HTC One Is A Mess (My Opinion Only)

[blairh]

No but it's like forming beliefs on politics and history etc.. from wikipedia...... or something you overheard in a bar one time...


It also begs why would you start a thread bemoaning a device you don't own or use ? It just seems crazy ? If it was a newbie we would all be calling them trolls.

I really don't think that's fair at all. Can't a consumer come to conclusions about a smartphone simply by holding it several times? Keep in mind I'm also stating what works best for me and many others with respect to home and power button placement, Sense issues, etc. If you don't want to take stock in what I'm saying because I don't use the One daily then that's your decision. Do I really need to personally reach my index finger constantly up and to the left in real life to know it would or would not drive me crazy in a small amount of time. Come on. Doing so just once is bad enough for me personally.

Can't I start a thread where I state an opinion about a device? Didn't I already from the start that there are things about the One that I admire? All I'm doing is issuing a conclusion with reasons behind it.

 

[MRU]

I really don't think that's fair at all.

If your post was 'fair comment', then my analogy is entirely fair.

 

[blairh]

Seriously step back.

This is the kind of post we would all be under normal circumstances face palming. I'm genuinely shocked it's coming from a regular poster.

Step back? What are you talking about? Why would you be face palming? Did I not offer valid criticism from the start? Why are you freaking out like this?

----------

If your post was 'fair comment', then my analogy is entirely fair.

You're deciding to completely dismiss my conclusions because I don't use the One daily. That's your choice. I don't feel that's valid whatsoever. You are free to disagree. What more can I say to that.

 

[MRU]

Step back? What are you talking about? Why would you be face palming? Did I not offer valid criticism from the start? Why are you freaking out like this?

Step back as in read what you are saying / posting from a third persons viewpoint.

 

[blairh]

Step back as in read what you are saying / posting from a third persons viewpoint.

You are going to completely dismiss what I'm saying here because I don't use the One daily. There is not much more to it then that. I completely disagree with this line of thought. Not just for myself but for others too. I think we should stop this back and forth. You don't think my conclusions are valid because I don't use the One daily. Got it. Noted. Moving on.....

 

[MRU]

You are going to completely dismiss what I'm saying here because I don't use the One daily. There is not much more to it then that. I completely disagree with this line of thought. Not just for myself but for others too. I think we should stop this back and forth. You don't think my conclusions are valid because I don't use the One daily. Got it. Noted. Moving on.....

To call something your daily or in this instance "not your daily driver" you have to at least OWN the device. Your not driving it at all. That's the point that invalidates your argument somewhat....

 

[AppleRobert]

So you don't care for it and therefore don't own it.

Should we all post on all other alternatives we checked on or perhaps did buy and return why we did not go for it or keep it? Guess those can be considered a mess from our viewpoint then rather than giving others their benefit of choosing what they went for instead.

 

[blairh]

To call something your daily or in this instance "not your daily driver" you have to at least OWN the device. Your not driving it at all. That's the point that invalidates your argument somewhat....

Can't I notice elements of a smartphone that I can deem as cons for me and potentially others without using it daily?

----------

So you don't care for it and therefore don't own it.

Should we all post on all other alternatives we checked on or perhaps did buy and return why we did not go for it or keep it? Guess those can be considered a mess from our viewpoint then.

Is this not a forum where people express an opinion and discuss it? Are you serious right now?

 

[MRU]

Can't I notice elements of a smartphone that I can deem as cons for me and potentially others without using it daily?

But your not using it at all ... never mind daily.

----------

So you don't care for it and therefore don't own it.

Should we all post on all other alternatives we checked on or perhaps did buy and return why we did not go for it or keep it? Guess those can be considered a mess from our viewpoint then rather than giving others their benefit of choosing what they went for instead.

Exactly.

 

[AppleRobert]

Am I serious? You must be hallunicating, you started the thread giving inside the topic line that this smartphone is mess. If that is the way to go about a viewpoint for a topic conversation, I'm glad I ain't you!

 

[blairh]

But your not using it at all ... never mind daily.

Image

I realize I'm not using the One. That's irrelevant. I've come to conclusions that I don't feel necessitate daily use to validate or not. And yet you feel this need to bring this fact up again and again. I get that the One is not only not my daily driver nor is it a phone I use period. With that fact crystal clear and already established I don't feel any point I made in my OP is invalidated for these reasons. Now you may disagree. Others may too. That's your decision. So please stop talking to me like there is a single thing I'm not understanding.

