You might have noticed we’ve been posting a lot of stories about the Samsung Galaxy S2 recently. There’s good reason for that, as the S2 has been one of the fastest selling Android phones ever, quickly racking up five million sales. And that’s without having launched in the US yet! One thing we haven’t covered yet, and we feel we should, is how to actually get the best deal on a Samsung Galaxy S2 itself.
The first decision you have to make is whether to go with a contract or a pay-as-you-go option.
The contract will typically allow you to have a much lower upfront cost (as low as the first monthly bill) and you’re also sure to enjoy slightly better value for things like minutes, texts and internet allowances, although it’s likely that at some point you won’t use up all of your allowance, or go over it. Most mobile phone contracts are 18 or 24 months, meaning that you will have to keep your phone (and your plan) for quite some time, giving you less freedom in the long term. Finally, contracts are the most expensive over the long term.
The pay-as-you-go option has a very high upfront cost, as you’ll typically have to purchase the phone outright (or at a small discount) from your mobile provider. Once you’ve got the phone, you’ll be paying less each month (as you only need to buy as much credit as you use), but you’ll be receiving slightly worse value for money: £30 spent on a month of contract will usually get you a lot more than £30 spent on minutes, texts and internet individually. There are some good deals that nullify this, to some degree. The big advantage of the pay-as-you-go option is that you have much more freedom. You get to choose precisely how to spend your money, whether on minutes, texts or internet allowance, to suit your own usage patterns. You can even pay to have your phone unlocked and then switch providers.
It’s also possible to take a 12 month contract. These middle-of-the-road deals offer a lower (but still significant) upfront cost but a higher monthly rate. The advantage of the 12 month contract is the cost is spread out more evenly across the year, and you’re free to upgrade your phone or switch to a cheaper contract after a year, which seems a much more reasonable amount of time than two.
Now that we’ve laid out the trade-offs, let’s have a look at some specific deals for the Samsung Galaxy S2, starting with the contract deals. We’ll look at the best contract deals currently available for each price point, then move onto how to check for the latest deals using comparison websites, and what to look for.
Best Contract Deals
Here are some of the best contract deals on a Samsung Galaxy S2 currently available. These deals are changing all the time, so if you’ve spotted a better one then please let us know in the comments section!
Best Deal for £20: Vodafone Your Plan MI
£20.50 / month, 24 months, handset costs £69.
This plan is the cheapest contract deal I’ve found for the Galaxy S2, as you’ll save £10 off the normal price each month for all 24 months of the contract. For just over £20 a month, you’ll get 300 minutes, 3000 texts, and 250 MB of internet allowance.
The allowances are low, but reasonable for someone that makes calls infrequently. If you spend much of your time in a home or office with wireless internet, 250 MB of mobile internet allowance should be fine, but you will have to monitor your usage.
You do have to pay for the handset, but still have upfront costs of under £90, which is pretty good considering the low monthly price. Overall, this is an incredibly attractive deal for value-oriented consumers.
This text-based plan is quite generous, with 900 minutes and 5000 texts in your monthly usage allowance.
You also get a great 1 GB data allowance, which should be more than enough for even the most avid smartphone enthusiasts. You’ll also get free Skype-to-Skype calls, free Windows Live Messenger usage, and free voicemail.
This deal seems fairly good, particularly if you’re a big user of Skype or Windows Live messenger (aka MSN).
This Vodafone plan offers 1200 minutes and unlimited texts, but doesn’t mention mobile internet. This means that it’s likely to be the smallest common allowance, 250 MB.
Even so, this contract sports a fairly low up-front cost and good value.
This is a rare example of a decently priced 12 month contract, this time from Vodafone. You’re given a 500 MB data allowance, 300 minutes and 300 texts. Overage charges are quite high however, with calls beyond your allowance being charged at 35p a minute (compared with the more common 20p or 25p).
Still, this is a good opportunity to break free after 12 months, and provides a nice half-way house between a low up-front cost and the ability to make a fairly quick exit.
For reference, the 24 month variant of this plan costs £33.50 a month and includes 500 minutes instead of 300, as well as the standard free phone. Total cost for the 12 month plan is £531, the total cost of the 24 month plan is £804.
The plan will be more than enough for even the busiest talker*, with 1200 minutes (20 hours) of call credit and 3000 texts. This is definitely one of the most expensive plans available, but you do get quite a lot for it. Beyond the aforementioned minutes and texts, you also get a generous 1GB usage limit (more than enough for strictly mobile use, and doesn’t include email use) and free use of the answering phone.
This contract is definitely on the less desirable end of the value scale, and is included more for reference than actual use. It works out to being a whopping £960 over the 24 months, more than double the upfront cost of the phone itself.
