Please use this thread to discuss devices other than and any comparisons with other devices on or about the GS 5 in this thread and any other off-topic issues that are not needing a new thread.
Post with respect, this is a helpful community, hope we all learn from this stuff in here.
Anyone has both the M8 and S5? Or had the M8 and now the S5 _(or the other way around? Although the S5 just came out)? How do they compare? Please try to be as objective as possible Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
I have both on me to review for a while. The M8 is obviously heavier, a little taller but not quite as wide as the GS5. I prefer something compact to better use in one hand, like an iPhone, but either one isn't as bad as I thought to use with one hand (although still somewhat difficult). I'm really enjoying the GS5's design. After using the M8 for a week, it already feels a bit dated for some reason. I'm glad the GS5 doesn't use virtual navigation buttons, allowing more screen space. Those are basically my initial impressions between the two for now.
it's there any dedicated forum for galaxy gear fit? I just saw the forum of the first gen of the gear that's it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I don't think this topic needs it's own thread so I'll post here. How fast does the S5 charge to full? I plugged mine in last night when i went to bed and it seemed like it was charging about 1% per minute or faster.
barondebxl said:
Anyone has both the M8 and S5? Or had the M8 and now the S5 _(or the other way around? Although the S5 just came out)? How do they compare? Please try to be as objective as possible Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My gf has the M8 and I have the S5. Only a few days now but I like them both. We both had hung onto our original Rooted and ROMed Notes before these.
Some initial impressions:
S5 is lighter so maybe a bit easier to one hand, although after the Dell Streak and Note anything seems small and easy.
M8 feels more solid due to design/weight, but that is more a perception than function thing. The all plastic Note was fine so I don't expect an issue with the S5.
Screens are comparable, both very nice; different but one isn't distinctly better than the other in real life usage.
Speaker sound is obviously won by the M8, not even close. The S5 is ok, but the M8 is designed for sound and it shows.
Performance seems great for both, although I haven't had the M8 in my hand as much.
Reception (LTE) is the same in a side by side test on my table, just using the on screen indicator. Both are better than the Note.
I actually like the on screen keys on the M8 as they are the same as my tablets, I'm getting used to the S5 home button but I haven't had a physical home button in a long time (since the iPhone 3g- ...don't judge me!).
We both ditched the Stock UI for Nova and/or Apex Launcher immediately so I have no idea how Sense and Touchwiz compare in usage other than they felt both restrictive and simplistic off the bat.
Let me know if there is anything specific you want to know and I'll check it out; but after a few days around both I'd be happy using either device.
Drew
Here my review as I've had both devices in the past couples of days.
Design m8> s5
Both phones to me look great but the design on the m8 is sexy! When I saw the s5 all I've seen where white models, which to me made the phone look horrible cause of the added width made the screen look smaller than it actually is UNTIL I got my black s5 and loved it as soon as I traded my m8 in.
Camera s5> m8
Pics on the m8 ON THE PHONE look amazing but when crop you see the flaw in the 4mp shooter. S5 camera just clearly is the better point shoot camera if you want to use your pics past social media uploads. If not then M8 should do you fine.
One hand use s5> m8
As sexy as the m8 is the back is slippery and I felt very uncomfortable one hand using the phone and the fact that the m8 is narrow and taller reaching the top of the screen was a scary thing to do as I was running the phone with no case whatsoever. Case Will solve the slippery back but with the s5 I don't feel like I need a case as the back is nice to touch and being that the phone is lighter than the m8 makes me feel I have one hand control of the phone at all time.
Speakers m8> s5
Don't really need to go into this and one of the features I miss on the m8 as I do listen to a lot of music.
Screen draw
Both are beautiful
Features s5> m8
S5 more featured packed but the features in the m8 are no slouch
Wish the s5 had the double tap to wake the phone but since it has the finger print I can see why they didn't go with that feature. Overall while some think their gimmicky the features on the s5 are fun and very useful to use when need be.
Internal memory m8> s5
More internal storage for the same price as a 16gb s5 is always gonna be better for some. NOW the SD card slot is working great for me so my Internal memory can be just for apps but those that don't like SD then note the s5 32gb will be slightly more on contract and off contract than the m8.
Battery life s5 > m8
My s5 is doing great and I love the feature with the power saving option offering a extended mode for those needs when Your at 10% and won't be near a charger for period of time.
But the m8 battery life is just as good as the s5 with my units I had.
Custom Roms m8> s5
One of the big reason xda was started for and unless u have the t-mobile variant then root and maybe a stock tw rom is all your gonna get from the s5 att model. But the experience with the new tw is very nice and I'm not seeing lag as previous galaxy phones in the past
So basically it comes down to this
Features or custom roms?
Top build quality or water resistant plastic?
4mp or 16mp camera?
Boomsound or fingerprint?
I don't think you can go wrong with any of the two flagships. Custom roms are great but some don't function and leave features that sold you into the phone from the beginning. Samsung is becoming apple which is not a bad thing. I remember when HTC was doing the locked bl and fans went nuts then they slowly changed their ways of tactics. as a phone the s5 and the m8 IS that plus some. now I'm more than happy with my s5, you may need your root and that's it which I see s5 having at some point very soon. But if u need your custom kernels and aosp roms then don't even look at the s5. Hope this helps those deciding between the two....
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Still mad at ATT gutting the chipset for the stupid LTE, but such is life. Good to see a waterproof flaship, at long last. Korea's finally starting to catch up to Japan in physical features.
GS5 Typo
Not sure if this is just on the ATT variant but I found this amusing...
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
barondebxl said:
Anyone has both the M8 and S5? Or had the M8 and now the S5 _(or the other way around? Although the S5 just came out)? How do they compare? Please try to be as objective as possible Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Coming from an Lg optimus G Pro..... got an M8 on 4/17 and started having issues with it resetting the home screens for no reason. Im sure it is probably just a rare bad unit but since it is my first HTC, I decided to return it and get an S5.
Really no reason to write several paragraphs on the comparisons as most of the comparisons done so far is what I have seen as well. To sum it up
*The HTC is elegant, cleaner interface, not as "gimmicky", looks and feels better made (although covering it in a case takes away all that beauty advantage), and has better external sound (by a lot). This not only applies to music but also to speaker phone calls. For those that are still confused about the sd card The US version DOES HAVE an SD slot on the left side opposite to the sim tray, so that argument is mute. The onscreen buttons are a pain to get used to unless you are coming from something with the same.
* The S5 takes better pics (not by a lot and you really only notice when they are side by side unless you have a photographers eye), the s5 is water and dust resistant (this is a biggie impo), i think the s5 battery is going to be a bit better, I dont see any real world difference in the screen clarity or color between the two. You will never notice any difference in speed rather in everyday apps or playing something like riptide, the s5 operates hotter and does not dissipate processor heat as well as the m8. Im worried about the charging port cover breaking on the s5. Too bad they did not get rid of the fp scanner and the hr monitor and spend the money on dual speakers.
