So, I've finally played with the S5 for a bit...

[97TAWS6]

Will be hitting my local ATT store tonight to mess around with the S5..currently have S3, so it'll be a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[giper54]

I returned my one because of the bezel and on screen buttons. There is so much wasted space. I have never had a Samsung, but the one I used at an ATT store was nice. My major complaints about Samsung seemed to have been addressed. The lag and stutter seemed to be greatly improved and the reception is much better. The S5 had about 5-7 dbm higher than the S4 next to it.

 

[Premium1]

I'll never understand the big deal about the metal design. Yes, it looks nice, but why does everyone ignore the obvious drawbacks? It's tall. It's got wasted bezel space because they insist front facing speakers are the way to go even though sales numbers help to determine that's probably not the case. It's slippery. It doesn't allow for wireless charging. It has the lock button on the top, which is annoying for a taller device. It also scratches easily.

So because it -looks- better it doesn't need to function better? Most people put cases on their phones so it doesn't really matter.

Posted via Android Central App

Because it's metal so it automatically makes everything better. I never understood this either. Sadly if the s5 was metal, nobody would even be talking about the m8 but since it's "cheap plastic" which actually go play with one and it's far from cheap. People jump all over the m8 and it's sub par camera and large size for the screen size.

 

[Spencerdl]

My 2?:
Is the S5 better than the M8? :Each have their merits, but I prefer the M8. (Mostly because sense is cleaner, and it looks better)
Is the S5 enough to make me plan on buying it instead of a Note 3 when I upgrade? Heck no! (My dream phone is the Note 3, but with a REAL leather backing and a REAL metal band)
If I had to either keep my dinosaur of a smartphone (iPhone 4) or upgrade to the S5, what would I do? S5, duh.

A REAL metal band and a REAL leather backing would be my dream phone as well, but without the REAL materials the Black Note3 has a quality and professional look...IMHO. The Note3 is by far the BEST smartphone I have owned to date and I have owned plenty.

 

[thegrants82]

and then M8 owners wrap a plastic case around it anyway...

Because it's metal so it automatically makes everything better. I never understood this either. Sadly if the s5 was metal, nobody would even be talking about the m8 but since it's "cheap plastic" which actually go play with one and it's far from cheap. People jump all over the m8 and it's sub par camera and large size for the screen size.

 

[Netherscourge]

Reasons I like the S5 over the M8:

1. You can just wrap a metal 3rd party case around a plastic S5, if metal is your thing.
2. Waterproof/Dustproof
3. 16MP camera vs 4MP camera
4. DDR3 Ram vs DDR2 RAM
5. USB 3.0 vs USB 2.0
6. The interface buttons are OFF-Screen, on opposite sides of the home button on the S5. On the M8, the interface buttons are on-screen, along with the home button, above a big ugly HTC billboard. They obstruct your view of the screen.
7. Removable battery
8. Download from LTE and WIFI at the same time (download booster; some carriers)
9. Headphone jack is on opposite side of the data jack; so you can still use the headphone jack if your device is docked.

The only thing I like about the HTC One M8 is the front-facing stereo speakers. But that is no way near important enough for me to ignore all those other things I listed.

BTW - there was mention of Blinkfeed being made into a multi-platform APP for any Android Device, which kinda takes away from one of the best reasons to get a HTC phone in the first place. (makes no sense to me, but I'm not complaining.)

 

[Adranalyne]

Because it's metal so it automatically makes everything better. I never understood this either. Sadly if the s5 was metal, nobody would even be talking about the m8 but since it's "cheap plastic" which actually go play with one and it's far from cheap. People jump all over the m8 and it's sub par camera and large size for the screen size.

As far as the sales go, that matters a lot. It may seem like the metal design and Boomsound speakers are a huge deal because of how reviewers rate both of them, but the consumers don't seem to agree. For good reason. Most people use a case and headphones so those apparent strengths probably don't translate to much. They sure don't with me.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[GrooveRite]

As far as the sales go, that matters a lot. It may seem like the metal design and Boomsound speakers are a huge deal because of how reviewers rate both of them, but the consumers don't seem to agree. For good reason. Most people use a case and headphones so those apparent strengths probably don't translate to much. They sure don't with me.

Posted via Android Central App

Yup, same here!

I must take this moment to tell you guys how much I LOVE my cheapy JVC Riptidz!! I LOOVVEE these headsets!! Just great for the gym (sweat proof) and are so damn light and comfortable that I don't get fatigue in my ears. No joke, I can listen to these headsets all day long and not have them hurting my ears at the end of the day. I've gone through many budget IEM's but these are the best that I've come across, for me. Clear, crisp highs with nice tight bass for bass heavy music. A little lacking in the mid-range but still great overall!

 

[Fishfam4]

A REAL metal band and a REAL leather backing would be my dream phone as well, but without the REAL materials the Black Note3 has a quality and professional look...IMHO. The Note3 is by far the BEST smartphone I have owned to date and I have owned plenty.

It does look very professional (unless it's in pink).

Actually, maybe real leather is a no go, especially near liquids...

 

[Spencerdl]

It does look very professional (unless it's in pink).

Actually, maybe real leather is a no go, especially near liquids...

Real leather also starts to get a worn out look as time goes by, but it would be nice...SMILE

 

[97TAWS6]

I just went to att store and played with the S5 white model (only color on display). Snappy, nice camera and screen..everything im expecting when I upgrade from my S3 in a couple of months

 

[freddyttt]

Sense over touchwize anyday-
metel over cheap plasitic with fuax leather or whatever it is.
front facing (loud) speakers over back speaker
lcd over amoled screens... yes. seeing my phone in the direct sun-light is Important to me.
m8 did better on drop test

for(me)the only thing the s5 does better then the m8 is the camera.

this is all imho!

