Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus reviews: The specs and performance of the 2013 Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus is behind compared to newer handsets and even its Samsung counterparts. But the fan base of this handset is strong and continues to draw a following. A key indication that the S2 Plus has a solid user base is the number of ROMs available to update the device to the latest mobile OS variant.

But as much as the S2 Plus is adored, it’s threatened by a multitude of cheaper Androids. The Moto E, Moto X, and Nokia X and Nokia X2 are all Android-based handsets sold for less than $200. The unlocked version of the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus costs $300.

The very slim body of the S2 Plus, considered to be the thinnest for a handset for some time, has been one of the key attractions. It’s under the hood specs, which has been updated and modified, also contributed in making it a hit.

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.

There have been reports that the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus will soon be extinct, but as of late no direct news from the tech giant has confirmed that no further updates will be provided for the S2 Plus. However, if the lack of an S3 Mini and S3 Int’l Android KitKat update is any indication, then the fate of the S2 Plus maybe towards obsolescence for this year.

The Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus is considered a variant of the 2011 flagship Samsung Galaxy S2. Though that’s the case, the unit was made available 2013.