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Galaxy s4 v. iphone 6?
- Thread starter heycal
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- samsung galaxy s4
MLSS
Android Expert
Didn't we just go through entire debate about weather you were gonna keep the G2 (or was it a G3) vs an iPhone 6?
Im pretty sure we all came to a concensus that you are an iPhone guy at heart and should just go with that since you argued with every single positive thing anyone else said about Android....
And the size difference between the S4 and S5 isn't that much lol
Im pretty sure we all came to a concensus that you are an iPhone guy at heart and should just go with that since you argued with every single positive thing anyone else said about Android....
And the size difference between the S4 and S5 isn't that much lol
Right, we did go through this with the G2. Loved the phone, but it was just too glitchy. And a little too big (so that eliminates the even larger s5 from consideration.) Now it's between s4 and iphone 6.
And I'm not quite an iphone guy at heart. There are things I absolutely detest about iphone, and find its features -- or lack thereof -- laughable in comparison to what Android can do. What I DO like about iphone is it's reliable performance and lack of need to tinker under the hood. Really about 50/50 when it comes to platform.
Not sure what the point is. It's personal preference, when it comes down to it. One man's "I can configure it anyway I want" is another man's "It's too hard to use"
One man's "I like that I can add SDCard/battery" is another man's "I like thin pretty looking devices"
So again, what would be the point of this thread? Buy the one you like more. It's as simple as that.
hsb
One man's "I like that I can add SDCard/battery" is another man's "I like thin pretty looking devices"
So again, what would be the point of this thread? Buy the one you like more. It's as simple as that.
hsb
If it was a simple as "buy the one I like more" I wouldn't have posted the thread.
But then, I suspect you fail to see the point of many discussions on a variety of topics...
I may do that. But seeing as about 99% of what's found on the internet is trivial, I don't see what's any different about this thread.
dynomot
Android Expert
The only way to do it is write down what you want from a phone and check off whether either device meets your needs.
For instance is an SD card important? Have you a large collection of music in i-Tunes you need on your new device. Are you already immersed in an Apple centric culture with a Mac, or perhaps an iPad? Do you like tinkering and altering things. Do you like things to just work or do you like making things work best for you? Is the cost of an iPhone 6 prohibitive conpared to the cheaper Samsung Galaxy S4?
You see what I'm saying? The one that ends up with the most ticks against it should be the one to go for. Unless you are looking for a flame war on the hackneyed, pointless and ultimately futile argument of Apple v Android.
Pick the phone you want and will be happy with using. That is the only criteria you should use, in what is an investment that at the cheapest option is, for me, half a week's pay.
For instance is an SD card important? Have you a large collection of music in i-Tunes you need on your new device. Are you already immersed in an Apple centric culture with a Mac, or perhaps an iPad? Do you like tinkering and altering things. Do you like things to just work or do you like making things work best for you? Is the cost of an iPhone 6 prohibitive conpared to the cheaper Samsung Galaxy S4?
You see what I'm saying? The one that ends up with the most ticks against it should be the one to go for. Unless you are looking for a flame war on the hackneyed, pointless and ultimately futile argument of Apple v Android.
Pick the phone you want and will be happy with using. That is the only criteria you should use, in what is an investment that at the cheapest option is, for me, half a week's pay.
The problem I have with comparison lists is that desirable features and drawbacks are all of varying levels of importance. So you could have one device that has 12 ticks for it, and another with only 6 ticks, but if the 6 ticks are very important, that's probably the phone you should go with. The tricky part is figuring just how important each feature is. Is a notification light more important than a great integrated mailbox, and so on?
A flame war? Between who and what, and for what purpose? I like both Android and IOS almost equally. These two devices intrique me. I'd like to hear people make an argument for or against either of these two devices.
If this thread doesn't interest you, may I show you the exit?
dynomot
Android Expert
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, flame war wise. 
You have to realise that any comparison is subjective. As you rightly point out once you have a rough idea, "ticks for" wise you either have to say that one is a clear winner or find one of the ticks is more important than other things.
Mangaling a clich
You have to realise that any comparison is subjective. As you rightly point out once you have a rough idea, "ticks for" wise you either have to say that one is a clear winner or find one of the ticks is more important than other things.
Mangaling a clich
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, flame war wise.
You have to realise that any comparison is subjective. As you rightly point out once you have a rough idea, "ticks for" wise you either have to say that one is a clear winner or find one of the ticks is more important than other things.
Mangaling a clich
But it's a forum dedicated to S4. So naturally, you're going to get S4 slanted view. As for discussion, I can tell you that I despise Iphones. They are pretty to look at, but I can't customize it in any way shape or form. You can't change the number of rows/columns of icons, you can't change the keyboard (although you get a limited Swiftkey, now), you can't get expanded SD cards support, etc.etc. etc.
It locks you into an ecosystem that I'm not willing to buy into. So I'll say it again: If you like to customize the screen, the display, the lock screen, and every other aspect of the phone, go with Android phones -S4 is perfectly respectable phone. If you like simplicity - because you can't tinker as much, go with Iphone 6.
