Caling All Android Geeks

[Djaniero]

Its upgrade time for me guys, and I've norrowed it down to the new HTC mate or Galaxy S5.

I've currently got a rooted Galaxy s2, so whatever phone I get next will be a mega quantom leap.

I've played on both phones so far, and I really love the look, feel, boom sound speakers and operating system of the mate - HTC Sense. But I'm a lil unsure of the ultra pixel cam.

Don't get me wrong, it takes good snaps, but not amazing compared to the s5. This isnt that much of a problem for me though I guess, as I already have a pretty good 14mp digicam.

The S5 on the other hand had a amazing camera, clear vivid screen, but felt a lil too big to hold compared to the mate.

Another thing I wasnt too in to was the gimmicky samsung bloatware which comes on the phone as standard- One of the main reasons I routed my s2. Saying that the fingerprint scanner and heart rate monitor was kinda cool.

Has anyone tried either of these phones? I'm open to other suggestions as long as its an Android.

Others on the maybe list inc.

Xperia z2

LG G3

Nexus 6 - If I can wait a few more moths until its released.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks

Edited April 3, 2014 by Djaniero

[karl.]

Its upgrade time for me guys, and I've norrowed it down to the new HTC mate or Galaxy S5.

I've currently got a rooted Galaxy s2, so whatever phone I get next will be a mega quantom leap.

I've played on both phones so far, and I really love the look, feel, boom sound speakers and operating system of the mate - HTC Sense. But I'm a lil unsure of the ultra pixel cam.

Don't get me wrong, it takes good snaps, but not amazing compared to the s5. This isnt that much of a problem for me though I guess, as I already have a pretty good 14mp digicam.

The S5 on the other hand had a amazing camera, clear vivid screen, but felt a lil too big to hold compared to the mate.

Another thing I wasnt too in to was the gimmicky samsung bloatware which comes on the phone as standard- One of the main reasons I routed my s2. Saying that the fingerprint scanner and heart rate monitor was kinda cool.

Has anyone tried either of these phones? I'm open to other suggestions as long as its an Android.

Others on the maybe list inc.

Xperia z2

LG G3

Nexus 6 - If I can wait a few more moths until its released.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks

Personally I think the Samsung bloatware is too cartoonish and thats what puts me off their phones. S5 looks like a great phone other than the software.

Ask yourself will you ever use that heartbeat monitor unless your into fitness? I would go for the m-8 and im waiting a few months for them to come down to about £27-£28 a month.

[crawleysam]

Unless samsung has fixed all the problems that were prominent on the s4, then don't opt for the s5. Especially if they're still using the same technology in the battery. One of my mates had his battery nearly blow up, expanded so much it couldn't fit in the phone. Another's phones battery melted a whole through his bed... And the battery in my s4 is shocking, so much so that it doesn't last a day, even on stand by.

[maddox710]

I have an s4 and came from a stint of iPhone and I was shocked at how good the galaxy is. I've heard a few problems about the s4 but mines been faultless. The battery is pretty pants but as long as you keep on top of closing apps and clearing ram it's fine, plus new batterys are cheap anyway.

[TrisK]

why not the nexus 5?

im considering a HTC One M8 for my next phone

[morgey]

Unless samsung has fixed all the problems that were prominent on the s4, then don't opt for the s5. Especially if they're still using the same technology in the battery. One of my mates had his battery nearly blow up, expanded so much it couldn't fit in the phone. Another's phones battery melted a whole through his bed... And the battery in my s4 is shocking, so much so that it doesn't last a day, even on stand by.

My battery on my s4 is epic. A day of heavy use on the internet, videos texts whatsapp etc and it still has over 20% left. 7 am till mid night roughly. Standby I've it barely uses a drop. 8 hours on critical low warning and it was still on.

Turn off all the stupid functions that you never use and it lasts ages. Literally only need about 5 options selected max, loose all the air gesture stuff and bump things and it's brilliant. Puts Iphone 5's to shame that's for sure!

Edited April 3, 2014 by morgey

[Djaniero]

Personally I think the Samsung bloatware is too cartoonish and thats what puts me off their phones. S5 looks like a great phone other than the software.

Ask yourself will you ever use that heartbeat monitor unless your into fitness? I would go for the m-8 and im waiting a few months for them to come down to about £27-£28 a month.

Yeah its not the best. My s2 runs a hell of alot better once I rooted it, and got rid of all of the bloatware.

I've got no use for a heart rate monitor whatsoever really. I was thinking about getting the s5, rooting it, then flashing a different rom onto it.

But in all honesty, I would rather a phone that runs oem firmware.

I was thinking the same, to wait a couple of months until they go down to around 28 a month, but I'm 2 impatient lol.

