Is the Galaxy 2 really inferior to the iphone or am I just doing something wrong?

[Radge10]

Hi,

I recently swapped my iphone for the Samsung Galaxy 2 as I was looking for something that was like for like but able to handle Flash and tethering.

The reviews for the Galaxy 2 were sensational so I decided to get one, even though my requirements were considerably less that the vast array of functionality that this phone seems to offer.

I am now beginning to miss the simplicity of the iphone because the Galaxy doesn’t seem to perform in the key areas that I need it to, which is extremely frustrating.

I have come on here for advice as it may be that it’s me that’s the problem and things can be resolved by changing settings etc.

My problems are as follows and any advice is greatly appreciated:

• I have set up googlemail on IMAP using the phone’s email client (as opposed to the actual googlemail app that is already pre-installed). With both options, however, email takes for ever to refresh (when manual refresh button pressed). This is to the extent that I regularly have to re-boot the phone as it just hangs indefinitely. The iphone never used to do this and it would load up any new email within seconds of you refreshing. I have configured the Galaxy for email, internet and MMS exactly as per the PDF instructions that were emailed to me by Vodafone. The server settings are set up exactly the same as they were in my iphone. I had read that the Galaxy doesn’t support the use of googlemail IMAP but it does work, just badly. The fact that the actual pre-installed googlemail app performs the same leads me to believe that the problem is that either the Galaxy isn’t too good at processing email, or perhaps it needs to be re-configured. It may indeed be that my unsupported IMAP configuration is causing a conflict? I’m sure that’s what Samsung would say if I gave them the chance so I’m really looking for a good work around without involving them!

• When forwarding emails with attachments it comes up with “fetching data” and just hangs. Sometimes when you press the back button it turns out the data has been fetched and the mail can then be forwarded if you try again. Most times you have to re-boot the phone though.


• The Facebook app doesn’t refresh properly. Say, for instance you receive a notification and click on it. When you click on the actual notification, the update doesn’t show, however it does show in the main news feed area of Facebook. Again no such problems with the iphone app.


• When I put the Galaxy in my pocket (in locked mode) it often overheats to an incredible temperature and switches it’s self off.

• When I put the Galaxy in my pocket (in locked mode) many of the settings have changed when I next use it. In particular the sound settings, which is very inconvenient because I need to have the sound off at work! Could I be pressing any of the phones physical buttons to make this happen and, if so, how do I deactivate them?

• The battery life is terrible. What settings can I turn off to improve this?

• Compared to the iphone again, the wireless signal strength is terrible.

[Goots]

I'm only on the first generation of Galaxy so I'm not fully informed of the SGS2, but why don't you just use the gmail app rather than configuring the email app to use gmail?

I use the gmail app on the sgs and it works absolutely perfectly for imap, attachments, forwarding etc..

I used to get that "fetching data" thing and it turns out it was a problem with o2 not the phone.

[soraxd]

ugh.. didnt even read past the title, galaxysforums, attack!

[stonkr]

May I recommend an iPhone 4? I think that will meet your expectations.

[Doomed]

May I recommend an iPhone 4? I think that will meet your expectations.

Only if the Op wants to go backwards, otherwise I say go for the iphone5

I only have the SGS and only a little play with the SGS EyeEye. But here are some of my answers:

• The Facebook app doesn’t refresh properly. Say, for instance you receive a notification and click on it. When you click on the actual notification, the update doesn’t show, however it does show in the main news feed area of Facebook. Again no such problems with the iphone app.

The app on my phone works fine.

• When I put the Galaxy in my pocket (in locked mode) it often overheats to an incredible temperature and switches it’s self off.

The overheating issue could be your firmware. It needs updating. Use kies or read up and do it yourself, it's easy

• When I put the Galaxy in my pocket (in locked mode) many of the settings have changed when I next use it. In particular the sound settings, which is very inconvenient because I need to have the sound off at work! Could I be pressing any of the phones physical buttons to make this happen and, if so, how do I deactivate them?

On my SGS, once the screen is off, the volume buttons stop working.

• The battery life is terrible. What settings can I turn off to improve this?

Again, I sure its to do with the firmware its on. Battery life will also improve over time too.

• Compared to the iphone again, the wireless signal strength is terrible.

You know what I'm about to say: Give me an 'F' Give me an 'I' Give me an 'R' ect ect. Again this could be down to the firmware, Update it. If its not that, then its about your router. My phone is king of WiFi

[clax6]

Agreed flash the phone and use gmail app I always get emails pushed through instantly

[Swipermusic]

If you want an easier life go for the iphone but if you want loads more features than the iphone could ever offer then you must stick with the SGS and make the effort to learn how to get it how you want it. Android is such an open and free world to a phone but it takes effort on the users part to customise it just right. You only have to read these forums. I could make a really long list as to why I would never go back to an iphone but as you familiarise yourself with your new toy you will find a long list out for yourself.
My husband moans about his SGS and leaves me to sort out his issues for him as he is not technically minded. He would never go back though. Give it a chance you will find all the help you need on this forum.

[gene515]

• The Facebook app doesn’t refresh properly. Say, for instance you receive a notification and click on it. When you click on the actual notification, the update doesn’t show, however it does show in the main news feed area of Facebook. Again no such problems with the iphone app.


• When I put the Galaxy in my pocket (in locked mode) it often overheats to an incredible temperature and switches it’s self off.

• When I put the Galaxy in my pocket (in locked mode) many of the settings have changed when I next use it. In particular the sound settings, which is very inconvenient because I need to have the sound off at work! Could I be pressing any of the phones physical buttons to make this happen and, if so, how do I deactivate them?

• The battery life is terrible. What settings can I turn off to improve this?

• Compared to the iphone again, the wireless signal strength is terrible.

Alright, i used to have most of these issues you mentioned. So i flashed new firmware on it according to the guide you can find here: http://androidadvices.com/update-sam...-234-firmware/

This has completely solved the overheating problem and my battery life has more than doubled. I get around 2 - 1.5 days of heavy usage.

I never had problems with the WI-Fi so it might be your router...