*Photos and water resistance important = S5
*Sound and cleaner less gimmicky important = M8
"All readers should consider that every word stated here is a matter of opinion. I am not explicitly promoting either phone or brand, and only making statements of fact as they apply to my personnel observations" :angel:
Leaving samsung after 6 years
i have been with Samsung since their flip phone. and i even dealt with the stupid boot loader lock on the s4 for a year. and i recently got the galaxy s5 not even a week and i am going to exchange it for the htc one m8. I was greatly disappointed to find out that the Galaxy S5 (SUCH A POWERFUL PHONE) was locked down. It truly depressed me. and then recently i found out you can unlock the htc one m8 boot loader at their website, THAT IS AWESOME, but why cant sammy do that? its dumb. so i just wanted to let everyone that reads this know that htc CAN be unlocked. unlock crappy sammy. And to be honest i love the Galaxy S5, its powerful, fast, and amazing. but i cannot go another year without custom roms, kernels, and recoveries, thanks to my s4 being locked, i never got to learn the newest roms, kernels, or recoveries. so in exactly 4 days im leaving the locked down chamber of samsung and entering the freedom of htc
I would love to hear comparison of the battery in the LG G2 vs this phone. I am tossed up on going back to the LG since my experience with battery on this phone has been subpar.
t91180 said:
I would love to hear comparison of the battery in the LG G2 vs this phone. I am tossed up on going back to the LG since my experience with battery on this phone has been subpar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've only used my GS5 unit for a little while, but I'm pretty sure the G2 has better battery life. (I was very impressed with it in my G2 review.)
That's what I thought too but I keep reading the s5 is better and I just don't see it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I guess this fits in this category. Every once and a while I'll check a new phone against a GoPro. For people that use Android apps to gather telemetry and what not on autocross / road courses, it might be of interest.
I'm still not a GS5 owner yet. No 32GB model along with the locked bootloader has really turned me off buying one (and I'm not going to pay full price for one from T-Mo, or switch carrier due to my work discount).
At this point I've got my eye on the OnePlus One when it comes out. Unlocked, running Cyanogenmod out of the box, nice. A little bigger than I'd like considering it's in the same class as the Galaxy Note 3, but it's still pretty enticing, especially for the price.
I've been a Samsung user for several years now, but I think AT&T has ruined it with their nonsense. I might just save my subsidized upgrade for something better down the road.
I am currently on the HTC m8. Having this itch to swap it for the Galaxy s5. Anyone had any regrets having done this? Anyone here preferring the HTC m8 over this?
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
androidbuff123 said:
I am currently on the HTC m8. Having this itch to swap it for the Galaxy s5. Anyone had any regrets having done this? Anyone here preferring the HTC m8 over this?
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still prefer the M8, mainly due to Sense 6. Much better user experience compared to TouchWiz IMO. I also prefer its design and rear curvature laugh a bit better.
I have the itch as well to switch to the S5 but I know I feel I will regret it.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Time article
""The world's biggest handset maker has replaced the head of its mobile design team amid criticism of the latest Galaxy S5 smartphone.""
I would be curious how much of that criticism stems from America? How much of that I wonder is actually not because of the Samsung design at all, but more because of frustrations experienced from the 2 big carriers turning off features designed by Samsung and then adding their own junk on top of turning things off (like they know better than both the phone designer/manufacturer and the major App producers.)
Forced updates that contain more bloatware, turning off great features like wifi calling, initial loading of bloatware that most people would like to disable in favor of other free apps that do the same thing quicker, better, and with less memory load. Hmm Samsung; maybe your head of design team needed replacement, but I sure would look at other factors. Meanwhile Im back on my OGP until I can sell this S5 and jump ship myself.
Related
Simple story
T-Mobile is going to have Samsung Galaxy S II
Sprint is going to have Samsung Galaxy S II
Those carriers have A LOT of devices, Verizon has ONE, and it came 6 MONTHS LATE
Anyway, I waited all these months, and yesterday I signed a new 2 year contract and spent $329
Now, I just bought a Samsung Galaxy S 10.1, and man, that screen is second to none
Samsung just knows how to do a nice screen
Bevore I bought a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, I had the Asus Eee Pad, and I returned that
Not because the Samsung has the better screen, but because the Samsung weight is SO LIGHT that I was attracted to that table
Now this Motorola Droid Bionic is a little on the heavy side, but I don't care about that
But, from my point of view, even though the speed is stupidly high (14Mbps)
I just feel like this screen is cheap
In THEORY, this screen is BETTER than the Samsung Galaxy SII, it has a bigger resolution
but when I move an icon (say I'm rearranging icons in the home screen)
I do like Verizon because it allows me to use 5,7,10 GB of bandwidth
Also Verizon is like $50 cheaper per month since my family already has a plan with Verizon
However, let's suppose that for the next 6 months I have to chose between
Verizon with this Bionic
Tmobile with Samsung Galaxy S II
Sprint with Samsung Galaxy S II
I don't like that with T-Mobile as soon as I enter BestBuy, WalMart, Fry's... the connection speed drops to levels of being 95% useless.
Now, I haven't tested Verizon, but if they took 6 months to bring this piece of crap to my hands, then I don't want to comit to their expensive $350 termination fee
I would be happy with Verizon and Samsung Galaxy SII, but of course, that combo doesn't exist
I live in Orange, CA
Any suggestions?
Anybody else this is the cheapest piece of screen EVER?
OR it's only me?
Verizon only has one phone? I could have sworn I saw about 50 of them on the walls.
then goto another carrier. personally I dont see what the big deal about the screen is. I had a charge and the screen was nice the hardware inside not so much. I also had a xperia play that was true junk. I like my bionic as it fits my needs thats not to say my wife wont end up with it if verizon gets the prime. but for now I like the bionic.
No offense but I have to say this....changing carriers to an inferior carrier just for a device is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.....enjoy your 2 bars at best
My advice....wait for roms
Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk
If u want we could trade my charge for ur bionic, if ur not so happy with it.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA Premium App
I'm probably taking mine back.
I hate this screen. Yes, I came off a Samsung too.
I don't really have anything bad to say about the phone otherwise. It's really good. However, for what I paid for the phone (paid full retail), I don't want to feel like I'm looking at a washed out cheese grater.
Roms aren't going to help that.
I'll probably go back to my Fascinate for another month or two until either the Vigor or Prime come out.
Haters gonna hate.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using xda premium
Hi guys, don't hurt me but I really don't understand where the people complaining about the screen are coming from. I mean, if I put my nose within 5 inches of the screen I guess I can see some pixelation, but I don't operate my phone from that distance so I don't have a chance of seeing it in normal use. Am I some troglodyte, or is this problem related only to some phones?
I also haven't had the issue where restarting causes you to lose aps.
I suspect that people who really flip out over the super AMOLED screens are those to whom over-saturated colors are most appealing (my wife is one of those), and those who are ambivalent or even turned off by the screens are those who are more attracted to desaturated or "mature" colors. I'm one of the latter, as I well know by having spent a lot of time picking out colors in my local home improvement store and analyzing why certain colors appealed to me and others did not. Consequently, I harmonize with the pentile screens better than with the AMOLED ones.
I don't believe the SG Tab 10.1 has a super AMOLED screen, so I doubt a reaction to that tablet is relevant from a screen perspective. I believe the 7.7" version is supposed to have one though.
I know it seems like Verizon isn't getting all the best phones, what with the Atrix hitting AT&T months and months ago and them not getting the SGSII at all, which was a great disappointment. But things have a way of leveling off over time. Another thing is that we focus so hard on the phone that's just around the corner that we forget what's already there. Verizon had two solid entries in the 4G LTE world, the Thunderbolt and the Charge before the Bionic was released. Both are very solid devices and have faster network than any other domestic phones.
