Why is my S5 so laggy/sluggish when compared to my friend's new iPhone 6 Plus and old iPad 2?

[Conrad Gray]

If you need SD & Removable batteries in your life (ie Samsung users) then avoid getting into a bragging-rights lag battle with your friends. It's aesthetically unpleasant but aside from direct comparisons, it's unnoticeable. Btw, this isn't an android vs Apple issue, it's a cluttered-android-UI vs clean android/ios comparison. My nexus 7 is just as snappy as my iPad. My brothers nexus 5 is just as snappy as my dads iPhone.

 

[prlundberg]

It's aesthetically unpleasant but aside from direct comparisons, it's unnoticeable.

It most certainly is noticeable, no direct comparisons needed. And it's more than "aesthetically unpleasant", it is annoying and frustrating when it doesn't respond like it should.

4.4.4 appears to improve the Verizon phones greatly. It's still not as good as it should be given the hardware specs, but it just might turn out to be acceptable. I'll give it a couple weeks before confirming that.

 

[kit7kat]

from my own experience, iphone and iPad is smoother than android phones and tablets (used iphone 5, and currently use Galaxy note 10.2 and iPad Air). Currently I use LG G2 and I am very happy with it. But if I compare with my wife's iPhone 5s, my LG G2 is not as smooth. But I do care less because I like bigger screen and longer battery life of my lg g2. Even google apps seems to run better in iPhone than in LG G2 and in ipad than in android tablets, could not figure out why. It's true that specs does not seem to be matter much across OS.

 

[Dreamliner330]

Samsung's Galaxy S phones have always been laggy garbage. The Note fares much better because of the increased RAM. Sad thing is: it takes 3GB of RAM just to get the UI to run somewhat smoothly, and it still falls short of the iOS experience. Samsung's heavy skins and useless features bog down their phones. iPhones "just work", as they say.

If you want an Android phone that won't lag, you'll have to get a Nexus.

Agree 100%.

I've been away for Android for a couple years, I couldn't deal with the lag & stutters. I picked up a Nexus 7 (2013) last week and the iPad is way smoother.

iOS is just smoother than Android. I don't know if it will ever change, but I'd love to see it.

Even google apps seems to run better in iPhone than in LG G2 and in ipad than in android tablets, could not figure out why. It's true that specs does not seem to be matter much across OS.

I thought I was the only one that noticed.

 

[JeffDenver]

Why is my S5 so laggy/sluggish when compared to my friend's new iPhone 6 Plus and old iPad 2?

Short answer: Because they are doing less.

The iPhone is designed that way. The home screen is just an app drawer, and iOS restricts how much apps can do in the background and how much they can talk to each other. The OS is also highly optimized for very specific hardware...the S5 is optimized as well, but not nearly to the same degree.

An S5 with a vanilla android ROM will not have that lag. The lag is due to the additional stuff from Touchwiz.

 

[JeffDenver]

iOS is just smoother than Android. I don't know if it will ever change, but I'd love to see it.

iOS does not look smoother to me...at least not on a Nexus 5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI8snnLpEDE

 

[Dreamliner330]

Short answer: Because they are doing less.

With much less. Do not forget the iPhone/iPad is dual core only with 1GB of memory. (iPad 2 is only 512MB).

I've often said specs do not matter, only user experience matters. I still do stand by that. Even my Nexus 7 has to reload widgets when I hit the home button and has lag/stutter issues (although much smoother than the first gen N7 which I quit using and returned after about an hour).

iOS does not look smoother to me...at least not on a Nexus 5.

There is no debate which OS is smoother, iOS clearly is. I've often said the Nexus 5 is the best Android device that exists and I firmly believe that. The fundamental source of Android lag/jitter is that Android runs within a virtual machine on the phone hardware and iOS has direct access. They use hardware much differently. Google has worked very hard to reduce this problem as much as possible (project butter, etc).

I compare Android to a Corvette and iOS to a Porsche. Android is all about horsepower, but its rough around the edges. In real world, the Porsche keeps up or beats it often and is much more refined.

My iOS devices are Jailbroken, I couldn't see myself owning a non-Jailbroken device. I want the smoothness and app quality of iOS with the customizability of Android.

