Samsung Focus 2 Pro Reviews

We're really at a toss-up with the Samsung Focus 2. We find ourselves reluctant to fall in love with the current crop of devices as the next version of Windows Phone looms ever closer, but geez does the Focus 2 tug on our geeky heartstrings. When it comes down to it, we feel like Samsung is playing love games with us on this one. You've now got a $50 option for an LTE-capable Windows Phone that can outlive the batteries of the $100 Lumia 900 and $200 Titan II and outperform at least one on audio quality, marred by a PenTile display, a paltry 6.51GB of user-accessible and non-expandable storage, and slow LTE speeds. Furthermore, the overall package doesn't serve as a compelling upgrade from even the earlier Focus models unless your heart is set on LTE and tethering. Every day that we get closer to Apollo it gets harder to recommend the likes of the Lumia 900 and the HTC Titan II on AT&T's network, making the lower-tiered Focus 2 an even harder sell. There's no question that the Focus 2 is a solid little handset, but we also have no doubt that when faced with a two-year agreement the Lumia 900 is still the best bang for your buck if you can pony up the extra $50.

We definitely appreciate that the Focus 2 has 4G LTE connectivity. However, considering AT&T currently offers 4G LTE service in only 47 markets, there are still a number of Americans who won't be able to use this phone's full speed capabilities on a regular basis. The Focus 2 isn't designed to be one of AT&T's high-end phones. Instead, it's designed to be a budget-friendly and feature-rich smartphone. If you're looking for a good Windows Phone smartphone or if you're new to the smartphone market and want something that's not going to break the bank but that will provide access to AT&T's 4G LTE network, the Focus 2 is definitely a smartphone to consider. Keep in mind though, that no current Windows Phone will be upgraded to Windows Phone 8. The Focus 2 is likely to receive an update to 7.8, which will make the interface and other visual elements looks like WP8, but the full blown version of Microsoft's next mobile OS will only arrive on new hardware, which may be worth waiting for.

The Focus 2 is a nicely-priced Windows Phone 7.5 device that provides a fast and fluid experience and future-proof internet connectivity. The most discerning of smartphone buyers will want to consider the Lumia 900 or Titan II, which, while more expensive, provide a premium hardware experience with better screens and more storage.

The Samsung Focus 2 is definitely a solid phone, one that offers performance a small step above what you would expect for $50. It's certainly a good deal for an entry-level phone (with the not-so-entry-level luxury of 4G LTE), but bearing that in mind, if you're willing to shell out another $50 you can get your hands on the flagship Windows Phone, the Nokia Lumia 900. The Lumia 900 is not without its flaws -- its awful camera springs to mind pretty quickly -- but for another $50, you can get a much, much better-quality screen, better battery life, more storage, and, depending on whether or not it's your thing, a more unique and larger build. But if you're really just looking for the cheapest way to get your hands on a Mango-based smartphone, the Focus 2 is probably your best bet. The Lumia 710 is a close contender, also being an extremely affordable phone with 4G, but the Focus is more powerful under the hood and is connected to a better network, with 4G that is LTE, as opposed to HSPA+. Despite it being a phone that generally eschews premium, top-of-the line features in favor of a more appealing price tag, the Focus 2 will still serve you well, even if it doesn't blow you away.

The Samsung Focus 2 isn't perfect, but it's not far off the mark, either. My biggest gripe with the handset is its slippery plastic shell. Yes, it really is that easy to drop. Otherwise, it earns solid A's across the board. The display looks great, the phone latches onto AT&T's network firmly, voice calls sound great, and the battery lasts all day under HSPA+ coverage. The user interface isn't perfect, but it performs speedily and without trouble. The camera and video camera are both impressive and the PhotoStudio software from Samsung really lets creative types enhance their content. Not in the market for a $200 or $300 high-end super phone? Don't like massive displays and huge, heavy phones? For the price ($50 on contract), the real-deal Samsung Focus 2 is a steal.

Entry into the smartphone world can hardly get any easier than what you'll experience with the Samsung Focus 2. The smartphone offers a nicely looking, no frills, pocket friendly, and well built hardware package, bundled with a software platform which is well known for its elegant simplicity. The latter will surely appeal to many people who are switching from a feature phone. LTE radio on the other hand, future proofs the device quite neatly. The 5MP snapper of the I667 turned out to be a surprisingly good performer in both still and video capture. The retail package is also great. Quite frankly, we can't recall the last time we saw a headset this good in the box of an entry-level smartphone. We surely hope it won't be a onetime occasion. As far as limitations go, the lack of expandable memory is likely the biggest disadvantage of the handset. With only 6GB of user-available space, the Focus 2 is not for people with large music collections. Cloud storage is not a complete solution to this memory shortage. After all, you will still need to download the files to your handset before opening them. The aforementioned exercise, if repeated too often out of Wi-Fi connection, is certain to have an impact on your tiered data plan too.