And then we've got stuff coming down the pipe like the Vigor and a new Moto phone toward the end of the year, plus some beast from Samsung and perhaps even the Nexus. A year ago, when the X came out, it seemed like Verizon owned the Android world. But the pendulum swings, and in this industry it swings really fast. I think that your reasons for picking a carrier are far more important than any single phone, and that it's probably wise to see it through unless there are very strong reasons beside the phone to jump ship.
One other thing. It's a lot less trouble for you and a lot less expensive for Verizon if you research and test drive the phones and tablets you're considering before you buy them, and avoid having to return them. That drives prices up for everyone, and it's not necessary if you have a retail location in your area where you can see the devices in person. It also wastes less of your time. I'm not preaching at you, my friend, just putting some thoughts out there to ponder.
Moto's pentile screens are pretty washed out, but that's not even what I can't stand about them; I can't stand the pentile sub-pixel layout. I hated AMOLEDs when they used a pentile format (Galaxy S, Nexus S for starters). The SAMOLED+ completely solved the "bug screen" issue by using a traditional striped sub-pixel pattern. It's a wonderful thing, and I hope pentile goes the way of the dodo soon. I was about to get a Bionic until I played with the screen a bit. There's no way I could live with it.
Honestly, are half of the people in this thread joking?
Life lessons:
You cannot have it all.
Most likely, the grass is not greener on the other side of the fence.
idefiler6 said:
Haters gonna hate.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a matter of being a hater. I bought it. I gave it a shot. It doesn't work for me. I take it back and get something else later.
I don't see how that's being a hater, unless you're saying I should stick with a phone I'm not happy with simply to be in the club.
Immolate said:
I suspect that people who really flip out over the super AMOLED screens are those to whom over-saturated colors are most appealing (my wife is one of those), and those who are ambivalent or even turned off by the screens are those who are more attracted to desaturated or "mature" colors. I'm one of the latter, as I well know by having spent a lot of time picking out colors in my local home improvement store and analyzing why certain colors appealed to me and others did not. Consequently, I harmonize with the pentile screens better than with the AMOLED ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I found the lack of color saturation mildly annoying, it was something that I could deal with. I had lasik done so my vision's very sharp and can pick up a lot of minute detail. I'm not saying I'm eagle eyed by any stretch of the imagination, but the acuity is good enough that I notice the checkerboard all the time. Others eyes are built differently like you said, so they pick up on different things.
One other thing. It's a lot less trouble for you and a lot less expensive for Verizon if you research and test drive the phones and tablets you're considering before you buy them, and avoid having to return them. That drives prices up for everyone, and it's not necessary if you have a retail location in your area where you can see the devices in person. It also wastes less of your time. I'm not preaching at you, my friend, just putting some thoughts out there to ponder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that's generally a fair statement. Thing is though, when you're on the borderline, it takes more than just 10 minutes playing with it to get an idea if something is tolerable or not in the long run. The more I worked with the phone, the more I found that it was a deal breaker despite the other positives of the phone. I still lose some money, and the restocking fee is reasonable. And I'm sure Verizon factors in a certain amount of returns into their pricing as well.
I can see why Moto made the choice they did considering the energy savings. Just doesn't work for me. If the Droid HD comes out, or whatever they call it and it has the issue resolved, I'd give Moto another shot assuming the phone's at least rootable.
LocoFreek25 said:
Honestly, are half of the people in this thread joking?
Life lessons:
You cannot have it all.
Most likely, the grass is not greener on the other side of the fence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not about having it all. It's about being able to accept trade offs in something. What one person will accept is different than what another will.
I'm sure there will be trade offs with other phones too. They'll just be different.
Lucky for you Verizon has a 14day no worry policy so there you go.... may be a way around the termination fee...
Superguy said:
I'm probably taking mine back.
I hate this screen. Yes, I came off a Samsung too.
I don't really have anything bad to say about the phone otherwise. It's really good. However, for what I paid for the phone (paid full retail), I don't want to feel like I'm looking at a washed out cheese grater.
Roms aren't going to help that.
I'll probably go back to my Fascinate for another month or two until either the Vigor or Prime come out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude
Do this
DOWNLOAD LCD RESOLUTION
Change NEW DENSITY to 270
Reboot
Enjoy
It feels like a big bad ass Tmobile G2X (that was my previous phone)
It's not Samsung Super AMOLED or whatever, but it is 92%-95% as good as my Tmobile G2X screen
The extra resolution really messes up everything
My only question right now is
1) Droid BIONIC with Verizon
2) Samsung Galaxy S II with Sprint?
Let's say I want
1) at least 3-5 bars everywhere in Orange County
2) I want to enter WalMart, BestBuy, Frys... and still have a good working internet connection
Which one should I chose?
I don't really need 14Mbps (although it's so cool to see that speed on a freaking phone)
However, with Tmobile, I would enter to Best Buy, my internet would drop, it was horrible
In terms of internet availability, any advice between Verizon vs Sprint?
I REALLY like the LCD Resolution program, I'm happy with my device now
IT IS A REAL ISSUE though, for the people that say that I am over reacting
It's soooo pixelated its horrible
vash1053 said:
Moto's pentile screens are pretty washed out, but that's not even what I can't stand about them; I can't stand the pentile sub-pixel layout. I hated AMOLEDs when they used a pentile format (Galaxy S, Nexus S for starters). The SAMOLED+ completely solved the "bug screen" issue by using a traditional striped sub-pixel pattern. It's a wonderful thing, and I hope pentile goes the way of the dodo soon. I was about to get a Bionic until I played with the screen a bit. There's no way I could live with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any change you can please explain what you mean with that?
Pentile
Never heard of it
I had a Asus Eee Pad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 had a better screen
However I didn't switched from the Asus to the Galaxy because of the screen
However I DID switched because the Galaxy Tab is the lighter tab out there, so I can actually read books and do all the stuff, and I LOVE my tablet right now
So, screen is cool, but I wouldn't change just for a screen
However with the screen as pixelated as the Motorola Bionic (and the fact that they were delayed 6 months), I was 80% sure I was going to return it to the store within 14 days
However with that app LCD Resolution, now I am not going to return my phone
UNLESS
Sprint and Samsung Galaxy SII work wonders
I think I will buy (depending on the cash) the Samsung on September 16th.
Then I will test them both, and then I will make my final call.
I like Sprint, they have cool phones (HTC EVO phones, Galaxy SII...)
Anybody knows if their internet drops here in Orange County?
or is the internet from Sprint stable?
My MAIN complain is that, as a former Tmobile user, the internet would just drop as soon as I enter a mall,store, etc
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
idefiler6 said:
Haters gonna hate.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1...x1000000
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA App
Pentile LCD is by far "cheap"..
Moto chooses Pentile because it's better on your battery and it's brighter than traditional LCDs when comparing screens at the same power rating.
I'd rather have a "battery saver" screen than a "bling bling, oh gnoes, 5% battery warning" screen.
Quite possibly the most useless thread on this bionic forum.
"me don't like screen, me return"
Really?
What exactly is the point in posting this? You mad bro?
If you returned it for your own reasons, so be it, why post it in here?
