Database Info

Anybody move from iPhone 4 to inspire?

So I've had my iPhone 4 since release and I've been happy with it but itching for AT&T to get a decent android phone for me to try. I'm eligible for partial upgrade and because I'm on premiere I get an additional 10% off; which the Corp store agreed to honor; so total price was $269. Luckily they were busy when I got there and I had some time to play with it. Very solid phone. But I've been debating the whole front facing camera thing. I Skype regularly with my parents who are overseas and I FaceTime with my wife (more once our baby is born in April. SO the lack of a front facing camera was big. I've also heard horror stories of android and battery life; so when I found it it was only 1250mah I couldn't believe it. And after playing around with it I realized that the browser is not on the same level as the iphones. I watch a lot of videos on CNN and when I tried it using the flash Player on android it took a long time. On the iPhone the HTML 5 page pulls up and videos are near instantaneous. The browser just seemed a lot more fluid. I dunno I haven't made a final decision but wanted to see somebody doses perspective who went from iphone4 to inspire

I sold my iPhone for $ 500 and never looked back. I picked up the inspire this morning and after an hour of frustrating debacle with the radio Shack guy I got to playing with it.
I had owned an evo before but this blows it out of the water. If you can get by the fact that it doesn't have a front facing camera you will be pleased. The phone is super fast and the display is beautiful. I'm working on my first charge and the battery is lasting. I do not miss my iPhone at all.
I am sorry if my writing seems choppy but I'm currently playing with SwiftKey

Cool. Let me know In a few days after you've been using it for a while. The other very annoying thing (and this is the iPhones fault) is that the damn iPhone uses a micro sim. So i can't just switch back and forth between the two. I'll probably have to pick up a micro sim adapter that would allow it to be used sit regular sim slots

I sold my iphone and I am very happy with my phone. So nice not needing itunes and being able to use the storage in my phone. Its also nice being able to add ringtones and sounds so easily. IMHO the inspire screen is just as good.

Naytwan said:
I sold my iphone and I am very happy with my phone. So nice not needing itunes and being able to use the storage in my phone. Its also nice being able to add ringtones and sounds so easily. IMHO the inspire screen is just as good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with everything he said.

@OP: That's what I hear too, also have seen, that the experience on iOS is just a little smoother than the Android experience, and I can understand where they are coming from.
Captivate 2.2.1 Paragon

I sold my i4 last night and bought my inspire today. My advice to you is get an ipod touch 4gen for your face time. That us my plan as I live apple for their audio. If Android made a device similar to the touch than I would still have my iPhone but that's not the case. Plus this phone is solid and not cheap like others. Doesn't feel like I've skipped a beat. Good luck. Also my speck case makes a difference because that's why I loved iPhone were the accessories.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

switch to verizon and get the thunderbolt its has lte and a front facing camera

I just got rid of my iP4 for the Inspire and I'm not gonna miss it. I've had a ton of phones in the last year and this might be my favorite. The speaker is a little weak, but I'm used to that from HTC. Screen is brilliant and while it may not be the retina display I prefer the larger size.
I haven't had a chance to evaluate battery life yet of course, but I pretty much know what I'm getting there.

I charged mine fully and have been playing with it for a while now. The battery has gone down only a tad - in no way can you literally 'watch the battery drain'. I think this will only improve with root. And the screen seriously is just as impressive as the retina display. It's really tough to see pixels on this thing - everything is bright, sharp and clear.

jdphilly said:
switch to verizon and get the thunderbolt its has lte and a front facing camera
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except best buy wants 299 on contract and 799 off

this will be my situation. i am brand new to this forum, so forgive me lol.
My first smartphone was the G1, loved it but decided to switch to iPhone 3g.
Sold that to by Nexus One. Loved it as well, but sold it to get the i4.
Now, i'm selling my i4 to get the inspire. So it's not my first Android, but I've become sorely accustomed to the "stupid" nature of iOS. Returning to android will take some getting used to.

I am trying this android thing out. Came from iphone 4 but still debating. I may return it because of battery issues and also music management sucks. Cant manage playlists. Also, bluetooth control does not work on the included player.

Rican2008 said:
I am trying this android thing out. Came from iphone 4 but still debating. I may return it because of battery issues and also music management sucks. Cant manage playlists. Also, bluetooth control does not work on the included player.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I won't be using this for music except for slacker and pandora, and will stick my iphone4 in the glovebox and listen to the ipod while in the car. Have a small ipod if I ever need to take one somewhere.

acPIZZA said:
I charged mine fully and have been playing with it for a while now. The battery has gone down only a tad - in no way can you literally 'watch the battery drain'. I think this will only improve with root. And the screen seriously is just as impressive as the retina display. It's really tough to see pixels on this thing - everything is bright, sharp and clear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only difference is that you can see the touchscreen grid on the inspire, but not on the iphone.

@rican
Not exactly sure what you are referring to regarding managing playlists but I use isyncr and it works perfectly for me. With the wifi addon you can sync them over your home network as well.

Thanks newter55, I will give isyncra try.
The main problem so far is battery life and bluetooth music controls. It will not let me pause, change tracks, etc. Any work around for this? I am a bit new to android and do like the inspire.

I use MixZing Basic for music, works perfectly with playlist.
I like this phone a lot. The only concern I have is call freezing. I had a G1 before, it freezes a lot when answering a call. It forced me to switch to IPhone 4. I hope this one doesn't have the freezing issue so I can sell my IPhone 4 on ebay, haha

acPIZZA said:
I charged mine fully and have been playing with it for a while now. The battery has gone down only a tad - in no way can you literally 'watch the battery drain'. I think this will only improve with root. And the screen seriously is just as impressive as the retina display. It's really tough to see pixels on this thing - everything is bright, sharp and clear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats good; keep in mind though that you're using a new phone and the battery life will get worse the more apps you download, the more widgets you have, and as you add more screens and files to the phone.
You should definitely take advantage of rooting wnd trying to find a ROM that has undervolting and over/under clocking to get the most out of the battery.

I have used my stereo Bluetooth headset and I can pause and skip tracks. I'm using stock player.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App

Pulled The Trigger: Skyrocket Sold

After about a week of ownership, I've sold my Skyrocket and placed an order for the Galaxy Nexus. Below are the factors that contributed to my decision.
1. Screen. 800x480? I know that's the limitation of the display technology, but come on. After owning an Atrix for months, looking at SR's screen felt like my grandma using her big-button TV remote. The details weren't that crisp either and the bluish whites were annoying me to to end.
2. Notification LED. This was my first Android phone without LED and I thought I could live without it, but turns out I'm simply too addicted and reliant on it.
3. Ear and Loud Speakers. Both are sub-par for such a high end device. The ear speaker is way too deep to make out what others are saying, and the loudspeaker volume is too low and sounds pretty bad past half way.
I will certainly miss LTE, but at the end of the day, I neither stream much nor download loads on my phone. Plus, not much coverage where I live.
I realize the camera is sub-par on the GN, but I probably take about 10 pics a year on my mobile. Just as well, the 16GB storage without microSD doesn't bother me either as music is the only thing I save on my phone...and most of the time I don't even have to with Google Music. Movies? That's for my iPad2.
Good luck to all SR owners.

spielnicht said:
After about a week of ownership, I've sold my Skyrocket and placed an order for the Galaxy Nexus. Below are the factors that contributed to my decision.
1. Screen. 800x480? I know that's the limitation of the display technology, but come on. After owning an Atrix for months, looking at SR's screen felt like my grandma using her big-button TV remote. The details weren't that crisp either and the bluish whites were annoying me to to end.
2. Notification LED. This was my first Android phone without LED and I thought I could live without it, but turns out I'm simply too addicted and reliant on it.
3. Ear and Loud Speakers. Both are sub-par for such a high end device. The ear speaker is way too deep to make out what others are saying, and the loudspeaker volume is too low and sounds pretty bad past half way.
I will certainly miss LTE, but at the end of the day, I neither stream much nor download loads on my phone. Plus, not much coverage where I live.
Good luck to all SR owners.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too bad you didn't like the SR. I was considering it before too but mainly because of the lack of Dev Support. Its gotten better now. There are solutions to your issues but it doesn't matter, I'm sure the Sexy Nexxie will still be good. I'm waiting for the LTE version myself.
Good luck

How much did you get for the skyrocket???, and how much did u pay for the nexus???....

