Comparing cameras: Galaxy S2 vs Galaxy S3. Subscribe to news Rear camera samsung galaxy s2

They asked me to change the camera on the Samsung Galaxy SII (GT-I9100) smartphone, since the original one stopped working after being hit. Since the phone is not the newest, it is not that difficult to disassemble. In principle, even a non-professional can cope with this task if he has the right tools. To work we will need:

• small Phillips screwdriver
• dental spatula

Let's start disassembling:

Step 1.

• Remove the cover of the battery pack by prying it off in the area of ​​the notch (pictured below)

Step 2.

• We remove the battery, SIM card, memory card.
• A small clarification - the phone that came into my hands only had a battery installed, so in the photo below I only showed the removal of the battery. On the other hand, removing a SIM card and memory card is not such a difficult task that you need to take a photo for each action.

Step 3.

• We unscrew the 7 screws with a Phillips head screwdriver (marked in red in the photo below).

Step 4.

• Half the body using a dental spatula (remove the back half of the body).

Step 5.

• Using a flat spatula, disconnect the antenna cable from the central board (the photo below does not show the process itself, only the disconnected cable is visible).

Step 7

• Disconnect the cable shown in the photo below.
• Note: remove the connector from the socket using a plastic spatula. It is not recommended to touch the connector contacts - oil from your fingers can cause bad contact And incorrect operation smartphone.

Step 8

• Disconnect the display cable.
• I repeat, just in case, once again: do not look at the photo, do not touch the contacts with your fingers!

Step 9

• Using a plastic spatula, remove the front camera connector from the connector (in the photo below the camera is already disconnected).

Step 10

• Using a plastic spatula, remove the additional board connector from the connector.

Step 11

• Disconnect the next connector.

Step 12

• Carefully remove the central board from the case. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a photo of the process, so this step will be without a photo.
• Try to move the connectors of all the cables that we disconnected in the previous steps to the sides so that they do not catch on the central board when removing it and do not tear. All flat cables break easily; you don’t need to apply much force, so be careful!

Step 13. Camera.

• First of all, inspect the central board: everything that is circled in red in the photo below is the entire camera with its cable!
• Use the sharp end of a plastic spatula to lift the lock of the camera cable connector (in the photo below the spatula just rests against the lock)
• Carefully pry off the image processing board located on the camera cable with a spatula (circled in green in the photo)
• Now you can safely change the camera

With the appearance of the Galaxy S3 on sale, many are wondering about technical stuffing new flagship Samsung. In particular, after some of our reviews, users have doubts about the capabilities of the camera sensor when compared with the camera in the Galaxy S2.

Therefore, it is quite reasonable to do a small test comparison of the Galaxy S2 and Galaxy S3, namely their photo capabilities. Let us remind you that both smartphones have cameras with a resolution of 8 megapixels. Below we compare the results of photographing in different conditions.

Don't forget that the photo sensor in the Galaxy S3 is the same as in iPhone smartphone 4S. This is why we can say that the quality of photographs does not always depend on the number of pixels. Next we will compare other characteristics.

By the way, different generations Galaxy also differ in aperture - in the Galaxy S2 it is f/2.65, and in the Galaxy S3 it is already f/2.6. This parameter directly indicates the amount of light transmitted. So the higher the number, the larger the hole and the more light passes through to the sensor.

Therefore, it is quite a good idea to have a wider aperture in strong light, which will give the photo greater depth of field. This will help avoid the “whiteout” effect that often occurs when photographing in a brightly lit room or in the sun.

There are changes between the second and third generation Galaxy in the focal length - it increased from 3.7 to 3.97. Considering that smartphones do not have optical zoom, this is a fairly significant indicator.

The focal length corresponds to the distance between the optical center of the lens and the photosensitive matrix. Thus, by increasing the focal length, the visible field narrows, which means that the area captured in photographs will be smaller. But in case of comparing our smartphones this difference so small that the difference is quite difficult to see in the photo.

Now that we have dealt with the technical differences between smartphones, we can move on to something more interesting – comparing the resulting photos. The first photos were taken in fairly low light:

In this case, there is a noticeable slight improvement in the photos taken with the Galaxy S2 camera - they turned out to have more saturated colors. Although the photos from the Galaxy S3 show stronger sharpness when examining details and the colors themselves are rendered realistically.

Now photos taken in very strong sunlight:

IN this comparison The Galaxy S2 produces more interesting photos thanks to its slightly longer focal length. Too much light hits the sensor in the Galaxy S3 with its lens. That’s why there is an artifact in the form of “Whiteout,” especially in the first picture.

To check the results again, we again took photographs from the same place in the evening:

Now the picture is somewhat different. The Galaxy S3 produced photos with darker colors, better contrast and detail, more pronounced. For proof, you can look at the tree branch photographed in the upper right corner.

Although we take photographs from smartphones, you can still use the zoom option if desired. The built-in zoom allows you to enlarge the image up to 4 times, both in the Galaxy S3 and in the Galaxy S2. It is quite reasonable to see the results of comparing photos when zooming:

In both cases, the image turned out to be too noisy, since the digital zoom cannot stabilize the image and produce sufficient sharpness in the image. However, the Galaxy S3's photo sensor performed slightly better than the Galaxy S2's.

It is quite obvious that smartphones can replace a simple camera for daily photography. Now let's check the versatility of the cameras and shoot in extremely low light conditions using flash:

Once again, the Galaxy S3's camera wins. The image is clear, details are more visible. This is where the reduced focal length comes into play, which becomes a slight advantage.

Well, how can you resist taking a couple of photos in macro mode?

Both smartphones coped quite well with objects at a distance of 20 centimeters. However, it’s better to take close-up photographs, as this is how smartphones and their cameras show themselves more worthy, which is what most users need.

Again, the Galaxy S3 stands out thanks to its sharper images, with more realistic colors, albeit less saturated, but with clear details.

In conclusion, the Galaxy S3 takes better photos even in low light conditions. Alas, the Galaxy S2 loses, although not by much. Colors are more saturated, noise is reduced, detail is also at the same level.

The only bad thing is in strong lighting Galaxy cameras The S3 performs too poorly and often shows light artifacts in photos. If you often have to take photographs under such conditions, then you can use a few tips on changing the parameters.

It is already quite clear and logical that when the flow of light to the sensor decreases, light artifacts should disappear. But these are just cameras on a smartphone, which means the settings are very limited. Luckily Samsung has come up with a smart camera setup.

In the camera settings, you can go to the “White Balance” tab. In it you can set the setting " Daylight", which will slightly reduce problems when photographing in bright light.

As you may have realized, to take high-quality photographs, you don't need a smartphone. It won't be a perfect device. Although, as an ideal companion, Galaxy S3 can stand out and capture memories with better quality.

Electronics manufacturer Cooler Master has a range of hardware products such as keyboards, power supplies, headsets, computer (PC) cases, mice and, of course, coolers. Each of its products has been specifically designed based on community feedback. Including keyboards. Cooler Master even had a Kickstarter project for an analog keyboard with pressure-sensitive keys called the ContolPad. With that said, let's take a closer look at what can make the new Cooler Master SK621 keyboard special for the user.

Keyboard news: Review of Cooler Master SK621 - mechanical wireless keyboard with a separate wired connection option.

The first thing that is noticeable during the review is the ability to conveniently pair the wireless keyboard with three different devices. Connecting your device is as simple as holding the function button and Z, X or C. This feature makes it very easy to switch from using your phone to your computer. Turning on the Cooler Master SK621 keyboard is also easy. Either connect it via a USB Type-C cable, or on the left side activate the very simple switch for wireless mode.

Technical characteristics of the Cooler Master SK621 wireless keyboard:

You can map a wide variety of colors (shades) to any key, customize lighting modes, or customize macros using the Cooler Master software.

When using the SK621 for the first time, it is recommended to connect to your computer via USB Type-C and install the Cooler Master Portal. This will allow you to control the different lighting effects and settings of the wireless keyboard. It is possible to create preset profiles, which makes it easier to switch between profiles when using elements. You can also adjust the lighting effects using the controls, but the above mentioned portal is more user friendly. The wireless keyboard setup is very easy to use and has many combinations. There are options - adjusting the speed, direction and brightness of the keyboard backlight effects.

