I see you named 4 phones, so what phone would be the 5th that would be ahead of the GS4? I'm curious also what makes you say it's near the bottom?
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When I think about it, the iPhone isn't a top 10 smartphone
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I see you named 4 phones, so what phone would be the 5th that would be ahead of the GS4? I'm curious also what makes you say it's near the bottom?
Nothing about it looks or feels premium in my eyes. If the S3 is anything to go by, which it is, then the S4 leaves much to be desired in terms of build quality and in-hand feel, and the software is an overwrought mess of half-baked gimmicks and terrible design. The only reason it'd be on my list is because it has the battery, processor, and certain specs that MIGHT make it compelling when rooted.
Idk, does it matter that much? Probably the Lumia 925 that'll be announced in a matter of hours.
Yes it matters for perspective. Also, let's stick with phones that are actually released, and not phones that we are speculating what they might be like. So do you not have a phone that you'd actually put ahead of it?
First of all, ReanimationN says everything perfectly!
That being said, I think iPhone 5, Xperia Z/ZL, Lumia 920, and Z10 all deserve consideration. But it's just my opinion, b/c just as I think the GS4 is the best phone on the market, the HTC One doesn't crack my top 5 (I just don't like it at all).
But I'll reiterate ReanimationN's point in that even though it's nice that Android has so many more features than iOS, they're just as unimportant to me. I mean, I have a Nexus 4, and I never use the file system, for example. I'd never argue against needing it and thus preferring Android, but to say that it is better b/c of said feature, or better b/c its there is just subjective.
And to the extent of a Maserati, interesting choice b/c I love Maserati's. But at least you realize it's not in the same class. With the other phones that were listed, I just don't think they're in the same class for one reason or another. Now that doesn't mean they aren't quality phones.
Good for you.... But you do realise there is a thing called 'subjective opinion' and 'personal preference' which means your list is very FAR from being anything definitive.
My last 4 phones have been S4, Nexus 4, S3 and iP5, all are superb phones, I could use any of them day to day, if I had to put them in order of enjoyment I would put the S4 at number one and the iPhone 5 at number four, I wouldn't be able to split the S3 and Nexus 4. I haven't had an HTC One but would suspect that it would give my S4 a good run for it's money. To suggest that the iPhone 5 would not get in the top ten is (IMHO) ridiculous. 
When I think about it...... I think it is lol
Don't worry I won't bore anyone with a thread about it though
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Don't worry I won't bore anyone with a thread about it though
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My word you've gone through some phones in the last 12 months! You sound like you probably put a lot more thought into a phone than I ever do. I pick a phone at the beginning of my contract and stick with it until the end usually. As long as a phone does twitter, facebook, tapatalk, email, text and even phone in an easy and pleasant way, I'm happy. I'm not in to jailbreaking or rooting phones as that way too nerdy for me. I am interested in hearing others experiences but its always nice when you are fully happy with a device.My last 4 phones have been S4, Nexus 4, S3 and iP5, all are superb phones, I could use any of them day to day, if I had to put them in order of enjoyment I would put the S4 at number one and the iPhone 5 at number four, I wouldn't be able to split the S3 and Nexus 4. I haven't had an HTC One but would suspect that it would give my S4 a good run for it's money. To suggest that the iPhone 5 would not get in the top ten is (IMHO) ridiculous.
It depends on your personal criteria for phone features. For example, the iPhone still has the best screen in terms of power efficiency, brightness, low reflectance and true color rendition. Only the S4 is finally approaching it.
There are other useful features like the scratch resistance sapphire camera window that place the iPhone easily in the top 5, IMO. And overall, the iOS is the best and smoothest. It has taken four years for other OS's to catch up, and they are doing fine, but iOS is still better overall. Especially in power efficiency. Making a bigger phone with a bigger battery works, but is not as elegant.
However, these kinds of comparisons today are somewhat useless. They are too personal.
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Actually the galaxy s III has INCREDIBLE build quality.
Nothing has stopped working, fallen apart, gotten stuck (home or power buttons etc) or anything like that. This phone is lightweight, yet built like a tank with very good build quality.
Don't let the plastic fool you, this thing is one of the highest quality built phones out there
My word you've gone through some phones in the last 12 months! You sound like you probably put a lot more thought into a phone than I ever do. I pick a phone at the beginning of my contract and stick with it until the end usually. As long as a phone does twitter, facebook, tapatalk, email, text and even phone in an easy and pleasant way, I'm happy. I'm not in to jailbreaking or rooting phones as that way too nerdy for me. I am interested in hearing others experiences but its always nice when you are fully happy with a device.
