All Things Android - Apps, Phones, Tablets - Discussion

ok, back on topic.

How good is the camera on the One? Better or worse than Z2?

 

Most reviews seem to really pan the camera quality on the new One. I would say the sample shots I've seen from the Z2 are better. Not too surprised, really. The camera was also the weakest link in the last-gen One, save for very low-light environments where all other smartphone cameras were even worse.

Regarding the gold color, it's quite important for the Asian (particularly Chinese) markets. Asian cultures associate the color gold with wealth and good fortune, so it was an extremely popular color choice when the 5s launched in China. Now that Samsung has a gold GS5, HTC would be silly not to offer a gold One.

 

The decision between the Z2 vs the One is getting quite tough. The One has a better build quality (The silver one looks gorgeous), better speakers (except for classical, where Z2 is better), screen is nearly the same, the UI is better looking than Sony's (IMO), but the camera is worse. Both are the same price (700€ in eXpansys), so it's going to be a matter of choosing.

 

You know that's quite funny, I completely forgot that aspect. All my (Chinese) friends who have a 5S all have the gold one...I kinda want a gold 5S lol.

I'm still biased against HTC, my uncle has a One (last generation) and he doesn't like it (and he is from Taiwan and lives there). I'd say get the Z2 over the new One.

 

I agree that the gold smartphone trend is marketed toward Chinese consumers, but for what it's worth, the only gold smartphones I've seen here are display models. I have yet to see a single person carrying one around. A big part of that is probably the fact that nobody carries around a smartphone without a case here in China. It's ridiculous how many smartphone cases there are on the market - cheap iPhone cases probably outnumber iPhones in China fifty or sixty to one, judging by how many stalls one sees selling them.

 

Yeah, i agree. The only downside of latest HTC One m8 is its camera. I still don't understand why on earth HTC doesn't take this issue seriously on the predecessor. There are many living proofs that the camera on previous HTC One didn't stack up against other rivals. And yet they still use 4MP camera on the latest HTC one, which still lacks sharpness and details. To be honest, i'm still scratching my head right now. Even Sony did listen to many feedback, especially around internet. They finally improve all the cons of previous Xperia Z and make it up on the latest Z2, with better display, better viewing angle, better camera and many more (hopefully better speaker).

 

Actually, I think they're using the same camera on the Z2.they just fiddled with the software...

 

So I checked and COM 10.1 is jelly bean 4.1.2 ?

I wanted to put KitKat and that is COM 11. Does anyone have experience with that? The COMs are either in RC or in nightly builds. I hope that the development doesn't completely seize up by the time key lime pie comes along. That is one of those make or break points that go against Android's support for devices unlike iPhones.

 

I sense that an article that will come out on Engadget that Apple filed papers patenting gold colored phones.

At least HTC added the SD card. Too bad Apple won't do that.

 

I rest my case.

 

Has anyone used the ASUS Memo Pad 7 Lite? Microcenter has it on sale for 99.99...seems like a good deal for a 7" 1280x800 Android tablet with a MicroSD. All I'm going to be using it for is surfing the web, light gaming, watching Netflix/Youtube.

 

I'm thinking of grabbing the HTC One over the Z2. Any input?

I love the Sense UI, the feel, the design and the layout of the One, but I also like the very edged design of the Z2 (actually, I prefer it to the One, it's manlier and is more interesting) and the glass back. The camera is much better on the Z2, but focus is better on the One. The M8's battery life is better than the Z2 too. Basically, the One has everything better, except the camera and the design, but it's still a hard choice.. Any opinions?

 

Hmmm. I prefer the Sony skin to HTC - though seeing some of the Sony preload apps in isolation is a bit scary* (but again, no reason to suspect HTC isn't going the same way)

*Some of the apps have complete access over pretty much everything. You wouldn't know of course since these are all preloaded but jeez

 

The Sony UI is very good looking as well, but the super flat and industrial UI on the One captivates me more.

EDIT : I'm looking into more reviews of the One, and I'm getting scared of the camera, it's really bad compared to the Z2, but battery life wise and UI performance, the One is better. Now I'm wondering if it's a good idea to buy the One and then buy a sony point and shoot?

