Galaxy S4 - Watch Thread....

onedestinazn2 said:
It appears many new sources are claiming it's the same as the t-mo/at&t snapdragon variant. If this is true, then I'd expect developers to be able to do just that to the TW S4. At the very least , you know development on it will be booming because of this.
Click to expand...

It cannot be ported exactly without a drive partition. Odin can do this. We will see if the tools are made available.
 
I don't know if it's just me, but I can't type to save my life on this. I'm used to my HTC Evo 3D auto correcting and replacing words for me, but on the S4 I probably type 1 out of 5 words correct, lol. I tried typing some sentences on my wife's Note 2 and I got every word correct. I'm probably just going to hold off on a Note 3, but I really don't want a 5.9" screen. I suppose I could always trade my S4 for a Note 2, but I don't know if I want to do that. Other than that, I really love the phone.
 
Try an alternative keyboard.

Kii is pretty good and free. Or you could try out Swiftkey and decide whether to buy it.
 
Personally I love swiftkey, I found it to be the best keyboard of any touchscreen phone I've used. I also think it's currently 50% off in the app store.
 
Thanks guys. I don't know why I didn't think of looking for another. Hopefully that fixes my issue cause I really like this phone.
 
onedestinazn2 said:
Personally I love swiftkey, I found it to be the best keyboard of any touchscreen phone I've used. I also think it's currently 50% off in the app store.
Click to expand...

It's super laggy and less accurate in touch typing than Swype, JB KB, and others in my experience on my SGS2. I bought it and used it for a while myself. It was not fluid at all; touch typing on it was a chore and a half. Only the predictions worked well. All in all it's probably the worst KB I've tried IMO. If its prediction technology could be put into a keyboard that otherwise works well and optimized to not be laggy then I'd probably like it more. Using Swiftkey made me jealous of my cousin's iPhone when I touch-typed on each side-by-side. Fortunately better keyboards have fixed the issue for me.

But it might work better on the newer crop of phones with faster CPUs.
 
Last edited:
So far I am really like Swiftkey. On Kii I still made a bunch of errors, but on Swiftkey I hardly made any errors. I think I'm jut gonna buy it since it's $1.99 on sale. Thanks guys!
 
onedestinazn2 said:
Seriously? Try growing up a bit and not calling anyone that enjoys a phone not the same one that you currently have a "fanboi".

Also I'm not sure how this would benefit a "S-fanboi" as a Samsung fanboy would probably buy and support an original TW S4. This seems more targeted towards purist/nexus aficionados that want a pure google experience while having Samsung's hardware/build quality.
Click to expand...
Try having a Sense 5 of humor... Xp
 
so does the live wallpapers affect performance and Battery alot? (again, I moved from my 10 years old nokia phone to S4)
 
firas said:
so does the live wallpapers affect performance and Battery alot? (again, I moved from my 10 years old nokia phone to S4)
Click to expand...

It depends on the live walpaper and how well it's written. For the most part though it doesn't affect performance or battery life too much. But on my Note 2, only a few of them run without introducing any lag whatsoever while scrolling, so I prefer to not have one and stick to static backgrounds.
 
T4rd said:
It depends on the live walpaper and how well it's written. For the most part though it doesn't affect performance or battery life too much. But on my Note 2, only a few of them run without introducing any lag whatsoever while scrolling, so I prefer to not have one and stick to static backgrounds.
Click to expand...

do you think Droid DNA is ok? it's the best thing I used on the phone so far (and Rayman Jungle Run hehe)
 
As said it depends on the background....I personally use the live wallpaper from FlightTracker, looks cool IMO, and I see little/no hit in performance/bat


As for swiftkey, ive never had the lag described above on: G.Nex, Nexus S, SGS2, or now the SGS4 .... Something else was wonky. It is byfar the best keyboard ive used, and has the best prediction engine.
 
Since Swype came default with my HTC One (maybe not default, but it came with it), I have been using it since I got the phone (one month me-thinks).

I've just installed SwiftKey because Swype was getting too many words wrong. My experience on the Epic 4G Touch (GS2) was that SwiftKey is better.

I'll let you know if I go back to Swype. I will test it without the "SwiftKey Flow" for now, but I will turn it on when I feel like I need swiping.
 
Swiftkey still easily has the best prediction. If they'd support alternative layouts (like a numbers row) I'd be using it 100% of the time.
 
