Ace 2 I8160 is the newest model in Samsung’s
Galaxy Ace series of mid-class Android smartphone and it directly rival those
from One V, Optimus L7 and Xperia U.
Galaxy
Ace with a chubby and compact design like its predecessors: Ace Plus and Ace
Duos
Along with Galaxy S and Galaxy Mini, Galaxy
Ace is an Android series given minute care by Samsung with many models. The
first one is Ace S5830, introduced in the beginning of last year with 3.5 inch
screen and an iPhone-look-alike appearance. Next, the Korean brand released some
upgraded models: Ace Plus S7500 with larger screen (3.65 inches) and Ace Duos
having dual-SIM ability.
However, the latest model in the series,
Ace 2 I8160, is the most remarkable version whose configuration is upgraded
with dual-core processor and 3.8 inch with higher resolution (480x800 pixels). Yet,
its price as well as design is still kept at a competitive level with other
rivals in the market of mid-class Android smartphones like HTC, LG, Sony or
Nokia.
Galaxy Ace 2 I8160 has just been on retail
shelves at $349.5. The phone in equipped with dual-core NovaThor U8500 chip (800MHz).
Ace 2 also owns 768MB RAM and 4GB internal memory up to 32GB extendable card
slot. With 5MP camera, this Galaxy Ace supports HD 720 video recording (instead
of maximal VGA resolution like its 3 predecessors).
Overviews
Good
Large and sharp screen having good visual
quality.
Smooth operation with many utilities.
Good entertainment feature and camera
supporting many utilities.
Acceptable longevity of battery
Good performance relative to the cost.
Bad
The design is familiar but not impressive.
Run on Android 2.3
Design and monitor
Galaxy
Ace 2 reminded us of last-year Galaxy S I9000 but with a smaller body.
Despite its compact design fitting
comfortably in palm, Galaxy Ace 2 isn’t much interesting due to its plain
design similar to other Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones. As not unique and
distinctive as the colorful LED bar in Xperia’s solid-state body and a large
screen of the slim Optimus L7, this mid-class design from Samsung doesn’t bring
any special feeling to users like its rivals does.
A
glossy metal fringe covers the front. In the bottom are a physical home button
and 2 touch-sensitive keys.
The
sensor and the additional camera are front-facing and the earpiece is the same
as one of Galaxy S III.
Ace 2 seizes 118.3 x 62.2 x 10.5 mm and
weighs 122 gram. It has a larger screen than other three predecessors yet their
sizes are similar though Ace 2 is a little thinner. The model owns a balanced
design with handy comfort. The memory card slot is situated in the right with a
tight cap.
The
screen-lock button is right-sided like other 4-inch and above Galaxy models
The
memory card slot is left-sided, below the volume key
3.5mm
jack port lies on the top and under the back cover.
Micro
SD port is placed in the opposite side of the earphone’s slot
The weight of 122 gram brings a pleasant
feeling in palm. It’s not too heavy but not too light relative to the size. The
phone fits completely in the pocket. The rear cap is made of plastic with rough
patterns increasing friction to give the device a sturdy feeling when in hand. There
are tiny hooks keeping the cap very close with the case. This makes no popular creaky
sound which popularly appears in many plastic cases when pressed. It’s an
upside in this mid-class model of Samsung.
The
rear cap of Galaxy Ace 2 is mostly made of plastic with rough patterns while,
in the tail, there’s a little emerging part which is glossy
Despite the unimpressive design, the screen
is far higher appreciated compared to direct rivals. With no AMOLED, Samsung
equipped its 3.8 inch screen with common LCD technology and a resolution of
480x800 pixels (246 dpi).
The
3.8-inch produces a good visual quality
Ace 2 screen is smaller than that of
Optimus L7 from LG but able to produce sharper and clearer images. Although the
device owns a lower DPI than Xperia U from Sony, this 3.8 inch model brings
better operation and control with no less smoothness. Compared with One V of
HTC, the latest Ace model surpass with 3.8 inch screen while HTC’s one is 3.7
inch.
Galaxy Ace 2 has a medium brightness yet
performs well outdoor with no glare as well as shadow; this allows for clear
display however the viewing-angle is not so wide. Trying playing movies, the
screen displayed detailed and sharp images but the colors were not vivid, the
contrast was acceptable, producing the lack of depth in images. Though, for a
price of $349.5, this mid-class model’s visual performance is still regarded as
an upside.