 

Galaxy S5 Vs iPhone 5s review: Which is best smartphone in the world? | BGR

Found this an interesting read..

Anyways has anyone heard the rumors of an 8" Nexus 7 replacement tablet?

 

HTCM8 - Imgur

These pictures were took with an HTC M8. I am absolutely sold.

 

I would actually be more interested who has more dev support for the M8 vs Z2..

 

Regarding the camera, I think it's possible to take some stunning pictures with any flagship Android smartphone at this point. More relevant, however, is how the "average" picture will turn out if you just pull out your phone and start taking pictures. I think the jury may still be out on that one, but I think most reviews so far have given the win to the GS5.

For my personal hypothetical upgrade (my GS3 serves me perfectly fine and I have no reason to replace it) I think I'm leaning towards the M8... but the GS5 has so many strengths that I keep having second thoughts.

In terms of third-party support for devices, it largely comes down to the userbase. I think more people will opt for the M8 over the Z2, and the developer base for the former will consequently be better.

 

Are you blind?
They're garbage, the fake depth of field effect is utterly terrible.


If you insist on making a mistake, at least make a small one and get the Z2.

 

I agree, the S5 has the best quality of them all, but I want to have a different phone - I have Samsung, so I'll go HTC now and then perhaps Sony or Motorola or whatnot, so I can experience all worlds.

Basically, the M8 is for the average consumer who doesn't look deep into specs and wants the best UX. I've read countless reviews praising the speed of the UI of the M8, while mentioning the micro-lag and the stuttering of both the S5 and the Z2, which is one of the main reasons why I want to go with the M8. I can't withstand the lag my Note 2 takes to just go into the Settings menu.

This is a great video showing what I mean :

<iframe width='560' height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nQDcfrBS6-c" frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe>

I personally think it looks good; not on DSLR level, but it's quite good.

I'm still thinking regarding the Z2, as a good camera is quite essential for me, but I just can't pass on the great Sense UI.

 

Why in the F-word doesn't Walmart sell android watches? I've been needing to pick me one up for work but can't decide on which one to get. Anyone with experience with them?

 

You really need to take a better look.
That or I'd strongly suggest an eye test.


Here are a few crops to highlight what I'm talking about:

Spoiler

And that's just what I noticed after a cursory glance, I'm sure I could find dozens more examples from those 6 images.

Unless it's drastically better than the camera on the Z1/Compact, it'll probably be pretty poor too.
I've never seen a handset with such poor autofocus as the Z1 Compact and especially not one that's marketed on the virtues of it's camera.

 

Ruh roh raggy;

Galaxy S5: Camera Failed Bug Affects Verizon Galaxy S5 | BGR

That can't be good if you are a camera fanatic.

 

If it's a hardware issue, you would think it would be present in all GS5 models, not just the Verizon model. The issue sounds to me like it's software/firmware.

 

It most probably is. I'm positive that Samsung will quickly update it, they do have a good reputation when it comes to these things.

 

You are most likely right. But remember, the big four carriers here in the US all use different models for each galaxy phone. So it very well could be a production issue on the Verizon modules only.

 

Well if you like that, why not go to the actual source and buy a Windows Phone

Android is a visually flaky and inconsistent OS. In that way the more generic Sony skin is less jarring IMO.

 

Is it? You can summarise any article Manjoo writes in four words. I am Apple's [redacted].

HOWEVER, I just don't get anything Samsung Mobile. The firmware's crap, stuffed with useless crap which doesn't work well, and the hardware's crap with nothing that actually really works well and it all looks crap. For one reason or another I've ended up amassing a small phalanx of Samsungs now which I do at least attempt to use regularly - S4, S5, Note 10.1 '14, Note 3, and their entire range of mobile stuff runs along that gamut - they aren't even a Sony during their heyday where the hardware was amazing and the software/firmware was crap. Everything about them is crap - except for the single-minded 'throw everything at it' push of their marketing.

 

I did consider a WP8.1 device down the line, but I'm too tied to the Android OS.

I'd respectfully disagree. Where do you see inconsistencies? Between OEM skins, sure, now within a skin, inconsistencies are scarce.

Regarding the Sony skin, as you said, it's indeed more "generic", which is something I'm trying to escape from. Yes, it's simpler, but blandly simpler, whereas Sense is quite refined and mature. Not saying that Sony isn't as well, but it's a bit different, and less to my liking. As I said, Sense is flatter and more futuristic.

 

The same could be said about you too, Mr. Kitty. You bellyache about Apple all the time, but I don't see you stopping your continued purchase of Macs anytime soon.

And on the Samsung note, it's all Android firmware's which are loaded down full of caca...save the Nexus line since it uses AOSP. Somethings in Android do work well, and somethings don't. But you should remember a few things:

1. Android is a more "economical" choice for consumers...i.e., not everyone can afford a gold iPhone.

2. Those things in Android that work well I mentioned, usually begin with the words "developers" & "tools". It's another reason Android is so popular. Its more developer friendly than Apple. Not sure about WP8. But I would like to hope MS is not just a Ministry of Silence like Cupertino.

3. Sony smartphones were the bomb. And now they will be concentrating on them fully. You know what they say about splitting one's attention.

4. If Samsung uses a 'throw everything at it' push of their marketing, then Apple marketing can be described as a Revered Jim Jones style.

So calm down there Mr Kitty! Go take a hit of that catnip I sent you.

 

^ Flagships are now as expensive as an iPhone though. The Galaxy like is Android's iPhone in terms of popularity, more and more people choose Samsung over Apple.

 

Do you have the numbers for this?

From what I recall, the iPhone5s has sold more than any other single phone model.

 

Obviously you mean best-selling smartphones, given the Nokia 1100/1110 have sold as many units between them as Apple have sold phones in total.

However, it's all but impossible to determine what the best-selling smartphone is given manufacturers in general and Apple especially rarely release figures for individual models.
That said, it's almost certainly not the 5S - the 5 would have sold more given it had a full 12-month run and the 5S has only had about 6 months.

None of which actually matters though since Phistachio was talking about the brands as a whole, not individual models - Samsung are way ahead in that respect.

 

Exactly what Step said. I'm speaking as Samsung as a whole, though the GS5 is now 1% of the whole Android world. That's absolutely insane for a phone just a few weeks old.

Can't wait to get my HTC One M8 in July though, I'm really excited

 

Well I'm referring to current models as I assume Phistacio was talking about present tense.

I know Apple pundits make this clarification but it is hard to compare an entire vendor's liine of phones to a single model but I think if you compare 5s and 5c/5 sales to S4 and S3 sales, that would give us a better idea of who is choosing what over what.

If you compare a single flagship model to a single flagship model, I still think Apple comes out on top. I don't recall Samsung having as much inventory backlog as Apple. I could buy the Note 2, S4 and Note 3 day of release but had to pre-order Apple models or wait for a while before I could walk in and buy one. I don't remember reading any articles about huge lines for the S5 or shipping dates having to be pushed out on online orders.

Apple-cult is ridiculous and hard to ignore. I can probably safely bet that if Apple does come out with a phablet iPhone model this year, its number will eclipse the Note 3, and if there is a smaller 4.7" model, it will probably do better than the S4 and the S5.

I love my Samsung phones too, but you can't ignore the Apple numbers.

 

Metal-bodied Galaxy S5 coming in June: Report - The Times of India

John.

 

QHD panel on your phone, say good bye to your battery life!

 

Like anybody`s going to be able to see the difference between an FHD and an QHD on a screen as small as an phones

John.

 

I guess it's easier than trying to perfect a plastic body that isn't crap. I just don't understand why they're so bad on flagship Samsungs, especially as in other product categories / even phones way, way back they seemed to be able to use materials that aren't a joke.

 

Samsung can get away with it because people will buy Galaxy S _ because it's a Galaxy S _. People could care less if it had a quadrillion pixels or a 50 billion MP camera, if it is a flagship Galaxy, they will buy it.

 

Sounds familiar? Samsung achieved exactly the status they wanted - you can't blame them on such feat, they did market the Galaxy brand really well.

