So-Low Da Don
Android Enthusiast
Well let me reword that, I couldn't think of anything that mattered to me that was better than the E4GT. Like screen, form factor, video playback, browsing, overall smoothness, etc.
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Photon or Galaxy S2
- Thread starter snowcrash
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- motorola photon 4g
Well let me reword that, I couldn't think of anything that mattered to me that was better than the E4GT. Like screen, form factor, video playback, browsing, overall smoothness, etc.
Much better wording. Too many posts come across as absolutes rather than opinion and personal preference.
My need is world phone, display quality (including sunlight), call quality, speaker volume, battery life, and fast, smooth response. While I can't directly compare the two phones, the Photon meets all my requirements well exceeding my expectations. The car dock, video movie capability, HDMI out, and kickstand have been really cool bonuses.
As a result, I see absolutely no reason to look further. The trick is really understanding our own personal needs - recognizing there is really no need to compromise these days.
Mike
Well that is my question (a bit higher in the thread)
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Does the SG2 use the same parts (chips) for 4g, 3g and voice ? There was no doubt in my mind that the SG2 has a faster cpu/gpu; but I'm concern about reception (mostly voice), clarity (no static/distortion) and volume. I know the photon is fairly good in these areas and perhaps this post is a bit premature as no-one has the sg2 yet but maybe I'm mistaken there....
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We know the photon seems decent in these areas; is anything known abuot the gs2 performance ?
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Does the SG2 use the same parts (chips) for 4g, 3g and voice ? There was no doubt in my mind that the SG2 has a faster cpu/gpu; but I'm concern about reception (mostly voice), clarity (no static/distortion) and volume. I know the photon is fairly good in these areas and perhaps this post is a bit premature as no-one has the sg2 yet but maybe I'm mistaken there....
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We know the photon seems decent in these areas; is anything known abuot the gs2 performance ?
Androidalltheway
Android Enthusiast
My biggest gripe with the photon is the camera is poor IMHO, you can really see how grainy the screen is when trying to take a picture, plus their is no self timer, and the options are minimal. I understand its a phone, but for an 8mp camera my e3d took better pics, and it was 5mp, that's my opinion. The ET4G looks like it has a ton of options for cameras, and shoots 1080p, interesting though, no dedicated camera button for such a high end phone. It is clearly thinner, and according to all hands on impressions, very very fast
So-Low Da Don
Android Enthusiast
From the many reviews I've read, the call quality and volume is great on the international version, but reception is probably something you have to check on the E4GT.
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s2-930907/review?artc_pg=3
So-Low Da Don
Android Enthusiast
ghodzilla5150
Android Enthusiast
Then how come my pictures that I took at the Fair look pretty darn good to me. Matter of fact I am really impressed with the pictures I have taken FOR A PHONE and not a dedicated camera. It also has a Dedicated Camera Button.
I agree; the camera is good for a cell phone. To compare cameras takes some serious testing - not just subjective judgment. This review was posted which seems to be a reasonable analysis.
Android Camera Shootout: 13 Phones Put to the Test | PCWorld
it shows the photon to be a good still camera but excellent at video. This is perfect for me as I am more interested in Video. For serious stills, I will always use a real camera - but for casual snapshots, it will be just fine for my needs.
Mike
Wolfedude88
Android Expert
I actually don't care for my Photon' camera as much as I have on other phones. I still think it is okay, but to me it could be better. I do think however the video is awesome on the phone.
A few more things to consider...
If, as stated here, the ET4G has the same radios and the NS4G, well, that's unfortunate. I had terrible experience with an NS4G, and returned it. The MoPho CRUSHES the NS4G reception-wise. NO CONTEST. This includes the GPS.
Daylight readability is STELLAR on the MoPho. My NS4G was horrible in bright light. Jury's out on this one, but I'm betting the MoPho will be much better in full sunlight.
If the earpiece and speakerphone are better on the ET4G, I'll eat your hat.
