a smartphone is very convenient. As an aid, Polaris Office is used, which opens files of various types. In addition to viewing the contents of the file system, the application allows you to edit them.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2:: Review:: Communications
The smartphone supports 2G (850/900/1800/1900) and 3G (900/2100) networks. Speed HSDPA – up to 14.4 Mbit/s, HSUPA – up to 5.76 Mbit/s.
The Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n wireless module works well, no failures were noticed. The device remembers passwords and automatically connects to networks if it is within their range. Works with WEP/WPA/WPA2 encrypted networks. To synchronize with a computer, not only the USB 2.0 protocol is used, but also a wireless connection via Wi-Fi through the Kies application. The Allshare app allows you to share content over Wi-Fi. Bluetooth 3.0 with EDR and A2DP support ensures stable data transmission. The smartphone can work as an access point for other devices. At the same time, we can note the presence of a front camera, which will become one of the aids for communication.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2:: Review:: GPS
To determine coordinates on the ground, Google Maps is used, which receive regular updates and an increasing number of functions. The first launch takes no more than 2 minutes, subsequently this task will require even less time - about 20-30 seconds. A feature of the program is the need to download data, which affects traffic consumption. At the same time, maps can display the traffic situation, displaying information about street congestion. The application is capable of calculating driving directions in various ways.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2:: Review:: Browser
The application for viewing network resources has full support for Adobe Flash technology, which allows you to view videos and listen to music directly in the browser, as well as see banners on Internet portals. As befits a modern communicator, it supports simultaneous operation with several windows. Moreover, you can open an additional tab either through the functional menu or with a simple pinch, pulling the page from different sides to the center. This action only emphasizes the convenience of using multi-touch, which makes it easier to scale data on the screen. Separate bookmarks highlight the history of viewed pages and a list of resources saved in memory. You can download data directly through the browser, saving files in the smartphone's memory. An additional menu with settings will help optimize your experience when viewing pages. The screen diagonal is sufficient for comfortable Internet surfing, and the high speed of the device will not upset the owner when working with the global network.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2:: Review:: Camera
The smartphone has two cameras. The first is located on the front side, it will allow you to make video calls and take self-portraits. The main 5-megapixel module is located on the back. The application is launched exclusively from the menu; a separate key would obviously not be superfluous. The screen serves as a viewfinder, only small areas on the sides perform functional functions. There is a shutter button and various auxiliary icons. A separate lever allows you to switch between photo and video shooting. The interface adapts depending on the position of the smartphone; it can be either vertical or horizontal.
The following settings are available:
Video settings:
In order to evaluate the quality of shooting, you can look at examples. The smartphone takes good pictures, the resume regarding shooting will be extremely positive. Galaxy Ace 2 produces exactly the results that we would like to get from a device with a declared 5-megapixel module without any shortcomings. I liked the camera's quality of color rendering; objects look vibrant and natural.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2:: Review:: Applications
Additional software is installed through Google Play or the Samsung Apps store. We receive a huge assortment of different kinds of programs, among which there are both free versions and those that need to be purchased in order to use the full version of the application. The content is divided into categories, among which a group of previously purchased utilities stands out. This helps you immediately find previously purchased software for your smartphone. There are built-in stores for purchasing music and games. Accordingly, they are called Music Hub, Game Hub.
The file browser will show the folder structure, allow you to create new directories and help you perform various operations with files. You can delete, copy, and organize in a variety of ways. Viewing content posted on YouTube is possible thanks to the application of the same name.
Voice control makes working with the device easier to some extent. However, the smartphone only recognizes English. Thus, a lot of functions are carried out: you can get directions, type a message or turn off the player. You need to press a button, the smartphone will record the command, after which you need to confirm the action. The device will then carry out the verbal command given to it.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2:: Review:: Multimedia capabilities
The music player has retained its division into categories. Among them there are tabs with albums, artists, playlists and a general list of all songs. In this case, a separate menu is responsible for the categories displayed on the screen, which allows you to select only the most necessary ones.
The general list of tracks displays the cover assigned to the album, the title of the song itself, and the name of the artist. The search bar will allow you to quickly navigate through the extensive music library and find the tunes you need. Once you start listening to music, a large album cover will appear on the screen. Above it is information, including information about the author of the track, the album and its title. The button on the left allows you to enable 5.1 sound emulation, and the right one is responsible for calling up the volume control scale. In addition, the sound level is changed using individual keys on the side of the smartphone. At the bottom there is a scale indicating the duration of song playback. The shuffle and repeat mode is immediately activated. It is enabled for both one song and the entire album. The three highlighted keys at the bottom are responsible for controlling the player. These are standard rewind and pause buttons.
Directly from the player, you can set a melody as a signal or transfer it in various ways. From here you can start streaming music to wireless headphones. In addition, it is quite simple to create playlists here. The equalizer allows you to use the following settings: normal, pop, rock, jazz, dance, dance, classical, live sound. There is a manual settings mode. Sound effects allow you to simulate the environment: normal, wide range, concert hall, music clarity, bass boost, externalization. The proprietary shell allows you to open the player control menu even when the screen is locked, eliminating the need to unlock the screen.
