iphone 5s vs samsung galaxy s4

movdqa · Nov 6, 2013

I think that things are a lot easier in Europe if you want to go prepaid. In the States, the two major carriers have a lock on coverage and you pay through the nose if you want good, nationwide coverage. WiFi is good enough for a lot of people but a lot of people want data and the carriers know this and charge accordingly.

The latest plans from AT&T and Verizon give you unlimited texts and minutes - I don't want a plan like that because I do very little texting or voice - so I want a plan that's mostly data (and I only use a few hundred MB/month) and little voice. The majors don't have plans like that anymore. My current plan with AT&T is the best that I can do - 450 minutes/month. I need about 10 minutes/month.

My wife is going from a flip phone to the Nexus 5. This will be a huge move up for her. Son loves his Nexus 4 (he moved from a flip phone too with a VGA shooter). Daughter moved from a flip phone to the Galaxy Nexus and loves it. You may not have the best features in a phone but how you feel may depend on where you came from and whether or not the phone does what you need it to.

dParis · Nov 6, 2013

movdqa said:
The latest plans from AT&T and Verizon give you unlimited texts and minutes - I don't want a plan like that because I do very little texting or voice - so I want a plan that's mostly data (and I only use a few hundred MB/month) and little voice. The majors don't have plans like that anymore. My current plan with AT&T is the best that I can do - 450 minutes/month. I need about 10 minutes/month.

My wife is going from a flip phone to the Nexus 5. This will be a huge move up for her. Son loves his Nexus 4 (he moved from a flip phone too with a VGA shooter). Daughter moved from a flip phone to the Galaxy Nexus and loves it. You may not have the best features in a phone but how you feel may depend on where you came from and whether or not the phone does what you need it to.

Please don't take offence, but with your needs and your wife's cellular plan particularly, what are you going to do with a Nexus 5? It seems like a great amount of overkill. If most data will be consumed over Wi-Fi, wouldn't keeping a simple phone and buying a nice tablet make for a more enjoyable user experience?

The flexibility which the Nexus provides is its greatest asset. If you can find a pre-paid carrier that fits your needs, then the Nexus devices are worth considering, though I think that many pre-paid plans, due to deficiencies like lack of roaming and data caps, are not optimized for phones like the Nexus 5. Also, the higher end devices like the i5s, Galaxy S4/N3, LG-G2, HTC One and even the Moto X offer far more features out of the box than the Nexus 5 - and the thing is, these latest smartphones are able to carry these features, or "bloatware", while still performing quickly and smoothly. The Nexus 5 on the other hand, carries the current Android operating system, but only the unenhanced, or "vanilla", version. It's a case of "less is less" in this instance.

I'm not ragging on the Nexus 5. I think it's a very nice phone. One I considered buying myself, at one point. I just think the amount of hype it gets isn't justified.

movdqa · Nov 7, 2013

We already have a bunch of tablets.

The Nexus phone use model is confirmed by our kids that both have Nexus phones and the same $100/year plan.

dParis · Nov 13, 2013

Shangri La said:
I *think* I saw a few deals of the G2 with ATT at 99 dollars a few days ago. But when I tried to place an order yesterday, it was 199 everywhere! :shock:

I've had my LG G2 for almost a week and it has exceeded my high expectations. Every function is fast and smooth. The screen is hard to quit looking at - big and beautiful. Packed with great features.

The critics of this phone either have defective devices or they are overly obsessive. The camera might need a little software tweak, though I still get great photos and video in most conditions. After I put a poetic palette slim case on the G2, it's just about perfect.

MichaelNadal · Nov 15, 2013

dParis said:
I've had my LG G2 for almost a week and it has exceeded my high expectations. Every function is fast and smooth. The screen is hard to quit looking at - big and beautiful. Packed with great features.

The critics of this phone either have defective devices or they are overly obsessive. The camera might need a little software tweak, though I still get great photos and video in most conditions. After I put a poetic palette slim case on the G2, it's just about perfect.

