Amazed by S4

chrisrosemusic1 · Oct 9, 2013

So last year I got the S3 (a couple of months before the iPhone redesign) and although it was nice to have a bigger screen the irritating lag, sub par camera, poor integration with my Mac and terrible S Voice responses meant that I sold it and got the iPhone 5.

Whilst being completely underwhelmed by this years Apple releases I decided to start the hunt for an Android device once more - HTC One, S4, LG G2, Note 3 etc but found a complete bargain brand new S4 on Amazon for £402 and couldn't resist.

WOW, what a difference a year makes - using Nova this thing is ultra responsive, seriously fast, completely customisable, and just amazing. I am completely in love. S Voice concerns no longer exist and the AI is far more intelligent, Android File Transfer allows drag and drop iTunes playlists, Dropbox is providing me with a backup camera solution (+ automation in OSX = photostream compatible) and Helium provides an iCloud style device back up. It has literally destroyed any interest in iPhones in general and I haven't used my iPad since either.

Having the ability to modify the launcher, bought a minimal icon pack etc to give the phone the feel I want, mixed in with no data download caps and a far more 'open' experience is so awesome.

Yes, it's plastic, but do I care when I'm using it? No, not at all. Great, great phone.

Just my two p (cents)

Converted.

skratch77 · Oct 9, 2013

just wait till it gets official 4.3 as most are saying even more improved speed and better screen calibration

chrisrosemusic1 · Oct 9, 2013

skratch77 said:
just wait till it gets official 4.3 as most are saying even more improved speed and better screen calibration

Just can't believe it took me this long to get one

I know it's honeymoon phase atm cos it's a new toy but it constantly surprises me.

The S View cover is functional and works brilliantly too.

cuzo · Oct 9, 2013

When using Nova launcher does the screen still display the missed calls and so forth when using that smartview case?

http://www.spigen.com/brands/samsung/galaxy/galaxy-s4/galaxy-s4-case-slim-armor-view.html

Dreamliner330 · Oct 9, 2013

I just cant get over how ugly TouchWiz is. Looks like it was designed by colorblind children.

AOSP > *

KentuckyHouse · Oct 9, 2013

cuzo said:
When using Nova launcher does the screen still display the missed calls and so forth when using that smartview case?

http://www.spigen.com/brands/samsung/galaxy/galaxy-s4/galaxy-s4-case-slim-armor-view.html

It does. Using a different launcher doesn't touch the lockscreen, so it's still the stock TouchWiz look and functionality. If you want to change the lockscreen, you'd need to use something like Widget Locker, Holo Locker, etc. That would (possibly) change the Smartview function.

Although...I know if you're using Widget Locker, you can still use the quickview thing where you wave your hand across the front of the phone and it lights up showing the time, missed calls, texts, etc. So using a third-party lockscreen app may not change it.

chrisrosemusic1 · Oct 9, 2013

Yeah s view works the same regardless. Nova just gets rid of the awful Samsung home screen. Will upload a screen shot of my home screen using nova prime and the shaded icon pack from play store

kokhean · Oct 9, 2013

t's a great media device!

Sensamic · Oct 9, 2013

Funny you see so much difference between the S3 and S4.

Couldn't you install Nova on the S3? It's as fast as in your S4. Nova on the S4 is no different than on the S3 or any other phone for that matter. With Nova on my S3 there's no lag either.

Sub par camera on the S3? There's really no huge difference between last year's S3 and this year's S4.

S Voice will be updated in the S3 with the next 4.3 update. Already saw it when I installed the leaked 4.2.2 ROM on my S3.

All your problems with the S3 could have been easily solved, just like you have done in the S4. Helium is also available, etc.

Didn't Android File Transfer work with your S3? Cause I use it all the time with my iMac and have no problems transferring files both ways.

LIVEFRMNYC · Oct 9, 2013

Sensamic said:
Sub par camera on the S3? There's really no huge difference between last year's S3 and this year's S4.

The S4 camera is much noticeably better than the S3. Although the S3 camera wasn't bad at all and was pretty good IMO. The S3 was just plagued with the need to tinker with the setting to get a good shot. An update has fixed it, but not completely. S4 was a great point n shoot out the box for me.

