GS4 vs One: Made up my mind.... HTC One it is

[CHILLYWILL_95831]

They are both GREAT phones and it's hard to make a mistake with either. The best thing to do, is go to a store and use them both.

IMO, the One is all about style over functionality. The One looks good and feels good to the touch but has lousy ergonomics and lacks basic functionality that many users deem important. It really depends on what you deem important.

The best analogy is that the One is like a sports car. Looks good, goes really fast and impresses your friends but you wouldnt want to drive it every day because it's just not practical.

One last repsonse as an added thought. When it comes to impressing one's friends, you might want to compare commercials of the SGS4 vs. HTCOne....I think you'd see very clearly which phone is looking to impress friends! Seriously, the SGS4 is in your face with it! Just look at the commercial at the pool party!Every single line of the commercial is designed to impress a friend...

Here you go:
Samsung:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLd9hjl3Kds&feature=player_detailpage

HTC One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=QTS-1aNTn-s

 

[madlaw1071]

I've really not heard that analogy before about the One regarding being able to really go fast but not practical. Can you explain why It's more practical to wave your hand to answer a phone than to just press a button and answer, or why it's more practical to scroll a webpage with your eyes rather than your finger? Can you explain why it's more practical to remove an unwanted artifact from a picture before you know it's there than after? Can you explain why it's more practical to store really large pictures on limited on board storage as opposed to mobile sized pictures on 3 times(after software) phone storage? I don't really follow how the One is less functional or practical than the SGS4! Againi get that you have the best of both worlds in having both phones, but other than the HTC One looking really cool, i really haven't been able to detect a single advantage it has over your SGS4 based on your posts. I keep asking myself why do you have both? You've not been a fan of Blinkfeed. You've considered Boomsound as gimmecky. You've considered the One to have an inferior camera. And, despite many accounts to the contrary, you've even stated that the One has an inferior screen in direct sunlight compared to the SGS4. I'm genuinely interested to know exactly what's the advantage of having the One over the SGS4 other than saying you have both phones with nearly every post?

The One lacks many features that affect it's usability (to me) on a daily basis.

1. Lack of tweakable LED
2. Inability to check notifications from a full screen app(especially in landscape) mode without leaving the app/game.
3. Lack of dedicated menu key and black bar problem
4. Lack of dedicated home button making waking the phone easy no matter which hand is used
5. Difficult to press and poorly located power button
6. Difficult to use multi-tasking, about 75% of the time instead flicking up to close an app, it registers a press and opens the app.
7. Lack of settings toggles, 3rd party apps are quirky at best.
8. Lack of notifications thru Bluetooth

Again, while these features are important to me, they obviously will not be to everyone.

Why do I keep and use the One? It looks and feels good, sounds great, and 9 times out of 10, in situations where I want to take a pic, I'd rather use the One because of Zoe's/Highlights.

 

[CHILLYWILL_95831]

The One lacks many features that affect it's usability (to me) on a daily basis.

1. Lack of tweakable LED
2. Inability to check notifications from a full screen app(especially in landscape) mode without leaving the app/game.
3. Lack of dedicated menu key and black bar problem
4. Lack of dedicated home button making waking the phone easy no matter which hand is used
5. Difficult to press and poorly located power button
6. Difficult to use multi-tasking, about 75% of the time instead flicking up to close an app, it registers a press and opens the app.
7. Lack of settings toggles, 3rd party apps are quirky at best.
8. Lack of notifications thru Bluetooth

Again, while these features are important to me, they obviously will not be to everyone.

Why do I keep and use the One? It looks and feels good, sounds great, and 9 times out of 10, in situations where I want to take a pic, I'd rather use the One because of Zoe's/Highlights.

agree that those are your opnions as are many of the responses in these forums, but wouldn't you agree that what's practical to one person may be of no circumstance to another. And, the things that you mention above are of no circumstance to me with my everyday use. I hardly get that they (the items you mention) are impractical because i have nothing to compare to. And, i'm wondering if they would be more practical to you if you had no SGS4 to compare?...Just a thought! I love Zoes and Highlights too, but I hardly think it would be "practical" for me to go out and grab a whole new phone contract or chunk down the full price of another phone just to get those features. I'm sure there will soon be apps that can create Zoes and highlights that you can get from Google Play for your SGS4, if they are not already there. But hey...who wants to wait right?

