Reviews of the S4 and how it effects your opinion of the One

[mysterygirl]

I made my decision before the S4 reviews were available. But, no doubt about it, the reviews reinforce that I made a great decision in choosing the One over the S4. I'm really happy to see the One generally coming out on top, and at the very least, matching the S4 stride for stride. I'm a Samsung fan, but not a fangirl, and simply chose the device that I thought I would love. For me, software and hardware design matter a lot, and the One wins that competition. I think most of the reviews agree with that. The S4 will no doubt be a fantastic device for millions of people--no bad things to say about it. But for me, it's the One!

 

[Sprintguy1376]

I'm still feeling pretty good about about buying the HTC One instead of waiting for the S4. I'm not sure why everyone hates plastic so much, I sure don't love it, but I don't HATE it. One of the reasons that I decided on the One over the S4 was because EVERY phone I've ever had, with the exception of the original iPhone and Razr V3i (Good ol' days) was plastic. So it was more about holding something different, rather than preferring the material. The other features I'm not TOO crazy about. I don't take many pictures, so the camera is just kind of there. Though the speakers are fantastic. I keep showing off the Jurassic Park trailer for people and the T-Rex roar almost makes people's ears bleed.

Plus, the internals are basically the same. All those features the S4 added are useless to me. I wouldn't call them gimmicky, I'm sure some people use them, but I sure don't have any uses for them.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with my purchase. It's the best phone for my uses, and I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way.

 

[Jaymil]

[moto-tangent]

I ran a motorola droid (original) over with my car (please, don't ask) and it didn't even scratch! Everything still worked and there was no sign of damage!

[/moto-tangent]

A few years ago my wife was chasing our dog that had run out into the road by our house. Her droid X fell out of her pocket and onto the street. As she caught the dog and went back to grab her phone it was run over. No cracked or broken screen, everything still worked fine. The only evidence it even happened was just some chipping of the paint on the sides and back.



And in response to the OT.. I had already made up my mind after seeing both devices. I've been waiting for a phone with excellent build quality that looks sexy that's not an iphone for a long time. It's what lead me to buy a lumia 920 and a Nexus 4 but both of those had their own issues... the lumia was mainly windows 8 and the fact that the high gloss finish scratched super easily and the Nexus 4 was general durability.. I always felt like it was gonna crack or scratch so I had to keep it in a case. The main draw for the One is that I can use it naked and actually show off how nice it looks.

 

[ShipWreck]

I think this guy hits the nail on the head comparing the S4 to the HTC One.

Watch his video review.

Samsung Galaxy S4 review | The Verge

 

[Peter Venkman]

Strip away the speakers from the One and you have just another run of the mill Android phone.

Strip away the 4 from the S4 and all you've got is the S3.

 

[Eclectech]

I honestly expected the Samsung Galaxy S4 to post better reviews then it did. I was kinda shocked to find out the software was laggy, the screen is hard to see in direct sunlight and the battery doesn't hold up any better the the One. In any case, I'm glad I bought the HTC One and I am loving it!

 

[SteveISU]

The problem is the Samsung keeps bloating touchwiz and their devices with their features that don't work with core google apps. Most of us use the Gmail app and chrome, which makes half their "cool" features bunk.

 

[ectoren]

As a former S3 user who now uses an N4 and thinking of purchasing either S4 or HTC One, the reviews do highlight the same thing....that plastic feel of the Galaxy series. I didn't mind the S3 feel since I put a case on it. But. One thing I did notice that even with my N4 on a case there is something about the build and design that really you notice. And seeing how reviews point that out again....great camera. good screen. TouchWiz is TouchWiz...and oh yeah... plastic...Ug...No. If I am forking over $600 I want something more than just plastic.

 

[madlaw1071]

From the CNET review:

With the Galaxy S4, Samsung clinches its goal of global smartphone domination. The supercharged Android 4.2 Jelly Bean device may look like a toy compared with the stunning HTC One and the dapper iPhone 5. But taken together, its blazing quad-core processor, colorful 5-inch HD screen, sharp-shooting 13-megapixel camera, and mile-high stack of software extras make the Galaxy S4 the most powerful superphone anywhere in the world.

Samsung Galaxy S4 - CNET Reviews

 

[JRDroid]

From the CNET review:

With the Galaxy S4, Samsung clinches its goal of global smartphone domination. The supercharged Android 4.2 Jelly Bean device may look like a toy compared with the stunning HTC One and the dapper iPhone 5. But taken together, its blazing quad-core processor, colorful 5-inch HD screen, sharp-shooting 13-megapixel camera, and mile-high stack of software extras make the Galaxy S4 the most powerful superphone anywhere in the world.