*If you’re really concerned this might not enough, you could try one of O2′s unlimited deals for £62 a month… and possibly some other hobbies!
How to Choose a Good Contract Deal
There are also quite a few useful contract comparison websites which you can use to look at deals from multiple networks and retailers. The two I’ve used are omio.com and phones4u.com, but others are available too.
BillMonitor.com is an excellent resource for choosing the right plan based on your actual usage habits; given your login details it can check your usage patterns and advise you as to which plan would give you the best value.
Finally, you can also apply the standard array of discounts and vouchers to get better deals or money back. One good site for this is QuidCo.com, which offers money back offers on a wide range of products, including smartphones like the Galaxy S2.
Using these resources, you now must judge each deal as its presented. It’s a good idea to write things down on a bit of paper (real or virtual) as you go along, so you can get a clearer idea of the various deals, as there will be different ones between comparison websites. Remember to ensure that your plan fits your usage habits, so don’t pay extra for a plan that has unlimited texts if you only use a few dozen a month. You’ll be stuck with your choice for up to two years, so take the time to find the best deal!
If you’ve found a particularly good deal for the Samsung Galaxy S2, why not share it with us by leaving the details in the comments below? If it’s a top deal, we’ll add it to the article!
Best Pay-As-You-Go Deals
Here are some of the best pay-as-you-go deals on a Samsung Galaxy S2 currently available. These deals are changing all the time, so if you’ve spotted a better one then please let us know in the comments section!
O2: £479.99
Three: £499.99
Vodafone: £509.90
Orange: £509.90
You can also buy a sim-free Samsung Galaxy S2, often for cheaper than locked to a given network. Once you’ve got your sim-free phone, you may want to check out the new and popular pay-as-you go operator GiffGaff. They offer surprisingly good deals, frequently with unlimited texts and internet allowances.
Conclusion
I hope this has been a useful article! Be sure to let us know if you’ve found any great deals in the comments section. You can also write to us on Facebook or Twitter.
The Samsung Galaxy S2 is currently the best selling Android phone in the UK and has surpassed five million units worldwide, which is particularly impressive given that it hasn’t even launched in the lucrative American market yet. Given this success, it’s a fair bet that many consumers will be buying cases to protect their new shiny smartphone investments – and that’s where we come in. We’ve put together a top five list of the finest Samsung Galaxy S2 cases on the market, including pretty, protective and everything in between.
5. The Case That Stands Out… the Case-Mate Pop
The Case-Mate Pop is a curious character, sporting an incredibly useful feature in its back pocket, so to speak. From the front it looks like most other Case-Mate cases… solid, durable, stylish. Turn it around however, and you’ll see near the bottom of the phone it has a built-in kickstand.
This stand allows the Galaxy S2 to stand upright on your desk, in either portrait or landscape mode, meaning that you can easily watch videos or keep up to date with the latest notifications that come through. When you’re not using the stand, it clicks firmly and flushly into place, a big advantage over dedicated desk stands that can take up more space.
The rest of the case is similarly well-designed, with extremely solid plastic construction, a soft interior and a handy rubber side grip. The case also features a raised bevel, which will help prevent damage to the screen if dropped. Of course, the case also comes with all the necessary cutouts which allow you to use the full complement of Samsung Galaxy Sii chargers without having to remove the case.
Overall, it’s a well put together package, and should prove quite popular with desktop users of the Galaxy S2.
4. The Invisible Case… the SGP Incredible Shield
If you’re not a big fan of heavy and bulky cases, you might be tempted to see how long you can get away without one. It might work fine for a while, and it’s true that you can admire the original slim-cut figure of the Galaxy S2, but eventually that phone is going to get scratched. Instead of consigning yourself to a heavy case, you might instead look at some lighter alternatives. Much lighter.
The Incredible Shield is one such case. It’s more of a full-body Samsung Sii screen protector than a true case, but it still manages to provide significant scratch protection. This lets you protect your phone – if minimally – without comprimising the original shape, size or look of the phone at all. The Galaxy S2 is a fine looking phone, so it makes sense to show it off like this.
3. The Genuine Article… the Samsung Mesh Vent Case
One of the few complaints that anyone has levelled at the Galaxy SII is that it can feel a bit light and filmsy, due to its impossibly small size and weight. This official Samsung Mesh Vent case does a lot to address these complaints, covering the back and sides of the phone with a cool mesh structure. This protects the back of the phone, offering both fall protection and scratch protection, without sacrificing much of the Galaxy S2′s slim silhouette.
As the case is a Samsung product, it’s built to exacting specifications, fitting precisely and offering a full complement of cut-through ports which allow use of the phone’s features, such as buttons, camera and charging ports. It’ll also fit nicely onto a Samsung Galaxy Sii car holder.
