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Hey guys,
I really want to upgrade my phone. Currently I have a Desire S but the screen is far to small for my needs :/
So i want to upgrade. There are 3 phones were i'm interested in: the Galaxy S2, the Galaxy Nexus and the normal Sensation.
I really like the speed of the S2 and the hardware home button, but the resolution is incredible low on this device Against that there is the Nexus, its a bit slower from what i've heard but has a beautiful screen in my opinion. Did any of you guys know if the decrease in speed is noticeable in daily use? I really like that it is also supported directly from Google and get the updates asap.
There are also the Sensation because i like the aluminium case from HTC.
I prefer the Nexus and the S2 a bit over the Sensation. So which phone you recommend for me?
- Cheers Jahai
Jahai said:
Hey guys,
I really want to upgrade my phone. Currently I have a Desire S but the screen is far to small for my needs :/
So i want to upgrade. There are 3 phones were i'm interested in: the Galaxy S2, the Galaxy Nexus and the normal Sensation.
I really like the speed of the S2 and the hardware home button, but the resolution is incredible low on this device Against that there is the Nexus, its a bit slower from what i've heard but has a beautiful screen in my opinion. Did any of you guys know if the decrease in speed is noticeable in daily use? I really like that it is also supported directly from Google and get the updates asap.
There are also the Sensation because i like the aluminium case from HTC.
I prefer the Nexus and the S2 a bit over the Sensation. So which phone you recommend for me?
- Cheers Jahai
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry to tell you, but I think you are at the wrong place. Everyone here likes his desire s.
If you need a big screen, try galaxy note or use pc
Sent my thoughts to your head with XDA App
Jahai said:
Hey guys,
I really want to upgrade my phone. Currently I have a Desire S but the screen is far to small for my needs :/
So i want to upgrade. There are 3 phones were i'm interested in: the Galaxy S2, the Galaxy Nexus and the normal Sensation.
I really like the speed of the S2 and the hardware home button, but the resolution is incredible low on this device Against that there is the Nexus, its a bit slower from what i've heard but has a beautiful screen in my opinion. Did any of you guys know if the decrease in speed is noticeable in daily use? I really like that it is also supported directly from Google and get the updates asap.
There are also the Sensation because i like the aluminium case from HTC.
I prefer the Nexus and the S2 a bit over the Sensation. So which phone you recommend for me?
- Cheers Jahai
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would advise you to wait for the Mobile World Congress before upgrading... you'll have many more options within a couple of months...
But if you still want to upgrade now, here's my input :
1. Sensation : ? Why would you want to consider that? It's an average phone, and from whatever time i've spent on it on my friend's phone, it's nothing to write hone about. Does anyone even remember the original Sensation anymore (Especially after the XL and the XE?)
2. The SGS2 is a very very fast phone, with great hardware, but i have two issues with it : The screen has a bluish tinge to it, and colour reproduction is inaccurate across the spectrum. Secondly, it looks like a plastic business card holder
3. The Galaxy Nexus is a lovely looking device, the form factor is very attractive. In my discussions with zeekiz (who bricked his DS and migrated to the GN) he says he loves the phone and it's not slow or anything like you mentioned. Plus, you'll be the first person to get the next Android version update (Jellybean). Thirdly, it always makes sense to go for the newer device, both for the gains in hardware, as well as company support that comes more easily and lasts longer for newer (especially) flagship phones.
Best of luck choosing your next device!!
Jahai said:
Hey guys,
I really want to upgrade my phone. Currently I have a Desire S but the screen is far to small for my needs :/
So i want to upgrade. There are 3 phones were i'm interested in: the Galaxy S2, the Galaxy Nexus and the normal Sensation.
I really like the speed of the S2 and the hardware home button, but the resolution is incredible low on this device Against that there is the Nexus, its a bit slower from what i've heard but has a beautiful screen in my opinion. Did any of you guys know if the decrease in speed is noticeable in daily use? I really like that it is also supported directly from Google and get the updates asap.
There are also the Sensation because i like the aluminium case from HTC.
I prefer the Nexus and the S2 a bit over the Sensation. So which phone you recommend for me?
- Cheers Jahai
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a small note here, with my experiance the 3.7' of the Desire S is the largest screen size for a mobile that I can -almost- fully use with one hand, whenever you go beyond that, you may have to get used to work with both hands, and that made me drop the sensation in favor of my DS
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
I came from a HTC Sensation to the Desire S as i found the Sensation too big. Surprisingly i have found the Desire S not much slower.
I would also wait for the MWC...but if you can't wait, IMHO Sensation is a good device especially after it's rooted and equipped with the custom ICS based roms made for the XE version (with CPU at 1.5 Ghz)...i think capy's work.
Anyway you have a lot of roms to try even with ICS out there.
Regarding the SGSII it's ok if you want a plastic phone....
Galaxy Nexus has a good screen and it's not slow but i think it's a little big, you will clearly need 2 hands if you want to use it properly.
cpx07 said:
Regarding the SGSII it's ok if you want a plastic phone....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No-go for me... Plastic toy feeling
Sent my thoughts to your head with XDA App
eyahl said:
No-go for me... Plastic toy feeling
Sent my thoughts to your head with XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right on! Exactly my thoughts about the SGS2. It feels like a business card holder!
Wait for mwc and HTC edge if price isn't the big deal
Otherwise, i personaly would buy a sensation, the gs2 is sure a nice device, but like mentioned above the screen isn't the best and the plastic body feels weird.
The galaxy nexus isn't a device for me, there are 2 dealbreakers at my opinion, even if the resolution is better than at the gs2 the grapic chip is wors and there is no sd slot.
The update cycle is sure a point and the nfc also, but for my opinion it's a pure developer phone.
The sensation is from hardware almost the same like the sensation xe and every rom can be exchanged between those 2 devices, there is no nfc, for sure, but the gs2 also haven't got one, so this isn't a point of interest for you i think.
Also even if all of them have them same frequenzies the sensation runs at a stock speed of 1.5 ghz with an xe rom, so it got the highest frequency of those phones.
