Android Thread - The only phones with patented Kernel Panic™ technology!
22,887 replies, posted
I love my side mounted button honestly. Never accidentally press it either.
What's really awkward is the Xperia Z button placement.
[t]http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/reviews/128292-image/Sony-Xperia-Z-vs-Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-06.jpg[/t]
Anyway, in the last few days I had a chance to goof around with a [B]Galaxy S4[/B] and an [B]Xperia Z[/B] for (couple of hours each) and I felt like the Galaxy S4 had exactly NOTHING that amazed me. I used to own a Galaxy S2 which was great and I loved it. I liked the spec bump of the Galaxy S3, although the design change which was aiming for a more "nature-like" look kept putting me off from buying it.
But the [B]Galaxy S4[/B] is just meh. Don't get me wrong, the phone is great if you're getting into the Android world or you're upgrading from your old dual-core, but it's not exactly amazing in anything. It really feels much more like a "Galaxy S3S" [SUP][SUP](is Apple gonna sue me for using this?)[/SUP][/SUP] with more software features. The "wave-controlled" scrolling makes you look like a retard though, just waving at your phone like that.
Speaking of software, the S4 actually stutters more than my Nexus 4. Especially noticable when scrolling through homescreens. Whether that's an issue of Samsungs launcher or their entire TW skin, I have no idea.
[B]Also, the most important thing:[/B] [SUP][SUP]it's an opinion[/SUP][/SUP] The materials used on the Galaxy S4 make it feel [I]really[/I] bad in your hand. Like it's seriously a cheap chinese imported toy. When I first picked it up, I even thought there was no battery in it. It's so light that it's actually becoming a bad thing.
The [B]Xperia Z[/B] on the other hand was a pretty sweet surprise. Refreshing and great to look at design with a good choice of materials that make it feel great in your hand (although it IS basically a thin glass brick, so holding it for longer times might be uncomfortable). The button placement is weird as shit, but I suppose it's a matter of time before you get used to it.
Software wise, Sony isn't trying to reinvent [del]the wheel[/del] Android. Their skin feels pretty light and fast, with a couple of handy features here and there to make it easier to use the phone (multitasking menu with floating apps, wifi-per-location for example).
What really got me interested was the waterproof capabilities. Of course one of the first things I did was taking a glass, filling it with water and throwing the phone into it just to see if it survives. It was cool to look at a ringing phone submerged in water, but this will have a much more practical use than just making your glass the new phone dock. Especially if you're clumsy.
I didn't notice the bad display viewing angles, but I suppose that's because I was mostly looking at the phone directly, which I would do most of the time if I had it as a daily phone anyway.
In the end I really think that if I didn't already have my Nexus 4, I'd go for the Xperia Z. Great looking and dev friendly quadcore that you don't have to worry about if you drop it in the water? Yes please.
I dunno, my dad got an s4 and I really like the way it looks and feels. The aluminium side I think looks gorgeous, and it being a bit more square than my s3 makes it look tonnes better. I think the feel is fine, I really don't get all the hate for 'it feels cheap'. I really don't agree, neither my s2 or my s3, and certainly not my dad's s4 feel cheap to me.
[editline]26th June 2013[/editline]
Also my friend has the xperia z, and with sony firmware it has awesome battery life. But the screen. It is so fucking ugly, whitewashed, bland. Srsly.
Good news is that Sony learned from its mistake, and the Xperia Z Ultra has a better screen:
[t]http://assets.hardwarezone.com/img/2013/06/Sony_Xperia_Z_Ultra_Viewing_Angle_2.jpg[/t]
But honestly, I didn't notice this when playing with it. As I said, I was looking at it straight up almost all the time. I think I actually forgot to look for flaws because of how pleasantly I was surprised with the phone as a whole.
I [I]think[/I] that a MAJOR part of the S3/S4 cheap feeling is because of the glossy plastic battery cover. The S2 was fine and I definitely don't just blindly hate plastic materials on a phone, if they're used right.