 

[madlaw1071]

agree that those are your opnions as are many of the responses in these forums, but wouldn't you agree that what's practical to one person may be of no circumstance to another. And, the things that you mention above are of no circumstance to me with my everyday use. I hardly get that they (the items you mention) are impractical because i have nothing to compare to. And, i'm wondering if they would be more practical to you if you had no SGS4 to compare?...Just a thought! I love Zoes and Highlights too, but I hardly think it would be "practical" for me to go out and grab a whole new phone contract or chunk down the full price of another phone just to get those features. I'm sure there will soon be apps that can create Zoes and highlights that you can get from Google Play for your SGS4, if they are not already there. But hey...who wants to wait right?

I think I stated many times that what I deem practical/impractical will vary from person to person. As to whether I didn't have an S4 whether I'd feel the same way, not an issue since my last device was an S3 which was able to do the same things as the S4.

 

[Topgonzo]

I think I stated many times that what I deem practical/impractical will vary from person to person. As to whether I didn't have an S4 whether I'd feel the same way, not an issue since my last device was an S3 which was able to do the same things as the S4.

I could be wrong but this is my take on madlaw and his htc one.
It seems you have one kind of like a red head step child. You like to say you own a one because you feel it entitles you the right to then bash those features you don't like or to glorify your s4.
I don't know about others in this forum but I can say that your posts really don't help me with any of my questions regarding the one in fact I find myself completely disagreeing with most of your observations. I do appreciate how you attempt to sound like you care and are trying to be fair and balanced but the truth is your not.
You own both and that in your eyes gives you the right to troll the one forum and throw your opinion on to put a dark shadow on everything we try to accomplish.
Yes you have a right to give your opinion just as I ignore most of your comments in each thread that you taint.
I hate so many things about the s4 and yet my wife loves it. She doesn't ever bash my phone or say see mine does this and yours doesn't.. I don't bash her for choosing a s4 either. I think you like causing disagreements just as the time when you almost got banned for your ridiculous posts before and shortly after launch.
I'm sure that your money for your red headed htc one was well spent in your eyes because it allows you the opportunity to judge and troll and be a thorn in the side of reality in this forum.


Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[madlaw1071]

I could be wrong but this is my take on madlaw and his htc one.
It seems you have one kind of like a red head step child. You like to say you own a one because you feel it entitles you the right to then bash those features you don't like or to glorify your s4.
I don't know about others in this forum but I can say that your posts really don't help me with any of my questions regarding the one in fact I find myself completely disagreeing with most of your observations. I do appreciate how you attempt to sound like you care and are trying to be fair and balanced but the truth is your not.
You own both and that in your eyes gives you the right to troll the one forum and throw your opinion on to put a dark shadow on everything we try to accomplish.
Yes you have a right to give your opinion just as I ignore most of your comments in each thread that you taint.
I hate so many things about the s4 and yet my wife loves it. She doesn't ever bash my phone or say see mine does this and yours doesn't.. I don't bash her for choosing a s4 either. I think you like causing disagreements just as the time when you almost got banned for your ridiculous posts before and shortly after launch.
I'm sure that your money for your red headed htc one was well spent in your eyes because it allows you the opportunity to judge and troll and be a thorn in the side of reality in this forum.


Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Last I checked this was an open forum and ownership of a One was not a pre-requisite. However, I own 2 and soon to be 3 One's so people can take my opinions as they see fit.

If you don't like my posts, skip them. If you think they violate forum rules, report them.

I don't recall ever being "almost banned". In fact, I was urged to stay.

TBH, you and a couple of others seem to want to live in a fantasy land where only good things about the One are said and it's one giant cheering section. Unfortunately, reality is far different.

Enjoy the One, I do.

 

[GadgetGator]

The One lacks many features that affect it's usability (to me) on a daily basis.

1. Lack of tweakable LED
2. Inability to check notifications from a full screen app(especially in landscape) mode without leaving the app/game.
3. Lack of dedicated menu key and black bar problem
4. Lack of dedicated home button making waking the phone easy no matter which hand is used
5. Difficult to press and poorly located power button
6. Difficult to use multi-tasking, about 75% of the time instead flicking up to close an app, it registers a press and opens the app.
7. Lack of settings toggles, 3rd party apps are quirky at best.
8. Lack of notifications thru Bluetooth

Again, while these features are important to me, they obviously will not be to everyone.

Why do I keep and use the One? It looks and feels good, sounds great, and 9 times out of 10, in situations where I want to take a pic, I'd rather use the One because of Zoe's/Highlights.

