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The Galaxy Ace 2 is an affordable handset that packs a comprehensive set of features. Though its specs are hardly impressive, it will definitely appeal to those on a budget.

We like the Ace 2 a lot. It's a sensibly priced phone that, while not overflowing with high-end features, holds its own in a busy market.

The Ace 2 is an excellent choice if you want a powerful but affordable pay as you go blower and don't have a small fortune to splash on it. It doesn't look especially dazzling, so design junkies may not want it near their fingers. Being bland is definitely its biggest let-down.

Not the most media savvy of devices on the market, the Ace 2 makes up for small niggles and limited features by mastering what it offers. Exceeding expectation on multiple fronts, the second-generation would be a wise buy for any first time or returning smartphone owner.

It makes for a friendly and fairly feature-complete intro to Android. However, its OS is out of date, resulting in less-than-lightning-fast operation and its pricing could be more competitive.

With such competitors, firmly planted around the same price range, the Galaxy Ace 2 doesn't shine among them with anything distinct but Samsung's Android mojo, and might be facing a steep market hill, at least until it gets upgraded to Android Ice Cream Sandwich.