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rockitdog

macrumors 68030
Mar 25, 2013
2,724
1,241
Just got the 4.4.2 update on my i9500 Octa. Performance is pretty much the same, so I'm not complaining.

Not much UI tweaks but then again I'm using the G. Now Launcher.

They changed the fonts across the UI though.

I'm hoping to see an update after the S5 launches that contains the new look and feel of Touchwiz.
 

Markyboy81

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2011
514
0
Anybody using the Google Now launcher on their S4? Does the "OK, Google" hot word work anymore? It used to work fine for me on 4.2.2, but stopped after the 4.3 update. Doesn't work on 4.4.2 either.

It's working on my s4 with KitKat..

----------

4.4.2 and ART runtime on the GE S4 is blazing fast. The difference in memory usage over normal S4 is shocking. I have 9 apps open and at 719mb used with over 1gb free....

Is it possible to use ART runtime on a standard s4? I don't see the option in the developer settings..
 

Peanut207

macrumors 6502
Mar 2, 2010
498
119
I've been an iPhone user since 2007 and I'm ready for a change. I'm interested in the Nexus 5 but the speakers, camera and battery concern me. I think my decision will come down to the SG5 or the new HTC One (M8). Just curious for those that own the Nexus 5... What are your thoughts on the speakers, camera and battery in everyday use?
 

JH-

macrumors 6502
Feb 25, 2009
392
2
I've been an iPhone user since 2007 and I'm ready for a change. I'm interested in the Nexus 5 but the speakers, camera and battery concern me. I think my decision will come down to the SG5 or the new HTC One (M8). Just curious for those that own the Nexus 5... What are your thoughts on the speakers, camera and battery in everyday use?

If you're comfortable rooting (if you buy a Nexus 5 it's really easy, even on a Mac) then the speakers can be fixed with any one of the numerous audio patches. The battery is fine for me, but I also have multiple wireless chargers so anytime I set my phone down it is charging. For this reason I think one of the most underrated features on the phone is wireless charging. The camera is just like any other cell phone, passable for quick shots in good lighting and just above terrible in low light.
 

rockitdog

macrumors 68030
Mar 25, 2013
2,724
1,241
I've been an iPhone user since 2007 and I'm ready for a change. I'm interested in the Nexus 5 but the speakers, camera and battery concern me. I think my decision will come down to the SG5 or the new HTC One (M8). Just curious for those that own the Nexus 5... What are your thoughts on the speakers, camera and battery in everyday use?

I had a Nexus 5 and the speaker sucked! Nothing can fix that. Camera is mediocre- gets the job done but don't expect images that are as good as the iPhones pictures.
 

samjwitwicky

macrumors member
Mar 22, 2012
33
4
Anybody using the Google Now launcher on their S4? Does the "OK, Google" hot word work anymore? It used to work fine for me on 4.2.2, but stopped after the 4.3 update. Doesn't work on 4.4.2 either.

It's working fine for me, I'm on 4.4.2.

----------

I'm hoping to see an update after the S5 launches that contains the new look and feel of Touchwiz.

This. I'm liking the pagination in the new touchwiz shown on the S5. Less carousel-ly.

----------

It's working on my s4 with KitKat..

----------



Is it possible to use ART runtime on a standard s4? I don't see the option in the developer settings..

Nope.. they didn't include the option to use ART
 

Markyboy81

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2011
514
0
How's 4.4 on the S4?

Battery, fluidity, etc.

Same, better or worse?

My experience of it is that it feels a bit snappier but battery life has really suffered. I've tried factory resetting it but it's still the same.
Before I was getting around 16 hours standby with 4hours+ of screen time, now I'm getting 12 hours standby with 3 hours maximum screen time.
 

janitor1999

macrumors regular
Sep 9, 2008
103
0
Yes battery life has taken a big hit under 4.4.2, i used to be able to stream radio for two or three hours a day, through bluetooth headset make a call or two, and still manage to get through the day with about 20% left, now without a top up during the day will have a flat battery after less than 16 hrs.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Yes battery life has taken a big hit under 4.4.2, i used to be able to stream radio for two or three hours a day, through bluetooth headset make a call or two, and still manage to get through the day with about 20% left, now without a top up during the day will have a flat battery after less than 16 hrs.