Swifted from my Desire S far away from my PC
yeah i'd wait for MWC but if not galaxy nexus for all the reasons above. It is definitely not a slow phone, especially since google probably built ICS for the nexus. The only thing i hate about the nexus phones is the fact that they're always released at awkward times. By awkward, i mean right before all the new hardware comes out. My brother has an S2 and it does have a horrible plasticky feeling. While the galaxy nexus is the same, it seems to hide it better. The white S2 is even worse! It has no grip on the back which makes it absolutely horrible to hold, not to mention a liability too.
It's been a while since I did a megga-post.....
From what I'm hearing about HTC's line-up for MWC, I hope they also announce a sensible phone. At the moment I really don't know what I'll get, as the current rumours all seem to have several problems for me.
1. Screens too big.
I have a non-upgradable 2.5" thumb. I've spoken to my network provider but they wont give me a larger one. I do not want to have to change grip or use two hands to turn screen on/off. The DS screen size is perfect. It is fine watching films on Netflix.
2. Quad core. Really?
Does anyone remember the Coca-Cola/Sprite stunt yo-yo's from the eighties? (Bear with me here, work is a little slow today and I feel a rant coming on.) They were a massive craze when I was at school. They came in two versions. "Standard" and "Pro". The Pro ones cost nearly twice as much. Why was that? It was because the Pro version had "Pro" written on the side. That was it. They were the same size and weight as the standard version. But every kid in my class practically sold a kidney to get the pro version, because to show up in the playground with the standard version stood you out for ridicule, and everyone was certain the Pro version could do better stunts. What is quad core going to give us? How often is it going to be running on more than 2 cores? Can it do better stunts? My single core phone can render web pages quickly, run any game I've asked it to, record 720p video at 30fps, and has a smooth and lag free UI. It just doesn't have "Pro" written all over it. That word seems to brain-wash kids into doling out dosh! Kids love the idea of being "Pro". Look at what every premium version of any app on the Android Marketplace is called.
3. Skinny form-factors
Leading to phones being bendy and having a non-removable battery. I like my solid aluminium DS. I've held the SGS2. It feels like a kinder surpise egg. Squeeze it too hard and I worry it'd break. Plus if we are having to have a (pro) Quad Core phone don't we need a bigger battery? Did you know the HTC Edge has a fifth core (super pro) that is a very low power companion core for when the phone is off in your pocket? Turn your phone on (without dropping it changing your grip to reach the button) and expect laptop battery life from the 40nm chip. Will it come with a Pro Charger?
4. No SD Card slot.
OK most of the phones with these also claim built-in 32GB storage which is fine for capacity, but what if I brick my phone larking about on XDA? What if it just packs in? Currently all my music/photos/documents would simply be removed and put into another phone. If it's built-in and your phone wont boot.....Are the cloud-storage sites encouraging phone manufacturers to do this?
5. Build Quality.
HTC seem to have really dropped the ball with this one. They used to be fantastic. However I know 3 people who have bought the DS since September (on my recommendation) and all of them have been back for repair at least once. One of them died for the second time two nights ago with the dreaded eMMC chip failure again! WTF? Did they replace the faulty board with another one prone with the same weakness? She also waited 6 weeks to get that phone back the first time. I feel guilty now. Also check Amazon for the reviews of the DS. Since September it's started getting a load of 1 star reviews and they all read the same. It seems I was lucky in buying my DS on it's release, before it seems HTC moved production to the local wine bar/crack house. There is no way I'm spending £450 on something I'm not confident will last a year or will take me 6 weeks to get repaired.
If HTC...no if ANYONE announce a phone that has: A screen under 4", solid build, removable battery, SD card slot, improved camera optics, decent amount of RAM, reasonable battery life and justifiable processing power, then I'll get my wallet out. Or if it comes with a free Pro Yo-Yo. They do better stunts.
Basically I want a DS with a nicer camera and bigger battery. And a sticker that says "Pro" on it.
wnp_79 said:
It's been a while since I did a megga-post.....
(Bear with me here, work is a little slow today and I feel a rant coming on.)
Basically I want a DS with a nicer camera and bigger battery. And a sticker that says "Pro" on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brilliant!
Love the rant (and i thought i was the only one with this illness)
I agree on mostly everything you've said above... especially HTC screwing up on its strengths... build quality, sub-par components, and progressively bloat-ier (i know that's not a word) Sense... Though i'd still buy an HTC instead of a Samsung, all things set aside, they do better stunts!!
Yeah. Your words seem to come right from my mind.
a desire s pro would be really cool
Sent my thoughts to your head with XDA App
If i had the choice, i'd choose the sensation in a heartbeat.
First, it has the beat build IMO. The SGS 2 is too plasticky and since it's far too thin, it feels weird in my hand. The galaxy nexus is waaaaaay to big. The sensation is perfect
Second, HTC Sense. It is just too good and i can't get a device that has no chance of getting Sense. Besides, touchwiz sucks and the stock experience on the nexus can be acieved through an AOSP ROM.
That said, the super amoled screen is quiet good ad a plus point of both sammys.
That said, i recommend you wait till MWC. Something awesome will surely come up. There is a thread, full of leaks on the two upcoming htc devices, the One X and the One S.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1476788
it has to be the htc amaze, i think its a great phone, in addition to that htc has quality in its build, as in our desire s the aluminum feel is way better than the plastic in most samsungs
I have loved and used Samsung phones since I switched from HTC's fuze.
I had a Captivate, a Galaxy S, Note, Galaxy S3 and was planning on getting a Note 3. The Captivate and Note where grey imports and the Note 3 was going to be one. Another thing that I liked is that you could flash the latest rom from any region and use the modem from your region, did this with all of them.
Now with all the bootloader locking, Knox warning after rooting and now region locking it's very doubtful I'll get the Note 3.
Now this thread is here not to defend the Note 3, or to rant and vent against Samsung, but to provide alternatives to it. It should be a better phone that the Note 1
What would you recommend or what are you planning on doing?
