Tried the GS5... Returned It... #Unimpressed

[dizzle19]

I also noticed lag when playing around with the GS5. its a samsung thing. The LG G2 never lags.

Quotes like this led me to getting an LG G2. However, in my opinion it does lag. Try the gallery app with a decent amount of pictures/videos in it. Try opening the phone app and swipe across for recent contacts and watch the lag/delay. Try the music app and swipe across and watch the lag/delay.

This isn't major lag but for top end phones I find it odd how the basic functions are stuttering/lagging on such powerful hardware. Also if you haven't spent time with a system that doesn't lag or stutter like that you won't have a proper reference point.

My iPhone 5 does these tasks effortlessly.

 

[gotluck]

Well I can make both OS' lag just by starting up a few torrents

 

[Fernandez21]

Silky smooth is overrated. I prefer the faster speed of the S5 over the lethargic and slow scrolling speed of 5s.

Uh, the faster scroll speed isn't exclusive to Samsung, its an android thing. So, if you can believe it, there are actually devices out there that are both fast and smooth.

 

[kupkakez]

Well believe it as many people with the note 3 have have had no issues.

If other people have issues then that's unfortunate but never had a problem with mine.

I also never noticed any lag on mine or my SO's Note 3.

 

[mib1800]

Uh, the faster scroll speed isn't exclusive to Samsung, its an android thing. So, if you can believe it, there are actually devices out there that are both fast and smooth.

Maybe. But don't say a Google edition phone. I used one before and it is so devoid of many functions my galaxy has that I feel it is a big regression.

 

[gotluck]

Maybe. But don't say a Google edition phone. I used one before and it is so devoid of many functions my galaxy has that I feel it is a big regression.

I couldn't disagree with you more. I think google edition fixes every common criticism with samsung phones aside from build quality

I'd bet most of the functions you were missing could be recreated without the overhead of touchwiz

The camera app is superior on touchwiz for sure and can't be installed on GE, but I'll argue with you about anything else

 

[Dontazemebro]

I couldn't disagree with you more. I think google edition fixes every common criticism with samsung phones aside from build quality

I'd bet most of the functions you were missing could be recreated without the overhead of touchwiz

The camera app is superior on touchwiz for sure and can't be installed on GE, but I'll argue with you about anything else

I agree with the poster. I used to be a huge aosp guy but after awhile I got bored with the base features of vanilla android unless I spiced it up with aokp or paranoid android. There are so many features lacking and not just the samsung features that we've become accustomed to. Even base android without a decent launcher is rather boring.

 

[Technarchy]

I agree with the poster. I used to be a huge aosp guy but after awhile I got bored with the base features of vanilla android unless I spiced it up with aokp or paranoid android. There are so many features lacking and not just the samsung features that we've become accustomed to. Even base android without a decent launcher is rather boring.

I agree. I went with vanilla Android with the Nexus S 4G and it was very bland compared to what HTC and Samsung were doing with their skinned iterations at the time.

I just find the raw android experience to be underwhelming.

 

[gotluck]

Well you guys really didn't cite any specifics
But that's okay, I'm sure glad we have the choice.

I'd argue against the boring complaint, it just gives a cleaner slate to build your device from. I don't do the whole xposed thing, but nowadays you can pretty much make stock android look and do whatever you want without romming or taking the skin's performance hit. Indeed it takes more work than taking the skin route, but that would make it less boring eh?

Of course that's not everyone's cup of tea, and I enjoy the raw experience with my own small tweaks, so I dont need to put forth much effort to get the device where I want it to be

Then there's also the fact that there's no carrier interference or control over the device but I digress

 

[mib1800]

I couldn't disagree with you more. I think google edition fixes every common criticism with samsung phones aside from build quality

I'd bet most of the functions you were missing could be recreated without the overhead of touchwiz

The camera app is superior on touchwiz for sure and can't be installed on GE, but I'll argue with you about anything else

I am always confused why people use Touchwiz as the entire OS for Samsung. Touchwiz is no more than a launcher. You dont like the speed of Touchwiz then use another launcher without sacrificing functions. I am using Next launcher and it is silky smooth and fast.

I bet the only difference (other than launcher) between a GPE and Samsung is just the additional apps that Samsung bundled into the phone. Apps are just apps. You dont want them, just go and disable/uninstall them in the App Manager.