Macros can also be programmed. It’s also worth adding that all functions such as RGB lighting, macros and controls are also available when using the SK621 via a Bluetooth connection. The wireless keyboard's battery life is also impressive. It may take a couple of full business days before the light turns red, indicating that the battery is low. Charging the SK621 wireless keyboard is also easy. Just connect your keyboard via USB Type-C. The keyboard can still be used as a wired keyboard as long as the cable charges the keyboard's battery.

The keyboard body is crafted from brushed aluminum, making it lightweight, durable and provides excellent performance. appearance. There's also a nice sleek aluminum edge accent that adds a touch of elegance. The keys are made of plastic and don't have much texture.

Low-profile Cherry MX keys are quiet enough for office use. The key switches are incredibly sensitive and using the Cooler Master SK621 Wireless Keyboard takes some practice. This is because the keys register key presses to within a millimeter or less.

The SK621 keyboard is designed to be compact and quite portable. A nice addition is the velvet bag. It's definitely made for gaming thanks to its Cherry MX keys, but it's easy to use for work.

The Cooler Master SK621 does everything it's designed to do. However, the keys are great for gaming but are too sensitive for typing. Plastic keys are also prone to oil stains on your fingers, so eating while gaming can be difficult. Perhaps if the keys had some kind of oil-resistant coating or more texture, oil prints would not be so pronounced.

Features of the Cooler Master SK621 wireless keyboard:

Brushed aluminum body design;

Featuring a flat, brushed aluminum keyboard top, floating keycaps, and a slim, minimalist body design.

Colored keyboard backlight (RGB LEDs);

Individually customizable LED key backlighting and surrounding LED ring.

Hybrid wired and wireless;

Connect up to three devices via Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology or wired connection and charge the battery at the same time.

Minimum keyboard layout by 60%;

We can say that this wireless mini keyboard has a unique design for maximum portability.

Easy to use software.

Low profile Cherry MX keys;

The reduced travel distance and actuation point performs with equal durability and accuracy (according to the wireless keyboard manufacturer).

Available controls;

In real time, you can customize keyboard backlighting and macros without the need for software.

Summary of the Cooler Master SK621 wireless keyboard:

Overall, electrical and keyboard maker Cooler Master exceeded all expectations. It's especially impressive because it can make a really interesting wireless keyboard. The SK621 model has a variety of lighting effects and individual settings, has a compact design and a lot of user-friendly functions. Using the SK621 at work and then bringing it home for gaming could make it a favorite wireless keyboard for the price of nearly $200.

ETH Zurich has unveiled details of "Concrete Choreography", an installation that recently opened in Riom, Switzerland. The innovative installation features the first robotically constructed 3D printed concrete stage, consisting of formless columns 3D printed to full height in 2.5 hours. The process is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of concrete structures while achieving the fabrication of complex material components and construction robots.

3D printing news: ETH Zurich creates concrete columns using a special 3D concrete printer.

In Riom, Switzerland, the Origen festival features nine 2.7-meter-high columns. Each column is 3D printed concrete. The new columns were individually designed using special software and manufactured using new automated process 3D printing of concrete developed by the ETH Zurich team with the support of NCCR DFAB.

3D concrete printing like this

MSc Digital Fabrication and Architecture students explore the unique capabilities of multi-layer extrusion printing, demonstrating the potential of computer-aided design and digital fabrication for the future of concrete construction. Perhaps in the construction industry, this process will become more environmentally friendly in the future if they develop new eco-friendly concrete for 3D printing.

Video review of 3D concrete printing: Concrete choreography.

This is how easy and fast 3D concrete printing works.

3D printing of houses and buildings made of concrete is a prospect for construction.

Hollow concrete structures are printed for the strategic use of materials, resulting in a more sustainable approach to specific architecture. Additionally, the calculated material structure and surface textures are an example of the versatility and significant aesthetic potential of 3D concrete printing when used in large-scale structures.

The new review will be about printing on a 3D printer with metal.

It is worth noting that there is technology to carry out 3D printing with metal. This is also a promising direction for construction, but for this, other materials are used (for example, powder), programs and other types of printers (which we will talk about soon).

What color is your mobile phone? Is it black, red, white, gold or blue? Most likely, the back of your phone has some kind of solid color option that you will find in a coloring book for beginners. It has taken too long for most phone manufacturers to realize that phone colors actually matter to consumers, and it is only recently that they have started giving mobile phones not just a rarely used color, but fancy shades like coral red or canary green.

Honor News: With new 3D holographic color phones from Honor, it's possible to add a little new color to life.

It's no surprise that most people don't mind hiding the backs of their phones behind an opaque plastic case. In cases, the user can choose a suitable color for the phone case to give the mobile a little personality. But China's new Honor 20 Pro and Honor 20 series phones are the world's first smartphones with 3D dynamic holographic design, and their reflective appearance could become a new industry standard.

"Always better" is the company's motto. Perhaps this motto suggests that she refuses to follow the industry standard by simply experimenting with layers of paint with each new phone model.

Color 3D holography for the phone case.

In order for the phone body to achieve a shimmering optical illusion, the manufacturer Honor designed its Honor 20 model with a deep layer containing millions of shimmering microscopic prisms, and on top of this a so-called 3D curved glass layer is placed. The combination of these technologies causes the light to "play and dance" on the back of the phone as the user turns it in different directions.

Two colors for the Honor 20 phone can be found under these dynamic layers, Midnight Black and Sapphire Blue. Unlike the newfangled phrases for some phone colors, Honor mobile has color gradients for phones that actually evoke the effect of a shimmering night sky or a shimmering jewel.

While the color options sound exciting, you can go even further with the Chinese Honor 20 Pro phone. This upgraded model features the signature "Triple 3D Mesh" containing three layers. Instead of just painting the back of the phone itself, this time a layer of body color sits between the outer 3D layer and the inner depth layer. According to the phone maker, this makes color shifting effects much more dynamic.

The Honor 20 Pro mobile phone is actively sold in two colors such as Phantom Black and Phantom Blue. Although the names of these phone colors are not so metaphorical, do not think that their rear panels are less dynamic.

Honor's obsession with choice the right colors This may seem overly dramatic, but in the UK, for example, a survey of hundreds of Britons found that forty-nine percent of them consider color when choosing a phone to buy.

Why is a phone with a changing color scheme being sold?

Choosing a mobile phone, as Honor designer Jun-Soo Kim puts it, is “Extending human life.” Essentially, Honor is saying that customer identity cannot be captured in one unchanging color.

The history of the creation of Honor color phones.

The Honor 20 represents a natural evolution of the company's experimentation with dynamic color in phone design. The Honor 8 model started the trend of a 2.5D multi-layer back wall, which creates a 3D lattice effect. Then the Honor 9 version turned into a phone with a curved 3D glass, echoes of which can already be found in the Honor 20 model. Well, last year, the Honor 10 model was equipped with an Aurora rear glass that reflected colors from all sides.

What is the screen like on an Honor phone?

Honor's design innovations don't stop at the color of the phone's body. It is worth paying attention to the location Honor cameras 20. Instead of cropping the screen to make room for the “selfie” camera. The phone maker has cut a 4.5mm hole in the top left corner of the screen, thereby leaving more screen space for the user's needs.

Camera with artificial intelligence or AI camera in your phone.

According to the description of the phone, it is worth noting that on the back of the device, the Honor 20 AI camera has four lenses and is located so as to leave more space for a battery with more memory. But most importantly, the result is a 48-megapixel camera that uses the Kirin 980 AI microchip to take DSLR-quality photos and enhance photos.

Summary of Honor phone color.

Bottom line, the phone's descriptions, technical compatibility, and cutting-edge hardware innovations are what usually attract attention to Chinese phones Honor. But in this case, the technology is almost overshadowed by the uniquely colored body design, which may make some users reluctant to go back to simple 2D phone body colors in the future.

Rumors continue to arise regarding the launch of the Google Pixel 4 mobile phone. A new set of information or predictions comes from a leaked image (3D rendering of colored cases) on the Internet, which is believed to be of the Google Pixel 4. It is not uncommon for users to spy Because of the theme of new products, such images are overlooked. Meanwhile, for some analysts new picture It helps to make a few assumptions about more than just the color of the phone.

A new unofficial image of the Google Pixel 4 is sparking rumors about color options for the mobile phone's body.

While another image of the phone body itself doesn't seem to show more than what was previously discussed online, the model seen in the background of the photo raises eyebrows due to its color. That mobile phone has a shade of purple that the Pixel model didn't have before.

Elsewhere, there have been other leaks of the same Google Pixel 4 with "three phones" (variants) stacked in a row. There are white and black colors, plus the third has a bluish tint, which some call mint green. Would you like to buy a phone blue color? Probably the name of the phone colors will still be updated.

