Galaxy S4 or HTC One - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

longsuffering · 07-25-2013, 07:22 AM

I'm a recent convert to Android and I am really impressed with my Galaxy SII.

I'm itching for some new tech. The S4 and the new HTC One seem to be on the top of the heap now. So which one would you recommend and why?

TIA

Rathji · 07-25-2013, 08:11 AM

HTC One has glowing reviews from everyone I have heard touch one.

Both units have "Google Experience" versions, so without the custom HTC and Samsung software, which is a huge plus if that sort of thing interests you - which it should, especially on the S4. HTC Sense has decent reviews, but Samsung Touchwiz is complete garbage in comparison to vanilla Android,

TheGrimm · 07-25-2013, 08:31 AM

My wife has the HTC one, I have the older S2 like yourself... I've played around with the S3 extensively and from what I've heard the S4 isn't much of an improvement. I can say the HTC one has a good build quality and the aluminum gives it an overall feel of being a better quality device. The camera is fantastic as well, she is a professional photographer and she was impressed by it's ability to take pictures in low light (for a phone).

All in all I'd say it's a worthy upgrade but as someone who is still using an S2 I don't see any glaring holes in my own device that would have me rushing out to get the latest greatest.

MickMcGeough · 07-25-2013, 09:49 AM

I've got a Nexus 4, GS4, GS3, HTC One, and an iPhone 5, and have used them all quite a bit now. I still say the HTC One is the best smartphone available.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta

SuperMatt18 · 07-25-2013, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

I've got a Nexus 4, GS4, GS3, HTC One, and an iPhone 5, and have used them all quite a bit now. I still say the HTC One is the best smartphone available.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Would be interested to see how you rank them from top to bottom.

MickMcGeough · 07-25-2013, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Would be interested to see how you rank them from top to bottom.

HTC One
iPhone 5
Nexus 4
GS4
GS3

This isn't taking cost into consideration. The Nexus 4 is great value but falls well short of the One & iPhone 5 in build quality and storage.

I can't think of a single compelling reason I'd recommend a Samsung phone over any of my top 3 unless you really, really need removable storage.

Igster · 07-25-2013, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

I can't think of a single compelling reason I'd recommend a Samsung phone over any of my top 3 unless you really, really need removable storage.

Notification LED that comes on and stays on until you address it so you know if you missed something.
As you noted, removable storage.
A bunch of ROM support out there for Samsung phones (especially the GS3) that allows you to really customize your phone the way you want.

Just three off the top of my head.

Anduril · 07-25-2013, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

I've got a Nexus 4, GS4, GS3, HTC One, and an iPhone 5, and have used them all quite a bit now. I still say the HTC One is the best smartphone available.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta

So do you swap between devices regularly or just have a collection sitting there?
Because if it's the latter, I won't mind helping you put them to use.

TheGrimm · 07-25-2013, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Igster

Notification LED that comes on and stays on until you address it so you know if you missed something.
As you noted, removable storage.
A bunch of ROM support out there for Samsung phones (especially the GS3) that allows you to really customize your phone the way you want.

Just three off the top of my head.

I would add "user replaceable battery" to that list as well.

Regulator75 · 07-25-2013, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

I've got a Nexus 4, GS4, GS3, HTC One, and an iPhone 5, and have used them all quite a bit now. I still say the HTC One is the best smartphone available.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Why? Are you a drug dealer?

MrMastodonFarm · 07-25-2013, 10:51 AM

I'd go with the HTC One. Too bad we can't get the pure android version in Canada though.

Sliver · 07-25-2013, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGrimm

I would add "user replaceable battery" to that list as well.

I'd also add operating system - I didn't consider the iPhone 5 because I don't like the operating system.

J Diddy · 07-25-2013, 06:19 PM

The HTC One has Beats by Dr. Dre...so the choice is obvious.

On a serious note...I don't think you can go wrong with either but the internet reviews point to the HTC One as the best Android device out there. The sales people at FS say it is the one to get...not sure if that is saying much...I played with it there today and it was pretty amazing. Loved the look and feel of the both the hardware and software. It is likely the device I will be going with unless someone can convince me that Windows phones are going to take off. I want to stick to one ecosystem. All Windows or all Android phones, tablets etc.

longsuffering · 07-25-2013, 07:02 PM

It seems HTC One is the consensus choice.

Thanks everyone.

FlameOn · 07-25-2013, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I'd go with the HTC One. Too bad we can't get the pure android version in Canada though.

If you bootloader unlock, couldn't you just load the Google pure android rom onto your phone.

MrMastodonFarm · 07-25-2013, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlameOn

If you bootloader unlock, couldn't you just load the Google pure android rom onto your phone.

Yup, but it would be nice if we could order it right from GooglePlay if we wanted.

4oh3 · 07-25-2013, 11:10 PM

I just got a s4 and I love it very easy to use .

MickMcGeough · 07-26-2013, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regulator75

Why? Are you a drug dealer?

What, you don't have a collection of burners?

Seriously though, all but the iPhone are test phones for work. I've just been "testing" on the HTC One since March.

Street Pharmacist · 08-03-2013, 10:50 AM

Just got an s4. Is it a great phone? Out the greatest phone?

Fast. Fast. Fast.

I'm convinced there was a problem with my s2. It would be empty of battery in 4 to 6 hours with no use, 3 to 4 with regular and 1.5 with constant use. I replaced the battery with a big one (3600mAh) and I got maybe 10 hours of light use out of it. My s4 will go all day and then some with light use and stock battery. The day I got it I user it for 4 hours straight and it still had 40%. I have the zerolemon battery coming, but now I'm not sure I need it

Enoch Root · 08-03-2013, 11:54 AM

Just got an S4 - very fast, very intuitive, and like that I can add an internal mini SD card to bump up the storage.

Love it