Any recommendation should be unlockable, flashable and rootable as Samsung's phones USED to be.
So, do you guys have any thoughts on the following phones? Pros, cons against the Note 3?
HTC One Max? When will this phone be announced and available?
Sony's Xperia Ultra?
$769.50 Unlocked
Pros: Bigger screen
Cons:
No stylus
No flash on the back
Glass on the back
Screen seems to pick up scratches if you use a pencil and touch is not pressure sensitive. See Ericka Griffin's review
Note 8
$477.50 3G Unlocked
$589.50 LTE Unlocked
Pros:
Even bigger screen
Cons:
Probably would need a BT handset like Sony's SBH52 or Samsung HM5000 Pen Type Bluetooth 3.0 Headset
Outdated S3 hardware and lowres screen
Note 3 Developer's edition
Has anyone used the Note 2 Dev edition? Pros, cons?
Cons:
Really don't know if this will be available, and if it becomes available what capabilities it will or won't have.
So, any thoughts?
Sent from my LG-LS970
jgaviota said:
I have loved and used Samsung phones since I switched from HTC's fuze.
I had a Captivate, a Galaxy S, Note, Galaxy S3 and was planning on getting a Note 3. The Captivate and Note where grey imports and the Note 3 was going to be one. Another thing that I liked is that you could flash the latest rom from any region and use the modem from your region, did this with all of them.
Now with all the bootloader locking, Knox warning after rooting and now region locking it's very doubtful I'll get the Note 3.
Now this thread is here not to defend the Note 3, or to rant and vent against Samsung, but to provide alternatives to it. It should be a better phone that the Note 1
What would you recommend or what are you planning on doing?
Any recommendation should be unlockable, flashable and rootable as Samsung's phones USED to be.
So, do you guys have any thoughts on the following phones? Pros, cons against the Note 3?
HTC One Max? When will this phone be announced and available?
Sony's Xperia Ultra?
$769.50 Unlocked
Pros: Bigger screen
Cons:
No stylus
No flash on the back
Glass on the back
Screen seems to pick up scratches if you use a pencil and touch is not pressure sensitive. See Ericka Griffin's review
Note 8
$477.50 3G Unlocked
$589.50 LTE Unlocked
Pros:
Even bigger screen
Cons:
Probably would need a BT handset like Sony's SBH52 or Samsung HM5000 Pen Type Bluetooth 3.0 Headset
Outdated S3 hardware and lowres screen
Note 3 Developer's edition
Has anyone used the Note 2 Dev edition? Pros, cons?
Cons:
Really don't know if this will be available, and if it becomes available what capabilities it will or won't have.
So, any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see them releasing a developer edition for this phone as much as I would get one it is all about the Spen in Samsungs eyes but you never know
How are Sony's, HTC's and LG's attitudes to rooting now?
Acer Liquid S2 looks very interesting.
Almost same great specs as Note 3:
snapdragon 800 quad core 2.2, Adreno 330, 13mp camera (4K video rec), 1080p Corning Gorilla Glass (lcd) display, 2gb ram.
but with larger screen 6", 4 led ring flash (powerful flashlight), stereo speakers, microSD, up to 128 GB, and... fm radio!
Lte support: 800 / 1800 / 2600.
They haven't published a weight for it yet. No Knox or Region lock! I'm guessing hoping an unlocked boot loader! I have a new crush!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317
keeping my note 2 and buying the refreshed version of this W3 Windows x86 Desktop OS tablet for 280$
http://www.staples.com/Acer-ICONIA-W3-810-1600-81-32GB-Tablet/product_48343
because no phone or phablet will be 8.1" in display size
or have a real desktop OS that runs .exe files
and just use it in tandem using my note 2 to tether unlimited verizon 4G to the windows tablet. and keep the note 2 for calls, messages, notifications, GPS.
both in either pocket.
I was SO getting a Note3 to replace my Note2 as quickly as possible but recent events have turned me off and I'm in no hurry whatsoever anymore. I'm going to sit tight and follow how things develop.
If you're into Samsung have a look at the Mega which I had for about a week. It was really nice but I ended up returning it because when I set the brightness to 100% it would often "auto-dim" due to overheating.
Right now I'm keeping my Note2 but have actively started to look at other brands (I'm only one person and Samsung could care less about my business, but if bad reputation spreads things could change quickly).
Personally the only other phone alternative I would consider is HTC Max which I think is being launched on 15th Oct.
both ultra and mega are sluggish in comparison to Note 3 so a no no for me, and mega is plastic. Note 3 is lovely phone with good features but the beast is caged in cheap looking plastic and the bezel is ugly. The design has put me off somewhat but I love the features. So not sure what I'll do with it I've been offered iPhone 5s 64gb to swap, I'm considering it.
Xperia Z Ultra is the best alternatives.
How about HTC One MAX which will be coming soon?
Fact of the matter is none of the other large size screen phones are considered alternatives to the Note. An alternative or a substitute is something that fulfills the same benefit. Even now after two years of launching the note, there is no phone that provides you with same or equivalent multi tasking features and the S-pen.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2
The Xperia Z Ultra is too big with the bezels. I had it for awhile. And it scratches so easily.
If I wasn't getting the Note 3 it would be the LG G2. Nice big display and fast. I also had it for awhile to test. Great phone.
The Oppo N1 is the only interesting phablet alternative.
yes +1 for Oppo N1.
http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_n1-review-990.php
Tubgirl said:
I was SO getting a Note3 to replace my Note2 as quickly as possible but recent events have turned me off and I'm in no hurry whatsoever anymore. I'm going to sit tight and follow how things develop.
If you're into Samsung have a look at the Mega which I had for about a week. It was really nice but I ended up returning it because when I set the brightness to 100% it would often "auto-dim" due to overheating.