My eyes are pretty good, this screen is just fine, returning a device because it *might* look a little less vibrant than another one AND going to an inferior carrier IMHO is just beyond petty. But whatever works for you. It's your money. You should buy what you really like, no matter that it is a gram on the other side of a 10 pound scale.
But why... why post about it? Completely pointless.
I dont really give a crap what the technology behind the screen is.. If I cant see it in my S2000 on a nice sunny day w/the top down then I dont want it.
thats why i sent my incredible back, thats why I sent my fascinate back, the DX was decent but not great..
The bionic.. is awesome. I can see it in direct sunlight w/my sunglasses on.
Was just wondering if anyone had tried the S4 for awhile only to now reconsider going to the HTC One...
What's an HTC One? Never heard of such a device that has the expanding configurable capabilities that the S4 possesses.
oohaylima said:
What's an HTC One? Never heard of such a device that has the expanding configurable capabilities that the S4 possesses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. I havent played with it - so I have no idea what the features are on that phone.... I'll have a look this weekend.
Before buying the S4, I gave heavy consideration to the HTC One. I watched videos and reviews from multiple sources.
Overall, these are the reasons why I chose and will continue to stick with the S4:
- Battery Life - Our battery is much better than the HTC One. I compared it to a friend who has the HTC One and he was averaging about 2hr 45 min on screen time on a typical day where I've been getting close to 5hrs screen on time.
- Latest Android Software - I know it probably doesn't make a huge difference, but I really like 4.2. The lock screen widgets come in handy. Being able to check my Falcon Twitter and Gmail without even unlocking the phone is a huge plus.
- It's Samsung - What this means is that our phone will still be receiving firmware upgrades all the way into mid 2015. Not saying that the HTC One won't, but HTC is in real trouble, and if they go out of business, that my make things very complicated for current HTC users. Plus, even afloat, I've heard awful things about timeliness of firmware updates from HTC.
So yeah, I bought the S4 and I'm not looking back.
Came from the HTC One. I liked it a lot but the S4 works a lot better for me.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Nope! I will gladly take a 5" 1080p screen over a 4.7" 1080p screen anyday.
Worrying about pixel density in screens this small is silly, I rather have more useable screen real estate.
mjs2011 said:
Before buying the S4, I gave heavy consideration to the HTC One. I watched videos and reviews from multiple sources.
Overall, these are the reasons why I chose and will continue to stick with the S4:
- Battery Life - Our battery is much better than the HTC One. I compared it to a friend who has the HTC One and he was averaging about 2hr 45 min on screen time on a typical day where I've been getting close to 5hrs screen on time.
- Latest Android Software - I know it probably doesn't make a huge difference, but I really like 4.2. The lock screen widgets come in handy. Being able to check my Falcon Twitter and Gmail without even unlocking the phone is a huge plus.
- It's Samsung - What this means is that our phone will still be receiving firmware upgrades all the way into mid 2015. Not saying that the HTC One won't, but HTC is in real trouble, and if they go out of business, that my make things very complicated for current HTC users. Plus, even afloat, I've heard awful things about timeliness of firmware updates from HTC.
So yeah, I bought the S4 and I'm not looking back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^ This
Plus, after having previous HTC devices that lost all official support after 6 months or less I will never buy HTC again.
CCallahan said:
^^ This
Plus, after having previous HTC devices that lost all official support after 6 months or less I will never buy HTC again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. One of my buddies asked me to root his Evo about 6 months ago and I was shocked to have to settle for a Gingerbread ROM. I had thought for sure there would be some stable ICS roms available but every ICS or JB rom had at least one major flaw that my friend wouldn't have been able to live with.
Hell, even my my old LG Optimus V has a stable JB rom.
No removable battery + no expandable memory = no thanks
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
SAShady said:
No removable battery + no expandable memory = no thanks
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely
I love the 90s. Good times.
I had a One for about a week. It's a great phone and a really good attempt by HTC. I still miss a couple things from it but everything already described here outweighs everything it has to offer. I always end up back with Samsung.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Also had the One for a week. It was a seriously great phone. The design of the phone is just gorgeous. Also the weight of it was really nice.
Sense looked and worked great but is not nearly as customizable as tw. And as good as the design and materials seemed, it was not durable or built well in the least. A 2" drop caused some severe corner rash and even a dent. Battery life was excellent but during my first full day with this device, im on track to destroying the htc as far as battery life.
Was def a great attempt and design, but the overall quality of construction and materials is severely lacking. Ill take my new slippery plastic cheap looking s4 over the one all day every day.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 08:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:57 PM ----------
Also the screen wasnt totally flush with the body of the phone. And the top and bottom trim was perfect on the right side, and both hella gapped on the left side. Like I said, great design, poor build quality.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
SAShady said:
No removable battery + no expandable memory = no thanks
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^ This. Until such time that every manufacturer switches to this unreasonable design thereby forcing me to accept it, I will never purchase a phone (especially at full contract price as I buy most of my devices) that doesn't offer removable battery and expandable memory. I very much dislike having to rely on cloud storage to house the things I want access to at all times.
Having said that, I admit I considered it, because I loved my OG EVO so much (which of course offered both removable batter and expandable storage), until I read a multitude of reviews (mostly positive) but there are some build defects that would absolutely drive my OCD tendencies through the roof, so I opted to stay with the brand I know. Now if they'd just move the power button to the top of the phone I'd be thrilled. lol
I gave this a lot of thought and spent quite a bit of hands on time with both devices before settling with the S4. Every time I think of the HTC One I quickly remind myself of the poor software, camera, ergonomics, and lack of support that HTC provides for their phones. I simply don't trust HTC as a company and the Google S4 helped keep me with Samsung that much more. The minor issues with the S4 will be fixed soon enough and then it won't really be a competition as far as I'm concerned. I'm really curious to how many Ones have been sold compared to the almost 10 million S4s, which came out what, a month after the One. And I actually use the "gimmicky" features of the S4. The other day I was working on my car, hands filthy black, covered in grease and dirt. My dad called instead of missing the call waved my hand over my phone and spoke to him. I don't use these features always but if I'm at work or doing something were I will get dirty I turn them on. I couldn't do that type of stuff on the One. There is also things like the One not supporting quick charge even though it has the same Qualcomm chip? Maybe the metal was getting to hot on charge so they disabled it? Anyway I'm totally content with my S4 and I feel time will just keep reassuring my decision to stick with Samsung. :thumbup:
Sent from my SPH-L720
SAShady said:
No removable battery + no expandable memory = no thanks
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice big screen, lightweight and slim, plus what Shady said, not a chance!
I, like many above, looked very hard at both before pulling the trigger on the S4. I'm coming off a long line of HTC phones, but my wife has had the S3 for about 6 months. I do all the tweaking of the S3, so I use it a fair amount, and had grown to like TW more than Sense. Plus, the S3 always stomped my HTC Evo 4G LTE whenever we'd be looking something up on the internet, downloading something, etc. We'd be doing it side-by-side, and the S3 was better EVERY time, and usually by a large margain. That really planted the bug to move to Samsung for me.
I've never looked back One-wise. I might have a few minutes of doubt early on while learning the phone, but I'd have just returned it and gone back to my Evo, or bought an S3. But I'm just thrilled with the phone at this point. It really works well. I'm out on the lake fishing and pull up a radar map, boom, it's there, every time. On my HTC, very hit or miss on the same lakes. And the daylight pictures are stunning, something I could never say for my HTC's.
