G2X vs Samsung Galaxy Sii - what do you think?

[Tom Highway]

OK, I've about had it with my unlocked iPhone. I love the apps and iTunes, but I'm on T-Mobile and will not leave that network.

My wife has a Samsung Galaxy Sii and really loves it. I have to admit, it's a sweet phone, but there are a couple of things.

First, and i know this is weird, but it's just a little too big. The size of the G2X seems like it just fits in your hand better. Still bigger than the iPhone, but not as big as the Galaxy Sii.

Second, I LOVE the voice recognition. Being able to press a button and say "text jane bring home eggs from the grocery store" and it does it is just cool. I don't need all the Siri features, but this is just cool

So, I'm trying to decide between the Galaxy and the G2 for me, and have some questions.

First, if I'm on T-Mobile, is there any way to avoid the $14 a month wifi tethering fee, especially if I don't root the phone? Is there an app like mywi on the iPhone?

What is the best way to be able to use podcasts? I know you can use Google Voice, but I saw a couple of apps that work where you download the podcast in iTunes and then basically transfer episodes to the Android.

If I get the G2X, does that phone have the voice recognition like the Galaxy does?

How is the battery life?

How do you feel about the size, especially compared to the Galaxy,a much bigger phone. Is the size of the G2 good with you?

All in all, I don't think I'd regret having the G2X, but that Samsung is just so hyped up!!

Thank you!

 

[Member196159]

First, and i know this is weird, but it's just a little too big. The size of the G2X seems like it just fits in your hand better. Still bigger than the iPhone, but not as big as the Galaxy Sii.

That's a big selling point for me. I'm 6"1' and when I saw someone with the Galaxy SII, I wanted it badly. lol.

, I LOVE the voice recognition. Being able to press a button and say "text jane bring home eggs from the grocery store" and it does it is just cool. I don't need all the Siri features, but this is just cool

It's just the built in Google Voice Search/Recognition. It's been around for over a year now.

First, if I'm on T-Mobile, is there any way to avoid the $14 a month wifi tethering fee, especially if I don't root the phone? Is there an app like mywi on the iPhone?

As far as I know, no phones on T-Mobile require you to pay the Tethering fee. I mean, sure you could get it, but I don't believe you need it. I know for a fact that the G2x doesn't need it (nor did the G2, or my Nexus one) and I'm fairly positive the Galaxy SII doesn't either (but you'll be the best for checking that out, since your wife has it. )

What is the best way to be able to use podcasts? I know you can use Google Voice, but I saw a couple of apps that work where you download the podcast in iTunes and then basically transfer episodes to the Android.

I think you mean Google Listen, not Google Voice. But that's as far as I can help you with this one, lol.

If I get the G2X, does that phone have the voice recognition like the Galaxy does?

Yes it does.

How is the battery life?

Terrible when compared to dumb phones, a little worse when compared to the iPhone. About average when compared to other Android devices.

How do you feel about the size, especially compared to the Galaxy,a much bigger phone. Is the size of the G2 good with you?

It's a good size. Personally, I prefer the bigger SII, but it's preference thing...

All in all, I don't think I'd regret having the G2X, but that Samsung is just so hyped up!!

Thank you!

Before you go ahead and make the jump, just known that the G2x has had some issues in the past (and still has some.)

The bluetooth is not the best (often requires a restart of the phone,) the GPS is made by Fischer Price (most of the time it works fine, when it does actually work!), it is known to lag sometimes and many people have gone through multiple G2x's. I'm on my 3rd and rooted now (so far so good, but I've been saying that with all three before the first month was up.)

It's a very good phone, but it is known to have a lot of issues (some even have random rebooting/shutdown's, that was the worst problem for quite a while.)

Now I'm sure you can find someone to say bad things about the SII also, but I haven't owned it to know.

I just wanted to give you a heads up before you go ahead and go into a two year commitment of a new phone.

When it works, it's the best phone I've ever had and is better than a lot of the phones out there, the problem it has is to work optimally like others do.

 

[Crashdamage]

...is there any way to avoid the $14 a month wifi tethering fee, especially if I don't root the phone?

I don't tether so I can't help with this.

Is there an app like mywi on the iPhone?

As above, but I'd guess there probably is.

What is the best way to be able to use podcasts?

Don't do podcasts or iTunes so can't help.

If I get the G2X, does that phone have the voice recognition like the Galaxy does?

All Androids have voice recognition. Just long-press the 'search' key. To get a more Siri-like experience there are lots of options. Iris, Jeanne, Vlingo, Cluzee, and others.

How is the battery life?

Fairly good on the G2x. Actual life will be highly dependent on how you use it and how well you do the setup.

How do you feel about the size, especially compared to the Galaxy,a much bigger phone. Is the size of the G2 good with you?

Great. To me it's a perfect compromise between screen size and pocketable portability.

All in all, I don't think I'd regret having the G2X, but that Samsung is just so hyped up!!

The G2x is still pretty close to state-of-the-art and will be very serviceable for a long time. The Galaxy SII is terrific too and a little more cutting-edge, but so what? The title of 'Latest and Greatest' lasts about a week these days anyway. Buy the one you like best and enjoy. You could get a used G2x and save some $$. Prices used are starting to come down.

We have 3 G2xs in the family and have had no problems with any of them. Supposedly GPS is iffy but not in our experience.

 

[timmyjoe42]

I bought a used G2X that is rooted and unlocked with CM7 on it for $240. It's so much smoother and faster than my old device that I don't have many complaints.

 

[AndroidAdvntge]

I recently lost my internet for my house and had to tether for a day straight. A couple days later I got a free text from Tmobile saying "it looks like you are using the tethering function without the upgrade, if you continue you will be put on the $14.99 / month plan."

Other than that, I really enjoy my G2x and have only had 1.