Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Galaxy S3 vs iphone4S
- Thread starter Eager Beaver
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yes, but the iphone will only zoom in on vertical columns when you double tap (which don't exist on every forum BTW.) Android actually reflows the text to increase its size which makes browsing on a forum like this much easier to do on a small screen. The Android implementation isn't perfect but the iphone/ios approach is basically unusable for me on a 3.5" screen because the text is too small to read.
I have no issue reading text on the iPhone screen; it's plenty big and sharp enough.
Yup, that's me.
You certainly post alot of irrevelent garbage on this website.
It's like you're always baiting someone, or mocking someone.
Guys like you really take the shine off of MR
https://forums.macrumors.com/search/?searchid=25555675
What were trying to say is like when plenty of times I'm on this forum if the post/thread goes wide (like it does sometimes even without pics) the iphone crams it in to the screen but is zoomed out so far to fit you have to manually zoom in and scroll. This thread shows fine, but there are others where that happens. And same thing for a lot of other forums that have different layouts, or sites I go on for business etc where the iPhone won't correctly wrap text. My SGII just wraps the text perfect and in larger font each time to read easily. It's easier especially at night where I can kick back and browse/read without the iPhone being closer to my face b/c of the smaller text on the 3.5" screen even with retina. I'm not blind lol, better then 20/20 vision at 20/15, but it's def easier browsing on the 4.3" screen.
I can't say I remember a time when that's been an issue for me. But if I had a choice between very infrequently having to scroll left and right, I'd definitely take that over the constant frustrations with auto-fit.
The galaxy s2 is easy to use in one hand and my hands are the same size as my girlfriends; I don't have freakishly big hands or anything. Don't forget that because the device is so thin, theres less side area of the phone to wrap your hand around when using it one handed.
Its really strange that you'd dwell on what your phone is made out of when using it. I wouldn't care if mine was made out of cotton wool so long as it got the job done. Arguably the sgs2 is actually a better idea because it's likely to take less damage when dropped. Stress test comparisons between the sgs2 and iPhone 4/4s confirm this - iPhone gets obliterated.
I don't understand why a device needs to feel substantial; what's the point in adding weight to something for no reason? The phone weighs what it weighs. If it weighed more because of extra features them so be it, but weighing more just to weigh more? That's crazy.
Right well yeah, not a good start. I don't expect software to crash ever, but it does, so we just have to deal with it. You can't say something is unstable based on one crash though.
Dolphin doesn't text reflow if you pinch to zoom, it only reflows the text if you double tap to zoom.
They're not any less important, I'm just trying to understand why you seem to want form over function. It's a device that you should use to be more productive, not a fashion accessory. If you want a galaxy s2 to be more substantial then get a blingy case for it. You're criticising the phones based on very inconsequential things that shouldn't really concern you.
I have tried, and the SGS2 is just too big physically for one handed use.
I'm careful with my devices so their 'dropability' isn't of particular concern to me. It's more important that they feel good in the hand since I'll be holding and using them every day.
Like I said, it's a combination of factors. Coupled with the ridiculously thin battery cover, the weight of the SGS2 makes the device feel insubstantion in the hand. It doesn't feel like a premium phone. I think Samsung could easily rectify this by changing the back to a metal plate (which in turn would add a little extra weight).
I don't want a device that is form over function. I want something that meets the requirements below
3.5" to 4" screen
300+ PPI
A web browser that doesn't need auto-fit to be readable
Premium build and materials.
Last edited:
You clearly want a device thats form over function if you want a back metal plate. Phone signal goes through plastic better than metal, so using a metal plate will result in more dropped calls, lower quality etc..all for the sake of feeling more premium/substantial.
What can feel better in the hand than something that doesn't weigh it down?
This is pointless because we obviously have completely different viewpoints. I want something that works and you want something that looks/feels pretty.
You must have a crappy eyesight. That was one of my main complaints about my S2's 800x480 screen. I couldn't read text on forums without having to zoom in, even though it has a huge screen. With the iPhone I don't even have to zoom in to read your post because it's that sharp.
You clearly want a device thats form over function if you want a back metal plate. Phone signal goes through plastic better than metal, so using a metal plate will result in more dropped calls, lower quality etc..all for the sake of feeling more premium/substantial.
What can feel better in the hand than something that doesn't weigh it down?
This is pointless because we obviously have completely different viewpoints. I want something that works and you want something that looks/feels pretty.
I think you're logic is faulty as you make no mention of the screen size, PPI and web-browser in your assessment. You'll find if you do that my requirements are very much function over form.
You must've changed your post because when I quoted it it didn't say any of that stuff...
Galaxy s2 can be read without auto fit. When I zoom in slightly, I can read the text on most forums/websites. Not sure what you have against auto fit/text reflow though, it's a feature designed to prevent you having to scroll from side to side when reading text.
If you think a 4" screen will be much different than a 4.3" screen you're in for a surprise; especially if said 4" screen is on a phone that isn't as thin as the sgs2.
Ppi is marketing jargon; what you're really saying is that you want a phone with a screen that has legible text even when zoomed out, right?
You must've changed your post because when I quoted it it didn't say any of that stuff...