My experience of it is that it feels a bit snappier but battery life has really suffered. I've tried factory resetting it but it's still the same.
Before I was getting around 16 hours standby with 4hours+ of screen time, now I'm getting 12 hours standby with 3 hours maximum screen time.

Check battery usage for apps that might be running more than they were prior to 4.4.2 and thereby using / causing extra battery drain.

Google play Newstands widget for example for me causes excessive drain on 4.4.2 when I first switch in the device.

If the widget is there it starts refreshing but then somehow keeps polling and drain gin the battery. I simply ended up stop using the widget and my usage returned to normal.

With widget on battery would be down to 10% by the end of the day even with light usage. With widget gone my battery is back to 65% left after 16 hours of light usage.

The difference is I'm using GE of the S4, but it's still likely something similar could be affecting the Touchwiz version. Just hope it's not a Samsung service that can't be disabled...
 

Markyboy81

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2011
514
0
Check battery usage for apps that might be running more than they were prior to 4.4.2 and thereby using / causing extra battery drain.

Google play Newstands widget for example for me causes excessive drain on 4.4.2 when I first switch in the device.

If the widget is there it starts refreshing but then somehow keeps polling and drain gin the battery. I simply ended up stop using the widget and my usage returned to normal.

With widget on battery would be down to 10% by the end of the day even with light usage. With widget gone my battery is back to 65% left after 16 hours of light usage.

The difference is I'm using GE of the S4, but it's still likely something similar could be affecting the Touchwiz version. Just hope it's not a Samsung service that can't be disabled...

Thanks for the tips, unfortunately the only thing that seems to be draining the battery is the kernel (around 50% of app usage) and if I click further there are so many different processes I haven't a clue what it all means. Strange thing is that I left it to standby all night and it only lost around 1% an hour which I think is good. So it seems like it is going into a deep sleep but perhaps takes a while to do so?
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Thanks for the tips, unfortunately the only thing that seems to be draining the battery is the kernel (around 50% of app usage) and if I click further there are so many different processes I haven't a clue what it all means. Strange thing is that I left it to standby all night and it only lost around 1% an hour which I think is good. So it seems like it is going into a deep sleep but perhaps takes a while to do so?


If battery drain when idle is normal then clearly when moderately active something is working it harder than prior to 4.4.2. If it's the kernel a fix might be harder to find, just hope they patch whatever it is sooner rather than later. :(
 

Markyboy81

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2011
514
0
If battery drain when idle is normal then clearly when moderately active something is working it harder than prior to 4.4.2. If it's the kernel a fix might be harder to find, just hope they patch whatever it is sooner rather than later. :(

It doesn't help that a lot of the battery apps no longer work with KitKat..:(
 

samjwitwicky

macrumors member
Mar 22, 2012
33
4
How's 4.4 on the S4?

Battery, fluidity, etc.

Same, better or worse?

Fluidity has improved somewhat. Like the way the keyboard animates into the frame. Since I'm using the GNow Launcher, I can't comment much on the home screen pagination/swiping. But the phone still stutters badly when it's installing an app. Same since Jelly Bean.

Battery life unfortunately has taken a hit somewhat. I've also restored to factory settings but based the way I use the phone on a daily basis, I'm outta charge earlier in the day.
 

janitor1999

macrumors regular
Sep 9, 2008
103
0
Check battery usage for apps that might be running more than they were prior to 4.4.2 and thereby using / causing extra battery drain.

Google play Newstands widget for example for me causes excessive drain on 4.4.2 when I first switch in the device.

If the widget is there it starts refreshing but then somehow keeps polling and drain gin the battery. I simply ended up stop using the widget and my usage returned to normal.

With widget on battery would be down to 10% by the end of the day even with light usage. With widget gone my battery is back to 65% left after 16 hours of light usage.