Bottom line, the S4 works like I've always wanted a smartphone to work.
Never. Not even a little bit.
Sent from the rabbit hole.
After the review on the HTC One spoke about how awful repairing it would be and how opening the device pretty much destroys the phone I decided to pass. The S4s "lack of build quality" makes me laugh as the the HTC One's guts are awful whereas the S4 is well put together and its plastic outer materials are more reliable than the aluminum of the HTC One (denting and scratching). Also, as the others before me the unibody design of the One against the removable storage and battery of the S4...NO BRAINER! The Sprint variant also shipped with SIM card so that was a huge bonus for me (in the military so being out of country won't force me to buy a new cheapo phone). Samsung is also more likely to get updates and those updates last longer than HTCs. With a Google version on the way I am stoked as it could very well mean we will get some devs to port some of that amazingness over to the branded variants. Also, I did come from HTC Evo 3D in case you think I'm just another Samsung fan-boy.
GS4 to HTC 1
heyjoojoo said:
Was just wondering if anyone had tried the S4 for awhile only to now reconsider going to the HTC One...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
I rooted my EVO 3 years ago in 2-3 carefully researched hours.
I'm into 2 days across macs Linux and windows exploits. Samsung: I'm not very good but if I can't get root this weekend, back it goes!
greenja said:
Yes.
I rooted my EVO 3 years ago in 2-3 carefully researched hours.
I'm into 2 days across macs Linux and windows exploits. Samsung: I'm not very good but if I can't get root this weekend, back it goes!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do realize basically all of us have it rooted right?
I'm feeling sad. Because I know my mako will soon be spreading its wings and going to a new home. My contract is up and I promised a friend who had an S4 nicked only a couple of weeks after getting it that she could have my N4 when my contract is up for renewal (I wouldn't really want anybody to be stuck with a Desire running stock 2.2...) But my real question and purpose for posting here is what do I get to replace it? I know there's an obvious answer and the Nexus 5 is probably what I'll end up with, but I thought I'd throw this out there for the advice of you lovely netizens
I've played with an N5 in the O2 shop and it really doesn't feel like much of an upgrade to the 4. I'm not particularly fond of the very generic industrial design or the in-hand feel. I'm sure given a bit of tinkering and a custom ROM it could be quite nice, but with the stock ROM on the N5 (obviously) and the modded colour profile on the N4, I actually prefer the LCD on the mako! The camera is much better on the 5, not that I use it much, and I suppose the battery life ought to be a bit better. It really didn't feel any faster but I'm sure SlimKat + over clock vs stock is not a fair comparison. It just seems silly to be stuck with a phone for 2 years which has already been made obsolete (in my mind) by this years' MWC launches and which doesn't really represent a big upgrade from the phone I have now.
So what about the S5? I've pretty much discounted it due to the fact that it's a Samsung, which means AOSP ROM support will be poor, it will suffer from SOD and probably also fry its eMMC after a few months Although I'm sure there are people willing to endure that for a removable battery and a microSD slot, I'm not one of them. Funnily enough, several of my friends who own/owned S3s have said they'll not buy another Sammy...
The Z2? Well, I guess it's likely to have good AOSP support so long as I can get my mitts on an unbranded one (no prob, I'll just renew through Carphone Warehouse) but it's also GIGANTIC and I'm not sure whether it uses the easily broken dragon trail glass and that daft easily scratched plastic outer layer like the original Z.
I presume there will be a new HTC One (two?) very soon, which has a chance of being a more reasonable size and probably better build quality than the competitors but I don't know what the situation with bootloader locking is like on current HTC Qualcomm devices? (Assuming it will be Qualcomm) After my One X debacle, I pretty much told myself I wouldn't buy another HTC but I have had many over the years which have been great so it seems mean not to forgive them for that one terrible device.
I presume LG won't be in on this round of upgrades (aside from phabletty ones) but I had considered the G2 due to its larger battery but otherwise similar hardware to the N5?
Yeah, I guess I'll just get an N5.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
You answered your own question by the end. BTW you should root your desire and flash KitKat on it.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
I would look at the lg g flex to ik its huge but the screen is pretty alsome
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Got the same problem want to replace my nexus 4 but no idea with what, also tried Nexus 5 but don't feel like update maybe the LG g2 because of bigger screen, but still don't feels like big upgrade...
LG flex is nice but ways to expensive
Verstuurd vanaf mijn Nexus 4 met Tapatalk
If you cant wait (until nexus 6 is released), i would suggest new htc one or lg g2. Lg g2 has a great screen size, its sharp, but too saturated cartoonish colors, if you like that. Awesome battery, 5,6 hours of screen on time, great camera. it has a great devs support but its not working as smooth as nexus 5. So in order: nexus 6, new htc one, lg g2 (or nexus 5 if you really like aosp and smoothness).
Sent from Pure Nexus⁴
I would rather go to lg g2 rather than n5..
Sent from my Nexus⁴
mixtapes08 said:
I would rather go to lg g2 rather than n5..
Sent from my Nexus⁴
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
G2 is a legit contender
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Lg g2. A friend of mine has it. It gets up to 2 days of battery (a combined usage of normal with heavy)
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Tomorrow I'm selling my beloved nexus 4 and getting the nexus 5. As much as I'm happy because I'm getting the new nexus, I'm a little bit sad, of all phones I have had, n4 was my favourite. But I expect n5 to take its place I spent so many hours reading and posting in these threads, I'm feeling melancholic (I'm crazy, I know). Goodbye to you all, hope to see you in the n5 threads!
Nexus 4, PA 4.4.2
stuffynet said:
Lg g2. A friend of mine has it. It gets up to 2 days of battery (a combined usage of normal with heavy)
View attachment 2623549
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard so as well.
Hardware and Price definitly make it a great Phone.
After a quick personal test I have to say coming from a Stock/Custom Rom the UI is really ugly, but there are custom Roms.
OFF: Just saw that the 4 years old iPhone 4 got the latest version of iOS and it runs awesome considering the specs of the phone (tested my self). I wander if Google "got it"?
stuffynet said:
OFF: Just saw that the 4 years old iPhone 4 got the latest version of iOS and it runs awesome considering the specs of the phone (tested my self). I wander if Google "got it"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So? My equally-4-year-old HTC Vision runs KitKat. I mean, sure, Apple officially released their latest OS for the iPhone 4 (and hopefully the performance will be acceptable this time) but I've never run a shipping ROM on any device I've owned since my original iPhone, anyway, so the crappy long term support of Android device manufacturers not a big deal for me. Also, there seems to be a lot of pro-Apple sentiment for long-term device support but I don't think that's a gesture of kindness or 'different' business behaviour to other manufacturers. Really, they have to keep support, since they keep crummy old devices on the market a lot longer than other manufacturers. I know a few people who still have remaining months on two year contracts with iPhone 4s, but I'm fairly certain that's not going to be the case with any Android handset which was launched around the same time.