----------

Am I serious? You must be hallunicating, you started the thread giving inside the topic line that this smartphone is mess. If that is the way to go about a viewpoint for a topic conversation, I'm glad I ain't you!

I think the One is a mess. For reasons I've stated. I apologize for having an opinion and stating it on a forum with specific reasons behind it.

 

[JH-]

I had to comment on that haha. That seems like a massive difference...are there 30% lefties or 10% lefties

I am right handed and almost always use my phone in my left hand. So even these stats won't be correct.

 

[ucfgrad93]

You really think that .3" would have been much harder to handle? I went from an iPhone 5 to the S4 Active and I can still use it with one hand with no issues. And I have borderline small hands for a man.

Congrats. But for me, it would have been a deal breaker.

 

[AppleRobert]

So you own the S4, well good for you. I tried it, posted my opinions about it in a topic designed for a discussion between the S4 and the One and went with the latter instead. Try doing a search next time.

So glad you need to justify a purchase with your own specific thread.

 

[blairh]

Congrats. But for me, it would have been a deal breaker.

Have you used a 5" screen before? Do you think it would have made a big difference? Aren't the S4 and One essentially the same with respect to height and width? I'm not trying to be a jerk, I'm just not so sure that the 5" screen would have made that much more of a difference in your ability to use the One if it had such a sized screen.

----------

So you own the S4, well good for you. I tried it, posted my opinions about it in a topic designed for a discussion between the S4 and the One and went with the latter instead. Try doing a search next time.

So glad you need to justify a purchase with your own specific thread.

A search of what exactly? Are you implying that I made a mistake by starting this thread and not adding my thoughts to an already established one about the One vs the S4?

I'd appreciate it if you never told me where I'm supposed to post in the future. I'm not justifying my purchase. I'm simply sharing my views on the One.

 

[tbayrgs]

I've never once come close to hitting the power button on my S4 by accident. I think most people hold their phones on the bottom or the middle, and the power button is essentially in upper right. Also having to constantly hit that power button in the upper left with my index finger would be a nightmare. Mimicking this action on my S4 is so awkward and unnatural.

I'd say that's another flaw with the One. It's just as big if not slightly bigger than the S4 yet the screen is .3" smaller.

If all flaws were measured against only your preferences, then maybe I'd agree. Thankfully, they're not. You hold your phone near the bottom, so sure the reach is longer to the top button. Others, such as myself don't hold it near the bottom so yes, the power button becomes more of an issue on the right and reaching the top button placement is not a problem. For you flaw, for me benefit--see how that works?

And yes, it's a bigger device, but as I pointed out, due to the dual front stereo speakers. Where exactly are those on the S4? Like most features, it's a trade off. HTC chose to sacrifice some display size to incorporate the speakers. Samsung doesn't have them and thus minimized the bezels, allowing for more display in a similar sized device. Pick your poison.

----------

Well that's your fault and anyone who chooses to do so. Notice how many people here that use or used the One are already saying my points are valid. If you want to dismiss my original points in any way because I don't use the One then that's your choosing. I would counter that my conclusions are obvious ones and it's up to any user to determine whether it would bother them or not. I in absolutely no way feel anything that I've stated initially should be taken with any grain of salt or anything else. A lot of this is common sense stuff. Home button on the lower right? Power button on the upper left? Flushed buttons? Come on.

Common sense by whose measure? Let's try this example.

Where is the back button on nearly all Android devices? How about on screen in iOS system or apps? What about the back button on web browsers? Which side of the device is used for the gesture to go back on iOS 7 or on OS X? Lets go old school--which direction do you look to go back a page in a book? That should be enough clues.

Now what side does Samsung put the back button on their devices?

 

[ucfgrad93]

Have you used a 5" screen before? Do you think it would have made a big difference? Aren't the S4 and One essentially the same with respect to height and width? I'm not trying to be a jerk, I'm just not so sure that the 5" screen would have made that much more of a difference in your ability to use the One if it had such a sized screen.

Since I already think that this phone is a little too large for me, why would I want something bigger?

I find it ironic that you are here trying to justify your opinions while doing the same to me that you are accusing others of doing to you.

