Samsung GALAXY S2

Samsung GALAXY S2 (I9100) Plans and Deals

The Samsung Galaxy S2, like the other smart phones from Samsung, runs on the very popular Google Android Operating System, which in itself has gained a huge following. With Samsung having also gained a huge following over recent years, the Samsung Galaxy S2 has enjoyed huge success amongst mainstream consumers. In recent years, the mobile phone market has changed radically, with advanced technology revolutionising the way in which we use mobile technology. The days of basic feature phones that do little more than handle texts and calls are now well on the way out, having been replaced instead with high tech smart phones that enable us to do everything from texting and calling through to managing our entertainment, getting online, social networking, taking quality pictures and videos and much more.

Compare GALAXY S2 Plans

We now well and truly live in the age of the smart phone, with technological advancements resulting in increasingly enhanced and high tech smart phones coming onto the market. The smart phone of today has become more like a mini computer to a large extent. It has also enabled many people to eliminate the need to buy any other individual devices, as they are all rolled into one with the smart phone. Many people have done away with the need to invest in home phones, watches, digital cameras, even computers or laptops in some cases, as all of these features are available in quality smart phones, enabling them to benefit from a device that does it all.

There are a number of big name players in the smart phone market these days, one of the best known ones being the maker of the iPhone, Apple. However, the company that is considered as the main rival to Apple is technology giant Samsung, which has brought out a range of very well received and highly popular smart phones, including its Galaxy range. With the Galaxy range of smart phones, users are able to benefit from high quality devices and advanced technology. The popularity of these devices has helped to catapult Samsung to the top of the mobile phone market in many countries, putting it above even Apple in terms of unit sales. It has enjoyed huge profits over the past year or two, which have been driven by its smart phone sales. One of the popular smart phones that has helped to make Samsung one of the market leaders when it comes to smart phones is the Samsung Galaxy S2.

The release of the Samsung Galaxy S2

Samsung announced the release of the Samsung Galaxy S2 back in February 2011, revealing its release at the Mobile World Congress. The phone was the successor to the first handset in the range, which was simply the Samsung Galaxy S. Although the S2 has since been upgraded once again, with its successor unsurprising called the Samsung Galaxy S3, it did offer a range of upgrades and improvements on the original Samsung Galaxy S and was one of the slimmest smart phone devices on the market in its heyday.

Although the announcement regarding the release of the Samsung Galaxy S2 was made in February 2012, the phone was actually released from May 2011 onwards (29th April for South Korea), with the releases coming in stages as it was launched in countries around the world.

In Europe, the Galaxy S2 was first released on 1st May 2011 in the UK and was then rolled out across Europe over the course of May and June. In North America, Mexico was the first place of release, with the release date of June 2011and it was then rolled out across the rest of North America and Canada over the next few months, although there were variations in release date based on carrier, with some carriers having only released the device in the second quarter of 2012. Africa saw the release of the phone back in June 2011and South America's earliest launch was on 25th May 2011. In Asia/Pacific, South Korea saw the launch of the S2 at the end of April 2011and it was released in other areas of Asia/Pacific over the course of June and July 2011. In all, the Samsung Galaxy S2 enjoyed global success with availability through more than 140 vendors across around 120 countries. Just over a week after the initial release of the handset, on May 9th, Samsung confirmed that it had received a staggering 3 million pre-orders for the handsets across the globe. In October 2011, the tech giant revealed that it had sold massive 30 million Galaxy S and S2 handsets across the world.

With the popularity of the Samsung Galaxy S, it comes as no surprise that the Samsung Galaxy S2 has become such a big hit. It offers a range of improvements compared to the original Samsung Galaxy S phone, which has helped to boost its popularity even further. It has also proven itself as a worthy rival to the globally famous iPhones from Apple, leading to Samsung becoming one of Apple's main rivals in the smart phone market over the past couple of years. The slim, stylish and contemporary finish to the Samsung Galaxy S2 has made it appealing to many people with the improved features having made it into a popular mid-range to high end smart phone.

