Samsung Focus 2 (AT&T) review

Will Samsung mirror its Android success with its latest Windows Phone?

Samsung Focus 2 (AT&T)
Samsung returns to Windows Phone offering a capable alternative to the Lumia

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The Focus 2 bucks the common trend with Windows Phone by offering a removable 1750 mAh battery.

Samsung claims the battery will last for 6 hours of continuous use (6.5 days on standby with 4G LTE). Our tests showed that number can drop to between 3 and 4 hours when subjected to constant internet browsing, music streaming, and the occasional game, though that's still not too shabby.

Samsung Focus 2

Of course, what really matters is how the battery holds up to normal every day usage. We found that a single charge usually could make it through the whole day, consisting of checking emails, text messages, calls, web browsing, and occasionally music playback. If the Focus 2 is then left unplugged overnight the battery was almost always dead or dying the next morning, but so long as you charge it while you sleep the battery life fits nicely into the daily routine.

Connectivity

Aside from the headphone jack, a micro-USB port is the Focus 2's sole connectivity port. The micro-USB serves double duty for charging and connecting the Focus 2 to your computer to transfer media files, which it can do both tasks simultaneously.

As we touched on when discussing the Focus 2's internet features, it can connect through both AT&T's 4G LTE network or Wi-Fi for online access. It also features an FM radio tuner and supports Bluetooth 2.1+ to connect with headsets or other docks and devices.

There is also an Internet Sharing option hidden in the Focus 2's settings, which turns it into a Wi-Fi hotspot through the 4G LTE network. We were unable to test Internet Sharing on our review handset, though our experience with the phone's network reception so far doesn't make us optimistic.