All about Samsung Galaxy S4

[you2]

This; I much prefer the dedicated buttons (menu, back, ...) and not the on screen buttons having used both for a period of time. Just because google pushes something (no sd card, on screen control buttons, ...) doesn't make it the right way to do things. That shoudln't be considered a flaw of hte s4; it should be considered the advantage of andriod phone market. You can buy a phone with on screen buttons; and I can buy one without.

I prefer stock Android overall, but I think stock Android's software buttons suck.

 

[olds]

In the market for a new phone (and Verizon contract) and was all ready to jump on the S3 for $50 at Wirelfly. (Wife wants the Note II @ $200)
Any ideas what Verizon will be selling The S4 for with a 2 year contract when they launch?

 

[antef]

This; I much prefer the dedicated buttons (menu, back, ...) and not the on screen buttons having used both for a period of time. Just because google pushes something (no sd card, on screen control buttons, ...) doesn't make it the right way to do things. That shoudln't be considered a flaw of hte s4; it should be considered the advantage of andriod phone market. You can buy a phone with on screen buttons; and I can buy one without.

Could you please explain why your preference is so, to help further the conversation? I'm not arguing that Google's way is always right - in this particular circumstance I'm just arguing for one implementation vs. another.

There are actually two issues here that need to be kept separate. One issue is on-screen buttons vs. hardware, the other is the presence of a menu key. Hardware buttons do not imply a menu key (see HTC One).

So taking each issue separately:

1) What is your preference for hardware keys? The capacitive keys are pretty similar to on-screen - neither provides tactile feedback. On-screen buttons do not eat screen space if the screen is made larger to accommodate them (I admit this is a slight problem with the Nexus 4 since it reused another phone design). So I'm interested why you like them better. The only reason I can see is that the physical home button lets you wake the device with it.

2) What is your preference for a hardware Menu key? Several problems with it have been outlined. No one has really provided any advantages for it. "Using it more frequently than multi-tasking" isn't really a reason, since a menu button in the action bar provides the same functionality with one touch. "Easier to reach" is also a strange argument since you still must reach to the top of the screen for the most common functions which are in the action bar.

Another point I haven't even mentioned yet is consistency with tablets. Menu-Home-Back is completely different from tablets which makes it difficult for new users to transition between the two, another reason why Google unified both tablet and phone to Back-Home-Recents in software. It is hard to argue that the two device types should have such different button layouts. Plus I've never heard anyone argue for a Menu button on tablets, why are phones any different?

 

[Dari]

This is carreirs' wet dream coming true:

http://www.sammobile.com/2013/02/12/samsungs-project-j-isnt-just-one-device/

Why would it be a carrier's wet dream? Because it's from the same manufacturer as the phone? I doubt it. Apple's iPhone is the best selling phone on earth and I don't see many accessories for them at the carriers' stores. There's only so much retail space...

 

[ImDonly1]

Why would it be a carrier's wet dream? Because it's from the same manufacturer as the phone? I doubt it. Apple's iPhone is the best selling phone on earth and I don't see many accessories for them at the carriers' stores. There's only so much retail space...

Because it adds like 20 more accessories they can sell to customers for 300% profit. Doesn't have to be in-store can be online. Everytime I try to price out a wireless plan before it takes me to the cart it will take me to an accessory page.

Ever try to buy a usb charger with your phone from a carrier store? $30. eBay price $1.

I would never pay for those overpriced accessories, but I am sure many people do.

 

[podspi]

I can tell you why I prefer hardware keys, because of consistency of location, and it frees up screen space.

I also really hate how the menu button is now in a different place for each app, but I never had issues with the menu button (though I understand why many are against the concept from a ui perspective, its been around for longer than Android has).

 

[Eug]

One reason I hate Google's software keys is that I often hit them while typing. Very, very irritating. Plus, they use up precious screen real estate, and are implemented in confusing ways that are inconsistent, even amongst Google's own apps. The recent apps button is totally superfluous, and IMO it's just there to be different from iOS.

Plus it's nice being able to turn on the screen from the front home button, instead of the power button.

If I were designing the phone, within the confines of Android, I'd put a physical home button, and physical back and forward buttons (on the left and right of the home button respectively). If that's not possible, then I'd put a physical home button with capacitive back and forward buttons. The separate menu button would disappear and would be dependent on the usual app location , and the recent apps would be a long hold of the home button.

 

[s44]

OThe recent apps button is totally superfluous, and IMO it's just there to be different from iOS.

No, no, no, and no. I use this button more than the menu and home buttons put together.

 

[Fire&Blood]

Maybe future Nexus devices won't have siblings that impact them negatively. I can imagine soft keys UI working better on devices designed so from the ground up. I have the N10 as well, while less offensive there, soft keys still aren't up to par.If the soft keys did much better on the N10 than the N4, I would just written it off as N4's design flaw or rather Optimus G's flaw. Resorting to ROM's isn't the ideal solution either.

Without the Optimus G as baseline, N4 could have been a 1/2" shorter. As it is on my N4 today, I would rather have a bottom notification bar with the 3 keys placed in the left half. I'm optimistic that bezel reduction is a trend and not an exception. Android needs phones with 5" displays and >85% display to bezel ratio because it doesn't have much else to fight Apple for that 1st look appeal.

 

[lopri]

I have to say, those who reads their own wishes from Samsung's silence on Android during the S4 launch event are very much likely misguided. (e.g. Chris Pirillo, Jason Snell) They think it's a sign of conflicts between Google and Samsung. Sigh.

What else did Samsung not mention? iPhones and Apple. Windows Phones and Microsoft. Snapdragon and Qualcomm. Heck they didn't even mention their own Exynos 5 Octa from the looks of it.