 

[JeffDenver]

With much less. Do not forget the iPhone/iPad is dual core only with 1GB of memory. (iPad 2 is only 512MB).

Oh, I agree. They are very good at that. Android makers are using a Borg mentality with phone design (throw hardware at the problem until it goes away).

Apple does it that way to save money though. Because they make money off hardware. They have an incentive to sell you the least amount of hardware that will satisfy your demands. Not to exceed your demands.

I've often said specs do not matter, only user experience matters. I still do stand by that.

The terms are not mutually exclusive...not even on iOS.

Twitter Responses on iOS8

Slow
https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=ios 8 slow -uptake -report&src=typd
Unusable
https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=ios 8 unusable -uptake -report&src=typd
Lag
https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=ios 8 LAG -uptake -report&src=typd
Crashing
https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=ios 8 crash -uptake -report&src=typd
Freezing
https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=ios 8 freeze&src=typd
https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=ios 8 freezing&src=typd

Tons of reports coming in about slow performance on iPhone 4S's with iOS8 (for example). More is ALWAYS better, because it assists in future proofing.

Also...Android seems to be getting better at optimizing. Kitkat runs wonderfully on any ICS device with at least 512MB of RAM. My HTC Rezound has never run better than with Kitkat, and it launched with Gingerbread.

Even my Nexus 7 has to reload widgets when I hit the home button and has lag/stutter issues

Um...mine does not reload widgets. Might be something wrong with yours? Just tested mine with Clock and battery widgets...home screen came up instantly with no delays at all. No stutter, no nothing. I can post a video of it.

Even my friend's 2012 model doesn't do that.

There is no debate which OS is smoother, iOS clearly is. I've often said the Nexus 5 is the best Android device that exists and I firmly believe that. The fundamental source of Android lag/jitter is that Android runs within a virtual machine on the phone hardware and iOS has direct access.

The differences are so small at this point they might as well not exist, as that video clearly demonstrates. Only benchmarking apps will notice the speed difference in the UI.

I compare Android to a Corvette and iOS to a Porsche. Android is all about horsepower, but its rough around the edges. In real world, the Porsche keeps up or beats it often and is much more refined.

IMO this is a myth...it's not really more refined. It's just more restricted. If you only used the same functions on an Android device, it would be just as "refined". Forbes does not seem to be very impressed with iOS refinement.

1) Updating can be way too hard
2) iCloud Drive’s rollout is a disaster
3) Apple’s calendar is still awful
4) The keyboard functionality isn’t ready for prime time
5) Just make TouchID work already
6) Basic iCloud Storage can’t be a profit center
7) HealthKit and Continuity might as well not exist yet
8) Safari’s “magic box” still can’t match Chrome’s

8 Misses In iOS 8 - Forbes

Items 3, 4, 7, and 8 are especially good examples. This stuff should have already been tested and the kinks worked out. Thats the point of iOS, right? "It just works". Thats the whole appeal of iOS.

Without that, it becomes just like Android...only a lot more expensive and lot less functional. If they are going to start using their own users to beta test (which, frankly, Android does), I don't know that you can call it "refined" anymore.

 

[Dreamliner330]

Without that, it becomes just like Android...only a lot more expensive and lot less functional. If they are going to start using their own users to beta test (which, frankly, Android does), I don't know that you can call it "refined" anymore.

Apple has become unreliable for OS updates, its frustrating. I would never upgrade to a new release without any updates, no way.

The 4S came out in 2011, except for Nexus (Is the Galaxy Nexus even getting L?) which Android devices from 2011 are still getting updates? I also will never update an iDevice past the OS version it came with, too much possibility for slow down.

It's all personal preference, but I bought my Nexus 7 LTE wanting to get back into Android. For a tablet, it can't hold a candle to the performance and refinement of iOS. Yes, iPads are more expensive, but the lack of frustration of stutter-free and whattheheckwasthat-free usage is worth it.

I don't know what your friend does with his 2012 N7, but mine stuttered out of the box. Also, how in the world do you deal with the horrible horrible horrible color banding and terrible sound on your Nexus 7?