I've been waiting for the Verizon s4 to come out for a while. Was so happy that the date was pushed up to May 23rd that I called my buddy that works there to see if he can get me a phone that day. During the conversation, he also mentioned that the Note 2 just went down to $200 from the original $300 2 year price.

So when May 23rd comes around, I think I'm going to start a new contract and get a Note 2 and an S4. I was going to go through Amazon, but seems that I can't get discounts through my work address. If I go through my buddy, he can get me those discounts (comes out to about $20 a month, so $480 over the two year contract... better than the $220 I will save up front by going through Amazon Mobile).

Can't wait to join the s4 ownership club!
 
ChronoReverse said:
Swiftkey still easily has the best prediction. If they'd support alternative layouts (like a numbers row) I'd be using it 100% of the time.
Click to expand...
Curious. Like what? when you press the 123 button on the button-left corner?
 
?

A numbers row as the fifth row. Like the stock Samsung keyboard or Kii.

It's also infuriating that Swiftkey insists on the numpad layout for typing out numbers if you press the 123 button on the corner.
 
ChronoReverse said:
?

A numbers row as the fifth row. Like the stock Samsung keyboard or Kii.

It's also infuriating that Swiftkey insists on the numpad layout for typing out numbers if you press the 123 button on the corner.
Click to expand...
I see. I've hardly used Android, HTC, or Samsung keyboards. But, yes, on Swype, when pressing the 123 button, the number layout is across the top not a number pad like on SwiftKey. I know what you're saying now.
 
Maybe I'm weird, but I like the numpad layout. It could be because I've been accustomed to a numpad/t9 for years, but it seems faster for 1 hand use rather than stretching across a row to go from 1 -> 9.
 
onedestinazn2 said:
Maybe I'm weird, but I like the numpad layout. It could be because I've been accustomed to a numpad/t9 for years, but it seems faster for 1 hand use rather than stretching across a row to go from 1 -> 9.
Click to expand...

If they put the numpad on the right side (since most people are right handed) I might be inclined to agree with you =P
 
ChronoReverse said:
If they put the numpad on the right side (since most people are right handed) I might be inclined to agree with you =P
Click to expand...

Lol I agree I wish it were on the right side. I'm also right-handed but found that once my thumb is already over on the left side, the key travel from each number is less than a single row setup. Like I said before, maybe i'm weird :)
 
ChronoReverse said:
If they put the numpad on the right side (since most people are right handed) I might be inclined to agree with you =P
Click to expand...
Now you mention it... LOL.

I'm right handed, but I typically do one hand use my phone with my left hand. I don't know if that's the more common choice for people.
 
Just got an s4 today. How do i add more tv on the tv remote app. I set up my lg tv in the living room but now i wanna link also my westinghouse in the bedroom but for some reason i cant find an option. Is it only good for one tv?
 
Go to the settings for the TV remote app, you can add another one at that point.


sladesurfer said:
Just got an s4 today. How do i add more tv on the tv remote app. I set up my lg tv in the living room but now i wanna link also my westinghouse in the bedroom but for some reason i cant find an option. Is it only good for one tv?
Click to expand...
 
Don't really want to make a new thread...

Just wondering where is the best place to get an S4? My brother needs an unlocked one that works w/

Gsm 900 and 1800 . UMTS 900 and 2100

also, what are the differences/are they worth it between the samsung cpu vs the qualcomm?

thanks
 
DF-1 said:
Don't really want to make a new thread...

Just wondering where is the best place to get an S4? My brother needs an unlocked one that works w/

Gsm 900 and 1800 . UMTS 900 and 2100

also, what are the differences/are they worth it between the samsung cpu vs the qualcomm?

thanks
Click to expand...
Qualcomm's S600 is probably better overall than Samsung's Exynos Octa. Honestly, I had expected Exynos to blow Qualcomm away. Check benchmark comparisons between the two devices. Take a look on the graphics.
 
DF-1 said:
Just wondering where is the best place to get an S4? My brother needs an unlocked one that works w/

Gsm 900 and 1800 . UMTS 900 and 2100
Click to expand...

You have a few options. He can buy from his carrier, which would guarantee support (assuming that his carrier has it, most do). If you're talking about full-price models, he can wait for the "Google Edition" coming out June 26th. If he prefers Touchwiz over stock, Expansys is my favorite phone etailer. Google them if you fall outside the USA, as they sell in many countries.