While the Samsung Focus 2 may appear to be just another mid-to-high level smartphone, it’s actually an impressive Windows Phone 7 handset that gives the pricier Nokia Lumia 900 a run for its money. Don’t take that to mean it’s as good as the 900 - the 8GB of non-upgradeable storage is disappointing, the design is dull and the camera is distinctly average here - but if you want the Windows 7 OS alongside a great screen and speedy performance, the Focus 2 delivers. LTE is a huge draw too - provided you live somewhere where it works! In short, we like what Samsung has done with the Focus 2, and it’s a worthy alternative to Nokia’s Windows smartphones.

After using the Focus 2 as a "daily driver," we found the device to be yet another well-refined Samsung smartphone. For the style-conscious, the white housing and chrome accents make the device one of the most aesthetically unique Windows Phones that we've tried out. As a whole, the overall specs and features appear to represent a great value at $50 when paired with a two-year AT&T contract. We don't think everyone should pay $250-$300 for a 4G-capable smartphone, but our recent experience with Nokia's Lumia 900 leaves us encouraging the modest jump to the $100 price bracket.

The Samsung Focus 2 is a cross between the existing higher-end Focus S and lower-end Focus Flash; it's an okay phone, but one that's tough to get excited about.

The Samsung Focus 2 is a very tidy device, and currently the cheapest phone on AT&T to combine LTE and Windows Phone 7. Anyone who purchases it won’t be disappointed, especially those who require long battery life. That said, if a great camera or a big, high-res screen are in your list of must-haves, look elsewhere. It’s also hard to recommend the Focus 2 above the Nokia Lumia 900. The extra fifty bones is worth it in basically every category. Likewise, the other alternatives mentioned above can get you access to more apps (if not such a polished OS) for the same or less money. The Focus 2 is ideal for those who want to get into Windows Phone 7 for as little money as possible, without sacrificing build quality or an LTE connection. The phone is on sale starting today for $49.99 with a two-year contract.

The Samsung Focus 2 is a worthy successor to the original Focus from 2010, but I don't think it really does enough to make a dent in today's smartphone market. Its saving grace might be the $49.99 price that AT&T is asking for it, but for $50 more, you can get the Nokia Lumia 900 that offers nicer hardware, a larger display, and more software options. Of course, if you are looking outside the Windows Phone sphere, there are a number of alternatives, including the iPhone 4 or one of HTC's new Android devices. The Samsung Focus 2 will be available from AT&T on May 20.

The Samsung Focus 2 is only $50 on AT&T, and for that price you get everything you need in a Windows Phone and 4G LTE connectivity. There’s nothing flashy about the Focus 2 and it doesn’t have the navigation apps of the Nokia Lumia 900, but it’s one of the more comfortable phones on the market and has a form factor that hits that size sweet spot, making it small enough that almost anyone can use, but large enough that most people shouldn’t have a hard time typing on the keyboard. We like the Focus 2. For the price, you will too.

If you've been searching high and low for a bundle of Windows Phone value, the Focus 2 is Samsung's AT&T LTE answer both to T-Mobile's Nokia Lumia 710 and also to its own Focus Flash. The specs hold their own for a midlevel or entry-level smartphone, with a better-than-average screen and camera (especially when you increase the sharpness) and extras like a front-facing camera. I won't blame you one bit if the low price tips your decision in the phone's favor. Just keep in mind that at times, you can see the trade-offs Samsung made to keep the phone within range of the offer, like a smaller memory store and a slippy finish. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Focus 2, but would steer away those who yearn for marathon battery life and top-of-the-line camera quality.

We have to say, at $49.99 with a 2-year contract, the Samsung Focus 2 isn’t that bad of a smartphone – even more when this is a brand spanking new device we’re talking about! Strengthening its value, we love that it sports an adorable design, equipped with 4G LTE connectivity, and offers that casual Windows Phone experience like everything else before it. Thinking more about it more, the Focus 2 is able to compete well against its rival, but looking at the overall picture, the Nokia Lumia 900 still seems to have a tiny bit more polish to its offering. Nonetheless, it’s a valiant effort for Samsung, as they’re finally in the game with a 4G LTE enabled Windows Phone.