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

Ok guys, I've still got an iPhone 4 and am really tempted to get a new contract with this phone.

Give me some examples how it trumps the iPhone? (Without bashing it please)
 
How is the back of the case? I am looking for something that isnt too slippery (ie, can rest on edge of sofa, or on knee without sliding off too easily). The one I have for my iphone is rubbery and slick to surfaces.

I took delivery of my case this morning and to answer my own question, it is hard, not as rubbery as I hoped it would be.. BUT, it is very nice and definitely a keeper. :)
 
Ok guys, I've still got an iPhone 4 and am really tempted to get a new contract with this phone.

Give me some examples how it trumps the iPhone? (Without bashing it please)

no having to use iTunes, Bigger better screen, more customisable, removable battery, no having to use iTunes. But at the end of the day some people prefer iOS over Android or the other way round, they're both perfectly good phones.
 
Ok guys, I've still got an iPhone 4 and am really tempted to get a new contract with this phone.

Give me some examples how it trumps the iPhone? (Without bashing it please)

Well it's a lot newer than the iPhone 4 so pretty much crushes it as you'd expect, but the main points vs the iPhone 5:
  • Bigger, higher res screen
  • Removable storage + battery
  • Android (could be an advantage or disadvantage depending on your use)

Obviously the last point is very much an expandable one, but in short if you like (though it isn't needed) tinkering with your phone you'll probably get on fine with Android. It's capable of more than iOS but in my experience this comes at the cost of lower quality apps (depending on which ones you use), a less uniform feel and stability issues, for examples ones affecting battery life.

It's probably worth trying one out, but do that in a shop first as you might not like it.
 
@stoosh I'm quite lucky in the sense that I haven't invested in any app eco system, aside from paying for WhatsApp but that's subscription based and cross platform so wouldn't stop me from trying a different OS.

JB on the S2 is interesting. They've butchered the TouchWiz launcher in that you cannot have scrolling backgrounds anymore, no idea why they have taken that out of the latest TouchWiz version. I don't really play games so my usage is entirely web browsing and communication and for all those things it handles them really well. Had to switch to Nova launcher to get my scrolling backgrounds back and it seems to be a lot snappier than the default TouchWiz launcher.

Battery life seems awful but I'll give it a few weeks before making any firm conclusions on that :p
 
@stoosh

Yup, one X/XL use SLCD 2 panel, there isn't "much" difference between it and SLCD 3, obviously it is improved overall but the main difference is the power efficiency where as the SAMOLED panel on the GS 4 has vastly improved in most areas compared to the GS 3 screen.

Just have to wait and see :)

That's great I was extremely impressed with the screen on the HOX even more so than the HO. The icons looked like they were stuck on the screen and were extremely clear :) Standby time on the M4 needs to be as epic as it is on the HO though, HTC need to get a balance between a decent screen that doesn't sip the juice on a mediocre 1700mAh battery. :D

@stoosh I'm quite lucky in the sense that I haven't invested in any app eco system, aside from paying for WhatsApp but that's subscription based and cross platform so wouldn't stop me from trying a different OS.

JB on the S2 is interesting. They've butchered the TouchWiz launcher in that you cannot have scrolling backgrounds anymore, no idea why they have taken that out of the latest TouchWiz version. I don't really play games so my usage is entirely web browsing and communication and for all those things it handles them really well. Had to switch to Nova launcher to get my scrolling backgrounds back and it seems to be a lot snappier than the default TouchWiz launcher.

Battery life seems awful but I'll give it a few weeks before making any firm conclusions on that :p

That's a result therefore you could easily move from one software platform to another, now I understand why you were looking at the iphone 5 ;)

Samsung may have tinkered with Touchwiz because it took up a fair bit of memory and in order to get JB out on the S2 they ha to possibly modify it? Who knows though. Nova is an awesome launcher I use it as well and it's extremely fluid and has many excellent features. An very good choice made by you :)

Shame about the battery life, maybe it's a rogue app that's running in the background? You could always install a battery manager app and use it to see what's exactly contributing to the poor battery?

@kona Good news! Mate It's here and was delivered this morning.

However there's bad news as well. There's chipping all along the left hand side of the bezel and the front earpiece is scratched up. :eek::mad:

I've initiated an exchange with Rainforest, am sending it if off today.

I really don't have much luck with new phones :o

First impressions though, the screen is epic and I'm amazed that Samsung have fitted in a 5" display in a phone that is similar in size to the S3.

It actually looks so much better in real life and pictures don't do the device justice.

I'm impressed! All I need is my replacement to turn up fault free and I'll get working on setting it up.
 
First impressions though, the screen is epic and I'm amazed that Samsung have fitted in a 5" display in a phone that is similar in size to the S3.

It actually looks so much better in real life and pictures don't do the device justice.

Pretty much what I thought as well. Told you. ;) :p
 
Yup if the M4 battery life isn't much better than the S then I'll pass (not that the S battery life is "bad" but I want a proper upgrade in all areas! :p :D)


You really don't have any luck with new phones lately!? :p :eek:

I presume that you much prefer the GS 4 screen to the one' screen? ;)
 
Yup if the M4 battery life isn't much better than the S then I'll pass (not that the S battery life is "bad" but I want a proper upgrade in all areas! :p :D)


You really don't have any luck with new phones lately!? :p :eek:

I presume that you much prefer the GS 4 screen to the one' screen? ;)

The HOS battery is quite decent considering the small battery that HTC installed in the phone. So if all goes well the M4 will have a significantly increased battery life.

