Coming from iP5 to 1st Android phone; Question is One or GS4?

[hitlistbombshell]

I currently have an iPhone 5, and I am switching from my 5 to my first Android phone next month (May). The HUGE problem is that I can't decide between the HTC one and the Samsung Galaxy S4. Day to day, I keep going back and forth between which phone I am going to get. I adore the One's insane speakers and great build quality and dislike the "Ultrapixel" camera , while I love the GS4's beautiful 13MP camera, multiple software features, Touchwiz, and the fact that they made a smaller, thinner, and lighter device while giving it a bigger display. Can I get help choosing between the two greatest Android phones for at least the first half 2013!

 

[htowngator]

If you are used to iPhone you will likely go for the HTC phone over Samsung.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

 

[roberts68]

Can't go wrong with galaxy s4!
Great company, more support, better updates. I have the s2 and just got the latest jelly bean update!

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Android Central Forums

 

[mysterygirl]

I don't think you can go wrong with either device. I suggest you play with both once they are available and see what works for you. Everyone will value different things, so be careful of letting anyone tell you without reservation which is best.

My thoughts...I'm going with the One because I value both software and hardware design. This is where the One outshines the S4, in my opinion. I don't much care for Touchwiz. I also love what HTC is doing with the speakers and sound, which other companies could do to replicate. I'm excited to get an unlocked device at a great price without carrier bloat (this was important to me because of the amount of time I spend in other countries).

That said, the S4 has a lot of great features, even if many of them will be only infrequently, if ever, used. It also has a larger display and a proven track record of support. Removable batteries don't mean anything to me since I have a small external battery bank that provides the same function. And an SD card slot has little value to me, especially since the device I'm getting has 64 gb storage. BUT those items obviously mean a lot to some people, so you have to decide if they are of value to you.

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[mistyisland]

I currently have an iPhone 5, and I am switching from my 5 to my first Android phone next month (May). The HUGE problem is that I can't decide between the HTC one and the Samsung Galaxy S4. Day to day, I keep going back and forth between which phone I am going to get. I adore the One's insane speakers and great build quality and dislike the "Ultrapixel" camera , while I love the GS4's beautiful 13MP camera, multiple software features, Touchwiz, and the fact that they made a smaller, thinner, and lighter device while giving it a bigger display. Can I get help choosing between the two greatest Android phones for at least the first half 2013!

Too many reasons to go with the HTC One!
1. Price. You are paying less for more. GS4-$250 for 16g storage. HTC One--$199 for 32g.
2. Looks. The GS4 looks like it could come from the '80's, if they would have had smart phones back then. The One is just gorgeous. Call me shallow, but I'm an artist, and design is important to me. If I am going to carry something around for two years it should look good.
3. Camera. I love the idea of zoes. It is creativity without a whole lot of effort.
4. No air gestures on HTC One. That idea makes me shudder. I have enough problems with the touch screen on my Samsung tablet that WANTS to have air gestures, but isn't supposed to. I have visions of the GS4 screen morphing every other second, which is basically what happens if I even breathe on my tablet. Thanks, I'll take the One.
5. Great call quality. HTC One is stellar. Anything audio is reportedly excellent on the one.

Those are my reasons. You may have different requirements. I understand that HTC has software that makes transferring stuff from an Iphone to the HTC One very easy. I don't think Samsung has the same feature, but I'm not sure.

 

[mcpricex]

Can't go wrong with galaxy s4!
Great company, more support, better updates. I have the s2 and just got the latest jelly bean update!

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Android Central Forums

You won't go wrong with the S4 or the One. I got a JB update on my S2 right before I switched to the One, but the previous update to ICS took months to appear. Updates are all well and good, but unless there is a specific issue with a piece of software not working as it should do, then they are just more icing on the cake, they should not be considered as a major factor in choosing which phone to go for.

Don't get sucked into the hype about camera megapixels, the HTC One's camera is better in real world conditions like mixed light than the S4 will be, but the S4 images will look better when blown up past A3 size. Depends which is more important to you.

Much has been made of the One's lack of removeable battery and sd slot, but if this has never been an issue for you with your iphone then it is unlikely to be an issue with an android phone. My last two phones both had removeable batteries and huge memory cards and I never needed either of them.