Also, it's not that people are apathetic about it, but it's just that for every argument about one phone, there's a counter point that's just as valid.
It locks you into an ecosystem that I'm not willing to buy into. So I'll say it again: If you like to customize the screen, the display, the lock screen, and every other aspect of the phone, go with Android phones -S4 is perfectly respectable phone. If you like simplicity - because you can't tinker as much, go with Iphone 6.
Also, it's not that people are apathetic about it, but it's just that for every argument about one phone, there's a counter point that's just as valid.
Great. So when can I expect to get it? It hasn't happened yet.
This is a really an android v. apple statement, of all which I already know. Nothing about the devices themselves.
Yes. As in almost every aspect of life. But hearing various arguments is still interesting and of value to many.
Boy, it's like pulling teeth here… I posted a similar thread in an Apple forum, and got all sorts of responses and interesting information, many arguing for iphone 6 (as you would expect) and detailing exactly why they thought it was superior, and a few explaining why the s4 was actually better. All sorts of things like "this one is faster, this one's screen is so-so, this one has a better battery", and so on.
So I thought I'd get a take on the same question from an Android Forum. Alas, it has not proved as fruitful...
jackroo
Android Enthusiast
Here's the deal:
I've had every iPhone from original to the 4S. I switched to an S3 (I now have an S4) and despite the iPhone 6 and 6+ increase in screen size I would NOT get one and here's why:
1) I'm more into Google's ecosystem (gmail and drive)
2) at 5 inches tall the S4 is about the maximum I'd go on screen size. It's a perfect size device. Yes the 4.7 inch iPhone 6 is good too but it would feel like a step back from my S4
3) customization. Someone said it well earlier in this thread: iPhones are nice to look at but you cannot customize the look and feel of it like you can with Android.
4) removable battery. I have the power to carry along a spare battery with me during the work day unlike iPhone where the battery is sealed. I like this about my S4.
5) root access! The S4 is crazy easy to root and flash custom ROMs. Being a big fan of easy-to-root devices and custom ROMs I enjoy this about my S4
6) I can run the latest Android software even after Samsung stops official support. Not only that but let's say I didn't like the new 4.x.x or 5.x.x software? With root I can flash back to a custom ROM and have a wide variety. The Android community is active. I cannot do that on iPhone.
For the record I went to Sprint and played around with the new 6. I held it, tested speeds, processor and everything I could about it. I still prefer my S4 over it.
The S4 has been extremely good to me and does everything I need it to do.
Jack
Thanks, Jack. Nice analysis.
How is the battery on the S4?
One small thing I like about the S4 over the iphone 6 is its physical size -- not as tall, which is a plus, and but a bigger screen, another plus.
What about any glitch factor? I was a bit troubled by how many things went wrong and how many odd hiccups there were were the otherwise great LG 62 I tried out for awhile (two different units). After using an iphone 4 that always performed as expected for the previous six months I was using it, I was a bit taken aback, and grew concerned about Android in general.
jackroo
Android Enthusiast
I have had zero glitches or battery issues with my S4 since April. I like the physical size of the S4 vs iPhone. I just generally like the feel of it too.
I don't have any history using LG devices so I cannot comment on them. Strictly a Samsung user. I will say that Samsung puts out some excellent quality from what I've seen. For example: I had constant overheating issues with my iPhone 4 and 4S but none with my Samsungs. I even had a refurbished Samsung S3 that I rooted and never had it fail on me.
I don't have any history using LG devices so I cannot comment on them. Strictly a Samsung user. I will say that Samsung puts out some excellent quality from what I've seen. For example: I had constant overheating issues with my iPhone 4 and 4S but none with my Samsungs. I even had a refurbished Samsung S3 that I rooted and never had it fail on me.
You have to understand there are two different user experience philosophies in the development of iOS and Android. Android is very chatty about what goes on under the hood. If something goes wrong it lets you know. The idea being that open source philosophy of more eyes on a problem fixes it faster. iOS on the other hand keeps as much from the user as it can. When something is "glitchy" on an iPhone, 9.9 times out of 10 it bombs out to the desktop without ever giving the user any indication something has gone wrong.
From a user standpoint, it makes iOS seem much more stable and reliable, even though statistically it has been reported that iOS has more app crashes than Android.
sreum
Android Enthusiast
LG run cooler than S4. And they are more customizable out of the box compared to Samsung and iPhone.
I too prefer the size of the s4.
The battery performs well, huh? Some former s4 folks who've switched to iphone 6 say the 6 is far superior in battery life.
When you compared your s4 to the iphone 6 in the store, you felt it was just as fast and performed just as well?
I've seen this argument before. But I gotta tell you, if iphone is hiding all their problems, they do a damn good job of it. And if your phone appears to you to work exactly as its supposed to, well, that counts for a lot, ya know?