Right now I'm keeping my Note2 but have actively started to look at other brands (I'm only one person and Samsung could care less about my business, but if bad reputation spreads things could change quickly).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
riz157 said:
Personally the only other phone alternative I would consider is HTC Max which I think is being launched on 15th Oct.
both ultra and mega are sluggish in comparison to Note 3 so a no no for me, and mega is plastic. Note 3 is lovely phone with good features but the beast is caged in cheap looking plastic and the bezel is ugly. The design has put me off somewhat but I love the features. So not sure what I'll do with it I've been offered iPhone 5s 64gb to swap, I'm considering it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding the Galaxy Mega, Samsung missed a HUGE (pun intended) opportunity with that device. I checked it out in person at an AT&T store. The first thing I thought was 'Holy Jesus, this thing is huge' (and i'm a pretty big guy, but even I was surprised at the size). The second thing I thought as I played with it was how laggy it was. I know they were just testing the waters, but they went too low-spec with that device. I think people like us (nerds and technophiles) could deal with the lower-res screen and the plastic feel of the phone, but the internals of the device killed it. If they had done slightly better specs (I'm talking maybe Note 2 range) and a slightly smaller screen (6"), there would have been people jumping all over that phone.
That being said, if they come out with a Galaxy Mega 2 next year that is actually speedy and a little bit smaller, then I might seriously consider buying one.
After a quick research I decided that I will wait for HTC ONE Max,My experience with my old HTC HD2 ,which is still my backup device,is very good.
Ascend Mate?
I used Huawei Ascend Mate for a while. It's a pretty good device, quad core, 2GB RAM, 6.1 inch, nice screen, good quality, and the price also. (I paid 350 euros for it in France, which is very cheap compared to the 750 euro price tag of the Note3). The cons were, only 8GB of inner storage (there's a slot for external SD card though), no stylus (this bothered me the most), not really good camera, and -well it isn't really important to every user- no custom software development. Rootable, so u can at least remove the bloatware. I've heard about some MIUI custom ROM for it, though, but never tried it.
hagba said:
After a quick research I decided that I will wait for HTC ONE Max,My experience with my old HTC HD2 ,which is still my backup device,is very good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck. They botched the launch of the One and now the One Mini whose design (at least in China) the One Max shares. Not to mention their precarious financial condition.
azzerc said:
Hi guys.
I have recently upgraded to the HTC One Mini and I have to say that I'd love this handset if it wasn't for the fact that the plastic edge/chassis keeps cracking. I am on my second handset as Vodafone were happy enough to replace my first one when I reported this issue to them but it has happened again on my second. These small cracks were not there when I first got either of the two handsets but seemed to appear after a few days of use. I have been back to the store again and they will replace the handset or let me change to a different model/brand so there is no issue there. My question are: Has anyone else had this issue? As I can't seem to find any info on other instances. And, Does it's big brother the HTC One have the same issue as I may upgrade to that?
Cheers guys any info would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=45061270#post45061270
HTC Corp is facing supply constraints on its latest smartphone, sources familiar with the matter said, piling pressure on already disappointing sales and increasing the likelihood the firm will post its first net loss this quarter.
The problems with the HTC One Mini, launched in mid-July to generally positive reviews, come partly from a casing shortage arising from design difficulties that are crimping production rates, one of the sources said.
The casing troubles come hot on the heels of shortages associated with the flagship HTC One model's camera module, indicating the Taiwanese company is still struggling to overcome supply chain difficulties which delayed the One's full launch and contributed to a record low first-quarter net profit.
Another source said consumer and telecom demand for the One Mini could not be met at the moment, even though analysts estimate that the company plans to ship only around 200,000 of the devices each month.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/24/htc-shortage-idUSL4N0HK18P20130924
BarryH_GEG said:
Good luck. They botched the launch of the One and now the One Mini whose design (at least in China) the One Max shares. Not to mention their precarious financial condition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
who knows my humble contribution may help them with their finacial situation!,besides since I dont have a marriage arrangment with Samsung I see no harm in flirting around a bit!!.
Galaxy Note 2 hands down.
It's such a shame that the K Zoom never really took off. I owned one for about 6 months and loved it. I only changed it when the Note 4 was released. But during my time with the KZ I found the camera produced amazing photos with its 10X zoom and Xenon flash. The phone part was very capable too with a good sized high resolution screen, along with a decent amount of power. I also thought the price tag on this device was very reasonable too.
So why did it fail? Well I am guessing on a few theories. Firstly, maybe that it looked too much like the Galaxy S5 and although I personally don't think either the S5 or KZ look bad at all, a lot of people do. Samsung was getting a lot of criticism for their lack lustre designs and maybe it was released at the wrong time. Another theory would be that it was bulky. Though less so than its predecessor the Galaxy S4 Zoom. Maybe some weren't sure about a hybrid device, especially when cameras on phones in general were exceeding the quality of standalone cameras.
But I am a firm believer that one of the reasons these niche devices fail, is because Samsung just don't develop or support them once they are released. I mean development for their flagship phones doesn't exactly impress, so what chance does a less popular device get? Take the Galaxy Camera and the Galaxy Camera 2. Both great and revolutionary devices at the time but they just didn't get any proper updates. Both stuck on Jelly Bean and both having issues that a firmware upgrade could have cured. The K Zoom would have benefited from some firmware update love and an upgrade from KK 4.4.2 too was much needed.
I have always wanted to be able to afford to keep certain phones I buy in an archive. But due to the cost I tend to trade everything in to get the latest devices. If I had to choose which ones I would keep, then the K Zoom would be one of them. It is a great phone hybrid, it's a shame it didn't sell well and it's sad there is no successor in the pipeline.
So, why do you think the KZ didn't do so well?
I love the Kzoom - i will never be getting rid of it
I have a few fones , my main driver is zen2 4gb ram 64gb 64 bit SoC .
The kzoom is too luxurious to carry around , mainly for special events
The little development that has been, is enough for me -- its a special device and always will be in my eyes
The only fail is people just want the latest and thats not always the best !
Perhaps Samsung should consider aggressively supporting custom ROM development for the device?