Wham bam I've found a black front assembly for the i9300 and a black metal battery door, as soon as I get the money I should have my S3 back and even slicker than before, because it'll be black and metal-y
The whole thing about materials is that there's a right way and wrong way to do everything. For example, if HTC used very soft aluminum in the One and didn't properly design the RF, it would be a clusterfuck and a shitty design in general. If Samsung stopped using glossy plastic, they would've fixed their problems long ago.
[QUOTE=Flash_Fire;41195265]black metal battery door[/QUOTE]
Took me a while to realize what I'm reading.
[QUOTE=iCole;41195280]Took me a while to realize what I'm reading.[/QUOTE]
Did you think it was a battery door with Slayer on it or something?
[editline]26th June 2013[/editline]
Because I would totally be up for that
[QUOTE=Flash_Fire;41195265]Wham bam I've found a black front assembly for the i9300 and a black metal battery door, as soon as I get the money I should have my S3 back and even slicker than before, because it'll be black and metal-y[/QUOTE]
You do realize the S3 doesn't have the strongest antennas right :v:
[QUOTE=mobrockers;41195331]You do realize the S3 doesn't have the strongest antennas right :v:[/QUOTE]
I was thinking that, but it's probably some imitation metal anyway
thing is, I can't actually find a normal black plastic battery door anywhere for the S3, just leather or metal
[QUOTE=Flash_Fire;41195302]Did you think it was a battery door with Slayer on it or something?
[editline]26th June 2013[/editline]
Because I would totally be up for that[/QUOTE]
Yeah, the initial mental image I had looked something like [URL="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j4Xcz-j0w-E/UQqjwILC8DI/AAAAAAAAAA0/wZk_lA_fVKs/s1600/black+metal+bands.png"]this.[/URL]
[editline]26th June 2013[/editline]
[QUOTE=Flash_Fire;41195339]thing is, I can't actually find a normal black plastic battery door anywhere for the S3, just leather or metal[/QUOTE]
[URL="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Genuine-Battery-Back-Door-Cover-Case-Housing-SAMSUNG-Galaxy-S-S3-I9300-/271170616764?pt=US_Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&var=570145896114&hash=item3f23073dbc"]??[/URL]
[URL="http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Original-Samsung-Galaxy-SIII-S3-i9300-Battery-Cover-Back-Case-Sapphire-Black-/300881286014?pt=US_Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&hash=item460dec137e"]??[/URL]
[QUOTE=Flash_Fire;41195265]Wham bam I've found a black front assembly for the i9300 and a black metal battery door, as soon as I get the money I should have my S3 back and even slicker than before, because it'll be black and metal-y[/QUOTE]
If your phone starts mumbling about burning churches and shit you should start to worry
Lucky his phone isn't an HTC One. Humanity would end.
[QUOTE=iCole;41195361]Yeah, the initial mental image I had looked something like [URL="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j4Xcz-j0w-E/UQqjwILC8DI/AAAAAAAAAA0/wZk_lA_fVKs/s1600/black+metal+bands.png"]this.[/URL]
[editline]26th June 2013[/editline]
[URL="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Genuine-Battery-Back-Door-Cover-Case-Housing-SAMSUNG-Galaxy-S-S3-I9300-/271170616764?pt=US_Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&var=570145896114&hash=item3f23073dbc"]??[/URL]
[URL="http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Original-Samsung-Galaxy-SIII-S3-i9300-Battery-Cover-Back-Case-Sapphire-Black-/300881286014?pt=US_Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&hash=item460dec137e"]??[/URL][/QUOTE]
I'm from the UK, but thanks anyway because I copied the title from the second one and managed to find one local to me, I actually couldn't find one before, but I was also using ebay.co.uk
<3 you
[editline]26th June 2013[/editline]
The insides behind the battery door will still be white though
I'll call him Oreo
Stay away from milk though :v:
[QUOTE=iCole;41195496]Lucky his phone isn't an HTC One. Humanity would end.[/QUOTE]
Oddly enough the One's speakers aren't actually insanely loud, the difference is that it's much better in speaker quality. They are definitely louder than most phones though.
