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biikman

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 11, 2008
101
0
Newly purchased s4 on verizon 2 yr contract. Having second thoughts on keeping it, but it would cost the 199 subsidy and 35 restocking fee, which I have until the 25th to decide... Has anyone returned the s4 for the 5s and any regrets? Like the screen size of the s4 but can't really like the os.

Thanks,
 

MattMJB0188

macrumors 68020
Dec 28, 2009
2,032
583
Newly purchased s4 on verizon 2 yr contract. Having second thoughts on keeping it, but it would cost the 199 subsidy and 35 restocking fee, which I have until the 25th to decide... Has anyone returned the s4 for the 5s and any regrets? Like the screen size of the s4 but can't really like the os.

Thanks,

You got screwed. You should have waited for the S5 if you want to go Android. Now is a good time to buy the 5s. New Iphone 6 or Iphone Air won't be out until the end of September.
 

biikman

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 11, 2008
101
0
You got screwed. You should have waited for the S5 if you want to go Android. Now is a good time to buy the 5s. New Iphone 6 or Iphone Air won't be out until the end of September.

I agree, but the boss wanted a phone and no amount of explaining would change her mind about waiting for the s5 and she did not want to wait, even a month. So given that, trying to decide to eat the restock fee and spend 200 (or 300) for the 5s, or even returning the s4 and waiting for the s5.


ugh decisions decisions.
 

T5BRICK

macrumors G3
Aug 3, 2006
8,314
2,391
Oregon
Has anyone returned the s4 for the 5s and any regrets? Like the screen size of the s4 but can't really like the os.

You're asking on MacRumors so you're going to get a lot of people suggesting that you return it.

Personally I would too, but not because I think the iPhone is better. I simply cannot stand TouchWiz. I'd go with the iPhone 5s if that is your only other choice, but if not, check out other options.
 

Dontazemebro

macrumors 68020
Jul 23, 2010
2,173
0
I dunno, somewhere in West Texas
I traded away my S4 for an iPhone 5. Unlike the Note 3, the S4 really hurts from the lack of optimization. While the Note 3 has 3 gigs of RAM to draw on and compensate for how heavy and unoptimized touchwiz is, the S4 only has 2 and it shows. A lot of stuttering/jerking and lag is noticeable throughout most of the UI elements. A good example I use to tell people was to flick your call log one good time and watch how it jerks and stutters from start to finish. If I had to do it over again I would skip the S4 and buy only the Note series. They're miles apart in terms of performance.
 

biikman

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 11, 2008
101
0
Ya not really liking touch wiz either but not sure if I dislike it enough to spend 300 or more for an apple device. What would you recommend.. not necessarily just an iPhone either. Thz
 

R.Stoychev

macrumors 6502a
Dec 23, 2012
737
27
Go for the 5s, nice looking, big selection of apps and I preffer the build quality of it :rolleyes:
 

flybub

macrumors regular
Sep 17, 2011
182
43
I have an S4 now. If I had to do it all over the 5s would be my 1st choice closely followed by the Moto X. So what I'm trying to say, get the 5s.
 

MattMJB0188

macrumors 68020
Dec 28, 2009
2,032
583
I use to be a big fan of the Samsung galaxy phones. The truth is, they are getting worse each generation. Samsung really is copying Apple by not releasing innovative phones anymore. I don't care about the all gimmicky features. I just prefer a smooth fluid interface (ioS 6 for example).

The carriers have Samsung by the balls and lock their bootloaders so those of us who are unhappy with the lag can't do anything about it. I also find it very annoying they release two different processors in their flagship phones. Qualcomm ships have drastically improved, but TW is more optimized for Exynos chips.

I hope the Samsung Galaxy S5 flops because its a pathetic phone and hardly a step up from the S4.
 

biikman

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 11, 2008
101
0
The Moto X is an AWESOME phone, I didn't realize it was available on Verizon.

Wouldn't the Moto x still have Verizon's bloats are and touch wiz knit, making it the same experience using it as the s4?
 

atticus27

macrumors regular
Feb 2, 2009
200
0
Pittsburgh, PA
You're asking on MacRumors so you're going to get a lot of people suggesting that you return it.

Personally I would too, but not because I think the iPhone is better. I simply cannot stand TouchWiz. I'd go with the iPhone 5s if that is your only other choice, but if not, check out other options.

you can install nova or another quality launcher too get stock android interface on the dock and home screens
touch wiz is pretty ugly
 

co.ag.2005

macrumors 68020
Jun 17, 2009
2,365
1,810
Fort Worth, TX
Wouldn't the Moto x still have Verizon's bloats are and touch wiz knit, making it the same experience using it as the s4?

and the Moto X is running almost stock KitKat (I think the latest version at 4.4.2) so it is very fluid and doesn't lag anywhere close to that of the S4
 
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Septembersrain

Cancelled
Dec 14, 2013
4,347
5,451
iPhone 5s or galaxy s4

S4 = Junk.

5s = Definitely not junk.

I didn't like the S4, I wouldn't want to be stuck with it for two years!
 

sviato

macrumors 68020
Oct 27, 2010
2,432
430
HR 9038 A
Ya not really liking touch wiz either but not sure if I dislike it enough to spend 300 or more for an apple device.

Well if you return the s4, you'll be able to get the 5s subsidized for the same price as the s4 - $199 for the 16Gb version. You'll only be eating the restocking fee.
 

rockitdog

macrumors 68030
Mar 25, 2013
2,724
1,241
The Verizon s4 still hasn't even received the latest android software update... And even with the 4.4.2 update it's still laggy and brutal. Just switched back from my s4 to my 5S today... For the last time.

Update: Back on S4... need modern sized screen to get anything done! 4 inches just isn't big enough.
 
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iolinux333

macrumors 68000
Feb 9, 2014
1,798
73
Samsung S4 has a terrible mic. If you actually make calls and want the other party to be able to understand you get the 5s which has the best mic of any current phone. Second best outgoing call quality is the Moto X.
 

lordofthereef

macrumors G5
Nov 29, 2011
13,161
3,721
Boston, MA
If you are worried about the restocking fee, don't. Just contact AT& a couple days later,. You can even do it through their messenger chat. Kindly ask for them to waive the fee. Tell them how happy you are with your phone and are bummed to be penalized for having to take some time to make a decision on something as important to your business and as expensive as a smartphone. I can virtually guarantee they will credit your account. I have been credited for WAYYYY more ridiculous requests.
 

M5RahuL

macrumors 68040
Aug 1, 2009
3,469
2,133
TeXaS
I've had a pretty decent run with the S4 on TMO...but today I would not recommend the S4. If it's Android, go with the Note 3 or Nexus 5. Otherwise, if it's between the S4 and 5S, I'd say 5S :)
 

phillyi

macrumors member
Nov 8, 2011
83
0
I would lean towards the 5s. I had the s4 and while there were some things I definitely liked better on the s4 versus 5s, touchwiz and lag killed it for me ultimately moving me back to iphone.

I agree with previous post...if you want android I would definitely look to the note 3 (if the overall size of the phone doesnt bother you) or nexus 5 (not sure if available on VZW though?).
 
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