Normally I'd be inclined to agree with you except the original rumor comes from Sam Mobile who has a remarkably good track record. When it comes to Samsung rumors, they're almost never wrong.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Galaxy Note 3 to come with better build quality, as HTC One worries Samsung
- Thread starter iPad5
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Normally I'd be inclined to agree with you except the original rumor comes from Sam Mobile who has a remarkably good track record. When it comes to Samsung rumors, they're almost never wrong.
I have the iPad 2 my sister has the iPad mini. The mini feels way more cheap than my iPad. The mini back feels no where near as solid as the iPad. Also the buttons feel cheap on the mini. It feels like a cheaper iPhone 5 in every way. It seems like they tried to make it feel like the iPhone 5, but used cheaper things to make it. I also own the original kindle fire, and it feels more solidly built than the iPad mini to me.
Well, I have my iPad Mini in front of me right now. Buttons and back feels super sold and refine. Buttons and switch has great tactile feedback. Seem more solidly build than the original iPhone and iPhone 3G I've own.
Makes my Samsung Note 2 and Samsung Ativ 500T tablet feels like a cheap plastic toy.
Well I guess we will just have to disagree. If you used the iPad and then stated using the mini again you may agree. I have note 2 as well, but it feels pretty well made to me. I would not call it iPhone 4 quality, but good. I did not say iPhone 5 cause I feel the iPhone 4 felt more solid. The mini to me just feels cheap compared to other Apple products.
With all these competitors supposedly doing well, HTC One, Sony XZ, Nexus 4, Samsung probably doesn't have to worry, but they should take note. Samsung somehow only has ~40% Android marketshare (I swear I thought it would be much higher), and these other companies are offering up vastly new/different products that are worthy of eating into that.
No, just no -_-
Oh really I am glad you are so sure about that. Maybe you feel that way, but I don't. Put the 2 side by side. Yes I do realize I am putting this on an Apple forum site, but that is what I think.
I have 2 side by side right now. If you mean light and thin = cheap, I'm happy for you.
I think it can only go downhill for Samsung at this point. With their S4 I saw that they were totally clueless. HTC were forced to change something, and while not innovative, they offer something more compelling than Samsung at the moment. But overall, asian companies... I know how they are.
I have the iPhone 4S, iPad Mini, Samsung Galaxy Note 2, and Samsung Ativ tablet in front of me right now.
The iPad Mini build quality is top notch. Way better quality than the Galaxy Note 2 and Samsung Ativ tablets, which feels like cheap plastic.
Only thing that feels cheaper on the iPad Mini compare to the the iPad, is the cheaper feeling screen on the iPad Mini.
I did not expect a bunch of Apple fans to agree with me. Just let it go I think the iPad mini's build quality is not as good as most of all their other products. The aluminum feels thin and feels like it could bend. The buttons don't feel like they are made out of aluminum. They feel like something trying to look aluminum. I don't like it.
You can say whatever you want to, but I can have an opinion just like everyone else. I am so tired of people talking about every other OEM having cheap phones compared to Apple. Look at the iPhone 5. Apple wanted to keep the weight down so they used thin aluminum that people complain bends. The paint or whatever it is that they put over the aluminum comes off if you are not careful, or it might have come out of the box with come chips in it. Sure the iPhone and the rest of the Apple line up have some good looking products, but they have issues to. Just because other products are not made out of a metal of some kind does not make them cheap.
----------
That's your opinion and I am glad you are sticking up for your purchase. I just disagree. I think my iPad and nexus 4 feel better built then the iPad mini. Sorry that is just my opinion.
I've seen seen people's iPhone 5's, especially the black one, with a lot of the paint being chipped off around the chamfered edges.
Even my white iPhone 5's edges are beginning to show some chipping though it's far less noticeable.
Make that what you will about quality.
Even my white iPhone 5's edges are beginning to show some chipping though it's far less noticeable.
Make that what you will about quality.
Not too sure what to think of this. I have a note 2 but I've never thought I've been shortchanged or am suffering in some way due to the material choice. It really doesn't feel bad at all.
If the note series started to be made of metals I'm no even sure I would want it. I don't like to feel of cold metal in my hand. The plastic of the note 2 is heated by my hands and never feels cold to the touch. I actually like it.
In regard to toughness. Plastic is durable despite complaints. Does it feel premium? For me actually yes is does surprisingly I think that's due to the size weight and design of the phone. But I can understand where others might feel differently
If the note series started to be made of metals I'm no even sure I would want it. I don't like to feel of cold metal in my hand. The plastic of the note 2 is heated by my hands and never feels cold to the touch. I actually like it.
In regard to toughness. Plastic is durable despite complaints. Does it feel premium? For me actually yes is does surprisingly I think that's due to the size weight and design of the phone. But I can understand where others might feel differently
I posted recently that I held my friends note ii for the first time. It felt great. Build quality, the feeling of the plastic, the overall device - everything about it screamed power and quality. I was very impressed.
Given what a big fuss people make about plastic I was very surprised by how much I liked holding the note ii. I imagine it'd be the same when holding the s4 in person.
Having said that, again, I wouldn't mind if Samsung started using metals somewhere. Imagine if the bands around the s4 were really metal instead of faux metal.
Are you guys saying the words "build quality" because the case of some phone are made out of the exotic material "metal"?
What does the case material have to do with build quality? If I had stone veneer on the front of my house is the build quality of my house better then wood siding? Neither effect the quality in which it was built.
