Since it looks like Apple won't have a really new phone for well over a year, I decided to try the Galaxy S4. I currently have an Iphone 5. Previous phones were Ip4, Galaxy S3, Droid X. So I am familiar with Android. I had mentally prepared to just play with it for the 14 days and then return it to Verizon for the restocking fee. Now I have a problem; I REALLY like the S4! The screen is gorgeous. I got a Class 10 32GB MicroSD for $25 at Best Buy. Yes it does have bloatware but I just disabled stuff. I went into developer options and disabled the animations so I have no lag or stutter. This is a very fast phone. I especially like the keyboard. I use Google Voice input a lot and it is extremely accurate. I put a lot of the same or similar apps on the phone. I had to subscribe to Visual Voice Mail ($2.99) to get a similar voice mail playback as the Ip5. The camera is quite good, as good or even better than the IP5. I installed LightFlow and the custom notifications, with different LED lighting for notifications is great. The S3 I previously had was intermittent in bluetooth connecting to my car. This S4 is rock solid. It downloaded the phone book and it works perfectly. I haven't done a solid battery check, but it looks good so far. My only problem is that my wife has an Ip4s, and after playing with my S4, she wants one!!!
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Trying the S4 for 14 days!
- Thread starter jimbo1mcm
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Yeah the S4 is a great device, it pretty much takes a crap on my 4s and One X. I've been using it exclusively and my 2 weeks is up Saturday.
Only thing for me that might not make it a keeper is Sprint's horrible network
Only thing for me that might not make it a keeper is Sprint's horrible network
I have had my S$ since launch day on AT&T....feel for you on Sprint.....my buddy at work has an IP5 on Sprint. We do speed tests all the time. On our floor way in the back where our offices are i get 3 or 4MBs DL......he gets almost no signal.....Then when we go to lunch I get 15 to 25MBs...he gets like 3 or 4MBs DL......he hates Sprint but can't get out of hos contract.
I honestly feel his pain. I've been with AT&T going on 12 years now and was looking to switch over due to better pricing on Sprint but their network is just so gawd awfully bad. Their 3G in West Texas is about the same speed as AT&Ts 2G.... Yeah that bad
I figure I would suggest using Google Voice for your VVM. This is for multiple reasons.
1. You do not have to deal with the rip off of $3 a month from Verizon.
2. I find it better than anything Apple or others are offering as it also does translate the messages to text for free. While the translations are flaky at best they generally are good enough to get the jest of the message and see if it warrants farther attention.
3. You can check your message from any computer. I did that to keep track of some when I forgot my phone one day.
Just figured I would suggest that to you.
Agreed. I love google voice, and it integrates really nicely with the default call log so you can trash a message without listening to it if you want.
i agree with you the galaxy s4 is an amazing phone, it's really fast and fluid.
i dont have any problem with the plastic design and i have to say the camera, screen and the airview funtion are awesome. my advice - buy your wife a brand new galaxy s4.
i dont have any problem with the plastic design and i have to say the camera, screen and the airview funtion are awesome. my advice - buy your wife a brand new galaxy s4.
Make your wife happy
hahaha...agreed. make your wife happy. Galaxy S4 is an amazing phone, buy it, you should also consider the S4 variants.
hahaha...agreed. make your wife happy. Galaxy S4 is an amazing phone, buy it, you should also consider the S4 variants.
From OP: Made my wife happy; Got her an S4 last night. Now I have to sell my Ip5 and her Ip4S!!
Update: IP5 sold !! Now I need to get rid of the Ip4S
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I agree the S4 is a nice phone. I upgraded from a 4S to S4. However, I decided to send it back and just get an IP5. I loved almost everything about the S4 although it seemed a little clunky navigating compared to the 4S. I think most of that was unfamiliarity with the Android OS. My biggest and really only issue was its size. It was a kind of double-edged sword issue. I loved the large screen for viewing yet the large size made the phone feel uncomfortable in my hand. I have fairly large hands but found with the 4S/5, I can hold the phone in one hand extremely easily and use my thumb to do anything. With the S4, I found myself having to use both hands the majority of the time.
I think a slight smaller version such as the size of the S3 or one of the S4 variants would probably feel better. Anyways for now I am sticking with the IP5 for the next year or so and will see what is available then.
I think a slight smaller version such as the size of the S3 or one of the S4 variants would probably feel better. Anyways for now I am sticking with the IP5 for the next year or so and will see what is available then.
Didn't realize that. I thought since the S4 screen was larger that the S3 would be smaller.
You are right screenwise S4 = 5" / S3 = 4.8", but because the bezels are smaller, the S4 is slightly smaller.
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When I switched to the S3 from a Desire Z (3.7" screen), it took me a few weeks to get used to handling it one handed. It felt like a 2-handed device, but I eventually got used to it and have no issues with the size.
Switching from iOS to Android is also going to take some time. There are similarities, but the differences will also take time to get use to.