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Upgrade to Galaxy S5? Opinions!

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kevinmcc

Newbie
Hey all I am due for an upgrade and been stuck on the S5.. I have heard a lot of good things about the S5 but the only thing I hate is the "touch wiz" i think its called.

I am an iPhone user now, so I am not sure if thats what it is called, I like the HTC One(M8) Sense 6 ALOT better...

But I will never buy a phone without a PHYSICAL home button.. so the S5 is the clear winner and the water resistant is a huge plus for me.

So can you change out the touch wiz to sense 6? Sorry for the noobish ? I just feel like the touch wiz is not as responsive and a lot slower and opening and just operating compared to the HTC OneM8
 
Touchwiz and Sense are the collective customizations that Samsung and HTC add on top of Android. That is not interchangeable. You can get a stock Android experience on both if you buy a Google Play Edition (GPE) of either one of those phones (no carrier discount...you have to buy them outright). Or you can root it (like jailbreaking an iPhone) and put on a custom ROM.

The G5 is a great device. For every person that complains about Touchwiz, there are probably 10 that don't have a problem with it...or actually like it. Your best bet is to go to the store and play with the phones that you are interested in. You have 14 days with most carriers to exchange the phone I'd you don't like the one you pick (small $35 restocking fee for Verizon and I'm not sure what the other carrier's policies are).
 
UBRocked said:
Touchwiz and Sense are the collective customizations that Samsung and HTC add on top of Android. That is not interchangeable. You can get a stock Android experience on both if you buy a Google Play Edition (GPE) of either one of those phones (no carrier discount...you have to buy them outright). Or you can root it (like jailbreaking an iPhone) and put on a custom ROM.

The G5 is a great device. For every person that complains about Touchwiz, there are probably 10 that don't have a problem with it...or actually like it. Your best bet is to go to the store and play with the phones that you are interested in. You have 14 days with most carriers to exchange the phone I'd you don't like the one you pick (small $35 restocking fee for Verizon and I'm not sure what the other carrier's policies are).
Click to expand...

Will there be any downsides with running stock android on the S5 as opposed to the stock Touch Wiz?
 
kevinmcc said:
Will there be any downsides with running stock android on the S5 as opposed to the stock Touch Wiz?
Click to expand...

Well, you lose functionality that Samsung bakes in (like multi window, camera software, etc). Also, if you root it...you void your warranty and risk bricking your device. That isn't all that likely these days but it is a risk you must be willing to take. Personally, I would recommend just using the S5 the way it comes out of the box. It really isn't as bad as the people who don't care for touchwiz (like me) say it is.
 
You could also simply install an alternate launcher like Apex or Nova. This might give you the best of both worlds as it will look entirely different from TouchWiz, but still offer some of its functionality. Granted, you will lose some features, but if they are that important, it's simply a matter of setting TW back to the default.
 
kevinmcc said:
Will there be any downsides with running stock android on the S5 as opposed to the stock Touch Wiz?
Click to expand...
In addition to what UBRocked said above, Samsung never makes it easy to do so. The Galaxy S3 is two years old and the camera still doesn't work well with AOSP (Android Open Source Project, aka "stock"). The S4 still has problems with image quality, sound quality, Bluetooth and video playback. The S5 doesn't have a working AOSP ROM yet. If you buy a Samsung product, make sure you like TouchWiz first. The only significant change you'll be able to make without losing something is the launcher.
 
The S5 has a new and improved, flat design TouchWiz launcher that is pretty lag free and is a lot nicer to look at. It also retains cohesiveness with the Google Design rules so it's not your mother's TouchWiz. In fact the design seems Android L inspired.

A custom ROM will also kill the ultra power saver mode, one of the best features of the Galaxy S5
 
I do have to give the new TW props for looking a lot better than it did on my S1. It has put the Note in consideration for my next phone.

