Hey everyone. This is my first foray into the android world after almost 7 years with every iPhone ever made! Happy to be here. Loving the new Galaxy S5. I narrowed my choices down to the S5, Note 3 and the One M8. I think I made the right choice just that I have this feeling for some weird reason that I'm missing something with not getting the Note 3 or the M8. Maybe it's the stylus and the different UI with the M8. If someone can just reaffirm that I made a good decision with my first ever Android device I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks!!!
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Galaxy S5 Love it or leave it?
- Thread starter ceekay820
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- samsung galaxy s5
You made the right choice. There. Reaffirmed.
Seriously though, I just came from an iPhone as well. My first smart phone was a Blackberry Curve and it was ok, but it sucked for anything but email and texting. My next smart phone was the original Droid Incredible by HTC. That phone was horrible and I had problems with it from day one but I stuck with it because I thought it was just me not being used to Android. I talked to several other people that had this phone as well and they had so many problems with them that they got rid of it almost as soon as they got it. I stuck with it and continued to have problem after problem for 2 years, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth for Android. Once the iPhone finally came to Verizon, I jumped ship to Apple and got the 4s when I was due for upgrade. I loved it. It was a great phone and I never really had any problems with it. Still, after using it for just over 2 years, I wanted to give Android a try again because it has made great strides since the Android 2.2 days and I just wanted something different for a while. I don't regret my decision. The Galaxy S5 is an awesome phone and the more I use it, the more I like it. I'm not bashing Apple by any means because I still think they make excellent phones, but I was ready for a change.
In regard to the HTC One M8....my wife just got this phone in late March just a few days after it was released. She was a die-hard Apple fan and loved her iPhone 5, but the battery was giving her problems and dying at random times, even with 44% charge left. Sometimes it wouldn't turn on again until it was plugged into a charger. The last thing you want is to be stranded somewhere with an unreliable phone, right? She started looking into what Android had to offer just out of curiosity and when she went to the local VZW store and tried it out, she liked it almost immediately and she bought it right then. She still gets annoyed from time to time because not everything works the same way it did on the iPhone, but she's getting used to it.
I played around with the M8 and I like it a lot. I love the superior audio and front-facing speakers and I like Sense much more than Samsung's TouchWiz interface. The M8 is also a bit heavier, which I actually kind of like and it looks like a premium grade phone. The major drawback and the main reason I didn't get it is because of the "just ok" camera. If the M8 would have had the same camera as the Galaxy S5, I would have gone with the M8. Having said that, I don't regret my decision to go with the S5.
Seriously though, I just came from an iPhone as well. My first smart phone was a Blackberry Curve and it was ok, but it sucked for anything but email and texting. My next smart phone was the original Droid Incredible by HTC. That phone was horrible and I had problems with it from day one but I stuck with it because I thought it was just me not being used to Android. I talked to several other people that had this phone as well and they had so many problems with them that they got rid of it almost as soon as they got it. I stuck with it and continued to have problem after problem for 2 years, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth for Android. Once the iPhone finally came to Verizon, I jumped ship to Apple and got the 4s when I was due for upgrade. I loved it. It was a great phone and I never really had any problems with it. Still, after using it for just over 2 years, I wanted to give Android a try again because it has made great strides since the Android 2.2 days and I just wanted something different for a while. I don't regret my decision. The Galaxy S5 is an awesome phone and the more I use it, the more I like it. I'm not bashing Apple by any means because I still think they make excellent phones, but I was ready for a change.
In regard to the HTC One M8....my wife just got this phone in late March just a few days after it was released. She was a die-hard Apple fan and loved her iPhone 5, but the battery was giving her problems and dying at random times, even with 44% charge left. Sometimes it wouldn't turn on again until it was plugged into a charger. The last thing you want is to be stranded somewhere with an unreliable phone, right? She started looking into what Android had to offer just out of curiosity and when she went to the local VZW store and tried it out, she liked it almost immediately and she bought it right then. She still gets annoyed from time to time because not everything works the same way it did on the iPhone, but she's getting used to it.
I played around with the M8 and I like it a lot. I love the superior audio and front-facing speakers and I like Sense much more than Samsung's TouchWiz interface. The M8 is also a bit heavier, which I actually kind of like and it looks like a premium grade phone. The major drawback and the main reason I didn't get it is because of the "just ok" camera. If the M8 would have had the same camera as the Galaxy S5, I would have gone with the M8. Having said that, I don't regret my decision to go with the S5.
Firewill10
Android Enthusiast
Good choice. And if u really want a stylus for the s5 u can turn on the extra sensitivity for the glove and stylus use
Thanks for the reaffirmation. And for the welcome. Apple does make great phones but after 7 years I needed a change. I don't regret switching by any means and I love this galaxy s5. Just didn't know if I was missing anything productivity wise compared to the Note 3. I guess other than the stylus probably not. This phones specs are superior anyway. I'll keep this until the Note 4 comes out or the next HTC actually has a comparable camera. Thanks again!!
I think you made the right choice! I dumped all apple products and do not regret it. They were too annoying with their single button and syncing with the computer and such that I would often get so frustrated I would want to throw things! I never felt that way with my Samsung/Android products. It's so easy to use, better quality, much more durable. I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (tablet) and I don't really use the stylus at all. I got it because I thought I would. I take it to conferences and meetings and such - I take out the stylus thinking I will use it as a notebook. And I do use it sometimes, but not quite as often as I thought. So I think you made the right decision with the S5!
I really would have no problem switching to the Note 3. I don't mind the size. Since I'm new to Android, the changes to TouchWiz aren't a big deal, and the camera and processor are minimal. The internal storage would be great. The Ram would be great. My biggest concern right now: Kit Kat 4.4.2. I am a Verizon customer and have no idea when I will be getting this update if at all. That bothers me a bit. Coming from having an iPhone for so long I was so used to just getting the latest software with the phone whenever it was released. I just feel like with the larger size, the stylus and it's features and kit kat I would be even happier with the Note 3. Anyone have any thoughts?? Thanks
I was in the same dilemma except on the flip side of the coin. I bought the Note 3 and a S5 on the S5 release day. S5 for the wife and the note 3 for me. Coming from the S4, it felt really big and but very familiar since the UI is similar. The S5 is a nice phone though. Very smooth and great camera, although the camera on the Note takes incredible pictures as well. I think a lot of that is the person and place the pictures are being taken. After over a week in, the Note 3 doesn't feel too big anymore. Now when I grab the S5 it feels small, but obviously not too small. Finger print unlock and the updated UI are nice features of the S5. I prefer the screen real estate, but if 5.1" is enough for you, stay with the S5. I think the S-Pen is neat but more novelty than function. I'm sure there are some power users that can probably make it scream, but I am not among them.
Cobravision
Android Expert
If you want SPen type functionality on the S5, turn on the touch sensitivity and use a graphite pencil to draw on the screen.
jack58
Android Expert
Works great with any stylus. I rarely use my fingers as I hate finger prints... and a stylus is more precise. I have several types of stylus, top of line ones for use at home and a heart shaped one that is like a keychain that plugs into the phone jack, that way I'm never without a stylus.