The Samsung Galaxy S2 compared to the original Samsung Galaxy S

As is the case with most mobile phone series', the second phone in the Samsung Galaxy series, which was the S2, was an improvement on its predecessor in a number of ways. Both the appearance and the hardware in the Samsung Galaxy S2 have been improved compared to the original Samsung Galaxy S phone. There are now three phones in the series, which are:

• Samsung Galaxy S
• Samsung Galaxy S2
• Samsung Galaxy S3

It is worth noting that there are two versions of the Galaxy S2, the first of which sports a 1.2 GHz dual core ARM Cortex-A9 processor which utilises Samsung's own 'Exynos 4210' System on a chip. The updated Samsung Galaxy S II (i9100G) uses a 1.2 GHz dual core TI OMAP 4430 processor with PowerVR SGX540 graphics. In addition to coming with a faster processor compared to the original Samsung Galaxy S, the Galaxy S2 also boasts a number of other improvements and changes, such as:

• A 4.3 inch screen in comparison to the 4 inch ones with the original Galaxy S
• An 8 megapixel camera with auto focus, 1080p full HD video recording and full HD reproduction as opposed to the 5 megapixel camera with 720P HD video in the Samsung Galaxy S
• 1GB RAM compared to 512MB RAM on its predecessor
• An overall faster, slimmer handset than the original Samsung Galaxy S
• Higher quality 2 megapixel front facing camera compared to the 0.3 mp front facing camera on the original

These are some of the key improvements that have been seen with the Galaxy S2 compared to the original handset in the series. The handset comes with a range of valuable features that will appeal to many smart phone fans and which have helped to make this handset hugely popular in countries all around the world.

The features of the Samsung Galaxy S2

As with any mobile handset you are considering, it is important to look at the various features and capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S2 handset in order to make an informed decision with regards to whether this is the phone for you. The range of specifications and features of this Samsung handset have helped to make it hugely popular amongst consumers. Both the slim, contemporary design and the great range of features have made this handset popular and helped to boost the popularity of Samsung handsets in general.

Some of the key features of the Samsung Galaxy S2 include:

• Super AMOLED Plus screen boasting 16 million colours and 480 x 800 pixels
• Larger 4.3 capacitive touch screen with auto-rotate
• A high quality 8 megapixel camera with a range of features, including LED flash, autofocus, face detection capabilities and 4x digital zoom
• Up to 1080p full HD video recording
• Hands free speaker integrated into handset
• Stereo FM radio and music player
• MP3 and WAV ringtones
• A range of messaging options, including SMS, MMS, instant messaging, email
• AGPS with geo-tagging and Google Maps
• 16GB internal memory with MicroSD slot for memory expansion
• 1GB dedicated RAM
• A range of connectivity capabilities including Dual channel Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, USB 2.0, 3.5mm audio jack, DLNA, TV-Out, NFC
• 1650mAh battery, which can last 2-3 days over time
• Faster 1.2GHz dual core processor

These are some of the key features of the Samsung Galaxy S2, making this handset a very good mid-range to high end smart phone from a well known, reputable tech giant. In addition to this, the super slim, lightweight and very contemporary design and build of the Samsung Galaxy S2 has helped to boost its popularity on a global basis.

Of course, one thing that you need to do in addition to taking the features and the design of the Samsung Galaxy S2 into consideration is to look at the pros and cons of the handset, as this can help to ensure that you make a more informed decision with regards to choosing the right handset.

Some of the pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy S2 include:

Pros

• A very slim, lightweight, contemporary design
• Its high quality 4.3 inch super AMOLED screen
• High quality camera with a range of features
• A range of options for customising the handset
• Faster 1.2 GHz dual-core processor
• Quad-band 3G support with 21 Mbps HSDPA and 5.76 Mbps HSUPA
• Up to 1080p HD video recording
• Full Flash support and 1080p flash video playback
• Gorilla Glass display

Cons

• Keyboard dominates display in landscape mode
• Mono audio recording
• Delayed focus on video cam resulting in initial blurring at start of recordings
• No dedicated HDMI port for the headset
• Confused menus in some places
• Some may find that the handset is not as user friendly as some of its rivals, such as the iPhone and HTC handsets

The Samsung Galaxy S2 does enjoy a range of benefits and improvements compared to its predecessor, which means that even those who believed that the original Samsung Galaxy handset was not for them may find that this handset could prove to be ideal. This is a handset that is faster, slimmer, and bigger in terms of screen size, with advanced technology resulting in a feature-rich, high tech handset with high quality features and a range of exciting capabilities.