Whatever leak about the phone's colors is true or false, it's safe to assume that the new Google Pixel 4 will definitely have an additional color this year. What's even more interesting is in the image physical buttons on the sides of the phones contrast with the color of the case. You can see white, blue and yellow buttons, which give the phone a funny look.

For some strange reason, all the images and leaks seen so far have only shown the rear panel of the Google Pixel 4 smartphone. As reported by various sources, Google allegedly shared a render of the phone, and there was also a part where the square camera bump was featured. The dual camera unit was visible.

The leaked photos being discussed, including the image along with the cases, show the back panel in different colors and the camera module. What do you think? better color phone?

About the technical characteristics of Google Pixel 4:

Obviously, the idea of ​​a fingerprint scanner is not leaving fans alone. Some people want the phone to either have Face ID to unlock the phone, or an in-display fingerprint scanner, or both.

Some other aspects and specifications, such as the dimensions of the phones and the overall thickness being 8.2 millimeters higher compared to the 7.9 mm seen in the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, can be taken as close to reality.

There is speculation that the Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL versions of the phone may be more like the "Apple iPhone 11" variant that is scheduled to release in a couple of months in the fall. When, exactly? Technology company Google has yet to announce an official release date for the Pixel 4, but various sources are hinting at a late October release for the new phone.

We'll tell you more about this soon, so stay tuned for news about new smartphones from Google.

The robot set a world record for solving a Rubik's Cube. This robot was developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) students Jared Di Carlo and Ben Katz in a student laboratory. For comparison, the fastest human record is held by Australian Felix Zemdegs, who solved the Rubik's Cube in just 4.22 seconds in 2018. By the way, the original size Rubik's Cube has 43 quintillion possible combinations for one solution. Watch the video of the record-breaking robot below.

Robotics news: MIT's nimble Robot solves a Rubik's Cube in a world record time of 0.38 seconds.

Many people have a special place in their hearts for the Rubik's Cube. This is a good workout for the intellect. Many people loved or still love to play with this ingenious toy, and over the years there have been many competitions, challenges and variations to solve the Rubik's Cube.

The popularity of the Rubik's Cube can be attributed to the simplicity of its design combined with the mind-boggling complexity of the puzzle.

New record for solving a Rubik's Cube 3x3x3.

Engineers and hobbyists have been using robots to solve Rubik's Cubes for years. 10 seconds used to be considered a quick assembly, but by today's digital age standards, that's a time that makes you smile.

It was only a matter of time before engineers and roboticists began to tackle the challenge of creating a new robot. Back in 2016, the robot set a new record for solving a Rubik's Cube in 0.637 seconds. But for some enthusiasts, that time wasn't fast enough.

Just recently, two MIT students, Jared Di Carlo (a third-year electrical engineering and computer science student) and Ben Katz (a mechanical engineering graduate student), thought they could build a faster robot that could solve a 3D combination puzzle.

They watched videos of previous robots, and noticed that the robots' motors were not the fastest that could be used to solve the problem. So they thought they could do better with better engines and controls.

How a robot solves a Rubik's Cube

Students installed an electronically controlled motor that powers each face of the Rubik's Cube. Using a pair of web cameras pointed at the cube, special software determines the initial state of each side of the cube (which colors are on which side of the cube at a given time). Then, based on the information received, using existing software for solving the Rubik's Cube, the robot solves the puzzles using an algorithm.

What is the result of the work? Their robot solved a Rubik's Cube in 0.38 seconds! It is safe to say that no person is physically capable of breaking the record for this speed. We can add another achievement to the list of robots surpassing humans.

There is a man who holds the fastest world record for hand assembly, his name is Felix Zemdegs. He was able to solve the Rubik's Cube in 4.22 seconds. The skills and talents that robots are replacing are vast and varied, to say the least. Not to mention that robots can still surprise. Next is a video demonstration of the robot.

Video review of assembling a Rubik's Cube in 0.38 seconds:

Just like that, hardware hackers Ben Katz and Jared Di Carlo broke the previous record for robotically solving a Rubik's Cube. Their robot solved the puzzle 40 percent faster than the previous record.

Details about the record-breaking robot

The robotic device is assembled from motors from the Kollmorgen ServoDisc U9 series, PlayStation Eye cameras (for scanning the cube) and, of course, a Rubik's Cube was needed. According to the robot's creators, "The entire software process takes about 45 milliseconds. Most of the time is spent waiting for the webcam driver and determining the colors on the sides of the Rubik's Cube."

Facebook Inc. Artificial Intelligence Research Group. introduced a new robotics platform called PyRobot. This platform (framework) was developed jointly with researchers from Carnegie Mellon University. PyRobot aims to help AI researchers and students integrate deep learning models built using the PyTorch platform (a machine learning library for the Python programming language) with the robots they create. The basic idea is that they can create their robots more easily by using artificial intelligence skills such as natural language processing.

News from the world of robots with AI (AI): Facebook introduces a platform for robotics PyRobot is an open source framework for controlling robots.

Facebook said it wants to promote long-term robotics research to help develop embedded artificial intelligence systems that can learn more efficiently by interacting with the physical world.

Previously, to stimulate the production of artificial intelligence models, the company introduced PyTorch Hub.

What is PyRobot today

PyRobot is a lightweight, high-level interface that provides hardware-independent APIs for robotic manipulation and navigation. The PyRobot repository also contains a low-level stack for LoCoBot, a low-cost mobile manipulator hardware platform (robot assembly toolkit). Now artificial intelligence and machine learning is becoming more accessible to those new to robotics.

Research supervisor Abinav Gupta and Saurabh Gupta, as a research fellow at Facebook, explained in a blog post that: PyRobot is a lightweight, high-level interface on top of the robot's operating system. It provides a consistent set of hardware-independent middle-level APIs (application programming interfaces) for controlling a variety of robots. PyRobot abstracts away the details of low-level controllers and interprocess communication, so machine learning specialists and others can simply focus on building high-level AI (artificial intelligence) robotics applications.

Facebook's source also says PyRobot has dozens of potential applications, such as helping researchers share data and set benchmarks and build on each other's work. The company solicited proposals from the broader AI research community on how to democratize robotics using LoCoBot and PyRobot, which are hardware specifications and tools for building low-cost robots.

PyRobot works with using the API to abstract the functions that robots need to use. Perform tasks such as kinematics, path planning, position, speed and torque control for joints, and visual simultaneous localization and mapping. PyRobot comes with a number of pre-trained deep learning models that allow robots to navigate, grasp objects, and more.

This means developers can program their robots using just a few lines of Python code, Facebook says.

Facebook researchers also say that: The cost of hardware and the complexity of specialized software limit the scope of robotics research. With lower barriers to entry, researchers can, for example, build multiple robots that collect data and learn in parallel. By providing a common platform for various equipment. PyRobot will lead to the development of benchmarks in robotics, similar to other areas in AI, and will quantify the pace of progress in AI robotics.

Like Amazon's RoboMaker, PyRobot runs as an interface on top of the robot operating system (ROS), extending the infrastructure. In May, technology company Microsoft released a set of robotics tools with limited preview, and last year integrated the ROS platform into Windows 10.

The famous analyst and author of Apple smartphone forecasts, Ming-Chi Kuo, can certainly be the most reliable source of leaks and information about Apple products. And today he released a new research report, obtained by Mac Rumors, where he mentions the future of the iPhone and when we can expect Apple to finally switch to 5G (fifth generation mobile communications) smartphones.

Rumors and technology news: Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts Apple will release 5G iPhone in 2020

Back when Apple was still planning to use Intel modems in its iPhones, there were rumors that the "iPhone 2020" phone model would be the first to receive 5G support. However, the Apple company has since switched from its modem supplier to Qualcomm. For which they had to settle a long patent dispute with an American chip manufacturer, pay at least 4.5 billion dollars and not use Intel modems. Intel may even have shut down its 5G plans after this news.

According to analyst Kuo Ming-Chi's note, the development of a new version of the mobile iPhone phone 5G is right on schedule. Allegedly, we will see Apple announce the release of the 5G iPhone in 2020. Kuo's note also mentions that both the 5.4-inch iPhone model and the 6.7-inch iPhone model will have a 5G modem. A hint is given of some kind of update to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max smartphones.