I got mine on Halloween

Absolutely in love with it. The screen really is insane.

movdqa · Nov 15, 2013

I think that the Nexus 5 is great too. I'm blown away by the hardware that you get for the money. Is the LG G2 the same thing? There are some complaints about the Nexus 5 camera but I think that anything around 8 MP or better is fine with me.

I still have a year left on my iPhone 5 contract but I could consider going with a Nexus 6 and an iPad Mini combination instead of an iPhone 5 and a Nexus 7. I'm looking forward to what Google and Apple come out with next year as they are rumored to be making 4.7 and 5.5 inch phones and I would assume that Google will improve the camera next year.

Shangri La · Nov 15, 2013

dParis said:
I've had my LG G2 for almost a week and it has exceeded my high expectations. Every function is fast and smooth. The screen is hard to quit looking at - big and beautiful. Packed with great features.

The critics of this phone either have defective devices or they are overly obsessive. The camera might need a little software tweak, though I still get great photos and video in most conditions. After I put a poetic palette slim case on the G2, it's just about perfect.

Received my G2 from Amazon. Absolutely loving it. It plows through everything you throw at it yet the ergonomics keeps itself maneuverable for 1 handers

Absolutely gorgeous screen - I feel Samsung screens are a bit over-saturated at times. The only thing so far is I need to figure out how the screen auto brightness works.

finalfantasy7 · Nov 16, 2013

Shangri La said:
Received my G2 from Amazon. Absolutely loving it. It plows through everything you throw at it yet the ergonomics keeps itself maneuverable for 1 handers Absolutely gorgeous screen - I feel Samsung screens are a bit over-saturated at times. The only thing so far is I need to figure out how the screen auto brightness works.

how does the lg screen hold up on really bright days?.

I agree with you about the samsung screens are over-saturated - but it holds really well on (bright sunny days).

As the nexus 5 & especially LG G2 tempted me

Deleted member 232704 · Nov 16, 2013

I got my nexus 5's and i love em. Screen looks somewhat washed out but a lot better than the nexus 4. The only thing i dont like is the shutter lag. It takes forever for the dang thing to take a picture unlike the iphone. It takes a second for it to take a picture after you click the button...

movdqa · Nov 16, 2013

I've heard that about the lag - waiting for 2014 - I'm pretty sure that it gets fixed by then. It might be possible to fix the current problem with software if it's a software issue causing the lag.

MichaelNadal · Nov 16, 2013

Shangri La said:
Received my G2 from Amazon. Absolutely loving it. It plows through everything you throw at it yet the ergonomics keeps itself maneuverable for 1 handers Absolutely gorgeous screen - I feel Samsung screens are a bit over-saturated at times. The only thing so far is I need to figure out how the screen auto brightness works.

It really is an amazing phone isn't it?

finalfantasy7 said:
how does the lg screen hold up on really bright days?.

I agree with you about the samsung screens are over-saturated - but it holds really well on (bright sunny days).

As the nexus 5 & especially LG G2 tempted me

Honestly... I think the screen looks even better outside in sunlight or natural light than indoors. It's that good. I don't even have my brightness on 100% in the sun, 50% does it beautifully. Here's a screenshot of my home screen. Just for an idea of the phone, it looks Samsung-ish as far as software goes.

Rock Strongo · Nov 16, 2013

I'd go with Nokia again, all for an absurd camera.

Deleted member 232704 · Nov 16, 2013

movdqa said:
I've heard that about the lag - waiting for 2014 - I'm pretty sure that it gets fixed by then. It might be possible to fix the current problem with software if it's a software issue causing the lag.

I've read that the terrible camera software that has been here for a while has caused this. Hoping it gets fixed at least before 4.5 update.

Forehand Of Doom · Nov 16, 2013

Rock Strongo said:
I'd go with Nokia again, all for an absurd camera.