How to buy the Samsung Galaxy S2

If you believe that the Samsung Galaxy S2 could be the ideal smart phone for your needs, you can choose from a couple of main options in order to get this handset. Before you take the plunge, no matter which method of purchase you use, you need to make sure that you determine the suitability of the handset for your needs. You should therefore consider the specifications and features of the Samsung Galaxy S2, weigh up the pros and cons of the handset, and consider your own circumstances, which means looking at factors such as:

• How much can you afford: No matter which method of purchase you decide upon for the Samsung Galaxy S2, you need to ensure that you are able to afford the handset, which means looking at your finances and working out your maximum budget for either buying the handset upfront or by way of monthly payments on a contract plan that comes with the handset included

• What you want from your handset: It is important to consider what you want from your mobile handset in order to determine whether the Samsung Galaxy S2 is the right handset for your needs. Think about the features and specifications of the handset and work out whether these fit in with your needs based on what you want from your phone

• What you want a mobile phone for: It is important to consider what you want a phone for before deciding whether the Samsung Galaxy S2 is the one for you. This is a higher end handset and can therefore cost significantly more than the more basic handsets. Therefore, if you do not really need the features of a higher end smart phone and only want to use your handset for basic purposes, you may find that a more basic, cheaper model is going to be the most suitable and affordable for your needs

If you still believe that the Samsung Galaxy S2 is the phone for you, there are a couple of options available when it comes to getting the handset. The first option is to purchase the phone outright on a SIM free basis, which means that you get to enjoy greater flexibility and freedom with regards to which network you opt for. This does, of course, mean that you need to be able to pay for the phone upfront. The second option is that you get your Samsung Galaxy S2 as part of a contract plan, which means that you will either pay nothing upfront or you pay just a small amount upfront depending on the plan and provider you choose. You will receive the handset along with an allocation of minutes, texts and data as part of the plan, but you will be tied to the plan and provider for a specified period of time as part of the contract. This is because the provider will need to be able to recoup the cost of the handset, which can only be done if you are paying a certain minimum amount per month for a specified period of time.

There are pros, cons and considerations that you need to take into account with both of these methods of purchase, so it is important to familiarise yourself with these in order to make an informed decision with regards to the best option for your needs.

Buying your Samsung Galaxy S2 SIM free

If you decide that you want to buy the Samsung Galaxy S2 SIM free off the shelf, there are a number of things that you need to take into consideration. Some of the points to consider in order to work out whether this method of purchase is right for you include:

• How much you will have to pay upfront: The Samsung Galaxy S2 is one of the higher priced smart phones on the market, so if you are considering buying SIM free you need to take into consideration the upfront cost of the phone and ensure that this is something that you can afford. Shopping around can help you to keep the cost down, as the price of the handset can vary from one retailer to another

• Do the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to buying your phone SIM free: There are both pros and cons to consider when buying your Samsung Galaxy S2 SIM free, so you need to consider whether the pros outweigh the cons in order to work out whether this is the right method of purchase for you

Pros of buying your Samsung Galaxy S2 SIM free

There are a number of key benefits to buying your Samsung Galaxy S2 SIM free, and this includes:

• You can shop around for the best deal and buy the handset outright
• You will have freedom and flexibility when it comes to the network operator you choose for your calls, texts and data
• There is no need to be tied into a lengthy contract to worry about as there would be if you got the handset as part of a contract plan
• You can trade in the handset and upgrade whenever you like as there is no contract to consider

Cons of buying your Samsung Galaxy S2 SIM free

There is only one key disadvantage to consider when it comes to getting your Samsung Galaxy S2 SIM free off the shelf, and this is the upfront payment that you will have to raise. The Samsung Galaxy S2 can be costly depending on where you get the handset from, which means that you will need to have a fair amount of money to spend upfront whereas with a contract plan you can avoid any upfront charges with some deals

Buying your Samsung Galaxy S2 on contract

If you are considering getting a Samsung Galaxy S2 on contract, you should take a number of factors into consideration, as this can help you to make a more informed decision with regards to your method of purchase. Some of the things that you need to consider include:

• How much you can afford to pay each month for a plan that comes with this handset included: The monthly cost of your contract plan can vary depending on the length of the contract and the provider you go with. You need to consider how much you can afford to spend each month so that you can make an informed decision with regards to whether a Samsung Galaxy S2 contract plan is going to be affordable for you