 

[gotluck]

I am always confused why people use Touchwiz as the entire OS for Samsung. Touchwiz is no more than a launcher. You dont like the speed of Touchwiz then use another launcher without sacrificing functions. I am using Next launcher and it is silky smooth and fast.

I bet the only difference (other than launcher) between a GPE and Samsung is just the additional apps that Samsung bundled into the phone. Apps are just apps. You dont want them, just go and disable/uninstall them in the App Manager.

Its not as simple as that though. If it was that easy no one would bitch about TW! There are still processes running you can't stop, unless you are rooting your phone and really cleaning the system. Which if you are, I would really reccomend building upon Google edition rather than removing from touchwiz. The end result will be cleaner!

 

[The Game 161]

I am always confused why people use Touchwiz as the entire OS for Samsung. Touchwiz is no more than a launcher. You dont like the speed of Touchwiz then use another launcher without sacrificing functions. I am using Next launcher and it is silky smooth and fast.

I bet the only difference (other than launcher) between a GPE and Samsung is just the additional apps that Samsung bundled into the phone. Apps are just apps. You dont want them, just go and disable/uninstall them in the App Manager.

Nova launcher is very smooth too. Love it can still use the Samsung apps too. They still work fine even all the s pen features

 

[mib1800]

Its not as simple as that though. If it was that easy no one would bitch about TW! There are still processes running you can't stop, unless you are rooting your phone and really cleaning the system. Which if you are, I would really reccomend building upon Google edition rather than removing from touchwiz. The end result will be cleaner!

Of course there are processes you cant stop (either android core or those that drive the hardware). Other than those most Samsung supplied apps can be disabled. Even if there is different in performance betw. GPE and Samsung, I bet the difference is just to little to justify trading useful functionality for it.

btw: I bet that many of those who bitched in this forum about Touchwiz just only know how to regurgitate and the most probably are not even android users or have hate of Samsung in their bone. I wonder why nobody bitched about Sense which to me is as bloated and clumsy.

 

[Surface2Owner]

To me, it's all pretty subjective at this point. My employer let me take an iPhone 5s to replace my Galaxy Note. I honestly can't stand my 5s right now primarily because I can't get readjusted to using a smaller screen.

There are some conveniences of an iPhone that I do appreciate, but this is going back from where it came.

 

[gotluck]

Of course there are processes you cant stop (either android core or those that drive the hardware). Other than those most Samsung supplied apps can be disabled. Even if there is different in performance betw. GPE and Samsung, I bet the difference is just to little to justify trading useful functionality for it.

btw: I bet that many of those who bitched in this forum about Touchwiz just only know how to regurgitate and the most probably are not even android users or have hate of Samsung in their bone. I wonder why nobody bitched about Sense which to me is as bloated and clumsy.

I am talking about processes specific to TW, not android core or hardware- those certainly remain on the GE (as do some touchwiz items, the GE is not pure AOSP)

Well that's exactly what I am saying ! The tradeoff is worth it IMO! I feel like the only thing I am missing are the airview gestures, which I dont care about!

I still wager that whatever useful functionalities you are talking about can be implemented on the GE!

Of course I am not referring to devices with the SPen. I only have experience with the GS4.

People still bitch about sense, I think the fact the HTC devices are more open these days and that a full conversion to GPE from carrier models is possible quells people a bit

 

[diamond.g]

Exactly. There's no way to just leave it dangling because it looks and feels horrendous AND the phone will continue to remind you that the cover isn't closed.

These are all minor annoyances, but a bunch of minor annoyances adds up to a general experience that just isn't as refined. Coming from an iPhone 5s, it's pretty jarring. Again, love Android. But there are too many compromises on the hardware. The HTC One M8 might be a good alternative, but the camera is terrible in daytime conditions.

I actually wonder if folks would trade IP67 for no charge port cover. Or is there a way to get IP67 and not have a charge port cover (or covers for all the openings in general)?

 

[daveathall]

I also never noticed any lag on mine or my SO's Note 3.

My boss has just got a Note 3, first time I have had a mess with one and can see or find no lag. I have a Nexus 5 and am really happy with it, first time I have not desired the "newest" part way through a contract, will wait to see more up to date offerings this year such as the iPhone 6, Nexus 6 and is there a note 4 out this year.

 

[Max(IT)]

Nova launcher is very smooth too. Love it can still use the Samsung apps too. They still work fine even all the s pen features

Nova launcher, as any launcher, is just ADDED software to TouchWiz.
It's not like wiping that crapware .....

