Nexus 4 to GS4, or Note III, or HTC One... or?

ChrisD. · 18 Aug 2013 at 12:31

I've posted in a few different threads but I thought that I would make a new one to help me figure out where to go next.

I've had my Nexus 4 almost a year now after moving from an iPhone 4S and I love it. But, I think it's time to try something else. I really don't like the battery on the Nexus and I think I could be better off with something with a bigger screen. My phone is mainly used for web browsing, music listening (N4 sucks a little at this) and email.

I really like the size of the Note II and I am looking forward to the Note III coming out, but I am put off by Samsungs touch UI as well as the poor plastics on the back of the phone. I ideally want to use a phone without a case. I do like the look of the HTC One, a lot, especially in black but I fancy waiting and seeing what Samsung do with the Note III. I am not really into rooting and custom ROMs btw.

Is the HTC One susceptible to scratches? I have read that they can scratch very easily on the back of them.

Kreeeee · 18 Aug 2013 at 14:53

You can install Nova (or any other) launcher so you don't have to use the TW UI.

reflux · 18 Aug 2013 at 15:10

The One is fantastic. I have had mine since April and there is a very light scratch on the camera lens but it doesn't affect photos. The main problem I have with it cosmetically is that the white plastic around the edge is easily stained, but thankfully it seems to wipe clean quite easily.

The battery life is probably worse than my Nexus 4 though - it's still quite small vs. the S4's battery. However, overall it does sound like it would suit your needs for web browsing and music as it's good at both.

ChrisD. · 18 Aug 2013 at 15:18

Hmm, I am not impressed with the battery on my Nexus TBH, not sure I could go to a phone that would last even less time.

reflux · 18 Aug 2013 at 15:21

Your mileage may vary, but in my experience the One uses it up pretty quick. It does have a power saver mode though, which can be set to throttle the CPU's max freq down and reduce screen brightness. However for longevity I think you'd have to be looking at the Note or SGS4 really.

ChrisD. · 18 Aug 2013 at 15:37

I guess I should wait and see what Samsung do with the Note III.

ChrisD. · 8 Sep 2013 at 09:02

Well I don't think I am going to get the Note 3 so I've been looking at the HTC One and price options:

Contract options would be a £936 cost over two years, or, buy the phone outright and go SIM free which would be £807.99 for the 12 month SIM plan, or £879.99 for the rolling monthly plan. If I were to go for the HTC, there doesn't seem much point in choosing the contract option.

Costs:
HTC One = £447.99
HTC One upgrade through my account on Three = £39 per month
One Plan 12 month SIM only = £15 per month
One Plan 1 Month SIM only = £18

Is the one the same size as my Nexus 4?

Also, is the new iPhone going to have a bigger screen? Guess I should wait a few days and see what Apple announce.

Dead Dog · 8 Sep 2013 at 09:23

If you're even remotely considering cost the new apple will be stella cash to have

ChrisD. · 8 Sep 2013 at 09:32

I'm not too fussed about the cost of the device, I'm willing to spend over £600 on a phone, but, if I'm spending that much I want a premium product.

Just noticed that Three's new customer deals are better than my upgrade options.

What's the Sony Xperia Z like?

Ryan-3 · 8 Sep 2013 at 09:38

MilanoChris said:
HTC One upgrade through my account on Three = £39 per month.

I was a new customer on the One Plan, and because I ordered my tariff before the phone was released I got 36/month, no upfront!

The HTC One is definitely the best phone i've ever had/used. Even better now it has ARHD 20.1 on it. All of the early problems are long gone now too.

- Give it a few days though, see what Apple announce, but I think the iPhone 6 might start to see bigger screens.

ChrisD. · 8 Sep 2013 at 09:48

Ryan-3 said:
I was a new customer on the One Plan, and because I ordered my tariff before the phone was released I got 36/month, no upfront!

The HTC One is definitely the best phone i've ever had/used. Even better now it has ARHD 20.1 on it. All of the early problems are long gone now too.

- Give it a few days though, see what Apple announce, but I think the iPhone 6 might start to see bigger screens.

Tell me about it, it's cheaper as a new customer. But it works out better for me to buy the phone and then get a SIM free plan.

Matteysan · 8 Sep 2013 at 09:55

reflux said:
The battery life is probably worse than my Nexus 4 though - it's still quite small vs. the S4's battery. However, overall it does sound like it would suit your needs for web browsing and music as it's good at both.

Not really sure on the battery life on normal sense ROMS, But the battery on my GE'ed One is fantastic & much better than it was on my N4. Regularly hitting 6hours screen on time.

I love my One, But I still have the temptations to go back to my N4 though cause I like to tinker.

munz · 8 Sep 2013 at 18:13

in the same boat,

waited to see what Note 3 was like and thought it would be a bit cheaper

htc one or Note 2 or S4 (Note3 seems bit overpriced for HD & extra 0.2 inch screen i wont be using S pen) or .... oppo find 5 or Z1 or LG G2 lol

Note 2 for £359 or £29/month on three
s4 and htc one around 33/month

or wait for nexus 5 ......

Iraklis F.C. · 8 Sep 2013 at 18:33

i'd say wait for nexus 5

dparksinger · 8 Sep 2013 at 21:25

Nexus 4 > Nexus 5.

Psycho Sonny · 9 Sep 2013 at 00:03

Nexus 5

ChrisD. · 9 Sep 2013 at 18:28

Iraklis F.C. said:
i'd say wait for nexus 5

What is this wait thing you speak about?

cymatty · 9 Sep 2013 at 18:50

LG G2. Big screen in a smallish chassis and what seems like a fairly epic battery.

We ran our usual battery tests on the LG G2 and rated its endurance at the amazing 62 hours. The 3G talk time was pretty impressive - 25 hours, while the video playback and web browsing tests drained the batter after more than 11 hours. The 62 hours endurance rating means your LG G2 will last two and a half days if you use the phone for 1 hours of 3G talks, 1 hour video playback and 1 hour web browsing each day. You can read more details about the G2 battery life over at our blog.

http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g2-review-982p2.php

Cosimo · 9 Sep 2013 at 19:10

MilanoChris said:
What is this wait thing you speak about?

Expect to see it mid-November.

Pawnless Endgame · 9 Sep 2013 at 21:57

MilanoChris said:
I really like the size of the Note II and I am looking forward to the Note III coming out, but I am put off by Samsungs touch UI as well as the poor plastics on the back of the phone.

Kreeeee said:
You can install Nova (or any other) launcher so you don't have to use the TW UI.

Yes, I thought I'd explain this as I didn't know about this for a couple of years of using Android. In MS Windows, have you messed around with shell replacements such as Litestep, Darkstep and Talisman? If you have done, then Nova and Samsung's "Touchwiz" are shell replacements for Android. They call them launchers though like Kreeeee said above. Have a play around with them. Apex is another example of a launcher.