DF-1 said:
also, what are the differences/are they worth it between the samsung cpu vs the qualcomm?
Click to expand...

Under 99% of situations, they will perform identically. Also, Samsung has an impeccable record of releasing updates for differing SOCs within a close window. The SGS2 had three SOCS and all three versions are on 4.1.2. The SGS3 is on two SOCS, and they get updated nearly as often (carriers being the main bottleneck). Exynos might get a little preference, but it's generally about a month earlier, if that.

In terms of performance, every benchmark that I have seen of the S4 Exynos vs. Snapdragon has generally slanted towards the Exynos model, whether CPU based or gaming oriented. Here's a few:

GSM Arena has the Exynos model killing other Snapdragon 600 devices (among others), but not a direct comparison

Sammobile claims Exynos is faster, but it's a composite benchmark, which I don't like.

XDA cites the GSM Arena results with additional commentary. Ignore Linpack results. This benchmark has always grossly favored Snapdragon over Cortex-A series with no real-world implications.

Engadget shows numerous results which has them alternating, a solid reference that illustrates my original point - they are close enough in 99% of cases.

The rest seem to just cite the GSM Arena results, no need for me to post them here. So bottom line is, you can't go wrong with either, but if LTE is not an issue, I'd lean towards the Exynos model for slightly better performance and marginally faster (if that) updates. I've found the GPU to be a disappointment, though. I expected it to clean Adreno 320's clock, but it seems to just beat it in some tests, losing in a few. You can cherry pick results to make either look better though.
 
Just recall the Snapdragon 600 in the GS4 is faster than any other S600 device.

Still, the A15 is faster than the S600 up to around 20% maybe? GPU-wise, the benches trade wins with a small edge to the Adreno 320 in the GS4 (again, faster than any other Adreno 320 device right now).


Either version of the GS4 is still faster than anything else right now so you can't really go wrong. Generally though, there's better development for the Snapdragon versions of phones (and it'll be even more pronounced now that the Google GS4 is real since it's the S600 version).
 
Medion said:
You have a few options. He can buy from his carrier, which would guarantee support (assuming that his carrier has it, most do). If you're talking about full-price models, he can wait for the "Google Edition" coming out June 26th. If he prefers Touchwiz over stock, Expansys is my favorite phone etailer. Google them if you fall outside the USA, as they sell in many countries.
Click to expand...

I'm in the US, he's not.

it seems that buying it outright from AT&T would be cheaper than expansys though? they have it listed as $630 when i select month to month, or full price. is that totally unlocked/cleared though?

sadly, he can't wait until june 26th, i just heard about that too, it would've been perfect.

and I don't think his carrier has LTE or will deploy LTE until theres a galaxy s7 atleast.

the cheapest option (unless im mistaken) seems to be to do a $199 contract and cancel it immediately for the $325 ETF, totaling $525. or does it not work that way?
 
DF-1 said:
it seems that buying it outright from AT&T would be cheaper than expansys though? they have it listed as $630 when i select month to month, or full price. is that totally unlocked/cleared though?
Click to expand...

Add in sales tax if your state charges that. Where I'm at, that brings it to damn near $700. And no, it won't be unlocked. AT&T can be a pain in the butt to get to unlock. I haven't heard of them unlocking outright at the point of sale, even for a full-priced phone.

DF-1 said:
the cheapest option (unless im mistaken) seems to be to do a $199 contract and cancel it immediately for the $325 ETF, totaling $525. or does it not work that way?
Click to expand...

You will have to buy the phone for the subsidized price, break contract, and pay for at least one month of service, and likely have a waiting period to unlock it. I'm not certain on the unlocking, so call AT&T to ask.
 
ChronoReverse said:
GPU-wise, the benches trade wins with a small edge to the Adreno 320 in the GS4 (again, faster than any other Adreno 320 device right now).
Click to expand...

In the Engadget results (the most comprehensive), the PowerVR wins at GLBench, AnTuTu 3D, and Smartbench (gaming). One is a marginal win and the other two are butt-whoopins. Adreno scores a marginal win in the 2 3DMark tests. Overall, I think it's premature to call either GPU superior, but going off of the tally, it's PowerVR 3 to 2.
 