 

[Fernandez21]

Have you used a 5" screen before? Do you think it would have made a big difference? Aren't the S4 and One essentially the same with respect to height and width? I'm not trying to be a jerk, I'm just not so sure that the 5" screen would have made that much more of a difference in your ability to use the One if it had such a sized screen.

----------



A search of what exactly? Are you implying that I made a mistake by starting this thread and not adding my thoughts to an already established one about the One vs the S4?

I'd appreciate it if you never told me where I'm supposed to post in the future. I'm not justifying my purchase. I'm simply sharing my views on the One.

I think the problem others are having with you not owning the device is that some of those "flaws" you mentioned may turn out to not be flaws when your using the device as a daily driver. Something like blinkfeed may seem like a useless app at first, but how many people have found to really like that feature after using it for a while? Or it turns out something like the home button or power buttons ends up being no big deal at all after using the device a couple of days, and you get used to their placement?

I hated LG design, build quality, and touchwiz-like ui and never bought their phones. Then 2 months ago I decided to try the OG Pro and I absolutely love this phone, been using as my daily driver and the things I hated turned out not to bother me as much as I thought they would, and some I have actually ended up liking (like the design). Until you use something daily, you really don't know how well something will or won't fit you.

 

[blairh]

If all flaws were measured against only your preferences, then maybe I'd agree. Thankfully, they're not. You hold your phone near the bottom, so sure the reach is longer to the top button. Others, such as myself don't hold it near the bottom so yes, the power button becomes more of an issue on the right and reaching the top button placement is not a problem. For you flaw, for me benefit--see how that works?

And yes, it's a bigger device, but as I pointed out, due to the dual front stereo speakers. Where exactly are those on the S4? Like most features, it's a trade off. HTC chose to sacrifice some display size to incorporate the speakers. Samsung doesn't have them and thus minimized the bezels, allowing for more display in a similar sized device. Pick your poison.


Common sense by whose measure? Let's try this example.

Where is the back button on nearly all Android devices? How about on screen in iOS system or apps? What about the back button on web browsers? Which side of the device is used for the gesture to go back on iOS 7 or on OS X? Lets go old school--which direction do you look to go back a page in a book? That should be enough clues.

Now what side does Samsung put the back button on their devices?

That's actually an example where Samsung's modification was a benefit. Most people are right handed and they hit the back button more frequently than the menu button. So in this instance it's for the best. You'll notice too that LG created a feature with the upcoming G2 where you can decide what software keys go where.

----------

Since I already think that this phone is a little too large for me, why would I want something bigger?

I find it ironic that you are here trying to justify your opinions while doing the same to me that you are accusing others of doing to you.

Is it bigger though? Aren't the S4 and One essentially the same size? Wouldn't you simply be getting a bit more screen and making no sacrifice? If you can manage a 4.7" screen you can just as easily manage a 5" screen.

I'm not justifying my opinions. You stated you wouldn't have purchased the One if it had a 5" screen and I'm just stating that it probably wouldn't have made much of a difference. Now if we are talking a One with a 5" screen, keeping everything the same, then yes maybe that phone is a touch larger with all things considered. In that scenario maybe you are right. Your initial point was that you wouldn't consider the One if it had a 5" screen. The question ultimately becomes if you'd feel the same way if they fit that 5" screen on the same width and height of the current One.

Also let's consider what others are truly doing here. And it's just a select few. They are dismissing my opinions because I don't use the One. I think that's ridiculous. Whereas with you I'm simply bring up a point.

----------

I think the problem others are having with you not owning the device is that some of those "flaws" you mentioned may turn out to not be flaws when your using the device as a daily driver. Something like blinkfeed may seem like a useless app at first, but how many people have found to really like that feature after using it for a while? Or it turns out something like the home button or power buttons ends up being no big deal at all after using the device a couple of days, and you get used to their placement?

I hated LG design, build quality, and touchwiz-like ui and never bought their phones. Then 2 months ago I decided to try the OG Pro and I absolutely love this phone, been using as my daily driver and the things I hated turned out not to bother me as much as I thought they would, and some I have actually ended up liking (like the design). Until you use something daily, you really don't know how well something will or won't fit you.

The BlinkFeed con is lesser than the buttons. And if a launcher gets rid of it completely it's even less so. I still contend it's sloppy software management. Much like having a Newsfeed icon you can't truly get rid of. (For now.)

