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Hey Guys!

Muilisx

Muilisx

Android Expert
Hello!

I'm coming over from the LG Motion. I guess, like, pretty much....upgrade, but I wasn't planning on getting this phone but my Motion died, and I was trying to find something that was cheap like the Motion , but at the same time, having all that internal space available to the user. Well, it did not take me long to see that the LG F3 and F6 were both appealing for their price range, they just lacked internal storage. I bought the One Touch Fierce as it was the only phone with more than 1GB to the user for cheap, but soon realized how crappy the camera was, and I sent it right back. I mean, I know it was bad, but c'mon, not THAT bad. I couldn't even video record properly. Like, it would be all nice and bright in picture mode, and then as soon as you hit record, everything went dark, and crappy, and it really did make me realize that I'm holding crap in my hand to rely on as my phone.

Long story short, I decided to stop wasting time, and money and bought the S4. Now, I have the absolute BEST when it comes to MetroPCS and their phone line up. I don't have to worry about running out of space, or having to remove apps to install others, or even better yet, now I don't have to worry about rooting my device, and opening that WHOLE world JUST to BE ABLE TO move stuff around, or remove certain things because I'll have so much space. 9.1GB, I'm not sure what's available to us but I know for damn sure, it's way more than just 1GB compared to the other phones, and worry free about running out of space. I mean, I may consider root at some point for bloatware, but with the amount of space this phone offers, I see no reason to even remove bloatware with such a fast fast device such as this.

I'm hoping to join the S4 community as part of the team, and any additional information would be awesome, or just the reinsurance of making the right choice of going with this phone. I did the overnight for $9.95 as I figured what's $10 more after $600, right? I should have the phone tomorrow.

I'm now trying to find a nice hybrid case.
 
One word of caution. If it comes with 4.3 it'll probably work with no problems. If not, DO NOT accept the update to 4.3. From everything we've seen here an updates S4 isn't as bad as an updated S3 (some of them brick or become totally unusable), but there are still bugs in the update. But it's not a 4.3 problem - phones shipped with 4.3 work fine.

So if you keep getting the reminder to update, learn to ignore it. Or at least read all the horror stories before doing anything else.

Good luck with the phone. I opted for the Note 3 because of the screen size and S Pen, but the G4 was on the short list.
 
Rukbat said:
One word of caution. If it comes with 4.3 it'll probably work with no problems. If not, DO NOT accept the update to 4.3. From everything we've seen here an updates S4 isn't as bad as an updated S3 (some of them brick or become totally unusable), but there are still bugs in the update. But it's not a 4.3 problem - phones shipped with 4.3 work fine.

So if you keep getting the reminder to update, learn to ignore it. Or at least read all the horror stories before doing anything else.

Good luck with the phone. I opted for the Note 3 because of the screen size and S Pen, but the G4 was on the short list.
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Thanks for the heads up. I'll be sure to look for that right after my initial charge.
 
I'm not knocking what Rukbat said, because there are certainly some horror stories about the upgrade, but I upgraded my S4 when the upgrade became available and have had no issues at all. Having have used Android devices for quite some time now, I have learned that, after an update, to perform a Factory Reset. I know they are a PITA, but it seems to help avoid update woes. Since your phone will be brand new and you won't have a lot invested in setting up and loading apps, you may want to go ahead and do the update. As I said above, I have taken the upgrade and have no issues. My son also has an S4 and he hasn't had any issues with the upgrade either.

@Rukbat, Please don't take offense to this, I just thought a different opinion was warranted.
 
BigRedGonzo;[URL="tel:[URL="tel:6402656" said:
6402656[/URL]"]6402656[/URL]]I'm not knocking what Rukbat said, because there are certainly some horror stories about the upgrade, but I upgraded my S4 when the upgrade became available and have had no issues at all. Having have used Android devices for quite some time now, I have learned that, after an update, to perform a Factory Reset. I know they are a PITA, but it seems to help avoid update woes. Since your phone will be brand new and you won't have a lot invested in setting up and loading apps, you may want to go ahead and do the update. As I said above, I have taken the upgrade and have no issues. My son also has an S4 and he hasn't had any issues with the upgrade either.

@Rukbat, Please don't take offense to this, I just thought a different opinion was warranted.
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I was going to give the same advice about upgrading to 4.3. I've had my S4 since June 2013 and did the OTA 4.3. update without any problems. (I'm waiting to factory reset after we receive 4.4.)

