I read on one of the blogs that Verizon will in fact get the HTC1 a month or so after everybody else. Can't Google for it now but I swear I saw it.JerBear said:
4G Android phone megathread
- Thread starter Foulkey Reese
- Start date
Overall: The GS4 met my expectations.
Highs:
What it doesn't tell me is what realistic power savings difference - and therefore battery life - in low-power states (screen off/sleep/etc). I suspect measurable differences (even when LTE is off), with the Exynos-powered system getting you an extra hour of screen-on usage. This is a wild guess.
It's a bummer that LTE throws such a huge wrench in the internals, but hope springs eternal for the next generation of smartphones, thanks to Qualcomm. Maybe I should wait and get the GS5 world phone?
Highs:
- Home cloud sync of files with any device (Sammy or not), access the home cloud remotely. Nobody's talking about this, but this seriously impressed me.
- IR Blaster: I used to use my old Sony Clie as a remote, and then my old Nokia phones. Old is new again.
- A couple of the photo features were cool, especially the mosaic video-to-photo stuff.
- The hamminess of the whole event. It lacked polish. It tried to be cute and self-aware of its hamminess, which only made it worse.
- Related: what working actor drives in NYC? Come on.
- Not a pure-global phone - still getting flavors.
- The Snapdragon 600 (which the US is getting) runs something just shy of the ARM A15, at 1.9 GHz. The Adreno 320 GPU was high-end when it came out a year ago. This is basically the quad-core evolution of the current US GS3 SoC.
- The Exynos Octa (non-LTE markets) has a high-power 1.6 GHz ARM A15 quad-core and a low-power ~1 GHz ARM A7 quad-core which alternate depending on load. (You're never running both CPUs at the same time.) This also uses a much better GPU, which might be why the CPU isn't clocked as high.
What it doesn't tell me is what realistic power savings difference - and therefore battery life - in low-power states (screen off/sleep/etc). I suspect measurable differences (even when LTE is off), with the Exynos-powered system getting you an extra hour of screen-on usage. This is a wild guess.
It's a bummer that LTE throws such a huge wrench in the internals, but hope springs eternal for the next generation of smartphones, thanks to Qualcomm. Maybe I should wait and get the GS5 world phone?
that's why I didn't mention the increased battery size. I assume that the bigger battery is just getting you to roughly the same battery life. It's an impressive feat, but it's not a feature per se. Battery life and performance are features.
I do think it's good they were able to manage all that while making the phone lighter too. Of course they make the weight competitive by making the casing out of plastic.
zenter, according to Anandtech, the A15 core actually runs at 1.2Ghz and the A7 at 1.6 http://www.anandtech.com/show/6832/samsungs-galaxy-s-4-introduction-hands-on
I do think it's good they were able to manage all that while making the phone lighter too. Of course they make the weight competitive by making the casing out of plastic.
zenter, according to Anandtech, the A15 core actually runs at 1.2Ghz and the A7 at 1.6 http://www.anandtech.com/show/6832/samsungs-galaxy-s-4-introduction-hands-on
behindthepen said:
I think that's an accidental substitution error. An explanation of Exynos 5 Octa from Anand himself makes it far more likely that the performance core is clocked higher, as would common sense.
My screen is cracked on my GS III. It's not totally smashed, just a long scratch. I actually have no idea how it happened because as far as I know I haven't dropped the phone and I have only had this one for about 3 weeks. I do have insurance through Best Buy but I am embarrassed to go back after 3 weeks and it is a long drawn out process that is a huge PITA.
Does anyone know if there is a way to fix a scratch without replacing the whole screen? I know that there are you tube videos on replacing the whole thing but I am afraid I would cause more damage that way,
Does anyone know if there is a way to fix a scratch without replacing the whole screen? I know that there are you tube videos on replacing the whole thing but I am afraid I would cause more damage that way,
jayhoz said:
I actually agree with you that 1080p is unnecessary other than as an incredibly impressive feat of technology. However, I find the increased battery capacity to be both incredibly impressive and likely to result in longer real world battery life than the S3.
Number of pixels doesn't affect the battery life of the screen directly, it's primarily a result of the size of the screen as well as the brightness. The only affect would be the extra requirements of the GPU to push the extra pixels. The CPUs on the phone will getting faster and adding more cores have also been becoming more efficient. In fact the whole reason for the 8 cored model is to one high speed 4 core processor to run when needed and one ultra efficient 4 core processor that runs when not. This will absolutely improve battery life. In addition to the CPUs, the GPUs have been becoming more efficient as well. With the newer integrated GPUs will the 1080p screen require the same power as an equivalent 720p? Certainly not, but it probably isn't far off from the older GPUs power the 720p display in the S3.
This is why I see moving to a 5" screen size from 4.8" to be a foot note of importance.
behindthepen said:
Battery life is a function of battery size and power consumption. With the architecture that Samsung chose in their standard model (8 core Exynos) they're clearly focus on limiting power consumption and at the same time they've increased the battery size nearly 25%. This is an incredibly impressive feat given that they're sticking with nearly identical size and weight. Most phone users would gladly have sacrificed a little bit of an increase in phone size to get this battery gain.