I still use my KZ SM-C111 & take it everywhere I go, I think it's the best android smartphone ever. The only downside is no real support from Samsung.
I just wish anyone successfully make Lollipop Lite for KZ since it came with only 8GB capacity :crying:
it's big, it's heavy, it doesn't have enougth memory, the camera is not dust proof, the battery is too small, but I cannot find any other smartphone with a 10x zoom !
Hello, I really love my k zoom. The pictures are beautiful and the phone is absolutely not to heavy. Soon I can pick another phone but what about the motorola x style?
The fact its big and heavier than normal are exactly the reasons I was seriously considering getting one for my mum who has problems with her hands. The weight and size would be easier for her to hold, modern phones are too small and light that she would just drop them.
The fact its stuck on KitKat is a problem though as I worry about any security holes left in the OS due to no updates.
Love it!
:good:
I've got the K-Zoom from the time it just got out and love it.
The only thing that really suck is the way Samsung has been treating its customers with their crappy update policy but one cant blame the phone for that
The main reason the phone never really 'took off' is in my opinion:
Lack of publicity in Europe.
I havent met anyone in Europe who knew the phone. Everyone who sees it and whom I inform about its specs is interested. Especially in its camera's capability's. The huge lens that appears out of the phone amazes everyone as well as the quality of the pictures. Havent had any negative remarks about the looks or its weight. In fact I've had countless requests of people who wanted to buy it from me.
The name should have been S5 zoom to like the S4 zoom which was more of a camera that could make calls.
I only found out about the K-zoom after intensive search for a good camera phone. Most people don't take that time but after calling/messaging, making pictures/videos is the biggest thing on smartphones so the problem want lack of interest.
Sure there are better phones and better cameras but who wants to pack both all the time?
I love my K Zoom but I wish Samsung (or an XDA developer) would support Marshmallow on it and allow apps to be transferred to the SD card.
The K-Zoom is not dead...
It just has been copied:
http://www.droid-life.com/2016/08/31/first-look-hasselblad-camera-moto-mod/
ROTFL!
rin67630 said:
It just has been copied:
http://www.droid-life.com/2016/08/31/first-look-hasselblad-camera-moto-mod/
ROTFL!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
copied? its a moto mod not a phone unlike KZ.
I love my K Zoom
apprentice said:
It's such a shame that the K Zoom never really took off. I owned one for about 6 months and loved it. I only changed it when the Note 4 was released. But during my time with the KZ I found the camera produced amazing photos with its 10X zoom and Xenon flash. The phone part was very capable too with a good sized high resolution screen, along with a decent amount of power. I also thought the price tag on this device was very reasonable too.
So why did it fail? Well I am guessing on a few theories. Firstly, maybe that it looked too much like the Galaxy S5 and although I personally don't think either the S5 or KZ look bad at all, a lot of people do. Samsung was getting a lot of criticism for their lack lustre designs and maybe it was released at the wrong time. Another theory would be that it was bulky. Though less so than its predecessor the Galaxy S4 Zoom. Maybe some weren't sure about a hybrid device, especially when cameras on phones in general were exceeding the quality of standalone cameras.
But I am a firm believer that one of the reasons these niche devices fail, is because Samsung just don't develop or support them once they are released. I mean development for their flagship phones doesn't exactly impress, so what chance does a less popular device get? Take the Galaxy Camera and the Galaxy Camera 2. Both great and revolutionary devices at the time but they just didn't get any proper updates. Both stuck on Jelly Bean and both having issues that a firmware upgrade could have cured. The K Zoom would have benefited from some firmware update love and an upgrade from KK 4.4.2 too was much needed.
I have always wanted to be able to afford to keep certain phones I buy in an archive. But due to the cost I tend to trade everything in to get the latest devices. If I had to choose which ones I would keep, then the K Zoom would be one of them. It is a great phone hybrid, it's a shame it didn't sell well and it's sad there is no successor in the pipeline.
So, why do you think the KZ didn't do so well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love my K Zoom. Was definitely not advertised enough/properly. After I Rooted my phone (My first Rooted phone) I was able to transfer all apps to the external 64gb SD & I mean all (Games, applications, etc)
The only reason that I want to change my phone is its lack of Mirrorlink support that my new vehicle has.
Great camera, good battery life
I even have my LG Optimus 3D because of its 3D camera & glasses free 3D content.
Its for keeps...
[email protected] said:
I love my K Zoom. Was definitely not advertised enough/properly. After I Rooted my phone (My first Rooted phone) I was able to transfer all apps to the external 64gb SD & I mean all (Games, applications, etc)
The only reason that I want to change my phone is its lack of Mirrorlink support that my new vehicle has.
Great camera, good battery life
I even have my LG Optimus 3D because of its 3D camera & glasses free 3D content.
Its for keeps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are lucky if you can afford to keep them. I had a HTC Evo 3D and I loved it. But 3D never took off sadly, the novelty factor was awesome but like most novelties they fall out of favour. This is another phone I would like to have kept in my little phone museum!
rin67630 said:
It just has been copied:
http://www.droid-life.com/2016/08/31/first-look-hasselblad-camera-moto-mod/
ROTFL!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree. This is just a bolt on to a phone, it's not the true hybrid device of the K-Zoom or S4 Zoom. It looks like Samsung don't have plans to produce another phone like this (though you never know)
G33RT. said:
:good:
...
Lack of publicity in Europe.
I havent met anyone in Europe who knew the phone. Everyone who sees it and whom I inform about its specs is interested. Especially in its camera's capability's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here I am from Rome, I quote everything you say. Now I'm just waiting my other phone (P9) to come back from service due to a broken (insured) glass and I'll send there my KZoom to change and clean the lens. This is the only drawback of such a good phone and such an extraordinary camera (I took some wonderful night pictures in Pisa, couldn't believe my eyes). As soon as it will be back I will root it and try to swap memorys.