I truly don't think the power, volume, and home buttons are something you'd simply get used to. You might just deal with it because you like other features about the One, but I don't think most people truly are happy with it. In the end those hardware issues I have aren't something I'd get used to. They are obvious flaws with the phone, IMO. Now the obvious counter is that I can't say that 100% because I don't own and use the phone, but I feel very strongly about this.

 

[2298754]

Well this thread has gone places. Berating OP because he doesn't like the HTC One. Well done folks.

 

[tbayrgs]

That's actually an example where Samsung's modification was a benefit. Most people are right handed and they hit the back button more frequently than the menu button. So in this instance it's for the best. You'll notice too that LG created a feature with the upcoming G2 where you can decide what software keys go where.

So what you're saying is HTC makes a design change to what had previously been the norm and it's a flaw, Samsung makes a design change to what's also previously been the norm and it's a benefit. Gotcha.

I'm not justifying my opinions. You stated you wouldn't have purchased the One if it had a 5" screen and I'm just stating that it probably wouldn't have made much of a difference. Now if we are talking a One with a 5" screen, keeping everything the same, then yes maybe that phone is a touch larger with all things considered. In that scenario maybe you are right. Your initial point was that you wouldn't consider the One if it had a 5" screen. The question ultimately becomes if you'd feel the same way if they fit that 5" screen on the same width and height of the current One.

Also let's consider what others are truly doing here. And it's just a select few. They are dismissing my opinions because I don't use the One. I think that's ridiculous. Whereas with you I'm simply bring up a point.

Can't speak for others, but I'm dismissing your opinions because you're positioning them as fact, not because you don't own the One. You express your opinion, which of course is perfectly fine. However when someone comes back and explains their own opinion, which is in opposition to yours, you dismiss it. Everything expressed in this thread is opinion--stop trying to pass yours off as more worthy and maybe the animosity will subside.

 

[Stuntman06]

1. Terrible placement of power button. Top left is just terrible. Power button should always be on the right side of the phone when your phone sports a screen larger than 4.5". This becomes even more important when waking your phone requires you to hit the power button because there is no physical home button.

That is interesting because two of my friends who have Samsung Galaxy phones complain that the power button is directly opposite the volume rocker. I think they find they hit either the power button or volume rocker by accident when trying to press the button on the other side.

 

[F123D]

I know the HTC One received almost universal acclaim from professional reviews but just demoing the phone a few times I view it as a mess of a device. I commend its screen, curved aluminum backing, and front speakers, but there is so much not to like about this phone IMO. If the One does not sell well for HTC, I feel they only have themselves to blame.

I really think HTC screwed up with the One. There is so much I personally don't like about it and I have to think some others agree.

The most glaring issues IMO.

1. Terrible placement of power button. Top left is just terrible. Power button should always be on the right side of the phone when your phone sports a screen larger than 4.5". This becomes even more important when waking your phone requires you to hit the power button because there is no physical home button.

2. Notification light is way too small and hidden in the speaker grille.

3. Volume buttons are way too recessed.

4. Lack of Menu button forces it to be found on-screen at times, taking up screen real estate.

5. Home button bizarrely placed in the lower right.

6. Blinkfeed cannot be removed entirely from a home screen. Sure you can disable all feeds and hide it away on a screen of your choice but this feels like a workaround and not a proper solution.

Again, I'm not saying the One is worthless. There are things I do like about it. But its flaws seem obvious and I think HTC made some bad decisions with this phone. Perhaps choices they could not afford to make at this time.

You forgot to mention the camera..

 

[tbayrgs]

That is interesting because two of my friends who have Samsung Galaxy phones complain that the power button is directly opposite the volume rocker. I think they find they hit either the power button or volume rocker by accident when trying to press the button on the other side.

Well, the OP doesn't have that problem ever with his S4, so clearly they must be using it incorrectly.

 

[robanga]

You forgot to mention the camera..

I had the S4 for about a week and returned it, not a bad phone at all. A little too heavy on Samsung Sauce and features that i was not a huge fan of, however the camera was pretty good. There were clear instances were it did a better job than the camera on the One.

However overall the camera on the One has been a better experience in my opinion for three reasons:

1. Better UI
2. Better low light performance
3. Zoes - It may be a gimmick to some, but they are really fun!