The difference is I'm using GE of the S4, but it's still likely something similar could be affecting the Touchwiz version. Just hope it's not a Samsung service that can't be disabled...
All the settings are the same, nothing is switched on that was off before the update, in fact I have turned off gps which was on 24/7 before, and yesterday I got to 23% after 11 hours that was just standby checking mail, Facebook and two phone calls, mind you the mobile network has been having problems since just before I did the update, so a lot of battery power could be used by phone searching for stronger signal.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
All the settings are the same, nothing is switched on that was off before the update, in fact I have turned off gps which was on 24/7 before, and yesterday I got to 23% after 11 hours that was just standby checking mail, Facebook and two phone calls, mind you the mobile network has been having problems since just before I did the update, so a lot of battery power could be used by phone searching for stronger signal.

Strange.

Here's is my current usage with 3 emails checking every 15 mins. Nils notification app running. Facebook posting and photos / camera being used. Over 2.5 hours of screen on time.
 

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Sensamic

macrumors 68040
Mar 26, 2010
3,072
689
My experience of it is that it feels a bit snappier but battery life has really suffered. I've tried factory resetting it but it's still the same.
Before I was getting around 16 hours standby with 4hours+ of screen time, now I'm getting 12 hours standby with 3 hours maximum screen time.

Yes battery life has taken a big hit under 4.4.2, i used to be able to stream radio for two or three hours a day, through bluetooth headset make a call or two, and still manage to get through the day with about 20% left, now without a top up during the day will have a flat battery after less than 16 hrs.

Maybe I'm alone on this, but I tend to believe Samsung makes battery life worst with the last update on it's devices to force people to upgrade to their latest flagship.

I mean, how come 4.4 has worse battery life than 4.3? 4.4 consumes less resources theoretically.

Also my SGS3 has gotten worst battery life south 4.3. You can see people in XDA claiming that too on their SGS3.
 

JaySoul

macrumors 68030
Jan 30, 2008
2,629
2,865
My missus is really not happy with her KitKat update on the S4. Battery issues, a lot of little niggles....

Mine still hasn't come through (different network) but I think I'll just hold off anyway.

4.3 is perfectly fine until it's actually a rock solid update.
 

Markyboy81

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2011
514
0
My missus is really not happy with her KitKat update on the S4. Battery issues, a lot of little niggles....

Mine still hasn't come through (different network) but I think I'll just hold off anyway.

4.3 is perfectly fine until it's actually a rock solid update.

I would try booting into recovery mode and clearing the cache.
If that fails try factory resetting AND then hard resetting.
 

0dev

macrumors 68040
Dec 22, 2009
3,947
24
127.0.0.1
The new CM nightlies finally fixed the network name issue a few days ago! So if you want the proper network name to show and you're on CM just install the latest nightly. They're very stable, the only bug I noticed is that after reading and replying to an SMS in the Messaging app, the new message notification sometimes stays there and you have to swipe it away manually.

As for the camera speak, maybe it's just because I'm on CM but I've never been too happy with the S4's camera. It very often takes blurry photos. I have to go through multiple attempts to get a non-blurry photo. But I don't use the camera often anyway so it's never bothered me.

If I was buying an Android phone today I'd probably go for a Nexus 5, it's the best value out of the lot and it's pretty much made for rooting and custom ROMs.
 

viskon

macrumors 6502
Oct 20, 2012
464
10
The new CM nightlies finally fixed the network name issue a few days ago! So if you want the proper network name to show and you're on CM just install the latest nightly. They're very stable, the only bug I noticed is that after reading and replying to an SMS in the Messaging app, the new message notification sometimes stays there and you have to swipe it away manually.

As for the camera speak, maybe it's just because I'm on CM but I've never been too happy with the S4's camera. It very often takes blurry photos. I have to go through multiple attempts to get a non-blurry photo. But I don't use the camera often anyway so it's never bothered me.

If I was buying an Android phone today I'd probably go for a Nexus 5, it's the best value out of the lot and it's pretty much made for rooting and custom ROMs.

I'm waiting for my warranty period to run out before I get CM into my phone. The photos on stock Touchwiz are fantastic, so I'm sorry to hear that the CM camera messes it up . Is there no way to get the Touchwiz camera on CM? Have you tried third party camera apps?
 
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