Salva con nome said:
Here I am from Rome, I quote everything you say. Now I'm just waiting my other phone (P9) to come back from service due to a broken (insured) glass and I'll send there my KZoom to change and clean the lens. This is the only drawback of such a good phone and such an extraordinary camera (I took some wonderful night pictures in Pisa, couldn't believe my eyes). As soon as it will be back I will root it and try to swap memorys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently damaged my screen with some water. Got me a S5 mini. These are rather cheap and are quite good actually as well as water resist
Its 8mp cam doesn't perform al that bad but it doesn't compare to the K-zoom which i'm definitely going to get fixed!
Our K-zooms are going to be collectors items since there have only been made and sold few of them i believe :good:
Samsung K Zoom was the king once
Bought this phone (CM 115) for my wife the other day since it was on special and she has always wanted one ever since it was released almost two years back. She absolutely loves her new K Zoom and it's so sad to see how such a powerful phone camera is being ignored by it's developer Samsung.
This phone is amazing with how smoothly it integrates with that camera on board. Just also hope that one day there might be a little bit of something coming from Samsung for this phone in terms of OS that might make this phone more current.
I too own the Galaxy K Zoom, it's a bit...damaged - but otherwise works fine
Got it super cheap due to the digitizer being cracked near the bottom, and thought it was the greatest thing ever with that massive camera!
Played around with it for a while and yeah, it's a great phone with reasonable specs, looks like an S5 (Which never bothered me), and was the perfect blend of a "Camera Phone".
For use as a phone - perfect. In your hands it feels just like that era of Samsung Devices, then go into Camera Mode and it becomes like one of Samsungs flagship cameras. It's amazing how that switch is so well thought out.
Hex-Core, 2GB RAM, 4G/LTE etc. At first I thought it has to be more powerful, logically than the S5 but I think I maybe wrong.
Probably due to being on 4.4.2 and my S5 being on 6.0.1, there's a noticeable difference in speed and all that. The S5 is snappy whereas the K Zoom is a bit laggy.
Camera - I used it a lot for some great photos of close ups of electronics, PCBs etc. Then I kind of got a little iffy with the battery draining quick when taking a decent amount of photos and with the whole phone getting pretty warm and went to my S5 again and was happy with it.
So for 6 months it's been in my DroidDraw, (I have a lot of unusual Android based phones in there) and this was hidden at the side along with my other camera based phones like my HTC Evo 3D and Sharp Aquos 3D Camera phone (SH16?), anyway, got the K Zoom out and really made me think why did this phone fail. It is a great phone but for consumers, being bulky, looking like a reused design, an old OS etc. I think it all attributed to it becoming just one of those fad phones.
Whatever, I appreciate it for what it is. Samsung need to do another phone mix up one day. They can do it. Just need the demands for it I suppose.
So nobody made Lolipop for this phone ? How come ?
HI Guys,
I currently have the S5 and am looking to get a new phone but finding it hard to choose between S7 and the OnePlus 3?
I understand the Oneplus 3 is better value for money but which is the best phone overall? I am leaning towards Samsung as I have always used a Samsung but only worry is whether the performance drops after a few months? The 6GB ram on the Oneplus is pretty tempting but again not sure if with time the performance will be affected.
asureka90 said:
HI Guys,
I currently have the S5 and am looking to get a new phone but finding it hard to choose between S7 and the OnePlus 3?
I understand the Oneplus 3 is better value for money but which is the best phone overall? I am leaning towards Samsung as I have always used a Samsung but only worry is whether the performance drops after a few months? The 6GB ram on the Oneplus is pretty tempting but again not sure if with time the performance will be affected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think either device would be a great upgrade as both companies have done a great job as far as refining their flagship device and so you'll be getting a top phone either way. I have previously had a Galaxy S4 which I really liked and also a Oneplus which I also really liked, both for different reasons. Its going to come down to what needs/preferences you have or want to have in a new device such as camera, sound, build, software, etc.
I found my Oneplus One was great for ROMs,mods and tweaks, there was endless things you could tinker with if you wanted to (you didnt have to). With the S7, it will depend on whether you will be using the Snapdragon or Exynos version, as the bootloader is locked down on the Snapdragon version and so there wont be any aosp ROMs until someone (ever?) finds a way around that. The bonus of the Oneplus one was that it shipped with Cyanogen OS and there were so many (there still are) other ROMs you could try and choose from. Im not sure how this will compare on the OP3, but then again it might not be a big concern to you.
I have the Exynos version S7 myself and havent bothered with rooting or any roms yet as it runs so well out of the box, but its nice to know the option is there if I ever feel like it. I think the upgrade from S5->S7 is a good one for you, as you dont lose features such as the micro sd card and water/dust resistance, which you would have with the S6. The one thing that you would lose would be the ability to use a second battery as its obviously non-removable with the S7, but then again there are tons of good portable batteries these days which can cover that situation.
The OP3 definitely seems like a solid device in terms of actual physical build and specs, it would also be a nice change from Samsung/Touchwiz if you wanted a slightly different OS experience. I dont think the 6GB is something you will appreciate day to day or feel the benefit of right away, as Oneplus themselves hadnt really even optimised for 6GB of ram when they released the device and are currently working on an OTA to address this. But its definitely going to future proof the device for while and provide solid multitasking abilities, although the 4GB on the S7 does a great job of this as well.
I would read through the S7 and OP3 forums on XDA to get a feel of user's opinions and any pros and cons. Sometimes things (good or bad) only come to light a while after the devices have been in the hands of owners who are using them day in day out and putting them through their paces. I would happily recommend the S7 for lovely build quality, superb display, top camera, good battery and all the other features that are actually useful (water resistance, sd card slot). If I didnt have my S7 (it was a contract upgrade) I would seriously consider the OP3, especially as you can just order it without an invite this time, it seems to be very good value for money.
@gsmyth pretty much said it all. Give us an idea of how you use your Galaxy S5. Have you rooted, custom recovery, ROM's etc... Are you a multitasker, heavy browser or social media addict?