I understand the physical home button thing, but if the reason is just because you're used to it, it doesn't take long at all to adjust.
 
kevinmcc said:
Hey all I am due for an upgrade and been stuck on the S5.. I have heard a lot of good things about the S5 but the only thing I hate is the "touch wiz" i think its called.

I am an iPhone user now, so I am not sure if thats what it is called, I like the HTC One(M8) Sense 6 ALOT better...

But I will never buy a phone without a PHYSICAL home button.. so the S5 is the clear winner and the water resistant is a huge plus for me.

So can you change out the touch wiz to sense 6? Sorry for the noobish ? I just feel like the touch wiz is not as responsive and a lot slower and opening and just operating compared to the HTC OneM8
Click to expand...

I went from iPhone to S5 and I doubt I'll ever go back. You may have to root it for sense 6. You may also want to look into the Google Now Launcher. I've had a lot of success with it. Good luck.
 
My reason for a physical home button is to save screen real estate. Had Google implemented immersive mode properly where the bar shrunk to dots (doesn't seem to work in browsers or even the YouTube app) it would make sense. Instead it seems a third of my screen is shrunk to accommodate the navigation bar. Then there's the infuriating Playstation buttons in L which add confusion. Many games requiring virtual analog controls (GTA) tend to promptly exit since one or more of the controls is next to the back soft button or home soft button. This was a bigger issue during Android 4.0 and 'Tablet UI'. I'm thankful they got rid of that. Lord knows how many high scores were lost due to Pinball Arcade exiting since they placed the left flipper control right against the home icon

Samsung does a great job keeping physical buttons while shrinking bezel size so the usual argument in favor of soft buttons is invalid.
 
funkylogik said:
Can i be nosey and ask why the physical home button is a must?
Click to expand...

I've been using a phone that doesn't have a physical home button for months now, I just don't miss it, despite the fact all my previous Androids and an iPhone had one. It has a capacitive home button, as well as menu and back capacitive buttons. I double tap the screen to wake it. Got so used it now in fact I sometimes double tap on other Androids to wake them and then wonder why nothing happens. :D
 
I'm guessing you got an LG Mikedt? The 'screen knock' is one of their signature features, although I prefer Samsung voice wake, because double taps mean double smudges.
 
nickdalzell said:
I'm guessing you got an LG Mikedt? The 'screen knock' is one of their signature features, although I prefer Samsung voice wake, because double taps mean double smudges.
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It's an Oppo Find 7a actually, and double tap or knock to wake is one of its features. I was aware some of the LGs had it as well. Don't think smudging to wake is a problem, because going to be smudging it anyway just by using it, especially playing Pinball Arcade. :D
 
Often I wake my Note 3 to check the weather or notification widgets. In other words I hate having to promptly wipe my screen when I can say 'unlock" then let smart stay turn the screen off. No smudges. Plus for more involved stuff I have the S Pen

I do about three things on my Note. Action memo from the S View case requires the S Pen. Or reading ebooks, simply wake with Hi Galaxy and say 'Open Amazon Kindle' and turn pages with volume buttons (the current title I'm reading opens automatically).

Third is MP3 playback. Say Hi Galaxy Play Music. Music starts. None of the top three uses involves touching the screen.
 
I just prefer having a front home physical button, no real reason really, i was playing around with the One M8 and the G3 but I couldnt get over not having a physical button for some reason...dunno haha im weird.

The only thing I dont like about the S5 so far is sometimes it lags when I wake it up from a black screen and I have to wait like a second as opposed to the iphone I switched from waking up instantly.
 
nickdalzell said:
Often I wake my Note 3 to check the weather or notification widgets. In other words I hate having to promptly wipe my screen when I can say 'unlock" then let smart stay turn the screen off. No smudges. Plus for more involved stuff I have the S Pen
Click to expand...

