Help Samsung vs HTC in quality

[wodin6]

ok, first I'd like to say that I know that there isn't really a good place for this, so I'm putting it here because I want the Galaxy S.

Every time the Galaxy S is mentioned on engadget, androidandme, androidcentral, phandroid, or any other tech/android site people comment on Samsung's lack of quality. Then they make some comment backing HTC's quality. My question is, why?

Ok, I understand the beef around the Behold II and updates, but the Moment was updated to 2.1 and Samsung has said all future phones will have 2.2. As for hardware, I've seen nothing.

Looking at the past few HTC phones, I don't see the "quality" hardware people talk about. The EVO, Incredible, Nexus One, Hero, etc all had hardware problems which I'm sure you guys are all aware of.

How did Samsung get such a negative name in Android? Are people just pissed about the Behold II upgrade and were there really that many people that bought that phone? Do Samsung phones have hardware problems that I haven't seen?

 

[ghostfox1]

What hardware problems has HTC had other then the evo? And I need links.

For reference however, I know the impression hasn't left a good taste in peoples mouths for a smartphone.

 

[EarlZ]

For samsung its not really a hardware problem but the lack of software updates on their phones even the high end ones.

For HTC I've read several issues about its phones getting dust behind the screen and the latest problems with the EVO 4G but nothing really horrific yet.

Samsung is getting such a negative name on andriod is because the andriod OS will have several updates and for sure with samsung's great track record of software updates its possible that the Galaxy S will be be getting 2.2 and nothing higher.

Personally Im buying the phone even if its stuck with 2.1 forever and probably change to another phone in less than 1 year or so.

 

[wodin6]

I thought people were more aware of HTC hardware issues...look on their forums for more info. These are widespread enough issues to be in these forums often.

Hero - Dust under screen
EVO - Screen separation
Nexus One - Multi-touch

This is not to mention software issues - Sense keeping screenshots of everything, wifi strength, battery issues, etc.

 

[2FR35H]

Samsung makes PERFECT hardware. Software is their weakness unfortunately.

 

[ghostfox1]

The impression would like to have a word with you...

 

[spiz]

Samsung makes PERFECT hardware. Software is their weakness unfortunately.

Exactly. Samsung has hands down the best hardware in the Android realm, especially now that they're using their Hummingbird processor. Everything from the construction to the camera, they are much better than the competition.

2FR35H said it perfectly, it's the software issues that have been their achilles' heel. Hopefully the Galaxy S will change that perception.

HTC is known for cutting corners on the construction of their phones, yet the blogs like to forget that because HTC has the Google super phone, the Nexus One.

 

[galaxyS]

htc is ok for me..

 

[Bigprimo]

Samsung makes PERFECT hardware. Software is their weakness unfortunately.

This!

 

[an_dre_as]

I don't really think the issue is hardware quality in terms of failure rates, malfunctions, etc. In that deportment I believe - having read about issues, and owned both Samsung and HTC phones - both are about equal and on par with or slightly above par when compared to the competition.

However, when it comes to "build quality" in terms of how it feels in my hand my experience has been that the HTC handsets I've handled just have felt more solid/expensive than the Samsung handsets I've tried. Personally when I pay this much for a top of the line phone I'd rather it didn't feel cheap, or like a toy. Not that Samsungs really are all that bad, but in comparison with for example the Desire, Legend, or Hero (not familiar with US carrier specific ones though) the difference is striking, at least to me.

It wasn't big enough an issue to prevent me from ordering a Galaxy S to replace my Hero though.

 

[Nithanth]

I don't really think the issue is hardware quality in terms of failure rates, malfunctions, etc. In that deportment I believe - having read about issues, and owned both Samsung and HTC phones - both are about equal and on par with or slightly above par when compared to the competition.

However, when it comes to "build quality" in terms of how it feels in my hand my experience has been that the HTC handsets I've handled just have felt more solid/expensive than the Samsung handsets I've tried. Personally when I pay this much for a top of the line phone I'd rather it didn't feel cheap, or like a toy. Not that Samsungs really are all that bad, but in comparison with for example the Desire, Legend, or Hero (not familiar with US carrier specific ones though) the difference is striking, at least to me.

It wasn't big enough an issue to prevent me from ordering a Galaxy S to replace my Hero though.

That's exactly what they say about the Galaxy S in most of the reviews I've seen - bad build quality. And this is one of the major reasons I'm still unable to decide between the Galaxy S and HTC Desire. Does "bad build quality" just mean "plasticy" handset that feels cheap in hand, or am I going to see problems with it as time passes?

 

[Evil Peter]

That's exactly what they say about the Galaxy S in most of the reviews I've seen - bad build quality. And this is one of the major reasons I'm still unable to decide between the Galaxy S and HTC Desire. Does "bad build quality" just mean "plasticy" handset that feels cheap in hand, or am I going to see problems with it as time passes?

I've never seen anyone complain about the actual build quality, just the feel of it. They say it feels plastic, which is partially due to that it's made in plastic (duh) and partially because it's so light. Extra weight can sometimes give the feel of a more robust build but on a phone it's always nice with a low weight.

I've never owned a Samsung phone before but from what I've heard when I've talked to people selling phones Samsung phones are rarely sent in to repairs, compared to most competitors. That's of course not a solid statistical analysis but at least something to go by.

 

[2FR35H]

This!

That!

 

[Smg]

Most of the reviews of this phone seem to be misleading when it comes to how the phone feels, I was actually worrying that it was gonna be very plasticky.

But it does feel nice and solid and with no creaking etc and the battery does add a nice reassuring weight to it.

But i must be in a minority when it comes to phones i would much rather have a phone with better hardware and build quality than a phone that would get updated quicker software wise but is more likely to go wrong.

The only HTC phone i would buy would be a HD2 even if it is Windows.

 

[yakboy]

It's all about the feel, the actual hardware seems competently put together from the mockups I've held but it does not feel like

 

[Evil Peter]

I think the feel is depending on the individual. I've just gotten it and the plastic doesn't bother me but what really makes me think this feels better than the other Android phones I've tried is that it's lighter than all of them. For many people plastic casing and light weight feels cheap but for me a light phone is a significant advantage.

If only it could stop charging so I can actually use it...

 

[wodin6]

Thanks for the responses guys. Essentially it is as I thought, people hate on Samsung's quality for no good reason. They just hate the software/support and let that opinion roll over to the hardware side. All I care about for software on this phone is Froyo and that's only because of JIT. I will change the launcher, widgets, and just about everything else.

HTC makes good hardware, but are thought of as more likely to get software support than Samsung. Once again that opinion rolls over into hardware.

I guess I can just sum it up as people being cry babies because they have a sense of entitlement about software updates. Anyways, thanks again.

 

[ConceptVBS]

Samsung makes EXCELLENT hardware. Sometimes better than Apple. However, its their software side that needs some brushing up to do. However, their recent version of TouchWiz 3.0 and their investment in the Bada OS system shows that now they are VERY serious about the software side. They have the money and the market influence to make a huge impact on the entire smartphone market as a whole. Remember, they are the worlds 2nd largest mobile phone maker, last year selling close to 220 million phones.

 

[fabler]

hmm.. but if bada want's to be in competition with android and apple then it need to be that strong.. I don't even see meamo in competition.

 

[The Dark Knight]

I thought people were more aware of HTC hardware issues...look on their forums for more info. These are widespread enough issues to be in these forums often.

Hero - Dust under screen
EVO - Screen separation
Nexus One - Multi-touch

This is not to mention software issues - Sense keeping screenshots of everything, wifi strength, battery issues, etc.

I fail to see how "Dust under the screen" is even considered that much of an issue. I did hear that the earlier model Sprint Hero's had some hardware issues, but the later production line ones did not. For the record, I was given mine as a gift for Christmas of 2009, and it's been flawless in terms of use. The only issues I've ever had were with applications, and low memory (Both of which I've 90% rectified so far). I love this device!

On the other hand, my father can't stand his Samsung (It's an Instinct). He hates the way it functions, even though he's had it for years, and he actually works for Sprint to boot. I've had great Samsung phones before, so I don't hate any company overall, but HTC has been a real winner with Android IMHO.

 

[2FR35H]

It's all about the feel, the actual hardware seems competently put together from the mockups I've held but it does not feel like

 

[lobo76]

I personally prefer that it fells solid (ie. dense) and is slightly heavier, ...

ya. so does SGS after i added a silicon case

 

[randyhk]

I have both held and played with both the SGS Vibrant, and the HTC Desire Z. I like the feel of the HTC solid metal body, but the hinge was the only set back. The keyboard and the screen are held by a small plastic thing a size of a tooth-pick. Interface of the HTC is pretty nice, but I like the vibrant colors on the SGS better. I own the SGS myself, and bought a case mate case with a plastic, and rubber body for the added weight and protection thus making it the perfect phone for me.

 

[karnka]

I would never buy another Samsung phone after the lack of support for the Galaxy S. I'm not so bothered about the delays to the Froyo update as such, more with the fact that there were/are massive bugs with the original Galaxy S firmware that Samsung completely failed to acknowledge / apologise for.

 

[waspbr]

I never really understood the "plastic feel" that some reviewers claimed that the SGS supposedly has. I get that the phone is light, thin and the back plate is smooth (not rubberized like the HTC desire). In terms of hardware you cannot go wrong with Sammy.

Though I think there is some room for improvement in the software department. My brother has a desire, and whenever there is an update he just receives a message and the phone automatically downloads the updates. I was bothered by that since I had to connect the phone to a computer in order to receive the updates.

That being said, I already knew that I would take a more unorthodox approach to the phone and play with the firmware, root it, ROMs and mods... so this doesn't bother my so much. In fact I haven't really used the samsung software suite at all. I have done all my updates through Odin.

If you like to play around with your phone then the software part may not be such a big issue, otherwise if you just want your phone to work, then it might... I made a 1 year contract so the jury is still out on what my next phone may be, I may consider getting another sammy phone if they make one with a keyboard.