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Don't think so. Google wants you to sign up with a gazillion accounts when you first turn it on.

You haven't owned an android device before have you? You don't even have to login with your gmail account when you first set it up...Its basically the same procedure you get with a iPhone running iOS 5 or 6, cept its with your gmail account instead of your Apple ID.
 
Dear Samsung, please buy HTC and incorporate the best of the One into your S5.

Or let Apple buy HTC and really cause a stir in the android world by offering an Apple Android phone to beat Samsung on its own turf ;)

(Not going to happen but hey).....



In my ideal world, I'd love the HTC One design and screen and performance to be mixed with iOS 7 and Apple's great camera hardware & software...

Instead we get a finger print scanner on the same old iPhone and same old iOS (user apathy/boredom after 5 years of iPhone ownership) or a the inconsistent at best 4 megapixel/ultrapixel camera on the HTC.

No such thing as a perfect device I guess.


------------------


However back on topic. I think it all boils down to reviewer & geek apathy at this stage. Let me explain if I can...


The Samsung S4 has the same issue that reviewers will inevitably lambast the iPhone 5S for. A few new features and upgraded tech wrapped in almost identical clothing meaning that the reviewers are just a little bored and looking for change.

The 5S will likely suffer the same review critisms due to being near identical to iPhone 5 (if rumours are true) but with gimmicky hardware slapped on (fingerprint scanner - come on is ths some 1990's spy movie apple are now using as inspiration) and same old iOS but with more new software gimmicks that rarely work outside of USA (passbook - Siri for an entire year etc..).

The thing to remember though is that consumers love these devices regardless of their gimmicks or sometimes perceived as long in the tooth / over familiar software.

The S4 will be the main goto phone people who don't buy iPhones will go for and likewise the iPhone 5S despite all the critisms from reviewers and geeks on forums will sell an absolute load of devices beating sales records once again.


So yes whilst there is a lot of reviewer apathy / boredom out there. Don't think that it will make too much difference at the end of the day sales wise. These phones S4 & 5S will sell by the bucketload regardless of the inevitable critics and critism of the devices.
 
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You haven't owned an android device before have you? You don't even have to login with your gmail account when you first set it up...Its basically the same procedure you get with a iPhone running iOS 5 or 6, cept its with your gmail account instead of your Apple ID.

Yup, I said that in an earlier post mate :)
 
That was your phone. But it is undeniable that you have more experience than I do; I have never set up an Android :p

Then why would you make the comment "Google wants you to sign up with a gazillion accounts when you first turn it on."

That's just pure FUD.
 
If one article calls out the build - is it legit for another publication to imply that the "reviews" (plural) mention bad plastic design?

All four reviews complain about the plastic design. And if you don't have time to read the reviews, maybe you should wait until you do before accusing MR of dishonesty.

All things D: "the plastic body felt a bit insubstantial to me"
Gizmodo: "a slippery, finger-print-trapping plastic back that looks like it belongs on a far more downmarket phone."
Engadget: " If you were a critic of the GS3's plastic construction, you'll be disappointed with its successor -- the company's continuing its long-standing tradition of keeping metal out of the assembly lines, building the frame, back cover and faux-chrome edges with polycarbonate. It's a similar -- though lower-grade and not machined -- type of plastic you'd enjoy on flagships like the Nokia Lumia 920 or even the HTC One X+, so it's nothing out of the ordinary for Samsung."
The verge: "Where Apple and HTC have both made beautiful, well-made, high-quality phones, the GS4 has Samsung back in the land of cheap, plasticky handsets...I don't like holding this phone, and I can't overstate how much that informs the experience of using it. It makes an awful first impression, slippery and slimy and simply unpleasant in your hand. My white review unit is completely smooth and glossy, with a subtle checkered pattern that looks textured but is neither grippy nor textured anywhere on its body. Even the silver band around the sides, which is obviously supposed to look like metal, is plastic. Everyone I showed the GS4 to frowned and wrinkled their nose as if it smelled bad, before rubbing their fingers on the back of the phone and then handing it back to me — that's the opposite of the standard reaction to HTC’s One, which everyone wants to ogle and hold. That's going to be a huge problem for Samsung, because the GS4 and One are likely to be next to each other on store shelves, and at least on first impression there's absolutely no contest between the two."
 