I think your complaints are valid and well reasoned. Although #3 and #7 will be taken care of with the update coming. Or use one of the other ROMS if you can't wait. Some of that other stuff may be addressed as well. Though certainly some of those things will never be..like the hardware issues.

 

[SCjRqrQCnBQ19QoYCtdl]

Those photos are absolutely Awesom!!. Were those all taken with -1 sharpness? Are there any other constants that you used in your photos along with the sharpness adjustment to create such cool pics? I think i read somewhere to reduce the contrast by 1 as well. I have annointed you the HTC One camera expert LOL..and any help you might have would be appreciated..

Thanks. Yeah, basically sharpness -1, that is about all I adjust, although I do use zoe a lot and that shoots without adjustments. I find that the camera is very capable, but also very sensitive to circumstances, as sometimes you have to be very careful of your focus/exposure point selection. Sometimes also, using exposure -1 helps. Zoes/burst mode help in low light if your subject may move. Always try to be very stable when taking shots, it makes a big difference. You can improve some shots with post processing like auto enhance in the gallery or snapseed from the play store.

 

[CHILLYWILL_95831]

Thanks. Yeah, basically sharpness -1, that is about all I adjust, although I do use zoe a lot and that shoots without adjustments. I find that the camera is very capable, but also very sensitive to circumstances, as sometimes you have to be very careful of your focus/exposure point selection. Sometimes also, using exposure -1 helps. Zoes/burst mode help in low light if your subject may move. Always try to be very stable when taking shots, it makes a big difference. You can improve some shots with post processing like auto enhance in the gallery or snapseed from the play store.

I will definitely use your suggestions!

 

[PacMan3000]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to jump in here. My contract ends essentially August 1st with ATT, and I'm going to upgrade my phone and re-up for two years. I've been an Apple head forever, and I've decided that I'm going to get the HTC One and jump into Android.

But I'd love to know--are there any resources you could point me to for the HTC One and Android? Not so much reviews or even video walk throughs, as I've watched those on YouTube. But I suppose just information on like...good podcasting apps or, some of the best ways and how to's for customizing the look of the phone or the home screens, info on widgets, and just overall, sort of a beginner's "welcome to" HTC One article or PDF when it comes to using the phone and customizing it to your liking.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cool Jeff]

From what I red about the S4 as I own myself a One:
One advantages:
-Aluminum body style (making the phone looks expensive)
-Stereo speakers + beats
-Faster UI (perhaps not games)
-Better performance in low light (brighter photos)
-Sense 5 is lighter but has more useful stuff like Internet Pass Through

Negatives of the One:
-VERY prone to chips,scurfs and scratches on the metalic borders, a cover is a NECESSITY.
-Camera is meh in daylight + limited to 4mp photos so you can't zoom and crop easily.
-Poor network reception (Sensation and OneX were way better)
-Fonts are tiny even if chosen in extra large settings.
-Some assembly problems (not with mine) like gaps and broken lens.
-Camera in low light is hard to get a good focus,the shutter speed tend to slow down too much...so only 2 shots over 10 are good.
-Poor screen coating above the Gorilla Glass easily scratchable.

SGS4 Advantages:
-5'' screen in the same body size as the S3 (4.7'')
-Camera is 13mp and give very good results in daylight,also you can zoom much more than on a 4mp so you can crop more.
-Plastic body feel cheap but it also costs cheap,so if you scratch it or break it you can change it for 20-30$
-It's way more easy to fix as any technician can open it and fix it while the One is a close shell (repairable but hard and expensive)
-Fonts and contrasts are more pleasant to the eye,specially for people like me who have near sight problem without glasses.
-More available accessories.

Negatives of the S4:
-It's not only about the plastic being cheap but the fact that it's 90% the same design as S3,so no product differentiation.
-Slow UI due to tons of usefulness apps and gimmiks.
-Splitted in 3 derivatives meaning the devs are also splitted to 3 (i9500,i9505 and S800)
-Black background problems due to the new amoled tech.
-Lower speaker loudness for ringtones
-Lower brightness of screen so not as viewable under direct sunlight as with the One.

 

[kaho_tam]

the lack of menu buttons slowed down my productivity when using the phone more than it's quick CPU would speed it up. I still love the One but will probably love it more in a year after i've rooted it to use the HTC logo as the menu button.

 

[Almeuit]

Negatives of the One:
-VERY prone to chips,scurfs and scratches on the metalic borders, a cover is a NECESSITY.
-Poor network reception (Sensation and OneX were way better)

On your first point I disagree... My phone is naked. My Sprint one was and now tmobile and it has zero scuffs or scratches... If you put your phone in with keys though it probably will scratch but imo that is your fault for placing keys in with the phone.

