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Can someone tell me why we can't get a 32 or 64 gig phone?

Adding up the numbers, it appears that the unit Kevin reviewed actually has 18 GB storage - everything else tracks with Kexmonster's.

Or - they actually mounted /cache within the user data space, in which case, it's not 9.6 GB, it's 7.6 GB.

I've asked for further comments here as time allows.

PS - for those unfamiliar that's Phandroid's Kevin, author of Samsung Galaxy S4 Review
 
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Weird. In the storage tab in settings, my 32gb shows 32gb at the top line and not something less. The available is what the real space is, but these examples seem allocated differently from any device I have seen before. Should show 16gb in the storage settings tab at the top and then the deductions.

And no, I am not talking external storage. I have a 64gb card and it is listed in the section below internal storage in the same page tab.
 
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Whatever the figures, I believe it is criminal to say this is the Top of the Range or Flagship device.

Can you imagine how much space will be left in just a few months time, and that is not including the natural progression of App/Game development which will shrink the size further.

e.g. One of my medical Apps 3 months back had 1.02GB of data, which had to be included within the main Apps folder all on internal storage.
That same App today requires 1.34GB of space.

Yes I could root and transfer it all to the external storage but percentages wise apart from dedicated hardcore forum dwellers the majority of buyers especially from the business sector will not venture into rooting their device.

It will be they and 3D gamers who will suddenly realise what was the point having an expensive top of the range estate vehicle when all it holds is the storage of a mini.
 
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rushmore -

Yeah. That's exactly why I don't trust settings for this info, it's never standardized.

Please try a df with Terminal Emulator with your device.

These sort of allocations are quite standard for Android.

You ought to see separate partitions for /system /cache /data and so on.

Android = embedded Linux + Dalvik Virtual Machine + apps that run in the Dalvik and call Linux services.

