*** The Official Samsung Galaxy S4 Thread ***

[kona786]

I am very thankful that my HO and S4 have no issues. Touch wood.

I left all the smart crap off lol. Will never use it and have completely no interest in it.

GPU A is always on for me and the phone is running as smooth as it should. Not had any issues yet tbh. I will post if I do.

EDIT- Samsung browser is very good - has the chrome font size thing but actually works! Not small here and big there on ocuk forum.

Quick ICS doesn't seem to work on Android 4.2 - booo! Miss quick controls badly.

 

[stoosh]

Do it stoosh - you have to have an extended try of one, you know how good Amazon return policy is Think S3 LTE but better looks and better screen and its super smooth performance.

The HTC is a cool phone, not really got anything against it, but I just prefer the front and side look of the S4 now I have it. It's almost perfect and how I wanted the S3 to look.

I just think you should try one at home bud.

Urgh! I haven't had a chance to go to a phone shop and look at one in person as I'm quite worried that I'll probably end up walking out with one! Good idea re Amazon, I'll wait until I get paid and Amazon have some more come into stock and probably end up getting one. I just love their returns policy!

I totally loved my S3 LTE and as you're probably aware regret selling it on, the S4 does look good though and will probably concur that pictures do not do it justice as what it looks like in person. I could always return my HO and get the S4 instead? Seeing as I'm using the N4 a lot more than my HO.

He will probably go through 3+ of them as well until he gets one that hasn't got any screen issues!

LOL! Knowing my luck it's so true! Reading the thread over at XDA scares me a little But then again I've never had any problems when buying a Samsung phone! I didn't even succumb to the Sudden Death syndrome!

 

[Jonners]

If the S4 is Sim Locked to 3, which model would it be? i9500 or 9505?

 

[Nexus18]

I am very thankful that my HO and S4 have no issues. Touch wood.

I left all the smart crap off lol. Will never use it and have completely no interest in it.

GPU A is always on for me and the phone is running as smooth as it should. Not had any issues yet tbh. I will post if I do.

EDIT- Samsung browser is very good - has the chrome font size thing but actually works! Not small here and big there on ocuk forum.

Quick ICS doesn't seem to work on Android 4.2 - booo! Miss quick controls badly.

Good to hear! Must just be smart stuff then that is causing the stuttering for some people. Hopefully Samsung will sort it out.

Do you mean just the adjusting font size like in sense browser? the minimum font size and text scaling options? Personally hate having larger text as it breaks the layout of some sites/just makes it look weird, like to keep the normal text size and just double tap to zoom in and have the text reflow wrap/arrange text.

Indeed, I can't use any browser that doesn't have quick controls these days, just too useful especially with full screen enabled, sadly the 4.1.1 update broke the text reflow with quick ics and ics browser + etc. so I just use the stock sense browser, besides prefer the way the the quick controls work anyway. Just miss not being able to customise them and the more minimal stock android look.

Google should have never dropped the "stock" browser for chrome!

Seeing as I'm using the N4 a lot more than my HO.

LOL! Knowing my luck it's so true! Reading the thread over at XDA scares me a little But then again I've never had any problems when buying a Samsung phone! I didn't even succumb to the Sudden Death syndrome!

You are using your n4 more than the one?! WTF stoosh?! Send the one over to me and I will put it to good use! Why is that, sense VS stock android?

True but didn't you join the GS 3 club quite a bit later? so got the update/fix just before the you hit the "bomb trigger"

 

[dbmzk1]

What browser is everyone using? Chrome is really nice but the text thing annoys me. Samsung one seems ok but a bit slower than Chrome. Never really got into Dolphin etc, bit bloated...

If the S4 is Sim Locked to 3, which model would it be? i9500 or 9505?

All UK models are currently GT-I9505 regardless of network locks etc.

 

[Nexus18]

My recommendations:

xscope
dolphin
holo web
lighting browser looks quite good, not used it myself though

 

[kona786]

Nexus - link a website that chrome messes up the layout and I'll post a screen shot of how the S4 browser deals with it.