Directly from ARM's website here's a whitepaper on the big.LITTLE configuration: http://www.arm.com/files/pdf/Advances_in_big.LITTLE_Technology_for_Power_and_Energy_Savings.pdf
Dernells Casket n Flagon said:
All this is fine, but it draws attention to my big concern for the Snapdragon model:
You are right about no deductible, sort of. They mail it out to there repair center and either fix it or send back a new phone in 2 days, There is no deductible for the repair but they give you a loaner phone and hold $50 until you bring it back, which I really have no problem with. They have me an HTC 3D EVO to use. I also got really lucky and dealt with the manager just by my place in line. He didn't charge me the $50 and even gave me a charger I needed for my tablet for free.JCizzle said:
What an underwhelming phone. "It's the GS3 but with more TouchWiz." The gloved operation is neat (though it's already been done), but they just keep shoveling more crap on top.
This is not accurate. Each additional pixel means that you have two or three additional AMOLED units on the display. The size of the screen has nothing to do with it.Dernells Casket n Flagon said:
Blacken said:
To be fair to Sammy - this is the first major Android phone to do gloved operation (AFAIK), and to push hover-style operations to the masses. This simply raises the bar of "standard" expectations the way Apple did with capacitive touchscreens. Indeed, some Sammy apps might not suck. Beyond resolution, screen quality might be better than GS3.
Overall, I agreed it was underwhelming, but I'm not sure what you expected (aside from a non-crappy vaguely-sexist presentation). Samsung, like Apple, is not going to change much - the way they do things works. At this point, software is the main way to differentiate from other Android phones and be evolutionary improvement on the GS3. Mainly, though, if you're nearing the end of your contract now, the GS4 is a bigger step up from your current phone than the GS3.
Blacken said:
That's what you were hoping. What were you expecting?
I'm on record saying I like certain aspects of TouchWiz, namely the swipe left to sms/mms and right to call in Phone, Contacts, and Messaging apps. If S Drive is as good as it seems, that's another positive. And the hover stuff is all non-stock, isn't it?
If the hover stuff is like other implementations (one of Sony's phones had it, among others--the technology is pretty well established outside of phones), then it's a hardware driver. Hover events already exist in Android because of its mice/pen support.
At least Motorola should be nearing the end of their pre-Google product cycles, and this is a good thing. I don't really see anybody else building a competitive phone in the near future; LG builds decent phones with terrible UX and HTC is trying so hard to be more than a punchline.
At least Motorola should be nearing the end of their pre-Google product cycles, and this is a good thing. I don't really see anybody else building a competitive phone in the near future; LG builds decent phones with terrible UX and HTC is trying so hard to be more than a punchline.
Have there been any Nexus rumors?
I don't like a lot of the S4, but most of the stuff I dislike will disappear when I root/rom it. The hardware seems pretty impressive.
I don't like a lot of the S4, but most of the stuff I dislike will disappear when I root/rom it. The hardware seems pretty impressive.
Blacken said:
Oh. Good to know on that stuff.
Blacken said:
If the rumors about a unified chat client (that might include GV and fixing MMS) are true, then all I really want from the next Nexus is LTE and a microSD slot. I suspect the latter will never happen
I don't know about GV and MMS, but I have heard from folks I consider reliable that an integrated client (GV+dumbpeopleSMS) is in the works.
The removal of microSD on Nexus devices is intentional and, IMO, a good idea; partitioned storage is dumb, especially when you look at how slow SD cards are.
The removal of microSD on Nexus devices is intentional and, IMO, a good idea; partitioned storage is dumb, especially when you look at how slow SD cards are.
Blacken said:
You're talking about the Babble rumors, right? I just hope they fix MMS so I can finally port my number - my family and friends often send pictures, and then their are those iPhone group messages which go over MMS. Without MMS, I'm stuck alternating between AT&T and TMo.
My problem with microSD is that the current Nexus devices haven't offered sufficient capacities for me. I have a 32 GB class 10 microSD in my SGS2, with 22GB used for documents, music and podcasts (mainly podcasts). None of these really requires the types of R/W speeds you're talking about. With at best only about 6 or 14 GB of usable storage, I can't yet function in the Nexusverse.
I ended up swapping out the HTC Rezound for the Motorola Razr Maxx. I'd unplug my phone around 8am and would have to recharge by 10am with the Rezound. Yesterday, I unplugged my phone at 8 am, same usage, and at 9pm when I plugged it back in I still had 40% battery left. I got used to Sense so there's some adjustment, but nothing major. Upgraded it to Jellybean and have been pretty pleased with it overall.
File under inconvenience/annoyance:
I use Handcent SMS for texting, and my mom loves to send me at least three pictures a day of their dog. So whenever I get picture messages sent to me, I have to disable WiFi, turn on Data, and then switch to the stock texting app to view the picture. And, it's getting really old.
Any suggestions?
I use Handcent SMS for texting, and my mom loves to send me at least three pictures a day of their dog. So whenever I get picture messages sent to me, I have to disable WiFi, turn on Data, and then switch to the stock texting app to view the picture. And, it's getting really old.
