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

[leoreno]

The only thing most of the reviews said that the One beat the S4 in was Low Light Camera performance and much emphasis on Design (Aluminum)...thats really about it
When it comes to Software, I believe the S4 does take the cake, though features may be gimmicky, the software is much more easier to use, and offers much more features

The only plus I personally would give to the One is the Design and the Speakers...everything else goes to the S4
CNETs and AC's review was the most fair

The best detailed review was this one on the Russian website: Google Translate


At the end of the day, the TRUE reviewer should be none other than YOURSELF

>> implying anyone that knows anything about android software uses touchwiz// sense stock launchers

 

[leoreno]

>>The features alone make the galaxy s 4 the best phone.
>>Faster processor,
both phones actually use the exact same snapdragon S4 pro processors. the GS4 clocks it at 1.9ghz and the ONE clocks at 1.7Ghz
(1) you nor I would actually be able to tell the difference
(2) you can clock your processor to literally any value once you unlock the device

>> more features,
We all do love that bloatware

>>replaceable battery, bigger screen,
you'll need it once samsung's pleb-tier battery poops out on you

>>better camera in great light,
which constitutes about 0% of daily photographs taken by the average consumer. If you want a DSLR, then buy a DSLR.

>> 4.2 (why the heck is 4.1 still coming out on any new phones?)
Literally the only valid point that you posted

>> swift key included
just download it like everyone else - it takes 5 seconds to download and instal


>> in terms of functionality (which is why I buy a phone) the s4 takes it and
>> that's fact, not opinion.

ummm... no.

 

[GadgetGator]

You're dillusional IMO. The One will fade to black much sooner than later while the S4 will pretty much rule the smartphone world for quite a while.

No doubt people once said the same thing about Samsung's chances against the iPhone and look where things are now. Point is, things change. When you have that much interest out there for a product, that much buzz, that many good reviews, that attractive of a device to the average person, that's just not something that will fade away anytime soon.

 

[omniusovermind]

I'm not in the market for a phone now, so I'll probably wait for the S5 / HTC TWO (that's an awkward name--how will they follow up?) and whatever else comes in the next generation. But were I in the market I think I'd choose the Samsung for the battery and SD card. As nice as the HTC feels, I just feel a lot more comfortable with the ability to add a bunch of storage and replace the battery when needed. I don't have to use my screen outside very often, and either works just fine indoors. When I listen to music on my phone it's with headphones, and I don't use the speaker phone enough to care that much about the htc's speakers.

And all the pissing and moaning about the Galaxy's build quality is just stupid. If you don't like plastic, that's fine, but build quality isn't the same thing. Samsung phones are assembled meticulously, everything fits and works. THAT's build quality. I don't recall reading any posts about ill-fitting speaker covers, power buttons that don't work correctly, or any other glitches. I've seen a number of those posts about the ONE. I'm sure htc will get them under control as production moves forward, but build quality isn't about materials, it's about assembly quality, and Samsung does it as well as anyone in the world.

YMMV, I've had 3 Samsung products stop working on me over the last 5 years. All were hardware related. The TV went at 16 months, the phone at 9 and the bluray at about a year. The only products I've had last forever from them are PC monitors.

 

[leoreno]

They are not overrated at all. And what do you consider "run of the mill" Android. If you consider the One a "run of the mill" Android if you take away the speakers then I love to see what devices you are comparing it too. GS4, while impressive played it very safe. You should be calling that the run of the mill Android. HTC went outside the box by introducing an all aluminum body, killer "ultrapixel" camera and INSANELY good screen. Yes, the GS4 screen is great too but not compared to the One. Look at the two side by side and you will know the difference. Plus, TouchWiz is a cumbersome bloated skin while Sense 5 to me a little bit more refined. To me, TouchWiz makes it look like a toy while Sense is a little bit more stock Google looking.

If you had followed the forum at all then you would have noticed that I was quoting someone with my >> entry - those were not my words.

Take away the speakers.... were mine but they were in response to the quoted text
Please refer to the following link:
Let me google that for you


I said nothing bashing nor hailing the GS4 so I am unsure what exactly it is you are trying to refute here.

It is also apparent that you know nothing quantitative about the phone you are talking about because you would have noticed that I was speaking well of the ONE by referencing its 1.7ghz s4 pro, the 470 ppi screen etc.

 

[Indecisive]

>> 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.

 

[leoreno]

Haha, I got a kick from that, thank you.

The speakers on this phone are hands down the most impressive I have ever heard on any phone. That said, I feel identifying the ONE as just some really good speakers sells it short - this is what I meant.

 

[maverick96]

There isn't any lag, i played with the s4 for about an hour and is a lag free experience. Even snappier than the s3.



Because YOU CHOOSE NOT TO use something doesn't make it less functional, just means you aren't taking advantage of your phone fully

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

I own the GS4 and I'm noticing tons of lag. Definitely not smooth

 

[dmmarck]

I own the GS4 and I'm noticing tons of lag. Definitely not smooth

I'm not liking the fact that your phone has lag, but rather, that you have the phone so soon and you are able to admit a flaw.

 

[Indecisive]

I don't have anything against people who like removable batteries, but I really don't understand what world people live in when they try to convince others that its "better."

After all...the world you and I live in, is the same one where apple has sold 85 million iphones....

 

[kolyan2k]

Its just amazing how many features S4 has and its tough to pass... I know Cyanogen worked at Sammy, I wonder if he is somewhat responsible for this. Multi-window, adjustable auto brightness, notification bar toggles, different screen color calibrations, fonts, etc. Many of those settings is why I use CM now on my N4

 

[GadgetGator]

I don't have anything against people who like removable batteries, but I really don't understand what world people live in when they try to convince others that its "better."

