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Galaxy S4

Sylon

Sylon

macrumors 68020
Feb 26, 2012
2,032
80
Michigan/Ohio, USA
I dunno, I can see that the HTC is nicely built, I get that. However, I am probably one of the few that would prefer a lighter, plastic phone that won't end up being a life-altering catastrophy when dropped. Less mass, less weight. While the HTC has more of a "premium" feel, and it certainly looks elegant, I feel like I would worry just a micron less with the S4. Plus, I just can't get past that 4MP camera.

I know times have changed, but I had an HTC once and I can't say it was a great experience.
 
M

Markyboy81

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2011
514
0
cuzo said:
Thought so but really the major issue is the plastic so put on a case.
Click to expand...

The good thing about it being plastic is you don't need a case. I've been going naked (the phone I mean!) with my galaxy s3 and there's not a visible mark on it - I've dropped it a few times indoors as well. The back cover is flimsy when you take it off but when it's on the phone it's fine
 
Tinmania

Tinmania

macrumors 68040
Aug 8, 2011
3,528
1,016
Aridzona
cuzo said:
Thought so but really the major issue is the plastic so put on a case.
Click to expand...
I used a case on my iPhones, Nexus 4, and now my Note 2 as well. I don't get the plastic hate--it, or something similar to it, was what covered my phones since 2007. The only thing I really look at when using my phone is the screen. Yes when I would take my iPhone 4/4S out of its case it looked nice. For a few minutes... then back in the case. I never looked at it as jewelry.



Michael
 
Vegastouch

Vegastouch

macrumors 603
Jul 12, 2008
6,185
992
Las Vegas, NV
Tinmania said:
I used a case on my iPhones, Nexus 4, and now my Note 2 as well. I don't get the plastic hate--it, or something similar to it, was what covered my phones since 2007. The only thing I really look at when using my phone is the screen. Yes when I would take my iPhone 4/4S out of its case it looked nice. For a few minutes... then back in the case. I never looked at it as jewelry.



Michael
Click to expand...

Agree, ...i prefer the plastic over a aluminum one. I had the iPhone 1 and had a case on it the whole tme because the aluminum was very slippery and it dented easy.Had a plastic type case on it with a nice grip.
Id end up having to put a case on the HTC One as well because of its slipperyness. If they want to have these aluminum backs then they should find a way to have some sort of grip on them. My Wifes HTC is very slipppery.
 
mattopotamus

mattopotamus

macrumors G5
Jun 12, 2012
14,738
6,109
Vegastouch said:
Agree, ...i prefer the plastic over a aluminum one. I had the iPhone 1 and had a case on it the whole tme because the aluminum was very slippery and it dented easy.Had a plastic type case on it with a nice grip.
Id end up having to put a case on the HTC One as well because of its slipperyness. If they want to have these aluminum backs then they should find a way to have some sort of grip on them. My Wifes HTC is very slipppery.
Click to expand...

I never put a case on my phone, and oddly enough that is why I do not mind the plastic. It is less prone to wear and tear. I feel like I have to baby the iphone 5. I throw my phone in my cup holder while driving and charging it....not the iphone 5. I put it on the passenger seat b.c the possibility of nicks.
 
Vegastouch

Vegastouch

macrumors 603
Jul 12, 2008
6,185
992
Las Vegas, NV
mattopotamus said:
I never put a case on my phone, and oddly enough that is why I do not mind the plastic. It is less prone to wear and tear. I feel like I have to baby the iphone 5. I throw my phone in my cup holder while driving and charging it....not the iphone 5. I put it on the passenger seat b.c the possibility of nicks.
Click to expand...

Im not using a case n my GS3 now either. Also being a Samsung and a popular phone, there are wites to get battery covers in different styles real cheap so you can customize it or just get replacements cheap.

Examples HERE
 
Tinmania

Tinmania

macrumors 68040
Aug 8, 2011
3,528
1,016
Aridzona
mattopotamus said:
I never put a case on my phone, and oddly enough that is why I do not mind the plastic. It is less prone to wear and tear. I feel like I have to baby the iphone 5. I throw my phone in my cup holder while driving and charging it....not the iphone 5. I put it on the passenger seat b.c the possibility of nicks.
Click to expand...

I would probably consider not putting my Note 2 in a case if it wasn't for it's mass. Just have the feeling that dropping it could still cause damage. Not that I put much, if any, faith in drop tests but it came out surprising well in the Android Authority test.
http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-note-2-droptest-119081/

I really expected it to get smashed but some of the energy seems to go to popping off the back cover. After initial impact, and for any subsequent bounces, it has less mass without the cover and battery too. Hey maybe it will fair better without a case. Hmmmmmm.... :)



Michael
 
Tsuchiya

Tsuchiya

macrumors 68020
Jun 7, 2008
2,310
372
Here's hoping my S4 dispatches soon. I haven't heard anything from EE since I ordered in March :eek:

The reviews are what I expected; generally very good, but nothing groundbreaking.

The only real thing that'll ruin it for me is how it feels in hand. If the materials used really are as bad as people make out then I might have to exchange it for a HTC One...
 
adder7712

adder7712

macrumors 68000
Mar 9, 2009
1,923
1
Canada
Tsuchiya said:
Here's hoping my S4 dispatches soon. I haven't heard anything from EE since I ordered in March :eek:

The reviews are what I expected; generally very good, but nothing groundbreaking.