As far as the camera is concerned, Its one of the best. It does have a lot of shooting modes and features. But once you learn what there for and how to use them, you'll love it. By default, the camera is set to 9 MP right out the box. If you want 13 MP, you will have to change it in the camera settings. Also, when using the flash, the pictures don't snap as fast w/o the flash. (Just an observation.)

Turn off all the S stuff your not going to use. (Smart pause, Smart Stay, Air View, etc.) You might want to go thru the stock apps and turn off all apps your not going to be using too.

Use power saving mode and auto screen brightness. (The screen uses a lot of battery.)

Make sure to turn off location reporting as well, if you don't need it. If you do, use mobile network and not GPS for location reporting. (It will help with battery drain.)

Get a case for it. Even though its made of plastic, the screen will crack when dropped. My wife dropped hers and even with the insurance, it was $200 for a new replacement. (Her screen wouldn't even turn on after the drop.)
 
BigRedGonzo said:
I'm not knocking what Rukbat said, because there are certainly some horror stories about the upgrade, but I upgraded my S4 when the upgrade became available and have had no issues at all. Having have used Android devices for quite some time now, I have learned that, after an update, to perform a Factory Reset. I know they are a PITA, but it seems to help avoid update woes. Since your phone will be brand new and you won't have a lot invested in setting up and loading apps, you may want to go ahead and do the update. As I said above, I have taken the upgrade and have no issues. My son also has an S4 and he hasn't had any issues with the upgrade either.

@Rukbat, Please don't take offense to this, I just thought a different opinion was warranted.
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Ditto what BRG said. I'd update that sucker in a heartbeat and do the FDR before I got heavily invested in a lot of apps and tweaks.

Keep in mind that KitKat (4.4.2) should be out very soon too. I didn't have to do the FDR when I updated from 4.2.2 to 4.3. But I expect I'll have to do that with the update to 4.4.2. That will mean hours of reinstalling and tweaking apps. Yay. I can hardly wait.
 
I have to echo what others have said about the 4.3 update. I've had my S4 since October 2013. I updated the phone. It's performed flawlessly since. Battery life is good. 12-18 hrs with moderate use. I do have most of the S stuff disabled. Some of it just seems silly. Power saving mode and auto brightness are on.

Enjoy!
 
I've also had no problems updating my phone. The original defective Verizon 4.3 was quickly updated with a good one. BTW., you might consider changing the subject to something better than "Hey guys" lots won't read posts with subjects like that.
 
I got just about 24 hours out of the battery after my first charge. Pretty decent, and that was with a few S features turned on. I probably would of been just as happy with the S3, but for $200 more, it's all good. I have it on a no APR for 15 months Chase Freedom card so I can pay the minimum if I wanted to which I probably will for the first few months until my business starts up.

Anyway, so far, I really do like the phone. It's very very smooth, very responsive, very fast, and the 4G LTE from MetroPCS is not bad AT ALL. I'm pulling 22/MB down and that's in NY where signal strength usually isn't the best. So, that's pretty good for 4G LTE on MetroPCS. The phone is packed with TONS of features, too bad it didn't come with a nice fat manual even though I don't need it. That fat book it came with was the warranty information and at first I thought, wow, what a big manual, lol.

However, one setting I can't find is to turn off the looping home pages. I'm not too fond on the looping. I would rather scroll to the last page, and be forced to swipe back the other way to the other pages instead of it looping over. I know different launchers have that setting, but there are SOO many settings, I'm actually shocked that toggling page looping isn't one of them unless for some reason I just keep missing it which I don't think I did as I checked everywhere. Another thing I've noticed is I have the LED indicator turned off for low battery, but the phone still blinks red when the screen is off for low battery, but it only started doing it during the last 2 or 3% of the battery so now sure if that's just automatic regardless of the setting. I have the phone off and charging again because I do believe in full charge, and full discharge of a new battery for the first 2 or 3 charges even though with the new batteries these days, that's probably not required.

I guess I won't update to 4.3, and I'll wait until 4.4.2 unless I NEED 4.3 to go to 4.4.2. I don't have too many applications installed right now so I guess resetting won't be too big of a headache right now.

Anyway, thanks for all the replies, and I look forward to checking up again in a little bit.
 