So you paid $700+ for a new phone because no led and "poor loudspeaker" lol..
Gook luck with that..

Bye
Also, why is it important to share with everyone? Do you share and layout the reasoning for your underwear and socks with the store clerks??

Who'll good luck with your next phone...I too needed a led notification...and found no led...and it works great...so far loving me first Sammy...and that is coming from a HTC fan
Sent via rooted SkyRocket

spielnicht said:
After about a week of ownership, I've sold my Skyrocket and placed an order for the Galaxy Nexus. Below are the factors that contributed to my decision.
1. Screen. 800x480? I know that's the limitation of the display technology, but come on. After owning an Atrix for months, looking at SR's screen felt like my grandma using her big-button TV remote. The details weren't that crisp either and the bluish whites were annoying me to to end.
2. Notification LED. This was my first Android phone without LED and I thought I could live without it, but turns out I'm simply too addicted and reliant on it.
3. Ear and Loud Speakers. Both are sub-par for such a high end device. The ear speaker is way too deep to make out what others are saying, and the loudspeaker volume is too low and sounds pretty bad past half way.
I will certainly miss LTE, but at the end of the day, I neither stream much nor download loads on my phone. Plus, not much coverage where I live.
I realize the camera is sub-par on the GN, but I probably take about 10 pics a year on my mobile. Just as well, the 16GB storage without microSD doesn't bother me either as music is the only thing I save on my phone...and most of the time I don't even have to with Google Music. Movies? That's for my iPad2.
Good luck to all SR owners.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could have looked at the Nitro HD. At least it has LTE, a micro SD card slot, and superb camera if you ever need it...

spielnicht said:
Bought the Skyrocket for $149 from AT&T, solid it for $560.00. Bought the Galaxy Nexus for $705.00. At the end, I only paid $294. So to your point, no I didn't pay $700 for a loudspeaker, I paid $294 for a nicer phone with 1000x nicer display, LED notification, better sound quality, ICS + pure Android, NFC, and on and on. Not sure why you were so hung up on the loudspeaker though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no problems whatsoever with the audio of the device. You may be a very discriminating listener, but I think that the sound output was just great and the calls are extremely clear.
The screen resolution is supposedly at a low end but I have to say that I do not perceive much of a problem, if any at all. Everything looks crisp and clear to me and the screen is a choice to use. I think that these super resolutions on these tiny devices are an overkill anyway. Nice to have, but irrelevant in everyday use.
LED lights? Does anybody care?
I just think that you wanted to get your hands on ICS a few months earlier!!!
Now, the Galaxy Nexus did not receive stellar reviews and what is available here has a 5 mpx camera vs the 8 mpx in the Skyrocket. I certainly do not know the camera resolution of the international version of the Nexus.

spielnicht said:
Bought the Skyrocket for $149 from AT&T, solid it for $560.00. Bought the Galaxy Nexus for $705.00. At the end, I only paid $294. So to your point, no I didn't pay $700 for a loudspeaker, I paid $294 for a nicer phone with 1000x nicer display, LED notification, better sound quality, ICS + pure Android, NFC, and on and on. Not sure why you were so hung up on the loudspeaker though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where are earth did you sell a SR for $560?:rolleyes...
Okay so you still paid $300 for a phone with a better speaker and ICS and NO lte...
Like I said.. Have fun and good luck with your "1000x nicer" 4g phone..
Seriously though.. would love to know where you sold a $150 phone for $560? I will sell mine tomorrow if that is true.
---------- Post added at 05:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:17 PM ----------
aretzios said:
I have no problems whatsoever with the audio of the device. You may be a very discriminating listener, but I think that the sound output was just great and the calls are extremely clear.
The screen resolution is supposedly at a low end but I have to say that I do not perceive much of a problem, if any at all. Everything looks crisp and clear to me and the screen is a choice to use. I think that these super resolutions on these tiny devices are an overkill anyway. Nice to have, but irrelevant in everyday use.
LED lights? Does anybody care?
I just think that you wanted to get your hands on ICS a few months earlier!!!
Now, the Galaxy Nexus did not receive stellar reviews and what is available here has a 5 mpx camera vs the 8 mpx in the Skyrocket. I certainly do not know the camera resolution of the international version of the Nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thing is you can't please everybody... watch soon enough he will be crying about this and that on the Nexus board.. He will sell it for $1500 and buy something else for $2000 and be cool.

I've considered doing the same thing. I'm happy with everything on the SR except for the screen. If mine weren't suffering from a particularly bad case of the "brushed metal look" I'd probably be more satisfied, but it just bugs me every night when I use my phone in bed.
I've been jonesing for a galaxy nexus too, but with no SD, and only 16GB of storage, I don't think that would work for me. I use my phone for videos a lot and at 720p resolution, the file sizes are going to be that much larger... 16GB would fill up way to fast.

EskimoPie said:
I've considered doing the same thing. I'm happy with everything on the SR except for the screen. If mine weren't suffering from a particularly bad case of the "brushed metal look" I'd probably be more satisfied, but it just bugs me every night when I use my phone in bed.
I've been jonesing for a galaxy nexus too, but with no SD, and only 16GB of storage, I don't think that would work for me. I use my phone for videos a lot and at 720p resolution, the file sizes are going to be that much larger... 16GB would fill up way to fast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just use a density changer.

crispy1805 said:
Just use a density changer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that will not help the lines.

I had a small screen (higher ppi) pentile screen (Galaxy U in Korea). when comparing it to a larger screen Galaxy S I can say you will not gain anything in terms of resolution. It won't be 1000x better. Because it is .15 inches wider, I would say it will be 1.04x better. A bit shy from 1000x.
So you traded for a AT&T LTE-less Galaxy Nexus? no LTE, microSDHC?
I would say it was a whopper of a bad decision. Hope you've verified in person that the speakers sound better because a lot of AT&T's voice call quality is dependent on the carrier.