Here is ocuk on the stock browser

Spoiler

 

[Jonners]

What browser is everyone using? Chrome is really nice but the text thing annoys me. Samsung one seems ok but a bit slower than Chrome. Never really got into Dolphin etc, bit bloated...


All UK models are currently GT-I9505 regardless of network locks etc.

Will the i9500 be better than the i9505? In terms of CPU/GPU etc?

 

[stoosh]

You are using your n4 more than the one?! WTF stoosh?! Send the one over to me and I will put it to good use! Why is that, sense VS stock android?

True but didn't you join the GS 3 club quite a bit later? so got the update/fix just before the you hit the "bomb trigger"

Two reasons Nexus why I'm using the N4 more over the HO...firstly I love stock android and I like how the N4 just works. Secondly I'm actually carping it because of thread over at XDA where some users have reported that their camera lens has cracked for no reason. I don't want the same thing happening to me and knowing my luck I'll probably become one of the victims

I'm sure you would put it to good use does that mean you're ready to put your beloved HOS to retirement?

I didn't join the S3 club late in fact I was one of a few users here including Danger Phoenix and mrk who bought the pebble blue version as soon as it was available from Mobile Fun.

Luckily I didn't fall victim to SD and never did because by the time it got fixed I had moved on to the S3 LTE which never had the sd problem

 

[dbmzk1]

Will the i9500 be better than the i9505? In terms of CPU/GPU etc?

Theoretically yes, but in reality it won't be noticeable.

 

[Nexus18]

Two reasons Nexus why I'm using the N4 more over the HO...firstly I love stock android and I like how the N4 just works. Secondly I'm actually carping it because of thread over at XDA where some users have reported that their camera lens has cracked for no reason. I don't want the same thing happening to me and knowing my luck I'll probably become one of the victims

I'm sure you would put it to good use does that mean you're ready to put your beloved HOS to retirement?

I didn't join the S3 club late in fact I was one of a few users here including Danger Phoenix and mrk who bought the pebble blue version as soon as it was available from Mobile Fun.

Luckily I didn't fall victim to SD and never did because by the time it got fixed I had moved on to the S3 LTE which never had the sd problem

Yeah stock is nice, personally sense for me for the additional features especially in the camera, browser and gallery area and unified feel throughout. This wee guide might help to get that stock android feel on the one

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/sh...t=stock+android+username_nexus18#post23786962


I seen that thread when first posted and thought "meh just some user trying his luck to cover his own stupidity" i.e. like the guy who tried to say the GS 3 exploded when it was actually microwaved or whatever.... so haven't checked since and have now just looked at the thread and see a few more people have posted about it, interesting...... although would take what they say with a pinch of salt, as someone else said:

It is a bit weird though..
None of the reviewers have had this problem..
The drop tests didn't crack the glass (where as in quite a few GS 4 drop tests, the camera lens did crack, never happened with the GS 3 or the majority of other phones)
ifixit opening the whole thing up/denting the back didn't crack the glass.
None of the members posting here who have owned it for over a month or on a couple of other forums(ones that I visit) who have been using it since it first became available haven't had the problem.

Also, just had a look at their post count etc. hardly any posts and some even just joined to post that.....I don't think I have seen this mentioned on any other forums either.....

Will keep an eye on that thread now though.

For all we know it could be Samsung paying people to post/do that


If you were to give it to me for free........ yup Nah not doing anything for a while especially not till the X is revealed, as much as I love the one, some things just annoy me, much like the GS 4 If the mini HTC one is priced right and using either SLCD 3 or that new SAMOLED panel then I could be very tempted by it (despite not having a bigger screen), but it needs to priced appropriately to consider.


Oh really?! My bad. Could have sworn you didn't get the GS 3 till at least 1 month after launch as you were in love with the S!

Yeah it is strange how the LTE version didn't have that problem yet the note II did Another reason why I think it was more hardware related than software.

