O.T. - Galaxy S5?

I hate Samsung phones. I'm looking for something to replace my DNA, but it will not be a Samsung. I'm interested to see what the LG G3 and whatever replaces the Moto X are like. One of them is likely to be my next phone.

Same here. Love the DNA but of of the updates awhile back screwed something up. Not sure I can wait till December to upgrade so may get something new before. I also don't care for Samsung and have been following what they have been saying about the LG G3 a friend has the G2 and it is a great phone.

I may just port my land line over and get a 2ed cell phone. I've had the land line number for over 20 years and want to keep it.

i don't like touch wiz. so anything that's not samsung. i'm still considering the g2 and the m8 seems really sweet. the z2 would be worth looking into if verizon would give sony a chance. samsung has been really locking things up lately and it just kinda rubs me the wrong way.

I'm not eligible to upgrade until January but I just bought an HTC One (2013) off of swappa for $250 so plan on rolling with that for the next 9 months.

I pown the DNA and I did a side-by-side comparison with the S5. I was absolutely shocked. The screen was much brighter (with both on maximum brightness) and had way better contrast and purer whites. The camera comparison was simply a joke the S5 was so much better. Pretty much like a full frame DSLR to an instamatic. The only area where the DNA bested to S5 was in the speaker. It was louder and clearer. Yes, I wish the S5 had build quality like the M8 or even the DNA but, like most, I'm going to put a thin case over it anyway so who really cares? I'm sold and as soon as Verizon gets in the black S5 (they're sold out all around the NYC area) I'm getting one. I have unlimited date but when I switch they'll permanently give me 6 gigs on my line for the same $30/month. Given that I barely use 3/4 of a gig now as I'm usually using wifi, that 6 gigs is essentially the same as unlimited.

victek said:

I have the DNA too so thanks for the helpful comparison. The S5 is looking like a good upgrade. By the way do you run other launchers, like Nova? I like Nova and have other 3rd party apps for text, email and calendar so the stock UI and apps don't matter.

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Yes, I've been using Nova Launcher since I got the DNA and I couldn't be happier. I'm planning on installing it on the GS5 immediately so I really don't care how good or bad TouchWiz is or isn't. Same with the keyboard. Swiftkey is getting installed instantly.

Imagine... A newer phone with newer specs being better...

MrDangerous said:

Imagine... A newer phone with newer specs being better...

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My family recently made the decision to move our plan from Verizon to AT&T so the DNA had to go. I felt the S5 was the best choice of the AT&T phones although I gave some strong consideration to the M8. The constant issues with my DNA made me want to give Samsung another try.

As MrDangerous mentions the specs are better on this phone and I find that it runs faster and smoother. Physically, the phone is slightly larger and I always felt the DNA was pushing it when it comes to how big of a phone I would want. The S5 does have a pretty cool feature that shrinks the screen for easier one handed operation though which helps. The power button and volume rocker are in completely different locations than the DNA as well and that's taking some getting use to. I like that the battery cover comes off, but I miss the Qi charging of the DNA. The S5 is getting a Qi cover that you can buy but it's not out yet. Overall, I love the look of the S5 with the faux leather back but it does feel more cheaply built than the DNA.

I haven't loved TouchWiz so far. Everything seems to be in a different place and there seem to be a lot of additional sub menus in this skin which makes it harder to find different settings. I also feel that the HTC skin had a more adult look and TouchWiz looks more cartoon like in many places which is in stark contrast to the very adult look of the phone itself.

Anyway, so far I like the phone overall and I think when I find the right cover to minimize the bulkiness (a problem I initially had with the DNA too) and the wireless charging back plate is released I'll be a lot happier.

I also forgot to mention that the battery life of the S5 seems to be much longer than the DNA as well.

MikeC01 said:

I also forgot to mention that the battery life of the S5 seems to be much longer than the DNA as well.

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If you were using wireless charging that doesn't surprise me. It's so bad for the battery.

hilmar2k said:

If you were using wireless charging that doesn't surprise me. It's so bad for the battery.

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In the last 14 months or so, I've had 3 maybe 4 DNA's so I can't imagine the wireless charging impacted the battery life all that much.

Year and a half no issues with wireless charging. I have a watch also that dose that. 4 years and no issues so I'd say that is a non-issue.

HTC M8 is a very nice phone and side by side in comparison to the S5 it is all about preference of feel and looks. They both have great quality and a while back I changed from Samsung to Apple then went to the htc one, and then when the new M8 came out I purchased that and was happy with it but it was to similar to the htc one so I got the z2 and the S5 and there is very little difference for me all the three new phones were great, which one to keep is still a hard decision.

victek said:

Can you say why wireless charging is bad for the battery?

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It creates heat, which is the number one killer of Li-Ion batteries. Since there's no specific advantage to it, other than saving the 4 seconds it take to plug the phone in, I see no reason to use it. Now, if the phone had a replaceable battery, I might consider it.

I had my wireless charging pad 2 days before the DNA. I have never plugged in my DNA via USB to charge.

Oh and I've had the the watch that charges that way 5 years now. Got it in 2009.

Now if I was going to use a phone for 5+ years I might watch it but under 3 the average is just a little over 2 years with my cell phones. See no issue. My phone gets warmer from prolonged use more than sitting on the charger.

I got my DNA 3 days after it hit the market. As I said no issues with charging or battery. I can still go a day and a half full charge. With my normal use.