Ming-Chi Kuo also said that all three iPhone models in 2020 will come in multiple colors and feature an OLED screen, as opposed to the LCD screen on the current iPhone XR. However, we'll probably still get an iPhone XR upgrade with an LCD display this year, so if an OLED screen in a mobile is too much of a deal for you, maybe wait a year.

5G iPhone competitors:

Currently our best Android competitors are the following 5G phones:

1) Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G (128 GB memory, 6 GB RAM and battery with fast charging);

2) OPPO Reno 5G (innovative design, affordable price, powerful camera);

3) LG V50 ThinQ (screen 1440 by 3120 pixels, memory expansion up to 1 TB, 4000 mAh battery);

4) OnePlus 7 Pro 5G (frameless AMOLED screen has no notches or holes);

5) ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G (48 megapixel camera, Snapdragon 855 chip).

Global sales of 5G phones.

Global deliveries to stores of mobile phones supporting 5G technology (this is the fifth generation of fast mobile communications) may be higher than market analysts' expectations. It's worth noting that some mobile market observers believe such shipments are likely to reach 150 to 200 million units, or more than a dozen percent of global 5G phone shipments next year.

After many rumors in the cryptocurrency market news. On Tuesday, Facebook unveiled plans for the next year, including the ambitious release of a new digital currency called Libra. It will be managed by an association consisting of corporate investors. Payment companies Visa, Mercado Pago, PayPal, Mastercard and Stripe are partners. Technology companies Uber, eBay, Spotify and Lyft are joining the project. European telecommunications companies Vodafone and Iliad are also involved in the new project. Investors Union Square Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz, plus academic, non-profit institutions Womens World Banking and Kiva.

Facebook introduced new project Calibra, a digital wallet for storing and sending Libra "crypto coins".

Billions of people are expected to be able to make payments using cryptocurrency from social media giant Facebook through their mobile apps. The social network Facebook plans to officially launch a new cryptocurrency project, Libra, in 2020. Libra is a new type of digital money that is intended for billions of people using mobile applications and the social network.

Popular social Facebook networks There's more news for the world of cryptocurrency.

That a new digital wallet would be created that would allow Facebook app users to store and exchange cryptocurrency. Facebook is creating a new subsidiary, Calibra.

Why is Facebook betting on a cryptocurrency called Libra? Perhaps a high goal the latest development, go beyond social networks.

Digital wallets for storing, sending and spending Libra cryptocurrency will be connected to messaging platforms.

Initially, the cryptocurrency will be available in the application Facebook Messenger/ WhatsApp, and of course in separate applications for iOS or Android.

Facebook said in a press release that: “Initially, Calibra will make it easy and instant to send Libra at a low cost to virtually anyone with a smartphone.”

It is also reported that: “Over time, it will be offered Additional services for businesses and people. For example, buying a cup of coffee with a scanned code, paying a bill with the click of a button, traveling on public transport without having to carry cash."

Security of the Facebook cryptocurrency wallet.

To improve the security of the new cryptocurrency, it will use similar verification and fraud protection features that are already in use credit cards, banks. Cryptocurrency Facebook service will have user support. And in case someone else gains access to the user account, compensation for lost assets is promised.

Cryptocurrency coins will be stored by users in a digital wallet. But the world of cryptocurrency itself is not always stable! Time will tell if Facebook's own digital money will help people save money by sending and spending it as easily as sending text messages.

The cryptocurrency will be managed by the founding members: Facebook, more than two dozen different organizations and a separate Swiss foundation.

Why Libra?

What does the word Libra mean?

Former PayPal executive David Marcus, who heads the Facebook project, said something like this: "The choice of the name Libra (Libra) was inspired by several reasons, namely the French word for Liberty, the Roman measurement of weight, the astrological sign of justice."

What would you like to know about Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency?

Technology and design news: Insanely beautiful iPhone 11 concept with innovative, colorful, curved screen.

Technology giant Apple will release iPhone 11 this coming September. If all sorts of rumors turn out to be true, then the multimedia phone could have the same design as the last two generations of the phone. Regarding the final design of the iPhone 11, we are ready to accept what Apple designers come up with. But we can't stop imagining what it could be like if technology allowed us to create any iPhone design 11. And this is exactly what very talented designers do. This time around, there's a beautiful concept for the iPhone 11 that ditches all the buttons in favor of an immersive curved phone screen.

The implementation of such a design results in an iPhone with a beautiful glowing strip that stretches along the entire mobile phone and replaces the physical volume rocker buttons and the power button. Using this design philosophy allows you to get an iPhone with on-screen icons on the side.

While it may be a good looking phone, there is absolutely no chance of the concept becoming a reality. In addition, protecting such a phone with a case seems impossible, since by covering the screen space the case will take away some of its basic functions. Imagine that if a phone like this were accidentally dropped on the ground, the cost of repairing a curved screen would be higher for the user than with a classic screen option.

We hope that new iPhone 11 will have bright screen under the sun.

The 2019 iPhone 11 lineup is expected to feature three models, just like last year. There may be two OLED phones and one with LCD screen. The iPhone 11 and 11 Max models may have a variety of OLED screens, and also have screen sizes of 5.8 and 6.5 inches, respectively. Perhaps the iPhone 11R model will be equipped with an LCD display to reduce the price to a minimum.

It is also expected that the new versions of the iPhone 11 and 11 Max will have a triple camera configuration, while the iPhone 11R version is expected to be equipped with dual camera. Essentially, this means that all three mobile phones could come with an additional camera on the back.

It is assumed that the front iPhone lines 11 will remain the same and there will be no difference in the size of the notch. However, recent reports claim that there may be improved face identification that will be able to authenticate a user at some extreme angles.

Video review of the iPhone 11 concept with an innovative, curved screen on the side:

According to the creator of this video, the new bezel-less iPhone 11 could have the following specifications:

6.4-inch full-screen display;
- Hidden front 13MP camera;
- Four cameras, 8K @ 120 FPS;
- New Apple operating system, iOS 13;
- Mobile Apple chip A13 Bionic (up to eight times faster than the A12 Bionic chip).

WWDC is Apple's large event for developers. During this event, Apple tells developers and interested visitors about new versions operating systems MacOS and iOS, their latest development tools, about the latest native applications, devices. She talks about plans to stimulate further development, about new partnerships with developers and other details that she is working on. It turns out that attending the Apple IT conference WWDC 2019 is an ideal chance to be the first to find out and see what new applications will be available for iOS and MacOS systems and not only.

Contents of delivery:

• Telephone
• Battery Li-Ion 1650 mAh
• Wired stereo headset
• USB cable
• Charger

Attention. Unlike a preliminary review, here you are reading a review of the final sample, as a result, you can evaluate all aspects of the phone without any discounts. Some parts are repeated with the first material, others are greatly supplemented and expanded. Here is the final review.

Positioning

Galaxy's success S no one undertook to predict, and for such a product it achieved a phenomenal level of sales. The model is an undisputed bestseller; it set the bar for the Android phone market, but it also caused problems within Samsung. No one expected a resounding success; as a result, no one could predict that the demand for phones would skyrocket. The company was let down by the lack of SuperAMOLED screens; their shortage did not allow them to achieve large sales; the demand for the model is high, but it is not available in many markets in sufficient quantities. As one of the measures, Samsung launched a cheaper variant of the Galaxy S, the i9003 model, which uses a SuperClear TFT display. It loses to SuperAMOLED in all respects, but remains one of the best screens On the market. At the same time, the cost of the i9003 with a minimum amount of memory is 100-120 euros less than the original Galaxy S, the price difference will increase even more over time. This is a good offer that will exploit the popularity of the original Galaxy S.

After the announcements at CES, when NVIDIA showed the first solutions based on Tegra2, in particular, LG Optimus 2x, Motorola Atrix 4G, Motorola DROID Bionic, a logical question arose: how can Samsung answer these devices? It seemed that dual-core processors were becoming a necessity in flagship solutions, a good marketing ploy, even if there was no practical need for them yet, since there was no corresponding software, games, and the speed increase in ordinary applications was not so great. But at CES, Samsung did not say a single word about such plans. The reason is that the company wanted to reduce the gap as much as possible between the announcement of the product and its appearance on the market. So that potential buyers can receive this solution in the same time frame as competitors.