The only real thing that'll ruin it for me is how it feels in hand. If the materials used really are as bad as people make out then I might have to exchange it for a HTC One...
Click to expand...

You shouldn't have any issues with the materials, I bet it feels similar to the S3.
 
L

Lindsford

macrumors 6502a
Mar 14, 2012
531
18
I'm more worried about battery life and functionality then i am with plastic vs metal; coming from an iPhone 5 it is a much nicer, premium feel. But as many have said I usually have a case on my phone anyways. Expandable storage, and interchangable batteries puts it over the edge for me :)
 
Sylon

Sylon

macrumors 68020
Feb 26, 2012
2,032
80
Michigan/Ohio, USA
I've never put cases on my phones. I had a case on my iPhone 4S for a very short time while I was deployed, but took it off when I came home. Never understood the back glass on the 4/4S and Nexus 4, to put a delicate material on a heavy-wear location. So I wouldn't mind having something more durable back there.

People are so concerned about the materials the phones are made of, yet a lot of them end up putting cases on the phones they buy anyway.
 
L

Lindsford

macrumors 6502a
Mar 14, 2012
531
18
Sylon said:
I've never put cases on my phones. I had a case on my iPhone 4S for a very short time while I was deployed, but took it off when I came home. Never understood the back glass on the 4/4S and Nexus 4, to put a delicate material on a heavy-wear location. So I wouldn't mind having something more durable back there.

People are so concerned about the materials the phones are made of, yet a lot of them end up putting cases on the phones they buy anyway.
Click to expand...

I never used cases on phones until my 4S took a face first 10 foot drop onto tile and survived. I like cases more for a buffer if it gets dropped on its face it's not direct impact could care less about the rest of the phone :)
 
T

thehustleman

macrumors 65816
Jan 3, 2013
1,123
1
jrswizzle said:
Materials are the same but the anandtech review pointed out the GS4 is noticeably more square and as such feels VERY different in hand than the GS3.
Click to expand...

This is correct, it does feel different from the GS3. I think it feels better.





Lindsford said:
I'm more worried about battery life and functionality then i am with plastic vs metal; coming from an iPhone 5 it is a much nicer, premium feel. But as many have said I usually have a case on my phone anyways. Expandable storage, and interchangable batteries puts it over the edge for me :)
Click to expand...

You won't need to worry about battery life with the S4. It has a higher capacity battery than the one, AND you can replace it on the go. It's what every phone should be, plus it has a bigger screen
 
Y

YourAvgUser

macrumors member
Jan 19, 2013
45
0
thehustleman said:
You won't need to worry about battery life with the S4. It has a higher capacity battery than the one, AND you can replace it on the go. It's what every phone should be, plus it has a bigger screen
Click to expand...

That's your solution to a phone released w/ poor battery life? It's ok b/c you can replace it. No, that's not how every phone should be, that's your opinion.
 
L

Lindsford

macrumors 6502a
Mar 14, 2012
531
18
YourAvgUser said:
That's your solution to a phone released w/ poor battery life? It's ok b/c you can replace it. No, that's not how every phone should be, that's your opinion.
Click to expand...

No, you're reading it wrong. It's a solid battery, in addition to being able to swap it out.
 
Dontazemebro

Dontazemebro

macrumors 68020
Jul 23, 2010
2,173
0
I dunno, somewhere in West Texas
Lindsford said:
No, you're reading it wrong. It's a solid battery, in addition to being able to swap it out.
Click to expand...

Reviews say it's worse than the One despite having the larger battery.

Looks like touchwiz is getting pretty heavy and bogged down with all these "innovative" features. They're turning into the old htc sense.

Then again, I'm pretty sure if you root & rom and run a battery efficient custom kernel, battery life will blow the One right out the water.
 
onthecouchagain

onthecouchagain

macrumors 604
Mar 29, 2011
7,382
2
So what's the story, guys? I'm a little behind on S4 release news. Is there a place to buy the phone unlocked directly from Samsung USA, yet? Are there any confirmed unlocked prices from anyone, even T-Mobile?

Appreciate bringing me up to speed. Sometimes it's easier to find things out here than perusing the tech blogosphere.
 
Tinmania

Tinmania

macrumors 68040
Aug 8, 2011
3,528
1,016
Aridzona
onthecouchagain said:
So what's the story, guys? I'm a little behind on S4 release news. Is there a place to buy the phone unlocked directly from Samsung USA, yet? Are there any confirmed unlocked prices from anyone, even T-Mobile?

Appreciate bringing me up to speed. Sometimes it's easier to find things out here than perusing the tech blogosphere.
Click to expand...

SAN FRANCISCO, April 24 (Reuters) - Supply issues have snarled the U.S. rollout of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's latest flagship smartphone, which will go on sale at carriers Sprint and T-Mobile later than expected, the wireless service providers said on Wednesday.

Samsung attributed the disruption to unexpectedly strong demand for the Galaxy S4, the South Korean company's direct challenge to Apple Inc's iPhone.
Click to expand...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/25/galaxy-s4-delays_n_3151825.html




Michael
 
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