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA-Developers mobile app
S7 has
Much Better screen with higher resolution
Waterproof
Better warranty
Better camera
Better battery (screen on time)
Sd card 200g
Faster internal storage(speed)
Not usb type c (more accesories)
Exynos processor faster (multicore and everyday life use)
One plus 3 has
More ram
Better gpu for gaming
No knox
Rooting without loosing warranty
Os is simpler like aosp
Developer friendly
Lower price
Build quality is very good in both phones also design is something subjective.
Hi
I have a S7 and my daughter has a S7 Edge , both perform great , both look great ......i am really happy with it
http://m.pocketnow.com/2016/06/28/oneplus-3-vs-samsung-galaxy-s7
here a comparative of the two phones pro and con on both side
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
asureka90 said:
HI Guys,
I currently have the S5 and am looking to get a new phone but finding it hard to choose between S7 and the OnePlus 3?
I understand the Oneplus 3 is better value for money but which is the best phone overall? I am leaning towards Samsung as I have always used a Samsung but only worry is whether the performance drops after a few months? The 6GB ram on the Oneplus is pretty tempting but again not sure if with time the performance will be affected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps you're interested in my initial comparison between the two over on the OnePlus forum (What device did you ditch for one plus3? - Post 284).
With the S7(E) you are paying (considerably extra) for Screen and Camera Quality, Weatherproofing and design.
If these are not so important you can save money with the Op3. It is a good phone.
Hope this helps somewhat.
S5
I had a S3 before that I rooted and was using Cynagoen Mod for a while but that phone became extremely unstable and just became a brick by the end of it so I decided not to root or install custom ROM on my S5 thinking it would perform better over the long term. However after a year or so the performance dropped a lot and the past 6 months it's been terrible. It
I am more of a multi tasker and do use couple of different social media platforms but not too addicted by any means.
Thanks!
Thanks for your detailed response!! Really appreciate it!
gsmyth said:
I think either device would be a great upgrade as both companies have done a great job as far as refining their flagship device and so you'll be getting a top phone either way. I have previously had a Galaxy S4 which I really liked and also a Oneplus which I also really liked, both for different reasons. Its going to come down to what needs/preferences you have or want to have in a new device such as camera, sound, build, software, etc.
I found my Oneplus One was great for ROMs,mods and tweaks, there was endless things you could tinker with if you wanted to (you didnt have to). With the S7, it will depend on whether you will be using the Snapdragon or Exynos version, as the bootloader is locked down on the Snapdragon version and so there wont be any aosp ROMs until someone (ever?) finds a way around that. The bonus of the Oneplus one was that it shipped with Cyanogen OS and there were so many (there still are) other ROMs you could try and choose from. Im not sure how this will compare on the OP3, but then again it might not be a big concern to you.
I have the Exynos version S7 myself and havent bothered with rooting or any roms yet as it runs so well out of the box, but its nice to know the option is there if I ever feel like it. I think the upgrade from S5->S7 is a good one for you, as you dont lose features such as the micro sd card and water/dust resistance, which you would have with the S6. The one thing that you would lose would be the ability to use a second battery as its obviously non-removable with the S7, but then again there are tons of good portable batteries these days which can cover that situation.
The OP3 definitely seems like a solid device in terms of actual physical build and specs, it would also be a nice change from Samsung/Touchwiz if you wanted a slightly different OS experience. I dont think the 6GB is something you will appreciate day to day or feel the benefit of right away, as Oneplus themselves hadnt really even optimised for 6GB of ram when they released the device and are currently working on an OTA to address this. But its definitely going to future proof the device for while and provide solid multitasking abilities, although the 4GB on the S7 does a great job of this as well.
I would read through the S7 and OP3 forums on XDA to get a feel of user's opinions and any pros and cons. Sometimes things (good or bad) only come to light a while after the devices have been in the hands of owners who are using them day in day out and putting them through their paces. I would happily recommend the S7 for lovely build quality, superb display, top camera, good battery and all the other features that are actually useful (water resistance, sd card slot). If I didnt have my S7 (it was a contract upgrade) I would seriously consider the OP3, especially as you can just order it without an invite this time, it seems to be very good value for money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
Thanks! Was helpful, the price difference for the S7 is $120 USD extra so it would be worth paying $120 for those added features
drummerman said:
Perhaps you're interested in my initial comparison between the two over on the OnePlus forum (What device did you ditch for one plus3? - Post 284).
With the S7(E) you are paying (considerably extra) for Screen and Camera Quality, Weatherproofing and design.
If these are not so important you can save money with the Op3. It is a good phone.
Hope this helps somewhat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kutulu32 said:
S7 has
Much Better screen with higher resolution
Waterproof
Better warranty
Better camera
Better battery (screen on time)
Sd card 200g
Faster internal storage(speed)
Not usb type c (more accesories)
Exynos processor faster (multicore and everyday life use)
One plus 3 has
More ram
Better gpu for gaming
No knox
Rooting without loosing warranty
Os is simpler like aosp
Developer friendly
Lower price
Build quality is very good in both phones also design is something subjective.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More ram but its worst than s7 4gb ram.
S7 better choice.
Enviado do meu SM-G930F através de Tapatalk
asureka90 said:
Thanks for your detailed response!! Really appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries, let us know what you decide on. :good:
Whichever device you choose I think you will be happy. It's always fun when I pick up a new device especially when it's one of the latest flagship devices. Let us know which one you get. Good luck!
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA-Developers mobile app
gsmyth said:
No worries, let us know what you decide on. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got the S7 in silver! Going to switch today! Whats the best way to transfer all my data/apps to my new phone?
Also, does using Nova Launcher and Swift Keyboard affect the phones performance? I have used these two apps from day one so was wondering if its better to use the stock options for improved performance!