Does Samsung count on the success of its updated flagship? Definitely yes, and there is simply no reason to believe that it will not be successful. Based on the sales of the previous device, this model will make a market for itself. It has several unique features that its competitors do not yet have. The first is the technology race in the field of screens. The new term is SuperAMOLED+, an improved version of the previous display, which has not become obsolete, and competitors simply do not have an analogue. I don’t know why such a technology race is needed, but the screen is becoming a visible advantage of Samsung’s flagships. One of the strengths. I like the Galaxy S screen quality, but it's not as sharp as the iPhone 4, not as sharp, and the fonts are a little blurry. In the new SuperAmoled+ version, the sharpness has been increased, not yet the iPhone, but not the Galaxy S either.

The second feature is not yet applicable in practice in most situations, but it provides a huge foundation for the future; it is a dual-core processor. For technology fans, such a processor has an undoubted advantage; its presence adds additional shine to the phone. But for practical people this is not the case. Having such a processor has no undoubted and immediate benefits. Another thing is that over time, more and more programs will appear for such solutions, and then this phone will show its capabilities.

In terms of technology, the first Galaxy S set the bar very high; it wasn't a technology showcase for the sake of it, but a demonstration of how to tie all the latest technology into one compelling product. The S II went even further; it is the first phone to support Wi-Fi Direct, does not require special software to work with any computer and synchronize data, the phone can send files via Wi-Fi, has a number of additional programs, not familiar from other Android phones, but which will soon become standard. I can list the technologies used for quite a long time (NFC, MHL, and so on), there is an impressive number of them here. Samsung created a flagship without any discounts and did it without wasting money on trifles. Unfortunately, there is not a single device on the market that is similar in characteristics and overall capabilities. Devices based on NVIDIA Tegra 2 come close to the Galaxy S II, but they usually have a much worse camera, larger size, and noticeably worse displays. Surprisingly, Samsung has created a flagship with an excellent price/quality ratio for its segment. A year will pass, and functionally the device will remain at the level of the best solutions; it will not be greatly overshadowed by other models, although more interesting solutions from different companies will appear. This product is positioned as a long-term flagship, that is, a model that is bought in order not to change the phone for a long time. The lifespan of this device for most markets and consumers will be maximum.

It is also worth noting the model HTC Sensation, which is technically very similar to the Galaxy II (dual-core processor, 1.2 GHz frequency, but worse camera, less built-in memory, simpler screen). This model benefits from the presence of the Sense 3.0 shell, but at a similar cost, Samsung has a technological advantage. In any case, both models look extremely attractive, and choosing between them will be quite difficult.

The positioning of a phone as a flagship determines the profile of its consumer; these are primarily those who buy the latest and best solutions. Of course, this device also belongs to them. The second and notable category is technology enthusiasts (geeks). Those who care about how powerful their phone is. For them, this model offers a win-win option, because other phones simply don’t have anything comparable in terms of technology. For practical buyers, this is an interesting model, since for a long time you can be sure that it remains relevant and does not require replacement.

Design, dimensions, control elements

Here I had to hear many different opinions. Someone judged by the picture and said that the model looked exactly the same as the previous device, some of the owners of the previous Galaxy complained that the device had become wider, and this was not entirely convenient. Some were just waiting for a different view. Samsung considered that the design of the first Galaxy S was successful, and sales confirmed this. And we decided not to change anything. In some ways, this approach is rational.

At the same time, due to the fact that the area of ​​​​the device has become larger, it has been made thinner. An impressive 8.5 mm (in the press release they say 8.49 mm, but we won’t calculate with such accuracy?), making this device one of the thinnest on the market. Sony Ericsson Arc immediately comes to mind; it has a thickness of 8.7 mm, which also looks thin, due to this the device is perceived in a completely different way and makes an impression. A forgotten trend that was present in phones 4 years ago has made a comeback again for the smartphone segment. Remember the Ultra series of phones from Samsung, and before that there was a device with a case thickness of 9 mm, and this was perceived as a breakthrough. Everything new is well forgotten old.

Comparison with Sony Ericsson Arc:

By the way, the Samsung Galaxy S II somehow reminded me of the Sony Ericsson Arc and in terms of proportions, it is possible that the size and diagonal of the screen leaves an imprint, it is similar in both models. The Arc has 4.2 inches, while the Samsung has 4.27, the difference is not deafening. But the Samsung screen is orders of magnitude better and more interesting. The Galaxy S II uses DNIe+ technology (that's where the plus sign in the screen name comes from). This is a processor that processes any graphics, for example, photographs, pictures, videos, and makes it look better on the phone screen. Similar technology is used in all Samsung TVs. Interestingly, something similar under the name BraviaEngine is used in Sony Ericsson Arc. These technologies are not used in the interface, that is, they are not responsible for drawing the menu.

Phone size – 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm (for Galaxy S - 122.4 x 64.2 x 9.9 mm), weight – 116 grams. For my taste, the device is a little wide; some may find this a drawback. But you adapt to it quickly, there is no discomfort. It’s nice that the device is invisible in your pocket; it also looks good in a shirt.

Comparison with Samsung Galaxy S:

The answer to why the back cover is made of plastic and not metal can be found quite quickly. When you actively use your phone, when you watch videos, download large files, transfer them, it starts to get very hot. If the back cover were metal, then it would be impossible to touch the device, it would burn. The cellular structure of plastic was invented for a reason; it is a kind of passive radiator. But even with it, the phone sometimes heats up, it doesn’t burn you, but you feel the heat. The warmest areas are around the camera.

The lid is very thin and when you snap it on you have to run your finger around the perimeter to make sure it fits snugly. Sometimes you don’t close the lid all the way, and this creates some inconvenience. When dropped, the cover flies off and knocks out the battery. My phone flew several times, but the cover did not receive any damage. Despite the thinness of the plastic, it is resistant to both impacts and bends.

The phone has a 2-megapixel front camera, proximity sensor, and light sensor. The central key is mechanical, but the menu and return buttons are touch sensitive. On the left side there is a paired volume key, on the right side there is an on/off button. It was not possible to find the camera key; it is still missing, and the camera will have to be called up from the menu.

At the top end there is a 3.5 mm headphone output, the microUSB connector has been moved down. On the back surface you can see the 8-megapixel camera lens, plus an LED flash, and there is a speaker at the bottom.

For several weeks, my main phone was the Galaxy II, so it has been through thick and thin and through copper pipes. There is no wear anywhere on the case, with the exception of the rear protrusion, there is a slight abrasion here that will get worse over time. It is visible only in the light and at the right angle. The second point is the back cover. In my pocket, it rubbed against the lining unevenly, and individual worn areas appeared. But I’ll say again, they are visible when you examine the phone very carefully, but in fact it’s hard to find them. In total, everything is as expected; the plastic case has both its advantages (weight, practicality) and disadvantages.

I admit honestly that I do not share the opinion of many people that the phone body must be metal, especially if it flagship model. It can be made of plastic, glass, or other materials. The question is how the material behaves over time, whether it ages or not, whether it is wiped out or not. For example, the glass used in the Apple iPhone 4 is relatively fragile; if you drop the device on the asphalt, it can break. Does this stop anyone from buying a device? I think no. This is one of its features. The model turned out to be very light in weight, but at the same time wide, and this is captivating. Constantly using HTC Incredible S and Galaxy II, I caught myself thinking that the Galaxy is more convenient for me. The reason is the weight and thickness of the case.

Display

Those who claim that SuperAMOLED Plus is just a marketing ploy should take a look at how different the picture on it is compared to regular SuperAMOLED. It is brighter, sharper with an increased screen diagonal, but the main thing is that the screen consumes less energy. An energy saving option has appeared in the settings, when energy consumption is adjusted depending on the picture that is currently displayed (DNIe+ is used). This technology is also used in all Samsung TVs; a special processor analyzes the information and then improves the picture, making it more beautiful for us. A side effect is that the phone can now analyze how energy is spent. The selection of wallpaper also takes into account the fact that AMOLED screens waste energy differently, depending on the color. A similar technology is used by Sony Ericsson, it is called Bravia Engine, but the gains on TFT screens are not so noticeable; rather, the technology there is only for visual improvement displayed image.

Let's return to screen technology. The first SuperAMOLED matrices use PenTile technology, when one point on the screen is formed from two subpixels. Surprisingly, this caused quite heated discussions on many forums, in which it was argued that the effective resolution of any screen with PenTile technology is at least a third lower than stated. This is a rather bold and stupid statement, since the number of dots was no different from any screen, and if the manufacturer spoke about a matrix of 800x480 dots, then there were exactly that many of them on the screen. No more, no less.