Incidentally, I think I've settled on the G2. Given that the cost to me will be the same with an N5 or a G2, it seems silly not to go for the bigger battery, (much) contrastier screen and better camera since I'll run CM/AOSP either way. It means dealing with nasty Samsung-like glossy plastic, but given that it's already good, I'm thinking the battery life ought to be insane once all the LG OEM crap is gone
defffizz said:
Tomorrow I'm selling my beloved nexus 4 and getting the nexus 5. As much as I'm happy because I'm getting the new nexus, I'm a little bit sad, of all phones I have had, n4 was my favourite. But I expect n5 to take its place I spent so many hours reading and posting in these threads, I'm feeling melancholic (I'm crazy, I know). Goodbye to you all, hope to see you in the n5 threads!
Nexus 4, PA 4.4.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad I'm not the only one who's feeling weirdly reminiscent about replacing my Mako... Usually I'm terribly excited to get my mitts on a new device, but this time I'm just left wondering how I'll cope if I don't like whatever I replace it with as much
I think lg makes the best short term support phones.
They wont see life beyond 4.4.2. I wouldnt buy a lg without checking the activity in the xda forum. Because lg is very crappy updating the android, and if theres no support from the comunity, because of a locked bootloader, for example, then its all over.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app
prog19 said:
I think lg makes the best short term support phones.
They wont see life beyond 4.4.2. I wouldnt buy a lg without checking the activity in the xda forum. Because lg is very crappy updating the android, and if theres no support from the comunity, because of a locked bootloader, for example, then its all over.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think (perhaps too optimistically) that all the current Qualcomm-based devices are so similar that even after LG give up, some form of CM/AOSP support is pretty much a given. Especially given the shared roots with the Nexus 5...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Azurael said:
I think (perhaps too optimistically) that all the current Qualcomm-based devices are so similar that even after LG give up, some form of CM/AOSP support is pretty much a given. Especially given the shared roots with the Nexus 5...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what we're seing in the Optimus G forum. The development follows the lead of N4, but not at the same pace. My GF has one and simply love the lg UI and the miniapps. But the device is great and stuck in the 4.1.1
There's a lot of great devs there, like XboxfanJ, and many many others doing a great job porting things out, but it's a shame that LG is failing to provide a update to any other android version. Even 4.3 would be great in that device.
I had to root my GF Optimus G just to use fstrim, because it was becoming laggy as hell. And while google is doing a magnificent job puting the Gapps avaible in the playstore, she misses some nice features, like the notifications listener, or immersive mode, but at the same time, being with the device since november of 2013 (here in brazil mid class people just have to be one generation or two behind every single eletronic stuff, because they are expensive as hell) she doesn't want to void the warranty.
The really bad thing about LG is that they launch their flagships with old android versions, update short after the relase and then go with the excuse that the device has already seen a major upgrade.
OG came with 4.0 and then was updated to 4.1
LG Flex came with 4.2
G2 came with 4.2
And that's the way they do their business.
If I were you, I'd wait about a month longer. See if the new Google Edition phones start popping up. I quite like Samsung's hardware, but their support absolutely sucks. For me, SGS5 GPE would solve that issue.
Connor Baker
Connor Baker said:
If I were you, I'd wait about a month longer. See if the new Google Edition phones start popping up. I quite like Samsung's hardware, but their support absolutely sucks. For me, SGS5 GPE would solve that issue.
Connor Baker
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I literally will not buy Samsung hardware on principle. I've seen too many dead S2s, notes, S3s, etc. That is a company with zero concept of quality control, to keep releasing b0rked eMMC controllers, generation after generation. Plus, if you begin to read the CM device managers' posts on Exynos support, you see what a ****ty attitude they have for the development community, even if most current devices are Qualcomm based and a lot easier to work with. Plus I'm not and never have been enamoured with their hardware in general. Sadly, the G2 looks and feels like a Samsung, but I guess I'll have to live with that. Oh, and what good is a GPE unless you're buying your device outright? AFAIK a Nexus 5 is the only chance you have of getting a shipping 'stock' android device here on contract.
Edit: I reaslise I probably came across as a bit of an arse in this post. Sorry, Samsung make me angry. It might be worth waiting for the new HTC One but I'm fairly certain the camera will be rubbish and it still has a small screen with a massive bezel (or it's a massive device, not sure which )
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
As mentioned above. I would suggest you wait for N6 which is rumored to be the last of the nexus series. From the leaked rumor leaks I think it's worth the wait. Look it up.
Pvt WhoOkid said:
As mentioned above. I would suggest you wait for N6 which is rumored to be the last of the nexus series. From the leaked rumor leaks I think it's worth the wait. Look it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, it's a nice theory. But you could easily end up waiting forever with that outlook. The G3 isn't even rumoured to come out for several months yet, else I'd be waiting for that. And the Nexus 6 (I doubt the name unless it's a phablet... It'll probably be a new Nexus 5) is sure to come even later, the Nexus launches haven't exactly been immediate availability gigs, have they? By the time that come out, people will tell me to wait for the Samsung GS6 and so on. Mobile phones are launched so close together that anything you buy will be 'obsolete' a month later. Frankly, I could gladly live with my Nexus 4 for another 2 years. The only reason I'm replacing it at all is to give it to somebody else. So with what is available now, it seems pretty clear to me that a G2 will do the job just fine.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Azurael said:
Hmm, it's a nice theory. But you could easily end up waiting forever with that outlook. The G3 isn't even rumoured to come out for several months yet, else I'd be waiting for that. And the Nexus 6 (I doubt the name unless it's a phablet... It'll probably be a new Nexus 5) is sure to come even later, the Nexus launches haven't exactly been immediate availability gigs, have they? By the time that come out, people will tell me to wait for the Samsung GS6 and so on. Mobile phones are launched so close together that anything you buy will be 'obsolete' a month later. Frankly, I could gladly live with my Nexus 4 for another 2 years. The only reason I'm replacing it at all is to give it to somebody else. So with what is available now, it seems pretty clear to me that a G2 will do the job just fine.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People shouldn't tell you what to do, they can only make a suggestion. It's about what you want from your phone. If you want software optimized with hardware, get most recent updates and roll the smoothest devices on market, go with nexus line. My brother has LG g2 and with that beast of cpu and gpu, it's much slower then my nexus 4 (on both aosp rooms and lg ones). I would never buy g2 just because of that. Also Samsung devices, bloat bloat bloat, and sluggishness. I would buy n5 in no time because I want speed and fast updates, and a camera to take quick and decent pictures. Yeah battery is a little bit weak but, there are kernels for that
Sent from Pure Nexus⁴
Iv had android since the vey first android up until 2 years ago I wnt with iPhone. My contract is up and I want to come back to android I miss widgets and flashing roms. So I've been looking between the nexus 6 and Galaxy 6 edge. Can you guys tell me why one or the other? I'm on Verizon if that matters and I know the edge isn't released yet but the specs look nice.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Sent from my Benzo'd Google N6 on VZ
You are asking in the Nexus forums, . I had the Samsung S2, Note 2, Note 3. I decided a change was in order and got the Nexus 6. LOVING IT!! I don't ever see myself going back to Samsung and touchwiz (as gorgeous the edge is). I can't stress enough the vanilla experience of Android and how fluid the N6 is. The lack of bloat, ease of root, flashing, etc...Nexus all the way.
I will say it looks like Samsung really stepped up their game with the S6 series, now if these were Google versions, that would be a tougher choice for me, but I still love the 5.96 screen.