Unless samsung has fixed all the problems that were prominent on the s4, then don't opt for the s5. Especially if they're still using the same technology in the battery. One of my mates had his battery nearly blow up, expanded so much it couldn't fit in the phone. Another's phones battery melted a whole through his bed... And the battery in my s4 is shocking, so much so that it doesn't last a day, even on stand by.

Thats crazy. When I was running an omni rom on my s2, the battery used to get mega hot. Thankfully it didnt blow up though.I replaced it in the end though, and didnt have any issues after that.

why not the nexus 5?

im considering a HTC One mate for my next phone

It was on the short list man, but I've got a Nexus 7 Second Gen, so wanted to try something different.

I've never had a HTC before, but I'm really considering one after playinig with the mate

Edited April 3, 2014 by Djaniero

[Azz]

Has HTC'S for the last five years and currently own the htc one mini which is superb, really looking forward to getting my hands on the new one at the end of the month

Would never recommended another phone *

[Addymk2]

Got a Z1 now, next phone is definitely gonna be a Z2 or whatever is out come upgrade time, give it a whizz

[Djaniero]

Thanks for the input lads. Decided to give the HTC mate a go. I've always got my rooted s2 if I ever feel like I need some touch whiz in my life

[karl.]

What sort of deal did you get?

I dont know if I want to go back into a 2 year contract, but its cheaper than most of the pay as you go deals at the moment.

[Djaniero]

The best deals I've found so far are quite similar really.

Phones4u on vodafone £29 upfront, then £38 a month - unlimited calls/text and 3gb data. I dont really stream on the move, so 3gb is more than enough.

Then o2 (current network) £49.99 upfront then £38 a month - unlimited calls/text and 6 or 8gb (cant remember).

Same here really man. But o2 have refresh. So you can change the phone within the 2 year contract if you wanted to, as your bill is split into two. One bill for data plan. One bill for phone plan.

[karl.]

The best deals I've found so far are quite similar really.

Phones4u on vodafone £29 upfront, then £38 a month - unlimited calls/text and 3gb data. I dont really stream on the move, so 3gb is more than enough.

Then o2 (current network) £49.99 upfront then £38 a month - unlimited calls/text and 6 or 8gb (cant remember).

Same here really man. But o2 have refresh. So you can change the phone within the 2 year contract if you wanted to, as your bill is split into two. One bill for data plan. One bill for phone plan.

Im with o2 aswell, the problem with me is I wont get 4g signal probable for the next two years so no point me going mad and getting even 1gb, 500mb does me fine.

I will try threaten to leave etc to see if they give me a good deal

[Djaniero]

Its funny you mention that. about 4g. When I was in Phones4U, they did a check with my post code for 4g/3g coverage, and they said vodafone had the best 3g in my area.

Always a good plan...threaten to leave, and they always manage to come to some form of agreement with you to get you to stay lol.

What phone have you got at the moment?

[karl.]

Thats the point that's making me stay away from the plans with high data allowance. If got the HTC one so just looking the new one since its out sort of thing

[Hou]

I took a similar move to you last year, went from the S2 to the HTC one M7 after playing with that and the S4. The HTC felt far better made, I prefered the metal to the cheap plasticy feel of the S4 and the slightly smaller size. Had it for about a year and I think it is the best phone I have owned (before that the S2 was). Blinkfeed is great when you have it set up with your favourite things, the phone does everything I want it to and my only gripe is the battery life, but both are poor

Best advice though, go play with both

[Djaniero]

Thats the point that's making me stay away from the plans with high data allowance. If got the HTC one so just looking the new one since its out sort of thing

Is there a major difference between 3 and 4g? Im All honesty, I still prefer the look of the m7 over the mate

I took a similar move to you last year, went from the S2 to the HTC one M7 after playing with that and the S4. The HTC felt far better made, I prefered the metal to the cheap plasticy feel of the S4 and the slightly smaller size. Had it for about a year and I think it is the best phone I have owned (before that the S2 was). Blinkfeed is great when you have it set up with your favourite things, the phone does everything I want it to and my only gripe is the battery life, but both are poor

Best advice though, go play with both

Thanks for the heads up Hou. I've spent the past week playing on the 2 in store, and only just decided to go for the mate lol. As I said the s5 just felt bulky in your hand, and the camera was the only thing that really seemed to impress me really.

How dyou find the M7 camera compared to the s2?

[Hou]

Didn't notice the difference really. I don't mind the camera on it at all but then again I only use it for quick shots, if I want proper pics I have a camera

[Djaniero]

Thats good to know. I'm the same really. I have an ok ish digi cam - samsung wb250f - to take propper pics. The m 8 camera was pretty cool...not as good as the s5s camera, but I guess its a worthwhile sacrifice for a better phone.