When you're trying to choose a smartphone, there are a lot of variables to consider -- the size, the keyboard, the camera resolution, battery life, and finally the price. But what do you do when two different carriers offer what is, in essence, the same device with only a few minor tweaks? This is the case with Samsung Galaxy S II and the Samsung Epic 4G Touch? You get a bonus carrier vs. carrier showdown as an extra round.
Design and Portability:
This is a very difficult category to judge, because the Epic Touch and the Galaxy S II are almost exactly the same size, and share the same basic design. The Galaxy S II has a slight edge because it feels ever so slightly smaller and thinner than the Epic 4G Tough. This is due to the squared off edges on the Galaxy, rather than the the angled sides on the Epic 4G Touch.
The Galaxy S II is more comfortable to hold in the hand, as well, because the texture on the back isn't raised quite as much as on the Epic 4G Touch, which feels rougher. In all other respects the two phones are almost identical, with a few minor design touches on each one being all that distinguishes them from each other.
Display and Keyboard:
This category is a dead heat, since both devices feature the same 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus display. Neither one has a physical keyboard, and since they're both sporting the same size display, their virtual keyboards are almost identical. Swype comes preinstalled on the Galaxy S II however, giving it a very slight edge since I happen to prefer that method of text entry.
Features and Capabilities:
When it comes to benchmark testing, the Epic 4G Touch came in with a score of 3256, edging out the Galaxy S II which had a score of 3129. That's a headscratcher of a result, because the Epic 4G Touch has only a 1.2 GHz dual core processor, while the Galaxy S II is slightly newer and is equipped with a 1.5 GHz dual core processor. That shows that clock speed isn't everything, since the Quadrant benchmark program tests graphics capabilities and other features as well.
When it comes to network speed testing, the Epic 4G Touch fared much better on the download test, but for uploads the Galaxy S II was the clear winner. This is network dependent, of course, so results will vary by area.
When it comes to network speed testing, the Epic 4G Touch fared much better on the download test, but for uploads the Galaxy S II was the clear winner. This is network dependent, of course, so results will vary by area.
Battery and Camera:
The Galaxy S II was the clear winner in the battery life category; I was never worried that I would run out of juice during the day after the commute home. While the Epic 4G Touch never actually let me down, its battery did seem to drain much faster, and I wasn't able to get though more than a single day on a charge with average use.
The Best or The Worst:
There's no overall best or Worst in this comparison. The devices are so similar, with so many of the same features -- same screen, same camera, virtually the same size, etc. that the choice of device that's best for your needs is more likely to come down to the carrier. The best thing to do is gather local carrier strength evidence in order to make your decision, because the maps on the carrier sites don't always tell the whole story.
For example, T-Mobile's network coverage is much better than Sprint's, and the Galaxy S II from T-Mobile would be a better choice for me. Your experience may be completely different, however, so no matter which of these two devices you choose, you can rest assured that it's capable of organizing your busy life, entertaining you during the down times, and so much more.
AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II Vs Samsung Epic 4G Touch Comparison:
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