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Surface2Owner

macrumors member
Nov 18, 2013
48
1
I've owned both Android and iPhone, and the experience in terms of OS and functionality is more similar than not. There are differences, but both were pretty fluid.

For my dad, I am looking at Sony Experia Z3, iPhone 6 and Nokia Icon. I'm looking at the Experia because of the amazing battery life, and the iPhone 6 and Icon because my dad can't screw up charging the phone with a microUSB.

All three phones have OSes that are fluid enough, have the apps my dad needs (Skype or Facetime), and large enough screen for him to interact with.

Basically, smartphones are becoming commodities now. It is boiling down to a matter of preference for most people.
 

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
I've been hearing that for the last 2-3 years. I owned an S3 so I speak from experience. Every Samsung phone I've demoed has lag. I think it's appalling that Samsung sells the S5 with such a laggy skin on top of Android.

Mine doesn't lag either. I'm not sure I'd compare a 2 1/2 year old phone to our more recent ones.
 

Lloydbm41

Suspended
Oct 17, 2013
4,019
1,456
Central California
Like I said, I can notice the same behavior in a Galaxy S5 and Note 3 in a 5 minute demo in a store. I'm not some iphone fanboy who has never owned an Android phone.

No offense, but using a demo phone is one of the worst ways to gage UI lag. You realize how much those phones get messed with?

As for the S3, I owned that phone as well. Comparing a dual-core cpu that was designed to run on 4.0-4.1 is hardly a comparison to an S5 running 4.4.4. Not even in the same ballpark. Why not compare an iPhone 4S to a 6 and make the same claims?

P.S. I hate Touch wiz as a UI. But the nice thing about Samsung S series phones, you have the option to get a Google Edition. I'm guessing you have never played with stock Android on a powerful phone?
 

Dunbar

macrumors 6502a
Jun 25, 2010
557
114
Los Angeles, CA
No offense, but using a demo phone is one of the worst ways to gage UI lag. You realize how much those phones get messed with?

I've been hearing these excuses for years. The first thing you hear is just denial "my phone doesn't lag." Then you hear about these magical tweaks...that don't fix the issue. The final thing is the mythical software update that...wait for it...doesn't fix the lag. I experienced the lag on my S3 for 2 years. I experienced the same type of lag on other Samsung phones in the store. The M8 I demoed did not have this type of lag. All signs point to Touchwiz being the culprit.

I use Verizon so the Google Play Edition is/was not an option for me.
 

Rangomango

macrumors member
Jun 25, 2012
94
2
I've been hearing these excuses for years. The first thing you hear is just denial "my phone doesn't lag." Then you hear about these magical tweaks...that don't fix the issue. The final thing is the mythical software update that...wait for it...doesn't fix the lag. I experienced the lag on my S3 for 2 years. I experienced the same type of lag on other Samsung phones in the store. The M8 I demoed did not have this type of lag. All signs point to Touchwiz being the culprit.

I use Verizon so the Google Play Edition is/was not an option for me.

I agree here, its funny because I always find the store/demo units have less lag then after I buy the phone and get all my apps running on it.

The note 3 and s5 almost have zero lag, but there is the occasional lag/stutter. (in my experience on verizon)
 

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
I've been hearing these excuses for years. The first thing you hear is just denial "my phone doesn't lag." Then you hear about these magical tweaks...that don't fix the issue. The final thing is the mythical software update that...wait for it...doesn't fix the lag. I experienced the lag on my S3 for 2 years. I experienced the same type of lag on other Samsung phones in the store. The M8 I demoed did not have this type of lag. All signs point to Touchwiz being the culprit.

I use Verizon so the Google Play Edition is/was not an option for me.

There is NO denial. Give me 2 apps that lag, I'll video my Note 3 next to an iPhone 5 and upload it. I call BS on all these cries of "lag", at least lag that realistically affects someone's use of the phone. If an app is a couple of milliseconds slow to open that's just nitpicking, but in terms of using the app there will be no difference.

The S3 example is stupid, it's a 2 1/2 old phone which is eons in technology years.
 

pdqgp

macrumors 68020
Mar 23, 2010
2,131
5,460
The problem is everyone defends whichever platform they're using and gets defensive when someone accuses their beloved phone of lagging.

Never owned an S3 but given it's a couple generations old, it's likely no more laggy by todays standards than my iPhone 4s is. If you've actually used an S5 or a Note 3 (which I own) when set up properly, there's zero lag.

Having used an S3 for 2 years I know for a fact Android lags, often in unpredictable ways. I've demoed the Note 3 and S5 in the store I can notice the lag in a 5 minute demo.

If you're basing your decision on a 5 minute in-store play sessoin with a phone that you're not familiar with, then you're selling yourself short.

While I would like the best of both platforms I'll take slower scrolling to get rid of those unpredictable laggy moments in Touchwiz.

The problem is you're running touchwiz. Not knocking it, I've just chosen to use Nova Launcher Pro which IMO is far better. On the S5 and Note 3, you can turn off all 3 animation settings for instant everything. You can also replace the dialer app.

