Sony Ericsson Arc vs. Samsung Galaxy S II

[willystyle]

My contract with Fido ends this Oct, so I am currently due for an upgrade. I am currently using a Blackberry Bold 9700, and absolutely hate it due to its lackluster performance.

My next phone will be an Android. This is the only platform I want. I am staying on the high-end smartphone path and has nailed down to 2 phones that I wish to get.

I am looking for an Android phone that has unprecedented performance, as well as a cutting-edge screen, packed with a great camera and video recording performance. Basically, a phone that can run anything that I throw at.

I wish to get a new phone ASAP, seeing that the ARC will be out in about a week. This gives the Arc a slight advantage. On the other hand, SGS II isn't due until Q3, but it does pack a dual core processor, has a better screen, can record 1080p; unfortunately, the price starts at over $1000CAD when it releases.

Is it worth the wait? Does the performance justify its cost? Opinion needed.

[m3thods]

considering you're putting a lot of emphasis on a great camera, it seems the arc is your phone of choice.

the sgs2 is not due in canada anytime soon, so unless you plan on waiting until the end of the year, it's pretty much out of the question.

if you want to wait for the sgs2 (which is my phone of choice), there's also the HTC sensation which is due out around that time too. it's worth looking into.

[willystyle]

Originally Posted by m3thods

considering you're putting a lot of emphasis on a great camera, it seems the arc is your phone of choice.

the sgs2 is not due in canada anytime soon, so unless you plan on waiting until the end of the year, it's pretty much out of the question.

if you want to wait for the sgs2 (which is my phone of choice), there's also the HTC sensation which is due out around that time too. it's worth looking into.

Preliminary review indicates SGS2 having a better overall camera than the Arc.

How is S-LCD vs. Super AMOLED Plus? Comparable performance?

HTC Sensation 4G is only for AWS.

[m3thods]

SAMOLED >>>> S-LCD. Even just comparing my sisters Dinc S to my captivate, it's not even close. Add that the SGS2 is getting a revised version, I can't see the Arc getting a better viewing experience. That said, someone on these forums has experience with an Arc, and said that the screen was nicer than SAMOLED (regular SGS), but since he's the only person who allegedly has seen both, it's tough to debate.

As for the Sensation, there will be a GSM equivalent- there always is.

And as for the camera, I read that as well. But I was taking into account your desire to get a phone asap. So that's why I said the Arc is your best bet.

The SGS2 hasn't even been announced on any north american carrier from what i've read. Given that and barring any miracles, we'll be waiting a while for it. Like you said the Arc is coming out soon so that's the only phone out of the ones you outlined that's available.

Other things to note- carrier-supplied Arcs will have locked bootloaders. If you plan on rooting/running custom roms, this will be a hindrance. Only the unlocked versions of the Arc will run unlocked bootloaders with the help of SE.

Also, SE's skin on top of GB isn't the greatest. It's worth reading into that as well if you plan on running stock.

It looks likes it all comes down to how long you want to wait. The SGS2 is superior in pretty much every way, but are you willing to wait is the question.

[StylinRed]

If you're main concern is an awesome Camera id grab the N8
But if you're willing to set your sights on Q3

There's a Nokia Windows Phone coming out Q3/Q4 supposedly with a 14.1mpx camera / dual core / Zeiss optics / etc etc using the N8 housing (if you're wondering what it looks like)

dubbed the W8

but its "rumors" for now although from multiple credible sources




I'd go for the Arc though if you're stuck on Android (supposedly ppl aren't expecting much from the galaxyS2's camera; or that is they're doubting its potential)

However I would suggest buying an N8 for now (since its cheap, from Amazon/Newegg.ca, as its loss its initial premium $$$) and playing with the camera until the S-2 comes out so you'll know for certain whether to get the Arc or S2

By then the Arc will have lost its premium pricing (if that's where you end up going) and you could sell the N8 for relatively the same price you got it for on ebay (as the depreciation from this point will be slow)

If you get the Arc now and find out the Galaxy2 is Way better you'll lose out on reselling it when the S2 arrives (major depreciation from premium price drop + used)

or you could just wait it out (im only suggesting the N8 for the interim if you're itching to use an awesome camera phone now)

[!MiKrofT]

No way in hell would I pay over $1000 for a phone. If I want an awesome camera ill buy the cheapest dslr on the market and still have better image quality and still have money for a phone. I know its convenience so its really up to you.