I really don't see the "lines" anybody is talking about.. This screen is freaking clear as a bell... everybody who has seen this phone is amazed.. now Im running different launcher's.., etc.. and its beautiful!

spielnicht said:
1. Screen. 800x480? I know that's the limitation of the display technology, but come on. After owning an Atrix for months, looking at SR's screen felt like my grandma using her big-button TV remote.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, thats just what I thought too when I got home and compared to my Atrix! Funny stuff... Anyway I've gotten around it using ADW and a lot of switch out icons. I'm happy with my SR, but do question whether the absence of qhd or higher will keep me awake at night as I'm just a week from fully committed to the device. All in all, SR is the best phone I've owned to date.

spielnicht said:
After about a week of ownership, I've sold my Skyrocket and placed an order for the Galaxy Nexus. Below are the factors that contributed to my decision.
1. Screen. 800x480? I know that's the limitation of the display technology, but come on. After owning an Atrix for months, looking at SR's screen felt like my grandma using her big-button TV remote. The details weren't that crisp either and the bluish whites were annoying me to to end.
2. Notification LED. This was my first Android phone without LED and I thought I could live without it, but turns out I'm simply too addicted and reliant on it.
3. Ear and Loud Speakers. Both are sub-par for such a high end device. The ear speaker is way too deep to make out what others are saying, and the loudspeaker volume is too low and sounds pretty bad past half way.
I will certainly miss LTE, but at the end of the day, I neither stream much nor download loads on my phone. Plus, not much coverage where I live.
I realize the camera is sub-par on the GN, but I probably take about 10 pics a year on my mobile. Just as well, the 16GB storage without microSD doesn't bother me either as music is the only thing I save on my phone...and most of the time I don't even have to with Google Music. Movies? That's for my iPad2.
Good luck to all SR owners.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you remember you'll lose USB mass storage on the Nexus. That's a must need utility for me. Always transferring files to and from work.
That alone, smaller capacity, the subpar camera, LTE, and losing my unlimited plan from at&t is definitely not worth a nexus. Not when I can wait a month and get ICS.
The way I see it- your shiny new piece is already subpar, but to each is own. Good luck

Though the LTE implementation is cleaner on the Nexus, you could've also installed noLED for the notification light. Works great for me.

Lol you meant led implementation right? The nexus has no LTE

GalaxySkyrocket500 said:
I really don't see the "lines" anybody is talking about.. This screen is freaking clear as a bell... everybody who has seen this phone is amazed.. now Im running different launcher's.., etc.. and its beautiful!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only see the "lines" on mine when the display is at a very low (less than 25%) brightness level.
Turning up the brightness a little makes the display look incredibly clear and colorful.

Galaxy S3 or One S ?

I've been searching everywhere for a comparison thread or video or anything between the T-Mobile One S and Galaxy S3 . I right now have the One S and I am torn between this and the S3, so simple question, what phone do you think is better and why? T-mobile One S or T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 ( we pretty much know the specs)
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using XDA

As always, this is a question of tastes, likes and dislikes.
Looking only at the specs, the S3 is better.
But looking at practicability I think the One S is better.

If you don't care for the money go for the S3.
The benefits of the one s over the s3 are better price, better haptic due to the smaller screen and better touch due to the aluminium body.
On the other side the s3 comes with bigger battery, sd card support, better screen (hd), better cpu and probably the bigger fanbase in the future... Therefore more developers.
I don't use touchwiz or sense so this wouldnt matter for me.
Gesendet von meinem HTC One S mit Tapatalk 2

this is what ive been wondering. i have till the 18th to return my htc one s if i dont like it (since i get 30 days to return it here in california). ive had reboots, signal going in and out which has been driving me nuts and wifi calling dropping calls for no reason when i have full wifi signal. also i think the gs3 looks like crap to me and cheap and the htc one s looks way better, but the GS3 does have better features (IMO) then the htc one s.
Galaxy S3:
Bigger screen
HD screen
Expandable micro sd card
Bigger battery and also can be replaced
More ram 1gb vs 2gb which might not even matter
I think the cpu and gpu is the same as the htc one s
NFC
HTC One S:
Much better design and sexier
Camera software is better (i think it is)
Htc sense 4.0 (which i think is much better then touchwiz)
I figure for the money im better off with the gs3 since i paid 250 plus taxes for my one s. but i will see.

Firstly the GS 3 does NOT have a better processor, just because it is "quad" does not mean that it is better
The S/XL/X AT&T/Evo 4G LTE uses the latest snapdragon chip, the S4 dual core krait. Have a look at the benchmarks comparing the GS 3 and the HTC One S and the HTC One X (Snapdragon S4)
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i9300_galaxy_s_iii-review-761p5.php
Unless you are looking at the version that the USA is getting in which case the GS 3 will then have the s4 as well.
Also just because the GS 3 has a bigger battery does not mean that it is also going to be better
Many factors affect battery life:
- screen size/type/res.
- driver/software optimization for battery
- the hardware that is used especially the CPU
etc.
So due to the bigger screen/higher res, the bigger battery is needed.
From what I have seen (from people who know what to post for screenshots regarding battery life and the required info. ) and heard from a friend (who owns the GS 3), the battery life does not sound that good, seems very average and only slightly better than the X.
Also just look at the atrix, it had a big battery, yet its battery life was terrible.
However, due to the s4 being very power efficient, the battery life could be a fair bit better than the exynos quad gs3,
version.
At least you will be able to get an extended battery though
The GS 3 only has 1GB of RAM as well (USA version has 2GB). There really is no need for any more RAM.
The GPU in the GS 3 is better (the GPU in the GS3 USA version is the same as the HTC one s [adreno 225])
So to sum up, if you want a bigger/better screen, more storage for dropbox, internal and the choice of using an SD card, NFC, better 1080P video recording (camera/photos seems good, but not a huge difference from what I can see and the HTC one/Sense V4 has a lot more features and some of them are great along with a better UI IMO) and a larger developing community go for the GS 3.
Although play with the GS 3 first and see what you think of touchwiz as I personally don't like it one bit, hate the colour scheme, modded apps and feels like a big step down from sense V4 overall IMO. Although touchwiz is tweaked very well under the bonnet.
Also you may find the GS 3 to be too big.

I think the OP is talking about the T-Mobile Galaxy S3 which will have dual core not a quad. Sure it all comes down to preference, would you like to have "TAMPERED" written to your bootloader and documented by the same company that is supposed to honor your warranty ? How bout a VGA front camera ? Maybe the atrocious cut out for the ****ty front camera? How bout poorly designed antennae that struggle to get a signal inside a building ? What about a non expandable 16gb memory device of which only about 10 is free ?
Touchwiz and Sense both hog resources, but TW is much, much lighter. The One S restarts Sense every chance it gets, and has a serious multitasking problem.