Dontazemebro · Oct 9, 2013

My S4 is back in Plano, TX at Samsung right now. It took a nose dive on the concrete pavement and busted up the screen underneath the glass (screen wasn't even scratched). It's my fault really, I should have babied it like I do my other devices but I just didn't want to mess with that beautiful screen.

It's gonna cost $200 to get fixed but I guess I'm a believer now. Can anyone recommend any cases/screen protectors that provide the best protection but with a minimal look. I hate bulky cases.

haxrnick · Oct 9, 2013

Sensamic said:
Funny you see so much difference between the S3 and S4.

Couldn't you install Nova on the S3? It's as fast as in your S4. Nova on the S4 is no different than on the S3 or any other phone for that matter. With Nova on my S3 there's no lag either.

Sub par camera on the S3? There's really no huge difference between last year's S3 and this year's S4.

S Voice will be updated in the S3 with the next 4.3 update. Already saw it when I installed the leaked 4.2.2 ROM on my S3.

All your problems with the S3 could have been easily solved, just like you have done in the S4. Helium is also available, etc.

Didn't Android File Transfer work with your S3? Cause I use it all the time with my iMac and have no problems transferring files both ways.

Was about to post the same thing. All this was available for the S3 it's just this time it seems like he actually tried Android.

Fanaticalism · Oct 9, 2013

Dontazemebro said:
My S4 is back in Plano, TX at Samsung right now. It took a nose dive on the concrete pavement and busted up the screen underneath the glass (screen wasn't even scratched). It's my fault really, I should have babied it like I do my other devices but I just didn't want to mess with that beautiful screen.

It's gonna cost $200 to get fixed but I guess I'm a believer now. Can anyone recommend any cases/screen protectors that provide the best protection but with a minimal look. I hate bulky cases.

Spigen Glas T Nano
Atom from Element Case but the Slim Armor from Spigen is a solid case.

Sensamic · Oct 9, 2013

LIVEFRMNYC said:
The S4 camera is much noticeably better than the S3. Although the S3 camera wasn't bad at all and was pretty good IMO. The S3 was just plagued with the need to tinker with the setting to get a good shot. An update has fixed it, but not completely. S4 was a great point n shoot out the box for me.

It is better but like I said I don't see a huge improvement. I've seen comparison shots and really only see minor improvement. I had to look real close to see those improvements actually. I just don't believe this year's smartphones have improved camera quality that much compared to last year's top phones.

haxrnick said:
Was about to post the same thing. All this was available for the S3 it's just this time it seems like he actually tried Android.

Exactly. The way he solved some of his problems could have been done exactly the same way last year with the SGS3.

Dontazemebro · Oct 9, 2013

Fanaticalism said:
Spigen Glas T Nano
Atom from Element Case but the Slim Armor from Spigen is a solid case.

Not a fan of the Atom element case, it looks too bulky but I like the clean seamless look of the slim armor from spigen.

Do you know if the the glas T nano is the thinnest screen protector available? And how would it compare to the zagg invisible shield HD? I had the zagg on my One X+ and it held up pretty well but it did still look like I had a screen protector on. I guess I'm looking for something that's nearly invisible.

chrisrosemusic1 · Oct 10, 2013

Yeah I guess I didn't delve too deeply into android because I wanted to believe ios was better. Was far more open minded this time around. Anyway, very happy with my purchase this time.

xchampx13 · Oct 10, 2013

Dontazemebro said:
Not a fan of the Atom element case, it looks too bulky but I like the clean seamless look of the slim armor from spigen.

Do you know if the the glas T nano is the thinnest screen protector available? And how would it compare to the zagg invisible shield HD? I had the zagg on my One X+ and it held up pretty well but it did still look like I had a screen protector on. I guess I'm looking for something that's nearly invisible.

I use the Zagg with a Spigen case, you really can't tell the protector is on it if you didn't know it was there

Savor · Oct 10, 2013

chrisrosemusic1 said:
Yes, it's plastic, but do I care when I'm using it? No, not at all. Great, great phone.

Just my two p (cents)

Converted.

I'm starting to realize plastic may NOT be an issue anymore but an actual benefit.

Samsung's only weakness is build quality and repetitive design language since the S3. Galaxy Win, Mega, Core, Note II, S Duos, etc all look pretty much the same. But Samsung is pretty awesome at everything else. And the plastic thing may not be such a bad thing.

My Nexus One that served me pretty well for two years is starting to get unreasonably hot where I get static electricity from it and my fingers or wrist gets numb. My HTC One can also get pretty warm sometimes. Both metal phones. Better to be safe than sorry.

