Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 :: Review :: Design and features
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.
Design
The buyer will most likely not pay attention to the discreet Galaxy Ace 2 phone. The appearance of the device is quite classic for Samsung and is probably borrowed from the W model from the same series. Nowadays this design is more reminiscent of a “state employee”, but in 2012 this type of device was very respectable.
Korean craftsmen have made the Galaxy Ace 2 as convenient as possible. Adults and children will be equally comfortable working with the device. The phone doesn't try to slip out of your hand. The dimensions are small, which is quite expected from a device with a diagonal of 3.8 inches. Although for such a size the weight of 122 grams is daunting.
In addition to plastic, metal was also used in the case. Of course, there is not much of it, but it definitely affected the weight of the device. As with all Samsung products, there is no point in talking about the build quality. All parts fit perfectly, there are no creaks or gaps.
The design of the device will appeal to the buyer due to its simplicity, but it is not without its drawbacks. The smartphone is available in only one color option, namely black with a small silver edging. Of course, the designers' decision is quite typical for 2012, but I would like more.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 :: Review :: 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.
Graphics capabilities
The Galaxy Ace 2 uses a 3.8-inch TFT screen with a resolution of 480x800 pixels and displays 16 million colors. 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.
The display is made using capacitive technology and supports multi-touch mode. The screen is bright and contrasty, viewing angles are close to maximum.
The display fades a lot in the sun and the information is not easy to read.
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
- Phone: mobile, home, work, work fax, home fax, pager, other, number for Internet call.
- Email: work, home, mobile, other
- Chat: Google Talk, AIM, Windows Live, Yahoo!, Skype, QQ, ICQ, Jabber
- Group
- Ringtone
- Postal address: home, work, other
- Organization: worker, other
- Additional data: note, nickname, website, birthday, anniversary, image
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 :: Review :: Messages and Email
Incoming messages end up in a general list, which you can later open and monitor the entire communication dialogue. The device is equipped with several themes for the design of this section. The name of the SMS sender and the time of receipt are indicated. The assigned picture is also displayed. Text is added to the message, which is extracted from some application: notes, tasks, calendar, contacts, maps. The text entry field is at the bottom of the screen. Additional symbols or emoticons are also added here. In addition, using data from the phone's memory, you can create an MMS. The attachment can be a picture, a photo from a camera, a video or a text file. To the right of the input field, the number of characters entered and the number of messages are indicated, since the device can send long “glued” SMS.
The smartphone offers two types of virtual keyboard for text input. It could be a standard layout that is found in all the company’s devices. Here you will need to open the auxiliary menu and set the languages used. To switch them, you need to touch the space bar and swipe your finger in a direction, changing the type. Another option is provided by the Swype application. At first glance, it's almost the same thing, a similar layout, just a slightly different shape of the buttons. However, you can not only enter text by touching one or another button, but also draw simple lines from one to another. This option allows you to significantly increase the speed of correspondence.
The smartphone can remember new words and substitute them more often. If there are several possible interpretations of the order of the keys involved, the device will offer a list of available words. You can switch the language using the small button located to the left of the space bar. When entering characters, you can turn on vibration feedback, as well as sound. By default, you cannot set your own melody as a sound alert for a new message. We will have to limit ourselves to the list of proposed options. However, if you wish, you can bypass this limitation by using the extensive capabilities of the Android platform.
By default, email arrives in a mailbox that is designed to work only with a Gmail account. It is automatically configured after the smartphone has been turned on. It is enough to enter only the account name and password, after which the smartphone will begin to receive the contents of the mailbox. Another mail receiving application aggregates correspondence from different servers. There is a convenient setup wizard that is simple and straightforward to use. The capabilities of both programs are similar, you can view the attachment, it will be automatically saved in the smartphone’s memory. The background design changes, you can change the font size. In addition, all standard options such as forwarding or working with folders are fully implemented here.
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.
Walking through the mind: review of the Android smartphone Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
Data on the profit received from the sales of Samsung smartphones in the world in recent years have shown that Samsung marketers are not in vain eating their bread; the company is moving in the right direction in the field of smartphones. Samsung Galaxy Ace 2, in theory, should be one of those that consumers will perceive with interest and enthusiasm. The model belongs to the middle price segment (about 3,000 UAH at the start of sales in Ukraine) and shows decent quality of work, although it does not have super characteristics by today’s standards. Let's see what her chances are.