Galaxy s2 can be read without auto fit. When I zoom in slightly, I can read the text on most forums/websites. Not sure what you have against auto fit/text reflow though, it's a feature designed to prevent you having to scroll from side to side when reading text.
If you think a 4" screen will be much different than a 4.3" screen you're in for a surprise; especially if said 4" screen is on a phone that isn't as thin as the sgs2.
Ppi is marketing jargon; what you're really saying is that you want a phone with a screen that has legible text even when zoomed out, right?
It needs to be possible to use one handed, so pinch to zoom gestures are out. It has to work properly with a double tap gesture as that can be done with one hand.
I don't have to scroll from side to side on my iPhone, and that doesn't have auto-fit, so I don't see how it helps on that front.
I know the difference between a 4" and 4.3" screen. I have used all of these devices. I'm not asking for suggestions or opinions.
PPI is pixels per inch; i.e., an indication of the sharpness of the screen (and the text on the screen). I specifically want a high PPI because I browse a lot on my phone so the text must be very clear and sharp to facilitate that. The Galaxy Nexus had a great screen in that respect, but then the device was far too big for one handed use. I don't think there's any Android device with a 3.5" - 4" screen with 300+ PPI.
Text reflow doesn't only make it so you can read the text without scrolling, it also zooms in so that you can only see the text and not the rest of the website surrounding it. This is similar to the "reader" feature in ios5's safari. It makes it easier to read text when you don't have lots of graphics surrounding it.
There probably isn't a device that meets your requirements because you're being too anal about everything.
Read what you just typed:
The nexus has a great screen but it's too big for one handed use (what's wrong with using two hands?)
You'll never be satisfied unless you build your own phone.
Hmmm, you can do the same thing on the iPhone. You double tap the body of text you want to read and it zooms to fit the screen. However, the issue I have with auto-fit is the page reformating, not zooming to the correct place, and sometimes not auto-fitting text leading to left-right scrolling. I doubt you have the ability to fix any of those things about it.
No, I just want a device that can be used one handed, has clear, sharp text and a web-browser that aids my productivity. They seem like fairly basic requirements if you ask me!
I want a device that can used one handed.
Or easier yet, just buy an iPhone, which is precisely what I did
.I wasn't even asking for advice or opinions on what device to buy! I was simply responding to a post by someone who wanted to know the reasons why X Android device wasn't/isn't as good as the iPhone and I have simply stated those reasons.
Hmmm, you can do the same thing on the iPhone. You double tap the body of text you want to read and it zooms to fit the screen. However, the issue I have with auto-fit is the page reformating, not zooming to the correct place, and sometimes not auto-fitting text leading to left-right scrolling. I doubt you have the ability to fix any of those things about it.
No, I just want a device that can be used one handed, has clear, sharp text and a web-browser that aids my productivity. They seem like fairly basic requirements if you ask me!
I want a device that can used one handed.
Or easier yet, just buy an iPhone, which is precisely what I did
I don't have any of those problems. Text reflow always zooms in just right so I can begin reading and don't have to scroll.
It's strange that your three requirements are all present on the iPhone and not android. Anyone would think you tailored your requirements to suit this debate rather than them actually being requirements
I don't have any of those problems. Text reflow always zooms in just right so I can begin reading and don't have to scroll.
It's strange that your three requirements are all present on the iPhone and not android. Anyone would think you tailored your requirements to suit this debate rather than them actually being requirements
Well as I showed above, it doesn't work very well for me!
My requirements are (mostly) catered for on Android, but just not in one device (which is obviously no use). The biggest thing missing right now is the workable browser.
Apple vs Android is like Apples vs Oranges.
Completely different experiences, different OS, different style.
I myself prefer iPhone, it's sturdily built, smooth and is one of the best looking phones that I think exists.
If you prefer Android, great. Why are we fighting over which phone is better. It all comes down to what you prefer, no matter what.
Completely different experiences, different OS, different style.
I myself prefer iPhone, it's sturdily built, smooth and is one of the best looking phones that I think exists.
If you prefer Android, great. Why are we fighting over which phone is better.
It all comes down to what you prefer, no matter what.Fair enough.
I guess I just need to remember everyone has different expectations.. Using a phone with two hands doesn't bother me in the slightest, nor does having to zoom in to read text, but I can see why it might annoy some people.
Exactly, everyone's requirements are different. At least there is a device that meets your needs. It's better than their being no device that meets your needs.
The galaxy doesn't completely meet my needs. I drive a lot and the built in voice software (vlingo) is absolute rubbish. I considered getting a 4s because of Siri but its missing a few things I've grown accustomed to on android.
The galaxy doesn't completely meet my needs. I drive a lot and the built in voice software (vlingo) is absolute rubbish. I considered getting a 4s because of Siri but its missing a few things I've grown accustomed to on android.
Well I should rephrase that because you're unlikely to find any device that completely meets your needs. What you're really after is a device that means you make the fewest compromises
My eyesight is fine, reading miniature text is not my idea of fun. The S3 will almost certainly have a 720p display. The text clarity on the Galaxy Nexus 720p display is awesome.