I pay for my wife's contract also, this gives me a try out of other phones because she just wants to talk and text on her phone, (She still has an old Nokia because that is the one she is most comfortable with) I sell the phones that I don't want and bought the Nexus 4 sim free because I wanted to give vanilla Android a go, so TBH, I'm not that far out of pocket.
I certainly agree with your first point that the iPhone 5 is a top ten phone, I consider it up there at the top with the other flagship devices form differing manufacturers, my list was purely on what I enjoyed at that time and fully understand that others will view it completely differently. I don't think that any phone should be classed as better, it is what works best for the user that matters.
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A view I think we shared on another thread too Dave. I had no problem with the order of your list even if I don't agree with it. As we say its purely a personal choice and preferences are always going to differ.I certainly agree with your first point that the iPhone 5 is a top ten phone, I consider it up there at the top with the other flagship devices form differing manufacturers, my list was purely on what I enjoyed at that time and fully understand that others will view it completely differently. I don't think that any phone should be classed as better, it is what works best for the user that matters.
I've never said those conversations aren't worth having. Night Spring points out exactly why they're worth having.
I'm simply saying, there can also be a discussion where preferences just doesn't (and shouldn't) matter as much. They do cancel each other out when you're discussing ways to improve the OS. I might want, for example, the ability to choose a default browser. You might not as you've so stated. If preferences are all that matter, then the conversation is dead. I'll explain why I want to choose a default browser and you'll explain why you don't. There's value in that conversation, but not much when the point of the conversation is how to improve said operating system.
But if the conversation has a more objective perspective and becomes "should the operating system allow people to choose the default browser regardless of whether they need it or not?" then you're starting to get somewhere. I don't see how that answer shouldn't be a yes no matter what anyone feels about that feature.
Reread my post. I address your concerns about speaking objectively. Seriously, it's okay to say an operating system is better than the other. There's still nothing wrong with preferring the latter. Again, many of us (myself included) happily said so back when iOS was the better operating system. Where were these same people to say "no no, you can't say that. It's all a matter of preference"?
What's wrong with having the option to change default browser? The only way you can argue there's anything wrong with it is from a subjective perspective. That's what defending iOS has become; preferring less.
I don't know how many more times I can explain myself. If I'm not being clear, I take some of that blame. But we have to really relax when someone says "so and so OS is better than so and so OS." It doesn't always need a disclaimer that that isn't true for everyone because of their preferences. It's just a way to realize that iOS needs a lot of improvement and to recognize that the competition has done something special.
sarcasm:
If persistence to make a point wins the argument, this wins!
/sarcasm
Yes, just tugging your chain
I don't know if I can name 10 phones, but here's my order of my recent phones...
1) HTC One - A few stupid decisions mar the device, but the overall package and experience is superb. ANd some things are an utter joy: screen, audio (meaning both the speakers and the earphone experience), snappiness of Sense, battery life.
2) Galaxy Nexus - I loved this thing back when I had it. After the software updates, it ran beautifully. Lackluster camera, though.
3) Nexus 4 - Too bad I went through multiple defects. Would've kept it through 2013 if not.
4) iPhone 5 (w/ jailbreak) - Jailbreak makes iOS far more tolerable and in many cases a great experience (Zephyr is hands down the best jailbreak app).
5) iPhone 4S (no jailbreak) - Had this when Android was really starting to catch up. Many things were becoming very frustrating with iOS, but it was still good overall.
6) Nexus S - I had a short stint with this little fella way back in the day. It was a nice phone.
7) Blackberry Bold - Back during my BB days, this phone was da bomb. Best physical keyboard ever.
That's all I can remember. =T
1) HTC One - A few stupid decisions mar the device, but the overall package and experience is superb. ANd some things are an utter joy: screen, audio (meaning both the speakers and the earphone experience), snappiness of Sense, battery life.
2) Galaxy Nexus - I loved this thing back when I had it. After the software updates, it ran beautifully. Lackluster camera, though.
3) Nexus 4 - Too bad I went through multiple defects. Would've kept it through 2013 if not.
4) iPhone 5 (w/ jailbreak) - Jailbreak makes iOS far more tolerable and in many cases a great experience (Zephyr is hands down the best jailbreak app).
5) iPhone 4S (no jailbreak) - Had this when Android was really starting to catch up. Many things were becoming very frustrating with iOS, but it was still good overall.
6) Nexus S - I had a short stint with this little fella way back in the day. It was a nice phone.
7) Blackberry Bold - Back during my BB days, this phone was da bomb. Best physical keyboard ever.
That's all I can remember. =T
I would like to add my list
1. HTC one (owned)
2. Galaxy Note 2 (owned)
3. IPhone 5 jailbroken (owned)
4. Galaxy S4 due to real world lag and the screen quality/gimmick gestures
5. HTC one x +/Galaxy S3 (owned)
This is just my opinion, not trying to step on anyone toes.