The Mesh Vent case is an excellent and inexpensive way to finish off your Galaxy S2, offering both protection and a professional look.
2. The Fashionable Fit… the SGP Ultra Silke
While almost all Galaxy S2 cases fulfill that basic function of shock and scratch protection, few do so with style. The SGP Ultra Silke is a masterful exception to this trend, offering a subtle and subdued case that feels as good as it looks. It also only adds the smallest of accentuations to the Galaxy’s slim figure.
The soft, high quality silicone used in the Silke provides a comfortable grip and considerably more shock protection that lesser grade products, meaning that you won’t be substituting style for substance. It’s also been coated with a special polymer that resists dust, meaning you’ll keep your phone looking great at all times.
The SGP Ultra Silke is one of the nicest looking cases available for the Galaxy S2, and with a full range of colours available you’re sure to find one that matches your style.
1. The Heavy Duty Hero… the Case-Mate Tough Case
The Case-Mate Tough Case is perhaps the finest protection you can buy for your Samsung Galaxy S2. With a unique dual layer system that combines a soft and pliable inner silicone section with a hardened plastic shell, you won’t have to worry that your phone will be damaged. The silicone inner layer works to absorb impacts, protecting against fall damage expertly. The outer layer resists scratches and offers even more impact protection, as well as providing an easy hand grip so you’ll be less likely to drop your phone in the first place.
While these dual layers do add a bit to the Galaxy S2′s size, the Tough Case is still a remarkably slim piece of work. The case looks nice too, with its rounded corners and black matte finish offering a rather professional appearance. The phone’s look complements a number of Samsung Galaxy S2 docks available in similar styles, making it a good choice for this reason too.
With the Tough Case, you don’t have to gamble with your phone’s safety. Whether you’re active or accident-prone, the Tough Case provides unparalleled levels of protection without sacrificing looks or utility, and for that we award it our top spot as best Samsung Galaxy S2 Case.
I was happy to see this morning that I had a visitor on my desk. His name is Android (Andy for short), and he’s got a pretty sweet gig as the mascot for Google’s mobile OS.
A Great Little Sound Box
The little guy isn’t just for show either; you can connect with him over Bluetooth using your phone or PC, and then he’ll happily belt out whatever tune you play. If you’d like to change tracks, you can just twist his head. If you want him to play or pause, just push down on his head. It’s a bit cruel, so you might want to recharge him over USB when you’re done, just to put things right.
The speaker is of great quality for its size, and at 2W loud enough for my co-workers to glare at me a bit. You can even give him a platform for his considerable aural talents with the included desk stand, which is useful for bringing the microphone a bit closer and enhancing the sound quality.
You’re Not Just Talking To Yourself
His talents aren’t limited to music, either. You can also use him to relay your calls, with his built-in microphone. The sound quality is surprisingly good, with calls coming through loud and clear. You can also use the speaker to perform voice dialling and voice commands. Altogether, it’s a cute and convenient way to handle your calls hands-free.
Want one of your own?
If you’d like a little more Android in your life, you should order an Android mascot sound box of your very own, exclusively from Mobile Fun. You can even take a look at a video below, which shows off its features in a little more detail.
Social Media Giveaway
We’re giving away five of these Android buddy speaker robots to our social media followers.
The image shown to the right is a design document for an iPhone 5 case, sourced to Mobile Fun from a Chinese case manufacturer. Luckily for us, the image shows the iPhone 5 and reveals some of the massive changes that have been made with the latest edition of Apple’s iPhone.
A CAD mockup of an iPhone 5 case from a Chinese case manufacturer
Soon after receiving the first image shown here, we were sent from a different manufacturer a mockup of how another iPhone 5 case would look. This release seems to corroborate many of the features indicated by the first image.
A mockup of a second iPhone 5 case, from a different manufacturer
If these images are authentic – and we have every reason to believe that they are – then the iPhone 5 is a radical evolution of the iPhone concept, and a bigger departure from the iPhone 4 than previous case images have shown.
Display
Starting with the front of the phone, we can see that the screen size has been extended considerably, from 3.5 inches to 4, although the overall size of the phone has remained the same. This has been accomplished by shrinking the bezel such that no space is wasted; the display stretches from edge to edge, and the top and bottom bezels have been considerably reduced in size as well.
It’s possible this ties into a patent filed by Apple a few months ago, which suggests that the extra space will be used for on-screen indicators and controls. These indicators could then be hidden, à la Lion’s full screen apps, to maximuse screen space for applications like 1080p video playback.
Form Factor
Another interesting point is the curvature of the iPhone 5. After going with a squared construction on the iPhone 4, Apple seem to have reverted to their curvaceous ways. The iPhone 5′s rear panel curves gently back around its edges, much like the iPhone 3G.
