Having tested and reviewed all the 3 dual-core Android smartphones available locally, I think I can now share my personal thoughts on the three and lay down my verdict. Read my round-up of the Samsung Galaxy S2 vs. HTC Sensation vs. LG Optimus 2X after the jump.
The LG Optimus 2X got points for design and construction, gaming and price-point. It’s the most affordable among all the dual-core Android phones we reviewed (though not by much but still, thanks in part to LG, Samsung and HTC priced their handsets competitively). The Tegra 2 chipset did very well with games, especially the ones that maximized the NVidia platform (have to say it’s close to console quality graphics). The Android Froyo instead of Gingerbread is a bit of a downer though. See full review here.
The HTC Sensation got points for design and construction, huge screen and display resolution, UI, sound quality and video quality (1080p). With a suggested retail price pf Php31,990, it’s also the most expensive of the 3 handsets. See full review here.
The Samsung Galaxy S2 got points for form factor (thinnest and lightest), huge screen and display quality, photo and video quality as well as specs and performance. The plastic construction is somewhat of a shortcoming (though it was a factor in making the device very light) and the TouchWiz 4.0 UI, though improved, still needs some work. See full review here.
Benchmarks is not a be-all end-all in a handset but it is a factor. Unless you’re crunching numbers, encoding video and doing really heavy CPU-intensive work on your Android phone, there’s not much real-world difference with day-to-day experience. I’d compare it to playing WinAmp on a Intel Core i5 vs. Core i7 rig — they perform well enough not to have any noticeable difference.
What we’re looking for the top smartphone is a combination of great design (both hardware and UI) and construction, good performance and reasonable price-point.
Of the three, the Sensation has more flair, the Galaxy S2 has more muscle and the Optimus 2X is more pocket-friendly (especially when you got it for 50% off with their special promo).
For the most part (if we count the points), it’s a toss-up between the Samsung Galaxy S2 and the HTC Sensation. The Sensation has a really good fighting chance as it is but if it matched the Php29,990 price of the Galaxy S2, that would have made it harder to compare (the Php2k difference isn’t much but it’s definitely a factor). The ones who will pick the Galaxy S2 are those who favor over-all performance while the ones who will pick the Sensation are those who prefer design and elegance.
Sir Abe pls check kung may heating issues or temperature rating yun 3 phones samsung galaxy S II is very hot.. as in very hot its like holding a ceramic cup of coffee when poured from the water dispenser .. especially when playing games. i have a SGS and my wife had SGS 2 everything is better with SGS 2 but.. it gets very hot. if you could review three with temperature reading it may help people decide which is for them.. i havent played for more than 30 mins yet
Hi, I am not sure if this would help. But I think it is normal for the phone to get hot if in use for a long time. Maybe yun na din reason why Samsung prefer to use plastic body, para di nakakapaso talaga :)
In my opinion, any gadgets that uses a high end processor do heats up. Maybe soon, phone will also have a built in fan on them…or maybe not. :)
Well like laptops, we use cooling pads to cool it down when in use.
Pero if it heat up so much na talagang nakakaburn na…probably there is something wrong na with your unit.
well, just a thought, does shelling out 3+,+++ pesos for a PHONE really worth it?
remember. you’re buying a PHONE. smart or dumb, it’ still a PHONE.
Of course it is. just remember to live within your means. a phone does not need to cost you an arm or a leg. :)
@charli3
the most “sensational” comment i’ve read!
live within your means! 2x kang tama!
And don’t forget to give alms and tithes before you buy a phone! you are not alone in this galaxy! :-)
Im planning to buy Sensation sa Friday, para matest ko buong weekend for any defect. Mas gusto ko talaga specs ng samsung but I like the design ang build ng sensation. trip ko din ung UI nya.. dissapointing lang is lock ung bootloader but on going na ung development ng software na maguunlock so theres nothing much to consider for me.. SAMOLED is not much of an issue for me, extra privacy pa nga un para mahirapan mabasa ung msg if may sumisilip sa side.. :)
I disagree Sir Yuga… Aesthetics and taste are very subjective but I think the Galaxy S2 aces the competition both in muscle and design. It’s build is much more distinctive than the tired and tried look of the HTC Sensation which is probably the 3rd-5th iteration of such design that is starkly similar to the designs used in HTC Incredible S, Desire S, HD7, Desire HD.
