By the way, how do you come out with the figures? Nvm, back to your figures. If it's 99% note 2 like and 90% S3-like, doesn't that imply that it's a new class on its own since it's a hybrid? For all we know, Note 2 is a phablet.

I feel you mate

Yeah they are similar but not identical. iphone 3 to iphone 5 are all similar too in case you haven't noticed. Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending samsung neither am I bashing Apple. I have far too many gadgets from different brands (apple,samsung,htc etc). What baffles me is the fact that, there are obvious changes to the design (less curvy and bigger screen compared to S3) but people choose not to acknowledge it.

Of course I know it looks similar to its predecessor and boy, I how wish samsung did revamp the design too but, there are changes nevertheless. To fit a bigger screen on a similar body size is already an impressive feat, don't you think? Apple has to elongate the body of IP5 to do this.

But your previous post was confusing because you said "it is 90% S3 and 99% Note 2". My bad for misunderstanding your statement. I thought you meant overall design and size since Note 2 is obviously a phablet.

Anyway, you're not wrong too because S4 is already stepping into the phablet category since it has a 5" screen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phablet

Pricing in US revealed: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_...9-news-5714.php

I think I'm going to choose s4 over HTC One.

Let me tell you why I'm swayed towards s4. Like yourself, the sd slot and removable battery are the few key factors. When it comes to HTC One, I guess there's no way you can remove the battery without removing the screen from it's metallic unibody (I'm just guessing here becos I don't see any other way it can be done) which requires you to send it to the service centre. Many might say, that's no big deal but for me, a dealbreaker because I hate the idea of repairman dismantling my phone. Who knows what kind of damage might be caused by such work such as tiny scratch etc. Call me nitpicker but I'm anal about the outlook of my phone (must be pristine and scratchless). Sd card slot is a plus but not a must. You can never argue with more storage space esp with ppl like me who loves movies, games and taking snapshots on the go.

Thirdly is the screen. Bigger screen on a similar sized body compared to HTC One (although I prefer Slcd 3 over amoled but, give and take).

Then comes the plastic body. This is rather controversial. People said s4 feels cheap but it is actually less scratch prone (thanks to the hyperglazed body) and in some cases more durable. Aluminium is pretty and imparts a premium feel but my experience with iPhone 5 tells me you have to be extra cautious to prevent scratches. For me, plastic is cheap hence cheaper to replace (stand corrected for this statement since it's merely my personal perception which is not backed up by facts).

Finally the camera. I know ultrapixel is really good for low light shots but reviews of daylight photography are a mixed bag. My wife is using a Note 2 (I know it's only 8 MP) and the pic quality is good hence I'm sticking to a proven evolutionary technolology over a revolutionary concept at this point. Just my two cents.

This post has been edited by giovanni: Mar 20 2013, 11:19 AM

+2

I'm getting the Exynos Octa 5 variant. I don't download much using mobile data anyway. With light browsing, 3g is more than enough for me

2 things to remember: 1) alot of users need big storage as well. 2) Battery life degrades over time so for those who tend to use their phones longer than a year this may become an issue.

To be frank, this is kinda absurd. How do you know it was possible to fit an extra screen estate into that body a year back? For all I know the bezel for S3 was already quite thin back then and no one said a thing about the screen to body ratio being ridiculously skewed. In other words, no one complaint about the bezel being too big back then as well right? I know you like HTC One a lot. Doesn't HTC One have a bigger bezel?

As for your "As for the slight slimmer was nothing impossible to happen", isn't that innovation?

When it comes to the camera of S4, I aint too sure about the lens or whether or not the field or capture could be tweaked via software update but all I know is, it performs admirably well compared to S3 and in many cases better than HTC One even under low light condition.

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_...view-913p10.php

Yeah, to each his own. Not a single doubt about that. So a small issue for you might not be a small issue for others.

But if given a choice, I believe (my two cents) most people would prefer an external card slot (not that everyone needs it. It would be good too to have the flexibility to expand your storage if needed Who would complain to a company for offering an extra slot?) and an easier option for battery replacement.

So this brings us back to the issue you raised regarding Samsung moving in the similar direction in the future (if it may), well, if Samsung doesn't give us a choice then we will decide by then whether or not we are willing to compromise.

But we are talking about making the best choice now given the availability of options (between HTC One and S4 that is).

Sorry to say, I never stayed loyal to a brand. I am still torn between HTC One and S4 so I am pretty much neutral. Even if the view is narrower, there is good quality panorama mode if needed. Just saying though.

Frankly speaking, I am only here to quell your never ending rant that is.

I believe you wouldn't mind to be given a card slot?

Yeah, I would too.

You did not complain about the bezel but you said it could still fit in another 0.2". That is the bit that draws me to the bezel discussion and comparison. The bezel of S3 is already small enough and I'm AMAZED with your assertion saying that it could fit in extra screen real estate, but how do you know that it was feasible before the release of S4?

From your tone of saying "anything is possible" in regards to the slimmer body of S4, I infer that you are simply not impressed hence did not consider it an innovation. After all, you did complain heaven and hell about the whole build being similar to s3 (I am too lazy to read back all that you have posted here by the way).

Did I quote u for saying that S4 performs worse than S3 and HTC One? I was only talking about making compromises with the FOV of the lens since it performs better than S3 and HTC One in many cases. So Mr Andrew, please do read properly before you start lashing out at me.

I am not bashing you but you are the one bashing S4 like Samsung owes you big time.

This post has been edited by giovanni: Apr 1 2013, 01:03 PM

I am pretty chilled.

You're seriously beyond redemption. Nobody is protecting S4 like what you alleged. It is your senseless rants and baseless bashing that got on my nerve. You made me facepalmed to no end

This post has been edited by giovanni: Apr 1 2013, 06:00 PM