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maxosx

macrumors 68020
Dec 13, 2012
2,385
1
Southern California
Really good build quality? High Quality components?

If you mean good processor etc, I would have to agree, but the processors aren't samsung exclusives (unless you are saying exynos), but build quality, yes it is durable, but it is plastic, doesn't feel good to hold scratches and is a finger print magnet!

Instead of being a part of the crowd that loves to assume, why not be open minded...
 

0dev

macrumors 68040
Dec 22, 2009
3,947
24
127.0.0.1
I think it's safe to say that Samsuing has become synonymous with Android. But when the general public go out and buy a Galaxy device, are they buying the brand or are they buying Android? I ask because I believe the answer to that question will determine if Tizen is a success or not. My guess is, they're buying the brand. And I'm betting Tizen UI will look very similar to whatever Touchwiz looks like at the time of release. This way the general public doesn't know the difference.

Tizen will have trouble getting off the ground simply because it will lack the massive app library that backs Android. Aside from that, average people are unlikely to notice the difference, most don't even know what Android is, they're idiots. But they'll certainly notice when there's no apps for their new smartphone.

Me personally, I'm buying for Android and like flashing custom ROMs and the like anyway. I go for Samsung just because they happen to make the best Android hardware right now, simple as that.
 

Dr McKay

macrumors 68040
Aug 11, 2010
3,531
263
Kirkland
I'm buying the hardware. I bought the 1080p 5 inch screen with the 13MP Camera.

I didn't buy it for the Samsung. In fact I got rid of Samsungs own touches (touchwiz) as soon as I could and threw vanilla Android on there as soon as modded unofficial nightlies started churning out.

Currently running the Google Edition ROM that got released for the International 9505.
 

Hastings101

macrumors 68020
Jun 22, 2010
2,355
1,482
K
I think it's all brand for the non-tech savvy group :p

Galaxy is the new iPhone line for those that don't want an iPhone.
 

2298754

Cancelled
Jun 21, 2010
4,890
941
And a Samsung Chromebook, laptop, tablet, fridge, microwave, stove, washer/dryer, TV, bluray player, etcetera. :D

Is it bad that I have most of the things on this list? lol

My blu-ray player is my PS3 and my TV is a Bravia. It will be replaced with a Samsung LED soon though.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Is it bad that I have most of the things on this list? lol

My blu-ray player is my PS3 and my TV is a Bravia. It will be replaced with a Samsung LED soon though.

Samsung LED TV's aren't the greatest, we have three of them in the house & recoding studio. (All 50" +) and all were flagship smart series 7 or 8 devices. (Each cost close to €2k when first out)....

We are now in the process of replacing them one at a time as needed and are likely to choose LG or Panasonic this time round rather than Samsung..... Both of which seem to put out better sets overall, and cheaper.
 

2298754

Cancelled
Jun 21, 2010
4,890
941
We are now in the process of replacing them one at a time as needed and are likely to choose LG or Panasonic this time round rather than Samsung..... Both of which seem to put out better sets overall, and cheaper.

CNET seems to rate the newer Samsung LEDs highly (up there with the Sonys).

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-hdtvs/ (#1 best LED is a Sony, #2 is a Sammy)

No Panasonic for me (unless I went Plasma). Won't get an LG again. I have one in the bedroom. Its been repaired twice since I picked it up around Super Bowl time.

I wonder when that Apple TV is supposed to be out :)
 

0dev

macrumors 68040
Dec 22, 2009
3,947
24
127.0.0.1
CNET seems to rate the newer Samsung LEDs highly (up there with the Sonys).

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-hdtvs/ (#1 best LED is a Sony, #2 is a Sammy)

No Panasonic for me (unless I went Plasma). Won't get an LG again. I have one in the bedroom. Its been repaired twice since I picked it up around Super Bowl time.

I wonder when that Apple TV is supposed to be out :)

Samsung's actual TVs are fine but their smart TV software is crap. That's my experience with the matter anyway :p
 

hovscorpion12

macrumors 68040
Sep 12, 2011
3,046
3,128
USA
I was and still am attracted to Samsung's Touch Wiz Android UI. Android OS is the framework OS but the way Samsung customized google's OS to their liking blew my mind. Another example is the HTC One. The HTC One runs on Android OS but HTC customized it to Sense 5 UI. The software features on the galaxy Note II/Galaxy S IV such as air gesture, S-Pen, Multi-Window...etc. HTC One's Home feed. These features and software are not present on stock android, so it explains why I have to attraction to it.
 

ChazUK

macrumors 603
Feb 3, 2008
5,393
25
Essex (UK)
If people were buying Samsung then the ativ wouldn't have floundered as it has.

"Galaxy S" may have more draw than Samsung alone.

EDIT: Also, don't forget who features on the screen of every newly opened Galaxy S.

samsungug.jpg
 

maxosx

macrumors 68020
Dec 13, 2012
2,385
1
Southern California
1) If people were buying Samsung then the ativ wouldn't have floundered as it has.

2) "Galaxy S" may have more draw than Samsung alone.

3) EDIT: Also, don't forget who features on the screen of every newly opened Galaxy S.