 

I never said iPhone was any different. Like I said, I'm no Apple fanboy, but there are no good Android phones on Verizon when I was getting a phone so I took the lesser of the evils (IMO).

Samsung can get away with like giving the Galaxy S 4 with an Adreno 320 which was already dated when released. And Samsung likes to brag about specs, like quad core, 2 GB RAM, "Full HD" screen, half the customers have no idea what they are getting, and don't realize they don't need half of the stuff on the phone. That and they still released bloated images, just really peeves me about Samsung so I refuse to buy their phones anymore. When I go back to a sim carrier, it'll be a Nexus 5 or the Z2 or the newest iPhone, I haven't decided yet.

 

Is it really Samsung's fault though? Uninformed consumers are widespread. They buy because of the pretty TV ad or because their neighbor has one. If people took a few minutes to actually do research on their purchases like we do, they might have more of an opinion and thus the manufacturers would change. As it stands, a majority of people don't care so Sammy and Apple can do as they please without hurting their numbers. Unfortunately, they aren't going to do something right when people don't care if they do it wrong.

 

That's a ridiculous argument, putting it politely.
It's so utterly baseless that it's just brand-bashing.

 

Other flagship phones of the previous generation were using the same GPU. I'm sure they could have put the 330 in the GS4 but chose not to.

 

• No other handset on the market when the S4 came out was using anything newer than the Snapdragon 600, so it was hardly just Samsung 'getting away' with something.
• The Adreno 320 in 600 was updated from the one in the S4 SoCs, resulting in much more processing power (86.4+ GFLOPS vs 57 GFLOPS). The Snapdargon 600 and it's updated Adreno 320 had only started sampling in Q1 2013, so were hardly 'dated'.
• The S4 uses the APQ8064AB variant of the Snapdragon 600, as opposed to the APQ8064T used by HTC and everyone else, not only was the CPU faster than the competition but the GPU was as well (450MHz vs 400MHz - 97.2 GFLOPS vs 86.4 GFLOPS).

The Adreno 330 GPU was introduced with the Snapdragon 800.
The only way Samsung could've used it in the S4 would've been to delay it by ~6 months.

 

Meh I don't think there should be a shiny brand new flagship variant every 6-8 months, the timetable for releases are ridiculous. I don't know what the market is like in Europe, but I assume they don't do phone subsidies like amount they do in the US, so upgrading to a new model constantly isn't feasible. I think whatever Google puts out is what Samsung should aim to benchmark, the Nexus just offers so much more for alot less money.

 

Only Sony are releasing replacement flagships every 6 months.

 

going to flash Ditto Note 3 once I'm done backing up.. My current rom has been giving me troubles (crashes, freezes, spotty LTE connectivity) since the last update and the dev moved on to another project.

 

ok, flashed DN3 on but now it's not detecting my sim card..? I've searched but haven't found a solution that has worked. The phone boots up fine, but shows the following under About Phone:

Model Number: GT-N7100
Android Version: 4.4.2
Baseband Version: Unknown
Kernal Version: 3.0.31-764701
dpi@SWDD5820 #1
Wed Feb 19 16:56:34 KST 2014
Build Number: DN3 v4 RC2
DN3 ROM: XXUFNB4 v4 RC2
SE for Android Status: Enforcing

Network: Unknown
Signal Strength: 0 dBm 99asu
Mobile Network Type: Unknown
Service State: Out of Service
Roaming: Not Roaming
Mobile Network State: Disconnected
My Phone Number: Unknown
IMEI: Unknown
IMEISV: Unknown
IP Address: Unavailable

I was previously using the Temasek CM11 4.4 Rom. I'm unable to connect to wifi as it says it's disabled since there isn't a sim card. I've tried:
- wiping and reinstalling the ROM
- Dr. Ketan MJ5 Bootloader via Odin, but it failed
- flashing two different AT&T UCAMH3 modem .zip's in recovery
- I have the Hurricane Modem Changer Tool on the extSD, but haven't tried it yet

This sim was working fine a few hours ago, so I don't believe it's defective. I'm hoping I'm missing something simple. Any ideas?