I think I might return the S4 and go with the S3. $600 is too expensive, and I won't be losing much at all besides a little processing speed, and smart features which I won't use anyway. I think I rather have a black phone too. The S3 has more space too. Not sure though. I hate having to wait 7 to 14 days for a refund. I even already sent out the rebate. not sure if Metro would take it back without the outer sleeve of the box and no UPC. We'll find out.
 
Alright, well I sent it back Via FedEx. It was a great phone indeed but it was $600 through MetroPCS, and even though I'll be making good money real soon. It's still a ton of coin. The S3 after rebate is $350 which I could swing, and be happier about. The screen size is only 0.2" smaller, and it's still a HD display. The camera is a 8MP, with 1080P video recording which is more than enough honestly. The S4 was set to 9.6MP and I didn't even realize it, and I see that the 13MP mode is only 4:3 anyway and not 16:9, so I would of most likely left the S4 at 9.6MP because it was 16:9.

I'm going to wait until MetroPCS receives the phone, and issues me my refund before I order another phone, as I don't want to take the chance of them finding some lame excuse to send the S4 back, and not issue me a refund even though the phone is in MINT condition, and has less than 60 minutes of talk time. I meet all the refund requirements so I should be ok.

I really do appreciate all the feedback and information you guys provided me with, and maybe one day I'll have a top of the line phone but right now, my budget requires me to go a little cheaper, and I still feel the S3 will pack a good punch for me, and I think I'll like a blue/black phone better.

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s3/822384-coming-over-s4.html#post6405474
 
NY11725 said:
Alright, well I sent it back Via FedEx. It was a great phone indeed but it was $600 through MetroPCS, and even though I'll be making good money real soon. It's still a ton of coin. The S3 after rebate is $350 which I could swing, and be happier about. The screen size is only 0.2" smaller, and it's still a HD display. The camera is a 8MP, with 1080P video recording which is more than enough honestly. The S4 was set to 9.6MP and I didn't even realize it, and I see that the 13MP mode is only 4:3 anyway and not 16:9, so I would of most likely left the S4 at 9.6MP because it was 16:9.

I'm going to wait until MetroPCS receives the phone, and issues me my refund before I order another phone, as I don't want to take the chance of them finding some lame excuse to send the S4 back, and not issue me a refund even though the phone is in MINT condition, and has less than 60 minutes of talk time. I meet all the refund requirements so I should be ok.

I really do appreciate all the feedback and information you guys provided me with, and maybe one day I'll have a top of the line phone but right now, my budget requires me to go a little cheaper, and I still feel the S3 will pack a good punch for me, and I think I'll like a blue/black phone better.

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s3/822384-coming-over-s4.html#post6405474
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Sure, anytime. Come back here if you ever get an S4 again. Sticking with what you can afford, instead of what you want, is a wiser decision in the long run.
 
itsallgood said:
Sure, anytime. Come back here if you ever get an S4 again. Sticking with what you can afford, instead of what you want, is a wiser decision in the long run.
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Cool, thanks for being cool about it and not putting me down. My Uncle wants a S4, so he is going to get one with ATT if they have it so I'll still be lurking the S4 section :)
 
You're a strong man for returning it, in the end your financial being is more important than having the latest and greatest device, I had an S3 but broke it, it was a fantastic phone and the great thing about the US S3 is that it has 2GB RAM and LTE from the get go, so enjoy it!
 
Tsepz_GP said:
You're a strong man for returning it, in the end your financial being is more important than having the latest and greatest device, I had an S3 but broke it, it was a fantastic phone and the great thing about the US S3 is that it has 2GB RAM and LTE from the get go, so enjoy it!
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Thanks :)

I woke up the morning after I bought it, and every time I picked it up, or looked at it, it reminded me of the $600 I spent to get it, and deep down, at this point in time, it bothered me. Yes, the S3 is still $400 compared to the LG F3 for $50, or the F6 for $80, but for $25 a month with no interest for 15 months, screw it, and I'll get the S3. It won't be the best of the best, but it's still WAY better than the other smartphones available through MetroPCS. So yes, I was strong for returning it, but it was definitely a weight lifted off my shoulders knowing, I saved $200. My S3 arrives tomorrow, I'll charge her up fully, perhaps update the firmware, and do a reset before I start installing anything just in case I encounter problems after updating.
 
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