My advice to you is to get hold of some friends phones and try them out, both Samsung and HTC, doesn't have to be the exact phones you are considering, Samsung Touchwiz and HTC Sense are both very similar to their previous versions on other phones but the two are very different from each other and even more different to ios. Obviously there is a learning curve for you to go through when you make the change so it may just come down to which interface you feel more comfortable with. Just remember that if it turns out you don't like Touchwiz or Sense you can replace the whole launcher interface from the play store in just a couple of clicks.

 

[lou61166]

I think these replies have been steller but like I said over in the S4 fourms wait till both are available and try them in store as everyone has different preferences,yes removable batteries and SD cards are nice but in no way hinder the performance of the phone.

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

[ItnStln]

I don't think you can go wrong with either device.

This.

 

[madlaw1071]

Wait 2 weeks when both are in the stores. You can test drive both within your carrier's remorse period. I'm coming from an S3, will test drive the One and get the S4 if I'm not happy.

 

[PittsDriver]

I have an iPhone 5 right now and I preordered an HTC One. Very excited to try this phone and make the switch.

 

[paceywitter]

I'm on the same boat with you, but I've had android devices in the past. I've owned every Nexus device as a test device while owning a iPhone. I loved the Nexus and stock android. I hated the lack of storage space. But my main selling point with the iPhone was iTunes and 64GB of internal storage. I couldn't get that from the Nexus brand. I know there are apps that can sync iTunes with android, but I'm looking at the Samsung GS4 for the SD card expansion. I want to separate apps (internal) and media (SD card), just like I do with my Mac at home.

I currently have an iPhone 5, and I am switching from my 5 to my first Android phone next month (May). The HUGE problem is that I can't decide between the HTC one and the Samsung Galaxy S4. Day to day, I keep going back and forth between which phone I am going to get. I adore the One's insane speakers and great build quality and dislike the "Ultrapixel" camera , while I love the GS4's beautiful 13MP camera, multiple software features, Touchwiz, and the fact that they made a smaller, thinner, and lighter device while giving it a bigger display. Can I get help choosing between the two greatest Android phones for at least the first half 2013!

 

[Newtoandroid99]

I made the mistake last year of going from a Iphone 4s to the HTC one x last year. It was a nice phone, but it had a lot of issues. Number one the antenna was crap, was on Edge speed with it while the Iphone got 4g(not LTE). Aside from that I found it wouldn't sync with my car BT and it just had random bugs. I ended up getting a Samsung Galaxy 3 and WOW it was easily a better phone IMO in almost every way and the antenna is solid and gives me 4G Lte where the one x could not. Is the Htc One better than the Samsung 4 I doubt it. Sure like last year reviews and word of mouth will be hyping the HTC One like it's the best ever but when push comes to shove Samsung is the top dog in android phones, the SG4 is going to be an amazing phone that will dominate like the SG3 did last year. I would make sure to compare both very closely in store before you buy.

 

[Will Rosario]

Can't go wrong with galaxy s4!
Great company, more support, better updates. I have the s2 and just got the latest jelly bean update!

HTC is also a great company. You can't say more support or better updates because if anything, HTC will have better support and better updates this year. The HTC ONE is the only phone they will be putting most of their focus on. for the past years they have been releasing multiple phones but with their attention on one device, their updates will be better than samsungs this year. I will bet that HTC will get Key Lime Pie before the GS4. Samsung has way too many phones coming out. The GS4, GN2, Galaxy mega devices(5.8 inch & 6.3 inch)

 

[Will Rosario]

i was in your same position. At first i was all about the HTC ONE, i loved everything about it and i felt that the S4 only brought useless gimmicks that i will never use but maybe once or twice or to show off to a friend.Then i started thinking, i still loved my galaxy s3. Its a great phone (IMO) and it works great for me most of the time. Although there are many times where i feel that the phone is useless to me. Some times it just starts freezing and lagging like crazy. and i know its not me because i know how to handle this phone/make it faster etc. but for some reason, many times i feel like i can't be productive with this phone. texting with this phone is a torture sometimes because the keyboard freezes or the screen goes blank for a while saying its loading. sometimes it works though, it is not enough. I need a phone that is going to be consistent, reliable and speedy. So therefore i was looking into the GS4 because im thinking since it will be a stronger and more powerful device i wont have any problems. I started to think about the Removable Battery, the expanded storage, etc. But then i thought of the CHEAP PLASTIC and the fact that its basically the same thing as the S3 that i currently have. it wont offer me any advantages to how i use my phone right now.