[editline]26th June 2013[/editline]
Also the Xperia ZU is kind of compromised. The battery is too small, bezels too big, and camera sensor size is compromised for thinness. It would be fine if it was 10mm thick if it meant 4000 mAh or larger battery, a 1/3.0" sensor, and much smaller bezel.
Yeah, the S3 speaker can also go really loud but it distorts more easily. (With CyanogenMod, I've noticed it lets you pump up the volume way higher than stock, almost to the point of damaging the speaker)
I was just making a generic and cheap HTC One joke :v: I only saw it once, in a display case :( It looks great, but I have yet to get my hands on [I]One.[/I]
Also, the ZU doesn't have a flash on the back.
Not that I'd use it for photos, but I use it as a flashlight on my Nexus 4 a lot.
[QUOTE=iCole;41195617]Stay away from milk though :v:[/QUOTE]
but your phone needs strong bones
I had no app updates for three days. I'm getting nervous.
I want to update something.
[QUOTE=ShaunOfTheLive;41195691](With CyanogenMod, I've noticed it lets you pump up the volume way higher than stock, almost to the point of damaging the speaker)[/QUOTE]
I destroyed my phone speakers that way :(
[B]New stock camera app debuts in Google Play edition GS4 and HTC One[/B]
[URL="http://www.androidcentral.com/new-stock-camera-app-debuts-google-edition-gs4-and-htc-one"]http://www.androidcentral.com/new-stock-camera-app-debuts-google-edition-gs4-and-htc-one[/URL]
ಠ_ಠ Google are you fucking serious.
Hello
You have a line of devices that could get this too
[U][B]It's called NEXUS[/B][/U]
[QUOTE=iCole;41197300]I had no app updates for three days. I'm getting nervous.
I want to update something.[/QUOTE]
I just got an update for Google Search.
(rated you agree because I know the feeling)
Does anyone have Xperia ZL? I want to hear some day-to-day feedback.
[QUOTE=ShaunOfTheLive;41198436]I just got an update for Google Search.
(rated you agree because I know the feeling)[/QUOTE]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/wOMO9cu.png[/IMG]
[highlight](User was banned for this post ("Meme reply" - MaxOfS2D))[/highlight]
[QUOTE=iCole;41195202]Good news is that Sony learned from its mistake, and the Xperia Z Ultra has a better screen:
[t]http://assets.hardwarezone.com/img/2013/06/Sony_Xperia_Z_Ultra_Viewing_Angle_2.jpg[/t]
But honestly, I didn't notice this when playing with it. As I said, I was looking at it straight up almost all the time. I think I actually forgot to look for flaws because of how pleasantly I was surprised with the phone as a whole.
I [I]think[/I] that a MAJOR part of the S3/S4 cheap feeling is because of the glossy plastic battery cover. The S2 was fine and I definitely don't just blindly hate plastic materials on a phone, if they're used right.[/QUOTE]
The Xperia Z Ultra is huge, I want to see the reviews on the new screens they're putting in with "X-Reality", which may take place of the Bravia Engine from previous devices, and the new smartwatch they are putting out.
Getting the stock camera app would be pretty cool.
So i've decided to look into rooting my S3 to give it some "freshness"
What are the pros and cons of rooting your android device?
oh i've also been reading that it voids your warranty... so thats a pretty big con.
Dropped Paranoid Android on my Nexus 7 because of how damn slow it was on my Nexus.
Fresh installed CM 10.1 release and loving how smooth it is so far. (other than the large nav buttons)
[QUOTE=Ricenchicken;41200805]oh i've also been reading that it voids your warranty... so thats a pretty big con.[/QUOTE]
That's the reason I haven't done it. I'm paranoid as fuck I'm gonna break my phone.
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