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dontpannic

macrumors 6502
May 16, 2011
460
4
Orpington, Kent, UK
Be aware if you have latest 4.2.2 software you will have KNOX installed, and even if you flash a GE rom and then use triangle away for masking your flashing should you revert back for repair / service. The KnOX counter can not be flashed back/reset meaning they will know you have flashed / tampered with the software and your warranty will be voided.

O2 customised ROM didn't come with KNOX, I have an entry for it in all applications but I can't see it in either recovery or download mode (either 0x0 or 0x1).
 

Fanaticalism

macrumors 6502a
Apr 16, 2013
908
158
Not a fan of the Atom element case, it looks too bulky but I like the clean seamless look of the slim armor from spigen.

Do you know if the the glas T nano is the thinnest screen protector available? And how would it compare to the zagg invisible shield HD? I had the zagg on my One X+ and it held up pretty well but it did still look like I had a screen protector on. I guess I'm looking for something that's nearly invisible.

I use the Zagg with a Spigen case, you really can't tell the protector is on it if you didn't know it was there

Believe it or not, the Element case feels more ergonomic, and slimmer because of it. The sound boost system is especially nice when holding the phone in hand.

No comparison between Zagg and glass screen protectors, especially the Spigen. The Spigen truly is a precision cut and fits so well with cases that you can't even tell it is there, if it weren't for the rim along the top. When you pair this with "naked" feel of the Spigen, it takes the cake.

The Zagg, after a month begins to show its age due to the indentations from being in your pockets, or things rubbing up against it. I've done both HD and the new Extreme,
 

Dontazemebro

macrumors 68020
Jul 23, 2010
2,173
0
I dunno, somewhere in West Texas
Believe it or not, the Element case feels more ergonomic, and slimmer because of it. The sound boost system is especially nice when holding the phone in hand.

No comparison between Zagg and glass screen protectors, especially the Spigen. The Spigen truly is a precision cut and fits so well with cases that you can't even tell it is there, if it weren't for the rim along the top. When you pair this with "naked" feel of the Spigen, it takes the cake.

The Zagg, after a month begins to show its age due to the indentations from being in your pockets, or things rubbing up against it. I've done both HD and the new Extreme,

Hmm interesting, when you say glass screen protector you don't really mean it's made from glass?
 

Giuly

macrumors 68040
So last year I got the S3 (a couple of months before the iPhone redesign) and although it was nice to have a bigger screen the irritating lag, sub par camera, poor integration with my Mac and terrible S Voice responses meant that I sold it and got the iPhone 5.

Whilst being completely underwhelmed by this years Apple releases I decided to start the hunt for an Android device once more - HTC One, S4, LG G2, Note 3 etc but found a complete bargain brand new S4 on Amazon for £402 and couldn't resist.

WOW, what a difference a year makes - using Nova this thing is ultra responsive, seriously fast, completely customisable, and just amazing. I am completely in love. S Voice concerns no longer exist and the AI is far more intelligent, Android File Transfer allows drag and drop iTunes playlists, Dropbox is providing me with a backup camera solution (+ automation in OSX = photostream compatible) and Helium provides an iCloud style device back up. It has literally destroyed any interest in iPhones in general and I haven't used my iPad since either.

Having the ability to modify the launcher, bought a minimal icon pack etc to give the phone the feel I want, mixed in with no data download caps and a far more 'open' experience is so awesome.

Yes, it's plastic, but do I care when I'm using it? No, not at all. Great, great phone.

Just my two p (cents):D

Converted.

And by S4 you mean the new Mercedes S-class with a 4.0 L hybrid engine? But even then I'd argue that it's physically too large.
 

jrswizzle

macrumors 603
Aug 23, 2012
6,107
129
McKinney, TX
Anyone else having issues setting up iCloud email on the stock email app? It was all working fine until a couple of days ago when I stopped receiving my iCloud emails on my GS4......now, when I try to set it up I can't get past the "incoming server" settings. I've tried everything.....
 

Dr McKay

macrumors 68040
Aug 11, 2010
3,539
276
Kirkland
Anyone else having issues setting up iCloud email on the stock email app? It was all working fine until a couple of days ago when I stopped receiving my iCloud emails on my GS4......now, when I try to set it up I can't get past the "incoming server" settings. I've tried everything.....

I'm still getting my icloud emails fine on my Note 3, did you set it up manually or let it auto setup?
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Anyone else having issues setting up iCloud email on the stock email app? It was all working fine until a couple of days ago when I stopped receiving my iCloud emails on my GS4......now, when I try to set it up I can't get past the "incoming server" settings. I've tried everything.....

Yeah happened to me but with outgoing server a few days back with it failing to send mail on my S4.

I couldn't fix it so ended up using Gmail to send mail, but incoming at least worked for me.
 

rillrill

macrumors 6502a
Jul 27, 2011
843
654
New York
so i received my S4 GE phone yesterday.

Likes: stock android is still the best. awesome screen, 5"s is great. it's light. removable battery.

Dislikes: the speakers aren't that great. the plastic is pretty slimy feeling (although a custom back plate could probably fix that), battery life doesn't seem to be much better than the nexus 4. more testing needs to be done though.

Major Issues: this phone really heats up during basic functions - download music, web browsing, phone calls, etc. - big concern.