So yesterday i went into an At&T store and they had an HTC ONE on display. And WOW the phone is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. At first glance the build quality is right up there with the iPhone 5 and i think even surpasses it in some ways. And now i have changed my mind completely. Being that i want a speedy, productive, quality, fresh, reliable experience that will get the job done and offer me little to no issues or annoyances i have limited my choices down to the HTC ONE or the IPHONE 5S. I am hoping that with iOS7 and a new refresh/new features i will be able to go back to iOS as ive always been upset with the developer preference of IOS over android. Also using my friends iPhone 5 i noticed how speedy, productive, reliable the phone was. Although Key Lime Pie will also be very interesting and the HTC ONE is a very attractive phone while i prefer android more than iOS because i love the customizing part of it and also the fact that i prefer bigger screens on phones. I will hold off till the summer to make my decision.

So if anyone is choosing between the HTC ONE and the GALAXY S4, Id say the HTC ONE is definitely the better phone (IMO). Once you use it in person you will fall in love with it.

 

[hitlistbombshell]

Thanks to all the people who reviewed, but I was wondering, if you put a case on your phone (as most people do) isn't build quality really pointless?

 

[Newtoandroid99]

Thanks to all the people who reviewed, but I was wondering, if you put a case on your phone (as most people do) isn't build quality really pointless?

Pretty much, I looked at one today in a store and I would say it defiantly needs a case as it would get scuffed if dropped.

 

[Topgonzo]

Thanks to all the people who reviewed, but I was wondering, if you put a case on your phone (as most people do) isn't build quality really pointless?

No because when naked if your phone feels plastic or looks cheap then putting on a case only puts a turd in a bag to hide it. The whole time it's in your pocket it still stinks
I'll ad something to the whole Samsung and HTC thing..I used to prefer Samsung. I gave them a try and was content with my s2 because it was light and looked somewhat cool although the first time I remember getting mine from t mobile I was like wtf is this piece of plastic?
It grew on me and it was a great phone. Everyone I knew was getting one. This is where Samsung messed up with me is that when the s3 came out I had gone to a evo and I hated the design of the s3. That home button is terrible. The shape of it and placement. The colors available didn't include a true black. I was so turned off by the look of it that I went to the evo lte due to looks and feel along with a title of top end device.
I would of seriously got the s4 if it had looked like some of the early pics that came out with the silver design and nice grill etc. But it looks identical to the s3. This will hurt their sales. People just average users who make up the bulk of cell phone users don't upgrade every year. Why would a s3 user want to upgrade when not eligible to do so? If they had come out swinging then they could of got some with a sweet look to it, cutting edge but they didn't.
Until they start learning how to build a premium feeling device I would never spend a dime on a product from them. No excuse to have a expensive device feel like or appear to be plastic and expect that people will cover them up and it doesn't matter.

 

[mistyisland]

Thanks to all the people who reviewed, but I was wondering, if you put a case on your phone (as most people do) isn't build quality really pointless?

Ha ha! that is like asking whether or not it is worthwhile to diet, work out, lift weights, get a killer body, and then put clothes on.

Or, you could use a case like this and show it off. The phone, I mean.

Hard Case and Cover for HTC One | GemShell | Speck Products

 

[Chalvy]

Ha ha! that is like asking whether or not it is worthwhile to diet, work out, lift weights, get a killer body, and then put clothes on.

Or, you could use a case like this and show it off. The phone, I mean.

Hard Case and Cover for HTC One | GemShell | Speck Products

Well that is exactly what I have been looking for! A clear Speck case. Thanks bro.

 

[ffejjj]

I thought it was going to degenerate into the old Samsung vs HTC flaming war.

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Give it a minute it will lol



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