The standard Android/Linux allocations need to be there and the rest is just device and os-revision dependent.

~~~~~~~~

Beards -

You've underscored perfectly my earlier comment about the differences in the two approaches - hermetically sealed (HTC One) vs. sd-expandable.

For some segment of the market, having a sealed unit of sufficient size reduces the confusion and complexity.

With flexibility comes complexity and you have to be more careful to buy the model right for you.
 
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Weird. In the storage tab in settings, my 32gb shows 32gb at the top line and not something less. The available is what the real space is, but these examples seem allocated differently from any device I have seen before. Should show 16gb in the storage settings tab at the top and then the deductions.

And no, I am not talking external storage. I have a 64gb card and it is listed in the section below internal storage in the same page tab.

Which device are you talking of?
My S3 16GB only shows 11.25GB Total Space for internal storage and of the 64GB Microsoft card that shows at the top 59.45GB Total Space.

Both these figures are what I would expect to see.
 
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I have a stock Verizon 32gb S3. In the storage tab, it says 32.00 gb for "total space" at the very top and then calculates the breakout after a few seconds. My current available is 1.1gb.

My 64gb shows the same as yours.

I added the link to Terminal Emulator above.

Your stock 32 GB SGS3 never had 32 GB set aside just for you.
 
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I have a stock Verizon 32gb S3. In the storage tab, it says 32.00 gb for "total space" at the very top and then calculates the breakout after a few seconds. My current available is 1.1gb.
That figure is not taking anything out for the OS or installed items before you get to use the device.

I added the link to Terminal Emulator above.

Your stock 32 GB SGS3 never had 32 GB set aside just for you.

Agreed.... All the OS, Firmware, installation, etc etc would have to be subtracted from the original 32GB.
 
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Just saying what it says. I will send a pic when get home.

I forgot to give it time to calculate storage.


Screenshot.jpg

Second with storage breakout:

Screenshot2.jpg

BTW, I expect apologies for people doubting ;) :)
 
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I think I may be alright with a 16 GB model. I don't play games on my device, I've never played games on my smartphone. The most I do is stream stuff via NetFlix on WiFi, stream Slacker Radio, or play music that's stored on the device itself.

With the 32 GB MicroSD card that I have ready for the device, I figure that I'll have more than enough room for my music and other things.

I have a 32 GB Galaxy Nexus, 28.13 GBs of it is usable but I have 24.51 GBs of it that's available for use. Most of it is pictures, video, music, and some random downloads; all of which can live on the MicroSD card. Only about a GB of data is for apps and related data.
 
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BTW, I expect apologies for people doubting ;) :)

Sorry, none from me - I never questioned that your setup display said that.

My point was that is filtered information, device dependent and cast in usage terms usually defined by marketing, and that we never see the proper story that way.

If I came across as doubting, I'll apologize for that without reservation.

You mentioned that the other allocations looked (however you put it) odd.

Take the Terminal Emulator / df challenge and map that to what your settings are telling you. ;) :)

Then do not buy it. Not sure why you persist to parrot this same thing in multiple threads and almost your every post.

The solution is simple, do not buy it.

Hey, if you don't like the guy, put him on ignore, it's a feature under your User CP link in the upper left of your browser page.

This is a sticking point for a lot of people and it's ok to hash, re-hash and iterate to solution.

This is the 32/64 GB thread, so anti-16 or other storage stuff is right on-topic here. :)

If you feel posts are derailing or off-topic in other threads, please just use the handy report button and we'll check them out.

I think we're all a little frustrated with conflicting info and having to wait.

Let's all just stay buds ok? :)
 
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Given there has not been a peep on the 32 or 64 versions, it is all moot for now. I know that the S3 will do me until a viable 32GB or more device is available- WITH a micro SD slot. If for some bizarre reason VZW is not offering anything beyond the pseudo 16GB version (well, 9.6GB is almost fraud calling it 16GB), I will stick with the S3.
 
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Then do not buy it. Not sure why you persist to parrot this same thing in multiple threads and almost your every post.

The solution is simple, do not buy it.

Has nothing to do with my purchase, purely as seen from an observation and written solely to inform others who may not have picked up on it.

Just because I do not like the figures does not mean I will not purchase the 16GB S4. In fact that is happening, only due to the fact I can not source a 32GB/64GB Model.

P.S. I never get drawn into a conflict but make this an exception purely to explain. Here I am only commenting on an existing conversation.
 
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I was joking about the apologies, hence the: ;) :)

As far as 32GB versions, I do not have a very good vibe right now, so: :( to that...

added:

This launch does not fit the S3 one at all and based on the reports yesterday, it is obvious Samsung launched too early. Perhaps VZW was smart with the 5/30 plan. At least as far as steady supply and 32GB versions. Assuming they will be offered.

Samsung said supply would be covered "in the coming weeks". Considering they just launched, you can not get any more vague. Very unSamsung, so the One and the coming 5s must have made them blink.
 
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I was joking about the apologies, hence the: ;) :)

As far as 32GB versions, I do not have a very good vibe right now, so: :( to that...

added:

This launch does not fit the S3 at all and based on the reports yesterday, it is obvious Samsung launched too early. Perhaps VZW was smart with the 5/30 plan. At least as far as 32GB versions. Assuming they will be offered.

Ah well, you still get my vote of thanks. :)
 
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Verizon's preorder is up and NO 32gb option. Lame launch. They can keep their less then 10gb free device. Not seeing how anybody that uses many apps or plays games will like the storage. Not offering a 32gb version a YEAR after a 32gb version of the S3 when (as mentioned) app size and data size are INCREASING is pure stupid.

I hold on to vague hope a 32GB version is offered and this is due to Samsung launching too early.


added:

As mentioned in another thread, Android needs 500mb free storage to operate correctly, so free space is really less that 9.5gb. Update: I am apparently wrong, since if less than 9.7gb out of box, there is really about 9.2gb the user has.
 
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As mentioned in another thread, Android needs 500mb free storage to operate correctly, so free space is really less that 9.5gb. Update: I am apparently wrong, since if less than 9.7gb out of box, there is really about 9.2gb the user has.

Kindly explain why Android needs 500 MB of user storage to operate correctly. I think that perhaps you're extrapolating from pre-Jellybean filesystem allocations.

Ah, from another thread -

Well, whatever the actual free storage is minus the Android operational floor of 500mb. If you go below that, you can not update apps and some funtions start acting funky.

Ok, that's due to bad cleanup by the Play Store, a bug that's hounded them for years. Another reason to root and keep things cleaned up.

If 9 GB on a 16 GB model false advertising then isn't 24~26 GB on a 32 GB false advertising?
 
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Agreed...You snatchin the S4 up Rush?


Not unless Verizon offers a 32gb version. I have less than 2gb free on my 32gb S3, so no way a device with less than 10gb free out of box will work. No 32, no sale.

A lot of folks seem to not appreciate that an SD card does NOT add app storage. Offering this model only is nuts and an insult to heavier users.
 
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Nope. Try and update apps with less than 500mb free. You will get low storage errors and some apps will not work correctly without the space.

My point in the advertising is they are starting to suck so much storage out of box, any sIze is almost getting near false advertising.

You all enjoy your device, but the tiny storage from my perspective is no sale.

Added:

Until I get confirmation that a 32gb will be offered, I will refrain from further posts unless I need to reply. Ain't buying this if only the 16gb version and only trolling now if posting as a result.

As far as the space, my understanding from Android team is Android expects to see some free storage to afford clean read and writes, since the OS is always busy. A key reason why iOS gets better battery life, BTW.

I have no desire to root. Just want the device that I paid for to work. Razr and S3 have been great without root :)
 
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Per my previous screen shots, I have a little over 200 MB free in /data and don't have issues because I manage the Store's temporary storage.

This year's model may be taking up about a gig more storage than before, largely due to the s-features.

As I mentioned earlier, I've lived with a 10/16 GB model + sd card for nearly a year, and I prefer better on the next one. I really would prefer the 64 GB model and no sd card if I can get away with it.
 
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Which is cool, but not for me. Hopefully the current lack of options is the early launch and a 32gb is offered. As my storage shows, I am already tapped out, so will need to remove a few apps even with the 32gb version. I use my S3 also as a MAME arcade station and the app works better if the roms are in the internal storage. Hence I am tapped out.

I use my device as an all in one. Hopefully the S4 will be my next device in a month or so...... if that is when a 32gb version is released.
 
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A lot of folks seem to not appreciate that an SD card does NOT add app storage. Offering this model only is nuts and an insult to heavier users.

to the contrary, i think more android users appreciate the difference between on board and sd card storage (when it comes to app use) than you might be giving credit for.

imo the main factor is the type of user. it kinda comes down to gamers and non-gamers.

i'd consider myself a heavy user (mostly business and leisure) and have more than 70 apps installed on my phone (which use ~2gb on board storage), but only a handful of games. media is by far the storage hog on my phone taking up over 20gb. all that stuff can go on an 32 sd card i already have. if i need more media storage i'll get a 64 gb sd card.

i can see gamers who use their phone as their main gaming device having an issue with only 16gb of storage. especially since all that stuff likes to reside in on board memory. but even then, 32gb on board might eventually be too little for gamers. my nexus 7 is my gaming device and since i don't keep much media on it the 32gb on board works.

strategically i think this is a decent move for vzw since it doesn't put even more distance between their release and the other carriers who are releasing before them. who knows why there is a wait for the 32gb s4, but it is odd. the sliver lining seems to be that most the carriers are waiting for the 32gb version and there's the fact that this phone supports sd cards. so based on the type of user, the 16gb will probably suffice for the large majority of consumers.
 
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