Super close to pulling the trigger on either the ONE or Moto X

[RavenSword]

I went to the ATT store today and used both the Moto X and the HTC ONE. I really liked the HTC ones screen, but I still don't know if I could get used to sense 5. It's not that I despised it, it was just completely different and strange.

It's seems like I'd gain more personal positives with the moto x: better UI, supposedly better battery life, active notifications, and much closer to a google android experience than the one. Really, I just want stock(ish) android.

But I can't shake the feeling that I'm not getting the most value for my money when the phone is only 720p and the internals aren't as bleeding edge. I'm going to be paying full retail price on this phone (though it'll be overtime via att next) but I can't shake that I'm going to get more with the HTC ONE than with the moto x since there so close in retail price.

I know the moto x hardware is probably good enough, all the review I've read said as much, but I can't shake that feeling. One thing I'm worried is that with the HTC ONE I'm buying into HTCs version of Android, not Google's.

Anyone have any thoughts or advice? This is a very tough decision

 

[roflwaffleton]

They're both great phones. Can't really go wrong either way.

 

[bigoldthor]

Disclaimer: haven't handled the Moto X but read a lot about it. Seems like a great phone, and yeah, the 720p is kind of a bummer, but honestly at 4.7" most people won't notice. As for Sense 5, I absolutely love it. It may not give you as many options, bells and whistles as, say, Samsung, but it is so smoooooooooth. I'm talking buttery smooth. No hitchiness or jerkiness at all. To me, that is an absolute must-have for a flagship device. It makes the user experience so much better. Same goes for the default HTC browser...just smooth as a baby's bottom.

I've heard good things about the Moto X, but what does it have, only 16gb of storage? They do have a 32gb model but not sure who has it. If it's 16gb, that's a no-go for me. Plus the sexy aluminum body on the one is gorgeous, though I've read the Moto X body has a great feel and look to it. The One sound is great too with front-facing speakers. Battery life is so-so, though, and it charges so slowly it's annoying. Also read the Moto X camera is underwhelming, though the One is just okay, though great in low light. It also has the Zoes which are very cool...use them a LOT more than I ever thought I would.

As the previous poster said, you can't really go wrong with either one.

 

[Farish]

The biggest argument that can be made is how badly do you want touchless controls/battery life/active notifications versus a better sound system/larger base storage/screen resolution.

 

[chrgnthru]

After having the One since release date I have to say this device is the best one out for ME. Everything about the phone is just top notch and great. My only beef with it is the battery life but even then I can easily manage a full day on one charge. Moto X does seem pretty sweet but I can't say I'd choose it over my one. In fact I just bought another One in black. You really won't know whats better for you until you try them both. I say weigh the pros and cons of both devices then pick up the winnner, if you don't like it pay the restocking fee and get the other.

 

[RavenSword]

The biggest argument that can be made is how badly do you want touchless controls/battery life/active notifications versus a better sound system/larger base storage/screen resolution.

Mostly its coming down to the fa that I really want as close to stock android as I can get. Unless I can easily get that on the ONE. ideally I would want the Google edition HTC ONE, but I can't afford that all at once. So I'm reliant on at next because its monthly payments.

 

[Farish]

Mostly its coming down to the fa that I really want as close to stock android as I can get. Unless I can easily get that on the ONE. ideally I would want the Google edition HTC ONE, but I can't afford that all at once. So I'm reliant on at next because its monthly payments.

There is a program called open mic that is close to the touchless feature of the X, but uses more battery life and doesn't work well when the phone is locked.

 

[RavenSword]

There is a program called open mic that is close to the touchless feature of the X, but uses more battery life and doesn't work well when the phone is locked.

Is there anyway to get the HTC ONE close to stick android look and feel? I don't know how I feel about flashing or ROMing/rooting. I tend not to do things like that with 600 dollar items.

 

[Farish]

Is there anyway to get the HTC ONE close to stick android look and feel? I don't know how I feel about flashing or ROMing/rooting. I tend not to do things like that with 600 dollar items.

Honestly in my opinion other than Blinkfeed, the HTC One is a really close to stock experience. It is one of the reasons why there are little complaints about HTC One lag on the forums.
Also the great camera features like Zoe and others don't come with the GPE of the HTC One.

It sounds like your heart is set on the HTC One, go with your heart.

 

[bespinct]

What about stock do you like? There are ways to make non devices feel more like stock, it just depends on what In particular you want from stock.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[RavenSword]

Honestly in my opinion other than Blinkfeed, the HTC One is a really close to stock experience. It is one of the reasons why there are little complaints about HTC One lag on the forums.
Also the great camera features like Zoe and others don't come with the GPE of the HTC One.

It sounds like your heart is set on the HTC One, go with your heart.

Honestly, with the HTC ONE (or any phone) I'm just going to install all the stock Google apps I can from the play store and use those instead (Google keyboard, play movies, play music, google calendar, chrome, gmail, Google keep, Google drive) so probably its going to look halfway to stock android anyway, lol. I just didn't know if I was going to be annoyed with the deeper functions of sense 5 that I can't swap put like blink feed, how they do copy paste functions, sharing between apps, or any of the dozen other little things that a OEM Skin does.

