T-Mobile has officially announced two phones that will hit its network in October 2011: the HTC Amaze 4G and the Samsung Galaxy S II. Both phones feature Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 processors running at 1.5GHz and both can access data on T-Mobile’s zippy HSPA+ 42 network. They look like outstanding products, but each has key strengths and weaknesses. Let’s check ’em out!
HTC Amaze 4G — The Amaze is very similar to the HTC Sensation 4G that was released earlier in the year. It uses a lot of the same parts and design, but with the addition of a much better camera, a bigger battery, a faster processor, and a faster data radio. The Amaze uses the same excellent sensor and optics found in the MyTouch 4G Slide. Although its 4.3-inch screen is smaller than the Galaxy S II’s, it packs a superior 960 x 540 resolution. It also comes in a sexy white version that has me drooling.
My big fear with this phone is that its screen is similar to the Sensation’s. I really wanted to love the Sensation, was put off by its dull Super LCD screen. It looked like old tech that didn’t truly take advantage of the high resolution. Sadly, HTC Sense 3.0 is used instead of the newer HTC Sense 3.5. The Amaze is also thicker and heavier than the GSII; I prefer the weight, but some people like phones to be as light as possible.
The HTC Amaze 4G will be available on October 10 online and in stores October 12 for $259.99 after a (stupid) $50 mail-in rebate. A two-year contract is required to get that pricing.
Samsung Galaxy S II — Released around the world in Spring 2011, the Galaxy S II is finally coming to America. A GSII variant is already available on Sprint, while the AT&T version hits in October. The big sell on this phone is its 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen. The screen tech offers bright and vibrant colors, while also being more efficient than LCD displays. The GSII also features Samsung’s TouchWiz 4.0 interface, which is much better than its predecessor. This is a big and beautiful phone that’s also very light.
On the downside, its resolution is only 800 x 480. On a screen this big, text can appear jagged and graphics can appear pixelated due to the low pixel density. Like previous Samsung smartphones, the body is primarily plastic, which makes it feel cheap compared to phones that use more glass or metal. Some people feel that this isn’t a true Galaxy S II phone since the Exynos processor was swapped out for the Snapdragon S3 in order for compatibility with T-Mo’s HSPA+ 42 network.
The Samsung Galaxy S II will be available on October 10 online and in stores October 12 for $229.99 after a (stupid) $50 mail-in rebate. A two-year contract is required to get that pricing.
Bottom Line — I’m hoping to get review units in soon. I want to see each phone’s quirks and measure the performance of HSPA+ 42 before I get too excited about either one. That said, I’m fairly confident that both will be great products. If you take a lot of pictures, want a smoother Android experience through Sense, and like your phone to have some heft then the Amaze 4G is probably for you. If you want the best screen tech currently available, a larger display, and feather-light weight then the Samsung Galaxy S II will be more to your liking.
One thing to keep in mind is that a Google Nexus phone featuring the next version of Android (Ice Cream Sandwich) will be out by November. Another consideration is that there will also be phones with 1280 x 720 resolutions released in the next few months. The Amaze 4G and Galaxy S II should be strong products that will serve you well for a few years, but they will be surpassed in a few months. Tech is fun (not fun) like that.
Et Vous? — What do you think of the HTC Amaze 4G and the Samsung Galaxy S II? Which phone looks better to you? As for me, I love the looks of the white Amaze 4G, am intrigued by the camera, and prefer Sense over TouchWiz. That said, I’m sure that Verizon LTE will outperform T-Mobile HSPA+ and the next Nexus is rumored to be heading to Verizon, so….
