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Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch
86
Engadget Review
The Epic 4G Touch is the first carrier-branded Galaxy S II in the US, and doesn't lose the magic.
Brad MolenSeptember 15, 2011
Pros
- Gorgeous Super AMOLED Plus displayTremendous battery lifeTop-notch performance
Cons
- No global roamingQuestionable build material
Samsung
Galaxy
Engadget - Not yet scored
0
Critics
7 reviews84
AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE
Users
24 reviews87
AVERAGE USER SCORE
View All Critic & User Reviews
Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch
- Critic Reviews (7)
- User Reviews (24)
- 84AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE7 ReviewsCNET80Samsung Epic 4G TouchThe Samsung Epic 4G Touch offers speedy performance, a beautiful screen, and a great multimedia experience to make it one of Sprint's top Android phones, but its large size won't be for everyone.Laptop Magazine80Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch ReviewWith a 4.5-inch display and superfast processor, the Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch is a smartphone force to be reckoned with.PC Mag80Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G TouchThe Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch packs a rich, gorgeous screen and a speedy dual-core processor making it a top Android choice for Sprint.SlashGear80Samsung Epic 4G Touch ReviewMake no mistake, this is pretty much the same Galaxy S II we know and love. The display may be slightly bigger, and the phone itself a little larger, but the speedy processor and excellent camera remain. WiMAX is less appealing than the 4G name might suggest, however.TechRadar90Samsung Epic 4G Touch reviewThe Samsung Epic 4G Touch is an almost equivalent version of the Samsung Galaxy S2 that we rated so highly. A few improved features make it one of the best Android smartphones available.Good Housekeeping90Samsung Galaxy SII Epic 4G TouchThe Samsung Galaxy SII Epic 4G Touch topped our tests, with a brilliant display (a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus), great picture and video quality (thanks to an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera), and good call quality.Gadget Review90Samsung Epic 4G Touch ReviewThe Epic 4G Touch is one of the best phones available on Sprint. It’s slightly faster and overall better than the Galaxy S II, but the large size should give you pause before just picking one up. Still one of the best phones out today.
- 87AVERAGE USER SCORE24 ReviewsEngadget Reader80January 10, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - Engadgettimzentu70September 22, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A dependable product that doesn't really stand out from the competition. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90August 22, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader70March 3, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A dependable product that doesn't really stand out from the competition. - EngadgetEngadget Reader80December 5, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader80December 3, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Best hardware that you can get at the time of the release. It was hands down the best screen that you can buy. The problem is the Samsung's custom skin on Android. It makes the software glitchy and unresponsive. It's hard to find great hardware with a pure Google experience. Maybe a custom ROM would be good for first time buyers.Engadget Reader80November 4, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader70November 3, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A dependable product that doesn't really stand out from the competition. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90October 22, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!This phone is truly fantastic. We've finally reached the point where this wonderful piece of technology is only a penny through Amazon wireless on a 2 year contract, and honestly, it's truly worth it. The only problem with buying this phone now is the outdated WiMax 4G this phone uses. You might really be better off with a 4G LTE phone from Sprint now, but if you're looking for a great phone for a good deal on Sprint then this is it!Engadget Reader100August 12, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I love this phone! Beautiful screen, solid feel, speedy. Best phone I've owned yet.Engadget Reader80March 24, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I got this phone to replace a Google Nexus One on T-Mobile. I won't buy an Android device that I can't root, and this is already rooted. I miss having AOSP CyanogenMOD, but it's testing and coming soon. Once this phone has CyanogenMOD, it'll be the best phone I've ever had, and if your into rooting, this phone will be a great phone for anyone on Sprint.Engadget Reader90March 8, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader80March 3, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!After owning EVO for year and a half, it's a good "upgrade". With improve maturity of Android OS and growth of Android Ecosystem, as today, iOS no longer hold any advantage over Android. If you are on a stable and well covered Sprint network area, this is the must have phone. However, given the reception performance in low signal area, you might be frustrated. This phone DOES still having a recovering problem going in-and-out of low signal areas.Engadget Reader90March 1, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader80March 1, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader100February 17, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!all i have to say is ive had no need to root this phone.Engadget Reader80February 15, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!It's funny that the iPhone 4S's main competition was out before the fateful October 4th press conference which revealed the iPhone 5.....errr 4S to the world.This phone matches and beats Apple's flagship phone in almost all aspects.I should start with my personal experience with the phone, I have had it since launch and I have dealt with the string of software glitches that have prevented this phone from being perfect. From the "LoS" (Loss of Signal) and random reboot issues one by one each issue was addressed by Samsung and now I feel as if the phone is in its stride.But I digress, software is only one aspect of this device, lets go over the hardware:4.5 inch Super AMOLED Plus display for perhaps the most vivid display on the market1.2GHz dual-core Samsung Exynos processor16gb of internal storage with an expansion slot capable of holding