From a Google Nexus 4 to the S4...

[jc0187]

So hello. I'm coming from the nexus 4 to the S4. Haven't received my phone yet, but in about one week I'll have it in my hands. Just curious if there is anybody else here that came from the Google nexus 4 device to the S4 and what their opinions are about the switch? Was it a good decision? A bad one? I've had issues with my N4. Had it for close to a year now and have had problems. My second N4. The first device was rma'd due to not being able to send or receive mms's. Have had issues with WiFi, data, and just wonky things. I know there is no such things as a "perfect" device, but I want something with less issues. My second n4 device has the same issues as the first: sometimes I'll receive my MMS msgs and sometimes I won't.

 

[scorpiodsu]

So hello. I'm coming from the nexus 4 to the S4. Haven't received my phone yet, but in about one week I'll have it in my hands. Just curious if there is anybody else here that came from the Google nexus 4 device to the S4 and what their opinions are about the switch? Was it a good decision? A bad one? I've had issues with my N4. Had it for close to a year now and have had problems. My second N4. The first device was rma'd due to not being able to send or receive mms's. Have had issues with WiFi, data, and just wonky things. I know there is no such things as a "perfect" device, but I want something with less issues. My second n4 device has the same issues as the first: sometimes I'll receive my MMS msgs and sometimes I won't.

The biggest change will be going from vanilla Android to touchwiz UI. It's all subjective to the user on which is better. There are some good things touchwiz does and some annoying things as well. So it really depends on you. It's either a love hate thing. But straight out the box, the S4 camera is better. Not just the hardware but the app as well. All the different camera modes and layout is much better than stock. Both messaging apps stink LOL. I recommend Textra. IR blaster to control the TV is useful to me. And you get several instances of duplicate apps. You'll get Samsungs, Google's and the carrier's for certain services e.g. buying music or videos. You'll quickly notice the redundancy. A lot of this stuff can be remedied with a little tweaking, using other apps and rooting and tweaking some more but straight out of the box these are things I would highlight as key differences.

Again touchwiz comes with a lot of "extras" that some find useful and great features and others find annoying gimmicks. Good thing is most can be ignored, turned off and disregarded. Hopefully you'll find a lot that you like in the stock OS because at the end of the day you'll most likely be doing the same stuff as you been doing... just a differnet phone . Good luck.

 

[Sophos]

I made the same switch and really like the S4, buuuuuuuut..... the first thing I did was root it and install a GE 4.3 ROM.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[scorpiodsu]

I made the same switch and really like the S4, buuuuuuuut..... the first thing I did was root it and install a GE 4.3 ROM.

Posted via Android Central App

LOL. So you wanted Nexus software on S4 hardware. Can't argue with that. I am fine with touchwiz, sense and stock.

 

[Sophos]

Yeah.....I really loved the N4 but the camera and the battery life killed it for me.

I play with my food

 

[ajl]

This. +1

I also flashed a 4.3 GE ROM.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[James Frary]

I did the same switch n I love my N4. I hated my S4. Then I rooted it to the google edition and I love my S4 now. It's taken over as my daily driver. BTW any suggestions on Google edition ROMs that are stable? I want to make sure I have a good one.

Sent from my GT-I9505G using AC Forums mobile app

 

[jc0187]

Huh. Thanks for the insight. So tell me about this IR blaster to control TVs. Is it a requirement to have a smart TV in order for this to work?

 

[scorpiodsu]

Huh. Thanks for the insight. So tell me about this IR blaster to control TVs. Is it a requirement to have a smart TV in order for this to work?

No. Through Samsung's watch on app it asks for manufacturers of your equipnent and then asks you to test. Similar like a harmony remote setup just on your phone.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[jc0187]

Ok great! Ive always wanted to screw with my fianc? with changing the channels while she is holding the remote. LOL. Im glad though, to hear I don't need a smart tv. Thanks for the help.

 

[garublador]

If you don't like TouchWiz and don't want to root and change ROM's you can always just install a new launcher like Nova or Apex and gain a lot more control of the look and feel of your device. After doing that I don't think I'd even use the stock Android launcher. You get so much more control and I get better performance with Nova than I do with TouchWiz.