After all...the world you and I live in, is the same one where apple has sold 85 million iphones....

More choices in life is usually a better thing, that's why. I mean, you wouldn't use the argument that there shouldn't be a choice with more then one phone OS platform because Apple has sold a boatload of iPhones would you? In the case of Apple, they have stores around the world where you can take a device in for service and get a replacement battery put in it. Not so with an HTC One where it will have to be sent off leaving you without a device. Therein lies the difference. That being said, I don't really mind the battery issue though I wish it was slightly bigger capacity. But I can live with it.

 

[Indecisive]

More choices in life is usually a better thing, that's why. I mean, you wouldn't use the argument that there shouldn't be a choice with more then one phone OS platform because Apple has sold a boatload of iPhones would you? In the case of Apple, they have stores around the world where you can take a device in for service and get a replacement battery put in it. Not so with an HTC One where it will have to be sent off leaving you without a device. Therein lies the difference. That being said, I don't really mind the battery issue though I wish it was slightly bigger capacity. But I can live with it.

Certainly not. I don't argue that a removeable battery is meritless. I just haven't seen an execution where the phone is built solid and smooth with a removable backing that accommodates a battery. Maybe if some manufacturer makes up some crazy ejection slot for a battery, it might work. But i've gotten to the point where I'm sick of sacrificing quality for something like a removable battery (and this is coming from GS2) when most people already own 3 chargers and are within a few feet of them 80% of their day.

I just get confused at the people that come to an HTC One forum to complain that it doesn't have a removable battery. If thats absolutely must have, its not the phone for you. Its like someone coming in here and complaining that the htc one isn't waterproof. Well no ****, its not the target audience.

My point is that today's smartphone consumer's desire's are leaning closer to "accessory" or "toy" than "tool". HTC sees that. In a perfect world samsung would use better materials, HTC would offer models with removable batteries, and every android supplier out there would be required to offer a vanilla android rom for every phone they sell. But we don't live in my little fantasy world, and neither do we live in the fantasy world of the people that think removable batteries should be required on every phone.

Its a personal preference. HTC One, GS4. Pick a side, move on. Either way you're beating the crapfest that is iOS and blackberry.


PS... Personal feelings on samsungs "value added features"

 

[Mrlovkim]

I will never understand these kind of posts. its like high school or even worst kindergarten kids arguing saying my toy is better then yours....lol. They are phones and like anything else in a few months nobody will care. Enjoy whatever phone you bought.

 

[Dreamliner330]

I wish the ONE had a bigger battery and a micro SD slot. Either way, I'm on Verizon. I'll be trying the S4. If the radio isn't as good as their Note 2 (which was great) I'll be getting rid of it. The S3 radio was terrible. I'm not a fan of AMOLED at all, but you take what you can get. No way will I switch networks for a phone...that's foolish

I'd be really happy with a 1080p SLCD RAZR MAXX HD with a Snapdragon 600, 2GB of ram, Wolfson DAC & front facing speakers........just saying....


It's too bad the Notification tray still lags when pulling it down. The S3 & Note 2 did this. I can't imagine why. It's going to bug me.

 

[whiteshadow001]

Most of the reviews I've watched or read have said it's no better or worse than the ONE. it's a tie for me.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Nguyenning]

Even if it were a tie for me (it's not), I'd choose HTC One over Galaxy S4 on build quality alone. I played around with a S4 the other day, and I just can't get over the plastic.... such a buzzkill
Even the stock UI to me is just cartoonish while the HTC One stock UI is sophisticated and cleaner looking IMO

I just can't get over the cheap plastic feel. It's just like the S3 but with a bigger screen.

 

[gameaddict8]

I wish the ONE had a bigger battery and a micro SD slot. Either way, I'm on Verizon. I'll be trying the S4. If the radio isn't as good as their Note 2 (which was great) I'll be getting rid of it. The S3 radio was terrible. I'm not a fan of AMOLED at all, but you take what you can get. No way will I switch networks for a phone...that's foolish

I'd be really happy with a 1080p SLCD RAZR MAXX HD with a Snapdragon 600, 2GB of ram, Wolfson DAC & front facing speakers........just saying....


It's too bad the Notification tray still lags when pulling it down. The S3 & Note 2 did this. I can't imagine why. It's going to bug me.

The price for toggles


Sent from my EVO LTE using Android Central Forums

 

[robsawalker]

Reviews simply reaffirmed the HTC One is the better choice for me. The CNET UK review is, frankly, a bit odd. They say the S4 is the best mobile out there with the best screen, where everyone else says opposite. The same guy reviewed the HTC One though, and said the camera was poor in low light too. So, I honestly wouldn't listen to CNET! All the reviews simply underline that the HTC is better. The main thing for me is the fact that the S4 still suffers from the annoying lag and stutter my S3 does, where the HTC doesn't.

 

[robsawalker]

There isn't any lag, i played with the s4 for about an hour and is a lag free experience. Even snappier than the s3.

Really? Because I sure as hell noticed it. It's not all the time, but try switching between apps and try to do stuff quickly, and it just freezes and stutters, which is exactly what my S3 does sometimes. I tried to baffle the HTC and it didn't happen. For me, this is one of the main points along with camera. I don't want lagging and stuttering. Seriously, I could have put a stopwatch on some of the home button presses.