Samsung Galaxy S2 review

Android may potentially pose a serious threat to the success of Apple's mobile devices, but we've still to see an Android smartphone that could compete on equal terms with the iPhone 4. At the risk of giving the game away before this review is even underway, however, the Samsung Galaxy S II might just be the model that can.

This smartphone is something special and that is apparent straight from the box. Its most striking feature is its thickness or lack of it. If not for a small bulge at the bottom end and around the rear camera lens, the Samsung Galaxy S II would measure a mere 8.7mm front to back and the slight 116g weight only adds to the allure.

Sadly, while Samsung clearly knows how to design a premium smartphone, it's yet to figure out how to make it and the all-plastic case feels cheap and slippery in the hand. Of particular concern was the flimsy back panel that has to be awkwardly prised off to get at the battery, SIM and microSD card slots, but this snaps back into place with such a snug fit that it's unlikely to cause a problem.