Friday, March 9, 2012

Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-i9100G: Review, Firmware, Software Update, Rooting

Mozilla Mobile Test Drivers program lent me a Samsung Galaxy SII mobile phone to test the nightly builds of Firefox Mobile. This Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread) phone runs off a powerful dual core A9 1.2 GHz processor with a good responsive capacitive touch screen. The device is impressive and attracts a lot of attention everywhere.


Samsung Galaxy S2 Android 4.0 (ICS) Update


On March 10, 2012 Samsung will release an firmware update for Android 4.0 code named Ice Cream Sandwich. You will find the upgrade information here on Samsung website.


Android 4.0 promises to offer better accessibility and internationalisation support. You can navigate the android phone built-in screen reader using touch gestures. There is much better rendering support for Asian languages and additional Unicode fonts are bundled with the release.


Cyanogenmod Firmware for Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-I9100G)


The Cyanogenmod has been boon for mobile phone technophiles. The project provides customised firmware for wide variety of phones. Unfortunately Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-i9100G) is not well support by Cyanogenmod project. Why? Samsung had changed the hardware specification of this model and none of Cyanogenmod developers have this phone model to work on.


Last week, Yang and I spent an afternoon looking for compatible firmwares to root Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-i9100G) . After few failed attempts we found that MyGKernelV1.1.1_CWM5.tar version managed to give us root access to the phone.


Installing Boot2Gecko on Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-I9100G)


You have heard of Mozilla Boot2Gecko. The Mozilla entry into smart phone market was unveiled at Mobile World Congress last week. Build with HTML5, CSS and Javascript, it allows web developers an open phone stack for their applications.


The Mobile World Congress Boot2Gecko videos shows a Samsung Galaxy S2 running Boot2Gecko. You should take note that this Samsung Galaxy S II model is GT-I9100. The Boot2Gecko developers use Samsung Galaxy S2 as their development platform.



Since Cyanogenmod scripts are used for Boot2gecko installation. You won't be able to install it on Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-I9100G) without lot of hacking. Recently there has been a lot of talk about people dying to install Book2Gecko on Samsung Galaxy S2. Caveat Emptor.


44 comments:

  1. why is some apps does not compatible with Samsung GT-I9100G

    ReplyDelete
  2. @Balqis Riza

    What apps? Can you give me some more details...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Iron Wars and Friendcaster Pro is not compatible. Weird thing is... it used to be no problem as i even bought the Friendcaster just untill recently there is a huge update that i realize my phone is not compatible.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Iron Wars works on Samsung galaxy S2 phone running gingerbread.

    ReplyDelete
  5. my samsung galaxy s2 gt-i9100g just show mobile n pc n erreo,this happen update 4.0.help me plz

    ReplyDelete
  6. will GT-I9100G update to ice-cream sandwich soon?

    ReplyDelete
  7. We need to wait and watch if Samsung will releases an Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) for GT-19100G device.

    So far the development of Unofficial ports are mired with technical problems.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Is it true...?
    I heard that GT-19100G won't get a ics upgrade...
    This is fraud man... I didn't know there were two versions of s2

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well, It sure seems that way. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ppl there is an ics leak from china for our model(i9100g). So don worry guys, the official update ll b released soon.
    Link for ics:
    kuai.xunlei.com/d/SUMXEFBJUATA 
    (source: xda forum)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the heads-up Rcade2005. Based on what I read on that xda forum, they couldn't confirm if the ROM actually works.

      Delete
  11. @arky
    Don worry dude. This s just the start. Soon we'll get the update.

    ReplyDelete
  12. http://www.theandroidsoul.com/ice-cream-sandwich-update-for-galaxy-s2-i9100g-now-available/ is the link true? let say if ics sgs2 gt1900G is already official. maybe we could use boot2geck for SGS 2 version G right?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Boot2Gecko team in working on building support for SGS 2 version G.

      The Android Soul news about ICS update for Galaxy S2 I9100G is not confirmed.

      Delete
  13. Hi,

    I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 I9100G model. I am running Gingerbread 2.3.6 on XWLC2 firmware and want to root the phone. I would really appreciate if you can give me a step by step instruction on how to do it..

    ReplyDelete
  14. my galaxy s2 19100g has 2.3.6 gingerbread.xxlb1 how old is this firmware version? which one is the latest in 2.3.6?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stock Kernel for Galaxy S2 19100G are at version 2.3.6. We have to wait until Samsung releases new upgrades.

