AI comparison report

Samsung Galaxy S II vs Samsung Galaxy S III

By CompareAI Editorial Team · Published 2026-08-27 · How we compare

The Samsung Galaxy S III is the superior overall smartphone, outperforming the Samsung Galaxy S II in processing speed, display sharpness, battery capacity, an…

Who wins: Samsung Galaxy S II or Samsung Galaxy S III?

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S III first, as it delivers a comprehensive generational leap with a sharper 720p HD display, double the CPU cores, a 27% larger 2,100 mAh battery, and modern TouchWiz Nature UX smart features.

Based on our analysis across 5 dimensions with 20 sources, Samsung Galaxy S II scores 6.5/10 overall while Samsung Galaxy S III scores 8.7/10 overall.

DimensionSamsung Galaxy S IISamsung Galaxy S III
Display Size and Technology6.5/108.5/10
Processor and Hardware Performance5.5/108.5/10
Industrial Design and Ergonomics7.5/108.5/10
Software Experience and Smart Features6.5/109/10
Battery Capacity and Connectivity6.5/108.8/10
Overall6.5/108.7/10

Should I choose Samsung Galaxy S II or Samsung Galaxy S III?

Verdict: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S III first, as it delivers a comprehensive generational leap with a sharper 720p HD display, double the CPU cores, a 27% larger 2,100 mAh battery, and modern TouchWiz Nature UX smart features.

The Samsung Galaxy S III is the superior overall smartphone, outperforming the Samsung Galaxy S II in processing speed, display sharpness, battery capacity, and smart software capabilities.

The Samsung Galaxy S III represents a substantial generational upgrade across every major hardware and software metric. It replaces the Samsung Galaxy S II's 4.3-inch WVGA (480 × 800) display with a much sharper 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED screen (720 × 1280), delivering significantly higher visual fidelity and screen area. Under the hood, performance increases from the Galaxy S II's dual-core 1.2 GHz Exynos 4210 to a quad-core 1.4 GHz Exynos 4412 processor with Mali-400 MP4 graphics, doubling the CPU core count for smoother multitasking and execution. Furthermore, the Galaxy S III increases battery capacity by roughly 27% (2,100 mAh vs. 1,650 mAh) and introduces NFC, 4G LTE options, and context-aware software like Smart Stay, Pop Up Play, and S Voice, making it the definitive choice unless the Galaxy S II's smaller 116 g, 8.49 mm textured body is strictly required.

Best for Samsung Galaxy S II

  • Users prioritizing an ultra-compact and lightweight body weighing just 116 g and measuring 8.49 mm thin
  • Those who prefer a textured rear cover for enhanced grip security and effortless one-handed handling
  • Users who prefer a standard RGB subpixel matrix on a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display over PenTile layouts

Best for Samsung Galaxy S III

  • Users seeking significantly higher visual clarity on a larger 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display (720 × 1280 resolution)
  • Demanding workloads and multitasking requiring a quad-core 1.4 GHz Exynos 4412 processor or dual-core 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S4
  • Longer battery endurance powered by a higher-capacity 2,100 mAh removable battery
  • Advanced software utility and smart features including Smart Stay eye tracking, S Voice, S Beam, and Pop Up Play
  • Expanded connectivity options including integrated NFC, S-Beam transfers, and 4G LTE network support in select variants

When not to compare directly

Do not compare them directly when form-factor compactness and pure physical grip are the sole criteria, as the Samsung Galaxy S II specifically targets ultra-light 116 g one-handed handling with a textured back, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S III expands into a larger, glossy 4.8-inch multimedia chassis.

What are the key differences between Samsung Galaxy S II and Samsung Galaxy S III?

  • Display Size and Technology

    While the Samsung Galaxy S II uses a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display with a 480 × 800 RGB matrix, the Samsung Galaxy S III provides substantially more screen real estate and higher visual sharpness with its 4.8-inch 720 × 1280 HD Super AMOLED PenTile display.