KillaHurtz said:
Sure it all comes down to preference, would you like to have "TAMPERED" written to your bootloader and documented by the same company that is supposed to honor your warranty ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not an issue for a lot of people as some are happy with the stock ROM in its current state and see no reason to root and flash a custom ROM yet as the 1S is super fast and smooth out of the box with great battery life and features.
Also is that not only if you use their method via their website for unlocking or whatever it is?
KillaHurtz said:
How bout a VGA front camera ? Maybe the atrocious cut out for the ****ty front camera?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the front camera really that important? Out of all my friends and family that I know who also have a front camera on their android phones, no one actually uses it......
The quality isn't amazing, but it isn't terrible....
{
"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"
}
That was taken with some light coming in through the window (however, it is very cloudy outside, so it would be much better when we have blue skies)
The "atrocious cut out" There is nothing wrong with it IMO.
On the other hand the notification LED is atrocious and probably the cheapest/tackiest way that HTC implemented it.
At least the entire design and looks of the S is far better than the white & pebble blue GS 3, which looks like a cheap fisher price toy IMO......
Might be built very well and durable (not as durable as the GS 2 by the looks of things though) but there is no denying that in terms of "perceived quality" the HTC handsets especially the S due to the aluminium unibody/MAO process are still leagues ahead of Samsung.
KillaHurtz said:
How bout poorly designed antennae that struggle to get a signal inside a building ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had my device since release day and have had no problems with the signal whatsoever no matter where I am, just took these SS when in a shopping centre in the car park level (bottom level out of three levels) and this is my signal with a H connection, which usually results in a weaker voice reception as opposed to a G/E connection:
KillaHurtz said:
What about a non expandable 16gb memory device of which only about 10 is free ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not an issue for some people otherwise we wouldn't have even laid eyes on the device just like the others....
Unless you plan on throwing your entire music collection (can use google music as well instead) on to your device along with films etc. then there won't be any problem with storage.
Over 500 photos including lots of 1080P recordings, along with emulator files, wallpapers etc. over 60 apps installed (including games) and I still have plenty of storage.
KillaHurtz said:
Touchwiz and Sense both hog resources, but TW is much, much lighter. The One S restarts Sense every chance it gets, and has a serious multitasking problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have only had 2 reloads of the sense launcher when I was just using pure stock and it was only after returning from a game whilst using the browser as well. I have disabled a lot of sense widgets/apps etc. and use apex launcher, ics browser +, snowstorm weather widget, smooth calendar, APW calendar 4x4 widget, switch pro, and tasks free widget, swiftkey beta 3 and I have no problems with the multi-tasking, or any reloads whatsoever now.
And for the people who are experiencing the "serious" problems with the multi-tasking I am sure HTC will eventually release an update tweaking it or they could just root the mobile and install this app and then set the multi-tasking to what you want:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...t=W251bGwsMSwxLDMsImNvbS5ycy5hdXRva2lsbGVyIl0
I have had the GS 2 (on stock ICS) right beside my 1S (complete stock sense) and the 1S was noticeably quicker and smoother in every area that I tried be it browsing, games, loading apps/menus, carrying tasks out etc.
The GS 3 seems to have just as many problems as well, seems to be some wifi problems, screen problems amongst other problems and I am sure as time goes on and more and more people get their GS 3 will see even more posts stating problems etc. just like what it was with the 1S.
No device is perfect out of the box, guaranteed that every single device will have problems, even the iphones, which are suppose "to just work out of the box" have problems with the screen, buzzing in ear piece, poor battery life for a lot of handsets and signal problems as well etc.
And just because people experience certain problems with their devices does not mean that it applies to every single handset there is in the world.....

When OP asks this question here, I assume you ask the same on s3 forum cos you will for sure have most of people recommend one s here and s3 there.
There is no definitely good or bad, or better or worse between these two. Even one s is not HTC's flagship, give it to other brands, it could enough take the crown.
We could only rationally compare the specs and provide personal preference which is so depending on individules. I wouldn't deny that s3 does have better specs in some areas but one s wins in others. And one s has a few issues such as the mao coating chipping off. But it does not stop us loving the phone, rather, it only makes us love it even more cos only when you care your device, you want it better, right? Just like me, I never know what problem s3 has and will have, simply because I don't really care, I am satisfied with my beloved one s and I am pretty sure I will keep loving it since it is almost almost perfect.
So, the best way to find out which one to get, is to see the specs first, then find out any issues with both, especially if there is any deal breaking one, if you still cannot decide, go play with both in your local shops and feel them yourselves. However, I do recommend avoiding black one s cos it has hardware issue, but grey one is fine.
In the end I would say, I lovey my one s! Hope lots of people do the same (of course, try love your one s, not mine )
Sent from my HTC One S using XDA

if you're mad about the reboots and random issues it has when it first came out don't think the s3 is going to be perfect and bug free either cause you're going to be dissapointed if you gave up ur one S for a rebooting brick

icecicle said:
if you're mad about the reboots and random issues it has when it first came out don't think the s3 is going to be perfect and bug free either cause you're going to be dissapointed if you gave up ur one S for a rebooting brick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only problem I have is the multi tasking on it, and also this weird screen flickering
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using XDA

s10shane said:
this is what ive been wondering. i have till the 18th to return my htc one s if i dont like it (since i get 30 days to return it here in california). ive had reboots, signal going in and out which has been driving me nuts and wifi calling dropping calls for no reason when i have full wifi signal. also i think the gs3 looks like crap to me and cheap and the htc one s looks way better, but the GS3 does have better features (IMO) then the htc one s.
Galaxy S3:
Bigger screen
HD screen
Expandable micro sd card
Bigger battery and also can be replaced
More ram 1gb vs 2gb which might not even matter
I think the cpu and gpu is the same as the htc one s
NFC
HTC One S:
Much better design and sexier
Camera software is better (i think it is)
Htc sense 4.0 (which i think is much better then touchwiz)
I figure for the money im better off with the gs3 since i paid 250 plus taxes for my one s. but i will see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im in the EXACT same boat as you. I got my One S for 290 on Tmo with upgrade and am looking to sell back my One S for the GSiii. The only thing is I have til the end of this week to decide! Haha. If I sell back to T-Mo, will I be able to upgrade again?

Regarding reboots, since release day pretty much, I have only had 2 reboots and they both happened when I was using swiftkey beta 3, so it may have been related to that app due to it being in "beta" stages.....
Haven't had any more reboots since the latest beta version and update for the 1S *touch wood*

Closed Source Project said:
Im in the EXACT same boat as you. I got my One S for 290 on Tmo with upgrade and am looking to sell back my One S for the GSiii. The only thing is I have til the end of this week to decide! Haha. If I sell back to T-Mo, will I be able to upgrade again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah u can still upgrade if u return it within the 30 days or whatever days u have. i probably will trade mine back in right before it ends. it just depends on how much the gs3 cost me. i cant stand no micro sd card expansion. i know we get drop box but what good is drop box when ur out and u get crappy 2g? its pretty much useless and so is google music. this is why i would much rather have expandable memory so i dont have to rely on my internet connection. it just sucks to give up such a sexy ass device plus i normally hate samsung and love htc but i feel like im getting more for my money if the gs3 cost me the same as the htc one s cost me. if it cost more then i will stick with the one s.

s10shane said:
yeah u can still upgrade if u return it within the 30 days or whatever days u have. i probably will trade mine back in right before it ends. it just depends on how much the gs3 cost me. i cant stand no micro sd card expansion. i know we get drop box but what good is drop box when ur out and u get crappy 2g? its pretty much useless and so is google music. this is why i would much rather have expandable memory so i dont have to rely on my internet connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the exact same reason I am considering switching over for. Thanks for the reply, nice to know I get my upgrade privilege back. If you find out how much the GSiii will cost on upgrade, please let me know. I will do the same for you
EDIT: I read Samsung states that the newest device should be 199 with contract (upgrade I assume as well if TMo is good). So same price if not cheaper if TMo does or doesn't have the 50 mail in rebate like with the One S (at least for me in Chicago). I found that on THIS article.

