By Samsung has just announced an amazing, great new phone — the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus! Wait, what?! That’s right, we’re in 2013 and Samsung is releasing a refresh to a 2011 smartphone. The “Plus” edition of Samsung’s second flagship device houses a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, a 4.3 inch WVGA Super AMOLED display, an 8 megapixel HD camera with a 2 megapixel companion on the front.
Aside from coming with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean out of the box we’re left wondering what’s so “Plus” about it. The original Samsung Galaxy S2 came with 16GB of internal storage, and it has since received an upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. So what, exactly, is Samsung trying to do with this release?
The phone could pass as a nice budget offering in this day and age, but there’s not much to gain over getting the i9100 online for around $200 on eBay or other sites. It will be a decent option for carriers wanting to provide a Galaxy S2 with Jelly Bean pre-installed instead of updating their original models to the relatively new version of Android, but I think I speak for the masses when I say most would just prefer the original models be upgraded in a timely fashion.
There’s no pricing and availability for this particular release just yet, but considering how cheap a Galaxy S3 can be had on contract these days we imagine this won’t be on many folks’ radar. I’m having trouble trying to make sense of all this, so please be my guest and leave us a note in the comments section if you can come up with a reason why releasing this phone at this point would be a good idea. Read on for full press details.
Seoul, Korea – January 10, 2013 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced today Samsung GALAXY S II Plus, which combines the performance that have made the GALAXY S II one of the world’s most recognized phones, together with nature-inspired user-interface and intuitive features that greatly boost its usability and functionality.• The GALAXY S II Plus runs on Android™ 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) enabling faster and smoother screen transitions, andproviding an enhanced user interface featuring a new, easier-to-use notification panel. It is powered by an impressive1.2 GHz dual core processor that enables easy multi-tasking, smooth screen transitions and superior graphics forsome of the most demanding applications and games.• The GALAXY S II Plus’ nature-inspired user-interface is complemented with intuitive features that make the phone reallyeasy to use. Direct Call enables users to automatically dial a call by taking the device to the ear. Smart Stay recognizeswhether the user is looking at the screen to dim the screen accordingly; while Smart Alert lets users know aboutmissed events or status updates just by picking up the phone.• The GALAXY S II Plus also sports a range of additional features that boost performance and the overall experience inentirely new ways. Popup Video allows a video to play anywhere on the screen in a resizable pop-up window whilesimultaneously running other tasks, eliminating the need to close and restart videos when checking new emails orsurfing the Web. S Voice lets users control the phone using their voice; and Voice Unlock lets users unlock the phoneusing their own voice.• A 4.3” WVGA Super AMOLED Plus display offers a generous viewing experience and enables photos captured with thepowerful 8MP camera to be enjoyed in true clarity.• The rear camera features a zero-lag shutter speed that captures moving objects easily without delay. The innovative‘Buddy photo share’ function also allows images to be easily and simultaneously shared with friends pictured in animage directly from the camera or the photo gallery. Additional features include Group Facetag and Face Zoom todeliver a complete photographic experience. The device is packed with the latest Samsung content services includingAllShare Play, which lets users share content across Samsung devices using a single account and password.Users can also enjoy all the benefits of Samsung Hubs, including the latest versions of Readers Hub, Video Hub,Game Hub and Music Hub.
after scratching my head and pondering for a moment i have decided that phandroid was hacked, because this cannot be real…
Clicking on the link, I said “Wait, what?” Reading the article, I see: “Wait, What?”
In other news.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37fDXX9stJY
And in keeping with their latest trend, Tmobile has announced they will sell the Galaxy S2 Plus on contract for $349.99.
After mail in rebate.
O.O
Tfumble is always behind the times.
Yes the first US carrier to have the Galaxy Note 2, was first in the US to launch the Galaxy S3 (technically tied with Sprint for release), let alone was the first carrier to champion Android is always behind the times. I could go on but I think I’ve already proved you are talking out your ass.
Is Samsung also announcing the T316 Plus? :P
Probably ridiculous battery life? Or they do it to annoy Apple?
It’s entirely possible I rolled right over it in the press release, but… maybe it’s an emerging markets phone? While I still don’t get it, I figure it makes more sense than releasing it in the US.
Apple does it each year.
Actually, Apple would have released the S2+ about a month before the S3.
You’ve just nailed Samsung’s business strategy…”Apple does it”
If good price. I’ll get this unlocked model for my mother instead of the GS3 mini.
Wouldn’t this be a Galaxy S2 Minus? The S2 had a 4.5″ screen
The S2 LTE variants had a 4.5, official Galaxy S2 was 4.3.
Is there a S2 lte variant?
Yes; AT&T sold it in the US as the Galaxy S II Skyrocket. T-Mobile and Sprint’s versions of the GSII also have 4.5″ screens.
Reason why they launched it is simple. Galaxy SII hasn’t received JB yet, like you wrongfully stated, and probably won’t receive it soon cause they want to sell the Plus.