1. HTC one (owned)
2. Galaxy Note 2 (owned)
3. IPhone 5 jailbroken (owned)
4. Galaxy S4 due to real world lag and the screen quality/gimmick gestures
5. HTC one x +/Galaxy S3 (owned)
This is just my opinion, not trying to step on anyone toes.
This is such an interesting point. It's true that if Apple had done any of these things, the other manufacturers would jump to copy Apple. But Apple doesn't always jump to copy what other companies do. In fact, they are often the last to adopt a technology, and sometimes they skip it altogether -- for instance, Apple never added a Blu-Ray drive to their Macs, and now it looks like optical drives are done, so no Blu-Ray on Macs, ever.
The thing is, more choice isn't always a good thing, and Apple knows this. When I think of switching over to Android, I feel paralyzed by the sheer number of options out there. By sticking to Apple, I only have one phone to pick. Same with computers. I was interested in trying a Windows 8 device, but there are just so many out there to pick from. At Apple, the options are much fewer, and more clear-cut. If you want the most portable machine, you go for the Air. If you need power, you get the MacBook Pro. Still, picking one is not as simple as just walking in and getting the one iPhone.
Just in general, Apple is a company that understands that sometimes (often?) less is more. Or to put it another way, more is not always better. Now, whether or not this principle applies to a particular situation, such as having or not having the choice to pick a default browser, is debatable. But unless people understand that "less is more" is a valid life philosophy, then any argument we make from this perspective is going to be just labeled as defending the "worse" option. Some of us really do prefer less, hard as that may be to believe.
I would like to add my list
1. HTC one (owned)
2. Galaxy Note 2 (owned)
3. IPhone 5 jailbroken (owned)
4. Galaxy S4 due to real world lag and the screen quality/gimmick gestures
5. HTC one x +/Galaxy S3 (owned)
This is just my opinion, not trying to step on anyone toes.
My list would be almost identical. I would have to throw the n4 in the spot of the s4 though and bump the s4 down to 5.
Lists like these are generally based off each individual's personal criteria and are therefore extremely subjective (couch ). For instance, to me - an IPS display, aluminum build and smooth interface carry more weight than a long list of features (most of which I'd never use). In my case, more is definitely not better - especially when the more is only there for the sake of saying "we have more x".
My list is as follows:
(1) HTC One
(2) iPhone 5
(3a) Nexus 4
(3b) iPhone 4S
(5) GS3
I really am not impressed by the GS4 at all and despite the updates being pushed out to address the lag, the phone seems LESS ergonomic than the GS3, more laggy and more bloated (having less internal free storage).
All those negatives trump the air-features and camera features for me. Though I understand many won't feel the same way.
The idea that more GHz, more mAh, more PPI, more features on a list, that more is better really doesn't fly with me. Because absolutely NONE of that guarantees a great user experience. And we're getting to the point where diminishing returns set in and more just becomes superfluous.
). For instance, to me - an IPS display, aluminum build and smooth interface carry more weight than a long list of features (most of which I'd never use). In my case, more is definitely not better - especially when the more is only there for the sake of saying "we have more x".My list is as follows:
(1) HTC One
(2) iPhone 5
(3a) Nexus 4
(3b) iPhone 4S
(5) GS3
I really am not impressed by the GS4 at all and despite the updates being pushed out to address the lag, the phone seems LESS ergonomic than the GS3, more laggy and more bloated (having less internal free storage).
All those negatives trump the air-features and camera features for me. Though I understand many won't feel the same way.
The idea that more GHz, more mAh, more PPI, more features on a list, that more is better really doesn't fly with me. Because absolutely NONE of that guarantees a great user experience. And we're getting to the point where diminishing returns set in and more just becomes superfluous.
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If you don't like iOS the iPhone won't make the list. If you prefer iOS then the iPhone will be the only phone on the list. Simple as that.
I like both and currently the iPhone is my #1. Not a big deal just my choice, others will vary.
If apple did a few things differently with iOS the iPhone would gain a distant lead. But until then its pretty close.
I like both and currently the iPhone is my #1. Not a big deal just my choice, others will vary.
If apple did a few things differently with iOS the iPhone would gain a distant lead. But until then its pretty close.
I beg to differ.....
I still prefer iOS, but the iPhone 5 isn't my top smartphone, nor is the iPhone the only one on my list.
I do think though, when the 5S is released, I might have an iPhone back on top again. This year (with the HTC One) though is the first time where I've felt an Android released AFTER the iPhone is truly better (for me).