The R2 in 2021 is a 3.5/5 – not for speed, but for spirit.
The rebuttal came from user "FixerUpper" : "The R2 teaches you how to repair and recycle. It runs PostmarketOS and Ubuntu Touch. It isn't e-waste; it's a Linux terminal with a screen."
For the uninitiated, the "R2" is not a Galaxy S or A-series phone. Depending on the region—specifically the Korean domestic market and select European carriers—the "R2" refers to the Samsung Galaxy Wide 2 or specific rugged variants (SM-G360). However, in the context of the threads, the R2 represented a cult classic of the budget "Galaxy Grand" lineage and the rugged "Xcover" prototypes. r2 samsung community 2021
| Feature | R2 (in 2021) | Galaxy A02s (2021) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Yes (Major win) | No | | Build Quality | Polycarbonate tank | Glossy plastic fingerprint magnet | | Android Version | Unofficial 11 (Lineage) | Official 10 (Go Edition) | | Headphone Jack | Top-mounted | Bottom-mounted (Better) | | Community Support | Extremely high (Nostalgia) | Low (Standard budget) |
Published: A Retrospective Look at 2021 Discussions The R2 in 2021 is a 3
Did you own an R2 in 2021? Share your memory in the (now archived) Samsung Community forums.
In the fast-paced world of smartphones, it is easy for models to get lost in the shuffle. While flagship devices like the Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Note 20 dominated headlines in 2021, a quieter, more budget-conscious conversation was taking place in the corners of the official forums. That conversation revolved around a cryptic codename: The R2 . It isn't e-waste; it's a Linux terminal with a screen
The consensus in the 2021 thread was: "If you need a phone for your garage or a backup for travel, buy the R2 for $30. If you need a phone for TikTok, buy anything else." A fierce moral debate erupted in the Samsung Community in late 2021. User "GreenGalaxy21" posted a fiery rant titled: "Stop recommending the R2. It is e-waste." The argument stated that by using an unpatched Android 6.0 device online in 2021, users were risking botnet infections and had no access to security updates.