Thanks! @gsmyth @fast69mopar
Great. You'll be happy with the S7E especially now that root is available. The root game all happened in the last few days and there are several threads dedicated to rooting your device. I surely don't think using Nova with SwiftKey will affect performance in any way. Give it a shot and report back so other users will know. Good luck with your new S7E.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA-Developers mobile app
fast69mopar said:
Great. You'll be happy with the S7E especially now that root is available. The root game all happened in the last few days and there are several threads dedicated to rooting your device. I surely don't think using Nova with SwiftKey will affect performance in any way. Give it a shot and report back so other users will know. Good luck with your new S7E.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers! Will let you know how it goes!
asureka90 said:
Got the S7 in silver! Going to switch today! Whats the best way to transfer all my data/apps to my new phone?
Also, does using Nova Launcher and Swift Keyboard affect the phones performance? I have used these two apps from day one so was wondering if its better to use the stock options for improved performance!
Thanks! @gsmyth @fast69mopar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice one!
There is the Samsung switch app which should get most of your data over from your old device. You also get a USB OTG type adapter to hook up for transferring data.
I also use Nova launcher on devices as it's so customisable and also to get that stock look, but haven't installed it on my S7 as I haven't felt the need. Previously touchwiz was pretty laggy and boring looking but I think Samsung have actually improved it quite well. I do miss not having the hide apps feature and having to re-sort the app drawer after installing an app is pretty annoying,but not a deal breaker for me. I have also installed a material theme which changes the icon theme as well ( plus it themes the pull down drawer and settings menu.
I also just use the Samsung keyboard as it's working OK for me, again I have used the Google one on other devices but haven't felt the need to install another one. You can always give both apps a try and see what you prefer on your S7, it really depends on what you find better/nicer/easier.
Enjoy your new phone and see you around XDA!
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
if you looking for value go to op3 but if you have budget go to s7
I mean, I get it. They're both new phones, but other than RAM and processor, the two diverge quite quickly. The basic difference is Samsung put effort in display quality and quantity while HTC focused on sound quality. It's like comparing a tangerine and a tangelo. Same base, but two totally different things. And soon people will be drawing comparisons vs the Oneplus 5. Once again the op5 seems to have focused on camera. So grapefruit vs tangelo Just get one you like for display, audio, or camera and you're set, imo.
people are always comparing flagships to flagships. It's not just about comparing them as they have the same SoC and RAM. If everyone is just comparing like for like, then all comparison of Android vs iPhone would be silly
I think it's fair to compare them - many people are still used to the carrier 2 year cycle. For them (and myself, but for other reasons), now is the time to choose the phone they will be using for a significant amount of time. These are substantial investments, and people want to be sure they're getting "the best". Going for the "one you like for display, audio, or camera" is wise, but to some extent these can be adapted to if the competition seems likely to be more future proofed. For instance, Bluetooth 5 support on the S8 could potentially be a big deal down the road... but Unlocked phones tend to age better with ROMs.
I'm on the fence mainly because of how many Verizon features are missing right now and, with a current BestBuy sale the S8 can be had for basically the same (or less) cost...
The comparisons are more helpful than you might think. I think the biggest reason for most is to justify where to spend your money. Some might think that both phones are fast, so it doesn't matter what you get.
Completely wrong. It helps to give insight and different perspectives on the software, hardware, and just each person's personal preference. That's what it does for me, at least.
Now, would I say one is better than the other....no. That information is irrelevant.
I actually like the comparison. I like seeing everyone's caring opinion.
I'm still on the fence as to which to get. The S8 is a nice looking phone but the bad sound quality and poor developer support is turning me away. While the screen on the U11 does not compare.
The dilemma is that no phone does it all perfectly. I have both the S8 and U11. I love the S8's screen, but the U11 has better audio. The cameras are close, but the U11 has more detail under certain conditions. So I'm still searching for the perfect phone. If I want great pictures, I use my Galaxy S6. For audio, it's my Axon 7 or LG V10. But if I just want a good all around phone, I grab my U11 or S8. So sure, by all means compare phones. At the end of the day, you'll have to decide which features are most important to you.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Whatever I end up keeping, I'm hoping it will be replaced by the Google pixel 2
The S8 audio quality wasn't bad, but I really hate single bottom firing speakers. It just feels weird having one ear hear much louder than the other.
Tachi91 said:
I actually like the comparison. I like seeing everyone's caring opinion.
I'm still on the fence as to which to get. The S8 is a nice looking phone but the bad sound quality and poor developer support is turning me away. While the screen on the U11 does not compare.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is just an opinion. Do you have the U11? Have you seen the screen in person? It actually does compare.
Probably because they are the 2 top devices right now.
Cant put the G6 in the same category due to it running an obsolete SoC and the OP5 as much as it may have going for it lacks in many other areas so cant really put it beside the S8 or U11 either.
If the U11 had of went with smaller bezels (only to keep the overall size smaller) and a 6" screen I'd possibly sell my s8+ for one and thats saying alot as im a huge sammy fan.
The fact that HTC stayed with a flat screen is great, the sound is of course far better, cameras are close and both look amazing.
I just cant do the smallish 5.5" screen i dont think especially with the 6.2" on the S8+ even with the weird aspect ratio
Still its the best device HTC has built to date IMO and they are def on the right track for better sales I would think.
Sent from my S8+, S7 edge or S6
force70 said:
Still its the best device HTC has built to data IMO and they are def on the right track for better sales I would think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think so, too (especially since they sold put almost everywhere), but that depends on how bad their financial situation is. I think this will help them live to develop another flagship.
LibertyMonger said:
This is just an opinion. Do you have the U11? Have you seen the screen in person? It actually does compare.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Today I received my U11 6+128GB ver and I owned Galaxy S6 and LG G3, they are all 2K panel. I agreed both my older phones got better screen over U11 though the screen isn't bad for normal use and hardly noticeable for most people but when I read some low quality pdf doc I clearly see the different is there.
All and all, I get the phone with 6+128 at this low price with a good cam. I understand the screen quality might be a bit lower if HTC still want to make profit.
I don't see an issue with comparison between the two. After all the s series is the most popular Android phone out there and is usually always the top competitor.
The phones are also the same generation in the specs department so not comparing them would make no sense.
Sent from my LG-H918 using XDA-Developers Legacy app