Nick, I thought you was always against the use of a stylus, and have been quite vocal about it in previous posts when the S-Pen came up, reminding you of using a Palm Pilot or Apple Newton or something. ;) The S-Pen is more than just a simple passive stylus of course, and has it's uses, but I don't really need to be using it when dialling a number or entering some text on the screen. See below about using my voice for manipulating and operating the phone. If I wish the screen to be always spotless, a pair of surgical gloves isn't too expensive. :)

nickdalzell said:
I do about three things on my Note. Action memo from the S View case requires the S Pen. Or reading ebooks, simply wake with Hi Galaxy and say 'Open Amazon Kindle' and turn pages with volume buttons (the current title I'm reading opens automatically).

Third is MP3 playback. Say Hi Galaxy Play Music. Music starts. None of the top three uses involves touching the screen.
Click to expand...

The idea of talking to my phone to play music doesn't appeal to me at all. "OK, SNAPDRAGON, PLAY JUSTIN BIEBER!", LOL... especially on a overnight bus when everyone else is trying to get to sleep, and then finding it didn't work anyway because got no fast internet connection, or the stock voice recognition that came with the phone only understands Mandarin. Never even got into "OK, Google...." other than just trying it out and seeing if it works.
 
I admit it feels like an anachronistic element i.e. a phone with a stylus, but I underestimated the things Samsung threw in. Especially the Note 3. I originally became attached to the Note 3 not for its trademark stylus, but the large screen, more S-pen features, and tablet/phone functionality. Except for using Pen Window, I usually use the S-pen more as a fingerprint saver.

Though unless the Note 4 comes out when I'm due for upgrade, i might downgrade to the S5. I like the idea of ultra power saving mode, the water resistance would be nice when my pockets get sweaty at work (my Note 3 did its first random reboot due to being wet once, even tripped the water sensors), and i like the new TouchWiz. I got the launcher and S-Voice from the S5 ROM leak but the rest of the UX is stuck in the dated S3 UI.

Many places i use voice control are not near any people. My deer friend Jack doesn't care, and any other time I'm nature walking in the woods or driving where being truly hands free is very nice. I have this thing about looking at screens laced with fingerprints--indeed, it made me a bit Anti-Smartphone during the first days of iOS and Android.
 
I don't know why, but I haven't found smudging to be a big problem lately. It'll come up from time to time, but when it does I have a microfiber cloth on my nightstand that I clean it with. I guess if I try and use it while eating pizza or something.
 
I like my devices pristine and neat, and not like the beat-up cracked screen phones i see people using. As such i can't stand smudges when avoidable (such as when voice control is available) as i keep using my t-shirt to panic wipe after turning the screen off. Reading the screen when full of fingerprints drives me nuts.

I'm the same way about everything, including my car and laptop.
 
nickdalzell said:
I like my devices pristine and neat, and not like the beat-up cracked screen phones i see people using.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the real world. LOL It's a common sight, the old beaten and cracked Huaweis, Lenovos, Coolpads and Haiers that people use and keep them going.

nickdalzell said:
As such i can't stand smudges when avoidable (such as when voice control is available) as i keep using my t-shirt to panic wipe after turning the screen off. Reading the screen when full of fingerprints drives me nuts.

I'm the same way about everything, including my car and laptop.
Click to expand...

Voice control may often not be practical, desirable or available though. Like noisy environments, you don't wish to disturb others, or if there's no fast internet available.
 
Around here its cracked iPhone and HTC Desires, and occasional Galaxy S2 phones. Not too many newer androids here yet. I call it prepaid syndrome. Believe it or not, most still use the iPhone 3GS. It's the iPhone that refuses to die. Like Windows XP

Where voice control is not feasible (rare in my case, and while S-Voice requires Internet, voice commands such as 'unlock', camera controls, and music controls by voice do not) that's what the S-pen is for.
 
Around here I see tons of iPhones, and they're generally cracked.

I see quite a few S4's and S5's around. Tons of Note 3's in my office(accounting firm), and lately a few Moto X's.
 
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