The Samsung Exhibit II 4G isn't the best-looking, most well-constructed phone we've seen. The specs are good, though, and it's heavy on the features, making for an attractive handset for Android bargain hunters.
Physically, the smartphone bears little resemblance to its predecessor and not in a good way -- the build looks cheaper, decked almost exclusively in hard plastic. We guess it's acceptable, though, given that this is aimed at the budget crowd. Plus, the plastic construction keeps it lighter compared to similarly-sized phones. Display is a 3.7-inch touchscreen with 480 x 800 resolution. Quality is on par with similar handsets in the same range.
As a phone, the Samsung Exhibit II 4G manages good calls, with clear voices and plenty of volume. There's a bit of a light background buzz that pops in and out, although it's feint enough that you can ignore it easily. Speakerphone offered plenty of loudness, although those on the other end reported an irritating tone to my voice. Battery is rated at 5.5 hours of talk time.
Running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, all the usual set of smartphone features are onboard. There's a full load of messaging options, a full set of wireless connectivity (HSPA+, 3G, aGPS, Bluetooth, WiFi and DLNA), and a host of updated Google Mobile apps. Samsung throws in its set of apps, too, including AllShare DLNA, Kies Air syncing and Social Hub, along with numerous additions from T-Mobile.
The 3.0 megapixel camera takes bright and clear outdoor pictures, although colors look a little washed out. The front-facing VGA camera works fine, too. Running a 1GHz processor, the handset's overall performance is quite solid, especially for something at this price range.
Available for $29.99 on a two year agreement and $199.99 off-contract, the Samsung Exhibit II 4G offers one of the best price-to-features ratio in the market today.
