What should I look for?

[Eureka]

So, I'm a bit out of the mobile scene. I have an iphone 4, before which was the original Atrix. Those are the only two smartphones I've used in depth. I decided I like Android more than iOS.

Looks like right now, the next phones to get would be the S4 or the HTC One. But I have no idea how to approach this. I like how they both have similar specs and the HD screen. Beyond that, I don't know how to choose.

I think the main difference (beyond the plastic vs metal) is that S4 would have a slightly more intuitive UI? But if I choose to mod my phone, this doesn't matter, correct? Does the HTC has worse button layout? It was something I saw when going through the HTC One thread.

I just want something snappy, that won't piss me off in daily use, and has decent enough battery life. I've played with my friend's S3 before, and while I like the interface and the speed, the plastic feel doesn't do wonders for me. The battery life is also pretty abysmal on the S3, and that's something I'd prefer to have.

I don't know enough about the phones, or the modding scene, or just the general tech scene here, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[shortylickens]

If you want big, get a Note. 2.

If you want small, get a RAZR. M.

 

[Eureka]

If you want big, get a Note. 2.

If you want small, get a RAZR. M.

I actually like smaller better. Is the Razr M available on AT&T?

 

[Face2Face]

I actually like smaller better. Is the Razr M available on AT&T?

No, it's a Verizon device. If I had to choose I would go or an HTC One over the GS4. Sense is much better than Touchwiz IMO. GS4 is too gimmicky - with features you will never use.

I assume you don't care about SD or removable battery because you own an IP4.. If those are important, then the SG4 will be the only option between these two.

Take a look - http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-s-4-vs-htc-one-14274084/

 

[Red Storm]

Yes the HTC One has a terrible button layout. They put their logo smack dab in the middle where the Home button usually goes, but this logo is just a logo, no button at all. Home got moved to the right and back is on the left, so there's only two buttons there.

I believe the S4 will have better battery life than the One.

 

[thecapsaicinkid]

Get a Note II if you want a single device.

Get a Nexus 4 and a Nexus 7 if you don't mind having two.

 

[Miklebud]

I'm in the same predicament. I know I'm jumping ship from iOS. My iPhone 3GS is wheezing and coughing. I think I might prefer the smaller screen of the HTC One, as I've played with my brother's GS3, and it's huge (although it has an Otterbox on.) I wish I could play around with each phone before buying, but if I miss a Pre-Order window, I fear that it'd be weeks/months on a waiting list.
The high sensitivity camera of the HTC One is also appealing to me, I don't need 13mp - that's what my DSLR is for... Plus the dual stereo speakers on the One is a new innovation that I could get used to.

 

[Greaver]

Review for the One here - http://www.technobuffalo.com/reviews/htc-one-review/

S4 and HTC One will both have insanely fast and fluid UIs - there is absolutely no difference currently there - and from what most of the reviewers said the button layout was annoying but they got used to it very quickly, its more of a niggle than a deal breaker.

Other than that you just need to toss up which aesthetics you like more, plastic or aluminium.

Battery test - proper ones too not just 'I played with it for three days and it was pretty gud m8'

As you can see in real world usage they are practically even, with the S4 batteyr lasting longer if you don't actually use the phone

 

[bearxor]

I really don't think you could wrong with either choice at this point.

I'd pick the one simply for the front facing stereo speakers.

And Miklebud, I wouldn't worry about missing the preorder window.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I like how AT&T is getting a 64GB One. I like how its $300 and the 32GB One is only $200.

If that 64GB AT&T once could easily get custom ROMs it would REALLY be tempting.

 

[Eureka]

Two questions... what do you guys use that will take up 64 GB of space? I think the most I ever used was around 5 GB on the Atrix and that was for music.

Secondly, it might be too early to ask this, but what is it going to look like for the modding community for these two phones? I'd rather mod the phone than depend on the manufacturer for update pushes.

Thanks for all the responses so far. It seems like HTC One is a bit better short of the missing button, but hey, I'm coming from a phone with only one button, right? On a more pratical note, where did the multitasking button get moved to, then?

 

[Red Storm]

Two questions... what do you guys use that will take up 64 GB of space? I think the most I ever used was around 5 GB on the Atrix and that was for music.

Secondly, it might be too early to ask this, but what is it going to look like for the modding community for these two phones? I'd rather mod the phone than depend on the manufacturer for update pushes.

Thanks for all the responses so far. It seems like HTC One is a bit better short of the missing button, but hey, I'm coming from a phone with only one button, right? On a more pratical note, where did the multitasking button get moved to, then?

You have to double tap Home from what I've read.

I fill up my phones space with photos, music, and video. Dropbox has basically become my most used app by far.

 

[Greaver]

You just double tap the home button so its not exactly a deal breaker for most people

Both will get extended modding support for their snapdragon versions - the 8 core Samsung Galaxy version (the one everyone wants) will be a long way off though too many issues with its maker not releasing documentation

As for space it makes little sense to me to bitch about 64gbs (as a lot of people are), I have 300 songs, some 720p TV shows, 40 odd manga series and a couple of 1080p movies at a time on my transformer and I still have space to spare

As above dropbox for other random shit if it really matters - people must just be lazy and leave years of photo content on their phones or something

 

[zerogear]

Multitask on TouchWiz isn't double tap -- Hold/press on the Home button until it appears.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Is the HTC One from the carriers going to be "unlocked" or s-offed or whatever the HTC equivalent is? I have never modded a HTC phone, but I remember a friend telling me about it and it seemed a pain compared to my SGS2.

If the One can't be unlocked unless you buy a non-subsidized version that would be a huge negative.