You mean Microsoft, right? Microsoft just acquired the Nokia Hardware Devices division recently. Congratulations to Elop (Nokia CEO, former Microsoft executive) for the nice trojan slip and demolition work!:-?

Forehand Of Doom · Nov 16, 2013

To answer the OP, it depends on what you want. If you want something that works, but which implies you will have to do things the way Apple wants you to, go with the iPhone.

If you like to choose what your phone looks like and what it does, have at least a 90 IQ and a moderate amount of patience, and enjoy configuring stuff for maximum flexibility, get the Galaxy S4.

Or get a Nokia N900 if you like to have a 4 year old handheld Linux computer that allows you to make phone calls.

tusharlovesrafa · Nov 16, 2013

I will go with s4 anytime.Samsung has been stupid and discriminatory against us.In India there S4 version doesn't have 4G.They have used their proprietary Samsung exynos 1.6 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A15 &
1.2 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processors here instead of 2.3 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Krait 400.I have read in reviews that Qualcomm Krait 400 is more powerful processor.

Deleted member 232704 · Nov 16, 2013

tusharlovesrafa said:
I will go with s4 anytime.Samsung has been stupid and discriminatory against us.In India there S4 version doesn't have 4G.They have used their proprietary Samsung exynos 1.6 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A15 &
1.2 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processors here instead of 2.3 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Krait 400.I have read in reviews that Qualcomm Krait 400 is more powerful processor.

If you cant tell the speed difference, whats the matter to you? Samsung has always had different specs in international and US devices. If the processor really matters to you, go with Google devices. There always on top of the market with that.

Shangri La · Nov 17, 2013

finalfantasy7 said:
how does the lg screen hold up on really bright days?.

I agree with you about the samsung screens are over-saturated - but it holds really well on (bright sunny days).

As the nexus 5 & especially LG G2 tempted me

To me the screen is perfectly legible under direct sunlight, although some reviews claim there are better screens out there in this department. LG certainly knows how to make IPS screen. The only thing is I dont think auto brightness works, but it's actually not as bad because the screen looks great in different lighting conditions.

MichaelNadal said:
It really is an amazing phone isn't it?

Most definitely!

Solo · Nov 17, 2013

I still love my Galaxy S2

Torres · Nov 17, 2013

S2 still does 95% of everything these top end phones do....

Moto G looks like an absolute bargain.

HTC One 2 going to be released in early 2014.....

S5 probably won't be far behind....

Apple need to a release a iPhone 6 with a bigger screen and a better OS to stay competitive IMO and come up a with new killer app/feature/device. Apple just doesn't seem the same without Jobs.

Shangri La · Nov 17, 2013

My S2 still rocks, just needs a new battery.

soyizgood · Nov 17, 2013

My company likely will move from HTC Evo 4G LTE to an iPhone 5S next year. I don't really understand the hoopla the iSheep fans keep boasting about. I question how effective the folks with the phones at my job will be with an iPhone. We have an OLD exchange server that can't utilize syncing that well as it is.

We contract with a SaaS provider that only works with Internet Explorer running on Windows. Even my Windows Phone, the Lumia 920, with IE can't sign in. Safari won't do us any good. The guy that sets up the cell phones wants to go iPhone because if there's a problem, the users can go to the Apple Store for help. haha

I'll try to keep my HTC phone as long as possible. I shudder at dealing with iTunes again.

Polaris · Nov 17, 2013

soyizgood said:
The guy that sets up the cell phones wants to go iPhone because if there's a problem, the users can go to the Apple Store for help. haha

This made me LOL

.

I'm curious, the exchange system at your company: is it MS Exchange? or BES? If it is the former, are most smartphones roughly compatible? Are there Blackberry diehards left? See, I have to ask because I moved from Android to a Q10 user (don't laugh please, I really like it, ok?

).

Nostradamus · Nov 17, 2013

any good phones out lately ?

Polaris · Nov 17, 2013

Nostradamus said:
any good phones out lately ?

Well, the Nexus 5 is pretty badass. People seem to like the LG G2 around here too.

soyizgood · Nov 17, 2013

Polaris said:
This made me LOL .

