Samsung Galaxy S II vs. Samsung Galaxy Z - comparing the dual-core Samsung droids

Just as we are hearing the news that Samsung has sold 3 million Galaxy S II smartphones in 55 days, we are also hearing about the new Galaxy Z smartphone, that is all set to walk out from Samsung’s manufacturing plant somewhere in Korea, ready to do battle. While it may be up against a slew of dual core processor powered Android smartphones, it is inevitable that the comparisons against the elder brother, the Galaxy S II come into the picture.

 

From the specifications we have seen, it is safe to assume that this phone is meant to slot in perfectly in the price bracket between the now legendary Samsung Galaxy S and the dual core monster, the Galaxy S II. The Galaxy Z seems to have almost everything the Galaxy S II had, in a little less quantity! The detailed spec comparison table will help you compare the two dual core smartphones.

 

Phone	Samsung Galaxy S II	Samsung Galaxy Z
Processor	Dual-core 1.2GHz ARM Cortex-A9 proccessor	Dual-core 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 pocessor
GPU	Mali-400	GeForce GPU
Chipset	Exynos	Tegra 2
RAM	1GB	1GB
Display Size	4.3-inch	4.2-inch
Display Type	Super AMOLED Plus	SC-LCD
Display resolution	480x800	480X800
Internal storage	16GB/32GB (not available in India)	8GB
Expandable memory	microSD up to 32GB	microSD up to 32GB
Camera	8 MP, autofocus, LED flash, 1080p@30fps	5 MP, autofocus, LED flash, 720p@30fps
DivX playback	Yes	Yes
TV-Out	Yes	No
USB on-the-go	Yes	No

 

Samsung know that the ingredients used in the Galaxy S II combined to make up the winning formula. Smartly, they have just tweaked that combination a little bit, keeping pricing factors in mind (at least we hope that is the case, sensibly) and come up with the Galaxy Z.

 

The Galaxy Z comes with the SC-LCD display, instead of the slightly more expensive AMOLED display, that the S II used. The display size has come down very marginally, from 4.3-inches (S II) to 4.2-inches (Galaxy Z), while the resolution remains the same- 480x800 pixels. We feel that is really a non-issue, and if at all will only increase the grip and comfort of using the phone with one hand.

The dual core power has been retained for the Galaxy Z as well, albeit with a tweak. While the S II had the ARM Cortex A9 dual core processor clocking at 1.2GHz, the Galaxy Z gets the slightly less powerful 1GHz version of the same processor. The Tegra 2 chipset and the Ge Force GPU replace the Exynos chipset and the Mali-400GPU seen on the Galaxy S II. The jury is out on which is the better combination, but we know for sure that both are very capable performers.

 

While the S II came with 16GB and 32GB internal storage options (the 32GB version hasn’t come to India, yet), the Galaxy Z has only one variant- 8GB.

 

The camera has also been spec-ed lower for the Galaxy Z. the 5MP camera does 720p HD videos. We would have been happier of Samsung has retained the 8MP clicker from the S II with 1080p HD video capability.

Samsung Galaxy S II review - click here

 

Surprisingly, despite the fact that this is modeled in the S II, the Galaxy Z is slightly thicker and heavier. The SC-LCD display and Tegra 2 are the two main reasons for this weight gain!

Both phones have Android 2.3.3 preloaded with the same TouchWiz 4.0 UI. The S II had introduced the Readers Hub, Social Hub and the Game Hub. With the Galaxy Z, we now have the Music Hub. This app lets you search for music, preview tracks, and buy tracks and music online. It remains to be seen whether this service makes it to India.

 

Overall, we feel that the Galaxy Z is meant for those who want a dual core powered Android smartphone, but who feel the S II is slightly beyond their budget. However, while the pricing details haven’t been announced yet, we believe it will be very tricky for Samsung to price this phone perfectly. If they price the Galaxy Z around Rs 23-25k, then it’ll hurt the sales of the original Galaxy S (i9000), and make the S II look like an over-priced smartphone. If this one is priced anymore than Rs 25k, then the S II may just feel the pinch, since people may say that this one is almost as powerful for quite a bit less, let us buy it instead. Depends on which smartphone Samsung wants to see get hurt, more!