Finally, the camera LED's are SIZZLING bright on the MoPho. To my eye, it takes amazing low-light photo and video compared to any other smartphone I've owned. ET4G appears to have a single LEG.
Summary: The ET4G may be a few ms faster doing this and that, and have a bigger (but lower res) screen. But... will it beat the MoPho out in the real world, or just on the spec sheet? We'll know soon enough, but my money's on the MoPho!
If, as stated here, the ET4G has the same radios and the NS4G, well, that's unfortunate. I had terrible experience with an NS4G, and returned it. The MoPho CRUSHES the NS4G reception-wise. NO CONTEST. This includes the GPS.
Daylight readability is STELLAR on the MoPho. My NS4G was horrible in bright light. Jury's out on this one, but I'm betting the MoPho will be much better in full sunlight.
If the earpiece and speakerphone are better on the ET4G, I'll eat your hat.
Finally, the camera LED's are SIZZLING bright on the MoPho. To my eye, it takes amazing low-light photo and video compared to any other smartphone I've owned. ET4G appears to have a single LEG.
Summary: The ET4G may be a few ms faster doing this and that, and have a bigger (but lower res) screen. But... will it beat the MoPho out in the real world, or just on the spec sheet? We'll know soon enough, but my money's on the MoPho!
So-Low Da Don
Android Enthusiast
Who was comparing the Nexus S to the Photon??? This is comparing the Photon to the SGS2. (in this case the Epic 4G Touch) you are comparing the Photon to a phone that came out last year like the E4GT has the same hardware. Just because it has the same radio doesn't mean they haven't fixed it or that it's going to perform the same, it may or it may not but you can't just down it without having any proof.
I can guarantee the Super Amoled + is more readable in full sunlight from a side by side experience (photon and infuse)
The SGS2 is a little better than the Photon and the E4GT adds on some things that make it even better (bigger screen, notification light, bigger battery)
But we won't know which one's better until the E4GT is released. My money's on the E4GT, just because of UI, camera, form factor, screen size, screen quality, video playback, processor, browsing speed, rootability, battery life (probably) and MHL (I heard the Photon didn't have this, correct me if I'm wrong)
Citizen Coyote
Android Enthusiast
Unless you absolutely need a phone now, anyone looking to upgrade soon is best served by waiting for the SG2 to come out so they can compare the two phones. I love my Photon and have no interest in the SG2 anymore (for various reasons posted elsewhere), but others will definitely find the SG2 more up their alley. I'm just glad we have so many choices.
I do hope the SG2 is a success, if only to show that Samsung has finally figured out both how to make a reliable phone and to support it. I really hope the SG2 doesn't go through the reception problems that plagued the Nexus S 4G, or the software update fiasco that hit the original Epic.
I do hope the SG2 is a success, if only to show that Samsung has finally figured out both how to make a reliable phone and to support it. I really hope the SG2 doesn't go through the reception problems that plagued the Nexus S 4G, or the software update fiasco that hit the original Epic.
Bit confused by one statement;
"ET4G adds ... notification light"
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Does the photon not have a notification light? If so are these two phones not equal in this area ?
"ET4G adds ... notification light"
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Does the photon not have a notification light? If so are these two phones not equal in this area ?
Wolfedude88
Android Expert
I think he just means that the ET4G adds a notification light that the original Samsung Galaxy S 2 didn't have. So that phone was already great and Sprint's version is adding more to it.
Samsung has consistently proven itself to cut corners...Their phones always have problems and pale in comparrison to Motorola in build quality. I tried hard to like and keep and the Nexus S but couldn't...Cheap build quality, poor reception, weak speakers.. The only thing it had going for itself was the display.
All around the Motorola Photon is an all around better phone in just about every single way.. Go with Moto and skip the Samsung...you'd be much happier in the long run!!!!