All of the above are "options" that the phone was designed to have in the hands of the owner should the few milliseconds of animations and delays that are there out of the box both you. Most of which are not offered on the iPhone. Don't like their music EQ System, dialer or iMessage App then you're SOL.

And the first thing you should turn off in iOS is the transitions.

Again, that's the first thing you should do on Android too...IMO.

Then you hear about these magical tweaks...that don't fix the issue.

The options I mentioned 100% remove the objections you've mentioned.

The final thing is the mythical software update that...wait for it...doesn't fix the lag.

OS update? Again, see my updates and there's zero lag.

All signs point to Touchwiz being the culprit.

You know my car bogs and lags when I have traction control on during spirited driving too. :rolleyes: Pro Tip: turn it off

----------

Will this lag be fixed? Kind of annoying having to deal with an issue like this on a "premium" smartphone.

The lag being discussed isn't really "lag". Unless you're completely annoyed at any type of animation/transition. I equate what is being discussed to the same type of delay on many cable boxes. When I push channel up it "lags" but if I use the menu button scroll through the stations and click ok, it jumps to the station immediately.

I also think many of the issues are from people who constantly close their apps vs letting the OS manage them. I have hundreds of photos on my Note 3 and if I shut everything down and reboot then open the photo app it will take a brief second to begin loading the images. Not even lag, just a brief millisecond. However I never close my photo app as there's zero need. The phone will reassign RAM if and when needed thus no matter when I pull it up, that brief millisecond of "lag" is gone.

You don't stop your car and turn it off at red lights while driving do you? Of course not. Even hybrids control such things automatically. Then don't start and stop apps on a smartphone when you're using it throughout the day.
 
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Technarchy

macrumors 604
May 21, 2012
6,753
4,927
Lets us know what you think! I have the IP6 64 GB space gray and really like it.

Switched out silver for gold 64gb, black leather case was replaced black silicone.

Updated memory with.99 cent per month iCloud 20gb bump.

Running SwiftKey for keyboard.

And really really liking it so far. My S5 is getting pretty dusty at the moment.

iOS 8 is far more versatile that I expected, and the phone design itself is the best Apple has done. The size and shape and weight are just pleasing to handle.
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Aug 7, 2011
16,080
19,080
US
Switched out silver for gold 64gb, black leather case was replaced black silicone.

Updated memory with.99 cent per month iCloud 20gb bump.

Running SwiftKey for keyboard.

And really really liking it so far. My S5 is getting pretty dusty at the moment.

iOS 8 is far more versatile that I expected, and the phone design itself is the best Apple has done. The size and shape and weight are just pleasing to handle.
Awesome! Glad you are happy with it! Enjoy your new IP6! It is a great phone!
 

HiDEF

macrumors 68000
Jun 23, 2010
1,711
395
Miami, FL
Switched out silver for gold 64gb, black leather case was replaced black silicone.

Updated memory with.99 cent per month iCloud 20gb bump.

Running SwiftKey for keyboard.

And really really liking it so far. My S5 is getting pretty dusty at the moment.

iOS 8 is far more versatile that I expected, and the phone design itself is the best Apple has done. The size and shape and weight are just pleasing to handle.

Sweet! Keep us posted!
 

Dunbar

macrumors 6502a
Jun 25, 2010
557
114
Los Angeles, CA
You guys are just proving my point. Same things I've been hearing for at least 2+ years about Samsung phones not lagging. I know from personal experience that they do.
 

pdqgp

macrumors 68020
Mar 23, 2010
2,131
5,460
You guys are just proving my point. Same things I've been hearing for at least 2+ years about Samsung phones not lagging. I know from personal experience that they do.

I know from personal experience that in your case it's user error :rolleyes:

----------

Wait...

Are people still talking about lag?

Still?

Only those that don't understand how to configure the phone correctly.
 

Technarchy

macrumors 604
May 21, 2012
6,753
4,927
My S4 was a laggy mess. Sold after 2 months and got a 5S.

My S5 was not laggy in the slightest. Not smoothest, because there was plenty of chunky UI moments, but not laggy by any means.
 

rugmankc

macrumors 68020
Sep 24, 2014
2,196
648
My S4 was a laggy mess. Sold after 2 months and got a 5S.

My S5 was not laggy in the slightest. Not smoothest, because there was plenty of chunky UI moments, but not laggy by any means.

Yes, my S4 was very laggy in the beginning. Even home screens. Updates have helped. By, running good roms esp non TW ones has it smooth now. Today I played with 6+ and Note 4 in BB. The 6+ ran a lot better in BB than the ATT demo did. The Note 4 speaker didn't sound that good, didn't try 6+ one. The 4's screen seemed a little slow to touches. Both screens were great. Really would like to hear call quality from speaker phone on both. My years of flashing Android roms may be over and want just a smooth phone with good sound and camera. N4 may have too many features for me that I won't use. Just my initial take with a lot hands on still needed.
 
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