Any suggestions?
That's just the only way I've found to get the picture to load, and someone told me you had to do it that way.
Since MMS comes over cellular data, turning off wifi reenables cell data globally, and stock messaging apps activate cell data when you download over MMS, regardless of whether wifi is on or off... I'm wondering if Handcent has the permissions to activate a cellular data connection or if that's restricted? Not sure what's specifically at the root of the problem, but this issue seems to be related to active data radios.
Downloaded GO SMS, but I still had to exit out of WiFi and turn on data to download the picture.
When you get Jelly Bean, you'll find SMS/MMS to be much more aesthetically pleasing, at least in Blur/Stock. I don't know how Sammy and HTC are different, though.
I've stopped using GO stuff. It's a memory hog and full of leaks. You'll find your phone speeding up considerably when you remove their junk.
I've stopped using GO stuff. It's a memory hog and full of leaks. You'll find your phone speeding up considerably when you remove their junk.
I uninstalled GO the first time I got a fake SMS advertising one of their other apps. And there didn't seem to be a "pay us 5 bucks to get rid of the annoying ads" option like some other apps.
Was using Handcent for a long time but then I noticed that my screen would wake up and then it would be 5-10 seconds sometimes before the message actually showed up. Didn't have any such delay with the HTC stock app. It is kind of lacking in customization though, even on JB. Kind of miss my dark theme sometimes.
Was using Handcent for a long time but then I noticed that my screen would wake up and then it would be 5-10 seconds sometimes before the message actually showed up. Didn't have any such delay with the HTC stock app. It is kind of lacking in customization though, even on JB. Kind of miss my dark theme sometimes.
So it's basically a shittier version of Windows Phone, but 100% focused on Facebook? Outside of Facebook junkies who wants something like this? If I want to text someone or call someone, I do just that. I don't give a shit about clicking on someone's face vs their name. The whole face popping up thing while in an app is just a more distracting version of the normal Notification Center.
I quit Facebook about 2 years ago and I think my life is better off without it, so I'm definitely not the targeted audience. I really am not interested in what my friends do 24/7.
It looks like a ton of eye candy with no great uses to it. If this is Facebook's venture into the mobile space, I just don't see how it makes any different. the Market tends ot agree with that.
I quit Facebook about 2 years ago and I think my life is better off without it, so I'm definitely not the targeted audience. I really am not interested in what my friends do 24/7.
It looks like a ton of eye candy with no great uses to it. If this is Facebook's venture into the mobile space, I just don't see how it makes any different. the Market tends ot agree with that.
Not sure if it's been mentioned but nova launcher is sincerely worth looking in to. It's minimal like stock but allows some nice customizations that really enhance the look and feel of aosp jb. I use it with cm10.1 and absolutely love the aesthetic.
Yeah, I think we covered this in the App thread, but I'm digging Nova Launcher big time. My beef with stock is the 4x4 grid has too much wasted space. 5x5 is perfect, just perfect for me.
What's the difference between the free and paid versions?
What's the difference between the free and paid versions?
I cannot wait for this phone to hit Verizon
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/U8STgCviLe0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<br /> You can install a custom rom with a locked bootloader. 2nd init recovery(or bootstrap recovery) makes this possible, as long as there is one ported for your device. What you cant do is flash a custom kernel this way as the kernel is signed and the bootloader performs signature checks in the boot process. An unlocked bootloader allows you to flash things that are not signed.jercra said:
<br /><br />I know quoting a post from ages ago.... but the more you know<br />
I reconverted to Android today to the HTC One on T-Mobiles awesome new plans. Figured out I could pay my ETF and still save money this year because the plans are that much ridiculously cheaper. Really love this device, it's the first android phone that i've held that felt holy shitballs amazing
I want this on Verizon so much. So, so much.teddykgb said:
EDIT: Foulkey, here's yours: http://www.androidcentral.com/verizon-galaxy-s4-preorders-start-april-25
deconstruction said:
Correct. I ETF'd a Verizon iPhone 5 to make this jump. I was paying around $110 with 4gb of data on VZW, so this unlimited data $70 plan will wash my ETF within just a couple of months. Then I can hop around on phones as I see fit, these plans really are amazing.
In the past, the contract spread the cost of the phone out, which made it stupid to buy phones outright, since bringing your own device to the network didn't make the price go down. Now that t-mo has separated the two, I'm able to manage the costs of devices on my own and just pay for hte service, which is really how it should be.
One thing I'm absolutely loving thus far is wifi calling on t-mo. My house gets shitty T-mobile service, but because they enabled wifi calling I make all my calls at home over wifi instead of cellular, so I get crystal clear calls and don't ahve to worry about service one bit. It's fantastic.
I need to find a keyboard to swap out, the Sense keyboard isn't doing it for me. But this screen is gorgeous and the device as well. All the reviews have it just shitting all over the SGS4 and I really can't imagine how that phone could possibly beat this one.
I also made the jump to T-Mobile, was on the prepaid plan but just switched it to a postpaid plan so I can add a line. Service is spotty in some rural areas, but I'm loving the phone (Nexus 4) and the cost savings.