The Samsung Galaxy S2 comes back to life in the shape of the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus, complete with Jelly Bean -- but not here in Britain.
The S2 Plus comes loaded with Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean, the very latest version of Google's Android software.
Apart from that, not a great deal has changed. The S2 plus has the same 1.2GHz dual-core processor with 1GHz of RAM as the S2, the same 8-megapixel camera, and the same 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen with an 800x480 resolution.
Oh, there is one other change, though. The S2 had 16GB of storage, and the S2 Plus has 8GB. Wait, hang on...
Still, even a year and a half down the line the S2 is a decent prospect, especially with the latest Jelly Bean software giving it a new lease of life. Sure, it's no quad-core powerhouse like the Samsung Galaxy S3, but you can't have everything.
Samsung recently cashed in on the S3 name too, with the Galaxy S3 Mini. Although it's a perfectly respectable phone the Mini isn't really worthy of the S3 name, and it's a bit pricey to boot.
If you already own an S2 Samsung says it will bring a Jelly Bean update to the original phone, but as for timing? Your guess is as good as ours.
Sadly, Samsung told me, "We will not be ranging this device in the UK," although it is set to go on sale in different markets in future. Do you fancy the S2 plus, or should the S2 be consigned to the history books? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 17
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Meleagru 10 January, 2013 16:31
The Plus is a bit of a faux statement. The processor is being downgraded and the storage is being halved. If they had put in something to compensate, it would have made sense but as it is, it's just another device aimed at mid-price range. It should be cheaper than the S3 mini and better value.
anonymous 10 January, 2013 16:35
the very latest is not 4.12 but 4.21
anonymous 10 January, 2013 16:55
1ghz of ram
anonymous 10 January, 2013 17:07
Pls get these even on CDMA platform
Damien2501 10 January, 2013 18:27
The Galaxy S2 is one of the top selling phones of 2012 in the UK, it remained in the top 4 throughout the year. The HTC One X & S and Sony Xperia S & T couldn't even top S2 sales, that's why they aint releasing the S2 Plus in the UK.
However, I think Samsung needs to release a very powerful 4 to 4.3 inch phone soon, because not everyone wants a 4.7+ inch phone.
anonymous 10 January, 2013 18:47
HMMM my S2 is running 4.2.1 anyway so its better than the s2 plus already as its got 16gb storage......why would we need this in the UK?
anonymous 10 January, 2013 19:22
they should have added NFC and improved the battery and kept the storage size,, then I might upgrade from my S2
anonymous 10 January, 2013 23:57
Doesn't tempt me away from my SII. I still love it dearly.
Eric Manktelow 11 January, 2013 00:23
The S2 when it was released was way ahead of the competition and showed what Smartphones should be like when it came out.
Even though it's long in the tooth (I don't see that changing with the plus) it's still an excellent phone and the phone that put Samsung at the top of the industry where they are now with the S3 and Note 2.
anonymous 11 January, 2013 02:32
Will the battery life improve? Will it stop heating up? Otherwise, let it be!
anonymous 11 January, 2013 07:09
The UK S2 now has NFC. I think the S2 plus is just a way of off-loading spare parts. They are not releasing it here in the UK because the S2 here is better than the plus, especially the NFC version of the phone.
anonymous 11 January, 2013 08:35
Does this mean my S2 will not be receiving the Jelly Bean update that I have been waiting a while for?
anonymous 11 January, 2013 10:36
I have a Galaxy S2 and stopped running official firmwares after around 6 months of having the unit. Cause (A) they were taking too long and (B) Kies is the worst ever software for updating.
I have been running jelly bean on my samsung Galaxy s2 for just over a month now.
Chris Denton 'Ichi' 11 January, 2013 16:14
This doesn't make sense unless the Galaxy S2 Plus is cheaper than the S2. :-\
Michael Ball 12 January, 2013 16:39
They're just trying to make money out of the name as it was such a successful phone to begin with. Also, if they're bringing jelly bean to the S2 anyway, what's the point?
anonymous 16 January, 2013 00:31
I have a Galaxy S2 wimax. It has a 4.7 inch super amoled HD just like the S3, That is much more a plus than adding Jelly Bean.
anonymous 28 April, 2013 08:59
i have purchased this mobile only 2 days before .when i used it first time it was so smooth and was feeling like using s3 but by doing nothing it has slowed down very much.i just need a reason why its been slowed down.....