Stylinred. He only wants to buy an android not symbian or windows phone 7.

[willystyle]

Originally Posted by m3thods

SAMOLED >>>> S-LCD. Even just comparing my sisters Dinc S to my captivate, it's not even close. Add that the SGS2 is getting a revised version, I can't see the Arc getting a better viewing experience. That said, someone on these forums has experience with an Arc, and said that the screen was nicer than SAMOLED (regular SGS), but since he's the only person who allegedly has seen both, it's tough to debate.

As for the Sensation, there will be a GSM equivalent- there always is.

And as for the camera, I read that as well. But I was taking into account your desire to get a phone asap. So that's why I said the Arc is your best bet.

The SGS2 hasn't even been announced on any north american carrier from what i've read. Given that and barring any miracles, we'll be waiting a while for it. Like you said the Arc is coming out soon so that's the only phone out of the ones you outlined that's available.

Other things to note- carrier-supplied Arcs will have locked bootloaders. If you plan on rooting/running custom roms, this will be a hindrance. Only the unlocked versions of the Arc will run unlocked bootloaders with the help of SE.

Also, SE's skin on top of GB isn't the greatest. It's worth reading into that as well if you plan on running stock.

It looks likes it all comes down to how long you want to wait. The SGS2 is superior in pretty much every way, but are you willing to wait is the question.

I only know of Rogers carrying the Arc at the moment, so me being on Fido, I would need to deal with locked bootloaders and I do have intentions to root it. Is there currently a way around it?

Yes, I notice that the skin on the Arc is horribly laggy, even from the demo videos. I definitely won't be running that stock.

Will the Arc be unlockable/rootable from Rogers?

[StylinRed]

Originally Posted by !MiKrofT

Stylinred. He only wants to buy an android not symbian or windows phone 7.

lol i only mentioned the WP phone cuz it seems ppl who like android like wp too (i prefer neither)

[m3thods]

Originally Posted by willystyle

I only know of Rogers carrying the Arc at the moment, so me being on Fido, I would need to deal with locked bootloaders and I do have intentions to root it. Is there currently a way around it?

Yes, I notice that the skin on the Arc is horribly laggy, even from the demo videos. I definitely won't be running that stock.

Will the Arc be unlockable/rootable from Rogers?

Currently there ARE ways around locked bootloaders from what I understand (see HTC Thunderbolt). However it makes it way more difficult for the devs to do what they do. So to answer your question, yes there are ways around it. Yes they technically can be rootable (and maybe unlockable, it depends). BUT with a locked bootloader it makes it much more difficult, so you'll be waiting.

In your case, I personally wouldn't jump on the Arc on release (like any electronic device imo).

Don't Fido phones nowadays work on Rogers? I know Virgin works on Bell and vice-versa, but not sure if it has been changed for Rogers/Fido. I'm probably wrong.


If you don't feel like waiting, I know you want a really good camera on a top-end phone, but have you thought about just trying out Android on a old "top-end" phone?

It's worth suggesting that if you want to play with Android now, you can pick up a Captivate on rogers for ~50 on HUP (or ~300 on CL), and you'll have experience with an unlocked bootloader, and be able to play around with Android rooting/unlocking etc pretty much as close to an ideal experience aside from picking up a Nexus. The XDA community is huge for the Captivate, and 2.3.3 source was just released- so you'll have great custom roms based on GB without all the stock bloat. There are obvious negatives to this (including a hit and miss GPS, and potentially using up your HUP), but it'd be great if you were really wanting to play with Android now.


Just a thought.

[Alphamale]

I have a captivate for sale if you're interested

[willystyle]

So I just found out that Sony Ericsson allows you to unlock the bootloader via. the manufacturer's website: http://unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com

However, it says, in order to unlock the bootloader, your phone need to be SIM unlocked, which it wouldn't be the case for me as I am planning to buy Roger's version, but I'm using it on Fido. Has anyone come across a solution for this? I can't seem to purchase a SIM unlock code anywhere.

[Alphamale]

Due to the fact that the phone is really new, you're either:

A) going to have to wait a long time for an unlock
B) pay a high fee to get it unlocked
C) All of the above.

[m3thods]

Originally Posted by Alphamale

Due to the fact that the phone is really new, you're either:

A) going to have to wait a long time for an unlock
B) pay a high fee to get it unlocked
C) All of the above.