    Samsung Galaxy S II: The Samsung Galaxy S II features a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display with a WVGA resolution of 480 × 800 pixels and a standard RGB subpixel arrangement [11, 15].

    Samsung Galaxy S III: The Samsung Galaxy S III upgrades to a larger 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display with a 720 × 1280 (720p) resolution using a PenTile subpixel matrix [4, 18].

    Scores — Samsung Galaxy S II: 6.5/10, Samsung Galaxy S III: 8.5/10

    Determines visual sharpness, screen real estate, and viewing experience for multimedia consumption and daily use.

    Sources: Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy S II

  • Processor and Hardware Performance

    The Samsung Galaxy S III upgrades from the Samsung Galaxy S II's 1.2 GHz dual-core Exynos 4210 to a 1.4 GHz quad-core Exynos 4412 processor, doubling the CPU core count for enhanced processing performance.

    Samsung Galaxy S II: The Samsung Galaxy S II features a 1.2 GHz dual-core Exynos 4210 processor paired with an ARM Mali-400 MP GPU and 1 GB of RAM, offering responsive dual-core computing power for its generation.

    Samsung Galaxy S III: The Samsung Galaxy S III delivers a major hardware leap with a quad-core 1.4 GHz Exynos 4412 processor (or dual-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 in certain variants) and Mali-400 MP4 graphics, providing substantially faster multitasking and graphics execution.

    Scores — Samsung Galaxy S II: 5.5/10, Samsung Galaxy S III: 8.5/10

    Dictates responsiveness, multitasking capability, and gaming/graphics performance.

    Sources: Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy S II

  • Industrial Design and Ergonomics

    While the Samsung Galaxy S II features a compact, squared 8.49 mm and 116 g chassis with a textured grip, the Samsung Galaxy S III transitions to a rounded pebble-inspired design measuring 8.6 mm and weighing 133 g with a smooth Hyperglaze coating.

    Samsung Galaxy S II: The Samsung Galaxy S II features a slim, squared form factor measuring 8.49 mm thick and weighing just 116 g, utilizing a textured plastic rear cover that enhances grip security and reduces slippage during one-handed use.

    Samsung Galaxy S III: The Samsung Galaxy S III adopts a curved, pebble-inspired ergonomic chassis with a glossy Hyperglaze finish, accommodating a larger 4.8-inch display while increasing in size and weight to 133 g and 8.6 mm thickness.

    Scores — Samsung Galaxy S II: 7.5/10, Samsung Galaxy S III: 8.5/10

    Affects one-handed usability, in-hand comfort, aesthetic appeal, and build durability.

    Sources: Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy S II

  • Software Experience and Smart Features

    While the Samsung Galaxy S II offered standard TouchWiz 4.0 utility on Android 2.3, the Samsung Galaxy S III introduced the TouchWiz Nature UX on Android 4.0.4 featuring advanced context-aware tools like Smart Stay, S Voice, S Beam, and Pop Up Play.

    Samsung Galaxy S II: The Samsung Galaxy S II debuted in 2011 running TouchWiz 4.0 on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, offering fundamental software hubs such as Social Hub and Game Hub along with basic UI enhancements over stock Android.

    Samsung Galaxy S III: The Samsung Galaxy S III launched on Android 4.0.4 with TouchWiz Nature UX, significantly elevating software utility through context-aware smart features including Smart Stay eye tracking, S Voice voice assistant, Pop Up Play multitasking, and S Beam NFC-based transfers.

    Scores — Samsung Galaxy S II: 6.5/10, Samsung Galaxy S III: 9/10

    Defines ease of use, utility, and modern software conveniences provided beyond the base Android operating system.

    Sources: Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy S II

  • Battery Capacity and Connectivity

    The Samsung Galaxy S III provides a larger 2,100 mAh battery alongside integrated NFC and S-Beam capabilities, compared to the Samsung Galaxy S II's 1,650 mAh battery and MHL micro-USB connectivity.