Closed Source Project said:
That is the exact same reason I am considering switching over for. Thanks for the reply, nice to know I get my upgrade privilege back. If you find out how much the GSiii will cost on upgrade, please let me know. I will do the same for you
EDIT: I read Samsung states that the newest device should be 199 with contract (upgrade I assume as well if TMo is good). So same price if not cheaper if TMo does or doesn't have the 50 mail in rebate like with the One S (at least for me in Chicago). I found that on THIS article.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet if its 199 with no rebates then I will get it asap. I paid 250 plus tax and over night shipping which cost me 340 which is kinda to much money for this phone. I sent the rebate in but it can take up to 8 weeks to get my 50
Sent From My HTC One S Using XDA Premium App

As I see it the main reason to choose the one s over sgs3 is the size. And that was a good enough reason for me
Sent from my HTC One S using XDA

Habarug said:
As I see it the main reason to choose the one s over sgs3 is the size. And that was a good enough reason for me
Sent from my HTC One S using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the size is nice and its 720p which is also nice. I like the expandable micro sd and the removable battery is nice as well and NFC support.
Sent From My HTC One S Using XDA Premium App

Terminator19 said:
Not an issue for a lot of people as some are happy with the stock ROM in its current state and see no reason to root and flash a custom ROM yet as the 1S is super fast and smooth out of the box with great battery life and features.
Also is that not only if you use their method via their website for unlocking or whatever it is?
Is the front camera really that important? Out of all my friends and family that I know who also have a front camera on their android phones, no one actually uses it......
The quality isn't amazing, but it isn't terrible....
That was taken with some light coming in through the window (however, it is very cloudy outside, so it would be much better when we have blue skies)
The "atrocious cut out" There is nothing wrong with it IMO.
On the other hand the notification LED is atrocious and probably the cheapest/tackiest way that HTC implemented it.
At least the entire design and looks of the S is far better than the white & pebble blue GS 3, which looks like a cheap fisher price toy IMO......
Might be built very well and durable (not as durable as the GS 2 by the looks of things though) but there is no denying that in terms of "perceived quality" the HTC handsets especially the S due to the aluminium unibody/MAO process are still leagues ahead of Samsung.
I have had my device since release day and have had no problems with the signal whatsoever no matter where I am, just took these SS when in a shopping centre in the car park level (bottom level out of three levels) and this is my signal with a H connection, which usually results in a weaker voice reception as opposed to a G/E connection:
Not an issue for some people otherwise we wouldn't have even laid eyes on the device just like the others....
Unless you plan on throwing your entire music collection (can use google music as well instead) on to your device along with films etc. then there won't be any problem with storage.
Over 500 photos including lots of 1080P recordings, along with emulator files, wallpapers etc. over 60 apps installed (including games) and I still have plenty of storage.
I have only had 2 reloads of the sense launcher when I was just using pure stock and it was only after returning from a game whilst using the browser as well. I have disabled a lot of sense widgets/apps etc. and use apex launcher, ics browser +, snowstorm weather widget, smooth calendar, APW calendar 4x4 widget, switch pro, and tasks free widget, swiftkey beta 3 and I have no problems with the multi-tasking, or any reloads whatsoever now.
And for the people who are experiencing the "serious" problems with the multi-tasking I am sure HTC will eventually release an update tweaking it or they could just root the mobile and install this app and then set the multi-tasking to what you want:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...t=W251bGwsMSwxLDMsImNvbS5ycy5hdXRva2lsbGVyIl0
I have had the GS 2 (on stock ICS) right beside my 1S (complete stock sense) and the 1S was noticeably quicker and smoother in every area that I tried be it browsing, games, loading apps/menus, carrying tasks out etc.
The GS 3 seems to have just as many problems as well, seems to be some wifi problems, screen problems amongst other problems and I am sure as time goes on and more and more people get their GS 3 will see even more posts stating problems etc. just like what it was with the 1S.
No device is perfect out of the box, guaranteed that every single device will have problems, even the iphones, which are suppose "to just work out of the box" have problems with the screen, buzzing in ear piece, poor battery life for a lot of handsets and signal problems as well etc.
And just because people experience certain problems with their devices does not mean that it applies to every single handset there is in the world.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with this post almost completely.....except that I am definately having the data issue. I am hoping against hope that the ghost firmware update will correct this.
I returned mine yesterday and am having the same problem with this second one.
Edit-I think I'm in a fringe/low lieing area. I never get a real good signal, but the indicator fluctuates wildly. Mostly at 1-2 bars or less.
I myself would choose the One S over the SIII. Which I did.
I was a little concerned about the battery but it has turned out to be a non issue. Battery life is superb!

Changed my mind. I am sticking with the One S. Build quality is wayyyy better plus I would have to shoot myself in the groin if I had to deal with TouchWiz, even for one day. It's nice that you can have much more memory, but that's about it.

Closed Source Project said:
Changed my mind. I am sticking with the One S. Build quality is wayyyy better plus I would have to shoot myself in the groin if I had to deal with TouchWiz, even for one day. It's nice that you can have much more memory, but that's about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah it does suck but at least there is apex launcher which makes any phone nicer lol. plus im sure there will be a cm9 rom for it somewhere along the way. lol im still thinking about it. i probably wont make up my mind till i see the pricing official from tmobile

Why is the One S underestimated??

Guys I have seen lots of reviews of our phone.I own it for two months and I am very pleased with it.In fact in most reviews is faster than other premium phones and except for the screen resolution in terms of characteristics is great.Also its size is great and all these made me choose it between hox and gs3.In fact I had it side by side with hox and in swapping hox fealt heavy and laggy compared to hos.S4 is really great.But, it is not considered to be top range and has lost value pretty easily.Its retail price is close to the others but it is considered cheaper.These facts had made me to reconsider my buy and thinking of changing device.What you guys think?
Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk 2

boulek said:
Guys I have seen lots of reviews of our phone.I own it for two months and I am very pleased with it.In fact in most reviews is faster than other premium phones and except for the screen resolution in terms of characteristics is great.Also its size is great and all these made me choose it between hox and gs3.In fact I had it side by side with hox and in swapping hox fealt heavy and laggy compared to hos.S4 is really great.But, it is not considered to be top range and has lost value pretty easily.Its retail price is close to the others but it is considered cheaper.These facts had made me to reconsider my buy and thinking of changing device.What you guys think?
Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You only want a new phone because your old one lost value, although you consider your phone better then the higher priced ones? What I think is that you are a moron, lolz.

Are you happy with it? Don´t change it...

I dont think its better, but I think its equal .But I don't understand why it is so underestimated...That's all
Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk 2

Get the s3 its way better
Best battery life 6-7hrs screen time
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

Most probably it's because it has flaws, that are unacceptable in a top-notch high end device?
Like the premium extra-durable cover, that needs to be handled with extra care, and it still does not guarantee, that there will be no chipping?
Or the light leaks below the front glass?
Or the squeaking top cover?
Or the ridiculously small storage capacity?
Or the far from perfect video support (I need to have two extra players installed, and I still am not sure if the movie I have just downloaded will play or not)?
The only reason I am still keeping it is the perfect form factor, but every time I notice a new scratch, that appears out from nowhere, I just want to get rid of this expensive piece of crap.