Super AMOLED… Another feature worth mentioning why you one should pick SGS 2.
Konting effort naman sa design HTC…
@Dan MD – yes, you’re right about design as subjective. That’s why I’m just talking from my own “taste” or perspective.
once you have put the a hard case and screen protector on the phone ‘design and elegance’ do not apply anymore. They are all the same. And the Galaxy S2 also has more cases and accessories than the other 2 phones.
and have you seen the service center of samsungs at the mall? they are like spa, with comfy chairs, foot massage, and Galaxy tablet on seats to play with while waiting.
HTC does not have that.
@mike – when people buy the device from the store, they don’t come with a case and protective cover. And it’s in the store where the Point of Sales happens.
Mike, saang mall meron service center ang samsung? also, can you buy sgs2 from there?
I also consider LG Optimus 2x.. I like the style… but the price holds me to buy it..
so, who won?
I would still choose Samsung Galaxy S2 for the simple reason its the unit that stays on the middle. Specs for not so expensive gadget. And besides its Fast.
sige na nga! iphone 4 & htc sensation para sa mga elite pipol, while samsung sgs 2, pang masa talaga! hahahahaha.
tama ka Shakey.
eto pa…. samsung, ang plastic mo! bwahahahaha
sige na nga replyan kita baka maiyak ka at walang nag reply sa iyo kaya eto
reply reply reply
I don’t think price will be a factor since you can get a Sensation for 27.5K if you know where to look.
I think you can’t go wrong with any of the phones. Lahat yan may pros and cons. Just buy one and don’t look back.
+1 to that!
hahaha ang yaman naman pala ng pinas ngayon pang masa na lang ang 30k worth of cellphone..
Natawa din ako sa masa/sosyal comment, as if we’re still back in the days talking about nokia 3210 vs 8250, hehehehe.
pano nanagyari yun?
In other words, Samsung Galaxy S 2 are those only for pang MASA. While HTC SENSATION pang sosyal.
i dont think “masa” would spend 30k on a phone and “sosyal”era would rather go for iphone. not that im defending samsung as they have one of the most uninnovative designs, htc is no better most of their phones looks the same, this specific phone also has locked bootloader
Agreed with al.
personally im for HTC,, but my budget is not enough hay!!! very durable and htc.. we had experience in htc touch (1 – 2nd release) un nga lang mahal ang LCD and panel if nasira mo…
question lang po….never had an htc before pero kumusta naman ang service??san po ba service center niyan?? minsan nagka blackberry ako hirap ng service,pag malas malas ka pa papadala pa daw singapore….samsung has a good service center lalo na yung sa greenhills…importante po kasi sa akin service because accidents do happen…
id been working with SIS Phils. (HTC distributor and center)very prompt and pag pick up ng phone pag nireport mo agad.. although units were handling are not personal…they are company phones that we deployed to our field force..
ung nga lang lately ung mga phone units nmin mukhang ma out of life na… win 6.5 pa kasi siya… im waiting for android phone or tablet in our next deployment.
OT: is their anyone here using huawei s7? musta experience nyo?
bakit out of the game na yung 2X? it’s a better gaming handset than the Sensation. so i don’t think it’s out.
LG was really out of te game. nilabas lang nila yung 2X for the World Record and not for the performance eh. Kung may pera, Sensation ako.
Just a thought.
All this talk about looks and build quality, but hey, were all gonna put some sort of protector or body glove on these 30k phones anyway.
SGS 2 at LG nlng ako mamimili haha… masyadong mahal ung HTC wala naman pinagkaiba :) tapos ung decreased signal issues pa.
It’s really more between the Galaxy S2 and Sensation. Problem with the Sensation is there’s too much flair, to the point of causing lag and performance problems. They sacrificed performance and efficiency for eye candy.
I totally agree with you! Though performance may not be noticeable in real-world day-to-day usage, the 2K difference should matter.
In a few months, I’m sure new phones will be announced. Time to start saving up for those new gadgets!