Apple iPhone 4S vs Samsung Galaxy S II: Spec showdown

By Andrew Couts October 4, 2011

galaxy-s-ii-iphone-4s — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Apple just unveiled the new iPhone 4S, it’s newest addition to the most-popular smartphone line in the US. While demand for the device sits at an all-time high, Apple faces stiff competition from a growing array of high-end Android handsets. The iPhone 4S won’t be available until October 14, when it ships in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, and Japan. An additional 22 international markets will receive the device on October 28. So we haven’t yet had the chance to get our hands on the device. But let’s take a look at how the technical specs of the iPhone 4S stack up next to those of our favorite new Android smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S II.

**Apple iPhone 4S vs Samsung Galaxy S II**
	iPhone 4S	Galaxy S II
Price (with contract)	$199 to $399	$199.99
OS	iOS 5	Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) w/ TouchWhiz 4.0
Processor	Apple A5 (dual-core)	Samsung Exynos (dual-core)
Display	3.5-inch 960×640 IPS	4.3-inch 800×480 SAMOLED+
Dimensions	115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3 (mm)	129 x 66 x 8.9 (mm)
Weight	140g	117g
Cellular	CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A/GSM/HSPA	GSM/HSPA+
Max. speed	14.4Mbps down/5.8Mbps up	21.1Mbps down
Wi-Fi	802.11 b/g/n (single-band)	802.11 b/g/n (dual-band)
Rear camera	8-megapixel AF w/ LED flash	8-megapixel AF w/ LED flash
Front camera	VGA	2-megapixel
Video capabilities	1080p at 30fps	1080p at 30fps
Internal storage	16GB/32GB/64GB	16GB
Mini SD	No	Yes (expands storage up to 48GB)
Max. battery life	8 hrs talk/6 hrs browsing 3G/10 hrs video/40 hrs music	8 hrs talk
Construction	Glass w/ aluminum band	Plastic

*For this comparison, we pitted the iPhone 4S against AT&T version of the Galaxy S II. T-Mobile and Sprint versions have a few different specs, but are more or less the same phone inside. The same model of the iPhone 4S is available on AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…

Mobile

Best tablet deals: iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Fire, and more

Front face of Samsung Galaxy Tab S8.

Whether for work, play, or anything in between, a new tablet can make a nice addition to your tech lineup. They’re perfect for kids and professionals, and most brands have something at a price point for everyone. Tablets also make some great tech for some savings, as even the best tablets often see a discount. There are a lot of tablet deals out there, and among them are some of the best Samsung tablet deals, best iPad deals, and best Surface Laptop and Surface Pro deals we’ve seen. Below you’ll find what we feel are the best tablet deals to shop right now, as well as some information on why each might best suit your tablet needs.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (32GB) -- $90, was $160

If you need an Android tablet for simple tasks like browsing the internet and watching streaming shows, the affordable Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite may be enough for you. Its 8.7-inch screen is decent with WXGA+ resolution, while maintaining portability so you can easily hold the tablet in one hand. Its internal storage is limited at 32GB, but you can expand it by up to 1TB using a microSD card. For the clumsy ones, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is perfect for you because it's protected by a sturdy metal frame.

Mobile

Best iPhone 14 deals: Unlocked and refurbished

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro's camera module

While the iPhone 15 may be Apple’s most recent iPhone release, that only makes the iPhone 14 a better way to save. The iPhone 14 isn’t far removed from being among the best phones on the market, and it’s still a powerhouse option for most smartphone users. There are a lot of ways to save on an iPhone 14, with shopping refurbished models being one of the best. You'll get a good warranty and a large return window shopping refurbished with most major retailers, which makes them some of the best iPhone 14 deals you'll find. With so many to take advantage of right now, we thought we’d do the heavy lifting and put all of the best iPhone 14 deals together in one place. Reading onward you’ll find some impressive savings on all models of the Apple iPhone 14.
Apple iPhone 14 -- from $479, was $699

With the Apple iPhone 14 you’re getting what is still one of the most popular smartphones on the market. This is the iPhone 14 model that’s meant for everyone. It holds back a few features you can only get on the Pro model, but it still has an impressive 6.1-inch display, an impressive camera, and dozens of ways to personalize your iOS experience with widgets and fonts. The phone can reach up to 26 hours of battery life on a single charge, and it’s powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip. Face ID, emergency SOS via satellite, and super fast 5G cellular connectivity round out the top features of the Apple iPhone 14.
Buy Refurbished at Amazon — from $479

Mobile

iPhone 16: news, rumored price, release date, and more

A person holding the Apple iPhone 15 Plus and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

We're more than six months removed from the launch of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, so you know what that means: iPhone 16 rumors are in full force. Talk is heating up about everything from design leaks and rumored specs to camera changes and more.