Thats y u need to root. I have the rom i ported from HTC ONE S with new kernel..runs just as fast, obviously rooted, overclocked, v6 supercharged and swap enabled minus bloat...u should stay with it. Root it and get the energized from NRGZ8..themed and tweaks..He is one of the best developers
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium

Look at it from a customers point of view, who aren't phone/tech geeks like us. Lets say 60/70% did some homework ad looked around. They decided on andriod over ios. They seen whats on the market and might even watched some youtube clips.
What most people will likely see:
Quadcore > Dualcore (Most people wont know what or S4 can do)
Bigger screen > better form factor. I think most people won't take the time to pick the phone up and hold it. and see how it feels in their hands.
And the one S got a pretty crappy screen regarding resolution/density.
This plus the fact our phone is just about 100 euro's? cheaper than the one X or SIII which excel in all these points.
Most people wont see the elegance of this device. You have to stand still and hold it will you fall in love with the seize, form factor, build quality and design of this device. And I think most wont/will do this when they walk in the phone store, because there are so many choices.
And this is if they disregarded htc completely because their friend, bother, uncle had a htc once and they didn't like that one.

Diaze said:
Get the s3 its way better
Best battery life 6-7hrs screen time
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What a load of BS
I have yet to see anyone get 6-7 hours on screen time on the GS 3 from one charge out of the box (unless you're someone who keeps airplane mode on, screen brightness to like 0% etc.). Going by proper usage as in wifi on all the time or 3G/H data and auto brightness with some browsing, phone calls/texts, quick game, some videos etc. the one S battery life is better, (maybe not by much) due to the S4 chip and smaller screen with a lower res. At best the GS 3 seems to get about 5 hours on screen time and at best the one S gets 6 hours on screen time, however, the majority of people seem to be getting only about 3-4 hours on screen time spread across a 1-2 days with the GS 3 where as the majority of people are getting 4-5 hours on screen time spread across 1-3 days.
Also the only areas where the GS 3 is better by a lot are:
- screen in terms of res. and size
- storage
- 1080P recording
- NFC
- NLED
The S is better in:
- IMO sense largely the camera overall, way more features, much better UI (camera quality is more or less the same, wins some, looses some), gallery, calendar app etc. only good thing about touchwiz are the tweaks/features like smart stay, smart status bar, which can be had on pretty much every mobile now through apps
- build and perceived quality and IMO looks
- better CPU for performance per core (more important than having an extra 2 cores as hardly any apps utilise dual fully let alone quad), power efficiency, heat
- cheaper
Everything else is more or less the same, audio, camera quality etc.
The words, which you should be using is a more "complete package"
viator said:
Most probably it's because it has flaws, that are unacceptable in a top-notch high end device?
Like the premium extra-durable cover, that needs to be handled with extra care, and it still does not guarantee, that there will be no chipping?
Or the light leaks below the front glass?
Or the squeaking top cover?
Or the ridiculously small storage capacity?
Or the far from perfect video support (I need to have to extra players installed, and I still am not sure if the movie I have just downloaded will play or not)?
The only reason I am still keeping it is the perfect form factor, but every time I notice a new scratch, that appears out from nowhere, I just want to get rid of this expensive piece of crap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have had my one S since April and have no chipping at all apart from the inside of the USB port, not exactly the most careful either, I just keep it in a pocket of its own, set it down on a clean surface, I only use a case every now and again.
Is that really an issue? I only notice it in pitch black whenever I have a black wallpaper showing. Besides the buttons are far better than the GS 3 buttons especially since the Gs3 has a hard home button, which just ruins the look of the front and better than many other devices IMO, only way it can be topped is with on screen buttons like the GN). Oh and btw so does the GS 3 and a lot of other phones:
{
"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"
}
PB model isn't as bad but it still does as well.
EDIT:
Oh wait you mean, the way the light actually goes on to the bottom of the screen? Again is that really an issue? As I said, only time I notice it is in pitch black with a completely black wallpaper. You will also probably notice black spots on the screen with a black wallpaper but again, this is normal on every AMOLED based screen.
Have had no problems with squeaking on mine. Even if there was a problem, it still has far better build quality than any other phone and the ceramic back would make up for it IMO.
Storage is a problem for a lot of people, however, if it is, then the people just won't bother looking at this phone then and get the GS 3 or something with an SD slot, I have no problems with mine, over 80 apps installed, this includes a number of games including games like dead trigger and I still have 1.53GB available, I have 876 photos including 1080P/slow motion videos, loads of emulator ROM files, wallpapers/icons etc. and I still have 4.81GB left, could easily free up the majority of that space as all my photos are backed up each day to my PC and I imagine that "average joes" wouldn't be overly fussed about it either. After all the Galaxy nexus etc. have no SD slots and limited storage yet they do very well still, just not as well as the like of the GS 3 and GS 2 etc. For me and a lot of other people storage isn't a problem therefore we don't really consider it a con for ourselves.
What problems are there with video support, any file I have thrown at it plays flawlessly on BS player, this includes 720/1080P MKV's (size is 10GB+, split up into parts), AVI, MP4 etc.
Vauix said:
Bigger screen > better form factor. I think most people won't take the time to pick the phone up and hold it. and see how it feels in their hands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really true, why do you think the iphone 4/4s is so popular Many "average joes" can't stand the size of a lot of these phones today or the plastic used and is why they largely go for the iphone as it is small and feels great and looks great (not keen on the looks myself but I can see why people like it so much) They even consider the one S and GS 2 to be too big
It is simply due to the lack of advertising, I still have not seen one ad on TV for the one S, always the one X and have lost count of how many ads there have been for the GS 3 now......... and HTC don't seem to be too popular here (UK), a lot of people look down on them, even the majority of average joes seem to think that they are an awful company, no idea why though, granted their support isn't the best when it comes to sending mobiles of for repair etc. and some of their phones have been rather crap but the one S and one X (now that the issues have been sorted out) are their best phones they have released to date and sense V4 is much better than previous versions.
The only real problem that people (the ones who know know a bit more about phones than the average joes) have with the one S is:
- storage
- pentile matrix used instead of RGB
I don't really have any problem with those, the pentile is noticeable in some areas, however, I only notice it when I concentrate on the edges of icons and have my face really close to the screen, the rest of the screen is great, colours, viewing angles, blacks and best of all, how easy it is to see the screen in sunlight, don't have to be above 70% brightness to easily make out what is on the screen, no need to cover the screen with your hand etc. Plus apparently pentile matrix is better for battery life and so I personally rather have it due to that reason.
Anandtech sum my views up pretty much spot on regarding the screen quality:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5868/htc-one-s-review-international-and-tmobile/6
PS sorry for the wall of text

I'm ready to go back to my S2. Scratches appear out of no where. I have never used a screen protector on any of my phones and never got a single scratch. This phone is great but now my screen has scratches and its bothering so bad.
Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app

Mine has some drops and dont even one scratch anywhere
Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk 2

Get an iphone, it still has it's value here retailing for €749 xD
Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk 2

I came from a GS2 to One S (S4) - but only for a week. Reasons are, the OLED display is not good enough for me, sorry but it is not up to much in terms of resolution and light output. The black case chips on its own, it seems. I've had and sold several smartphones over the recent years and NEVER had any marks on the case or screen. I'm careful but not anal about it. This phone just made me weep! Finally, the so-called notification LED is a freakin sick joke. Pointless engineering faux-pas.
Now happy with my Sony XS...

Here are the reasons that tipped my clicker finger to buy the One S...
T-Mobile now has unlimited data and that's switchable between 5G
The One S has 42 Mbps (so does the Samsung S2/3)
Those 2 above provide backed up data at an avg of 18 Mbps in my house. So, AT&T's LTE was eliminated.
One S is a better device for my needs... size and interface
One S has a very bright display that's easier to read
That's only a few. The S3 is a nice plastic phone with a lot of stuff.
The stuff I need and the functionality of using it is on the One S.