• Whether you want to be tied into a lengthy contract: Because the provider will need to recoup the cost of the Samsung Galaxy S2 handset, you will find yourself tied into what will most likely be a lengthy contract, which means that you will be tied to that particular handset and provider for a specified amount of time

It is important that you consider the pros and cons of buying your Samsung Galaxy S2 as part of a contract plan, as this can help you to reach your decision more easily. Some of the pros and cons are as follows:

Pros of getting your Samsung Galaxy S2 on contract

There are a number of pros that come with buying your Samsung Galaxy S2 as part of a contract plan. This includes:

• You don't face any upfront costs or you will only have minimal upfront costs depending on which plan you choose
• You can get the handset plus a bundle of calls, minutes and data as part of one convenient plan
• You will find a range of providers offering the Samsung Galaxy S2 on contract, so you can shop around for a good deal
• Once the contract has expired the Samsung Galaxy S2 is yours to do with what you will

Cons of getting your Samsung Galaxy S2 on contract

There are also some cons that you need to consider when it comes to getting your Samsung Galaxy S2 on contract. Some of these include:

• You do not have the same freedom and flexibility when you get your phone on contract as you do when you buy SIM free
• You will have to be prepared to be tied to a lengthy contract, which means that you are tied to the handset and the provider for a set amount of time
• You could end up paying considerably more in total over the contract period than you might with a SIM free handset and a SIM only plan

Comparing deals for the Samsung Galaxy S2

Whether you decide to buy the Samsung Galaxy S2 as part of a contract or on a SIM free basis, it is important that you take the time to compare different deals, as this could affect the amount you pay for this phone significantly. One of the most time efficient and convenient ways to compare deals on the Samsung Galaxy S2 is to get online, where you will find a range of retailers, providers and deals that will suit both those looking to buy SIM free and those who want to get the phone as part of a contract.

Comparing deals will be far quicker and easier if you are looking to buy the handset SIM free, as there is only really one key thing that you need to consider when you are comparing deals, which is the cost of the handset. This can vary based on which retailer you buy through, so comparing different deals could make a significant difference to the amount you pay for the Samsung Galaxy S2 handset.

If, on the other hand, you decide that you are going to get the Samsung Galaxy S2 as part of a contract plan, there are a number of other things that you will need to consider when you compare deals. Some of the factors you will need to take into consideration include:

Comparing the cost of plans: When you get your Samsung Galaxy S2 on contract, you will find that the cost of the plan can vary based on a number of factors. Some of the things that can affect the amount you pay include the plan you choose and the provider you go for. By taking the time to compare Samsung Galaxy S2 contract plans, you can find a plan that is suited to your needs and a price that fits in with your budget

Checking the contract periods: One thing you need to consider when you decide to get your Samsung Galaxy S2 on contract is that you will be tied into a lengthy contract period, as the provider needs time to recoup the cost of the handset that comes with the plan. When you compare Samsung Galaxy S2 contract plans you should therefore check on the minimum contract period, so you know how long you are tied in for

What you get with the plan: When you are comparing Samsung Galaxy S2 plans, you not only have to consider the handset that is included in the plan but also what else you will get for your money. For example, what will you get in terms of minutes, texts and data? Will those allowances be sufficient for your needs? It is a good idea to work out what you need in terms of minutes, texts and data based on your projected usage, and then find a plan that will suit your needs

You should find the whole process of comparing and finding suitable Samsung Galaxy S2 plans far quicker and easier when you go online. In fact, you can enjoy a range of benefits by using the Internet to find a suitable and affordable Samsung Galaxy S2 plan, such as:

• Being able to enjoy convenience and ease, as you can search for deals from the comfort of your own home
• The ability to access some great deals and affordable plans, some of which may be exclusively available online
• Speeding up the time it takes to find an affordable and suitable plan
• Being able to avoid pressure from sales staff when comparing plans
• Enjoy a choice of providers and plans, which can boost your chances of getting the right plan at the right price

Security for the Samsung Galaxy S2

One of the dangers that we all face when using high tech devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S2, which enables us to engage in such a wide range of activities, is the risk of criminal activity. While technology has become more and more advanced when it comes to devices such as smart phones, the processes used by many fraudsters and identity thieves have also become more advanced. This is why it is vital for anyone using the Samsung Galaxy S2 or any other high tech smart phone to be mindful about security, both in terms of the safety of the handset itself and the data that is on the device.