I'm curious, the exchange system at your company: is it MS Exchange? or BES? If it is the former, are most smartphones roughly compatible? Are there Blackberry diehards left? See, I have to ask because I moved from Android to a Q10 user (don't laugh please, I really like it, ok? ).

My company has Exchange 2000 server. We went Blackberry for a couple of years and had BES. BES acted up a bit too much. Users would tinker with the phone battery and SIM cards on the Blackberry Curves. When Blackberry delayed rolling out BB10, my director wanted nothing more to do with Blackberry.

The Blackberrys were good phones. Even now some of the users prefer an actual keyboard to the touchscreen. The Z10 and Q10 were literally a year too late for us. The phone we currently use, the Evo 4G LTE, is a good phone in my opinion. A few users have problems with it, but it's a combination of the hardware, the Exchange Server, the fact we still run Windows XP, and that Sprint's coverage isn't all that great. Going iPhone won't solve all of these issues.

MichaelNadal · Nov 17, 2013

Nostradamus said:
any good phones out lately ?

The LG-G2... we were talking about it on the last page and the page before. Amazing phone.

MichaelNadal · Nov 17, 2013

Solo said:
I still love my Galaxy S2

Torres said:
S2 still does 95% of everything these top end phones do....

Moto G looks like an absolute bargain.

HTC One 2 going to be released in early 2014.....

S5 probably won't be far behind....

Apple need to a release a iPhone 6 with a bigger screen and a better OS to stay competitive IMO and come up a with new killer app/feature/device. Apple just doesn't seem the same without Jobs.

Believe me. No. Even when I went from the S2 to the S3 it was DAY AND NIGHT. My S3 broke before I got my new phone and the past 4 months before November when I finally got my G2, I was using my S2 again. It's so far behind these new phones.

Torres · Nov 17, 2013

In what way? The OS the same. Screen size and camera specs are the only main 'real world' differences that I can think of.

MichaelNadal · Nov 17, 2013

Torres said:
In what way? The OS the same. Screen size and camera specs are the only main 'real world' differences that I can think of.

The software is leaps and bounds better. Unless you're somehow on Jellybean 4.2.2? I'm pretty sure the S2 can't run that. The difference in screen quality is STARK too. I'm not saying the S2 is a bad phone... just that there really is a big difference between it and say, the S4, or any andriod out now.

Torres · Nov 18, 2013

S2 is officially on 4.1.2.

I don't doubt that each Android iteration is an improvement on the last, but it wouldn't be enough to justify buying a new phone.

http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2013/07/03/android-4-1-2-vs-4-2-2-features-compared/

movdqa · Nov 18, 2013

> I don't doubt that each Android iteration is an improvement
> on the last, but it wouldn't be enough to justify buying a new
> phone.

This is why Nexus phones are nice - you feel like you're getting a new phone with every release and you get the releases pretty quickly.

MichaelNadal · Nov 18, 2013

Torres said:
S2 is officially on 4.1.2.

I don't doubt that each Android iteration is an improvement on the last, but it wouldn't be enough to justify buying a new phone.

http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2013/07/03/android-4-1-2-vs-4-2-2-features-compared/

As long as it works and you're happy with it, that's all that matters of course. But when I got the S3, I felt like it was a completely different phone. Between the S3 and S4, it's just mainly the screen, so I wouldn't have upgraded from a 3 to a 4. But considering I was just using my S2 three weeks ago and I have a G2 now... I find the difference huge. I got my S2 back in 2011... phones have changed a good bit since then IMO.

MauricioDias · Nov 18, 2013

Of coure s4. Iphone has a better hardware design using better components andios has more stability but s4 solves lots of iphone faults and is running android, so more free aps and development friendly

Solo · Nov 18, 2013

MichaelNadal said:
Believe me. No. Even when I went from the S2 to the S3 it was DAY AND NIGHT. My S3 broke before I got my new phone and the past 4 months before November when I finally got my G2, I was using my S2 again. It's so far behind these new phones.