Another thing is that in some aspects, a smaller number of subpixels gave visible distortion on the screen, which, coupled with high definition annoyed some users. For example, for the first generation SuperAMOLED, the fonts had a sharply defined outline with a ladder; in fact, this is the only visible difference from most screens, which arises from the use of PenTile technology. Just look at the labels for the icons on the main screen and see this effect on the same Galaxy S. A comparison with the second Galaxy will show that there is nothing similar there.

The explanation lies in the Real RGB Stripe technology, which was used in SuperAMOLED Plus matrices. Now a single point on the screen is formed not by two, but by three subdots. The picture from Samsung Displays shows the difference, the increased number of subdots makes the picture smoother, including fonts, there are no sharply defined contours that could be annoying. I honestly admit that until we started discussing this topic and procrastinating on it, I didn’t even pay attention to the fonts. But then, of course, I saw this sharpness, although this did not have any effect on my perception of the previous Galaxy.

In the sun, the screen behaves worse than in the first Galaxy, the explanation is that the size of the matrix has increased, but the resolution remains the same, plus the technology has changed. The picture is readable at a right angle or in not very bright sun. But otherwise everything is exactly the same as on other types of screens; there is no advantage that was in the first SuperAMOLED.

At the moment, SuperAMOLED Plus technology does not allow creating screens with a pixel density of more than 200 ppi; the iPhone has a matrix with more than 300 ppi. Samsung will change its matrix manufacturing technology in order to achieve more than 300 ppi as early as 2011.

For my taste, the picture on SuperAMOLED Plus looks smoother, the brightness adjustment is well selected. But the main point is that the user can choose the saturation of the picture (Movie, Standard, Dynamic). In fact, this is a setting that allows you to set the color temperature of the screen and change the color saturation. Some people like bright colors - leave the standard option. Some people don't like the same bright colors- select Movie mode.

The screen diagonal is 4.3 inches (the previous model has 4 inches, but the difference is huge and striking), the resolution is 800x480 pixels (displays 16 million colors). In practical terms, the display is extremely convenient; there is an automatic adjustment of image brightness depending on the lighting. Protective glass hardened, coated with special anti-reflective material. The screen also has an oleophobic coating, which in theory means that it does not get dirty with your hands. A similar coating is used in the Apple iPhone. Users of this device know that there are still prints, just a few fewer of them. Exactly the same story here. There are greasy marks, but they are not so noticeable.

Samsung devices also use VibeZ technology - when you press the keys, the body vibrates, which confirms your action.

The screen can accommodate up to 16 lines of text and up to three service lines. In message reading mode, this can be up to 24 lines, depending on the selected font. You can select the font size and style for the screen in the settings, but they are not much different. Another thing is that, unlike many models, the screen font here is huge, it can be easily read from any distance. This is a plus of the device.

Screen comparison with Galaxy S (maximum brightness, same pictures).

Screen comparison with Sony Ericsson Arc (maximum brightness, same pictures).

Battery

The phone uses a 1650 mAh lithium-ion battery. According to the manufacturer, the battery can provide up to 6.5 hours of talk time and up to 350 hours of standby time. In Moscow networks, the device works on average for about one day. The time to fully charge the battery is about 3 hours.

Playback of unconverted video is possible for approximately 8.5 hours. Music playback - up to 30 hours.

Perhaps checking the operating time of the device was the most difficult and extensive test for me. The number of settings related to energy consumption is huge, and you can customize the phone to suit you, and also save operating time. For each person, this device will be able to show its results, this is very individual and depends on hundreds of settings (screen brightness, number of programs in memory, and so on). Therefore, I decided to conduct comparative tests with the first Galaxy. SIM cards of the same operator were installed on two phones, PUSH mail was configured, the same applications, programs, and so on were used. In fact, I even tried to call from the same places and talk for the same amount of time. The result turned out to be quite unusual - the operating time of Galaxy II increased from 1.5 to 2 times. In my case, the first Galaxy, starting to work at 9 am, was already completely discharged by lunchtime (yes, I’m not a very ordinary user, for many it works longer), but the Galaxy II worked for a long time.

I’ll briefly talk about the settings that are present in the phone and can do a good job in saving energy. Firstly, you should go to the Wi-Fi section and in the advanced settings set the connection only when the screen is active. This will save some energy, especially if you don't use any IM apps and want to see information the moment you pick up the phone. Secondly, it’s worth considering whether you need PUSH in your mail; if you receive dozens of letters per hour, this function greatly affects the operating time. You can set the interval to 15, 30 minutes or even an hour. This gives a noticeable increase in operating time.

In the screen settings I recommend setting automatic adjustment brightness, but also add analysis of the image on the screen (a separate item not found in all competing products). This item allows the phone to select brightness depending on the applications used, everything works quite well. Regardless of whether this item is selected or not, the phone has a temperature sensor. If you are in the sun and at the same time playing some kind of toy, while simultaneously downloading a large file, the screen brightness will automatically decrease to prevent the device from overheating. Until now, I had never encountered such functionality.

The Power Save Mode section allows you to install an assistant that will turn on energy saving mode when the battery is discharged to a certain level. At the same time, you can specify exactly how the phone will save energy. Quite a good setup as it flexibly allows you to set your priorities. When the battery reaches 15 percent charge, the camera stops working. The telephone is designed to ensure that you can call until the last moment. It’s nice that at 15 percent the device lasts 1.5-2 hours, you can talk for up to 15-20 minutes.

It's surprising but true that the Galaxy SII lasts longer than the first Galaxy. And this is reflected not by a slightly larger battery, but by the technological platform itself, the Exynos processor turned out to be very economical. In terms of technology, this is an extremely complex phone, in which many settings have been applied, with the help of which real energy savings are possible without deteriorating the user characteristics of the device. Let me hint that by studying the phone and its capabilities in detail, you can save up to 50 percent of your operating time, which is just great. Other devices do not provide such customization options even close. And if you also have straight arms and know how to delve into the insides of the device, then even more. In short, among the latest generation flagships, the Samsung Galaxy SII has one of the longest-lasting batteries.

Below are screenshots from the built-in Android utility that shows operating time and energy consumption.

USB, Bluetooth, NFC, communication capabilities

Bluetooth. Bluetooth version 3.0, also called High Speed. When transferring files to other devices that support this technology, Wi-Fi 802.11 n is used, and the theoretical transfer speed is about 24 Mbit/s. Testing the transfer of a 1 GB file showed a maximum speed of about 12 Mbit/s within three meters between devices.

The model supports various profiles, in particular, Headset, Handsfree, Serial Port, Dial Up Networking, File Transfer, Object Push, Basic Printing, SIM Access, A2DP. Working with headsets does not raise any questions, everything is ordinary.

USB connection. In the menu you can select one of three possible operating modes: Media Player, Mass Storage, Samsung Kies. The device can be easily used as a modem by enabling Wi-Fi Hotspot or activating a similar function for USB.

In mode USB Mass The storage device is picked up perfectly without additional drivers, you can copy the necessary data. USB version – 2, data transfer speed – about 25 Mb/s.

When connecting to a PC, simultaneous USB work and Bluetooth, the device requires you to turn off Bluetooth regardless of the current state (whether there is a connection and transmission or not), this is extremely inconvenient. When connected via USB, the device is recharged.

The USB on the Go function is supported, which means that using a special adapter, you can connect any flash drives or external hard drives to the microUSB connector, in this case, you will be able to view files, copy them, and so on in the file manager.

The microUSB connector also supports the MHL standard, which means that using a special cable (available at electronics stores), you can connect the phone to the TV (to the HDMI output). In fact, the standard describes the ability to connect via microUSB to HDMI. This solution looks preferable to a separate miniHDMI connector on the case.

For GSM networks, EDGE class 12 is provided.

WiFi. The 802.11 a/b/g/n standard is supported, the operation wizard is similar to that for Bluetooth. You can remember selected networks and automatically connect to them. It is possible to set up a connection to the router in one touch; to do this, you need to press a key on the router, and also activate a similar button in the device menu (WPA SecureEasySetup).

Wi-Fi Direct. A new protocol that is designed to replace Bluetooth or begin to compete with its third version (which also uses Wi-Fi versions n for transferring large files). On the menu Wi-Fi settings select the Wi-Fi Direct section, the phone starts searching for devices around. We select the desired device, activate the connection on it, and voila. Now in the file manager you can view files on another device, as well as transfer them. Another option is to simply find devices connected to your router and transfer the necessary files to them; this can be done from the gallery or other sections of the phone. The main thing is that the device supports Wi-Fi Direct.