    Samsung Galaxy S II: The Samsung Galaxy S II comes equipped with a 1,650 mAh removable lithium-ion battery and supports connectivity options including micro-USB with MHL video output, USB On-The-Go (OTG), Bluetooth 3.0+HS, and 3G HSPA+ speeds up to 21 Mbps [11, 15].

    Samsung Galaxy S III: The Samsung Galaxy S III upgrades to a larger 2,100 mAh removable battery and expands wireless data versatility with integrated NFC supporting S-Beam, 4G LTE support in select variants, and dual-band Wi-Fi [4, 18].

    Scores — Samsung Galaxy S II: 6.5/10, Samsung Galaxy S III: 8.8/10

    Drives daily battery endurance and wireless data exchange versatility.

    Sources: Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy S II

What are the pros and cons of Samsung Galaxy S II vs Samsung Galaxy S III?

Samsung Galaxy S II

Strengths

  • The Samsung Galaxy S II uses a standard RGB subpixel arrangement on its Super AMOLED Plus display.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S II features an ultra-lightweight and slim chassis weighing just 116 g and measuring 8.49 mm thick.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S II includes a textured plastic rear cover that enhances grip security and reduces slippage during one-handed use.

Weaknesses

  • The Samsung Galaxy S II has a lower screen resolution of 480 × 800 (WVGA) on a smaller 4.3-inch display.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S II is limited to a 1.2 GHz dual-core Exynos 4210 processor compared to newer quad-core architectures.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S II comes with a smaller 1,650 mAh battery capacity.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S II launched with older TouchWiz 4.0 software on Android 2.3, lacking context-aware tools like Smart Stay, S Voice, S Beam, and Pop Up Play.

Samsung Galaxy S III

Strengths

  • The Samsung Galaxy S III provides a larger 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display with a sharper 720 × 1280 (720p) resolution.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S III is powered by a faster 1.4 GHz quad-core Exynos 4412 processor (or dual-core 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S4 in select variants) with Mali-400 MP4 graphics.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S III features TouchWiz Nature UX on Android 4.0.4 with advanced smart features including Smart Stay eye tracking, S Voice, Pop Up Play multitasking, and S Beam.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S III is equipped with a larger 2,100 mAh removable battery.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S III expands wireless capabilities with integrated NFC supporting S Beam, 4G LTE support in select variants, and dual-band Wi-Fi.

Weaknesses

  • The Samsung Galaxy S III utilizes a PenTile subpixel matrix rather than a standard RGB matrix for its display.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S III is heavier and thicker than its predecessor, weighing 133 g and measuring 8.6 mm thick with a smooth Hyperglaze finish.

Where does this data come from?

  1. 三星i9200GalaxyS2
  2. Samsung Galaxy S III(三星於2012年5月4日在英國倫敦發布的一款手機產品)
  3. SAMSUNG GALAXY S2 full specifications (GALAXY SII,GT-I9100,GT-I9100LKLCHT,I9100 GALAXY S II,I9100 GALAXY S2)
  4. Samsung Galaxy S III
  5. 三星Galaxy S II
  6. 三星 I535(GALAXY SIII)
  7. 三星Galaxy S II
  8. Samsung Galaxy S III
  9. Samsung Galaxy S II
  10. Samsung Galaxy S III
  11. Samsung Galaxy S II
  12. Samsung Galaxy S III
  13. Samsung Galaxy S II
  14. 三星Galaxy S III
  15. Samsung Launches Faster, Clearer, and Thinner Galaxy S II
  16. Samsung Galaxy S III
  17. [SMNR] All About Galaxy S II – Faster and Stronger
  18. Samsung Galaxy S III - Wikiwand
  19. Samsung Galaxy S II
  20. Samsung Galaxy S III

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