I didn’t wrongfully state anything — the Korean Galaxy S2 has indeed received Jelly Bean. It’s not North America or Europe (though Samsung is said to be working on updates for those regions), but those aren’t the only continents in the world.
Korean version hasn’t received it either, you are wrong again. Samsung only announced korean version will get JB, no time frame yet. So check twice before writing an article
Scum bags these days
how about its for all the folk in the world who dont want (me) or cannot afford an s3 ?
s3 is boring cloner zombie phone,how many women go for an s3 ?
how many reasons would you like.
or are you expecting a firm the size of samsung only to build and sell bleeding edge uber phones ? (bankruptcy)
That’s why I suggested finding the original i9100 on a marketplace site. It can be had for very cheap without a contract these days. I never said there wasn’t a market for inexpensive phones, but this particular release just doesn’t make much sense.
The fact that he called the S3 a “boring cloner zombie phone” shows he is nothing more than a troll.
What about a more affordable option for a no-contract provider.
Emerging markets
You got it all wrong, this is the Galaxy S4 disguised as the GS2 O_o
That is most definitely it. Chris, you sir, are a genius.
Samsung decided to go retro with their new flagship?
Old is the new new.
S4 being just a software update on S2? Clever!!.. they could just claim 10, 20 or 30% speed increase, and forget to mention that it came from moving to a newer version of android. They are putting Google’s words into practise: “Let Google do the heavy lifting for you.”.
it may also have something to do with them already having shifted 50 million+ of the old s2,so as its still supposedly a very good phone,i remember a lot of you s3 users singing s2 praises 18 months ago,just cos its not latest phone does not mean it automaticaly becomes a crap phone.
no,im not a sammy fan boy,i hate sammy screens and poor build quality,but i do understand basic business sense,lets keep a tag on how many s2+ they shift in next 18 months,40-50 million ?, nice little earner from where i watch.
that only works in first world,80%+ of the worlds population have no access to ebay etc
Pay as you go sell for 150.00 out right that makes sense
For someone like me, who would prefer to stick as close to a 4.3 display as possible, this would be good.
Would make a great prepaid choice for the right price. Metro/tmo, straight talk, cricket, boost, virgin, whoever.
Could be for the likes of tracfone and other mvno’s with them saying they will support smartphones with their unlimited package. This will give them a older, affordable but still decently specd phone.
Straight Talk and Net10 already have the AT&T Galaxy S II (which unfortunately has not been upgraded past firmware version 2.3).
@bmg314… no joke!
I guess its a good phone to shitty services like Boost and Virgin Mobile. Maybe a company like that will pick it up.
Samsung is just trying to clear their outdated hardware inventories… nothing to see here.
So this has all the new features of s3 in a s2 size? If it also has LTE , I might be willing to tradeup from my s2 “regular”. I prefer the smaller screen compared to s3.
The S3 Mini exist.
S3 Mini is worse than the S2 plus.
Oh my… Never mind then.
Fools!! If the Galaxy S2 get’s banned, they can just sell this. It’s a fool proof method to keep their devices being sold. Especially since this is a new device and not on the list of infringed devices.
Also, I don’t see the plus side? That has the same specs as my Epic 4G Touch. Am I missing something?
It’s possible the processor is the S4 A15 which would help a bit, and the camera could be the one form the S3, which would also be a slight update.
Hmm… I could consider this. I lyk my search button and don’t care for the form factor of the S3. I for one don’t like it. If I don’t get that Sony Xperia Z that was mentioned I’d buy this. LoL!! Guess Wii see who the customers are. LoL!!
4.3″ is the perfect screen size for a phone.
But dual-core is not the perfect CPU for a phone…
and 800 x 480 is not the perfect resolution. I still have my S2, I only use it for work so it doesn’t matter much, it’s still a good phone for light use. But the screen res kills me after looking at my gorgeous 720p screen on my Nexus 4
I’m getting the lg optimus the I can’t wait to look at that screen
Here’s the differences between the previous model(s) & what’s being offered now, confirmed by SAMSUNG
http://www.samsungmobilepress.com/2013/01/10/Samsung-GALAXY-S-II-Plus
BLUETOOTH 3.0,optional NFC,improved camera, lower on-board storage but accepts 64GB SD vs 32GB SD, no LTE.
Definitely aimed @ the pre-paid market & overseas.
I would be surprised if this isn’t aimed at developing markets.
Looks like they remodeled it to look alot like the GS3, could cause confusion. Some sales reps might be able to pass it off as just as good as ths GS3 but cheaper, i dunno. There are quite few people that honestly wouldnt know the difference. Ive said in many posts, people are dumb and just buy things that they see in commercials or what their friends have. Apple has made a fortune off of ignorant people with no tech sense, if it works for Samsung then good for them.
Galaxy S 3 can be had for FREE in UK & the Galaxy S 4 will also be FREE (all our phones on Contract are free)
i believe that they are launching this phone out because all the other s2 phones were all different (because of the carriers) and they are launching the s2 plus because this time they control how it looks and acts……..look at the s3 for an example
This phone is for the uneducated consumer.