Hi all, So it looks like my iPhone has died (accident involving paint stripper...) I'm considering other Android options (not a fan of Windows Phone). My budget is around £400 (sim free) and I think have narrowed to a couple of models, I'm looking for some real world views on the following models: HTC One Samsung Galaxy Note II Samsung Galaxy S4 Thanks
Yeah I'd had a look at the Nexus 4 - the price is very tempting. Just heard mixed reviews regarding battery life?
I was trying to make almost the exact same decision as you not that long ago. I went for the Galaxy S4 as I'd heard bad things about the Nexus 4 smashing if dropped even onto carpet and / or from a very small height. The Galaxy S4 really is a fantastic phone - much more stable than my old S2 and actually thinner despite having a much larger screen. The camera is good enough (as far as phone cameras go) and the battery life, I find, is excellent - I've not had it not make it through a day yet despite my S2 regularly running out of juice by the early evening. I like the Google Now app even though it is a little scary at times (recently it told me when I'd have to leave home to make it to a meeting across town without me even asking it to...). I use practically none of the Samsung apps themselves but they don't bother me being on the phone itself. I decided against the HTC One for a couple of reasons - mainly I'd had a Samsung before and knew my way round it and the features it had over the Samsung were not important to me. If you've any questions then feel free to ask!
Having used, but not owned, a Nexus 7 I feel that they're very similar actually. In the past I've agreed with peoples' complaints that touchwiz felt overly cumbersome on top of android but this version feels more stripped back that older versions. A lot of the 'features' of the S4 / touchwiz (like air gesture, dual camera mode etc) are gimmicky really but are kind of cool. Overall I don't think that the interface detracts anything from Jellybean. The main thing I hope is that when Key Lime Pie comes out Samsung aren't slow to update the S4 - can't tell if they will be or not...
Just a quick point, as they have released a stock android s4, you should be able to download a stock rom from xda. I havent checked if its on there as i still have an s3. Having played with a friends s4, all i can say is the screen is amazing. Its also worth noting that you can connect a usb dac if you want an ultimate music player!
The Note II is getting old now, the screen res is not very respectable compared to the screen size. I wouldn't consider it, go for the Note III if you want a huge screen and top notch everything else. Between the HTC One and the S4, in my opinion the main differences you want to consider are regarding the looks, design and build quality. But then I don't care about TouchWiz and the like, being someone who regularly flashes new ROMs when the mood takes me. Stock Jelly Bean with a bunch of extraneous features stripped out is my fave (it's called NeatROM).
The replacement for the Note 2 should be out at some point soon, so unless you get a stellar deal on one I'd avoid it.
I've owned my nexus 4 for about 5 months now and the battery has been great. The best phone I've ever owned by far. EDIT: I'll just add my two cents. The HTC is a lovely phone but I would be worried about future updates going by HTC's history. The s4 is no doubt an amazing phone, But it just doesn't have that quality feel that the iphone or the HTC one has. Have you considered the Xperia z? One of my house mates bought one recently and I've been very impressed. It's not quite the golden child like the HTC or the S4 but it's defiantly worth considering, especially if you like the idea of updates.
Nexus 4 battery life is completely dependant on usage. If Have days where mine lasts about 20 hrs but I also have days where it lasts 4 hrs. If you've got a portable battery pack then it's not an issue.
i would second this. The camera is amazing, it's near indestructible,despite being 'only a dual core' it's really fast and snappy and there's plenty of storage space without the need so sd slots. Although most of the time i love it, there are so many things/options missing from the phone it can be really infuriating at times. IE is so basic and pathetic, when writing a text it won't save a draft resulting in many a lost message when you've had to check something else for reference, switching between apps is absolutely dire and clumsy with no 'task manager' type of interface, and on and on and on and ariston. Just don't.