 

[RavenSword]

What about stock do you like? There are ways to make non devices feel more like stock, it just depends on what In particular you want from stock.

Posted via Android Central App

I don't want the OEM clutter. I want something fast, streamlined, and easy to use. And efficient. I find those things stock android has.

Also the fact that its all Google services. I don't want to be forced to use things like S voice, S beam, or if HTC has similar things. The only company I really want hooks in on my android device is Google, not the OEM. s the reason I don't want a Samsung phone.

I dont know if that makes sense. I want to be in the Google android Eco system, not the (enter OEM name here) ecosystem.

In other words, I want a android phone made by HTC, not a phone that runs HTC.

 

[bigoldthor]

Two thoughts:

1. You can get the Google Edition HTC One. It's unlocked and is as close to vanilla android as you'll get.

2. HTC Sense 5 is very, very smooth and doesn't have all the crap that Touchwiz has. It's user friendly, non-intrusive, and...did I mention smooth?

 

[Farish]

I don't want the OEM clutter. I want something fast, streamlined, and easy to use. And efficient. I find those things stock android has.

Also the fact that its all Google services. I don't want to be forced to use things like S voice, S beam, or if HTC has similar things. The only company I really want hooks in on my android device is Google, not the OEM. s the reason I don't want a Samsung phone.

I dont know if that makes sense. I want to be in the Google android Eco system, not the (enter OEM name here) ecosystem.

In other words, I want a android phone made by HTC, not a phone that runs HTC.

Custom Launcher will fix Blinkfeed/UI concern.

HTC really doesn't have those similar things like you mentioned. To tell the truth though, I have the S4 and I am not forced to use those features either. I set reminders and other items in Google Now. I know a lot of users haven't chimed maybe because of the holiday traffic is low but one of the things that is touted here about the HTC One is the near stock experience.

But I really really prefer the S Calendar for example versus the stock experience. I wouldn't want you to lose out on the Camera features you would be missing out on a GPE of the HTC One.

 

[RavenSword]

Custom Launcher will fix Blinkfeed/UI concern.

HTC really doesn't have those similar things like you mentioned. To tell the truth though, I have the S4 and I am not forced to use those features either. I set reminders and other items in Google Now. I know a lot of users haven't chimed maybe because of the holiday traffic is low but one of the things that is touted here about the HTC One is the near stock experience.

But I really really prefer the S Calendar for example versus the stock experience. I wouldn't want you to lose out on the Camera features you would be missing out on a GPE of the HTC One.

So after rereading anandtechs HTC ONE review, and considering what you and others have said, I'm decided on going with the HTC ONE when Oct 3rd rolls around. Your right, the UI is close to stock feeling, and ho early I like the visual look of sense 5 in areas. And I can just switch out the HTC browser, calendar app, email app with their Google equivalents, so I'm not missing much I think. And I'm going to throw swiftkey on the phone anyway.

Just one more question: is battery life on this phone going to be better than my nexus 4? I want something with at least good battery life.

Also, I really hope HTC is able to get 4.3 on this thing within this september like they said. 4.2 is already out for it, but not in the states some reason.

 

[Farish]

So after rereading anandtechs HTC ONE review, and considering what you and others have said, I'm decided on going with the HTC ONE when Oct 3rd rolls around. Your right, the UI is close to stock feeling, and ho early I like the visual look of sense 5 in areas. And I can just switch out the HTC browser, calendar app, email app with their Google equivalents, so I'm not missing much I think. And I'm going to throw swiftkey on the phone anyway.

Just one more question: is battery life on this phone going to be better than my nexus 4? I want something with at least good battery life.

I can't honestly answer that because the HTC One used in our household is by my wife and she burns through any smartphone battery because of her high and constant usage.

 

[RavenSword]

I can't honestly answer that because the HTC One used in our household is by my wife and she burns through any smartphone battery because of her high and constant usage.

Fair enough. I assume it'll be at least some improvement over my nexus 4. Least that's what Brian klugs AnandTech review showed on their battery life chart.

 

[bp3dots]

Having had my X for a few days, I can say:

The screen hasn't been an issue (I was a bit concerned, but decided to order it and see aht happened) It looks better than my GS3.
The camera could use some work, but I was able to get decent shots. (Might just take a few extra tries)
Battery life was great, I actually forgot my charger when I went out of town for the weekend, and survived with a couple hours on a friends and my 2k mAh portable battery.

As for the "not bleeding edge" hardware, This phone is easily the best performing I've used. Moto got it right with the X8 setup.

 

[squarekid]

Isn't the moto x price going to drop to $99 soon? At least that's the headline I saw recently.

 

[Farish]

Isn't the moto x price going to drop to $99 soon? At least that's the headline I saw recently.

He is buying the phone off contract through the ATT Next Program, so that won't matter.