Specifications
Let us remind you that this model is equipped with a dual-core processor with a frequency of 800 MHz and Mali-400MP graphics (the latter is like that of this year’s flagship Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III). The battery capacity of the new product is considerable for its needs - 1500 mAh. Only the version of the operating system has let us down so far - Android 2.3. For the hearts and wallets of users, Galaxy Ace 2 fights with three interesting and strong opponents, two of which are already running Android 4.0 - the HTC One V, LG Optimus L7 - and the Sony Xperia U, also running the good old 2.3. Some are trying to add the Sony Xperia Sola to this list because of the similar characteristics - but this beauty is out of budget. The inside of the Galaxy Ace 2 cannot be called super-technological, but this is not a flagship, but a middle-class model, so please don’t complain to geeks. Moreover, in some indicators, such as RAM, screen diagonal (only Optimus L7 has a larger screen diagonal - 4.3 inches) and graphics, Ace 2 is superior to some competitors. And its battery capacity is not the worst. In my hands, the device lived on a single battery charge for at least a day and a half with active use of the Internet, listening to music, playing games on the way to work and using Bluetooth.
- Dimensions: 118.3×62.2×10.5 mm
- Weight: 122 g
- Operating system: Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
- Interface: TouchWiz 4.0
- Processor: NovaThor U8500, 800 MHz (dual core) + GPU (Mali-400MP)
- Display: PLS TFT, 3.8″, 800×480 pixels
- Memory: RAM 768MB, 4 GB internal memory + microSD cards up to 32 GB
- Camera: 5 MP (2592x1552 pixels), auto focus, digital zoom, front VGA camera, video recording: 1280x720 pixels
- Communications: Bluetooth 3.0+HS (A2DP), WiFi 802.11b/g/n (Wi-Fi Direct), NFC
- Battery: Li-ion, 1500 mAh
Appearance
Where the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 is really weak compared to models from other manufacturers is, in my opinion, the design of the case. All the latest Samsung models are as similar to each other as two peas in a pod in appearance and arrangement of elements on the body, and their appearance cannot be called elegant, outstanding and attractive. In this regard, Galaxy Ace 2 is quite a typical Samsung product. The control buttons and connectors of the Galaxy Ace 2 are in their traditional places: the power button is on the right, the audio output is on the top panel, the volume rocker key and the microSD card slot are on the left, and the microUSB connector is on the bottom. The smartphone is controlled using one hardware button and two touch buttons on either side of it (context menu and going back one item). All three are quite sensitive and respond well to pressure – no problems arise. The camera eye and flash on the rear panel from the left corner (in the Galaxy Ace) have moved to the center of honor. The speaker remained in place. You can look at photos of the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 from different angles in the micro review. I liked the display of the model both in terms of image quality, brightness, and viewing angles. True, there were some incidents. If the battery charge remains less than 30% (by default, but this data can be changed in the settings), then the smartphone offers to switch to energy-saving mode. And God forbid you agree to this on a fine summer day. Along with turning off all unneeded communications, Ace 2 reduces the screen brightness to about 10% (also by default and can also be changed, but, unfortunately, I didn’t do this right away). At the same time, it is not possible to see something on the screen while being outside in sunny weather. You will have to look for brightness settings from memory. You can see the appearance of the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 in this video:
Interface and features
So, the era of Android 4.0 for the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 has not yet arrived, but, by a wonderful coincidence of numbers, this model uses the proprietary TouchWiz interface in version 4.0. Let's talk about him. TouchWiz 4.0 still supports up to 7 screens and allows you to edit the number of screens. The interface literally “flies”; no slowdowns were noticed during operation. Let me remind you, by the way, about the results in performance tests, so as not to refer again to the microreview. In Vellamo Ace 2 it scored only 733 points, this is a worse result than its competitors showed, but in AnTuTu it beat them by almost one and a half times with its 4222 points. True, our model had problems with stability. Several times the smartphone did not want to unlock, the screen did not turn on. However, it was possible to turn it off only by removing the battery.
Already last year's Galaxy Ace could boast of full support for the Ukrainian language. This model is also doing great with it. The smartphone supports input in the Ukrainian language both in the standard QWERTY keyboard and in SWYPE and handwriting input.
Personally, all the time I was using Ace 2, I was tormented by only one problem with this very localization - the smartphone in the scroll bar in contacts and the player offered only the alphabet in which the interface language was currently used. Therefore, the list of songs, artists, contacts (according to the good old tradition, I have it in Latin) had to be scrolled through manually. Speaking of contacts. In addition to phone book contacts, Ace 2 also pulls up contacts from accounts. For me, it even grouped email addresses in the same way they are grouped in Gmail. To prevent your address book from turning into a dump, you can configure it so that only contacts with phone numbers are displayed.
Returning to the topic of localization. The application for voice control of smartphones - Tap&Speak - did not receive Ukrainian support. It works in English and several other European languages. If you're lazy and have a good command of one of the supported foreign languages, you can try using the app. But my Russian accent was not always clear to the smartphone. In general, I’m not a fan of voice control, so I didn’t experience any particular frustration from the lack of native language support in this application. But for those who spend a lot of time behind the wheel, its correct operation would not hurt. In addition, the smartphone has Google voice search; it supports more languages, including Russian, which it recognizes more or less successfully.