More customizable? How so?
I'm sorry if you mistook my explanation as an argument. It wasn't intended to be argumentative or promote one paradigm above the other. Apple (iOS) is indeed expert and keeping users insulated from the nut's and bolts, dings and scratches in the underpinnings of the OS. And, it has given them quite a good reputation for reliability. It's also one of the reasons they can hold their updates according to their schedule ... the majority of users don't even realize there is an issue.
I do believe that Android issues get addressed faster because of the more open nature of the platform, but it does create a lot of chatter in the blogosphere which gives Android the impression of being buggy and glitchy. I also think that it contributes to the rapid development of Android as well as its ability to address and adapt to user wants and needs in the face of hardware advancements.
I know this is a bit of a dig at Apple (These are "Android Forums" afterall
) but this is my perception of the platforms ....
So you know where I stand as far as opinions go. I will say this, both paradigms are very successful. Apple as a company is the 800 pound tech gorilla on Wall Street, up there (or above) Microsoft and Google. They have a stellar reputation for quality and service and phenomenal user loyalty. Android has global marketshare that ANY company would be envious of with no signs of decline.
I don't know if this helps your decision at all. For me, I like to know what's going on under tho hood and iPhones frustrate me in that regard. I also like the variety of devices and configurations Android offers. The fact that one might have a 4% edge on battery life or take a marginally better picture un certain conditions really is rather moot, in my eyes.
This is a good point. I would gladly trade 10% less battery life for a notification light and no annoying iphone outgoing text sound, for example.
That said, I myself definitely do NOT want to know what's going on under the hood. With Android, I feel I have to to manage the phone, keeping an eye out for open apps or unexplained battery drains, and there are always various notifications for one thing or another. iphone leaves me alone more, and I feel I can leave it alone more in return.
Also, your "argument"
about how IOS just hides its problems better still fails to impress me. As I said before, if you don't realize you are supposedly having a problem, you pretty much aren't having one. I mean, I'd rather live to be 80 years old having few complaints about my health and then have an autopsy reveal that I had all sorts of health problems over the years I wasn't aware of, then live to be 80 years old running off to the doctor's every few weeks, wouldn't you?
Choosing a phone is like dating. What you find attractive might not be my cup of tea and when you meet the right girl and *don't* marry her, you've only go yourself to blame.
Now, I feel Android *allows* me to manage and monitor when I want and need to, but i don't *have* to. I can turn on the notifications I want and turn off the ones I don't. Now if i could only figure out how to make that work with my wife.
Also, your "argument"
Good, because I want' trying to impress you.
... said the man with the peanut allergy about to eat a Snickers bar.
Let's expand on your medical analogy, just for fun (I hope you're having fun.
) ....Two men (or women), Chris and Francis, at age 75 go for a checkup. Both have a condition/disease that gives them 5 years to live with gradually worsening symptoms. Chris' doctor says "go home, you're fine" and then proceeds to try and work on an effective treatment for Chris' condition. Francis' doctors says "Francis, I'm afraid you have a condition ... 5 years to live. Keep me informed of your progress and we'll work on a treatment."
Chris has put ultimate trust in his doctor to have his best interest in mind, whether he knows or not.
Francis, on the other hand, has taken some affirmative action on his own behalf by working with his doctor.
Five years go by and ...
- Chris' doctor tells him/her we have this treatment for a condition we found 5 years ago, but didn't tell you about. Chris lives.
- Chris' doctor fails to find an effective treatment because, while he did his/her best to develop one, there wasn't enough clinical feedback or because Chris was one of 500 patients, he/she wasn't a priority. Chris dies.
- Chris never has the opportunity to seek alternative treatment because Chris didn't even know there was a problem. R.I.P. Chris.
Or ....
- Francis works with his/her doctor to develop and effective treatment in 5 years. Francis lives.
- Francis works with his/her doctor to develop and effective treatment in less than 5 years. Francis lives longer, problem free.
- Francis' doctor fails to find an effective treatment because, while he did his/her best to develop one, clinical feedback was not helpful or because Francis was one of 500 patients, he/she wasn't a priority. Francis dies.
- Francis realizes that he/she is not a priority, or that the doctor is not making progress, so Francis seeks alternative treatment. Francis lives.
- Francis seeks alternative treatment, but that proves fruitless. Francis still dies.
Now, for five years, Chris has led a happy, worry-free life while Francis has had the burden of knowing that the end might be coming. In my scenario, Francis has a better chance at survival. Some people would rather have those 5 worry-free years. Others would rather fight a possibly losing battle. But, and here's the catch, it doesn't matter.
If I prefer Francis' approach over Chris, it doesn't make me "right". And if Francis tries to persuade Chris to a more proactive approach to his/her health, it doesn't make them helpful, only obnoxious.
Now, if Chris ASKS Francis for advice and Francis offers his proactive approach, it's up to Chris what to do with it.
Coming next ... CAR ANALOGIES!
No, not really. 