Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus reviews: Specs of the Android 4.1.2 - powered Samsung Galaxy S2 plus include a 4.3-inch display and an optimized processor. The 2013 handset, a refreshed model of the 2011 model Samsung Galaxy S2, is described as a “durable well built phone.”

The appeal of the S2 Plus continues, as there are numerous ROMs available for it from Android 4.2.2. Jelly Bean to Android 4.3 and even the new Android 4.4 KitKat. But the question is, is it still a good choice despite the newer, cheaper handsets around?

The newly released Moto E, a well-designed budget-friendly phone by Motorola costs $152.00. The Nokia X Android handset is priced at around $114. Compare these prices to the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus, which has an older version of Android and a base price of $300+ for an unlocked unit.

Would this still serve as a viable choice for an Android handset? Though there have been no official confirmations, it’s not expected that the device will get an official Android 4.4 KitKat. This is specially because the Samsung Galaxy S3’s international variants have been confirmed that it will not receive the latest Google mobile OS.

Despite all these though, the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus commands a following and Phone Arena notes that its hardware performance put many of its rivals to shame and its very slim body was considered to be the thinnest for a handset for a short while.

In 2013 one tech site declared the gadget as “shaping up as a decent mid-range device.” For its price and specs, the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus still possesses a competitive edge.

Design. The Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus has a rectangular design, which has been adopted from its S2 reference. It’s slim and light and only need a single thumb to operate it efficiently. Whether you choose the blue or white variant, the Hyperglaze-inspired finish is appealing. Phone Arena said that the only downside to it is that the fingerprint tends to stick to the handset’s shiny surface easily.

Display. The 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus panel has a 480 x 800 pixels resolution. With such specs and a 216 ppi, letters and graphics are slightly pixelized around the edges but the paragraphs of text in web pages are unreadable unless you zoom in, Phone Arena noted.

What it lacks in its overall resolution, however, it makes up for its deep blacks and very wide viewing angles, which are characteristics that makes an AMOLED display a stand-out choice for a screen. The colors are lush and saturated and the videos and images you’ll comes across as high-quality.

Interface. At the time of this writing, the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus comes with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean out of the box and has Samsung’s custom user interface. It looks appealing without straining the smartphone’s performance, enabling you to navigate seamlessly from the features without exhausting battery power.

Some of the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus UI’s that comes in handy includes Smart Stay, which prevents the smartphone’s display from turning off as long as you’re looking into it; Direct Call, which dials the number of the contact you’re viewing as soon as you bring your S2 Plus unit to your ear. There’s also a task manager, which basically gives you the option to close apps that may not functioning well.

The on-screen keyboard for the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus has the traditional QWERTY layout and is enhanced with auto completion and the SWYPE method.

Despite all these features and the love bestowed on the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus, the lack of an S3 Mini and S3 Int’l Android KitKat update is an indication that the S2 Plus maybe headed towards obsolescence this year.