TouchWiz seems to me the most attractive of the proprietary interfaces of phone manufacturers. Everything about it is fine, designed in the same style and only pleases the eye. Even such a little thing as a cute alarm clock literally gets you out of bed in the morning with a smile, and the built-in diary and reminders make you want to use them. True, the last two raise doubts about their usefulness.
The native music player of the Galaxy Ace 2 is nice and convenient. It is omnivorous in terms of formats, including support for flac (which in principle matters, since its sound is good and it makes sense to upload music to the player in very good quality), it classifies music by folders, artists and albums. Supports the creation of playlists (admit it, does anyone use this function on their phone?). The only problem is with the same scroll bar. I am not a radio fan and never listen to it voluntarily, especially on my phone. But the radio interface in the Galaxy Ace 2 seemed very attractive, clear and logical in operation.
As befits an Android smartphone, the user receives it with a number of pre-installed Google services. There are perhaps even more of them in a Samsung smartphone than we would like. In addition to standard mail, search, application market, maps, there is Latitude, local search. Navigation in our sample, by the way, also worked using Google maps. An avid Google addict will have a place to roam.
Naturally, there are also Samsung applications. The manufacturer offers its analogue for the Google Play Market - Samsung Apps. To be honest, I had no desire to study it for useful and interesting applications. When it comes to apps, I prefer to use the classic place to find them. Moreover, there was little to complain about the range and work of the Play Market. Also in the list of pre-installed applications there is a link to games and books. Books are free, their range is limited to those that, roughly speaking, Samsung has chosen.
To work with office documents, Galaxy Ace 2 comes pre-installed with Polaris Office. This is something that cannot be called functional and convenient. There are several options for working with text and tables. But Office 2003 and 2007 documents are also supported.
Camera
Galaxy Ace 2 is equipped with a camera with a resolution of 5 MP and the ability to shoot video in a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. The quality of the images is not bad, but in terms of the number of settings, filters and capabilities it is definitely inferior to the HTC One V. But it is very difficult to compete with the camera in the latest HTC smartphones. Photo settings
Video settings
Sample video taken by Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
Competitors
Since they have already been listed above, all that remains is to present a table with a comparison of characteristics. Everyone looks interesting and promising, so, it seems to us, the topic of comparing smartphones for 3000 UAH deserves a separate article on gg. So don't miss our comparison review of these devices.
Bottom line
About the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 one would like to say: “they are greeted by their clothes, they are seen off by their minds.” If I saw it on store shelves, then because of its undistinguished appearance in life, I would not want to pick it up. But this cannot be called a problem with this model - rather, in principle, I don’t like the design of Samsung smartphones. But in operation, the Galaxy Ace 2 showed itself very well: it is satisfied with the speed, convenience, autonomy, aesthetic interface, and multimedia capabilities. In my opinion, the two main drawbacks of this model are the old version of Android and the alphabetical index in the scroll bar in only one language. But, in theory, in the second half of 2012 the smartphone will be updated to 4.0, so, one might say, minus one. The absence of a camera button can be compensated for by quick access on one of the desktops, and the wipeable body will not be a critical problem for everyone, given a generally positive experience of use.
4 reasons to buy Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
- good speed;
- beautiful TouchWiz interface;
- update to Android 4.0 – will be;
- convenient player and good sound quality, flac support;
4 reasons not to buy Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
- the alphabet on the scroll bar is only in the language of the interface;
- good old Android 2.3;
- very easily soiled screen and quickly wiped off body;
- lack of a camera launch button.
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.
⇡#About 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 800×480, 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 [email protected] fps |
| Battery | 1500 mAh/5.55 Wh |
| Dimensions, mm | 62,2×118,3×10,5 |
| Weight, g | 122 |
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 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.
Platform
Over the past two weeks, this is already the fourth device based on the ST-Ericsson U8500 SoC. This means that this platform is gaining popularity and, perhaps, in the near future we will see not only new devices based on the U8500 NovaThor, but also more powerful processors.
In terms of characteristics, the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 is closest to the Sony Xperia Sola, the same dual-core processor clocked at 800 MHz, Mali-400MP graphics processor, but 50% more RAM, 768 MB versus 512 MB for the SXS. The latter, however, is equipped with a 3.7” display, while the Galaxy Ace 2 is 3.8”. Since the differences are insignificant, we will consider these smartphones to be their closest competitors, both in terms of cost and the capabilities implemented in them. Let's try to figure out how much of an impact the additional 200 MHz for each of the cores had (in the Sony Xperia Sola, the cores operate at a frequency of 1 GHz), taking into account the smaller amount of RAM, 512 MB versus 768 MB in the Galaxy Ace 2, and the lower screen resolution, 800x480 pixels versus 854x480 pixels for SXS.