All around the Motorola Photon is an all around better phone in just about every single way.. Go with Moto and skip the Samsung...you'd be much happier in the long run!!!!
So-Low Da Don
Android Enthusiast
You're still talking about phones from last year like the Samsung Galaxy S2 isn't the best phone on the market. You can keep thinking that your Motorola Photon is the best, but there's more people who well say the Samsung Galaxy S2 is better.
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
But there is a valid point in the statement though. The SGS 1 was supposed to be a beast of a phone, but many were extremely disappointed in the lack of support that Samsung provided to US 1st generation Galaxy phones. Yes, without a doubt, the SGS 2 has gotten rave reviews ever since it was released overseas, but how it translates in the US is still a big question.
I think the SGS2 on paper looks absolutely fantastic, but does that necessarily mean that it'll get good support from Samsung this time around? That still remains to be seen. If they do improve, that's fantastic because people will start to jump on the bandwagon. If they maintain status quo for all their past devices (Instinct, Moment, Epic), then there are many that will be just as disappointed as they were with the Epic.
I have an Epic on my secondary line. I think it's a great phone, but I'm not sure I'd feel the same if that were my primary phone that I was using all the time. If the SGS 2 gets updates in the same timeframe as the Epic got its updates, the general consumers will not be happy. Yes, the tech folks won't care (because they'll all be rooting the phone), but the general public will not have the same view.
Just my .02. And I don't think there's any reason to trash the MoPho as if it's nothing. It's a fantastic phone and for business purposes is great. Is it the same caliber as the Galaxy S 2? The real indicator won't really show until a few months down the line, when all the devices have been out for some time.
I was just talking about the RADIOS in the GS4G. My experience was terrible; if the ET4G has the same radios, well, we'll see. It's one thing for Samsung to make a good GSM GSII product line, but CDMA is an entirely different beast.
Also, no way my GS4G could compare to the MoPho in direct sun--not even close.
Also, no way my GS4G could compare to the MoPho in direct sun--not even close.
So-Low Da Don
Android Enthusiast
Notice that in my last post I said that "Super Amoled +" is more readable in direct sunlight (the screen on the E4GT, SGS2, Infuse) not the original "Super Amoled" (the screen on the NS4G, SGS) which obviously isn't as good.
Don't forget last year, Samsung's GS series was also touted to be the best, just like the GS2 is now. But I'm telling you, this is just a broader corporate strategy of Samsung...to flood the market with as many models as possible. They've proven themselves to be the worst manufacturer when it comes to keeping up support for a device let alone the overall phone quality.
I'm not saying the Photon is 100% flawless...but overall is faaaar better than any Samsung on the market. In any case, if you're hell bent on the GS2, go ahead and get it... and let's see how you'll like in the long run.
So-Low Da Don
Android Enthusiast
Well seeing that I will be rooting and installing custom ROMs on my E4GT, I don't have to worry about Samsung's support... and stock or custom, any SGS2 will outperform any Motorola phone, easily.
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
That's correct. You won't have to worry, as I had assumed based on your enthusiasm that you'd be rooting the phone.
But that also does not apply for the majority. So yes, in theory, the SGS2 is a fantastic phone (even the US domestic version is likely to be great), but not necessarily the best risk for the general consumers that wouldn't root.
None of the tech blogs or advertisements ever talk about "rooting" the phone or even phone support. If the reviews mention rooting, it's more in passing because they know that the reviews would be better suited for the "masses," which would not include the "tech" community that would be inclined to root the phone.
Bottom line - No doubt that the specs on the SGS2 are fantastic. Lack of stock support from the manufacturer has to be taken into consideration for the masses. Does that equate to the SGS2 being extremely superior to the MoPho?...Only in certain respects, maybe.
whatsitsname
Android Enthusiast
Support from Samsung and rooting are separate. Just take a look at epic 4g and nexus 4g. No amount of rooting can solve their gps and signal/reception problem until Samsung released an update for it.