Ace
2 runs on Android 2.3 with TouchWiz interface
Not equipped with Android 4.0 like One V
and Optimus L7, instead, Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 comes with Android 2.3 OS and
TouchWiz interface adjusted and integrated with more utilities.
With dual-core setting and GingerBread, Ace
2 has all features that Samsung gives to its smartphones, like Galaxy S II or
Galaxy W… from multi-format video player, 5.1 sound support, photo optimizer, and
daily journal to Samsung Apps store… or integrated Vlingo sound control. The
model also supports Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi hotspot but no USB OTG (mobile
connector) and MHL (image streaming via USB-HDMI). Though, this md-class
model’s sound output isn’t well supported like that on One V (with Beats Audio)
or Xperia U (with Walkman and xLoud).
Screen-capture is a questioned utility.
Contrast to normal using (hold the power button and press Home key), to enjoy
this feature, users must first hold Home and Back buttons then press the power
button.
Although it’s not as professional and
attractive as One V and Xperia U, Ace 2 provides complete features for users to
ensure about its camera ability. Aside from the main camera, there’s a
front-facing additional camera with VGA resolution. The setting has necessary
adjusting parameters: from capture mode, brightness, white balance to
autofocus, face and smile detection. A panorama feature is also integrated
while HDR isn’t.
Samsung
equips its mid-class model with various camera features
However, the image quality can’t compete
with that on HTC and Sony, though better than Optimus L7. All four models above
come with 5MP cameras. In sufficient lighting condition, Ace 2’s image output
gives good details, sharpness and fair brightness. However, white balance
ability isn’t really good; in some conditions, the quality is completely
different from reality. For example, the sky’s real blue turned into purple. In
insufficient lighting condition, captured images are acceptable with low noise.
Galaxy Ace 2’s camera own a 4mm focal
length with f/2.7, focus speed and capture speed are pretty lower than other
models in the same market. Sometimes, users have to wait nearly 2 minute for
the phone’s focusing then finish capturing the photo in normal lighting
condition.
In comparison with its predecessor,
video-recording feature of the fourth-generation Ace 2 is upgraded, allowing
for HD 720 recording with 30fps, instead of VGA. In our test, the output HD
video produce occupied a quite big capacity when the bitrate increased up to
12.3 Mbps, the frame rates were regular 30fps, maximal 100fps and minimal
15fps. However, video quality wasn’t much impressing. Movements performed
smooth with no either lag or distortion when we were doing panning shots but
the colors weren’t vivid and sharp.
Performance and battery
Ace
2 has a higher quadrant score than its rivals: L7, One V and Xperia U
Galaxy Ace 2 gives a good performance for
its respective price. In fact, this mid-class model‘s specifications are
equivalent to those of Xperia P from Sony, not any inferior of Xperia U. Both
models come with Novarthor U8500 dual-core shipset and Mali-400 GPU.
Mali-400
GPU running on Novathor U8500 dual-core chipset resulted in better outcome
compared to other direct rivals
Exceptionally, Samsung has lowered the
clock rate from 1GHz (similar to Xperia’s one) to 800MHz on Ace 2. This saves
more energy and smoothen the operation. The operation appears to be fluent and
ready for work as well as games with high visual quality.
Great
3D games like Asphalt 6, Samurai II or Spiderman are all well processed
In comparison with its 3 rivals (One V,
Optimus L7 and Xperia U), Ace 2 owns the best performance due to our practical
test by common software. In fact, when in use, Ace 2 impressed us by its
temperature which wasn’t easy to get high during web-surfing, playing game and
using 3G. This is partially due to Samsung’s decrease in the clock rate. When
browsing webs in 3G mode, the model was most likely to get hot.
It’s
simple to replace the battery
A dual-core processor (800MHz) and a
1500mAh battery ensure Samsung’s steady operation, which is an advantage over
One V and Xperia U. With GSM/WCDAM mode, 2 mail account automatically
synchronizing after 15 minutes, medium level of talking and calling, web-surfing,
browsing Facebook within 20 minutes, the battery was able to handle these tasks
from 8AM to 10PM for 75% usage. The test also showed that Ace 2’s battery
longevity was a little longer than that of One V, Xperia U however it cannot
compete with Lumnia 710’s one from Nokia.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 is really good value
for using rather than its appearance.
Some rivals
HTC
One V has a similar screen size but it is $125 higher. Despite the Android 4.0
OS, this model owns a single-core chip (1GHz). An upside is the Beat Audio
technology along with image capture and interesting recording ability on Sense
4 ROM.
Sony
Xperia U’s advantages are nice design, good visual display, fascinating
entertainment, Android OS and dual-core chipset. However, the screen is smaller
and the price is $25 higher, which is the model’s downside.
LG
Optimus L7 is well appreciated for its 4.3-inch screen and Android 4.0 OS. However,
the obsolete configuration with single-core chipset doesn’t satisfy real
customers. RRP is $394.5.
Nokia
Lumnia 710 is the cheapest smartphone and the only representative of Windows
Phone OS. It’s able to run smoothly and deeply integrated with social networks.
Despite its single-core processor, this model comes with a 3.7-inch screen and
a 5MP camera.