Yes I've never been a fan when my wife had her Galaxy 2 but the new 6 edge looks nice and the specs are nice. I Asked in the nexus forum for input from people who have switched from Samsung and would have opinions of both.
Get a nexus I've seen a bunch of reviews that say the edge isn't worth the extra 100 dollar price tag and that its gimmicky most reviews say get a reg s6 I went nexus from the s4 cuz I'm tired of att locking bootloaders took me all of 10 mins to get cm12 running on this thing and to remove the 6 att spamware items
For me, it's all about the bootloaders. N6
erawtik said:
Iv had android since the vey first android up until 2 years ago I wnt with iPhone. My contract is up and I want to come back to android I miss widgets and flashing roms. So I've been looking between the nexus 6 and Galaxy 6 edge. Can you guys tell me why one or the other? I'm on Verizon if that matters and I know the edge isn't released yet but the specs look nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you love to flash get a nexus because I'm pretty sure Samsung is still shipping with know and those Samsung devices are loosing a lot of devs because of it. For the note 4 sprint and T-Mobile are the only carrier that's still kinda surviving in the development options while at&t and Verizon are struggling last I checked unless Verizon makes a development version.
Nexus 6 will hold it's ground this device is great, I was waiting for the LG G Flex 2 but with all the negative reviews and rumors I jumped on my first nexus device and had got a great deal for a brand new sprint sealed variant and have no regret plus I still have my upgrade so when the new nexus comes out I'm jumping on it lol.
I've had the Galaxy Nexus (VZW) then after 2 years upgraded to the S4 after seeing the huge dev outpour, turns out it was impossible to rom, so after I was eligible to upgrade with VZWs EDGE upgrade plan, I jumped back to the Nexus. My point is I have had 2 nexus phones and a samsung phone, Nexus hands down is the way to go.
Thanks guys that is what I was figuring, you guys just helped seal the deal now the end of month can't come any sooner
Nexus
I appreciated TouchWiz value-adds on my Galaxy S III and like how they've integrated with Lollipop on my spouse's Galaxy S5 (which is very responsive, btw).
A friend of the family is a Samsung product specialist for a local Verizon reseller and has been nothing but frustrated with his Note 4 (which was on my short list of possible phones . . . based solely on specifications and online reviews); I saw up-close that it was having problems that any phone can have + more. It has wonderful features, but is vexing him weekly with weird drops in signal and hangs/reboots.
All my prior Android devices were Sense and Touchwiz-enhanced. The Nexus 6 experience is like flying with a very solid custom ROM that has just what I need, in comparison. Sure, I might want to root for tethering or such some day, but Android OS 5.1 is meeting all my needs, thus far. And, I *can* unlock, root, etc. at will, too - lost some of those abilities with the Galaxy S III after an OS upgrade. At my pace, not the carrier's.
Nexus 6 is a great size for me, I don't ever want to go smaller if that can be avoided. It has a growth path based on easy ability to apply future stock or custom ROMs, and its hardware has been satisfying to use.
I'm sure the Edge will be a terrific phone, but there will be differences and you should probably consider what's most important to you, feature-wise.
- ooofest
erawtik said:
I miss ... flashing roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You answered your question right there. The easiest to root, direct updates from Google, NO TOUCHWIZ.
I had a S2, N4 and now the N6 and I can not see myself ever going back to a non-Nexus. The phones are smooth as can be. Just think about it, Lollipop was basically designed to showcase the abilities of the N6, here come the flames. Simply put, if you want 100% flexibility of customization and you like the idea of a fast device built for the OS that it runs, you have to go Nexus.
KI came from the m8 and I was mainly worried about the battery with the N6 but its fine. From the early reports I've seen on the s6 battery life I would not get it. Very happy with the Nexus so far. Had mine unlocked, rooted, and running builds a couple hours after it arrived.
erawtik said:
Iv had android since the vey first android up until 2 years ago I wnt with iPhone. My contract is up and I want to come back to android I miss widgets and flashing roms. So I've been looking between the nexus 6 and Galaxy 6 edge. Can you guys tell me why one or the other? I'm on Verizon if that matters and I know the edge isn't released yet but the specs look nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought a Note 4, and then a few months later sold it for a Nexus 6. I loved the Note 4, but everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING was limited. It's all heavily locked down and restricted. The Nexus 6 is pure, and totally open. You can do anything you want. There are no restrictions, and there is absolutely nothing holding you back. The best part: Carrier Freedom. You don't have to stick to anyone. You can do whatever you like, whenever you like, no Knox, no history, no questions. I had a Samsung N2, N3 and N4, and loved them all, but the Nexus 6 has changed my perspective of freedom. If something breaks, there is a fix. If you want a new feature, developers hear you and fix it. If you want to design your own ROM, there's a guide for that. If you want pure updates straight from Google and no bloatware, it's there with no strings attached. Want a remarkably easy toolkit to do everything you could ever desire on your device? Done! Twice over even! The Nexus 6 is the only flagship ANDROID device because it is exactly that, ANDROID. I would highly recommend it to you and anyone else.
Here's a chart I saw that might help.
You mention liking to flash ROMs, so I'd go with Nexus 6. Seems like with Samsung using Exynos SOC in the S6 and the touchwiz framework mucking things up you'll never get as good performance on a custom AOSP based rom with things like camera, bluetooth and Wifi since Samsung , in the past at least, has not been forthcoming with drivers.
I'd just wait for the upcoming Nexus to be released. It's looking like it will be based on the upcoming LG G4. In my opinion, why buy a phone that will soon be last year's news? Not taking anything away from the Nexus 6, I love it. It's the best phone I've ever owned. The Nexus 6 is not an old phone, but we both know that something better is right around the corner.
erawtik said:
Iv had android since the vey first android up until 2 years ago I wnt with iPhone. My contract is up and I want to come back to android I miss widgets and flashing roms. So I've been looking between the nexus 6 and Galaxy 6 edge. Can you guys tell me why one or the other? I'm on Verizon if that matters and I know the edge isn't released yet but the specs look nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was a blackberry person for a long time when smartphones first came out. I later bought a cheap metro android. Since then i've had a Samsung Galaxy S3, an iPhone 5, LG G2, and now i have a nexus 6. I went from the S3 because i wanted to try something different. I got bored with different. The iphone isn't customizable at all. So i went back to droid and the G2 is a beast but the nexus 6 is a bigger beast. Go with the nexus. It may not have all the cool features that an S6 has but you probably wont use all those features anyways. Nexus 6 is stock with the essentials plus its for a more technologically savvy person that understands specs and performance. Im not hating on the S6 i know it has great specs too but its a phone everyone will have.
don't see all the fuss……
I jumped on t-mo from a note 4 to N6. I've been using sammy products sine 2011, including all the note series, with a g3 and opo for good measure.
The samsung devices were easy to root, coming unlocked from t-mobile. The note 4 has considerable development on a t-mo sub forum. I flashed several times a week and edited build. prop and mixer. path files to further customize my experience.
Oh, and touchwiz was not the monster it's made out to be. I use apex launcher, which on the note 4 is a similar experience to the N6.
I will say samsung is rightly blamed for bloat and some wicked lags, something I have yet to see on shamoo.
I'll say I'm enjoying my nexus, but all this endless chatter about the "pure android" is nonsense from my perspective.