      Delete
  15. my samsung galaxy s2 Gt I9100G has version 2.3.6 ..build numbr gingerbread.JPKK1.. i updated this software through settings> about phone> software update.. it got updated and firmware installation always give error in the middle of installation.. When i connect my phone through usb.. it gets on charging but dont show up in laptop or computer.. please tell me how to get rid of this problem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Man, I have the same problem, even with Kies I can't connect with the USB.... Did you find out what to do?

      Delete
  16. how to ROOt samsung S2 after Update ICS..??

    ReplyDelete
  17. theres an update now no gt-19100g connect your phone to kies then start you upgrade i just finished mine..

    ReplyDelete
  18. can we use triangle away on sgs2 i9100g

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you use a custom firmware on your phone you will see a yellow triangle at boot-up.

      You can use the Triangle Away app to get rid of this or reflash your phone with stock kernel


      How To Reset Flash Counter And Remove Yellow Triangle Without A USB Jig

      Delete
  19. upgraded to icecream sandwich now bluetooth wont work in car , my husband also upgraded same day and his works with car ,, its not the stereo in car as both phones worked fine before upgrade ,, i can bluetooth to his phone and vise versa but it refuses to connect to parrot stereo and we have removed all settings in car incase it was that and reset stereo and nothing it still wont but my husbands does ,,wierd ,, also google maps keeps crashing since upgrade , uninstalled and reinstalled several times and still crashing worked perfect before

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you are using Cyanogenmod then Cyanogenmod forum would right place to get these problem resolved.

      Delete
  20. Wow what a weblog i am so happy to here can you more discuss here, i am back again again to your site as soon as possible and i have lot of collection for you just click here for more information.

    samsung gt-19100g

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hey Arky has there been a release for ICS for the GT 19100G? I live in australia but bought my phone overseas.
    The build is Gingerbread JPKH8.
    Thanks for the info. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am a user of S2 Gt-i9100 it have the heat problem and the most is the sensor.Because I bought for 2 weeks later it always open never lock.When my hand is cross over it was opened when I do a work it was open when i go to university at the lecture time it was also open.So the battery is also can use 4 hours the longest is only 6 hours

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You might face this problem if you keep your Wifi, GPS turned on all the time. In my experience, playing streaming video would tend make these devices very hot.

      Regarding battery life,consider buying a battery pack to extend your battery life. See Samsung Galaxy S2 Power Pack

      Delete
  23. i would like you to help me with details to upgrade MY samsung galaxy s2 GT-1900G with andriod version 2.3.4 kernel version 2.6.35.7 root@Dell151 #2 build number gingerbread.dxkh6. if i try to use kies to upgrade it, a message appears your device doesn't support software upgrading via kies.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I really like this enthusiastic job you are doing folks.
    rooting android tablet

    ReplyDelete
  25. Now It is more convenient with Samsung Galaxy S2 Confirms the Official Android Jelly Bean 4.1 upgraded OS by this November.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I miss my iphone for the camera and fluid internet scrolling. But the Galaxy S-Voice is HORRIBLE! She sounds so tired I feel bad for her. I miss siri, but the iphone 5 is cheaply built. GS3 is fun as hell , doesn't work the best with keyboard and camera. But its fun and works.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Somebody plz make the kernel for GT-I9100G xxlpz

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for such nice & complete information..

    Users may also see:

    http://www.androidnectar.com/how-to-root-samsung-galaxy-s2-i9100g-dzkl13/

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi, it's nice to see a lot of comments here. I've never owned a Samsung phone. I've all ways ether had LG or Motorola. So the GS3 is my ffrist ever Samsung phone. And all i can say about the phone and the brand is that it's awesome. Never go back to the LG or Motorla phones. Thanks~ Augusta :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. atlast found a compiled tutorial on Galaxy s2 i9100.. excellent work.. thanks..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you found this useful. Will publish more posts aboutCM 10.1.x Android 4.2.2 updates this week

      Delete
  31. hi my i9100g is running CM10 and am having problem charging it. when u first plug the charger it will charge well till it reach 50% and above and it will start disconnecting and connecting at the same time.when it starts that the battery percentage will not go up again.

    ReplyDelete
  32. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks for review, it was excellent and very informative.

    ReplyDelete

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