• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Anyone else have second thoughts on getting a S4 now that HTC One is getting rave reviews?

I was all set for months now that my next phone would be the S4. I was really looking forward to it as I'm coming form a EVO 3D and it grew long in the tooth months ago. But now the HTC One has reared is beautiful head into the mix I'm left confused and torn. Rave reviews with titles like; HTC One deep-dive review: A smartphone that flirts with perfection, "HTC One has all the bells and whistle and lives up to the hype, and The Android that could crush the iPhone has made a once certain decision much more complicated. Will we being seeing similar glowing reviews for the S4 in the coming weeks?
 
  • Like
Reactions: dontpanicbobby
Non-removable battery is an instant no-go for me. Batteries do lose their ability to hold a charge over time and when that happens, what will you do? You're at the mercy of your carrier/insurance provider/warranty provider to replace the battery for you. And that usually involves replacing the whole phone. Nope. Sorry, that doesn't fly with me.

If and when that happens with the S4, all I have to do is walk into my carrier's retail store, buy a new battery, pop the back of the phone off, remove old battery and install new battery. Instant new battery!

Much easier than having to rely on getting a new phone just for a new battery.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Guitardoc64
Upvote 0
When I've played with both devices side-by-side I'll know my answer.

+1

That's the only way to know for sure. Paper specs and glowing reviews are one thing but they're no substitute for a real-time side-by-side comparison.

I predict that people doing a "Scales Of Justice" impersonation with the One and S4 in either hand will become a familar sight in stores in the coming weeks. :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: EarlyMon
Upvote 0
Samsung has won my loyalty. My experience with their products are far better than any HTC products. Just my personal experience. With both phones being so similar, that customer loyalty makes the S4 the winner by a long shot in my book.

Also, not trying to start a flame war but what is actually better than the S4 does the One offer? Aluminum build, better low light pictures, better speaker. Nothing that important on my list. There's not much else that has stuck out to me that makes the One significantly better than the S4 while reading articles. They're still fairly even in my book.
 
Upvote 0
Nope, as already said no SD or battery means no sale. I also like touchwiz. Yeah, I said it. I like touchwiz. Lots of junk in it but some of its goods are inspired and suit the way I do business. The screen may not be the most accurate but AMOLED is great to live with in a phone and while I haven't seen this one every indication from those who have been hands on seem to indicate its going to up the bar. Lastly developer support should be excellent and in fact root and CWM have already been done.

I'm old and a tech geek from back when tech was something you could actually solder yourself. Samsung does a lot of things right. I'm not talking about big things that get your attention but a lot of little things that make their devices pleasing to live with every day. The one is the supermodel you fondly remember smooching with in the back room, the S4 is the girl you marry.
 
Upvote 0
I would say yes i have an upgrade on my second line come August,i work outside so if the screen on the S4 has not improved over the s3 or note2,it will factor into looking elsewhere,Verizon has not announced the one,and i am very pleased with the DNA,also samsung radios have been known to not be great.

I have the note 2 and the dna and their signal strength and speed test results are almost exactly the same. They are both excellent performers in the radio department.
 
Upvote 0
how about the screen department,any idea if the s4 will suffer from the fate of amlod display issues.dim tinted blue.

From my discussion with Slug, I learned that is a regional thing, so I think that we have to see here. Plus with the built-in ability to change the color mode, it's clear that Samsung has been listening. The One still measures brighter, but both are heavy on dynamic contrast adjustments, so if you need a brighter screen, the differences may or may not be a factor. Again, have to see.

I'll see you in the scales of justice aisle. :D

PS - the dust under the glass problem was addressed last year on the HTC designs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rivera02
Upvote 0
From my discussion with Slug, I learned that is a regional thing, so I think that we have to see here. Plus with the built-in ability to change the color mode, it's clear that Samsung has been listening. The One still measures brighter, but both are heavy on dynamic contrast adjustments, so if you need a brighter screen, the differences may or may not be a factor. Again, have to see.

I'll see you in the scales of justice aisle. :D

PS - the dust under the glass problem was addressed last year on the HTC designs.

Thanks i guess i will have to see it first in store to pass judgement.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EarlyMon
Upvote 0
Thanks i guess i will have to see it first in store to pass judgement.

I like reviews where the reviewer loved the device and went nuts with it. That's biased but it's very honest.

I don't like comparison reviews. They're dime a dozen, and show me one where Brand A wins and I'll show you one where Brand B does. Always done by someone who has or will give a glowing review to their favorite. To me, playing at unbiased when you're not is totally dishonest.

Tell me everything fabulous about both devices, go nuts with it, then let me make my own comparisons for my choices.

Seeing, holding and using is believing for me.

I'll be biased when I'm done, but that's the point of choosing anyway.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rxpert83
Upvote 0
what is actually better than the S4 does the One offer? Aluminum build, better low light pictures, better speaker. Nothing that important on my list.

They may well figure high up on someone else's list, though. The way I see it, users will be spoiled for choice over the next few months, with all the manufacturers bringing out flagship handsets with their own unique selling points.

with the built-in ability to change the color mode, it's clear that Samsung has been listening.

I'm not convinced by this. Sure, switching to AdobeRGB will have the stated effect, but only because the majority of images are sRGB. The "desaturation" is merely a side-effect of using a mismatched colour space.
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones