Looking at the S4

[-=Jeff=-]

I am starting to look at the S4 now, since the new motorola phone don't seem to have a HDMI connection (wired). I have an App Radio 2 in my fun car and use my RAZR MAXX (non-HD) for it currently. While the RAZR works fine and I don't need to replace it, I have thought about the potential of the S4 as a replacement..

I know I will get less battery life from the S4 just due to the battery size difference. But what am I gaining/losing from the MAXX

I also saw that I will be able to root the phone which is important to me due to an app I use with App Radio.

Is it the right time to switch to the S4? or do I wait? like I said I don't need to switch if it is not worth switching

 

[Goodspike]

If you're with Verizon I wouldn't assume you can root the phone. That's just based on what I've read here, so I'll let others verify.

Also, I've read here that others are using third-party batteries which are significantly larger than stock. I haven't had a problem with the stock battery, so again I'll let others verify.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

If you're with Verizon I wouldn't assume you can root the phone. That's just based on what I've read here, so I'll let others verify.

Also, I've read here that others are using third-party batteries which are significantly larger than stock. I haven't had a problem with the stock battery, so again I'll let others verify.

YEah thanks for the comments, I found a link on the rooting forum here that show the device can be rooted but that the bootloader is now locked.
http://androidforums.com/verizon-galaxy-s4-all-things-root/744428-there-root-vruame7.html

But like you said hopefully someone else can verify..

I may just end up staying the way it is, but it never hurts to look

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Any comments on those whom have come from a RAZR MAXX

 

[m3incorp]

I had so many problems with my RAZR that it's probably better that I don't comment. Let's just say that Motorola contacted me and sent me what they guaranteed to be a brand new one...and guess what it is sitting in the box on my desk and I'm using the S4.

 

[rsgoldens]

I came from the Maxx, and had been a die hard Motorola fan. I had a Samsung Droid Charge at one point and that almost ruined me going back to a Samsung but after cruising the forums and seeing the support they give these phones I went ahead and switched. I actually had gotten an S3 first, which I was okay with because I was just ready for a change from the same basic designs of Motorola. I had rooted my Droid Razr, but when I moved to the Maxx I didn't bother and haven't since. The stock phone is great with the S3 and S4. My favorite feature of the phone is the screen, it is much better than the Razr. I have to say the batter life isn't as good as the maxx, but having a spare battery is easy and I still get decent battery life. I think I am actually on my S4 a lot more and the battery is still pretty good. I think it is a sexy phone and I'm personally glad I made the switch.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

I expect the battery like to be less then the Maxx. I mean the S4 battery is 80% the size of the maxx so is that about the difference you have seen is?

 

[Adara]

I came from the MAXX.

Honestly, one of my favorite things about the S4 (compared to the MAXX) is that I can swap out the battery. (Understand that I didn't intentionally buy the MAXX -- it was sent to me as an upgrade/replacement when Verizon got sick of repeatedly replacing my Bionic.) So I'm glad to be back in swappable battery land. (I run out of juice on the S4, I stick a backup in. I run out of juice on the MAXX, I'm screwed.)

There are a lot of cool things the S4 does which I don't entirely use. A lot of Samsung's features are cute (or even nifty), but don't fit in with my own personal phone usage. I will admit to using the whole wave-my-hand-over-the-phone thing, to see what's going on, but since the alternative is picking it up and pushing a button, it isn't exactly an earth-shattering improvement. I'm rather happier about being able to use the phone as a TV remote. (This has been a necessity when a cat unexpectedly appears on my lap. The phone is always within reach; not always the remote.)

The screen is better. The camera is better. VZW is probably pushing Android updates to it a lot faster than it will for the MAXX. It's shiny and it's popular, which means you can find a LOT of non-OEM cases and accessories for it.

It's my first non-Motorola smartphone (Droid to Bionic to more Bionics to a RAZR MAXX) and, so far, I'm pretty happy with the switch. When I went through Bionic-not-holding-a-4G-signal hell, I briefly test-drove an S3, and the S3 held a signal like glue, compared to the Bionic. At that point, I swore I wouldn't buy another Motorola phone. I may reconsider because of the whole google acquisition, but, right now, I'm a happy Samsung user.

Bottom line, you can easily find reasons to justify the S4 now. But if the MAXX is suiting your needs, you can also justify keeping it.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Thanks Adara,

It sounds like my world.. Bionic, then another then another for the same issues and more.. Then 2 RAZRS then finally MAXX. It all started with the Org Droid and I went through a few Droid X prior to the Bionic. My first android was the Eris, I had it for 3 weeks irt dropped calls so I swapped for the moto.

I had always thought the Motorola was a good phone, my MAXX is fine but I am seeing more lag and battery is starting to wear. My wife needs a phone too the RAZR she has is even worse for battery. I have talked to a couple guys at work and might just go for the S4 it has everything I need and is rootable which I need for ARLiberator and AppRadio2

 

[androidpod]

For a while I was a huge Motorola enthusiast. But then I had several less than acceptable experiences with a few different models including the MAXX.

As one who is totally addicted to smartphones, especially Android I quit buying Motorola. I have been so happy with my Samsung Galaxy S4 it's just incredible. I had a great S3 yet the S4 is miles ahead.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

I think the S4 will be something I will check out at VZW