Just sold my 4S, can't decide on the replacement

[T5BRICK]

I finally decided it was time for something different and in a fit of rage put my iPhone 4S up on Craigslist. To my surprise, I actually got some reasonable offers and ended up selling it.

At the moment I'm phone-less, but I've decided I want either the HTC One or the Nexus 4. I'm pretty familiar with the pros and cons of either, but I just can't decide which way to go.

If I choose the HTC One, I'm getting a newer more powerful phone, more storage and I'll end up tied to another 2 year contract with AT&T. I'm probably going to end up rooting the phone and going with as close to vanilla Android as possible. I've read that the Camera and speakers are

If I choose the Nexus 4, I'm getting a slightly older phone, but nearly instant OS updates from Google. I'm also able to switch to another carrier if I choose. If I absolutely hate it, I can sell it on Craigslist and then sign another 2 year contract and get the HTC One or iPhone 5s/6.

Any suggestions? I'm leaning towards the Nexus 4 right now because it's a safer bet, but I was using the HTC One earlier and it's a really DAMN nice phone.

 

[durant35]

Unlocked phones and updates straight from Google are both overrated IMO. You need carrier service to use your phone, why does it matter how long its for? You only have two real options with GSM in the states anyways. AT&T or T-Mobile. Both let you try the phone and their service for 2 weeks. That gives you plenty of time to know which one works best.

Immediate updates from Google was great years ago when Android was growing and changing at a record pace. Android is now really close to where they want it, so you will only be seeing incremental changes and at a much slower speed. Just my 2 cents.

 

[cnev3]

Apple products have the best resale value out of any brand, that's why you got surprisingly good offers.

Hit the showroom floor, give the Nexus, S4, and HTC1 a demo, pick which one you like the most.

Equally as important is what the best carrier is in your region, and the best deal you can get on the phone.

 

[paulbennett95]

Get the HTC One.

it's newer, has a nicer design (very similar to the iPhone) and the Google Edition is coming, and supposedly people with Sense on their One will be able to update to it as well, so youll have the Nexus experience on your One if you desire. And there's the option for custom ROMs if that rumor is false.

 

[maflynn]

Get the HTC One, i'd say imo that its the best android phone on the market.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I would get the HTC One.

 

[ravenvii]

Just wait for the HTC One with stock Android coming later this month. This combines both the benefits of the HTC One and the Nexus 4.

 

[onthecouchagain]

If you can wait and can afford it, get the HTC One Google Edition coming out June 26th. Look it up. It'll have everything you want.

If you can't wait, I'd still recommend the HTC One over the Nexus 4. I've owned both, and I can say, except for the price, there should be no reason to get the N4 over the One. If updates are important to you, try to hold out for the Google Edition of the One. Use a dumbphone in the mean time, if that's possible.

 

[mbp17xxx]

get the s4, fastest phone out there. if you dont like the build get htc one.

I'll be getting the s4 next week, giving my 4s to my dad. damn iphone is for oldies now... i hate to switch to android but iphone screen is too small and ios is getting very boring.

 

[T5BRICK]

get the s4, fastest phone out there. if you dont like the build get htc one.

I've read that the HTC feels faster than the Samsung due to lag and stutter caused by Touch-Wiz. I haven't used either enough to confirm this though.

 

[mbp17xxx]

I've read that the HTC feels faster than the Samsung due to lag and stutter caused by Touch-Wiz. I haven't used either enough to confirm this though.

on benchmarks the s4 octa seems to be leading. but yup I agree TW is doing a crap job in slowing the user interface.

 

[T5BRICK]

on benchmarks the s4 octa seems to be leading. but yup I agree TW is doing a crap job in slowing the user interface.

I forgot that, once again, Samsung is manufacturing two different versions of the phone. The one available in the US is typically the Quad core model. It uses the same processor as the HTC One, although at a slightly higher clock speed.

 

[Greg.]

Get the HTC One Nexus edition.

 

[T5BRICK]

If you can wait and can afford it, get the HTC One Google Edition coming out June 26th. Look it up. It'll have everything you want.

Get the HTC One Nexus edition.

Going that route means I'm going to have to get an unsubsidized phone and its out of my price range, unfortunately.