The sound quality is at an average level; even when using expensive headphones, the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 will not be able to please an audiophile with excellent sound. From the point of view of the mass consumer, the audio path in the model deserves approval; the smartphone should appeal to most buyers.
The FM receiver stores more than 30 stations in the smartphone’s memory and has RDS support, displaying a variety of information on the screen during the broadcast. The auto search function will simplify the process of filling out cells. There is a line on the screen where the most popular and favorite frequencies are stored, which are added there during the listening process. The timer function will allow you to fall asleep listening to your favorite wave, and controlling the radio when the screen is locked is completely similar to the player. There is also a function for switching between stations.
The voice recorder allows you to record data into the memory of the phone itself or onto a card. In this case, you can limit the file size to send it via MMS.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2:: Review:: Video
Thanks to support for XviD and DivX codecs, it is convenient to watch movies here without the need for conversion. The vast majority of tested videos in AVI and MKV launched without problems. The only limitation will be the file system, which will not allow you to copy videos larger than 4 GB, which excludes viewing “heavy” HD videos. The smartphone remembers the place where playback stopped. Thus, allowing you to watch several different films in turn without having to rewind to the desired point.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2:: Review:: Hardware capabilities
The phone runs Android version 2.3.6. The dual-core NovaThor 8500 processor with a frequency of 800 MHz and 768 MB of RAM provide the smartphone with normal operating speed. The user has 4 GB of internal memory available to store application data. Traditionally, the volume can be increased by installing a microSD memory card; media with a capacity of up to 32 GB are supported. We hope that the manufacturer will not forget about this device and in the future will update it to Android Ice Cream Sandwich, giving users the latest version of the software.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2:: Review:: Impressions and conclusions
The capacity of the included lithium-ion battery is 1500 mAh. Up to 670 minutes of talk time and up to 16 hours of standby time are stated. On average, you need to charge your phone once a day. Like other Android devices, it is quickly depleted in data transfer mode, that is, when mobile Internet is needed. If you do not use social networks and occasionally go online, the battery capacity will last for one and a half or even two days.
The speaker is good and loud, allowing you to communicate calmly in various conditions. The vibration alert is average in strength and is not felt in all cases. The ringing speaker is not the loudest, but most often the melody can be heard normally.
Sales started at 12,000 rubles. This is a good offer for those who choose a functional smartphone for themselves, but are not ready to overpay. Most of the popular functions are implemented in a high-quality manner: camera, video viewing, performance at a decent level, the Galaxy Ace 2 will please its owner. A somewhat mediocre design in a simple shell, however, may not appeal to everyone, in which case you can pay attention to the Sony Xperia Sola or HTC One V, which will become its main rivals.
Currently, Samsung has a wide range of models in the middle class. This will include the Galaxy W, Galaxy S Plus, Galaxy Ace 2, Galaxy R and Galaxy S Advance. Not every manufacturer can offer such an assortment. Among these devices, Galaxy Ace 2 turns out to be the latest smartphone, and with a very attractive price tag. We strongly recommend that you take a closer look at this device; it is worthy of attention and will be an excellent purchase for your money.
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The new smartphone was announced in February at Mobile World Congress. The device is intended to be the successor to the Galaxy Ace, which is no longer able to compete with more modern devices. Samsung has increased the performance of this phone and also increased the screen diagonal size.
Samsung did not change traditions and made the body of the new smartphone in the form of a plastic candy bar. The smartphone body has an excellent build, which is indicated by the absence of backlashes and creaks during operation. It is also worth noting the ergonomics of the case and the pleasant sensations created by the material when you hold the phone in your hand.
The size of the device is 118.3x62.2x10.5 mm, and the weight is 122 g.
Processor and OS
The smartphone uses the NovaThor U8500 chipset with a dual-core processor clocked at 800 MHz, which, according to the manufacturer, should increase the performance of the new product compared to its predecessor Samsung Galaxy Ace, which had a single-core processor.
Now let's move on to the operating system: the device operates on Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread OS, which allows you to perfectly control your smartphone.
Memory
Samsung apparently decided to save a little on RAM and not bring it up to the standard 1 GB, so the RAM in the smartphone is only 768 MB.
The internal flash memory is also not a lot - 4 GB, but it can be expanded by 32 GB.
Screen
Manufactured using PLS TFT technology, has a diagonal size of 3.8 inches and a resolution of 800x480 pixels. Color rendition is 16 million colors. It is worth noting that the result is quite a budget display, which has its drawbacks. For example, it seemed to us that the screen did not convey the full brightness of the image.
Camera
The phone has a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and autofocus. This camera allows you to take photographs with a maximum resolution of 2592x1944 pixels.
It is also worth noting that it is possible to record HD video at 30 frames/second, which is quite good.
There is a VGA camera for video communication.
Communication and multimedia capabilities
The device supports Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi, GPRS interfaces. Communications with other devices can also be carried out via the USB 2.0 interface.
The device has a pre-installed audio and video player.
Battery
The smartphone has a Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 1500 mAh, which corresponds to the budget of this device.
Price
SmartphoneSamsungGalaxyAce 2 video review:
