Might be on the market to update my S2, despite everything since being internally crippled, and seeing how S5's hacks aren't looking too good right now, my next thought is the S4 Active. I DO want waterproofing since I've never owned a phone like that yet (and I hate HTC, so M8 is outta the question), Moto doesn't interest me w/ their androids, and though S4 Active is no longer a flagship it's still a spunky phone compared to the S2.
Thoughts? Wait and see what happens to S5 or just get Active and move on with life.
Skv012a said:
Might be on the market to update my S2, despite everything since being internally crippled, and seeing how S5's hacks aren't looking too good right now, my next thought is the S4 Active. I DO want waterproofing since I've never owned a phone like that yet (and I hate HTC, so M8 is outta the question), Moto doesn't interest me w/ their androids, and though S4 Active is no longer a flagship it's still a spunky phone compared to the S2.
Thoughts? Wait and see what happens to S5 or just get Active and move on with life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A couple important things to consider:
1. The Active is not waterproof, it is water resistant. Make sure you understand the difference so you know what you're getting in to.
2. The bootloader on this phone (i537) is locked and the only thing you can do is root it, you cannot flash custom kernels.
Other than that this is a great phone. Do yourself a favor and get the international version with an unlocked bootloader if you want to flash ROMs (i9295).
As long as it's rooted, that's really all I care about to be honest. That and ability to sim unlock. Used mostly ShoStock on the S2 and though I've tried ported and other roms, I liked the stock base the best.
Related
Hi guys and gals I'm currently want to upgrade my S2 (finally) to either a S3 or S4, reason why I'm still considering the S3 is that I haven't really heard anything bad about them. But for the S4 however..... things like, camera failing, sim card failure etc... But I'm an android developer so the main reason why im getting it in the first place is to have a big screen and a higher end processor since I've already got a S2 for a sort of low end kind of thing.
So if you dont mind giving me your thoughts on both products
and I do intend on getting extended warranty just because of the issues lol
Carl Blance said:
Hi guys and gals I'm currently want to upgrade my S2 (finally) to either a S3 or S4, reason why I'm still considering the S3 is that I haven't really heard anything bad about them. But for the S4 however..... things like, camera failing, sim card failure etc... But I'm an android developer so the main reason why im getting it in the first place is to have a big screen and a higher end processor since I've already got a S2 for a sort of low end kind of thing.
So if you dont mind giving me your thoughts on both products
and I do intend on getting extended warranty just because of the issues lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, well if you want feedback on the S3 and S4, I would suggest you head on over to the S3 and S4 forums. This is the S4 Active forum, which is an entirely different device - similar to an S4 but not the same and not with the same issues. But since you're here I would personally recommend staying away from the S4 Active, it just doesn't seem to be taking off at all. I'll probably be selling mine and getting a Nexus 5 instead when it shows up, depending on the details.
This is the incorrect forum to find information on either of the devices you mentioned.
Thread closed
EFM
Have a great day!
I see 3 contenders, each has strengths and weaknesses [in no particular order]:
HTC One (M8)
Samsung Galaxy S5
Sony Xperia Z2
I'm not thrilled with the camera on the HTC One (M8), but overall I'm ok with HTC
and have been very happy and thankful for the support I've received on this forum,
I love my Vivid and it's still a great phone.
The S5 has a great camera, and all the other features that matter for me [SD card slot,
active community support, replaceable battery, strong environment resistance] ... BUT
I don't like KNOX and based on what I'm reading [and experiencing with my Samsung
Galaxy Note 10.1 - 2014 Edition tablet], that lockdown & strategy isn't going to go away
any time soon ... and may, for all intents and purposes, be 'insurmountable' without
giving up warranty support - which isn't OK with me, cuz I'm not made of money ...
On to the Sony ... seems like the specs are pretty good, perhaps lacking in onboard
memory [16Gb at the moment, I'd prefer 32Gb or 64Gb], good processors, decent design
and build quality ... but the community support seems thin [perhaps because Sony isn't
a huge player in the US? Perhaps because they're release cycle & adoption by big US
carriers is a lilttle thin & doesn't get as much press as HTC and Sammy? I don't know]
and I don't know how good the accessory market is for them ...
So the question is ... what phone is next for you, and how/why did you come to that
decision?
If it's one of these three, great ... if it's not, great ... because that may help me to see
options I have missed.
Thanks in advance for taking time to slog through my drivel.
-dmm
Trying to keep the expenses down, so to actually upgrade I am considering the Galaxy S4. The S5 is too expensive, HTC One does not have a replaceable battery, don't particularly like Sony these days.
Mind, I am still 3 months from upgrade time, and my mind is not set.
I replaced the Vivid with a Nexus 4. Comparing the early effort for custom roms Vivid vs Nexus, it was literally night and day. Waiting weeks/months to find a way to unlock the bootloader vs 2 minutes with the nexus.
I will never buy another carrier branded phone, nor a phone that is locked down. If I were to upgrade again, I would have to go with the Nexus 5. I might not get the bells, whistles and prestige of the lofty flagships, but for an Android buff like me, the open nature of the nexus line is priceless.
cmerlyn said:
Trying to keep the expenses down, so to actually upgrade I am considering the Galaxy S4. The S5 is too expensive, HTC One does not have a replaceable battery, don't particularly like Sony these days.
Mind, I am still 3 months from upgrade time, and my mind is not set.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was using Vivid in 2011, 2012.
In 2013, I was thinking between google edition i9505 and AT&T SHG-I337 for the upgrade Google edition came unlock but it was cost around $600 at that time. AT&T phone was network locked but it cost around $65 for upgrade with 2 years plan.
I went with AT&T SGH-I-337. I rooted the phone before I activated. After activation I installed the custom rom. The phone came with Android 4.2.2.
This month I installed the 4.4.2 custom rom (Golden eye 29, 30 then 31). I am very happy with S4 this way.
I am thinking of going for S5 after the developer find a way to tame the knox thingy.
I can't seem to find a thread for the at&t s5 active. Is it the same as the s5, simply a different housing?
Also, has anyone managed root for this phone?
If not, anyone feel like teaching me how you normally go about exploiting a new device..? I've always ended up buying phones that were already a few months old and someone had already managed root.
Asking a lot bro. As far as your thread goes, the Active is a lot like the S5 only a few things are not. Some I have noticed right off the back is the Active is heavier and feels way tougher. Buttons are different with 4 new ones. There is no thread for this phone yet because it's so locked down from At&t and Verizon. It's really difficult I'm seeing. Sad that we can't have an option like HTC does. M8 people are really happy I bet. Good luck
I posted in the wrong place now twice, LOl but here--> Samsung Galaxy S5 Active!
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/samsung/galaxy-s5-active-ruby-red.html
OP did have a good question: Does development for the Active sync up with the regular AT&T S5, or does it differ? If it does sync up, then that makes things a lot easier. Anyone know?
Hi all,
I've had the Galaxy S4 on AT&T for nearly two years now, and my contract expires in late June, so of course, I've been going through intense deliberations about what phone to get next. I really want to like the Galaxy S6/S6 edge, but I just cannot stand Touchwiz, even the "stripped-down" version that they have introduced now. I want to like the HTC One M9, but I'm not a fan of Sense either. I also don't really want the G3 (or wait for the G4) as I'm just not a fan of LG's designs and software.
I've used stock Lollipop on my previously rooted S4 (until that got water damage and I had to file an insurance claim leaving me with a refurbished, locked-bootloader S4 until June) and I absolutely loved it. It is a fantastic operating system, so I would really love to get the Nexus 6.
My questions would be for pretty much anybody who has come from an S4 (or even S3 or S5 for that matter) to the Nexus 6... do you like it? Is there anything from Samsung that is missed on the Nexus?
For what it's worth, I have tried out the Nexus 6 in the store for quite a while, and I love the size. I know many say how big it is, which of course is true, but I'm always carrying a backpack and I usually have big pockets, so the size is no issue. Nor is the price.
tl;dr, for someone who loves stock Lollipop, is the Nexus 6 a good choice?
yes. but youre better off asking questions in the q&a section, where people go to help others, by answering questions that people post there. questions dont belong in the general section. i did ask the mods to move this thread there
edit.. wow, that was fast! thank you mods
While I didn't come from one of the devices you've mentioned, I'd say the biggest hurdle for most, is the size. Being that you're OK with that, I assure you, you won't be disappointed. Yes this is pure lollipop and there will be things missing that you had on Sammy. If you're going to root/mod/ROM, you will find it is very easy. Good luck with your decision, as it is solely yours, but you will be hard pressed to find many negative reviews here.
Coming from the s4, the nexus one would be a good choice!
The nexus 6 is epic
I also came from a s4, you will like it... unlocking the boot loader... rooting... installing custom recovery... flashing new factory images or custom rom ... it is all easier than dealing with the s4. Only advise I have is if your planning on doing the stuff I mentioned... unlock the boot loader as soon as you get the device.... you can unlock after you get it but it will wipe all your data so you will have to install all your apps again... not a big deal but if you know your going to do it anyway you will save yourself a bit of time...
Hello,
I've order the 64Gb S6 deal from T-Mobile. I've been a lifetime Nexus user from the Nexus One. I've always stuck to pure Android and the phone I currently have is the Nexus 5. I've purchase every generation of Nexus phone except for the Nexus 6 because I didn't like the size. The S6 seems like a winner and I'm already use to a non-removable battery and no SD card. I'm not sure how I'll deal with TW(heard it's been toned down) vs stock Android. That really is my biggest worry and I've been researching a way to uninstall all the bloatware(T-Mobile) without rooting(Though I might do that with PingPong and deal with manual updates). I really wish they would have released a Google Play Edition. I am pretty excited about the class leading hardware, especially the camera. Others who have switched from stock Android to the S6, how do you feel? Loving it? Ready to switch back to a Nexus device? Let me know! Thanks!
Also I'm a avid Google Now, Ok Google user.
My last couple phones were stock android (one plus one, nexus, moto x) and I'll tell you, I don't miss them. The s6 is that good. Battery could be better, but I'm hoping rooting helps (I'm on day one of a custom ROM so we'll see). I also use the "OK google" phrase a lot, so you'll be disappointed to know it doesn't work on the s6 for some reason unless you're using google now or google launcher.
I was in the same boat as you. I went from a 32gb Nexus 5 on AT&T to 64gb Galaxy S6 T-Mo. I'm not a big save my entire music collection on my phone guy, I prefer streaming services. 32gb Nexus was fine for me and battery life sucked. I love the GS6, super fast, I find the battery life more than acceptable, I'm rooted via Ping Pong and actually don't mind Touchwiz this time around. Hated it on my GS2 Skyrocket and GS4. I just rooted and plan to update with Flashfire to keep Knox intact
I was worried about keeping KNOX intact too. I used to install custom ROMs back in the day but as Android has gotten better I haven't done it on recent phones. I just wanted to be able to uninstall bloatware so that's why I'm thinking about rooting. I love the fact that the T-Mobile version has no carrier branding and now I can't wait till this thing gets here. Other than software do you know how different the T-Mo version is from the international version?
N6 64GB to S6 64GB. No remorse whatsoever. Especially with a Tab S also, having things like SideSync is great.
wicked11 said:
I was worried about keeping KNOX intact too. I used to install custom ROMs back in the day but as Android has gotten better I haven't done it on recent phones. I just wanted to be able to uninstall bloatware so that's why I'm thinking about rooting. I love the fact that the T-Mobile version has no carrier branding and now I can't wait till this thing gets here. Other than software do you know how different the T-Mo version is from the international version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not any major differences. If anything T-Mo variant has a few extra features like voLTE and WiFi Calling enabled by default. I went with the JUMP option when I switched to T-Mo so I only have to pay off half the device to upgrade. I see no reason to get international version over T-Mo variant. If it were AT&T or International I'd go international all day. My girlfriend has the AT&T variant as she is still on a family plan with big corporate discount. With Flashfire the locked AT&T bootloader isn't crippling but more of an inconvenience
I went from the Nexus 5 to OnePlus One (CM12) and now to the S6. I love the S6. I use the Google Now launcher instead of TW and it doesn't feel all the much different to me. I like the added gestures TW brings (such as palm swipe for a screenshot).
For the bloatware, I simply disable it in the applications menu. When you disable them, the app also disappears from the app drawer.
I was Team Nexus for a while and had a GNex, Nexus 4, 5, and 6. I switched to the S6 because the N6 was too big for my taste and the S6 hardware was just so damn nice (body, camera).
Do I miss stock Android? Hell yes. There's very little (if anything) that TW does better. However, after a few hours of research and tweaking, I've got my S6 looking and feeling as close to a Nexus as possible. I recommend Nova Launcher, Moonshine icon pack, and Hifont to help with that. Also I rooted (before PingPong was available, unfortunately) and used TiBu to freeze all the bloatware I don't need. I'm pretty happy, but I'd be even happier if someone could get this Material Design theme ported to the T-Mobile variant!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s6/themes-apps/wip-material-design-theme-s6e-t3108155
For what it's worth, my S6 (with no mods other than frozen bloatware) is as snappy as my Nexus 6 running stock 5.1 with Faux kernel.
ping pong root. You basically root the stock rom, knox is NOT tripped. So its good as long as yuou only want to make small changes to your rom (like getting rid of bloat completely and not just disabling it).
Thats what i did and it worked AMAZINGLY well.
frettfreak said:
ping pong root. You basically root the stock rom, knox is NOT tripped. So its good as long as yuou only want to make small changes to your rom (like getting rid of bloat completely and not just disabling it).
Thats what i did and it worked AMAZINGLY well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I think that's my plan. From all the review of current TW I don't think I'll mind so much. I just want to be rid of all the bloat I won't use. The phone feels amazing and I'm waiting for a glass screen protect now before I start using it. How do you guys feel about the recent new of possibly 2 new nexus phones coming out?
wicked11 said:
Yeah, I think that's my plan. From all the review of current TW I don't think I'll mind so much. I just want to be rid of all the bloat I won't use. The phone feels amazing and I'm waiting for a glass screen protect now before I start using it. How do you guys feel about the recent new of possibly 2 new nexus phones coming out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really TW isnt that bad on the s6 now. I can deal with it. and honestly until this phone i have been a "gotta get a glass screen protector before i buy the phone" kinda guy. i have had this one without one and i havent scratch the screen once (have had it in my pocket with screws and nail on accident too a few times). I may end up ordering one, but i HATE the fact that the screen is curved on the sides and the protector doesnt go to the edge. IMO, just looks janky.
the 2 nexus phones is super interesting. I am REALLY hoping that the smaller LG made nexus is real cause i MIGHT be all over that. I had the g3 before this and really liked it. I did what they did with the g4, and as long as the new nexus takes the camera from the g4, that might be my next jump upgrade when it comes out. lol Not interested in a phone bigger than 5.5" anymore. After having the g3 for 6 months, and now going back to the smaller s6, i think this screen size is my sweet spot for sure.
id10terrordfw said:
N6 64GB to S6 64GB. No remorse whatsoever. Especially with a Tab S also, having things like SideSync is great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same experience for moving from a Nexus 6 to a S6.
Your making the right move op. I am not missing the stock experience at all as we already have Root / twrp / (tw for now, 920 T/F) ROM's / kernels / themes here. I've been busy flashing and finding largely positive results; devs are cool / smart peeps here. Much more stable options here imo.
Even just rooting and casually dialing back touchwiz to your liking is easy with titanium.
Moreover, the S6 hardware is largely unmatched to date. Backing up a 4.3gb .zip in twrp took 192/secs; octa 64bit rocks even on little stuff like that. Its not perfect, but its arguably THE superior android flagship right now.