NFC (Near Field Communication). The phone has a built-in NFC technology, with its help, in some countries they create payment systems where you can pay for a purchase with your phone in a parking lot or at a kiosk. Similar systems will develop, and Samsung has built these capabilities into the device so that it is the most advanced. For certain countries, this option will not be available in the menu (Russia is one of them, but at the same time NFC is physically present).

Kies via Wi-Fi. The first company to offer a phone experience without having to download any software to your computer was Motorola. You connected to the PC with using Wi-Fi, could be viewed in the browser separate sections phone. Samsung went a little further and gave access to all sections of the phone. Enter the address that your phone provides you in the browser, and you can work with all your data and download it to your PC. Convenient and simple. No special programs, you can write SMS from your computer, read them, and so on.

Motion Control

Individual functions can be controlled using movements. In most cases, these movements are contrived. For example, in the gallery you can touch a picture with two fingers and tilt the device to zoom in or out. It is not always possible to regulate the speed at which the picture changes; it is easier to zoom it by hand. The only convenient function is unlocking; you touch the screen and shake the phone, and the lock is removed. The menu has good tutorials showing how to work with movements, but to save energy it is better to turn them off.

Memory, memory cards

The phone has 16 GB of internal memory (a version with 32 GB is planned), initially about 14 GB is available to the user. The memory card is visible separately, it is possible to display all folders (both from the memory card and internal). Eat file manager, which allows you to copy files both from and to the card. Memory cards are not hot-swappable. We tested microSD cards with a capacity of up to 32 GB, everything works.

Volume random access memory equal to 1 GB, after downloading about 800 MB free. This is enough for all applications; in terms of RAM, the phone is one of the best on the market.

Performance

This is the first dual-core phone from Samsung, and it uses an Orion processor inside, which was recently renamed Exynos 4210. Compared to the prototypes, the processor has been changed - it is also dual-core, but the maximum frequency is 1.2 GHz.

Is this solution comparable to NVIDIA Tegra2, which I was able to try in Motorola ATRIX 4G, as well as LG Optimus 2x. Both devices were my main phones for several weeks. I can only evaluate performance from the user’s point of view, since there are simply no programs today that use all the capabilities of such an architecture. Samsung's solution is no less fast than Motorola devices or LG phones. They are perceived on the same level. My impression is extremely positive, this is one of the fastest phones on the market. In a number of situations, the Samsung phone even looks faster; one gets the feeling that a lot of work has been done on its optimization.

So, here are the results in the synthetic Quadrant test, the stock Galaxy SII firmware shows about 3000 points, while competitors lag behind by a significant margin. I want to emphasize that these measurements are speculative; they do not affect the real performance of the device, which depends not only on the processor, but also on the memory, as well as on how the programs are optimized and how stable they are in operation.

In Smartbench2011 (optimized for dual-core processors), the results are equally impressive. At the time of testing, this is the only product that showed maximum result, as you can see for yourself in the screenshot. Below are the results of the overclocked LG Optimus 2x, but this is not a very fair comparison, since you can increase the frequency on Oxynos to much higher values ​​(1.8 GHz, to be precise). In the absence of commercial samples of HTC Sensation, it is unfair to compare the performance of these two devices, while Sensation loses in performance in tests. In our Sensation review, we'll compare processors and system performance with the Galaxy SII.

Camera

The model received a new 8-megapixel camera module from Samsung, which is one of the best on the market. However, let's compare it with that of the Sony Ericsson Arc.

Sony has created the EXMOR matrix, which is used in the company’s flagship – Sony Ericsson Arc. In countless advertisements, marketing materials The superiority of this matrix in low-light conditions is shown, and the marketing has hammered into people's heads that this is the ideal solution. Or close to it. Unfortunately, Sony is not a leader in photo solutions for phones; moreover, the company's products are secondary to what Samsung does. This can be seen in simple examples of comparative photographs.

So, let's look at a photograph of chrysanthemums without any lighting. The pictures look the same. Here and below, pictures from the Galaxy SII are located on the left.

Let's take the pencils off on the table by the window. The light is from the side, the lighting is clearly not enough. Both cameras did about the same job; I wouldn’t single out a leader.

The Laughing Buddha in my office turned out great on the Galaxy, but for some reason Arc raised the ISO to 400 (250 on the Galaxy), and at the same time darkened the picture. It also didn't turn out very sharp.

With the flash, things are even worse for the Arc; the device simply shoots as needed. See for yourself. I tried to take pictures several times, but always got this result.

But in this photo (a rare case!) one can even say that Arc shot it a little better. Little bit.

In daylight, bright light, the cameras have parity, although Arc does not handle all scenes well. But let me remind you that these are almost ideal conditions, and all cameras work well in them.

Well, a couple more pictures:

I hope this little comparison has shown that Sony's EXMOR is pure marketing, nothing more. The regular, untitled camera from Samsung puts EXMOR to the test and produces better image quality in all conditions. I think this is enough to stop once and for all the discussion of Sony Ericsson's marketing nonsense about the superior quality of the cameras (and yes, the iPhone will use a Sony solution that will not be available on the SE phones due to the high cost).

There is a small but significant change to the Galaxy SII's camera interface. Now the interface can be either horizontal or vertical, it all depends on how you hold the device.

All settings are shown on translucent background, which is also pleasing. I will briefly list the main settings.

The zoom is digital, 4x, you just need to swipe the screen with two fingers to activate it. Very convenient implementation (pinch to zoom). You can judge the quality of the zoom from the following photos, it is not impressive.

Flash mode: automatic, always on, off.

Shooting mode - one shot (default), Beauty (filter that hides skin imperfections), Smile Shot (finds a smile and responds to it), Panorama, Action Shot (photos of moving people or objects), Cartoon (filter that turns a photo into something similar to a sketch).

Scene Mode – Portrait, Landscape, Night, Sports, Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dawn, Fall color, Firework, Text, Candelight, Backlight.

Shutter speed is adjustable from -2 to +2.

Focusing – autofocus, face, macro.

Timer for 2, 5 and 10 seconds.

Effects – negative, black and white, sepia.

Resolution – 8M (3264x2448), 6.5W (3264x1968), 7M (3072x2304), 5.7W (3072x1856) and lower resolutions.

White balance – day, cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent.

ISO – auto, 100, 200, 400, 800.

Also worth noting is point or matrix metering, automatic contrast, image stabilizer, and the ability to set a GPS tag.

You will find examples of photographs below:

Video. To the already used resolution of 1280x720, 1920x1080 pixels (1080p) were added. At the same time, the file properties indicate up to 30 frames per second, but the picture looks a little jerky if you walk or drive. Constant autofocus is supported, but in difficult conditions the camera cannot always quickly focus on the subject or subject of shooting (example with cocktails). But in general, the shooting quality is quite at the level of other solutions and even better. See for yourself.

Samsung has seriously taken up the project of conquering gadget lovers around the world. Last year we saw a beautiful and controversial masterpiece at the same time - the Galaxy S i9000. Wonderful, because hardly anyone remained indifferent after getting to know this smartphone. Its thinness, excellent performance and the most colorful display left a lasting impression. And the model was controversial because of the glossy plastic case, which at such a price did not look very presentable, as well as some similarities with the competitor “X”.

Galaxy S has become not just popular, it has truly become a religion of android engineering. Other manufacturers looked up to it, they tried to catch up with it in terms of performance, camera quality, etc. Did anyone succeed in this last year? No. May fans of other manufacturers and owners of other flagships of last year forgive me, but the SGS was fast, had a lot of memory on board and, something no one can boast of, the pictures and videos taken with the “galaxy” turned out to be Hollywood. The first to encroach on the position of leader in photography and videography was , but this is already a new year’s model. And the Galaxy S easily competes with it.

Surprisingly, Samsung managed to release not just good smartphone, but a good long-lasting smartphone. At a time when, by the standards of modern smartphone manufacturing, the lifespan of the Galaxy S was supposed to fade, a second nexus was released - Nexus S, based on the i9000. After some time, the company releases modifications of the Galaxy S with a different display and a different processor. Surprisingly, even after a year, the smartphone remains relevant almost as much as before. Many of my friends are buying SGS right now, due to the reduced cost and lack of alternatives for the money. I recommend it myself. If you don't already know, I have both a Nexus S and a Galaxy S in my family.

