Galaxy S4 v HTC One
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 9:24 am
Hi all,
Don't know if this is the place for this question so feel free to move it. (Like you need my permission! )
Anyway, I'm on the precipice of getting a new phone and had been jonesing, if that's a word, for an S4 but after reading a number of reviews I'm wondering if the HTC One might not be a better choice. The majority of the negatives regarding the Galaxy point to its apparent fragility, e.g. minor drops resulting in catastrophic damage. Better than half the negative reviews shared that topic. I'm pretty rough on phones because of the extensive nerve damage in my hands from 35 years of Diabetes. So , needless to say, I'm a little apprehensive now.
The other point that has me waffling is audio. Outside of my phone being a phone, that is. While I use my phone occasionally for email, Internet, etc., and I use GPS frequently, mostly I use it for Internet radio while I'm walking the dog, driving, etc. I know the HTC One has Beats audio but I seldom listen to the phone speakers. I use headphones or the car speakers so I don't think Beats audio is going to make a difference to me in that regard. I also got a free Scosche bluetooth bullet speaker that sounds pretty darn good in its own right for occasional use. Bottom line I don't know if there's an advantage by either phone for my music needs.
I had also read several reviews that complained about the S4 lacking the ability to move apps to the SD card like my Optima does. Although the CleanMaster app seems to have taken care of the most contrary apps. I was surprised, too, to learn that the OS takes up 80% of the phone's memory, leaving less than 10 GB for apps, photos, music, files, etc.. Granted, I haven't used much of my SD card on the Optimus, but I could see that changing. These were reviews submitted in the last week or so.
I like the bigger screen, especially with the vision problems I'm having now. My 3 yo LG Optimus has been rebelling for the last few months and I had to wait for our old contract to end to upgrade. Now, I'll be able to upgrade every 6 months if the need arises.
Anyway, to recap, aside from phone calls and texts, mostly I use my phone for streaming audio. I use the camera some, although the HD video is very intriguing for village activities, and I'd like to be able to use Skype to visit with my granddaughter in Utah and friends/relatives down South. I surf the 'Net and check email when I forget to bring a book and I use GPS fairly frequently. My wife is my opposite. She uses the camera a lot more and data a lot less though she can text about 80 wpm. She'd also like Skype which our LGs do not support. She's not nearly as bad as I am about dropping her phone but she has dropped it a few times.
I'd deeply appreciate your thoughts on these two phones. Which do you guys prefer and why? What are your suggestions as far as to what I use my phone for? Guess I ought to point out, too, my carrier T-Mobile has both phones for $0 down and I'm trying to stay in that price range.
Thanks for any help & advice you can offer!!
J
Don't know if this is the place for this question so feel free to move it. (Like you need my permission! )
Anyway, I'm on the precipice of getting a new phone and had been jonesing, if that's a word, for an S4 but after reading a number of reviews I'm wondering if the HTC One might not be a better choice. The majority of the negatives regarding the Galaxy point to its apparent fragility, e.g. minor drops resulting in catastrophic damage. Better than half the negative reviews shared that topic. I'm pretty rough on phones because of the extensive nerve damage in my hands from 35 years of Diabetes. So , needless to say, I'm a little apprehensive now.
The other point that has me waffling is audio. Outside of my phone being a phone, that is. While I use my phone occasionally for email, Internet, etc., and I use GPS frequently, mostly I use it for Internet radio while I'm walking the dog, driving, etc. I know the HTC One has Beats audio but I seldom listen to the phone speakers. I use headphones or the car speakers so I don't think Beats audio is going to make a difference to me in that regard. I also got a free Scosche bluetooth bullet speaker that sounds pretty darn good in its own right for occasional use. Bottom line I don't know if there's an advantage by either phone for my music needs.
I had also read several reviews that complained about the S4 lacking the ability to move apps to the SD card like my Optima does. Although the CleanMaster app seems to have taken care of the most contrary apps. I was surprised, too, to learn that the OS takes up 80% of the phone's memory, leaving less than 10 GB for apps, photos, music, files, etc.. Granted, I haven't used much of my SD card on the Optimus, but I could see that changing. These were reviews submitted in the last week or so.
I like the bigger screen, especially with the vision problems I'm having now. My 3 yo LG Optimus has been rebelling for the last few months and I had to wait for our old contract to end to upgrade. Now, I'll be able to upgrade every 6 months if the need arises.
Anyway, to recap, aside from phone calls and texts, mostly I use my phone for streaming audio. I use the camera some, although the HD video is very intriguing for village activities, and I'd like to be able to use Skype to visit with my granddaughter in Utah and friends/relatives down South. I surf the 'Net and check email when I forget to bring a book and I use GPS fairly frequently. My wife is my opposite. She uses the camera a lot more and data a lot less though she can text about 80 wpm. She'd also like Skype which our LGs do not support. She's not nearly as bad as I am about dropping her phone but she has dropped it a few times.
I'd deeply appreciate your thoughts on these two phones. Which do you guys prefer and why? What are your suggestions as far as to what I use my phone for? Guess I ought to point out, too, my carrier T-Mobile has both phones for $0 down and I'm trying to stay in that price range.
Thanks for any help & advice you can offer!!
J