an additional 32gb1gb of RAM8mp camera with LED Flash capable of shooting 1080p HD video and a front-facing 2mp camera1800mAh user-replaceable Li-Ion batteryIn the coming weeks we will see specs like these eclipsed at MWC with the 2012 super phones but even after that there is no doubt that this phone packs not only a punch, but a knockout blow.This phone is huge, but not too huge. Light, but not too light. When you pick up this phone for the first time you are almost shocked that the screen is on because honestly the lightness of it would make you think that the battery was out. Samsung has been criticized with their Galaxy line of being cheap on materials by not using metals and instead opting for plastic. It is because of the plastic that this phone is ridiculously light and I am actually grateful that they went with plastic instead of metals because the weight would've surely suffered. Camera with the phone performs very well, pictures come out wonderful and the amount of editing/customization options Samsung has included is more than adequate for those looking to get rid of their stand-alone point-and-shoot. Video was true HD though I found in louder environments I was disappointed by the sound quality, a second back-facing mic would have helped in this aspect.Signal-wise this phone was mid-range from other smartphones I have used in the past, while there were certain times that I was only seeing one signal bar on the screen I never dropped or missed a call. Data remained stable and fast no matter whether I was on 1 bar or 4 bars. 4G is not available in this area so this was something I was not about to test. It's a luxury to have a user-replaceable battery and Samsung has recognized this as they have a separate battery/battery-only charger available for sale as an accessory. That being said, the battery on this phone lasts incredibly longer than it's 4.3 or even 4.0 inch screen counterparts. With "normal" use I'm sure you could get a day and a half to 2 days out of one full charge, of course this also depends on your coverage area and settings. For someone like myself that has multiple widgets as well as streams for Facebook, Foursquare, Twitter, ESPN, etc. I am actually able to get through a full business day which is phenomenal for any Android device. As stated before though, I am the exception and not the rule, you will be more than happy with the stock battery if your awareness in app management is even in the novice state.Another reason the battery is surprisingly amazing in comparison to its competition is because the size is bigger than most other phones out there. The 4.5 inch display sports Samsungs famous Super AMOLED Plus display. While the pixel count is technically not higher than Apples iPhone to the laymen or even advanced user you would be hard pressed to rank this display below Apples Retina Screen display. Pictures come off extremely crisp, videos are extremely vibrant, and games jump out. This is something you will truly need to see for yourself though to get an accurate judgement.To explain the speed of this phone is difficult because it would almost seem like an Apple tagline by saying "it just works" but, quite frankly, it just works. In the 5 months of consistent use I have yet to see it stutter, think, force close, and not react to a command. This is such a rarity in the fragmented world of Android that Samsung, especially with a 3rd party overlay, should be commended for the fantastic job they have done with this device, it flies. Speaking of 3rd party overlays...TouchWiz is a multi-generational skin that Samsung has been tacking onto Android for quite a while now and over time they have listen to critics concerns on the overall look and performance. This is by far their best iteration of TouchWiz yet. This is what a skin is supposed to be, complimentary to an already solid looking platform. The widgets included will not be used by all but even I was surprised on how content I was by their default weather, time, and news widgets. I have been very hesitant about Samsung in the past but a phone like this has honestly turned the corner when it comes to my personal opinion.Android phones, especially high-end ones, are usually eclipsed every 3-4 months by the next big thing. This phone is now going 6 months strong and for good reason, it is fantastic. If you are in the market for a phone that you will have to carry around for the next 2 years or so I have no problem recommending the Epic 4G Touch as it has truly won me over as the best overall Android phone out in the market today.Engadget Reader100February 7, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Iphone envy, i think not ..this phone eats iphones for breakfast. Great camera and Video capabilities .....the big screen is awesome..........Engadget Reader100February 6, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader90December 22, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader100October 24, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!This is BY FAR the BEST android phone I've used so far. I have some qualms with it... no NFC (i guess), would have liked to have seen more colors supported by the notification LED, some better building materials would have been nice, some better signal would be great. I'm reaching pretty hard for negatives here. now for the Pros... this phone is FAST FAST FAST. Now... sometimes you'll see people say that and then toss up a quadrant score as backup.. I won't do that do you.. here's a real life scenario. I use launcher pro... and I use the swipe shortcuts with launcher pro. If you've used these with any other phone you'd know that waiting for the "available actions" screen to load is a PAIN... especially if you have a lot of apps. Listen... and I'm not exaggerating here.... ZERO wait time. I'm not kidding. I had a G2x... nvidia dual cores at 1ghz... pretty fast phone... waited at least 2 minutes each time i wanted to load that screen... the GS2.... NO WAIT. Just sayin.Engadget Reader100October 24, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader90October 21, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!After owning the original iPhone, iPhone 3GS, and HTC Evo 4G, the Epic Touch 4G is the best smartphone I've ever had. The screen size is perfect, something the iPhone has yet to change since it's original launch. The Epic Touch 4G is incredibly light and thin, and call quality is crisp and clear.Engadget Reader90September 17, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - Engadget
Key Specs
TYPE
Smartphone
OPERATING SYSTEM
Android
SCREEN SIZE
4.5222
INTERNAL MEMORY
161
CAMERA
Yes
TALK TIME
3G
CARRIERS (US)
Sprint-Nextel
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