Medion said:
In the Engadget results (the most comprehensive), the PowerVR wins at GLBench, AnTuTu 3D, and Smartbench (gaming). One is a marginal win and the other two are butt-whoopins. Adreno scores a marginal win in the 2 3DMark tests. Overall, I think it's premature to call either GPU superior, but going off of the tally, it's PowerVR 3 to 2.
Click to expand...

Engadget are poor benchmarkers.

See the results from GLBenchmark's site:
http://gfxbench.com/compare.jsp?D1=Samsung+GT-I9505+Galaxy+S4&D2=Samsung+GT-I9500+Galaxy+S4&cols=2

Note that PowerVR tends to do VERY well in the synthetic (read: useless) tests but when it comes down to the game tests, it's either close or a loss.

Similarly, in the graphical tests for 3DMark, each GPU wins one bench but the one the Adreno wins is by a larger margin.

And the PowerVR has an unambiguously faster CPU backing it too.

This isn't even taking into account how the Adreno 320 supports the new OGL ES 3 while the PowerVR doesn't. When you take a close look at the benches the PowerVR tends to win, they are usually the simpler tests that don't use as much of the capabilities of the GPUs. More complex scenes are usually draws or slightly favors the Adreno.

Frankly, I was surprised too. I had anticipated the PowerVR to exceed the Adreno but it's close enough that it might as well be considered an overall draw.


As a sidenote, benchmark performance in CyanogenMod 10.1 nightlies is currently quite low. I don't mind since the experience is smooth but benchmark junkies beware =)
 
Last edited:
Chrono, I appreciated the well-sourced and thought out remarks. Although, I did find this a bit ironic:

And the PowerVR has an unambiguously faster CPU backing it too.
Click to expand...

I made similar comments when the N4 was being beaten by the S3 in some graphics tests about how the Mali was still faster in some than the Adreno 320. And in the tests where the Adreno came out marginally ahead, I said that could be attributed to the superior CPU backing it. I seem to remember many disagreeing with this observation. (NOTE: Not saying the Mali is faster, as it generally only won in fill-rate tests, and got murdered in geometric performance).

I agree with your overall assessment that it might as well be a draw. My original point was to say that at this time, you can't say with certainty that one is faster than the other. The PowerVR has been a disappointment.
 
Well, I feel that if the CPU is balanced with the GPU, then the overall SoC is better engineered one.


But that's tangential to the fact the PowerVR is less CPU-bound (if either are CPU-limited at all) than the Adreno, at least in the GS4. So there's no excuse for being beaten by the Adreno other than simply being slower in that particular test.

From the look of things, it does appear Samsung deliberately chose clocks (and cores because if the PowerVR was the MP4 instead of the MP3, things would be very different) for the two GS4's so that performance is very similar across the board unlike with the two GS3's. It's kinda funny how this didn't actually make us (as in me) be any less super competitive about the performance anyway lol.



As another sidenote, the i9500 has significant advantages over the i9505 in other ways. The Wolfson DAC is definitely better than the Qualcomm one for instance. It also seems the i9500 has the Exmor RS while the i9505 only has the Exmor R sensor.
 
All this talk about the Exynos version of the GS4 makes me want to run out and try to find one. Out of the question really but it is a very impressive SoC. I hope that Samsung is a bit more open with this like they are with the other versions of the phone for development purposes. I like how more open Samsung is with their phones, the Google S4 is more proof of that, although that is a very unique device.
 
So Verizon's S4 release date is approaching quickly this week. Today I read about a Device Payment Plan that Verizon is offering. I'm a grandfather'd unlimited data user and have toyed with the idea of just buying my phone outright to keep my unlimited data. Now that Verizon confirmed that customers who go this route will keep their unlimited data plan instead of being forced to use their share data plan structure on a new 2yr contract, I've been put in a place to rethink paying full price for a phone.

So the advantages for me are:
- Unlimited data on the best wireless network (coverage wise)
- No two year contract!
- I can upgrade to another phone in a year using either this payment plan or 2yr contract price (assuming both are still available)
- I can move wireless carriers in 4 months (my contract ends in September). Will still have to pay off the phone of course.

Negatives:
- Paying $650 + $24 for a phone over one year (compared to $200)

Currently I only use about 2GB/month of data. That will most likely increase when I get the S4. My question - is it worth the money to stay on an unlimited data plan with Verizon or should I just sign a 2yr contract?

I know Verizon has some announcement this Thursday so maybe they'll announce another type of non-contract option. I have a feeling they'll just talk about the S4 and maybe HTC One though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top