So, if someone asks if the note 4 or Nexus 6 would be my choice, I'd go with the N6, but maybe because I haven't had much time on it so far. Then again, it's a matter of unlocked bootloader with the right carrier. (T-Mobile)
Don't think I'm going to regret my choice.
I have the LG G3 and I can say this is the best phone I have ever had! Believe it or not even better after running Lollipop
Am I the only one considering upgrading to the s7 edge? Only cons for me are going to a smaller screen (I think) and no micro usb c. The main reason I want it is the 3600 mah battery and snapdragon 820. The Nexus 6 has been great and I've had it for over a yr which isn't common for me heh. What are your opinions on the S7 edge?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Don't think I can go back to a much smaller screen. I'd rather keep using the N6 as daily driver and wait for the 2016 Nexus or Moto X Pure.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
The screen size isn't as much an issue here as dealing with, in order of severity, locked bootloaders, Touchwiz, Knox, and bloatware. Not a good trade, and waiting for the next Nexus is the better option.
It has bloatware (Nova Launcher can hide this)
Locked bootloader, I have not rooted anything in ages.
My biggest pet peeve is that March next year you will be wondering when will you see Android N.
The next biggest pet peeve is the small screen.
Me I can wait 6 or 7 months and see what Nexus 2016 is like, hopefully they bring back Qi Charging.
Yeah 1 can only hope for it getting root, seeing as I have Verizon on top of that. I think it'll be nice not tinkering with my phone everyday. I'll more than likely get bored with it and go crazy not flashing anything. I could just get the S7E and if the new Nexus is worth it and just sell the Edge and pay the difference.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Hi there!
I've had a Nexus 6 for the past few months. In-between I ran a S6 Edge for a few weeks. Here's a few points to look our for on the S7 Edge during my experiences on the S6 Edge.
1. Read up on how the battery lasts. The S6 Edge has (arguably) the most beautiful screen ever put onto a phone. The battery life was awful though, so to get through a day on minimal use I had to have adaptive brightness on down at the 20% mark. It really annoyed me that I had this glorious screen I couldn't use in case my battery was all used before I even made it to work in the morning!
2. Check to see if the Edge apps functionality has improved. I had Lollipop on it when I first purchased it. The Edge apps were completely redundant. I could add callers and extra apps (nothing that a 3rd party browser couldn't add to the home screen), and also there was a swipe function to check weather etc that worked 50% of the time. I joined the beta programme for Marshmallow and the Edge apps hadn't really improved.
3. The lack of an unlocked bootloader, and the squeeze this had on development on the likes of XDA drove me a bit crazy. I use to be a bit of a flash addict, but have now settled down, but I still like to try new things every now and again even though I revert back to my favourites.
4. I missed the N6 screen size.
5. Touchwiz is vastly improved, but considering the spec differences I felt no speed differences between the S6 Edge and N6. (I don't play games on my phone so wouldn't know the difference between the 2 in more demanding tasks.)
6. The camera on the S6 Edge is stunning, and I can imagine will be better on the S7.
To summarise, I can imagine the S7 and S7 Edge being good phones. My advice if you were to choose one would be to go with the S7, as unless the software and functionality is massively improved, the S7 Edge won't justify the extra price.
And I much prefer my N6 over the S6 Edge...
Going to be a great phone. But the snails pace of updates, especially the security updates is a deal killer for me. I could live without mods and root but updates are an issue for me.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Labs
S7 isn't even an option, screen size would be way too small. And it only has a 3000 mah battery vs the 3600 in the S7E.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
AstroDigital said:
It has bloatware (Nova Launcher can hide this)
Locked bootloader, I have not rooted anything in ages.
My biggest pet peeve is that March next year you will be wondering when will you see Android N.
The next biggest pet peeve is the small screen.
Me I can wait 6 or 7 months and see what Nexus 2016 is like, hopefully they bring back Qi Charging.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just read your response .... What do you gain from xda if you aren't rooting your phones and have your purchases guided by the disaster of all disasters --- a locked bootloader !! ???
I....actually wouldn't mind going to a smaller screen. While I greatly, and I mean, greatly enjoy the size of my N6, there are times where I wish that it was a tad smaller. As real life is consuming so much more of my spare time, I spend less time watching videos, rooting, and tinkering, and more time handling stuff for work or home. Specifically, using the camera to take pics of my children will be easier to quickly take out and handle a smaller phone.
However, as far as the S7 goes, it is coming to look like a beast, and I will be getting one for my wife...not me. TouchWiz is my Achilles' Heel. Always has been. I'm waiting for HTC's next iteration to see whether or not I want to take the plunge into a Samsung device for myself, or another Nexus. LG is out of the question. Their UI is just not my style.
Well, depending on your carrier, you likely are not going to be able to do much if you have Verizon or AT&T given that they both lock their bootloaders. I'll fully admit, last fall I WAS going to buy a Note 4, but it was sold out so I got the Nexus 6 instead. Turned out to be the best thing that ever happened. I remember having to chase down my specific build for my make and carrier, it wasn't just "Shamu" for everyone. Seems like every "non-Nexus" phone is one-misstep from "bricking" the device. No thanks. From accidentally downgrading the bootloader, to flashing the wrong firmware, etc, etc...............
Good experience and less headache with the Nexus. I'll never buy a non-Nexus phone again.
I might consider S7 Edge as well, looks to be perfect piece of hardware. I know i would get late updates with samsung but who cares, i don't remember a single update that brought better daily functions to my nexus 6 from google. For example, they didn't even bring slow motion video capture, no led light, no double tap to wake. There's nothing useful for daily usage in a nexus but instant empty updates. I don't care much if i am patched to february security in day one like if any hackers targeted me.
How long before a Verizon S7 edge gets rooted? Never????
ronaldheld said:
How long before a Verizon S7 edge gets rooted? Never????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It took forever for the Verizon S5 to get rooted, the Verizon S6 Edge will probably never get rooted and same for the S7 Edge.
KNOX just keeps getting tougher.
All the more reason to avoid Samsung if you want to develop.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-verizon/general/bounty-verizon-note-4-root-whos-t2916685
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-att/general/bounty-att-note-4-root-knox-list-pledges-t2946770
AT&T/Verizon Note 4 from early 2014 is still waiting for permanent root. Take a look at the bounties on post #1.
.......have fun
mikeprius said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-verizon/general/bounty-verizon-note-4-root-whos-t2916685
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-att/general/bounty-att-note-4-root-knox-list-pledges-t2946770
AT&T/Verizon Note 4 from early 2014 is still waiting for permanent root. Take a look at the bounties on post #1.
.......have fun
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good thing I sold mine to move to the Nexus.
I figure if I do get it, Verizon has a trade in promo where I can get 100 for trading in my old bionic. I'll put 300 down on the phone so the payments will be $20. Then I can sell my nexus for $200-300 and sell the free gear s2 for another $200-300. The phones pretty much paid off then. And I can sell my s7 edge need be if the new Nexus it worth it. Decisions decisions
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
I would love a 6 edge, I love the design of the galaxy series since the s6 (minus useless home button) I especially love the silver. Now that it has a snapdragon 820 we might get some custom ROMs. Only real drawback is the price and having to increase my phone bill by $30+
Its not really that knox has gotten better but because those that have the knowledge on being able to bypass the locks hae sworn off of ever working on Samsung devices again.