No, I prefer reliability over flashy facebook crap. All your recent new phones have broke, that must say something if you had to go back to using a S2. Most, if not all, phones nowadays don't have very exceptional upgrades, they are all similar. Like the Iphone 5s and 4s, absolutely no difference other than the size. What I can do on my 4s, I can do everything on my gf's 5s lol but hey, it's her money.

Rafter4ever · Nov 18, 2013

MichaelNadal said:
It really is an amazing phone isn't it?

Honestly... I think the screen looks even better outside in sunlight or natural light than indoors. It's that good. I don't even have my brightness on 100% in the sun, 50% does it beautifully. Here's a screenshot of my home screen. Just for an idea of the phone, it looks Samsung-ish as far as software goes.

Does the LG phone case/cover have a hole in the back for the volume controls? Cant imagine have to remove the case/cover just to lower the volume, etc. How are you getting used to the volumes control button in the back?

On average, how long does it take to charge the phone?

Seriously considering this phone, if battery life is what I have been reading, as a moderate user (I have a Samsung Note Eight and use it often) i think it will last me at least 3 days without having to charge

movdqa · Nov 18, 2013

> so more free aps and development friendly

Developers do like to get paid.

MichaelNadal · Nov 18, 2013

Solo said:
No, I prefer reliability over flashy facebook crap. All your recent new phones have broke, that must say something if you had to go back to using a S2. Most, if not all, phones nowadays don't have very exceptional upgrades, they are all similar. Like the Iphone 5s and 4s, absolutely no difference other than the size. What I can do on my 4s, I can do everything on my gf's 5s lol but hey, it's her money.

No my S3 worked 20 times better than my S2 did. I broke the screen. My contact ended and I switched carriers from Sprint to Verizon. Of course there's no difference between the 4s and 5s.... that's why I hate apple, they don't change anything and the monkeys still run out to get the next phone. NOT the case with the S2 and newer androids, take it from someone that knows their stuff about phones.

MichaelNadal · Nov 18, 2013

Rafter4ever said:
Does the LG phone case/cover have a hole in the back for the volume controls? Cant imagine have to remove the case/cover just to lower the volume, etc. How are you getting used to the volumes control button in the back?

On average, how long does it take to charge the phone?

Seriously considering this phone, if battery life is what I have been reading, as a moderate user (I have a Samsung Note Eight and use it often) i think it will last me at least 3 days without having to charge

Yeah there's a hole. I love my case, I'll take a pic of it later. I honestly love the buttons on the back. I don't use the power button because you can double-tap the screen to turn the phone on and off. I find the volume buttons perfectly placed. When you hold the phone, your index finger naturally sits right on the volume up button, which happens to be the button that captures a self-portrait in the camera. They really thought this phone through

Do what I did and go play with one. It charges super fast, from dead to 100 perfect in 2 hours or less every time. I was dead set on the HTC One and hadn't even heard of this phone. Luckily I went to Verizon to play with the one and was like whoa WTF is this thing? The workers at VZN said it's the best smartphone they have right now in their opinion.

Torres · Nov 18, 2013

The hardware in smart phones is really starting to reach maturity IMO. Faster processors and higher pixel count sure, but its not the bottleneck and it also adversely impacts battery life. You can't really get any smaller or thinner for the device as it starts becoming unusable. Software is the next key battleground IMO, along with integrating / sychronising phone / laptop / desktop apps and data. Instead of loads of crap applications, it would be better to have a few all embracing killer apps that can use data across several different platforms. At the moment there are too many competing services resulting in fragmentation. Do I really have to have a separate account for iTunes, Amazon Cloud Player, Google Play Music, Spotify and Rdio with each running independently? Whoever comes up with a universal music player that unifies multiple accounts will be onto a winner....

