Another GS4 or H1 from iPhone question

[bionic1ight]

So I don't want to start any wars here and I know there have been a few of the same type of threads but hopefully I could get some insight on specific needs I'm looking for.
I'm an iPhone user and have had every iteration of iPhone since original(all jail broken currently iPhone 5) and have only used those devices since. I have an iPad and love it and I choose to build my own rigs so I operate pc mostly and have a hackintosh partition I rarely use if at all.
I have tried both GS4 and HTC one in stores and found both to be adequate in my trials. I lean toward HTC ONE on build quality something that is important to me as we'll as keyboard however the screen size on the gs4 is very appealing.I find the predictive keyboard quite amazing on the HTC and was much more accurate than gs4 when typing a few paragraphs.
On to my question:
Which screen to you think has better screen for browsing in terms of making out text. I have old eyes and need the device that doesn't need to constantly be zoomed in on.
Also which has less lag? I find my iPhones smooth and would like to transition in to a new device that I will not get frustrated with choppiness.
Also not sure why my accuracy is better on HTC one keyboard when the gs4 keyboard is larger. Maybe some one could chime in about that.
Sorry if this post is all over the place I'm typing this on my iPhone and my fingers are the size of sausages and I can barley make out the text.
Thanks

 

[luked14]

I'm in a similar situation as you now. I have a jailbroken iPhone 5 and have been considering the HTC One.

For your needs, I think the HTC One display is much better than the GS4. Sense also has much less lag than Touchwiz.

I think the One is the best Android phone for someone switching from an iPhone.

The Nexus 4 also might be worth looking at. It's older and doesn't match the specs of newer phones, but it's hard to beat for the price.

 

[KentuckyHouse]

1. I find the predictive keyboard quite amazing on the HTC and was much more accurate than gs4 when typing a few paragraphs.

On to my question:

2. Which screen to you think has better screen for browsing in terms of making out text. I have old eyes and need the device that doesn't need to constantly be zoomed in on.
3. Also which has less lag? I find my iPhones smooth and would like to transition in to a new device that I will not get frustrated with choppiness.
4. Also not sure why my accuracy is better on HTC one keyboard when the gs4 keyboard is larger. Maybe some one could chime in about that.

Sorry if this post is all over the place I'm typing this on my iPhone and my fingers are the size of sausages and I can barley make out the text.
Thanks

I numbered your questions to make it easier to respond. Let me see if I can help a little.

1. While I agree the HTC keyboard is amazing and better than the Samsung stock one, this point is really moot since you can easily swap out keyboards on Android devices. I prefer the AOSP type keyboards, so I always switch to Jellybean Keyboard Pro as soon as I get a new device. It's the best keyboard I've found for my own use. The auto correct is second to none.

2. On this point, I give it to the S4. I've found the One tends to make text tiny when reading in the browser. I don't know why this is, but it happens all the time when I'm using my One.

3. While the S4 has gotten an update that's helped with the lag, the One wins this one hands down. Smooth as silk.

4. See comment #1.

Either device is a great choice, but if you're willing to forego the removable battery and lack of SD (something you're already used to since you've used an iPhone exclusively for years), the One would be the way I'd lean.

I will warn you, though. The camera is going to be a huge step back. It's adequate, bit nowhere near as good as the iPhone 4S, let alone the 5.

 

[bionic1ight]

Thanks Luked14 and KentuckyHouse!
Seems like others the combination of these two phones is what I need. Unfortunately I can only buy one of them.
Both my brothers have the N4 and I think it's great but it maybe a little long in the tooth for me. Plus the onscreen keys eats into some of that screen real estate I desire so much.
As the text readability on the screen is a big issue for me I may need to check them out side by side again. I remember the text being smaller on the One than the GS4 but the whiter white against the black text on the One made it better to make out the actual text. I could be remembering this wrong though.

 

[maxosx]

I've also had every model of iPhone, and every version of the Android OS, since the first G1 was released via T-Mobile. Maintaining at least two lines at all times I carry two phones by choice. An iPhone and an Android phone.

Currently I have both the HTC one, and Galaxy S4, with my iPhone 5 being my secondary phone. The HTC One vs S4 is a very close comparison. I really like them both.

Yet that said, if I had to choose with little notice, the G4 would be my Android of choice without hesitation. Contrary to the haters, I find the build quality of the S4 very nice, and an improvement over my S3. Rigid, squeak free, with a very nice fitting rear cover that has a fine finish, it's all a matter of personal preference.

The 4.99" display is from my perspective substantially nicer than the HTC's 4.7" but that's due to my heavy internet usage and preference for using the desktop sites instead of mobile sites. The zooming is so fluid fast and accurate I use it for everything.

Then there's the built in SWYPE style keyboard that is so fast, and fun, that nothing even comes close to it. Having used SWYPE since my first Galaxy S, then SII, SIII and now the S4, it's second nature and twice the speed of pounding out an email on a tiny iPhone display. Even the skinny long one of my iPhone 5.

Being the type of user that smartphones are made for (highly mobile) I put in a lot of time with emails, and other business tasks while waiting in lines and in other scenarios where my iPad's (4 & mini) or MBA would not be practical.

Although I've had a few HTC models over the years and like them, my personal experience with the Galaxy lineup has simply been stellar. As much heavy usage as they are subject to, I've not had any issues whatsoever.