 

[thegrants82]

And removable battery and better battery and water proof and better display and it will actually fit in your back pocket without hanging out and it's not slippery like a fish and.....well you....can see it now, right?

Sense over touchwize anyday-
metel over cheap plasitic with fuax leather or whatever it is.
front facing (loud) speakers over back speaker
lcd over amoled screens... yes. seeing my phone in the direct sun-light is Important to me.
m8 did better on drop test

for(me)the only thing the s5 does better then the m8 is the camera.

this is all imho!

 

[Adranalyne]

What I love about Samsung is that they don't take their foot off the pedal. HTC does a BOGO at Verizon? Samsung follows suit. They could probably still outsell the M8 2-1 even if they didn't do the BOGO deal, but they're not letting up.

With that said, I think they give the M8 a little too much respect. HTC has the most laughable strategy I've seen in a long time and it shows in efforts like the "blah blah blah" commercial. Only time will tell if going with the same ideas from last year (Boomsound, metal design, etc) will yield them a different result.

I'll bet on "No".

Posted via Android Central App

 

[intrepid359]

And honestly, I don't know what to think of it. (For now)

Here are my impressions.

Design - Couldn't even recognize the device for the first time until I look at it closer. I tested a white model, which actually looks pretty nice in my opinion. The back, while not a sight to behold, feels a lot better than the S4, but not quite up to the feel of the Note 3, but it's a nice improvement. I went to see it with my sister, and she remarked her dislike of the faux metallic trim on the side of the phone. I honestly don't think it's that bad, but hey, there's always a case for that, right?

Software - TouchWiz looks different, but doesn't actually feel that different. I'm sure there are some differences there but it's kinda subtle. From the time I played with it, the animations take a while, though I'm pretty sure some tweaks in the developer options should fix that.

Performance - On the demo unit, it feels snappy. However, due to my past experience with Samsung phones, your model's performance may have a slight variation, depending on age, number of apps running and apps/services installed.

Camera - Noticeable improvement. Looks sharper and has a wicked fast AF.

Other stuff - Tested the heartbeat sensor. Reasonably accurate, but considering the fact that my other phones (HTC One, GS3, etc.) have a heartbeat sensor app, and that they are also reasonable accurate, it's kind of a gimmick to me. Didn't test the fingerprint sensor, unfortunately.

Overall, do I like the S5? Yes. Is it good enough to drive me away from my HTC One M7? No. Is it better than the One M8? No. Is the One M8 better? Slightly, but not by much, though it's camera is still disappointing.

Honestly, both the S5 and One M8 are great phones, and I also know that the Z2 will be another great smartphone.

Note that my views on all phones are solely based on my own personal PoV. You may not agree with me, and I fully respect that.

I have the Xperia Z2, and I honestly don't see the Galaxy S5 even coming close to being a real competitor. There isn't one thing I could criticize about it, except that it doesn't have the Moto X's enhancements. The camera initially seemed a little "meh," but the latest firmware update looks like it has resolved that.

I'm very picky with phones. VERY picky. The Xperia Z2 has everything I was looking for, and then some. The M8 has a more appealing design, but the Z2 isn't a slouch in that department at all. Sony needs to market the hell out of that phone. Seriously, I see very little reason to go with any other phone, and I have traditionally not been pleased with Sony hardware.

 

[hardrocker89]

If the z2 would be available on sprint I'd definitely consider it but I understand they don't do cdma phones

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[Premium1]

and then M8 owners wrap a plastic case around it anyway...

And one of the main complaints is how "slippery" the phone feels with its metal finish.

 

[freddyttt]

And removable battery and better battery and water proof and better display and it will actually fit in your back pocket without hanging out and it's not slippery like a fish and.....well you....can see it now, right?

cool story... don't care about battery as the m8 goes all day. i generaly keep my phones away from the water. dropping is the bigger problem. id rather see my phone in direct sun-light. impossible to do with amoled. i don't put my phones in my back pocket.

thanks-. but don't get so defensive it's only a phone and whats good for you may not be good for me.

 

[Premium1]

As far as the sales go, that matters a lot. It may seem like the metal design and Boomsound speakers are a huge deal because of how reviewers rate both of them, but the consumers don't seem to agree. For good reason. Most people use a case and headphones so those apparent strengths probably don't translate to much. They sure don't with me.

Posted via Android Central App

I am the same way. I do not listen to that much music through the speakers that would warrant the extra added size. Plus metal is nice yes, but is it really worth taking over a device with a better camera? I wish the z2 would become official on verizon so I knew what to choose. But right now it is looking like the s5, or maybe the moto x if they improve the camera. Everyone can say "get a camera" but in this day and age people don't want to carry 2 devices and a sub par camera will be a turn off to many. That is the reason I did not get a moto x, and its always the reason keeping me from the m8, even though I really liked the device in those other areas.

 

[kregstrong]

cool story... don't care about battery as the m8 goes all day. i generaly keep my phones away from the water. dropping is the bigger problem. id rather see my phone in direct sun-light. impossible to do with amoled. i don't put my phones in my back pocket.

thanks-. but don't get so defensive it's only a phone and whats good for you may not be good for me.

I have had the note 2, gs3, gs4, note 3. And I can see them in direct sunlight just as well if not better than my lg g2 which uses LCD. So not a valid argument, I work construction so I'm out in it all day and I've never had a problem with amoled, especially the gs4. It was pretty good in sun

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