I debated long and hard and did a lot of research on the One S and the SIII before buying and finally decided on the One S. Couldn't be happier with my decision. The quality and performance of the One S is great. The SIII feels cheap and is so hyped up. I get 6 hours screen on time overclocked at 1.72GHhz and score over 6000 on quadrent. I also like that I can choose between sense and pure android.

My gf got the S3 and I got the one S, I'm happy with my choice.
The S3 was too big for my liking and had TouchWiz. I also thought the One S would have better ROM options once I decide to root the phone.
Either way I ended up with a nice upgrade from my MT4G
Sent from HTC One S

Samsung Galaxy S4 review: Decent, but full of gimmicks

Samsung Galaxy S4 review: Decent, but full of gimmicks
{
"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"
}
I've seen Android phones get better and more powerful over the years, as Google and phone manufacturers pack devices with more and more features. There comes a time, though, when less is more. I'm afraid we've reached that time.Samsung's new Galaxy S4 smartphone is an excellent device from a hardware standpoint. Measuring 5 inches diagonally, the screen is slightly larger than that on its predecessor, the Galaxy S III. Yet the S4 is a tad lighter and smaller overall. The S4's display is also much sharper, at 441 pixels per inch compared with 272 on the S III. The S4 has one of the sharpest screens out there.
The Android operating system it runs is excellent, too, and in recent years the Google-made system has become a healthy competitor to Apple's iOS system for iPhones. Like most Android phones, the S4 comes with a suite of useful Google apps, including Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps and the voice assistant Google Now. Because Google lets device makers customize Android to suit their needs, Samsung and others have been adding their own distinguishing features.
And that's the source of the problem. Packed with bags of tricks, phones have become way too complicated for many people to use. In some cases it's because these custom features work only some of the time. In other cases, you're confronted with too many ways to do similar things.
As much as Apple can be criticized for exerting control over what goes on its iPhones, it wins on simplicity. There are no competing agendas - just Apple's.
By contrast, Android has turned into a free-for-all. For instance, the Sprint version of the S4 phone has at least four different ways to watch video - one that comes standard with Android, one added by Sprint and two added by Samsung. Some content works with one but not the others.
And to watch video on one of the Samsung apps, the one called Samsung Hub, you have to navigate through two screens trying to sell you video that I couldn't get to work on the other apps. As much as it adds to the clutter, Samsung would rather you use its service and not the standard Android one. That way, Samsung rather than Google gets revenue from video sales. Samsung Electronics Co. has its own app store, too, to rival Google's own Play store on the same device.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't consider buying the S4.
Another highly praised phone, HTC One(Review I Pictures), has a lot of clutter as well. The display on the One is slightly smaller than S4's, but it has a higher resolution. The One sounds better, too, with front-facing speakers, while the S4 has a speaker on the back. The One might be the one for you if you watch a lot of video and listen to a lot of music. But the One feels heavier and bulkier, and its battery holds less charge than the S4.
The four national wireless carriers, plus U.S. Cellular, Leap Wireless' Cricket and C Spire, will sell the S4 in the United States. Release dates vary, and some will start this week. Expect to pay $150 to $250 up front with two-year contracts (T-Mobile calls them installment plans as it markets contract-free service).
Despite my complaints with all the add-ons on the S4, a number of them show promise
Easy Mode
It's not entirely new, as the S III and the Galaxy Note 2 have it, too. But Samsung makes that option more prominent when people set up the S4 for the first time. Icons in Easy Mode are larger, so you are less likely to hit the wrong one and have to figure out how to go back. You also get fewer choices for customizing the phone and using its camera, so there's less confusion about which to pick. Easy Mode isn't as easy to use as I would have liked, though, because features and settings from the regular mode creep in now and then.
Multi Window
Again, this feature isn't entirely new, but it's the first time I noticed it. It allows you to run two apps side by side, the way you've long been able to on traditional computers. That means I can keep up with Facebook on the top half of the screen, as I send email from the bottom half about all the dumb things my friends are saying on Facebook. Unfortunately, it works with a limited number of apps. Foursquare and Instagram aren't among them. And I needed an online video tutorial to figure it out.
Air View
When you point to an email or calendar entry with your finger, you see contents pop up in a bubble. That way, you don't have to open the entry and find the back button to return to what you were doing. Samsung has this feature on the Galaxy Note 2 phone, but that's designed for use with a stylus. On the S4, you simply hover over the entry with your finger. I wish it would work with more apps. For instance, you can use it with Android's generic email app, but you can't on the one made specifically for Gmail.
All of these would benefit from being part of Android rather than an add-on from Samsung. Easy Mode would truly be easy if it were designed from the start that way rather than as something that couldn't fully separate itself from the main Android. More apps would work with Multi Window and Air View if they were standard features, not ones app makers have to adapt for one by one.
And then there are some features that got in the way
I mentioned the competing ways to watch video and buy apps.
Another is Smart Pause, which automatically pauses video when your look away from the screen. The phone's front camera detects your eyes. Smart, but the feature also pauses the video when you cover your eyes, say, to avoid a gory scene in a horror movie. It's as if the phone is forcing you to look. And there are few times my eyes are glued to video. I typically multitask and watch video while doing other things.
Smart Scroll detects the tilt of your head or the phone to automatically scroll text, such as when you're reading a long article on a Web browser. Smart, but it sometimes scrolls past what I want to read. It's difficult to move the text back without touching the screen, something Smart Scroll is supposed to eliminate. And at times, I have to keep my neck up in an uncomfortable position to stop scrolling.
With Air Gesture, you wave your hand over a sensor for such tasks as browsing a photo album or scrolling through text. I can see it being useful when you need to answer a call while driving (not that you should), but I had difficulty getting the phone to respond properly with photos and Web pages. It reminds me of automated water faucets that won't let me wash my hands no matter how much motion I make.
Fortunately, the phone comes with many of these features already turned off, and you can turn off others you don't need or want. It took me a while to figure out that the Wi-Fi connection on my phone kept mysteriously turning on by itself because of some feature called Smart Mode. So Smart Mode is now off. Group Play is a feature that lets you share music and photos with other S4 users on the same Wi-Fi network. But I don't know of any S4 users, and it doesn't work with Group Play on the S III. I couldn't uninstall the app, so I buried that in a new folder called Junk.
The S4 has plenty of other features I could dismiss. Some might like the camera's ability to erase a stray individual out of photos or to combine several images of motion into a single shot. But I'm a purist, and I'm not a fan of manipulating images. And the feature for using the phone as a TV remote control? That's what remote controls are for.
I shouldn't have to spend a lot of time customizing the phone to turn off or hide what I don't want. Many people never change the default settings. I've been using the S III as my main phone since July, and I've rarely found a need to reach into its bag of tricks. I simply want a phone that is easy to use.
The S4 can be that, but first you must figure out how to hide all its gimmicks.

aukhan said:
[I simply want a phone that is easy to use. The S4 can be that, but first you must figure out how to hide all its gimmicks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a N2 and a lot of the "gimmicks" on it have been inherited by the SGS4. I like the gimmicks and wouldn't buy a phone in the future that didn't have some of the ones I use regularly. How everyone reacts to Samsung's features is YMMV. Like you said, they can be turned off or people can flash an alternate ROM.