Phone reception can be related to carrier. I have Tmobile and at work I am in a Category 5 proof hurricane building and get good HSPA with 3/5 bars (see below).

Sent from my T-Mobile HTC One using AC Forums.

 

[Cool Jeff]

On your first point I disagree... My phone is naked. My Sprint one was and now tmobile and it has zero scuffs or scratches... If you put your phone in with keys though it probably will scratch but imo that is your fault for placing keys in with the phone.

Phone reception can be related to carrier. I have Tmobile and at work I am in a Category 5 proof hurricane building and get good HSPA with 3/5 bars (see below).

Sent from my T-Mobile HTC One using AC Forums.

Dude I am the kind of guy who always take a great care of my phone,I never had to use covers before,but with the One...if it touches a wooden table on one of the sharp One edges it will let traces!
It falls once only 15cm from the floor on a car carpet (rubber) and it scratched the metal!!
Any contact with anything solid will end up with a chip or scratch.
I am obliged to let the phone in the double flip case and hide its beauty all the time.
As for the network I am using the same network provider since the 90s,it's the first time since the SE K850 that I am not getting any signal in the fitness club at all,with the One X I used to have 1 or 2 bars and SMS could pass at least

 

[Almeuit]

Dude I am the kind of guy who always take a great care of my phone,I never had to use covers before,but with the One...if it touches a wooden table on one of the sharp One edges it will let traces!
It falls once only 15cm from the floor on a car carpet (rubber) and it scratched the metal!!
Any contact with anything solid will end up with a chip or scratch.
I am obliged to let the phone in the double flip case and hide its beauty all the time.
As for the network I am using the same network provider since the 90s,it's the first time since the SE K850 that I am not getting any signal in the fitness club at all,with the One X I used to have 1 or 2 bars and SMS could pass at least

It definitely doesn't. My phone has no marks on it of any kind. I can post a picture if you want to beg to differ but I have no case.. And won't.. And it is pure silver with no marks.

Edit - wait are you saying to place it on the sharp part of a wood table and then it will scratch? That goes back to the exact reference I used of keys... You deserve marks if that is what you are doing.

Sent from my T-Mobile HTC One using AC Forums.

 

[Haalcyon]

From what I've read both the One and the S4 are great phones. Get the ones that excites you the most. For me it seemed like the S4 offered the most flexibility but your needs may be different.

Not rooted, Stock rom, just Awesome (NSA)

 

[karmamule]

I use my phone without a case and am not exactly the most careful person in the world, plus more than a little clumsy, and even after a few tumbles my HTC One still looks great. As far as reception I also get solid reception (through t-mobile in Boston and surrounding neighborhoods) that is usually better than what I get on my other phone (a Lumia 925).

 

[arwen_in_nj]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to jump in here. My contract ends essentially August 1st with ATT, and I'm going to upgrade my phone and re-up for two years. I've been an Apple head forever, and I've decided that I'm going to get the HTC One and jump into Android.

But I'd love to know--are there any resources you could point me to for the HTC One and Android? Not so much reviews or even video walk throughs, as I've watched those on YouTube. But I suppose just information on like...good podcasting apps or, some of the best ways and how to's for customizing the look of the phone or the home screens, info on widgets, and just overall, sort of a beginner's "welcome to" HTC One article or PDF when it comes to using the phone and customizing it to your liking.

Thanks in advance.

Feel free to check out my Flipboard collection of HTC One tidbits at
http://flip.it/UvANa

Sent from my most awesome HTC One

 

[Blaize19]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to jump in here. My contract ends essentially August 1st with ATT, and I'm going to upgrade my phone and re-up for two years. I've been an Apple head forever, and I've decided that I'm going to get the HTC One and jump into Android.

But I'd love to know--are there any resources you could point me to for the HTC One and Android? Not so much reviews or even video walk throughs, as I've watched those on YouTube. But I suppose just information on like...good podcasting apps or, some of the best ways and how to's for customizing the look of the phone or the home screens, info on widgets, and just overall, sort of a beginner's "welcome to" HTC One article or PDF when it comes to using the phone and customizing it to your liking.

Thanks in advance.

There is a thread here in the forums specifically for transitioning from Apple to Android that should be helpful. I'd link it for you, but I'm on my phone. Enjoy your new phone!

Sent from my HTC One S using Android Central Forums