LOL, I must've annoyed the phone gods or something! :o:p

Oh yes the S4 screen is beautiful! I most definitely prefer it over the HO screen, which is surprising as my eyes have become accustomed to the LCD screen of the N4 and to go back to the eye popping colours and clarity of the SAMOLED screen is wonderful :cool:
 
Last edited:
Indeed, got to love SAMOLED and a superb CPU chipset ;) (and of course good software optimisation)


Maybe this is a sign to sort your phone addiction out! :D :p


Nice :cool: Haven't seen the phones myself yet but I just know for a fact that the GS 4 screen will "wow" me far more than the HTC one screen. So badly want more SAMOLED phones! Unfortunately only motorola will most likely use the SAMOLED panels for their devices, HTC, sony, LG etc. will stick with their current displays (although that Sony ZR has an OLED screen! :eek: Hopefully Sony will use this for their next flagship rather than their washed out/poor viewing angles display! :o)
 
Last edited:
@kona Good news! Mate It's here and was delivered this morning.

However there's bad news as well. There's chipping all along the left hand side of the bezel and the front earpiece is scratched up. :eek::mad:


Excellent!

Yeah bad news on the damage front, sorry to hear that.


stoosh said:
First impressions though, the screen is epic and I'm amazed that Samsung have fitted in a 5" display in a phone that is similar in size to the S3.

It actually looks so much better in real life and pictures don't do the device justice.


I'm so happy that you like the phone and awesome screen! - as you said, it's just better in real life than pics.

Hear that Nexus - get one from Amazon (so easy to return :D)
 
Indeed, got to love SAMOLED and a superb CPU chipset ;) (and of course good software optimisation)


Maybe this is a sign to sort your phone addiction out! :D :p


Nice :cool: Haven't seen the phones myself yet but I just know for a fact that the GS 4 screen will "wow" me far more than the HTC one screen. So badly want more SAMOLED phones! Unfortunately only motorola will most likely use the SAMOLED panels for their devices, HTC, sony, LG etc. will stick with their current displays (although that Sony ZR has an OLED screen! :eek: Hopefully Sony will use this for their next flagship rather than their washed out/poor viewing angles display! :o)

Yes all three make for a quality phone experience :cool:

You know I thought I could live with LCD but it's not really until you go from an LCD unit to SAMOLED that you notice the difference. The screen on the HO is no slouch however colours and details on the S4 seem to "pop" more and make it far more impressive.

You should take a trip down to your local phone store and check both out in person. You have the will power and patience of a Saint :p

I guess we need that flagship Moto phone to come out equipped with the SAMOLED screen otherwise the only fix you're going to get is from the S4.

The ZR isn't going to be available here in the UK from what I've heard so we miss out on another SAMOLED phone, but then again do you really want to touch Sony phones because of their update policy and history? :eek:

Yes maybe it is a sign but I'm ignoring it for now! :p

Excellent!

Yeah bad news on the damage front, sorry to hear that.





I'm so happy that you like the phone and awesome screen! - as you said, it's just better in real life than pics.

Hear that Nexus - get one from Amazon (so easy to return :D)

It's ok that's the way it goes and TBH I'm kinda getting used to it now as nothing usually goes smoothly when it comes to buying phones with me :(

The screen's amazing Dude, unreal.....it just grabs your attention and I love the way it takes up the whole front leaving little bezel on the sides. It looks so cool :)

I love Amazon, their returns / exchange policy is spot on, I've already got a replacement winging its way to me and should be with me by tomorrow.

I've sent the other phone back already so it's all in hand. :)
 
Pics of my silver Neo Hybrid case that I said I'd post (I hadn't forgotten, only just received the case today)

I think it is really good, definitely worth the money but like someone said it would be even better if the edge was metallic

Opinions?

Last time I looked, every 5-star review of a Spigen product on Amazon was from a shill account. My own experience with a Spigen case was that it was worse than nothing at all. So, my opinion is that Spigen are scum who make terrible products, and even if they've managed to make one that is decent they should be boycotted for putting up fake reviews of their own gear.

I picked up a Case-Mate Barely There instead. Much better.
 
@azibux1

Looks great to me! :) A wee bit bulky by the looks of it but apart from, imo it is very nice looking

Thanks, I don't find it too bulky, think it looks nice and will protect it a bit hopefully too, better than the free rocketfish one I got from carphone warehouse haha ... Never even heard of rocketfish before

Last time I looked, every 5-star review of a Spigen product on Amazon was from a shill account. My own experience with a Spigen case was that it was worse than nothing at all. So, my opinion is that Spigen are scum who make terrible products, and even if they've managed to make one that is decent they should be boycotted for putting up fake reviews of their own gear.

I picked up a Case-Mate Barely There instead. Much better.

Aha fair enough, I had read about those fake reviews, but I'd also read on XDA about people buying this specific case and saying it was good ... So I thought I might as well just get it
 
Thanks, I don't find it too bulky, think it looks nice and will protect it a bit hopefully too, better than the free rocketfish one I got from carphone warehouse haha ... Never even heard of rocketfish before



Aha fair enough, I had read about those fake reviews, but I'd also read on XDA about people buying this specific case and saying it was good ... So I thought I might as well just get it

There does appear to be a fake review on most of them but if you check other reviews you can easily spot the fake one :D
 
Just bought a Spigen case and 64GB class 10 microSD card :D

The dock and spare battery may have to wait until next month.

Where is the best place to get the S4 sim free at the moment?
 
Last edited:
Pics of my silver Neo Hybrid case that I said I'd post (I hadn't forgotten, only just received the case today)


I think it is really good, definitely worth the money but like someone said it would be even better if the edge was metallic

Opinions?

I like that. :)

Although am i the only one that think it makes it look slightly iPhone-ish...? *runs*

One of them, though still unsure of what colour to pick, and that dock are my next purchases me thinks....
 
Back
Top Bottom