By Joe Arico | Fri Mar 02, 2012 3:42 pm
Samsung's Galaxy S2 was named the best smartphone of the year at the Mobile World Conference, giving the manufacturer and the Android OS a big boost.
The award, given by the GSMA, is great publicity for both Samsung and Google as the two companies continue to grow their user bases in the mobile market. The iPhone 4 took home the award at last year's MWC, and the S2 beat out its successor, iPhone 4S, to nab the top prize this year.
An Android-powered device winning the best phone of the year award is a tremendous accomplishment for the operating system. Analysts have criticized the platform for having a high learning curve, being too susceptible to viruses and malware and lacking the polish of Apple's iOS.
The S2's win is likely to help change many consumers' perception of the platform, elevating it in their eyes from a second-tier software to an OS worth considering.
Google's platform played a part in the S2's success, but Samsung deserves even more credit. The South Korean manufacturer managed to put out a device that upstaged the iPhone 4 in power, featured a thinner design and came very close to equalizing Apple's famous retina display.
Samsung also managed to develop an Android skin that reviewers said enhanced the Android OS, while several other manufacturers included skins that made their devices run sluggishly on the platform.
Winning the smartphone of the year award could extend the shelf of life the S2 a bit longer, but Samsung is also expected to announce the Galaxy S3 soon. Consumer anticipation for the device is already at a high level, but all eyes will be on Samsung as it attempts to launch a handset that can live up to the award-winning S2.
Samsung now heads into the launch of the S3 with an incredible amount of momentum. The company emerged as Apple's primary competition in the smartphone market, and if the S3 gets out to a strong head start in sales, a new iPhone could have a lot to catch up to when it launches later this year.
Samsung may be the best smartphone maker in the world, and the award from MWC shows that people are starting to take notice.
Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:19 pm | By Samsung plans to offer cheaper tablets to compete in the mobile market, after lower-than-expected sales.
Thu Feb 23, 2012 4:00 pm | By AT&T plans to begin selling the Samsung Rugby, a waterproof, dustproof device, for $100 with a two-year contract on March 4, giving the carrier a rugged device to add to its catalog.
Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:08 pm | By Samsung and Blockbuster are teaming up to develop a streaming video service to boost content for smartphones, tablets, and smart-TVs.
Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:46 pm | By T-Mobile plans to sell the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G, a speedy Android 2.3 device, in late March for $150 with a two-year contract.
Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:53 pm | By Apple is targeting Samsung's Galaxy Nexus in court, changing strategy as it aims to take down Android through patent legal battles.
Editorials & Opinion By Kate Knibbs
Tech leaders gathered at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, while Google's controversial privacy policy went into effect. 
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