Of course there are no "friends" among corporations, but I don't see any way or reason for Samsung to leave Android in the next few years, barring some unforeseen situations. Having a backup plan or ambition is one thing, but Samsung doesn't just make Galaxy series only. They make Google products, Windows products, Intel products, Apple products, Qualcomm products, as well as their own with the aforementioned corporations' products. They are walking a careful line, trying not to shake up the apple cart.

I hate to discuss conspiracies on this board, but if I have to read one it is more likely a coordinated effort between Samsung and Google, for Google does not want to be seen as monopoly going forward. Being a monopoly means heavier scrutinies and regulations, and Google doesn't want to be seen as one. Google are already under watchful eyes of authorities domestically and abroad in the Internet search area, and they obviously don't want to be subjected to another layer of scrutiny.

So it's a win-win for Samsung-Google alliance for now, that Samsung is being seen as a technology leader and Google avoids being mobile OS monopoly. These silly commentators are simply revealing their own bias and ignorance while being duped. :sneaky:

 

[khha4113]

In the market for a new phone (and Verizon contract) and was all ready to jump on the S3 for $50 at Wirelfly. (Wife wants the Note II @ $200)
Any ideas what Verizon will be selling The S4 for with a 2 year contract when they launch?

I think it's not going to be less than $199.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

I think it's not going to be less than $199.

i wouldnt be surprised if they had to go a lot lower quickly. most people already have a more than adequate phone (sg3 or ip5) and their 18 months isnt up yet so the only people who are going to be looking to upgrade are the techpheakz

 

[ImDonly1]

i wouldnt be surprised if they had to go a lot lower quickly. most people already have a more than adequate phone (sg3 or ip5) and their 18 months isnt up yet so the only people who are going to be looking to upgrade are the techpheakz

Verizon is always trying to charge more for their phones. Most of their smartphones go for $200-300. Don't think this one will be any different. Also I think most people don't care if it is adequate, they care if it is the newest.

If anything, you may be able to get it for cheaper at costco/sams club or on amazon if you are a new customer.

 

[TuxDave]

I think it's not going to be less than $199.

I was thinking $299 just to be a jerk and make some extra cash. The four months down the line have a "sale" at $199

 

[StrangerGuy]

http://www.gsmarena.com/us_canada_and_sweden_getting_snapdragon_600_based_galaxy_s4_-news-5722.php

A truly unsurprising piece of news: S600 chips for U.S, Canucks and Sweden S4s.

 

[Anubis]

I was thinking $299 just to be a jerk and make some extra cash. The four months down the line have a "sale" at $199

most likely this, the Gnex was 299 with 2 year when it came out, petty sure the GS3 was as well

 

[PingviN]

http://www.gsmarena.com/us_canada_and_sweden_getting_snapdragon_600_based_galaxy_s4_-news-5722.php

A truly unsurprising piece of news: S600 chips for U.S, Canucks and Sweden S4s.

The Exynos 5 Octa is going into mass production Q2 '13 so unless Samsung is willing to hold the S4 for quite some time, they're going to have to go with what's available now.

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/news-events/press-releases/detail?newsId=12662

 

[Red Storm]

No, no, no, and no. I use this button more than the menu and home buttons put together.

Completely agree. I hate having to press and hold the home button on the Galaxy phones.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Completely agree. I hate having to press and hold the home button on the Galaxy phones.

Dunno. I'm pretty used to it on my GS2. Sure it's not as fast as having a single button, but it's still easy to use. Maybe I don't use my phone the same way as y'all, but I use the Home button far more.

As for the menu button, the issue with eliminating this is that the menu button fails to work in plenty of apps now like Foursquare, etc. However, many other apps still use the menu button well.

This is one essence of fragmentation that really screwed us over. Google has a certain implementation, but your biggest handset manufacturer has a totally different implementation. Yuck.

The search button was important for me before. It's a long press on SGS phones from what I remember... Long press menu? But anyway, once again since Google eliminated that button, in-app search is broken for half the apps out there.

Whatever our use patterns are, I'm just irritated there's fragmentation. It's partially Google's fault, Samsung's fault, etc. It's just a mess IMO.

 

[dagamer34]

most likely this, the Gnex was 299 with 2 year when it came out, petty sure the GS3 was as well

At that point, Verizon was selling pretty much every LTE phone for $299 because LTE was "new". That's not going to fly anymore. It'll be $199 or people will get some other phone.

 

[Red Storm]

At that point, Verizon was selling pretty much every LTE phone for $299 because LTE was "new". That's not going to fly anymore. It'll be $199 or people will get some other phone.

Doesn't Verizon still do this though? Pretty sure the Note 2 was $300 on contract.

 

[dagamer34]

Doesn't Verizon still do this though? Pretty sure the Note 2 was $300 on contract.

Hmm.. I guess I was mistaken.

 

[ponyo]

Doesn't Verizon still do this though? Pretty sure the Note 2 was $300 on contract.

Note 2 is $300 on contract with all carriers. At least it was in the beginning. Prices might have dropped since then. I think T-Mobile charges $350 for Note 2 on contract.

Verizon charged $300 for the GNex because of the LTE and it came with 32gb storage standard. Verizon is going to charge $200 for the S4 because that's what all other 3 carriers are going to charge on contract.

 

[waterjug]

I still don't see any better phone out there right now, the HTC phone is ok I guess, but I have a Thunderbolt now. I LOVED it for the first few months I had it, then it slowed down gradually over the ensuing few months, stuff stopped working, it lagged, and they JUST put out an updated version of droid OS for it. Not exactly promising. I think I have to go with the S4...

 

[lopri]

There are 3 models (per color) - 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB - so there will be 3 different price points, I assume?