Image

1a) The Samsung ATIV floundered because the "ATIV" Project was/is powered by Windows Phone 8.

2a) Prior to smartphones, most Samsung phones of all types were not leaders in the segment. Nor did they feature anything unique or special. That all changed when Samsung noticed all the money Apple was making. They made a company wide decision to pull out all the stops and create an entirely new model of smartphone called the "Galaxy S" series. In addition they made a commitment to release this new series on as many carriers as possible globally which is why all four carriers in the USA got them at about the same time. So yes, the Galaxy S was indeed designed to be their flagship smartphone.

3a) I'm not sure what you are referring to as there are several images on the picture of the phone you've posted. Here in the USA one of the largest carriers is AT&T and the only image that appears when booting the phone is the Galaxy S4 image.
 

Yggbert

macrumors regular
Jul 22, 2011
158
16
As someone that is fine with rooting and fiddling with ROMs, I'll genuinely buy any well made phone, right now I'm using a Galaxy SIII which is smooth as butter using SentinelROM and very good standby battery, very happy with it.

The next time I'm due for an upgrade is around the time a Nexus device would usually come out, so I might get one of those next year. We'll see!

edit: I also don't mind the plastic feel of Samsung phones, they are still very durable and besides, I always put thin hard shells on the back of my phones. I use an Incipio feather one right now and it feels great.

One thing I won't be doing again is buying white phones, I replaced the front of my S3 with a black frame after a big drop (minimal damage, but I couldn't un-notice the scratch) and it looks so much better.
 

ChazUK

macrumors 603
Feb 3, 2008
5,393
25
Essex (UK)
3a) I'm not sure what you are referring to as there are several images on the picture of the phone you've posted. Here in the USA one of the largest carriers is AT&T and the only image that appears when booting the phone is the Galaxy S4 image.

That is the protective sticker adorned on every newly opened Galaxy S4, not the boot screen. My Galaxy S, S2 & S3 all had the same stickers on them.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Samsung's actual TVs are fine but their smart TV software is crap. That's my experience with the matter anyway :p

Yep you are right, it does tend to be their software. oh and the active 3D glasses are crap for crosstalk compared to LG & Panasonics passive technology's.



-----

And for me personally I'm giving the S4 a second chance with Google Android software, it was Samsung's Touchwiz that I hated previously. Touchwiz, an over inflated launcher with absolutely no design consistency or ethos and a different UI for every app including Calendar, Dialer (kindergarten squares), Contacts (blocky kid friendly shapes) and Calculator (round buttons)... Seriously Samsung needs a major overhaul at this stage with Touchwiz from a design point.

So yeah as you can tell I thoroughly detest their software, but I do like the hardware. Hence with Stock Android available, I'm giving it another go.


That being said, there has to be some lovers of Touchwiz ? Though I do find it interesting that a lot of folks here with the S4 are running stock roms or ones at least based on stock android. That's telling....
 
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0dev

macrumors 68040
Dec 22, 2009
3,947
24
127.0.0.1
That being said, there has to be some lovers of Touchwiz ? Though I do find it interesting that a lot of folks here with the S4 are running stock roms or ones at least based on stock android. That's telling....

I actually don't mind TouchWiz aesthetically, the main reason I dislike it is the bloat. I might even try out a debloated TW ROM before jumping to an AOSP one, because seriously, a 100% stock TW ROM has so much crap on it it's unbelievable! That's what turns me off it, not really the looks.
 

JOSE891

macrumors 6502a
Sep 15, 2012
601
2
Las Vegas
I think it's safe to say that Samsuing has become synonymous with Android. But when the general public go out and buy a Galaxy device, are they buying the brand or are they buying Android? I ask because I believe the answer to that question will determine if Tizen is a success or not. My guess is, they're buying the brand. And I'm betting Tizen UI will look very similar to whatever Touchwiz looks like at the time of release. This way the general public doesn't know the difference.

How do you buy android?
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
From my experience, knowing a lot of people who purchased android phones. They're buying a phone they like, rather then investing in a platform. That is Android is not really coming into their decision process but rather the phone design, such as the Note, they want a large phone, of the S4.

Both iOS and Android are very capable operating systems that have a ton of apps. Its down to phone design that meets the needs, rather then Android does X better, or iOS is better because of Y. Most of the consumers could care less about stuff like that - they just want a phone that works
 

maxosx

macrumors 68020
Dec 13, 2012
2,385
1
Southern California
That is the protective sticker adorned on every newly opened Galaxy S4, not the boot screen. My Galaxy S, S2 & S3 all had the same stickers on them.

Thanks for the clarification.

Mine came from AT&T with a clear plastic cover over the display. Obviously this is a regional situation that may likely be an arrangement according to market area.
 

0dev

macrumors 68040
Dec 22, 2009
3,947
24
127.0.0.1
Thanks for the clarification.

Mine came from AT&T with a clear plastic cover over the display. Obviously this is a regional situation that may likely be an arrangement according to market area.

The original Samsung packaging will always have that same sticker over the display. Yours was different because, for whatever reason, US carriers like to change the packaging of everything. That's the exception not the rule.
 
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