BarryH_GEG said:
I have a N2 and a lot of the "gimmicks" on it have been inherited by the SGS4. I like the gimmicks and wouldn't buy a phone in the future that didn't have some of the ones I use regularly. How everyone reacts to Samsung's features is YMMV. Like you said, they can be turned off or people can flash an alternate ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well honestly i feel that Custom roms are much 10X times better then stock , But what i feel is Its better to wait for Note 3 , i would rather prefer Note 3 over s4 any day :good:

so.... you're an apple fanboy?
i'd rather choose 1 way of doing things out of 8 possible choices, or 4 like in your example of the video players, than being stuck with only one choice, that WORKS even though you might like one of the 8 choices better.
running gingerbread steeldroid. for my launcher... i use ADW on my droid 3. MX player for my videos. and handcent for my texting. i simply use them by default.
lastly, i feel like this is a review meant for phandroid or android central, not XDA haha.

aukhan said:
well honestly i feel that Custom roms are much 10X times better then stock , But what i feel is Its better to wait for Note 3 , i would rather prefer Note 3 over s4 any day :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note 3 would be awesome and guess what? The same features that you call gimmicky are one of the main reasons why people love the note in combination with the Spen and the fantastic battery life. The note 2 wouldn't have been as successful if it didn't have an S pen and multiwindow. Imagine if the Note 3 comes out without an S pen and the airview and all that (believe it or not some folks call the S pen gimmicky but those of use that use it for real will find a hard time to part ways with it). Would you still get it? Probably not cause then it becomes a big phone with great battery life but nothing that makes it special or stand out.
People love criticizing Samsung for many things, plasticky, gimmicky, cartooney touchwiz ect.... But those exact same things are what make people want more of Samsung and folks don't take a second to realise it. I actually applaud Samsung for trying to innovate and bring new features to the table, features that like you said, can be turned off anytime if you want.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

The One might be the one for you if you watch a lot of video and listen to a lot of music
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree strongly here. I watch a lot of movies and listen to a lot of music on my phone, and by all accounts the Galaxy S4 is seeming that it will be the best for these.
-I may be wrong, but AMOLED seems better for darker backgrounds such as watching movies I believe due to it using less battery in such environments, and the saturation color options allow things to pop out even near the screen edge.
-The GS4 offers a slightly larger screen and thus more real estate to view videos/movies on. The HTC has better ppi, but I think it goes without saying that's not going to be as noticeable as the smaller screen, if it can be noticed at all.
-Ear/head phones, wired and wireless, are always better than speakers for listening to movies and music. The speakers from the HTC produce no bass, and as a simple matter of physics, sound traveling through the air isn't going to compare to sound going by wire straight into your ears. More importantly, you can listen to music and movies without bothering other people. As far as headphone quality goes, I recall that both phones were either equal or that the GS4 produced better quality, but I'm not sure.
Lastly, I plan on carrying around a lot of podcasts, music, and videos in storage for when my connection is bad or I have no connection at all, such as being out of network range or the towers being down/needing repair or upgrades. The Galaxy S4 offers expandable storage for all media needs, a perk not offered in the HTC One. I realize this is only one part of your review I'm picking at but I just felt it was worth noting that improved speakers don't necessitate a device is better for music/movies.

barondebxl;. I actually applaud Samsung for trying to innovate and bring new features to the table said:
I totally agree with you , Its a new innovation , let me tell this , I was a real big fan of Blackberry and when i went to purchase this BB9780 Bold the same store person asked me for the requirements what specifically you are looking for said productivity (office Use) , Multimedia , Social networking , he said we had a new launched device Samsung Galaxy note I was not a real big fan of Samsung , Checked the phone came back home said give me a weekend time ill get back , Checked reviews out of Box videos Tips tricks and was amazed everything was outstanding , and now being a proud owner with Custom Rom and hacks and Mods its really difficult to live without it epically the gigantic Display , i am sure the next update will have almost all the features what s4 has but my personal opinion is Note 3 will be worth a wait :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

fade2green514 said:
so.... you're an apple fanboy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hard Core Hatter of Apple Iphone but huge fan Macbook Air

All I got from this nonsense post is that you're afraid of gory movies. You big baby.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

Bigjim1488 said:
All I got from this nonsense post is that you're afraid of gory movies. You big baby.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just trying to show Pros and Cons of those gimmicks

Sarcron said:
The One might be the one for you if you watch a lot of video and listen to a lot of music
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The One i was referring to HTC One

aukhan said:
Hard Core Hatter of Apple Iphone but huge fan Macbook Air
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol! Android is open source, fully customizable. Apple is not.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

jorv976 said:
Lol! Android is open source, fully customizable. Apple is not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that is True
Apple is like an Old age phone which i would refer it as an Nokia 6600 with Touch LoL !

aukhan said:
The One i was referring to HTC One
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, I was addressing the HTC One vs the GS4 on video/music.

Sarcron said:
I know, I was addressing the HTC One vs the GS4 on video/music.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm ... but still i feel the Stock Headphones needs to be improved a lot .
i love the loud speaker music but stock earplugs are real like dirty sound have to shell out more money and buy other brand earplugs (Beats:good.

aukhan said:
hmm ... but still i feel the Stock Headphones needs to be improved a lot .
i love the loud speaker music but stock earplugs are real like dirty sound have to shell out more money and buy other brand earplugs (Beats:good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find Beats unbearable, especially the non high end ones. Have you been to any audiophile forums at all? Go on and check what most audiophiles have to say about beats audio. Probably you find it great, and lets agree to disagree there.
And the stock headphones aren't that great, but is surprisingly one of the better ones among the rest of the crappier ones. Haven't tried S4/One headphones, but I'm referring to the ones that came with the Note II, which I presume is the same that came with S4 too. Someone had compared all the headphones on head fi, let me see if I can dig that up.

tuxonhtc said:
I find Beats unbearable, especially the non high end ones. Have you been to any audiophile forums at all? Go on and check what most audiophiles have to say about beats audio. Probably you find it great, and lets agree to disagree there.
And the stock headphones aren't that great, but is surprisingly one of the better ones among the rest of the crappier ones. Haven't tried S4/One headphones, but I'm referring to the ones that came with the Note II, which I presume is the same that came with S4 too. Someone had compared all the headphones on head fi, let me see if I can dig that up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well the headphones i got with HTC rezound i've been using them quite some time they have started spoiling , will buy some new one in next few days , yes sure i've not been to any forums but this time will check and pick the best ,
What is your preference in earplugs which one do you use ?

aukhan said:
well the headphones i got with HTC rezound i've been using them quite some time they have started spoiling , will buy some new one in next few days , yes sure i've not been to any forums but this time will check and pick the best ,
What is your preference in earplugs which one do you use ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I don't use stock at all, but if I'm stuck with stock, Samsung is decent. I use Koss KSC75, which is incredible sounding for it's price - for multimedia uses that is

tuxonhtc said:
Oh I don't use stock at all, but if I'm stuck with stock, Samsung is decent. I use Koss KSC75, which is incredible sounding for it's price - for multimedia uses that is
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i believe those are around 20$ the same in India are sold for 40$

aukhan said:
i believe those are around 20$ the same in India are sold for 40$
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, that's a rip off, but for the quality, I'd pay even 80$ without any thoughts. It rivals many of the high end headphones, it's THAT good. I don't know any <50$ earphones that are even in the same ballpark as KOSS KSC75 anyways.