I really miss having a decent sized display on an iPhone. The level of speed, accuracy, and efficiency skyrockets once you're in the 4.7 to 5.0" range.

 

[T5BRICK]

I just recently switched from an iPhone 4S to the HTC One. I have to say... I should have done this sooner.

I will admit that the aluminum body on the HTC is what originally caught my attention, but after I played around with the S4 I still preferred the screen and the size of the HTC. I even like the camera thanks to it's low light performance. The battery life is pretty good too, it easily outlasts my old iPhone.

As for text size, Google chrome DOES have am option to increase it. Maybe that's not what you're looking for?

 

[bionic1ight]

Thanks for the feedback T5brick! Glad to hear your enjoying the HTC ONE coming from the 4s.
Do you find lag in the HTC during daily operations compared to your iPhone?
The all aluminum body is definitely a draw for me. My phones have become some what of a security blanket for me. When I'm at meetings or around people I tend to hold it in my hand and maybe flip it around a bit. Similar to the way someone fiddles with there wedding ring or with there glasses. So quality of materials is important as I'm always holding it even if I'm not using it. Weird I know. Although maybe I'm just passing judgment too quickly on the gs4 as maybe holding onto it maybe a joy as well.

 

[MRU]

There is no lag on the one, it's as smooth as iOS as I've ever seen on an Android device and I've had a sway of them past 24 months.

That being said the build quality of the S4 is much better than what it may superficially appear.

For me when I had both what eventually swung me one way or the other was down to user experience and GUI consistency.

Little micro-stutters were present in the S4 though they weren't breaking they did make me more anxious about memory managment and a little OCD about closing apps and I kept feeling the need to check my memory usage. Something that just is not an issue on the one because it is so consistently smooth.

The other issue I had was the user interface on Touchwiz. How stock apps and the user interface had absolutely no consistency throughout on an aesthetic level. Each element seemed to be designed by a different team and for me it really irked me. Things like the dialer being big oversized squares like primary school learning aid , yet music app having a small round button design, whilst calendar had another design again. There was just no consistent element.

These could not be solved via Nova launcher because they are persistent elements even if you have another launcher.

The one thing I did struggle to let go of was the camera on the S4 it is far better overall than the HTC One.

In the end I decided that I interact with my phone on more levels than just camera and therefore the lag free, a consistent user interface and stock apps were more important to me than the better camera.

Other things were much of muchness, I found browsing , battery life etc.. the same give or take.

One thing must say though if you listen to music via headphones or speakers the One does produce far better audio experience. I found the music app on the S4 lacking.

Had I not had the choice between either I probably would have settled on either. Given I had both on hand I just went for what was best for me, but things I rank higher than other isn't necessarily same as next person.

For me design both of hardware and more importantly software is high priority and for me sense 5 and stock apps is vastly superior to Touchwiz and Samsung's stock apps.

 

[T5BRICK]

Do you find lag in the HTC during daily operations compared to your iPhone?

There isn't really any noticeable lag on the HTC. I have noticed that animations happen quicker on android, probably on par with my jailbroken iPhone 4S running %hookslaw.

 

[onthecouchagain]

I have yet to experience lag on the one myself. Anywhere. It's very impressive.

 

[bionic1ight]

Thanks for the feedback guys! Much appreciated!
I'll be heading to a low volume store today to check out both in greater length. My initial first hand experience as well as the feedback here has me leaning towards HTC for my specific needs. Although the extra screen real estate on the GS4 is like a siren calling to me.
Its funny that so many reviews tout the HTC one over the GS4 but yet sales on the gs4 are exceedingly higher. I guess marketing may have a lot to do with it. Not to say the gs4 doesn't warrant the demand just the pure number of reviews give a slight hand to HTC or a draw to both devices one would think they would be more even in units sold. Could also be most of us tech obsessed guys are the only ones really contemplating both where as the normal consumer may just jump on the gs4 from the cool commercials they put out. Which I have to say sometimes those commercials have me saying forgot everything I was thinking, I want that!
Also I've been a long time lurker on this board and with this being my first post, I have to say everyone has been extremely helpful. Thank you!

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[MacRazySwe]

I'm in the exact same boat as you are. I have an iPhone 4S today, but cannot wait to try out Android.

The design, build-quality and feel sways me toward the HTC One. I also really liked Sense 5 - way better than Touchwiz, and even Stock Android for me (I use a Nexus 7). Only if it wasn't for that stupid camera. I really like taking photos with my cellphone, and I enjoy the 8MP camera in my 4S. The Galaxy S4 has a way better camera, and a larger screen - moreover it feels a bit more future proof than the One (I tend to keep my phones for a while). That said I cannot really decide. However I agree with others, Samsung Touchwiz is not an appealing UI in terms of design and consistency. The dial-pad looks like it was designed by a 5-year old, same goes for SMS-app and others.

Well, after WWDC it's time to decide!

 

[Stuntman06]

I find the predictive keyboard quite amazing on the HTC and was much more accurate than gs4 when typing a few paragraphs.

...

Also not sure why my accuracy is better on HTC one keyboard when the gs4 keyboard is larger. Maybe some one could chime in about that.

There are a variety of other keyboards you can use if you are not satisfied with the default keyboards on these phones. SwiftKey and Swype are popular alternatives. There is a cost to these two keyboards. Google has just released their keyboard for download and it is free.