To further elaborate, you can ask rogers to purchase the unlock code for your phone. However I hear they run upwards of $50
Posted via RS Mobile

[DC5-S]

when is the arc coming out? I just called rogers and they aint sure.. i got no phone right now and im waiting for either iphone 4 to be back in stock or to get an arc

[willystyle]

Originally Posted by DC5-S

when is the arc coming out? I just called rogers and they aint sure.. i got no phone right now and im waiting for either iphone 4 to be back in stock or to get an arc

April 28

[DC5-S]

fucking release the phone already!!!.. it sucks using a 10 year old POS loaner phone from rogers.. I wonder if this phone is eligable for the early upgrade program.. since iphone 4 is

[m3thods]

thought I'd bump this with an update-

whoever on the forum said (i forgot who it was) that the Arc display is better than SAMOLED-

SAMOLED >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Arc's bravia display.


I played with an Arc at the metrotown sony store, and it's nowhere near as good compared to my Captivate. Colours looked washed out even compared to my sisters DInc S's S-LCD.


The phone itself is actually quite snappy- and SE's skin (timescape?) is bearable. But it's still no Sense, and I very much prefer having Launcherpro+stock AOSP. It's also verrrrrry sleek, but i didn't appreciate the physical buttons. Very X10ish- cheap looking and cheap feeling on such a beautiful phone. Such a shame.

[SkinnyPupp]

Originally Posted by StylinRed

If you're main concern is an awesome Camera id grab the N8
But if you're willing to set your sights on Q3

There's a Nokia Windows Phone coming out Q3/Q4 supposedly with a 14.1mpx camera / dual core / Zeiss optics / etc etc using the N8 housing (if you're wondering what it looks like)

dubbed the W8

but its "rumors" for now although from multiple credible sources




I'd go for the Arc though if you're stuck on Android (supposedly ppl aren't expecting much from the galaxyS2's camera; or that is they're doubting its potential)

However I would suggest buying an N8 for now (since its cheap, from Amazon/Newegg.ca, as its loss its initial premium $$$) and playing with the camera until the S-2 comes out so you'll know for certain whether to get the Arc or S2

By then the Arc will have lost its premium pricing (if that's where you end up going) and you could sell the N8 for relatively the same price you got it for on ebay (as the depreciation from this point will be slow)

If you get the Arc now and find out the Galaxy2 is Way better you'll lose out on reselling it when the S2 arrives (major depreciation from premium price drop + used)

or you could just wait it out (im only suggesting the N8 for the interim if you're itching to use an awesome camera phone now)

Dude give it up, nobody wants a fucking Nokia anymore.

[krazynuck]

Galaxy SII was released in S.Korea yesterday and in the UK Sunday .....for $850 CDN at launch I think I will have to wait....

I was trying to decide between the S2 and the Arc to replace my captivate and the S2 looks way better.....

[willystyle]

Originally Posted by krazynuck

Galaxy SII was released in S.Korea yesterday and in the UK Sunday .....for $850 CDN at launch I think I will have to wait....

I was trying to decide between the S2 and the Arc to replace my captivate and the S2 looks way better.....

In terms of design, Arc win it hands down.

However, if you're referring to the screen, then I would give that to the S2

[krazynuck]

Originally Posted by willystyle

In terms of design, Arc win it hands down.

However, if you're referring to the screen, then I would give that to the S2

design is nicer on the arc but i still think features and screen are better on the S2


Bestbuy has the Arc on their website now $550

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...e415b4c860en02

[celica-g5]

Called the Rogers Retention line today to get an early hardware upgrade, since I still have 3 months left before my 24 months. Succeeded! My Arc comes in on Tuesday! Win!!! The shitty thing is that Rogers doesn't carry the silver version....

[ime2006]

I don't understand how hard is it to decide which one to go for......

Overall, SGS II has better performance...
Go check out Reviews on Google, SGS II is pretty much the best Android on the market.

I m using Captivate now, and I will upgrade to SGS II for sure once we have it in Canada.



Otherwise, if you like the design of Arc, go for Arc.

[parm104]

As mentioned earlier, your price estimation is way off. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure Rogers will have the Arc within the next few months.

I would go for the Galaxy S 2 if I had a choice. The viewing angle on the screen is far superior than that of the Arc.

[!MiKrofT]

Originally Posted by parm104

As mentioned earlier, your price estimation is way off. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure Rogers will have the Arc within the next few months.

I would go for the Galaxy S 2 if I had a choice. The viewing angle on the screen is far superior than that of the Arc.

Read above a few posts above. It's available already.