We touch our phones all the time and alot of it generates heat and radiation. Plastic tends to run cooler and Samsung is known for some of the lowest SAR rating. People may hate Samsung's plastic but it may not be such an issue anymore. And Samsung is the only top OEM offering both memory expansion and replaceable battery.

S4 might be a 7/10 in looks and feel a little cheap but it is built better for the long-term.

Jibbajabba · Oct 10, 2013

skratch77 said:
just wait till it gets official 4.3 as most are saying even more improved speed and better screen calibration

I am already running the leaked test version on 4.3 - its great so far - really "snappier" ):

----------

cuzo said:
When using Nova launcher does the screen still display the missed calls and so forth when using that smartview case?

http://www.spigen.com/brands/samsung/galaxy/galaxy-s4/galaxy-s4-case-slim-armor-view.html

KentuckyHouse said:
It does. Using a different launcher doesn't touch the lockscreen, so it's still the stock TouchWiz look and functionality. If you want to change the lockscreen, you'd need to use something like Widget Locker, Holo Locker, etc. That would (possibly) change the Smartview function.

Although...I know if you're using Widget Locker, you can still use the quickview thing where you wave your hand across the front of the phone and it lights up showing the time, missed calls, texts, etc. So using a third-party lockscreen app may not change it.

Plus Nova has a free add-on which enables unread counts on icons too ..

jamezr · Oct 10, 2013

Dontazemebro said:
My S4 is back in Plano, TX at Samsung right now. It took a nose dive on the concrete pavement and busted up the screen underneath the glass (screen wasn't even scratched). It's my fault really, I should have babied it like I do my other devices but I just didn't want to mess with that beautiful screen.

It's gonna cost $200 to get fixed but I guess I'm a believer now. Can anyone recommend any cases/screen protectors that provide the best protection but with a minimal look. I hate bulky cases.

I don't usually use a case...but when I do I use RokForm......

http://www.rokform.com/rokbed-v3-s4-case/

KentuckyHouse · Oct 10, 2013

Jibbajabba said:
Plus Nova has a free add-on which enables unread counts on icons too ..

Good point. Apex also has that feature and it's very nice to have. Plus, you can change the size, shape, color, and even the position of the unread count on the icon.

Dontazemebro · Oct 10, 2013

xchampx13 said:
I use the Zagg with a Spigen case, you really can't tell the protector is on it if you didn't know it was there

Sounds like I might give the zagg another go at it.

----------

jamezr said:
I don't usually use a case...but when I do I use RokForm......

http://www.rokform.com/rokbed-v3-s4-case/

Dude that thing looks like a tank.

dontpannic · Oct 10, 2013

I've been iPhone through and through since the 3GS - thought I'd never own an Android device, and with my contract coming up for renewal I waited for the 5S announcement... and was underwhelmed.

Walked into the o2 store and renewed my contract with an S4.

I'm in love, it's an amazing phone and has some great features. I'm still currently using Touchwiz, but tested Nova, and did quite like it, but after a couple of days it would get sluggish.

Patiently waiting for 4.3 as it's supposed to be a great upgrade, but also fairly tempted to flash it as a Google Play edition device...

MRU · Oct 10, 2013

dontpannic said:
I've been iPhone through and through since the 3GS - thought I'd never own an Android device, and with my contract coming up for renewal I waited for the 5S announcement... and was underwhelmed.

Walked into the o2 store and renewed my contract with an S4.

I'm in love, it's an amazing phone and has some great features. I'm still currently using Touchwiz, but tested Nova, and did quite like it, but after a couple of days it would get sluggish.

Patiently waiting for 4.3 as it's supposed to be a great upgrade, but also fairly tempted to flash it as a Google Play edition device...

Be aware if you have latest 4.2.2 software you will have KNOX installed, and even if you flash a GE rom and then use triangle away for masking your flashing should you revert back for repair / service. The KnOX counter can not be flashed back/reset meaning they will know you have flashed / tampered with the software and your warranty will be voided.

JaySoul · Oct 10, 2013

Dreamliner330 said:
I just cant get over how ugly TouchWiz is. Looks like it was designed by colorblind children.

AOSP > *

Misread this as "colourblind chicken" and still nodded in agreement.

Amazed by S4

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