 

[Nexus18]

Nexus - link a website that chrome messes up the layout and I'll post a screen shot of how the S4 browser deals with it.


Here is ocuk on the stock browser

Spoiler

Will do, need to re enable it and get the latest update first though!

Just tried it out on the stock sense browser and it looks like it works exactly the same way, just looks so..........weird! Will see if I can get use to it! Also having that 1080P will make it look a lot better than my qHD screen

 

[stoosh]

Yeah stock is nice, personally sense for me for the additional features especially in the camera, browser and gallery area and unified feel throughout. This wee guide might help to get that stock android feel on the one

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/sh...t=stock+android+username_nexus18#post23786962


I seen that thread when first posted and thought "meh just some user trying his luck to cover his own stupidity" i.e. like the guy who tried to say the GS 3 exploded when it was actually microwaved or whatever.... so haven't checked since and have now just looked at the thread and see a few more people have posted about it, interesting...... although would take what they say with a pinch of salt, as someone else said:



Also, just had a look at their post count etc. hardly any posts and some even just joined to post that.....I don't think I have seen this mentioned on any other forums either.....

Will keep an eye on that thread now though.

For all we know it could be Samsung paying people to post/do that


If you were to give it to me for free........ yup Nah not doing anything for a while especially not till the X is revealed, as much as I love the one, some things just annoy me, much like the GS 4 If the mini HTC one is priced right and using either SLCD 3 or that new SAMOLED panel then I could be very tempted by it (despite not having a bigger screen), but it needs to priced appropriately to consider.


Oh really?! My bad. Could have sworn you didn't get the GS 3 till at least 1 month after launch as you were in love with the S!

Yeah it is strange how the LTE version didn't have that problem yet the note II did Another reason why I think it was more hardware related than software.

Thanks very much Nexus for pointing me in the right direction Are they the apps that you use on your HOS out of interest? Sense v5 is just awesome and the browser is a joy to use, the camera is amazing I love the features that HTC have incorporated in the camera app. It's an awesome phone but something about the N4 just keeps drawing me back to it. I will without hesitation buy the N5 or "X" phone when they're released.

I'm also taking that thread with a pinch of salt and again for the reasons you pointed out but there's a few more users who have had the cracked lens issue recently, but what's strange is that these problems haven't been reported in any other forums which doesn't bode very well in the credibility stakes.

Samsung could very well be paying people to post in the thread but who knows, it's all conjecture and subject to opinion. There's a lot of paranoia in that thread and that's not a good thing to have

Hopefully not long until the "X" is revealed and I'll probably do the same thing as you and wait but my will power isn't a strong as yours!

Nothing in life is for free Dude! not even my HO! Good try though

If rumours of the HTC One mini are true and it's priced aggressively that will be a phone to own. I don't know what screen tech it will use but apparently its 720p which is a good thing

I wouldn't mind a 4.3" phone and the HOS is a good sized phone and can easily compete with the flagships.

It's an easy mistake to make but you know what I'm like - I'm a self confessed phone wh*re! Even though I may be in love with a particular phone it doesn't stop me getting my hands on another one! Thankfully this attitude does not apply to my love life!

It is strange that even the Note II had the sudden death issue but not the S3 LTE, it most likely points to hardware and not software as you quite rightly said and this is underlined by some people still falling to the sd issue (which is unfortunate)

 

[Nexus18]

I use to, but not any more as stated, the lack of unified feel annoyed me and some apps just aren't as good anyway imo i.e. camera, browser.

I use the keyboard though as I find it really good overall, although will be switching to the sense V5 keyboard as supposedly it is excellent (the current one is really good, however, I don't like the look/layout of it )


Yeah unfortunately XDA, despite being the "mother" for all android related stuff, it is very hard to tell what is true and isn't.....

Once you see people on here or other forums posting about it then we will know if there is actually a problem...


Yup, supposedly July for announcement/release




Was worth a shot!