 

[2298754]

Wait until both Google Edition phones are out before you decide. HTC One and GS4 are out in a few weeks.

 

[AQUADock]

Wait until both Google Edition phones are out before you decide. HTC One and GS4 are out in a few weeks.

He just said that they are out of his price range.

 

[sentinelsx]

He just said that they are out of his price range.

But he could wait to see if both or either of the phones' AOSP ROMs can be ported to subsidized ones

 

[Greg.]

Going that route means I'm going to have to get an unsubsidized phone and its out of my price range, unfortunately.

Hmm, probably didn't read your post throughly - in which case, maybe the Nexus 4 is fine - I absolutely love mine and it will be powerful enough for the a few years to come and will get the updates straightaway. In terms of value I don't think you can beat it - thanks to a special offer on launch, my Nexus 16GB cost me the equivalent of $270 while buying an unlocked HTC One now would cost me $760 - is the HTC 2.8x better? No way!

 

[KentuckyHouse]

I've got the One. I've got the Note 2. I had the S3. I've got the Optimus G. I've got experience with the S4.

I'm saying this because I feel qualified to help you, OP.

If you want something that feels like the iPhone in your hand, get the One. It's an amazing phone and the speakers and UI are great. The camera is fine. It's not as good as the S4 camera (IMO, it lags a little behind the Note 2 and S3 camera as well), but it does take very good shots. You just have to work at it a bit more.

If you want the best of everything, go with the S4. Yes, you're going to get some micro stutters here and there, but slap Nova or Apex launcher on there and it goes away.

Don't worry about the Google edition of either phone. A few days after those are released, the devs will have a flashable zip so that the carrier edition phones can use the same stock Android as the GE ones. Root, unlock the bootloader, and flash away. It's not hard and a Samsung phone is nearly impossible to brick.

If it were me, owning the One already, I'd probably get the S4 just because it's advantages outweigh it's negatives (removable battery, SD support, larger screen, etc).

Good luck to you and let us know if we can answer any other questions you might have.

 

[sentinelsx]

I've got the One. I've got the Note 2. I had the S3. I've got the Optimus G. I've got experience with the S4.

I'm saying this because I feel qualified to help you, OP.

If you want something that feels like the iPhone in your hand, get the One. It's an amazing phone and the speakers and UI are great. The camera is fine. It's not as good as the S4 camera (IMO, it lags a little behind the Note 2 and S3 camera as well), but it does take very good shots. You just have to work at it a bit more.

If you want the best of everything, go with the S4. Yes, you're going to get some micro stutters here and there, but slap Nova or Apex launcher on there and it goes away.

Don't worry about the Google edition of either phone. A few days after those are released, the devs will have a flashable zip so that the carrier edition phones can use the same stock Android as the GE ones. Root, unlock the bootloader, and flash away. It's not hard and a Samsung phone is nearly impossible to brick.

If it were me, owning the One already, I'd probably get the S4 just because it's advantages outweigh it's negatives (removable battery, SD support, larger screen, etc).

Good luck to you and let us know if we can answer any other questions you might have.

I would guess the google edition ROM will take care of micro stutters nicely

 

[2298754]

I've read that the HTC feels faster than the Samsung due to lag and stutter caused by Touch-Wiz. I haven't used either enough to confirm this though.

I own both. Nope, Sammy pushed an update, which fixes the issues. Let's not pretend that the One is perfect. It's missing some key features that the S4 has.

----------

He just said that they are out of his price range.

Then a used Galaxy S3 off CL would be a better bet than the Nexus 4. About the same price these days. Much better phone.

 

[rfrankl]

The holes on the HTC One look like they are going to be caked with junk within months. Sounds like a lot of people like the look, but I thought it was bad from the first moment.

 

[strausd]

It might be worth waiting for the Moto X. Motorola has promised to move closer to stock Android. They also have a good track record with battery life. In addition, I have seen rumors pointing to a Kevlar back on the Moto X along with a much improved camera over their previous offerings.

Seeing as how you are without a phone at the moment, you may not be willing to wait. But it is an option.

 

[RMXO]

S4 all the way. Has cool features but u can go pure AOSP down the road if u want that & the camera rocks.

 

[T5BRICK]

I ended up with the HTC One. Man, this transition is going to be weird.