Samsung introduces Galaxy Ace 2 and Galaxy Mini 2

It's been little over a year since Samsung announced the Galaxy Ace and Galaxy Mini Android smartphones. One of the commenter of our announcement article asked if the frequent release of these entry-level handsets is a necessary or just market pollution. We are not sure why Samsung has chosen to release models where the specifications are just a fraction better than the model it is replacing. One scenario we can think of is when a customer enters a mobile store and ask for a simple entry level model. The store clerk then ask how much the customer are willing to pay for a phone and the put two almost identical smartphones on the counter. He present one model as "new" and the other as previous year model. If the price is the same, we are convinced that the customer will choose the "new" model. Hence the frequent releases from Samsung. Nokia for example, used this strategy with success for several years. 

Today's announcement from Samsung are two entry-level Android handsets. The Galaxy Ace 2 is a 3.8-inch dual-core model is an upgrade from the original Ace which had a 3.5-inch display and the same 800 MHz processor speed, but with only one core. One major improvement in v2 is the slightly higher screen resolution and pixel density (PPI). Since the original Ace, the pixel resolution has increased from 320x480 to 480x800 which means the PPI has increased from 164 to 246. You can compare the Ace, Ace Plus and Ace 2 using the Esato phone comparison tool

Galaxy Ace 2 highlights

• Size: 118.3 x 62.2 x 10.5 mm
• Weight: 122 gram
• Networks: GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, UMTS 900/2100, HSDPA 14.4Mbps
• 3.8 inch display, 480 x 800 pixel resolution, PLS TFT
• 5 megapixel camera, auto focus, LED light
• 720p video capture
• VGA front camera
• Wi-Fi b/g/n,
• Wi-Fi Direct
• Bluetooth 3.0
• USB 2.0
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• FM radio
• GPS and Glonass
• 800 MHz dual-core processor
• 768 MB RAM. 4 GB internal storage. Expandable up to 32 GB using microSD card
• 1500 mAh battery
• Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• Sensors: accelerometer, digital compass, proximity
• Optional: NFC
• Samsung services: Samsung TouchWiz / Samsung L!ve Panel UX, Samsung Apps, Kies/Kies air, Samsung Hub, Social Hub, Music Hub, Game Hub, Samsung ChatON

Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 is improved using the same formula as the Ace 2. The processor is updated from a 600 MHz to 800 MHz. The size, weight and camera resolution are kept the same but the display size and resolution has increased from 3.14 inches and 240x320 pixels to 3.27 inches and 320x480 pixels. The memory is now acceptable 512 MB and internal storage is 4 GB. Storage is expandable up to 32 GB using a microSD card.

The Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 will also be available in two versions. One with and one without NFC. One thing we found interesting is that Samsung has reported different size and weight for the two models. The model with NFC is 1.5 gram heavier and 0.3 mm thicker than the model without NFC. Does this mean that a NFC module weight 1.5 gram?

You can of course compare the Galaxy Mini and Mini 2 using the Esato phone comparison tool.

Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 highlights

• Size: 109.4 x 58.6 x 11.6 (11.9 NFC)
• Weight: 105.3 gram (106.8 NFC model)
• Networks: GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, UMTS 900/2100, HSDPA 7.2Mbps
• 3.27 inch display, 320 x 480 pixel resolution, TFT
• 3 megapixel camera, fixed focus
• VGA video capture at 25fps
• Wi-Fi b/g/n
• DLNA
• Bluetooth 3.0
• USB 2.0
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• FM radio
• A-GPS
• 800 MHz processor
• 512 MB RAM. 4 GB internal storage. Expandable up to 32 GB using microSD card
• 1300 mAh battery
• Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• Sensors: accelerometer, digital compass, proximity
• Optional: NFC
• Samsung services: Samsung TouchWiz / Samsung L!ve Panel UX, Samsung Apps, Kies/Kies air, Social Hub, Music Hub, Samsung ChatON, ThinkFree