Samsung Galaxy S II dual core Android smartphone

Speed dialler

Daylight savings

There’s no separate HDMI slot for direct digital connection to your TV, although Samsung's optional MHL micro USB adapter performs this task. However, out of the box, you can use the DLNA capability allows you to connect wirelessly to your home network and stream your pics and vids that way.

Niftiness comes at a price: dual core handsets inevitably drain battery power more quickly

Other useful apps include the Task Manager, which gives you extra control of what apps you’re running so you can preserve battery life. With Polaris Office you can create and edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, and while it’s not quite the full Microsoft Office shilling, it gets the job done.

Talking of which, the powerful processor and the temptation to keep apps running does tend to hit the battery, and I never managed to get a full day of, admittedly, heavy use out of it. More diligent use of the Task Manager would no doubt make a difference though.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S II is a significant improvement on its predecessor and a terrific Android phone. While the battery life isn't the greatest, its slim profile, powerful processor, 8Mp camera and (almost) all the latest treats Android has to offer, make it the top dog in its field. ®

Thanks to Clove Technology for the loan of the review sample.

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