This likely means that the back will be metal, and could serve as a replacement for the iPhone 4′s unique side antennae which seemed revolutionary at the time, but caused so much trouble with call droppage last year.
On the other hand, Apple does have the capability to produce curved glass, after its purchase of a few hundred glass cutting machines, which were said to be too expensive for manufacturers. Curved glass doesn’t appear to be being used on the front display, but could very well make up the back.
The case shown in the design document does include a gap for the Apple logo; this may lend credence to rumours that the logo itself will serve as the iPhone 5′s attenae. This feature isn’t present on the second image however, so it may simply be a design choice between the two case manufacturers rather than a technical requirement.
Controls
Steve Jobs originally intended for the iPhone to be buttonless, but found he couldn’t quite get away with it. It looks like he’s some way closer to that goal with the iPhone 5; the physical home screen button has been replaced with a touch-sensitive ovaloid area which takes up the middle half of the bottom border. This area might be used for unique multi-touch gestures, given its increased size.
Another big difference is the placement of the side buttons; according to the design document these are now placed on the opposite side of the phone. The lock toggle is therefore quite close to the camera, but the volume buttons have moved much further down the phone, sitting just below the halfway point. It’s possible that these, and the lock button on the top, have been changed to be touch-sensitive rather than being physical buttons.
Conclusion
In a lot of ways the iPhone 4 was a mixed success for Apple, with a few design decisions representing a step backwards for the brand. This rethink of the iPhone design looks to combine the best features of the iPhone 4, some touches from iPhones gone past, and a trainload of exciting new developments. The iPhone 5 is rumoured to launch later this year, so soon we’ll see what Apple has wrought.
Update: Thursday, July 28th
Since this story’s initial release, many major websites have weighed in, including 9 to 5 Mac, CNET, T3 and Macworld. Community-driven news site Reddit also chimed in. Let’s have a look about what they had to say.
9 to 5 Mac have noted that the ‘touch-sensitive ovaloid area’ we suggested might be for gestures is backed up by an earlier report that claimed the iPhone 5 would feature a gesture based home button. Commenter @erkka also mentions that the lower volume buttons would make sense given how they are to be used as the camera’s shutter release.
Cult of Mac report that the curved backed design of the iPhone 5 would ‘minimise the attenuation issues caused by users bridging the iPhone’s antennas with their hand, which is what caused the whole Antennagate fiasco’. They also mention the larger home button area would make sense for gestures, and agree that Jobs may be a lot closer to the buttonless smartphone.
CNET UK point out that even with the expanded home button, it would be difficult to get more than a single finger in there, meaning that the gestures for that area are likely to be specialised one-finger gestures. They also point to their earlier report that shows the iOS 5 beta has a control panel that replaces the physical buttons, so a gesture area might not be too ridiculous.
Mac Rumors have written that many of the specifics of our analysis agree with an earlier story reported by ThisIsMyNext. That report claimed ‘the home button is doing double duty as a gesture area… will likely be enlarged’ and ‘the screen will occupy the entire… front of the phone, meaning almost no bezel.’ They also point out that although the case does suggest otherwise, mainstream news outlets have said that the iPhone 5 ‘will look largely similar to the current iPhone 4′.
Reddit users also wrote about the story, with the top-voted comment being by kermityfrog: ‘Too bad – just about everyone likes the form factor of the iPhone 4 better’. Many users echoed his sentiments, noting that a return to a curved assembly would be a big step backwards. User Shelby69 also contributed, writing that the lowered volume buttons could be to leave room for the sim card, which presumably wouldn’t change sides.
New cases have also appeared which appear to confirm our initial report, showing a dramatically thinner iPhone 5. It will be very interesting to see how many of these suspected features show up in the announced version – I am feeling confident!
White is the new black as phone manufacturers all scramble to grab some of the limelight for their white phones. Samsung are about to launch a white Galaxy S2 smartphone and as this is currently the best phone on the market it should get lapped up by the fashionistas and bright young things.
Our source is impeccable although we cannot divulge who told us, but rest assured a white Galaxy S2 is on the way soon, and should be a match for the white iPhone 4.
If you already have a black Galaxy S2 you could buy a white Galaxy S2 case like this toughguard and you’ll look hip first. For other colours of Samsung Galaxy S2 case see this huge selection.
You might have noticed we’ve been posting a lot of stories about the Samsung Galaxy S2 recently. There’s good reason for that, as the S2 has been one of the fastest selling Android phones ever, quickly racking up five million sales. And that’s without having launched in the US yet! One thing we haven’t covered yet, and we feel we should, is how to actually get the best deal on a Samsung Galaxy S2 itself.
Best Deal for £20: Vodafone Your Plan MI
Best Deal for £40: Orange Panther 45
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