Power Player · Nov 18, 2013

Solving screen breaks and water drops is really the main thing for me in a new phone. I am fine with the i5 still. It is awesome, and I love iOS. So I'm hoping apple does flex screens and waterproofing for the 6, and I will be happy. unlocking your phone with a fingerprint is really cool, but I can deal with a 4 number pin for now.

movdqa · Nov 18, 2013

I'm happy with the i5 as well but the 5 inch screen on the Nexus 5 sure is nice. Apple seems to have an incredibly loyal customer base and that customer base seems pretty well-heeled so I expect Apple to continue to dribble out features instead of dumping them all into one release.

I have no interest in the 5S or 5C but would be interested in a 4.7 or 5.5 inch iPhone 6. I'd be fine with an Android phone too, as long as I had an iPad Mini for iOS Apps when I need them.

mikeler · Nov 18, 2013

My iPhone 5 microphone no longer works so I can't use Siri. The same thing happened to my iPhone 4 a few days before I upgraded.

Power Player · Nov 18, 2013

movdqa said:
I'm happy with the i5 as well but the 5 inch screen on the Nexus 5 sure is nice. Apple seems to have an incredibly loyal customer base and that customer base seems pretty well-heeled so I expect Apple to continue to dribble out features instead of dumping them all into one release.

I have no interest in the 5S or 5C but would be interested in a 4.7 or 5.5 inch iPhone 6. I'd be fine with an Android phone too, as long as I had an iPad Mini for iOS Apps when I need them.

I like smaller size more. Its just a lot easier to carry around. Hoping they make 2 sizes from here on out.

Of course if the new phones flex in your pocket, the screen size could be bigger with no issue.

Rafter4ever · Nov 18, 2013

MichaelNadal said:
Yeah there's a hole. I love my case, I'll take a pic of it later. I honestly love the buttons on the back. I don't use the power button because you can double-tap the screen to turn the phone on and off. I find the volume buttons perfectly placed. When you hold the phone, your index finger naturally sits right on the volume up button, which happens to be the button that captures a self-portrait in the camera. They really thought this phone through Do what I did and go play with one. It charges super fast, from dead to 100 perfect in 2 hours or less every time. I was dead set on the HTC One and hadn't even heard of this phone. Luckily I went to Verizon to play with the one and was like whoa WTF is this thing? The workers at VZN said it's the best smartphone they have right now in their opinion.

Nice, less than 2 hours for charging time, think I am sold

MichaelNadal · Nov 19, 2013

Rafter4ever said:
Nice, less than 2 hours for charging time, think I am sold

If you get it, let me know how you like it

Sid_Vicious · Nov 19, 2013

MichaelNadal said:

My birthday is coming up and i'm becoming more and more tempted. That screen is gorgeous. It is over 400 ppi. I think the time has come to leave the iphone. The screen on the 5 is just as vibrant as the one on the iphone 4 (326 ppi), which is kinda pathetic.

dParis · Nov 19, 2013

Rafter4ever said:
Nice, less than 2 hours for charging time, think I am sold

I am pleasantly surprised by how fast the G2 charges. I read that it charges at 1% per minute. I'm even more pleased with how long it lasts. Into the 2nd morning of significant usage off a single charge. With light usage, it might last forever...:grin:

What hasn't already been said about the screen? The more I use it, the more distance it puts in front of both the i5 and the S4.

Sid_Vicious · Nov 19, 2013

So does the G2 classify as a "phablet'? Meh, thats bad news for me. I was uncomfortable using the S3 with one hand. I dislike using any handheld device that requires both hands, especially tablets.

dParis · Nov 19, 2013

Sid_Vicious said:
So does the G2 classify as a "phablet'? Meh, thats bad news for me. I was uncomfortable using the S3 with one hand. I dislike using any handheld device that requires both hands, especially tablets.

Baisically the same size as the S4.

S4: 136.6 x 69.8mm

G2: 138.5 x 70.9mm

iphone 5s vs samsung galaxy s4

Which one is better overall?

iphone 5s

samsung galaxy s4

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