Hard button(s), Yea or nay?

[xchange]

I like the soft buttons better, they automatically get out of the way for all things that matter, they don't require extra hardware

 

[Tsepz_GP]

Not really bothered either way ,TBH, although I do like the fact that with my GS4 I ALWAYS have 100% 5inch screen real estate, and I like how Samsung have replaced the Android Menu button on the left with the Android Task Switcher button, so best of both worlds now.

 

[dpham00]

Well...you do for the first year anyway. Warranties are also not terribly convenient most of the time, requiring you send the phone in by mail.


They're not.

http://cdn.androidpolice.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/nexusae0_wm_2013-01-23-17.02.06_thumb1.png

Sorry then I was confused. For my uses the home button is either on the bottom or on the side. I guess they could be on the top if rotated that way but I have never needed to.

Also I have extended warranty so I am covered for so long as keep the extended warranty. When I have a warranty defect, I call Verizon and they send me a replacement next day because I have TEC. I just send back my defective device using the prepaid label. Even if I didn't have the extended warranty, during the first year Verizon would replace manufacturers defects, but you won't get it overnight. They will still send you a prepaid label

dpham00, Android Central Moderator
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk Pro

 

[garublador]

I prefer the hard buttons, but it's not a bit deal either way. The only button I've ever had wear out was on a 5 year old iPod. I've never had a monitor, mouse or phone button wear out on me. They're usually rated for tens of thousands of operations, so it's rarely an issue. It's nice being able to hold the device where the buttons are and not activate them. My S4 has the hard home button and soft back and settings buttons. I find either I, or whomever I'm handing my phone off to show a picture to, more often than not accidently hits the back or settings button. It just takes a touch and no pressure to activate it, so it's much easier to hit on accident, but not really any easier to hit on purpose. I actually miss the search button that the older Android phones had. Forcing developers to standardize where the most commonly used buttons were was one of the things I liked about Android. Getting rid of set locations for those buttons moves away from that.

 

[sting7k]

After thinking about it I can't decide. So it doesn't matter to me. Buttons don't influence my buying.

 

[Anon8154066]

I have both the Note 3 & Nexus 5 and cant say I really have a preference.

Like the fact that on the Nexus that the software keys don't get in the way of video playback and viewing pictures

So would it bother me If Samsung removed the physical home key? No but it doesn't annoy me that they choose to keep it either.

Sent From the one the only the magnificent Note 3.

 

[anon8380037]

I have a Galaxy S2 and a Note 3. I definitely prefer a separate home button. Soft keys separate from the screen great too, although physical buttons would be better. I always thought in the past soft keys were off the screen, though in dumb phones they are obviously physical buttons whose menu function are determined by an on screen prompt.
I haven't used another android device except playing with them in store. Glad to hear the durability of physical keys has been proven in tests. You need something to feel without looking, as a poster said. I miss my S-E smartphone with buttons, fold out keypad and multi press side-wheel. Everything on screen is everything in one basket.
Pure screen only phones, tablets and computers are surely a style choice at the moment. Adding buttons and wheels will bring ergonomic sense to the masses in the end.