I didn't accuse MR of dishonesty. I asked a question. I can see how you can confuse the two

All four reviews complain about the plastic design. And if you don't have time to read the reviews, maybe you should wait until you do before accusing MR of dishonesty.

All things D: "the plastic body felt a bit insubstantial to me"
Gizmodo: "a slippery, finger-print-trapping plastic back that looks like it belongs on a far more downmarket phone."
Engadget: " If you were a critic of the GS3's plastic construction, you'll be disappointed with its successor -- the company's continuing its long-standing tradition of keeping metal out of the assembly lines, building the frame, back cover and faux-chrome edges with polycarbonate. It's a similar -- though lower-grade and not machined -- type of plastic you'd enjoy on flagships like the Nokia Lumia 920 or even the HTC One X+, so it's nothing out of the ordinary for Samsung."
The verge: "Where Apple and HTC have both made beautiful, well-made, high-quality phones, the GS4 has Samsung back in the land of cheap, plasticky handsets...I don't like holding this phone, and I can't overstate how much that informs the experience of using it. It makes an awful first impression, slippery and slimy and simply unpleasant in your hand. My white review unit is completely smooth and glossy, with a subtle checkered pattern that looks textured but is neither grippy nor textured anywhere on its body. Even the silver band around the sides, which is obviously supposed to look like metal, is plastic. Everyone I showed the GS4 to frowned and wrinkled their nose as if it smelled bad, before rubbing their fingers on the back of the phone and then handing it back to me — that's the opposite of the standard reaction to HTC’s One, which everyone wants to ogle and hold. That's going to be a huge problem for Samsung, because the GS4 and One are likely to be next to each other on store shelves, and at least on first impression there's absolutely no contest between the two."
 
is it legit for another publication to imply that the "reviews" (plural) mention bad plastic design?

You talk about implying that all articles say "bad plastic design" when only one does...which MR didn't do. And I don't really understand asking what articles say when they are right there for you to click on. If you don't have time to read them all in full, it took just seconds to open all four and search for "plastic" - went right to what you were asking about.
 
It has just occurred to me that on the current release schedule, by late 2015 Apple and Samsung's flagship phones will be the 6S and S6.

No scope for consumer confusion there.
 
In this case it seems like the problem isn't just that it's plastic, it's poorly done plastic. I don't mind plastic either, but only when it's done right.

Well that is a fair point, plastic can be good or bad. No excuse to do it badly on a flagship product like this.
 
The plastic! I can't consider a phone with cheap plastic like that. While I love Apple stuff, I must say the high quality materials are a huge plus for iPhone and iPad.
 
So it's pretty much a slightly updated S3 with better hardware inside but still using the same cheap plastic exterior. HTC One seems to be the better option for those who prefer Android. Prett sure the S4 will sell more though.
 
Favorite part from the quoted articles/reviews

...the part about the iPhone 5 being "nearly a year old".

That's pretty loose, isn't it? It's only seven months old! I'd say 10 months + is the minimum for "nearly a year".
 
So it's pretty much a slightly updated S3 with better hardware inside but still using the same cheap plastic exterior. HTC One seems to be the better option for those who prefer Android. Prett sure the S4 will sell more though.

too bad the One suffers from mediocre battery life just like it's predecessor the One X.
 
You talk about implying that all articles say "bad plastic design" when only one does...which MR didn't do. And I don't really understand asking what articles say when they are right there for you to click on. If you don't have time to read them all in full, it took just seconds to open all four and search for "plastic" - went right to what you were asking about.

Which is why I asked. In turn - instead of insinuating ill-will - you could have just answered the question by saying "yes - the other review mention the plastic design as well."

See how that works?
 
So it's pretty much a slightly updated S3 with better hardware inside but still using the same cheap plastic exterior. HTC One seems to be the better option for those who prefer Android. Prett sure the S4 will sell more though.

don't tell that to the OCD and ADD fandroids who want a new design every month
 
Has the author of this article actually seen an S4? Or are they just taking other peoples opinions and using them to determine their own view of the S4?

If thy have had personal experience of the S4 why not just voice their own concerns.

Arn, this is piss poor journalism.
 
To me the S4 looks like a brilliant phone. Great screen, great camera, snappy etc. I also think the HTC One is stunning, and could very well be my next phone.

Unless Apple steps it up, one of these two phones will be my next smartphone (and first Android).

The competition has me excited for the future of smartphones!
 
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