Yeah, happy enough with 720P, enough for a 4.3" (especially if it has a RGB stripe) screen, about 342ppi iirc. The only dimension I am not that happy with currently on the S is the width of the screen, height is fine, perhaps a bit too tall, so hopefully they will reduce the height by a bit and add that to the width...


hehe true, it is hard to keep track of what you have/get and how long you keep it for!

Lol!


Indeed, you still see some people mentioning about SD happening regardless of the software and the symptoms of it are awful; slow downs, lags, freezing restarting for 2 weeks etc.

 

[EH75]

hmmmm. The tracking number that unlocked mobiles gave me still hasn't tracked on the Royal Mail website despite them saying it would be dispatched today and I would be due to receive it tomorrow. It'd better come as I have had to make arrangements to be in when I otherwise wouldn't have been. If it comes Monday instead that would probably have been more convenient for me tbh but now I have made arrangements to be in tomorrow I would quite like it to arrive!

 

[stoosh]

The stock keyboard is really good and I actually prefer it over the sense version because I keep hitting different keys on sense, they're not spaced out enough for me and the layout on stock is perfect for me.

I tell you as much as XDA has it's advantages, it's also very bad for your health, the amount of issues people are reporting on that forum is mind boggling. I'm currently going through the S4 thread and it's almost putting me off buying the phone. I fell victim to the HO issues and I wouldn't have noticed the build quality issues if I hadn't read the problems posted on the forum. It's stopped me from enjoying the phone with the latest rumours of lensgate, it freaking me out!

July will be an interesting month then! The "X" phone should be announced and maybe available by then

Definitely worth a shot Mate, if you don't ask, you don't get!

The width was too small and the HOS was a little tall for my liking too, maybe HTC will make the bezel like the S4, that's what's so impressive with the S4, that Samsung have managed to fit a larger screen on a phone that is actually a little smaller than it's predecessor. Major props to Samsung there

Dude, I have to say even I can be too much when it comes to buying phones and keeping them, I can't even keep track, so I don't expect others to keep up either! lol

God knows how long I'll keep the HO as I get bored very easily....

The worst thing is that Samsung came out of the SD issue relatively unscathed with little or no coverage on the websites, I'm pretty sure that it didn't even make the news.

If that was Apple, (as much as I dislike that company) all hell would've broken loose.

 

[azibux1]

Do either of you have a link to this thread on XDA? Or is it all the threads there in general? lol

 

[kona786]

Will do, need to re enable it and get the latest update first though!

Just tried it out on the stock sense browser and it looks like it works exactly the same way, just looks so..........weird! Will see if I can get use to it! Also having that 1080P will make it look a lot better than my qHD screen

what do you mean it looks weird lol?

post a shot.

 

[Nexus18]

@stoosh

Did you try to calibrate the sense keyboard? They have a wee calibration thing in the settings that helps I find.


Indeed, I am trying to cut my time down on that site, that is how bad it is Just have fanboys, haters, trolls, idiots in every area Sometimes I see a stupid irritating post and I just can't help myself and have to put a post in


Yup and most likely plagued with issues too!


Indeed! I love a thin bezel and what Samsung have done with the screen and dimensions of the device.


It did make it to quite a few news sites, however, not for a loooooooooooooong time, especially on you know what website But yeah, it didn't really dent their image/reputation where as with apple, pretty much what you said, heck even with HTC, it would have been a MAJOR issue that would have damaged HTC big time, the amount of hate/worry over a gap that is less than a mm at the top has dealt a huge blow to HTC and their QC/build quality image!

 

[Nexus18]

Do either of you have a link to this thread on XDA? Or is it all the threads there in general? lol

Which thread???

The camera lens for the htc one:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2247754&page=26

The smearing, pink tint, red pixels issue for the GS 4:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2252445&page=36

GS 3 sudden death:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1993044

Those?

what do you mean it looks weird lol?

post a shot.

It just doesn't look/feel right to me

Will do! Haven't got around to trying chrome out yet.