Comparing The Htc Nexus And Samsung Galaxy S2 Features And Promotional Offers

The smartphone market has seen numerous devices compete for consumer attention, with the HTC Nexus and Samsung Galaxy S2 representing significant offerings in the Android ecosystem. This article examines the features, performance, and any available promotional offers associated with these devices based on available information.

Device Overview and Market Position

The Samsung Galaxy S2 emerged as a flagship device that, according to one review, "is better than any other Android smartphone to have hit the market so far." The device distinguished itself through its combination of hardware specifications and software experience. In contrast, various HTC Nexus models represented Google's vision for pure Android experiences, with different iterations offering varying features and capabilities.

Samsung established itself as "by far the most popular maker in the United States by far — effectively creating a duopoly with Apple" within the Android ecosystem, as noted in one source. This market position often influenced the promotional strategies and retail availability of Samsung devices compared to other manufacturers.

Hardware and Performance Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S2 was praised for its "meatier engine room specs" and dual-core processor, which reviewers noted made "the whole experience just plain zippy. No lag, no judder, no force closures and no waiting around." The device's wireless performance was also commended, with "the switch from Wi-Fi to 3G and vice-versa is nice and snappy - much faster than the Nexus One and friends."

Battery life presented a challenge for the Galaxy S2, with one review noting it was "average to not so good" and that "a full charge won't quite get you through a day of heavy use."

Various HTC Nexus devices offered different hardware configurations depending on the specific model. The original T-Mobile G1, launched in September 2008 by HTC, represented one of the first Android devices. Later iterations like the HTC Nexus One and subsequent models refined the concept of a pure Google experience with varying hardware specifications.

Software Experience and Ecosystem

The Samsung Galaxy S2 featured several hubs that organized different aspects of the user experience:

• The Social Hub combined Facebook and Twitter feeds into one stream, though it was noted as "not as good as the Friend Stream on HTC Sense (if you're into that sort of thing)"
• The Games Hub offered "more direct access to the premium game titles from Gameloft, which you can't find on the Android Market, as well as some social gaming titles"
• The Music Hub allowed users to "buy songs from 7digital and organise you music" with an interface similar to the standard Android Music app

Samsung also included Kies Air, which "allows you to upload and download wirelessly from any computer anywhere," a feature that reviewers found welcome.

HTC Nexus devices ran stock Android without manufacturer customizations, offering users the purest version of Google's mobile operating system. This approach appealed to users who preferred unmodified software and timely updates.

Retail Availability and Promotional Offers

When considering these devices, particularly for first-time smartphone buyers, one source advised: "For a first smart phone, you do not need a Nexus/Galaxy S2/Iphone whatever. (You do not need the £400 ++ flash phones)." Instead, the source suggested "Start with a reasonably cheap job such as a Galaxy Y or Galaxy Ace or a W, and expect that to last of for sometime."

Retailers like Carphone Warehouse and Argos were noted to offer "offers on yesterdays must have phones," suggesting that consumers could find deals on previous-generation models. This approach could provide similar functionality at a reduced price point.

For those specifically interested in the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, one source noted the wholesale price was "£441+ VAT," suggesting that retailers would add "another 10-20% on that." This pricing information, while not specific to U.S. markets, provides context for the premium positioning of these devices.

Value Proposition and Consumer Considerations

The Samsung Galaxy S2 represented a premium device with top-tier specifications at launch. Reviewers noted it had "everything you could want and will need and each of those functions it more or less excels at." However, for budget-conscious consumers or first-time smartphone buyers, more affordable options were available.

The HTC Nexus line appealed to users who valued the pure Android experience, timely updates, and integration with Google services. These devices typically positioned themselves at various price points depending on the specific hardware and release timing.

One source suggested that consumers should consider their specific needs rather than pursuing the most expensive options: "My Galaxy Apollo (no longer sold, unless BOAC has found yet another source for them) is now a couple of years old and is fine. It is v. slow compared to daughter's Galaxy S2 which is lightning quick, bit I'm not lightning!!"

Conclusion

The HTC Nexus and Samsung Galaxy S2 represented significant offerings in the Android ecosystem, each with distinct value propositions. The Samsung Galaxy S2 impressed reviewers with its performance and feature set, while HTC Nexus devices appealed to users seeking the pure Android experience. Retailers occasionally offered promotions on these devices, particularly as newer models were released. For consumers considering these devices, the available information suggests evaluating specific needs against the premium pricing of flagship models, with more affordable alternatives potentially offering sufficient functionality for many users.

Sources

1. ReviewUnit Smartphones Category
2. Pocket-lint Samsung Galaxy S II Review
3. PPRuNE Phone Discussion Forum
4. 9to5Google Android Guide