I think "premium feel" is a better choice of words then build quality. A finely hand crafted device made of plastic will have a higher build quality the something I slap together made of metal.
What does the case material have to do with build quality? If I had stone veneer on the front of my house is the build quality of my house better then wood siding? Neither effect the quality in which it was built.
I think "premium feel" is a better choice of words then build quality. A finely hand crafted device made of plastic will have a higher build quality the something I slap together made of metal.
Exactly. HTCs made of metal still have crappy build quality despite the fact they feel a bit better because they're unreliable. The case material does not determine build quality, more people need to understand this.
I am really not that fussed about the metal. I'm typing this on the note 2 and in portrait the sides of my hands come in contact with the faux metal band. In cant feel anything except the warmth that my hand has given. Exchange that for a real metal band and I'd have that cool metallic feel that makes the device feel less organic and more of a tool. I'd think psychologically it would make me more aware of the bulk of the device. Strange but true. For me.
----------
I think build quality used as a catchall term to encompass premium feel. I think we know what people mean by it.
I mean in the high end market phones are designed and built to high standards. If someone get a dud then its not intentional.
Premium feel is subjective but it appears this has now become synonymous with durability of material choice - premium. Incorrectly IMO.
The material inherently determines the complexity of the process being used.
For plastic, injection moulding would be used which is arguably a cheaper and easier process and requiring zero craftsmanship. With metals and especially in the case of unibodies, CNC machining is used which is a more complex, precision-based manufacturing process.
This is where the perception of quality comes from.
I'm not trying to say which is better, but you'll never find a "hand-crafted" piece of plastic. That would be adding unnecessary complexity and there is simply no need to do so due to the malleable nature of the material. With blocks of aluminium, it is a necessity. You just can't mold it into its form factor the way you can with plastics.
Another perception of "cheap" comes from the fact that plastics will always feel less solid than metals in the hand. Again, not saying which is better, but plastics will tend to flex and creak more than metals do when pressure is applied. This is more evident when it comes to large surface areas such as on laptops and tablets and less of an issue when it comes to smaller form factors such as phones.
Last edited:
Back in Time-Out so soon?!
Same old argument all the time. Cheap plastic this, cheap plastic that. How about the cheap aluminum Apple uses for its products? The cheap aluminum that scratches, dents and bends.
Id rather had a plastic phone over glass or metal.
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Metal-body-for-Samsung-Galaxy-S4-would-have-meant-delay_id41861
Adding metal to the S4 would have delayed it. It's the same source story.
I know Samsung isn't particularly worried about HTC, but I wouldn't be shocked if there were truth to these articles. Samsung being criticized for plastic isn't exactly a new thing. They're not deaf blind and dumb. I think HTC's offering this year only brings that scrutinizing light brighter on Samsung. Really wouldn't be surprised if these stories are true.
I hope so.
Adding metal to the S4 would have delayed it. It's the same source story.
I know Samsung isn't particularly worried about HTC, but I wouldn't be shocked if there were truth to these articles. Samsung being criticized for plastic isn't exactly a new thing. They're not deaf blind and dumb. I think HTC's offering this year only brings that scrutinizing light brighter on Samsung. Really wouldn't be surprised if these stories are true.
I hope so.
I doubt Samsung actually feels the pressure from HTC. they compete against the likes of apple not HTC anyway. And as we know, against the iPhone 4 the s2 sold extremely well and established the galaxy line. Against the 4s again the s3 continues to be a success and probably even more so the s4. These are 'plastic' phones against glass and aluminum phones, the apparent standard of the industry when it comes to build and Samsung persisted and succeeded with their plastic materials.
Now all of a sudden because of the HTC one Samsung is changing it up? Unlikely. We don't have sales figures but don't even need them as since samsung didn't budge or suffer from not budging with apple its hardly going to budge for HTC.
If materials do change its likely due to competing with the iPhone.
All this talk about quality of the iPhone simply because it uses a very cheap alloy called aluminum?
And then we see all the iPhone owners on here exclaiming the magnificence of their iPhones aluminum, but then cover it with "cheap" plastic. I find that funny. But, I don't blame them, because the iPhone 5 is so prone to damage, it needs to be covered in a product like "plastic" that doesn't get damaged very easily.
As for the HTC One, I think it looks nice, but I won't buy one just because it is made out of aluminum. I won't buy one because it lacks a removable battery, expandable memory, AND I don't like the Sense UI (maybe Sense 5 will be different).
Will Samsung change direction, because HTC made one aluminum phone? I doubt it. I hate the feeling of cold, brick shaped aluminum.
And then we see all the iPhone owners on here exclaiming the magnificence of their iPhones aluminum, but then cover it with "cheap" plastic. I find that funny. But, I don't blame them, because the iPhone 5 is so prone to damage, it needs to be covered in a product like "plastic" that doesn't get damaged very easily.
As for the HTC One, I think it looks nice, but I won't buy one just because it is made out of aluminum. I won't buy one because it lacks a removable battery, expandable memory, AND I don't like the Sense UI (maybe Sense 5 will be different).
Will Samsung change direction, because HTC made one aluminum phone? I doubt it. I hate the feeling of cold, brick shaped aluminum.
Agreed. Look at Apple, their next iPhone is rumored to be plastic, JUST LIKE THE GALAXY PHONES! Aluminum is terrible and looks terrible. Why make a phone out of cheap materials instead of high quality poly carbonate. I keep my GS2 in a case, but that's to protect it. It's higher quality than an iPhone 5 and can take more punishment than an iPhone 5.