Probably going to return it.

Alternatives - nexus 5, moto x (if unlocked on tmo), iphone 5s (last resort - ios7 will need to not make me ill).
 

rockitdog

macrumors 68030
Mar 25, 2013
2,724
1,241
so i received my S4 GE phone yesterday.

Likes: stock android is still the best. awesome screen, 5"s is great. it's light. removable battery.

Dislikes: the speakers aren't that great. the plastic is pretty slimy feeling (although a custom back plate could probably fix that), battery life doesn't seem to be much better than the nexus 4. more testing needs to be done though.

Major Issues: this phone really heats up during basic functions - download music, web browsing, phone calls, etc. - big concern.

Probably going to return it.

Alternatives - nexus 5, moto x (if unlocked on tmo), iphone 5s (last resort - ios7 will need to not make me ill).
The S4 does get extremely warm. The battery life takes an adjustment. After a few days of use it seems to level itself out a bit. I use Battery Guru by Snapdragon which helps on battery life too.
 

Technarchy

macrumors 604
May 21, 2012
6,753
4,927
Been playing clash of clans on the S4 and it gets super hot in a way my iPhone 5 did not with the same game, and the battery drains very fast in the process.

I really hope Samsung returns to using their own silicon and high end GPU's instead of Qualcomm, like back in the hummingbird era of SOC's.
 

Dontazemebro

macrumors 68020
Jul 23, 2010
2,173
0
I dunno, somewhere in West Texas
Been playing clash of clans on the S4 and it gets super hot in a way my iPhone 5 did not with the same game, and the battery drains very fast in the process.

I really hope Samsung returns to using their own silicon and high end GPU's instead of Qualcomm, like back in the hummingbird era of SOC's.

Interesting, at this point I'm almost ready to give up on Samsung due to the horrid customer service I've been experiencing with my damaged S4. If my issues don't get resolved I'm dumping the S4 and I plan on going with the LG G2. After looking at the G2 it is the true definition of end to end display and the screen is absolutely gorgeous.
 

rockitdog

macrumors 68030
Mar 25, 2013
2,724
1,241
Interesting, at this point I'm almost ready to give up on Samsung due to the horrid customer service I've been experiencing with my damaged S4. If my issues don't get resolved I'm dumping the S4 and I plan on going with the LG G2. After looking at the G2 it is the true definition of end to end display and the screen is absolutely gorgeous.

Don't do it! The LG is nothing more than a specs machine. The inside of the phone is full of terrible intergrated software and is completely unintuitive. Beyond a great screen, the G2 can't touch the S4.
 

Razeus

macrumors 603
Jul 11, 2008
5,358
2,054
I'm approaching my 120 days with Android S4 soon (I'll have my review soon) and I'm amazed on how quickly my S4 became outdated.

How is that the iPhone 5S creams the S4 in benchmarks, yet the S4 has quad-core and 2GB of RAM compared to a dual-core, 1GB RAM iPhone? I talk about that fact in my review and it really has to do with fine tuning the software for the hardware.

In summary, I'm going back to iPhone.
 

gotluck

macrumors 603
Dec 8, 2011
5,717
1,260
East Central Florida
I'm approaching my 120 days with Android S4 soon (I'll have my review soon) and I'm amazed on how quickly my S4 became outdated.

How is that the iPhone 5S creams the S4 in benchmarks, yet the S4 has quad-core and 2GB of RAM compared to a dual-core, 1GB RAM iPhone? I talk about that fact in my review and it really has to do with fine tuning the software for the hardware.

In summary, I'm going back to iPhone.

The answer is likely touchwiz

aside from benchmarks
 
Last edited:

malih

macrumors member
May 11, 2013
95
25
I'm approaching my 120 days with Android S4 soon (I'll have my review soon) and I'm amazed on how quickly my S4 became outdated.

How is that the iPhone 5S creams the S4 in benchmarks, yet the S4 has quad-core and 2GB of RAM compared to a dual-core, 1GB RAM iPhone? I talk about that fact in my review and it really has to do with fine tuning the software for the hardware.

In summary, I'm going back to iPhone.

That's just the way it is with Android, due to the way it works the OS requires more firepower,
but the extra CPU does have its use when gaming, video editing, encoding on the phone.

That's also why I always tell friends/family not to look at specs when buying phones, I always suggest to try someone else's device, or go to the store and try the demo unit before deciding,
especially when switching from iPhone.
 

rockitdog

macrumors 68030
Mar 25, 2013
2,724
1,241
It's sad how many people get caught up on benchmarks. Benchmarks don't tell the story a phone delivers on a day to day basis. Android will probably never match Apple's ability to optimize it's OS with its Apps.

----------

I'm approaching my 120 days with Android S4 soon (I'll have my review soon) and I'm amazed on how quickly my S4 became outdated.

How is that the iPhone 5S creams the S4 in benchmarks, yet the S4 has quad-core and 2GB of RAM compared to a dual-core, 1GB RAM iPhone? I talk about that fact in my review and it really has to do with fine tuning the software for the hardware.

In summary, I'm going back to iPhone.

Can you please define outdated? Software optimization is a constant issue with Android because all of the manufacturers who have their hands in the pot. Doesn't matter what Android you have, none will compare smoothness of the iPhone.
 
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