Title card above shown at 1:04ish:
Click here for link to sample video.

 

[JeffDenver]

Apple has become unreliable for OS updates, its frustrating. I would never upgrade to a new release without any updates, no way.

The 4S came out in 2011, except for Nexus (Is the Galaxy Nexus even getting L?) which Android devices from 2011 are still getting updates? I also will never update an iDevice past the OS version it came with, too much possibility for slow down.

All of my old phones I had to manually install KitKat on. Google only guarantees support for 18 months on a Nexus, though it is usually longer. The Nexus 4 is looking like it will get Android L. But Kitkat actually runs as good or better than the original OS on anything that shipped with ICS or better.

It's all personal preference, but I bought my Nexus 7 LTE wanting to get back into Android.

You have the LTE version...I don't know if that makes a difference. It shouldn't. Mine is wifi.

For a tablet, it can't hold a candle to the performance and refinement of iOS. Yes, iPads are more expensive, but the lack of frustration of stutter-free and whattheheckwasthat-free usage is worth it.
I have used iPads...I honestly don't get what the fuss is about. The Nexus 7 is just as fast IMO. Touch response is not quite as good, but the transitions are just as fast, and the display is certainly better than an iPad Mini. Even better than the Retina Mini.

I don't know what your friend does with his 2012 N7, but mine stuttered out of the box. Also, how in the world do you deal with the horrible horrible horrible color banding and terrible sound on your Nexus 7?

I am not seeing any banding...that happened on the 2012 model, but not the 2013 one. Took this screenshot just now.



I would say maybe it is the format you are suing or something? Possibly the player (maybe it is playing it in 16-bit color?). The Nexus 7 2014 definitely does beautiful gradients.

 

[Dreamliner330]

I would say maybe it is the format you are suing or something? Possibly the player (maybe it is playing it in 16-bit color?). The Nexus 7 2014 definitely does beautiful gradients.

YouTube dude. Feel free to post a screenshot of the same spot. (use your camera of the screen, if it makes a difference).

If you don't see a difference in smoothness or screen quality between the N7 and an iPad than you are easy to please. I notice the little things and they bug me. Android is not as smooth as iOS, it just is not. Arguing otherwise is simply owners bias.

 

[JeffDenver]

YouTube dude. Feel free to post a screenshot of the same spot. (use your camera of the screen, if it makes a difference).

If you don't see a difference in smoothness or screen quality between the N7 and an iPad than you are easy to please. I notice the little things and they bug me. Android is not as smooth as iOS, it just is not. Arguing otherwise is simply owners bias.

That might be an issue with the Youtube app. The app might be downsampling to 16-bit color for speed. It's definitely not an issue with the device. The device displays awesome gradients.

I'll look at the video after lunch.

 

[Dreamliner330]

That might be an issue with the Youtube app. The app might be downsampling to 16-bit color for speed. It's definitely not an issue with the device. The device displays awesome gradients.

I'll look at the video after lunch.

I compared it against an HTC One, iPhone, iPad and PC. The N7 was the only one with the issue.

I read somewhere that it was a software thing and that ROMs would fix it (which was disappointing since I wanted Nexus devices to avoid dealing with ROMs and things not working). I flashed 4 ROMs before giving up.

At the end of the day, I'll take iOS devices. They work, smoothly, and I don't have to mess around on forums to get it to work right....or at least better.

I'd pay a lot of money for a Nexus phone and tablet on Verizon that delivered a User Experience in terms of smoothness and quality that could match what Apple has done. It doesn't exist.

 

[JeffDenver]

I don't know what your friend does with his 2012 N7, but mine stuttered out of the box. Also, how in the world do you deal with the horrible horrible horrible color banding and terrible sound on your Nexus 7?
View attachment 137996

Title card above shown at 1:04ish

This is a screenshot I just took on mine...there is minor banding, but I am seeing it on the desktop version as well.



Nothing even remotely as bad as what you posted. There is something wrong with your nexus if you really have a 2013 model and it really looks like that. That or maybe you need to update Youtube?

 

[Dreamliner330]

This is a screenshot I just took on mine...there is minor banding, but I am seeing it on the desktop version as well.