The results of synthetic tests were predictable, despite the additional 256 MB of RAM and lower screen resolution, the SGA 2 lost to the Sony Xperia Sola. For those who care about numbers, don’t worry, because in the near future there will be utilities that will allow you to increase the processor clock speed to the level of competitors.
Playing video files
| Codec/Name | FinalDestination5.mp4 | Neudergimie.2.mkv | stalkeravi | Spartacus.mkv | ParallelUniverse.avi |
| Video | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1920×798 29.99fps | Video: MPEG4 Video (H264) 852×362 29.994fps [MPEG4 Video (H264)] | Xvid 712×400 25.00fps 1779kbps | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1280×720 29.97fps ] | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1280×536 24.00fps 2726kbps [Video 0] |
| Audio | AAC 48000Hz stereo 96kbps | Audio: AAC 48000Hz stereo 96kbps [MPEG-4 Audio] | MPEG Audio Layer 3 48000Hz stereo 128kbps | Dolby AC3 44100Hz stereo] | MPEG Audio Layer 3 44100Hz stereo 256kbps |
| Built-in Player/ MXVideoPlayer | FinalDestination5.mp4 | Neudergimie.2.mkv | stalkeravi | Spartacus.mkv | ParallelUniverse.avi |
| Video | No Yes | No Yes | Yes Yes | Yes Yes | Yes Yes |
| Audio | Yes Yes | Not really | Yes Yes | No Yes | Yes Yes |
While we're on the topic of resolution, we can't help but talk about how good the PLS display is. At maximum brightness there is simply nothing to complain about. At brightness less than 50%, saturation drops slightly. The display cannot compete with IPS matrices, but you can only notice the difference when comparing head-to-head. Like the LG Optimus L7, the smartphone does not have a light sensor, which is why you will have to set the brightness manually.
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.
Characteristics, camera
Well, this is perhaps one of the strengths of this smartphone. Samsung was generous and installed a good processor in the I8160, which has as many as 2 cores operating at a frequency of 800 MHz! Moreover, the well-known Mali-400 chip acts as a video adapter, yes, exactly the same as in the 2011 flagship. What does this mean? And the fact that all modern games will work just wonderfully, including the super shooter NOVA 3. There is not much built-in memory, namely 4 GB, but at the current cost of microSD cards, this is not a problem at all. The RAM here is 768 MB, which is quite enough for comfortable operation of the device.
Video from the exhibition
The Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 has a wonderful 5 megapixel camera that can record video in HD 720p resolution. By the way, given the high-quality video adapter, we can safely say that the device will be able to play almost any video.
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.
Camera
At one time, the Samsung Galaxy Ace had one of the best cameras in its price segment. In order not to fall on your face, the second generation was also equipped with a camera to take pictures and videos from which could well be used as reference ones. Despite the similar matrix resolution, Ace 2 is capable of recording HD video, for which we can thank the graphics processor. The settings do not have the newfangled HDR mode, but there is its analogue - automatic contrast. By activating this function, you can be sure that the sky will always retain its natural color and appearance, while the sand, if you are shooting on the beach, will also remain visible, that is, not overexposed.
Examples of 5 MP photos
Examples of operation of the “Automatic contrast” mode
Example video with 720p resolution
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 :: Review :: Hardware Features
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.
Software
The phone comes with the Android 2.3.6 operating system, and the proprietary TouchWiz v3.0 interface is provided for control. There is nothing special about it, but everything works smoothly and quickly. Probably, developers of modified firmware will eventually be able to adapt Android 4.0 to the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2, but for now this is just a dream. There probably won't be an official update, but who knows.
This page is constantly updated as new firmware, programs and games become available, we add them here, so stay tuned for updates by bookmarking the site or subscribing to RSS. You can also download from us:
- Programs
Release date in Russia : June 2012.
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.
Connection
Galaxy Ace 2 GT supports working with popular GSM and WCDMA networks. There is also standard navigation, for which regular Google maps are used. Finding a location is not the fastest process. The first launch will take approximately 2-5 minutes. Then the smartphone will be able to determine the coordinates in 30-40 seconds.
Navigation in the device is very “gluttonous”. This concerns not only battery charge, but also consumed traffic. However, the function is fully justified. The phone is capable of displaying not only the route, but also the traffic situation. The route map is calculated in several ways.
There were also standard functions. The company equipped the device with GPRS, EDGE, Bluetooth version 3.0 and the quite expected Wi-Fi 802.11.