It is worth nothing that when it comes to the risk of issues such as hacking and malicious viruses, Android based handsets have been highlighted as being at greater risk compared to Operating Systems such as the iOS. It is therefore particularly important for owners of Android based handsets such as the Samsung Galaxy S2 to take the necessary steps to protect their phones and their information. There are a number of basic security tips that can help in terms of handset and data security, which includes:

• Keep an eye on your handset: It may seem like an obvious thing, but it is astonishing how many people leave their handsets on tables or in areas where they could easily be taken as they are left unattended in the way of temptation. The Samsung Galaxy S2 is quite an expensive handset so you should make sure you keep your eye on it to reduce the chances of it being lost or stolen

• Use your keypad locking feature: In order to protect your phone and information in the event that it does fall into the wrong hands, you should always use your keypad locking feature. This will ensure that your phone is locked after a certain period of inactivity, making it more difficult for someone who finds or steals your phone to get to any sensitive data or information, or even to use the phone and rack up costly bills

• Don't delay with reporting a lost or stolen handset: If your Samsung Galaxy S2 is lost or stolen, you should not waste any time in reporting it, as this could save you a lot of trouble in the long run. You should make sure you report your handset to the police as well as your provider, as this will enable police to contact you if it is handed in or found and will enable your provider to take the necessary steps to block your phone to minimise on issues arising from the loss or theft of the handset. It is also advisable to make a note of your phone's IMEI number, which you can obtain either from under the battery on the handset or by typing in *#06#, which should bring the number up on screen for you to note down. This will then help your provider to block the phone quickly and efficiently if it is lost or stolen

• Consider taking out insurance for your Samsung Galaxy S2: For most people who have a cheap feature phone, taking out mobile phone insurance often isn’t worth it, as it is far cheaper just to replace the handset in the event of loss, theft or damage. However, with a costlier handset like the Samsung Galaxy S2 it is definitely worth considering insuring your phone, as otherwise you could be looking at shelling out a lot of money if your phone is damaged, lost or stolen and you have to cover the cost of replacement from your own pocket

• Be careful about scams: In this digital age, smart phone users are becoming increasingly exposed to the scams that we normally associate with computers – after all, smart phones actually are mini computers in effect. If you use the email facility on your Samsung Galaxy S2, and you receive emails encouraging you to click on a link to get to a site – whether or not you know the site – always ensure you avoid using the link to get to the site. This could be a phishing scam that takes you to a fake site and then gives criminals access to any data you enter. If you want to check out the site, access it directly through your browser, as you would if you had not received the email

• Deactivate Bluetooth when not in use: In order to reduce the chances of your privacy being invaded by people engaging in so called blue-jacking, it is advisable to deactivate your Bluetooth when you are not using it

• Check on updates for your Samsung Galaxy S2: In order to ensure the most up to date security and features for your Samsung Galaxy S2, you should make sure that it is always kept updated when it comes to the firmware, browser and security features. You can keep on top of available updates simply by checking the Samsung website for information

• Block premiums rate texts and calls: If someone takes or finds your Samsung Galaxy S2 and then uses it to make or send premiums rate calls and texts, they could quickly run up a huge bill before the phone is able to be blocked by your provider. Therefore, blocking these premium rate facilities from your phone could save you a headache in the future if your phone is taken – something well worth considering, especially if you do not really tend to make or send premiums rate calls and texts yourself

• Know your phone: If you are new to smart phones or even new to the Samsung Galaxy S2, you may not be aware of the various features that it boasts. It is therefore important to check your user guide, as this can give you a good idea of all of the features on the handset, including important security features that could help to protect your handset or your information

• Exercise caution when it comes to downloads: In this day and age, many of us download a wide range of apps on our smart phones, so this is something that you will most likely be doing with your Samsung Galaxy S2. However, make sure you use reputable sites for your downloads, as otherwise you could be hit with viruses and malware issues, which could cause serious issues and problems for you

Ten security apps for the Samsung Galaxy S2

When it comes to apps for your Samsung Galaxy S2, you will find a variety of free and paid apps that can help to make the phone more secure in terms of both information on the phone and the handset itself. Some of the apps that you may find can enhance the security of your Samsung Galaxy S2 include:

• Norton Security and Antivirus: This app can be effective in protecting your information as well as your handset. Some of the features include antimalware protection, virus scans on downloaded apps and updates, detection and removal of mobile security threats and remote locking in the event of your phone being lost or stolen

• Random Password Generator: Thinking of password after password for all of the sites you use can be a problem. However, with the Random Password Generator you can generate random passwords that are safe and secure to protect your data and privacy

• Smart Guard Lite: This is an app that makes it easy for you to hide certain information and files on your phone, such as photos, videos and contacts. This enables these files to be securely locked, so if your phone it taken people cannot view the private information and files that you have locked away

• LMaxi Anti Theft Pro: If your phone it taken or stolen you will find that this app can be very useful in helping to monitor and track it. You can activate the alarm siren and the lock remotely and you can also look at the position of the phone on a map, enabling convenient tracking. Other features include details of last calls and the ability to remotely wipe data via SMS

• Privacy Blocker: More and more smart phone users are becoming worried about apps that gather data and private information about them. With the Privacy Blocker app you can protect your information and stop apps from collecting your personal data. With this app, you can still use your downloaded apps but without the risks involved in terms of your personal data

• Anti-virus Pro 2.8: This is a comprehensive protective app for the Samsung Galaxy S2, which enables you to benefits from a whole host of security and protection features. This includes features such as scanning apps, files and media in real time, back up and restoration of valuable apps and files, scanning emails, texts and contacts for security, tracking a lost or stolen phone via a map, locking the phone or wiping data remotely if it is taken, and much more

• Safe Locker 2.0: With the Safe Locker app, you will be able to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with being able to securely store passwords and notes on your Samsung Galaxy S2. You can also create random passwords and notes using the app

• WatchDroid Pro: This is an app that can prove invaluable assistance in the event that you lose your Samsung Galaxy S2 or it is stolen. This app offers a range of valuable features such as the ability to wipe your phone remotely, being able to activate the alarm remotely, being able to lock your handset remotely and being able to track and monitor the handset

• Maverick Secure Mobile: With this hidden app, you can protect your handset and information in a number of ways in the event that it goes astray. Some of the features that you can benefit from when you use this app include disabling your handset remotely, tracking your lost or stolen handset, retrieve your phonebook and more

• SMobile Security Shield: With this app, you can protect your handset and your information through comprehensive protection from viruses and malware issues. In addition to this, you can remotely access, track and wipe your Samsung Galaxy S2, helping to minimise on issues in the event that it is lost or stolen

Popular apps for the Samsung Galaxy S2

You will find a wide range of apps covering a huge variety of genres for your Samsung Galaxy S2, so there are plenty of options available when it comes to practical, protective or entertaining apps for your device. You can get apps that are completely free as well as ones that you would have to pay for, so all you have to do is determine which apps are going to be right for your needs.

Five top free apps for the Samsung Galaxy S2

• Facebook for Android: This is ideal for those who love their social networking, with the app enabling you to keep your finger on the social pulse quickly, easily and efficiently

• Google Sky Map: If you are one of those people that are fascinated by the night sky and the stars, the Google Sky Map can prove to be a fascinating and exciting app. You can simply point your Samsung Galaxy S2 at the sky and you will be able to learn more about the visible constellations and planets

• Google Goggles: With this app you can benefit from a QR code reader, which enables you to scan barcodes for fast access to apps and data. It also offers the novelty of enabling you to take photos, have them analysed by Google, and then receive a search results page based on what Google thinks the photo is of

• Samsung ChatOn: This is another messaging app for your Samsung Galaxy S2, which enables you to enjoy enhanced messaging features including drawing, networking and image sharing

• Google Maps Navigation: If you spend a lot of time out and about, this is an invaluable app, which offers turn by turn voice navigation. It calculates routes at the beginning of your trip, so you are kept on track without continuous data transfer

Five top paid apps for the Samsung Galaxy S2

• EasyTether: This app enables you to use your Samsung Galaxy S2, or in fact any Android handset, as a 3G modem, which means no more stress about finding and using wireless hotspots

• Beautiful Widgets: If you find that the screen of your Samsung Galaxy S2 needs a little jazzing up and customising, this app can provide you with access to a variety of exciting icons that will help you add depth and style to the screen of your handset

• Spotify: This is a monthly subscription app but provides users with access to a range of music streaming functions and features. An ideal app for those who love their music and want to make the most of their handset's music capabilities