View attachment 138017

Screen shot it with a camera. And make sure its bright.

 

[JeffDenver]

Screen shot it with a camera. And make sure its bright.

Why? The camera will introduce it's own artifacts. It won't be an accurate screenshot.

The banding you are talking about is actually in the video. It looks prominent in your "screenshot" because it's not a real screenshot...it's external video footage. That introduces it's own distortions and artifacts which are not on the original.

The screenshot I am showing is how it actually looks on my nexus. Here is a screenshot from my PC.



Not a lot of difference IMO.

 

[JeffDenver]

I compared it against an HTC One, iPhone, iPad and PC. The N7 was the only one with the issue.

I read somewhere that it was a software thing and that ROMs would fix it (which was disappointing since I wanted Nexus devices to avoid dealing with ROMs and things not working). I flashed 4 ROMs before giving up.

I don't think the problem is real, which is why ROMs would not fix it. I believe you are sincere in believing it is real, but I am not seeing the prominent banding you're describing.

At the end of the day, I'll take iOS devices. They work, smoothly, and I don't have to mess around on forums to get it to work right....or at least better.

They might work smoothly for you...a lot of people are having problems though.

Some iOS 8 users report sluggish Wi-Fi, shorter battery life - CNET

Apple’s IOS 8 Software Update Causing Apps to Crash More - Bloomberg

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6539279

iOS 8 problems not so magical: Slow, Laggy, Bloaty, Crashy, Buggy, Drainy and Doc | Computerworld

 

[JeffDenver]

YouTube dude. Feel free to post a screenshot of the same spot. (use your camera of the screen, if it makes a difference).

If you don't see a difference in smoothness or screen quality between the N7 and an iPad than you are easy to please. I notice the little things and they bug me. Android is not as smooth as iOS, it just is not. Arguing otherwise is simply owners bias.

I'm not making it up. And I'm not the only one impressed with the Nexus display.

The big differences in Color Gamut between the Kindle Fire HDX 7 and Nexus 7, and the much smaller Gamut in the iPad mini Retina Display were quite obvious and easy to see in the side-by-side Viewing Tests. ... The new Google Nexus 7 has a very impressive display that uses the highest performance LCDs with Low Temperature Poly Silicon LTPS. The very high efficiency LTPS technology allows the new Nexus 7 display to provide a full 100 percent Color Gamut and at the same time produce the brightest Tablet display that we have measured so far in this Shoot-Out series.

...

the iPad mini with Retina Display unfortunately comes in with a distant 3rd place finish behind the innovative displays on the Kindle Fire HDX 7 and new Nexus 7 because it still has the same small 63 percent Color Gamut as the original iPad mini and even older iPad 2.

Mini Tablet Display Technology Shoot-Out

Unlike us, they are not eye-balling it. Their tests are precise and objective.

 

[Dreamliner330]

What is the name of that gradient app?

I don't think the problem is real, which is why ROMs would not fix it. I believe you are sincere in believing it is real, but I am not seeing the prominent banding you're describing.

I provided a photo.

They might work smoothly for you...a lot of people are having problems though.

All iOS 8.

Unlike us, they are not eye-balling it. Their tests are precise and objective.

Tests are fine, but the photo shows my N7 looks like crap.

 

[JeffDenver]

What is the name of that gradient app?

It's not an app. I made a gradient in photoshop, sent the picture to my nexus, and displayed the picture while taking a screenshot.

Bonus: Android screenshots are in PNG format...so there is not even distortion from compression.

I provided a photo.

You should have called it a photo, and not a screenshot. Even if I was to accept your photo, we could not do a real comparison unless we were using the same camera for both devices anyway, and under the same conditions.

Tests are fine, but the photo shows my N7 looks like crap.

Yes, your PHOTO shows that...but thats not what it actually looks like in real life.

Not sure about you...I do not view my Nexus through a 3rd device when I use it. So maybe thats why this is not an issue for me.

They might work smoothly for you...a lot of people are having problems though.

All iOS 8.

iOS8 is a part of the iPhone/iPad. Unless you are saying Apple only works great if you never upgrade.

Although that would not really apply here, since even people with iPhone 6s are claiming to have problems.