GPE is a much better compromise in my opinion, because drivers are still developed by manufacturer, but TouchWiz isn't installed

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Maybe. But don't say a Google edition phone. I used one before and it is so devoid of many functions my galaxy has that I feel it is a big regression.

GPE is the only way to have a good Samsung phone ... I literally hate my wife's S4, but when I tried my friend's GPE I didn't realize I was using the same phone.

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Of course there are processes you cant stop (either android core or those that drive the hardware). Other than those most Samsung supplied apps can be disabled. Even if there is different in performance betw. GPE and Samsung, I bet the difference is just to little to justify trading useful functionality for it.

btw: I bet that many of those who bitched in this forum about Touchwiz just only know how to regurgitate and the most probably are not even android users or have hate of Samsung in their bone. I wonder why nobody bitched about Sense which to me is as bloated and clumsy.

I actually own FOUR android device, in my home: an S3, an S4 , a Lenovo Tablet and a Nexus 7.
Am I entitled to hate TouchWiz ?

Btw Sense was even worse than TouchWiz, until version 5.5: it changed everything

 

[animalx]

Go back to S4? Yeah, no way in Hell. Been on my S5 basically since I got. Smooth performer and the battery life is probably the best I've encountered since the Nexus 7 and iPad Mini. It's that good.

The S4 is quite a few steps in the wrong direction in comparison.

I have to say that I wasn't particularly impressed with the GS5's battery life. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad or anything, but it wasn't anything that I found to be impressive. Of course, having had the G Flex before the GS5 (which had the best battery life I've seen in a smartphone), I will say that I am spoiled when it comes to battery life. That said, the GS5 does great with the screen off, but it still drained faster than I'd like to see it drain, when you're actually actively using it (with the screen on).

 

[jamezr]

I have to say that I wasn't particularly impressed with the GS5's battery life. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad or anything, but it wasn't anything that I found to be impressive. Of course, having had the G Flex before the GS5 (which had the best battery life I've seen in a smartphone), I will say that I am spoiled when it comes to battery life. That said, the GS5 does great with the screen off, but it still drained faster than I'd like to see it drain, when you're actually actively using it (with the screen on).

Be sure to go into app manger and turn off S Heath....it is a battery hog!

 

[Minhimalism]

Going to need Alot more than just screen size to bring users back

Will still have no

Sd card
Removable battery
No back button
No customisation
No range of widgets

So for me I doubt I will be lured back..

I can forgive most of those things if Apple will just add stylus support that is on the same level as the S-Pen. I got a Note 3 recently and I'm honestly torn on whether I should ditch my iPhone 5 for it. The S-Pen is seriously an amazing feature and can add so much more reality (in the form of personal drawings, writings, etc.) to devices that have lost so much of that human touch.

That came out a bit philosophical, oops!

 

[MRU]

I am always confused why people use Touchwiz as the entire OS for Samsung. Touchwiz is no more than a launcher. You dont like the speed of Touchwiz then use another launcher without sacrificing functions. I am using Next launcher and it is silky smooth and fast.

I bet the only difference (other than launcher) between a GPE and Samsung is just the additional apps that Samsung bundled into the phone. Apps are just apps. You dont want them, just go and disable/uninstall them in the App Manager.

Wrong, Touchwiz is not just a launcher. Touchwiz is the stock applications such as dialler, messaging, calendar (s-planner), Touchwiz is the underlying core services of Samsung that will continue to run in the background regardless of what a new launcher you use.

Not all apps can be disabled or uninstalled, and a lot of unnecessary services like HP Print etc.. Can not be removed fully with root access.

And if you want root access... Well Ok, but we tripped your Knox trigger and now you have no hardware warranty...

 

[Switchback666]

Be sure to go into app manger and turn off S Heath....it is a battery hog!

I actually have S health enabled and can't noticed any impact in battery life on my note 3 when I had it disabled.

 

[mib1800]

I actually have S health enabled and can't noticed any impact in battery life on my note 3 when I had it disabled.

Same conclusion here.

 

[jamezr]

I actually have S health enabled and can't noticed any impact in battery life on my note 3 when I had it disabled.

I had S Health enabled...it was counting my steps and i was entering all my meals and calories in the app. It was a high battery drain for me. I disabled it and my battery life almost doubled.....