• Paper Camera: This is a fun and funky app, which enables you to transform images into cartoon drawings whilst also offering a range of other effects. You can create some great images and finishes with this app

• Instapaper: This is a great app for those that want to ensure they have something to read and keep them entertained even when they are offline. With this app you can copy and save web pages on your Samsung Galaxy S2, which you can then read later on even when you are no longer online

Ten popular gaming apps for the Samsung Galaxy S2

• Angry Birds: This game has now become a classic and is still a firm favourite amongst smart phone users. You can get the Android version free of charge, which means you pay nothing to enjoy the delights of this game on your Samsung Galaxy S2

• Bebbled: This is a gem shuffling game where you drop gems on top of other gems to get rid of large groups of gems of the same colour. A fun, fast paced game that is simple yet very entertaining

• Red Stone: This is a challenging and exciting puzzle based game based on square shuffling, which is ideal for those who want to give their brain processes some exercise

• Newton: This is another game that requires some thought and calculation, as you have to face the laws of physics in order to successfully hit your targets. It is a fun physics based challenge where you have to get past a range of laws of nature that can deflect your shot

• Sketch Online: This is a fun and entertaining guessing game, where you draw sketches and then battle with other users to see what is being drawn. There is a free version and a paid for ad-free version

• Frozen Bubble: With this fun game, you fire gems up the screen of your Samsung Galaxy S2 in a bid to try and construct groups or clusters of gems that are of similar colours

• Gem Miner: As a mole type character in this game, you spend time digging things from the ground with the help of a range of tools. The game involves managing the materials that you find, improving your digging prowess and upgrading your tools and maps

• ConnecToo: This was actually a paid game but has recently been switched to an ad-based free one. This is a square based puzzle that uses coloured squares, which you have to link to try and form a single colour pathway

• Jewels: This is one of many gem based games for the Samsung Galaxy S2 and other Android handsets. With this one, you switch pairs of coloured gems to create larger groups, which will then disappear. The game has lots of levels for those looking for more of a challenge

• Abduction: If you enjoy platform jumping games, you will like this one, which is simple yet fun with added cows and parachuting penguins for effect

Accessories for the Samsung Galaxy S2

As is the case with all popular smart phones these days, you can get your hands on a range of accessories for your Samsung Galaxy S2. Some of these accessories are for practical and functional purposes, whereas others are available simply to personalise or improve the look of your handset. Of course, you will get any essential accessories, such as a charger and earphones, when you buy your Samsung Galaxy S2.

Some of the accessories you may want to consider for your Samsung Galaxy S2 include:

• Screen stylus: If you find typing on a touch screen a little tricky, you could benefit from the use of a screen stylus for your Samsung Galaxy S2, which can make typing faster, easier and less frustrating

• Desk stand: Using a desk stand for your Samsung Galaxy S2 will help to minimise any scratches and dings that can come from continually picking up your handset and placing it back on the hard desk surface.

• Screen protectors: If you want to avoid the large, attractive screen of your Samsung Galaxy S2 getting scratched and damaged, using an invisible but very effective screen protector could be just the thing, as it provides a cost effective way of keeping your screen in pristine condition

• Headphones: Although you will get some basic earphones with your Samsung Galaxy S2 when you buy it or get it from your provider, you may want to upgrade to a more advanced set, particularly if you use your Samsung Galaxy S2 a lot to listen to music or other content

• Back cover: Having a back cover for your Samsung Galaxy S2 means that you can protect this delicate area of your phone from unnecessary damage, bumps and scratches, while also personalising the handset by choosing an appropriate design for the back cover. You can choose from a range of colours and designs to suit your tastes and preferences

• Micro USB data cables: If you want to transfer data from your Samsung Galaxy S2 or you simply want a convenient way of charging the phone, you can invest in a Micro USB data cable, although you will get one with the phone as standard

• In car charger: If you spend a lot of time on the go, and want to ensure that you are not suddenly left without a phone because the battery has run out of juice, an in-car charger will be ideal

• Pouches and cases: If you want to keep your phone safe and protected when you are carrying it around, you can invest in one of a choice of cases or pouches that will cover the whole phone

• Hands free kit: In order to use your Samsung Galaxy S2 safely and legally while in your car, you should invest in a good hands free kit for your Samsung Galaxy S2