But if you are content with a successful product for a long time, you can follow the path of company “N”. And company “M” will be happy to enter into a partnership with you after some time. It's as if we wrote one successful article, and then didn't write anything for a month. Samsung understands this, so today we will talk not about the i9000, but about the i9100 or Samsung Galaxy S 2.

This is the direct successor of the legendary “galaxy”. Since the parent was a concrete revolutionary in the market, the son should be raised in the best traditions. And it will turn out proportionally better. What happened?

Design and first impressions

Before I first got acquainted with the SGS 2, I was prepared for the following: it is thin, too wide and not very comfortable to hold in your hand. Objectively, this is true. Subjectively, I have huge paws and the sizes are comfortable for me. In the video review, I spin it easily in one hand, demonstrating its appearance. The Galaxy S 2 is truly incredibly thin at just 8.5mm. If for the first SGS I asked the question: “How did all this fit in such a weight?”, now I pose the question: “How did so much technological goodness fit into a smartphone as thick as tights?”

The feeling from the case materials is not enthusiastic. I admired the case, although these devices are in different price categories. The body is completely plastic, and in some places the plastic seems to be of lower quality than in the first Galaxy S. The phone is assembled well, during use I could not feel the appearance of any gaps, I think there will be no problems with this. There is no flexibility of the case in bending and torsion, which I observed in the SE Xperia arc. There are much fewer glossy surfaces; for example, the entire back cover is corrugated. Of course, it doesn’t feel like an expensive thing, as is the case with the iPhone 4, but this is at the level of stereotypes. It’s interesting that Samsung really doesn’t pay attention to such “little things” as metal in the case, but users don’t go on strike over this issue either.

The design clearly shows the features of its predecessor, but the second “galaxy” does not evoke such strong associations with its competitor. Now this is a unique model, no one will consider you a poor smartphone owner who has not saved up for a competitor. To complete the experience, you need to not only twirl the smartphone in your hands, but also turn on the display. This is what gives the most originality to the model.

Overall, the impressions were great, but I won’t lie, I expected a little more.

Location of elements and their description

Let's move on to the tedious part of the review - consideration of the elements located on the sides of the SGS 2.

In front we see a large 4.27″ display with a resolution of 480x800 pixels, made using Super AMOLED Plus. The resolution is the same as on the previous model, but with a larger diagonal the clarity should be less. But she's more! The reason for this is the abandonment of PenTile technology; now there are not two, but three subpixels located at one point. It looks like this:

In practice, the 4.27″ picture of the SGS 2 is clearer than the 4″ picture of the SGS. The screen continues to amaze with its colors, I think for a smartphone and mobile device In general, Super AMOLED (even without the PLUS prefix) is the right technology. In addition, now you can adjust the image temperature yourself by choosing a comfortable range of colors for yourself in the settings.

The control key block is similar to that in the original SGS. Above the screen there is a front camera, proximity and light sensors, and a speaker.

On the right is the key to lock the screen and turn on the device, on the left is the volume key.

The MicroUSB connector is now at the bottom and this is correct; in the first model the location was not the best. Or rather, the only worse placement would be on the front side, near the screen. On top there is only a headphone jack left. There is also a microphone on the top and bottom.

The back side pleased with its practicality. The gloss remained, but only at the very bottom, on the ledge. By the way, this particular solution may not be the most successful, because with this protrusion the phone will rest on all surfaces and will definitely become matted over time. And the quality of the glossy plastic seemed worse to me than in the original Galaxy S, but in general, of course, this arrangement of materials is better.

What is very surprising is the camera. In a body of such thickness they placed not just a camera “for show,” but a full-fledged photo and video camera. Both photographs and videos are of excellent quality and without any discounts on thickness. Photos can be taken with a maximum resolution of 8 MP, and video in 1080p. The manufacturer claims a frame rate of 30 fps even in maximum resolution, however, the naked eye can see that in 720p the picture is much smoother.

I can call the Samsung Galaxy S 2 camera, if not the best, then one of the 2-3 best on the phone market in general. At such a size! Yay-yay-yay to all competitors! This is exactly the smartphone that you can safely take on vacation instead of a photo and video camera. This is not a “DSLR”, but it is a very high-quality solution for good memory.

Sample photos

Video examples

The battery cover is so thin that it is difficult to simply grasp without bending it. However, the plastic is elastic; you are unlikely to break it if you use the phone without fanaticism.

Under the cover we see a 1650 mAh battery. This is almost a record capacity among Android smartphones. The battery of the same capacity is installed in the Samsung i9003 Galaxy SL, but the Galaxy S 2 lasts longer on a single charge. This is due to the more energy-efficient display technology, even compared to the previous generation Super AMOLED, Plus is more careful with the battery. The processor also reduces the frequency when tasks do not require all the performance. The SGS2 easily lasted for a day and looked much nicer in terms of autonomy than my Nexus S.

Above the battery are slots for a MicroSD memory card and a SIM card.

Unfortunately, the camera key was never attached; with such dimensions, taking photographs while aiming at the key on the display is not very convenient.

BY

The smartphone is sold with latest version Android – 2.3 Gingerbread. As you would expect, TouchWiz fourth edition was pulled on top of Android. Among the features, I will note the modified function of adding widgets or icons to the desktop, advanced energy saving settings, and many other system settings. The Samsung Galaxy S 2 features a gyroscope. For example, you can zoom images in the gallery or scale pages in the browser by slightly tilting the body, after placing two fingers on the screen. It’s pretty cool, I’ll tell you, and it works well.

I'm glad to see photo and video editors right in the stock smartphone. The controls in these applications are intuitive, and they may be useful to you.

Specifications

This is the strong point of the device. Galaxy S 2 is Samsung's first dual-core smartphone, powered by a processor own development Exynos 4210 clocked at 1.2 GHz. When compared with Nvidia Tegra 2, the difference is unnoticeable. However, there is a nuance: all games developed for dual-core processors are sharpened (read: imposed by marketers) for Tegra 2. Of course, the Galaxy S 2 can easily cope with them, but it cannot be done without adding additional software.

The smartphone not only works quickly, the interface literally flies out of your hands. While using it, I didn’t notice any quirks on the part of TouchWiz. It is almost impossible to occupy 1 GB of RAM with running applications.

The main memory of the smartphone is formatted in FAT32, which negates the ability to record large files. The need for such files on the phone is negligible, but the fact itself is not encouraging.

Audio playback is good. The sound quality should satisfy the unbiased music lover, but it is inferior to the iPhone 4.

Videos of many formats are played out of the box, DivX/XVid are supported.

• Dimensions: 125.30 x 66.10 x 8.49 mm
• Weight: 116 g
• Operating system: Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread
• CPU: Exynos 4210 1.2 GHz
• Display: capacitive, 4.27 inches, Super AMOLED Plus, 480x800 pixels
• Memory: 16/32 GB flash, microSD slot (up to 32 GB)
• RAM: 1 GB
• Camera: 8 MP, video recording in 1080p, front camera
• Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0+EDR (A2DP),
• Interface connectors: microUSB, 3.5 mm headphone jack
• Battery: lithium-ion, 1650 mAh

conclusions

Before I said that we have one of the most anticipated new products of the year in our hands, I looked through several large forums and everywhere the discussion threads for the Samsung Galaxy S 2 have already grown larger than the threads of most established models. This despite the fact that the smartphone is not yet sold everywhere. The receiver of the first SGS was interesting long before the announcement; many tried to guess what it would be like. Were your expectations met? I can’t say that this is an ideal smartphone for some reasons, including a self-developed processor, a plastic case and others, but these are minor things. But to first Galaxy S had more questions, remember at least all the negativity that poured in its direction because of the completely glossy body. However, the model became a real bestseller, even I had to buy it.

It’s a little confusing that the model has a chance to become a kind of passing link between the Galaxy S and Galaxy S 3, which, according to some rumors, may appear as early as this fall. The point is not that the second generation will immediately lose its relevance, but the question will arise as to why the manufacturer is so quickly introducing a replacement for the flagship to the market. But in my opinion, this should not happen for completely banal reasons - 3-4 months is too short a period for the life of a flagship. In the third quarter, the second Galaxy should only reach the states, so the autumn three will most likely remain a rumor.

My opinion is that this is one of the most multifunctional and technically advanced smartphones. I think the Galaxy S 2 will be great for advanced bloggers and journalists, when at any moment there may be a need to create high-quality material and post it on a website without being at their desk. You can shoot a “hot” video (in a good way), edit it, describe it and publish it on your blog or resource. Well, isn't it a song?

Video review of Samsung Galaxy S 2

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