Samsung Galaxy S4 - CNET Reviews

Yes, I mentioned the Cnet review in the OP. Thanks for not adding anything to the conversation. They are the one and only review I have read that has put the SGS4 over the One. Every other review has either called it a draw or given the One a slight edge.

 

[Amao]

From the CNET review:

With the Galaxy S4, Samsung clinches its goal of global smartphone domination. The supercharged Android 4.2 Jelly Bean device may look like a toy compared with the stunning HTC One and the dapper iPhone 5. But taken together, its blazing quad-core processor, colorful 5-inch HD screen, sharp-shooting 13-megapixel camera, and mile-high stack of software extras make the Galaxy S4 the most powerful superphone anywhere in the world.

Samsung Galaxy S4 - CNET Reviews

If the most powerful superphone in the world can't run it's own user interface then surely there has to be something wrong?

 

[thecaringkind]

I appreciate reviews from many sources. I must say that I find the reviews for theSGS4 interesting but that's about it. I have had my eyes on the HTC One from well...day one!

The industrial design is superb. The camera is just fine for my needs. The speed and power of it's chipset coupled with2 gigs of RAM make any task I throw at the device a snap. It's screen defines excellence. The sound coming from the dual front facing stereo speakers really redefines cell phone audio. The weight , balance, fit, finish and feel of the device are all excellent. The battery life is also commendable considering the power the device has overall. As a whole I simply cannot put the phone down. I came from a Nokia Lumia 920 and a SG Note II and I must say that the One simply beats them both in design, quality and features. The SGS4 looks like a cheap plastic toy by comparison and no amount of gimmicky 'features' can help that. The HTC One is elegant, refined and perfect for my daily driver needs. :thumbup:

Sent from my HTC One using Android Central Forums

 

[madlaw1071]

Yes, I mentioned the Cnet review in the OP. Thanks for not adding anything to the conversation. They are the one and only review I have read that has put the SGS4 over the One. Every other review has either called it a draw or given the One a slight edge.

You must have missed the reviews from PhoneArena and GSMArena which both rated the S4 higher.

 

[dmmarck]

You must have missed the reviews from PhoneArena and GSMArena which both rated the S4 higher.

So...

Anandtech
AC
Verge
Gizmodo
Engadget

v.

GSMArena
PhoneArena
CNET

Edit:

I forgot to add Engadget to the pro-One camp.

From their S4 review...

If you're considering a move from an older Samsung device, the GS 4 is absolutely the handset you want. Your learning curve will be minimal thanks to TouchWiz's consistent UI, and besides, it's generally a great smartphone -- heck, the phone itself is the best Samsung handset we've used to date, and it'll definitely give the One a run for its money. All told, both phones have different strengths and weaknesses, so one handset unfortunately won't fit all. But when we compare it to the eye-catching look and feel of the One, we can't help but think of one word to describe Samsung's particular flagship entry: predictable.

Both bolded statements imply that they put the One higher than the S4, with the S4 catching up or trying to reach the One.

 

[leoreno]

Strip away the speakers from the One and you have just another run of the mill Android phone.

>> Strip away the speakers from the One and you have just another run of the mill Android phone

That 1.7ghz quad core krait 300 SD
That 470PPI
That superior aluminum body design and handset feel


The speakers are probably the most overrated (albiet impressive) feature on the ONE.

 

[madlaw1071]

So...

Anandtech
AC
Verge
Gizmodo

v.

GSMArena
PhoneArena
CNET

Adds up to two outstanding phones.

 

[dmmarck]

Adds up to two outstanding phones.

Edited it for more accuracy. Forgot about Engadget (spoiler: they like the One better).

 

[leoreno]

I used to read CNET for the comic relief now I don't even waste my time - they are so biased and uniformed.

The GS4 and the ONE use the exact... let me repeat that... THE EXACT same processor (300 krait SD pro) while the GS4 is clocked at 1.9 whereas the ONE is clocked at 1.7; however, (1) truthfully a user cannot tell the difference and (2) One can root and overclock either device to which ever clock speed them feel like

 

[scorpiodsu]

Honestly, I switch phones so much that nothing really impresses me so to speak. When people say they've bene wow'd or something.... I never understand that because I never am LOL. I will say that the HTC One has been the only device since the iPhone 4 that was anywhere near close to wowing me. Everything else is just "ok, looks good. I'll try it out and see what I like". I was bored with my S3 after 3 months and wrestled back and forth with that and iPhone 5 before I left Verizon. I actually have not felt the urge to get the S4 anytime soon. I'll probably get one eventually (when I'm bored with the One) but I wouldn't be surprised if I don't. Just haven't felt like it's a must have and surprisingly the One does.

 

[OhAlfie]

Strip away the 4 from the S4 and all you've got is the S3.