s3 moving to htc one possibly

jj2339

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So I have had my s3 for over a year, and am getting a bit bored. Saw that the htc one is up for a great price at best buy, so doing some hard thinking about upgrading. However, worried that this will be more of a lateral move, and maybe I should wait for 2014 for a true upgrade from current s3. Questions...

1 how is the battery? Anyone had both phones and can speak to the differences? My s3 isn't getting the best battery life these days, but I do use it a lot, and would keep same usage on the htc one.

2. I know the speakers sound great on the hc, but what about with headphones? Is there a noticeable difference between the two with headphones on?

3. The lack of an sd card is a big concern, since I do have a 64 gig card full of music. I now use all access so think it won't be as big a deal, but my s3 is a 32 gb, and I've got less than 8 gigs left now, so not a lot of room for the future, so worried I may start to get tight in two years if I swap

4. I take a ton of pics, but many are outdoors. Concerned about the outside camera quality vs s3. I know the low light is superior on htc one, but how is the outside quality for shots?

5. Finally, is it more of a lateral move? I love the design of it, but for functionality, it does feel a bit like I am upgrading too soon, since the s3 isn't a bad phone. The s4 is boring from an s3 perspective, but with the latest htc woes in the news, plus the fairly equal functionality, I just worry I'm only doing it for the excitement of getting a new device, which may wear off.

Thanks in advance!
 

jhilker

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I came from an S3 as well. Had a 64 gb card as well, but I've signed up for Google Play Music All Access, so now I have access to my entire library without having to download them. Saves a ton of space.

I have found battery life to be exceptional. I leave Power Saver turned on, and don't see that it has any impact on performance, and I'm able to leave wifi and Bluetooth turned on. I can use the phone during the day to check email, occasionally read a book or watch a movie, and even spend some time on a game. After 14 hours I'll often still have 40% battery left.

I haven't missed the S3 a bit. I was always partial to HTC hardware, but the One really steps it up a notch. It's absolutely gorgeous! Feels very premium.

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk 4
 

garublador

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I wouldn't call it a lateral move, but it's not a horribly big jump, either. IMO, unless there's a big leap in technology or some specific feature you want (e.g. you listen to you phone using the internal speakers a lot), it's usually not worth upgrading early. The One will probably be slightly better in about every way, but there won't be anything super fantastic that you get with it that you don't get with your S3. With the phones coming out with the low power, application specific processor "cores" (i.e. the Motorola phones and iPhone 5S) I'd think that waiting another year will probably get you something that's not only an improvement in every way over the One, but it will also have some newer tech/features that aren't available on very many phones yet.
 

freddyttt

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I disagree phones just don't advance that fast just look at the past year or two a lot of advances with touch wiz and so forth have been flops. Zoe and the front speakers have been a breakthrough. other then that it's been gimmicks that take up space and don't work imho

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using AC Forums mobile app
 

icwhatudidthere

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Agree with garublador. I switched to an HTC One 64GB from an S3 with 64GB MicroSD. The One is slightly better in all ways but nothing is revolutionary. The actual camera sensor IMHO is a step down, but the software is slightly better and I like being able to hold down the shutter button and pick the best picture in the sequence.

I didn't think I'd be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p on a small screen but the One's screen is noticeably better. It's subtle but given the choice, I'd rather have the One's screen.

Space isn't as much of an issue now that I'm on All Access. I'm offline a lot so I have to have my music local and All Access makes it easier than having to sync to a specific PC. I used to just stick 30GB of music on the SD card since managing all that is a hassle. Now I just pin/unpin when I feel like it.

Battery life is definitely better on the One. I have a feeling the S3 battery was just getting old but the One easily gets about 1.5x the battery life of my S3. Even more when I don't play games.

Build quality is obviously better but I've a feeling it won't look as pretty after a drop or two.

Overall I'm happy with it but I probably wouldn't have purchased it if my S3 wasn't having issues. Which actually reminds me one big reason to switch, Samsung software quality is horrible. I got fed up with lots of little issues that are simply nonexistent on the One.

ETA, some additional thoughts: sound wise, I honestly couldn't tell much of a difference through headphones with the obvious exception of Beats which really just pumps up the bass. I've heard it's supposed to also include isolated circuitry to reduce noise but I use a pair of Sony Bluetooth headphones so it's probably moot. The Beats bass processing does help since the Sony's are light on bass.

And if you care about it, the mic in my unit is much better than the S3 for recording concert clips.
 

zorrowaz

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The ONE is not the best but.... The Greatest Superphone to come in this world folks don't relies they talk about iPhone 5 Samsung s3 or the s4 but the HTC one is in a different league and planet.....

Posted via Android Central App
 

jj2339

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Thanks everyone for the feedback! I agree with several of you that while it would be incrementally better, I am probable better off waiting till next year to see what comes up, since this would really be an incremental bump rather than a huge increase...like my original droid to my thunderbolt.....course that was also not the best experience either. :)

I think I am just itchy for a new toy, htc one is a gorgeous phone, and it has an amazing screen. But at the end of the day, it probably won't do anything else that much better than the s3, to warrant upgrading now. But damn, it is a beautiful device!! I think that is why I'm bored with the s3, it really isn't all that pretty....no matter what case I slap on it!
 

joshwithachance

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The One is better than the S3 is almost every single way. The design/build is far superior, the screen is sharper and incredibly accurate, the speakers/audio experience is unmatched on any other smartphone, the front facing camera is in a league of it's own, and Sense 5 is MUCH smoother and sleek compared with TouchWiz. The choice is up to you though.

My only quibbles with the phone would be that the microphone records excellent audio, but it's a bit low in volume. Also, the main camera is "meh" at best, but definitely good enough for those Twitter/Instagram shots.
 

Topgonzo

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Um the one is a step up. On par with the s4. In my opinion if you are waiting for a revolutionary break through that will never happen. Tweeks in OS and minor hardware upgrades but technology isn't snapping that fast. You would always be waiting if you wanted to get the newest phone

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 

Gator352

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Most everything (new software features) that gets slapped onto a new phone by the manufacturer will be replicated in some sort of fashion by a developer and put in the play store for our enjoyment.

Got to remember OP that as soon as you think that you have bought the latest and greatest, within 2 months, they will be touting something new. And only if you have waited right? If you wait, you will be in a never ending loop of "what if's". Best thing to do is go play with a phone you like. Then play with it some more. Turn it on and make it all hot. Walk away from it for a few days...and yes it's going to miss you...then come back and fondle its hardware some more. At that point, if its a phone you think that YOU can like for at least a year....then get it. Don't be shy.
 

hodan

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I get where you are coming from. A little background.

I bought the Gnex from the Play store. Used it until my Nexus 4 arrived. Decided it was an incremental upgrade. Back on the Gnex until the One came out. This is a worthy upgrade.

Because the S3 is better than the Gnex I'd say it's less of an upgrade. However - here are the huge upgrades - Screen. No phone comes close to the screen quality of the One. Go to any store and compare. Also, Sense 5 is really nice and polished - including zoes and highlights with the camera. The speakers/speakerphone are amazing. I talk 3000 minutes a month, probably have on speakerphone, including conference calls, and no one has asked if I'm using a speakerphone.

So, imo, several legitimate upgrades. But there will be many new models next year. And the next. If you want a huge upgrade, then hold out until your phone dies. The S6 will have a 4k display, 4k camera, 128 gb sd card, 8 core 64 bit processor, 4gb ram, and all manner of touch/hand motion/voice control features.

You need to get into a best buy or Costco or radio shack and try them out.

Posted via Android Central App
 

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