25K+ Huge Dilemma: HTC One v/s Samsung Galaxy S4

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comp@ddict

comp@ddict

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I'm quite surprised I haven't seen one of these threads already. Looking at the biggest flagship phones for this year (till now, and perhaps for the rest of the year from both HTC and Samsung), I'm looking to buy one of them. I simply don't know which one to pick.

- I love the HTC One design, though Galaxy S4's compact shell is great as well.
- I like Sense quite a lot, TouchWiz is okay. But it's the added Software tweaks by Samsung that make the experience quite amazing, if I am to believe the adds.
- The Galaxy S4 simply has a much better camera than the HTC One.
- The Super AMOLED display has it's advantages (Daydream, pure black) but the SLCD display is gorgeous as well.

As you can see, I'm pretty messed up here :D. Don't know what to do. Don't want to end up buying an UMI X2 (or a rumored Micromax Canvas A120) or something. Why would I do that?
- Priced around 15k
- 1080p display
- Quad core
- 2 GB RAM
- 13 MP cam
- Android 4.2.1 JB
 
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Not sure why so much fuss over viewing angles, this is not like TV where people circle around at different angles and watch the TV, it matters in such cases.
But phones are usually used in direct line of sight and viewing angles shouldn't be of concern here.

I do realize the importance of viewing angles in laptops as well since I previously had a laptop where the angles were not great and I faced problems while watching videos from angle but my newer Sony vaio has awesome viewing angles.
 
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HTC's :
Poor and Pathetic Aftersales service
Bad support for the software
Non Removable battery
Non Expandable memory
Click to expand...

- Is it really that bad?
- I don't really see that bad support. Sense 5 is amazing, Android 4.2.2 is on the way. What else?
- Is it really that important? My Xperia Sola has a non-removable battery. Never needed to remove it anyways.
- 64 GB is more than I'll ever need trust me. And I never store sensitive data on my phone that shouldn't go to someone else. If it is present, it's usually transferred at the earliest. However your statement about expandable storage SD cards is perfectly valid as well.

As for the Galaxy S4, what's the point of buying a 42k flagship to put custom ROMs into it because I don't like the software in the first place? What's the point of 42k spent if I don't like to look at my phone itself (because I find it unattractive?)
 
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comp@ddict said:
What's the point of 42k spent if I don't like to look at my phone itself (because I find it unattractive?)
Click to expand...

I have a related point here which many may not agree to, but here goes. What is the point of buying a uber costly phone and covering it from head to toe - are you embarassed to show it, or is the phone's build so poor that it cannot withstand occasional (or frequent for that matter) drops
 
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comp@ddict said:
- Is it really that bad?
- I don't really see that bad support. Sense 5 is amazing, Android 4.2.2 is on the way. What else?
- Is it really that important? My Xperia Sola has a non-removable battery. Never needed to remove it anyways.
- 64 GB is more than I'll ever need trust me. And I never store sensitive data on my phone that shouldn't go to someone else. If it is present, it's usually transferred at the earliest. However your statement about expandable storage SD cards is perfectly valid as well.
Click to expand...

-Yes it is really poor.
- Just to quote an example http://www.mobilenapps.com/articles/8345/20130424/key-lime-pie-htc-one-x-android-4-2-jelly.htm
Secondly, i also read how HTC behaves like a stickler when it comes to dev community scene. Very much hard nosed.
- Battery removal is not that important for people who are not into rooting/flashing business, but i prefer it to be that way. If i need to replace it myself due to usage wear down or need to carry a spare battery while travelling , i dont have to run towards an HTC center. I like the control of my device.
PLUS, it also means i can order it from wherever i find it the cheapest. With store replaced battery, the charges will def be significantly higher.
- If u feel the mem is good for u to go.. then its good. My reasons for keeping sensitive data in a position to be removed on my discretion holds key for me


As for the Galaxy S4, what's the point of buying a 42k flagship to put custom ROMs into it because I don't like the software in the first place? What's the point of 42k spent if I don't like to look at my phone itself (because I find it unattractive?)
Click to expand...

Why do u think ROM is only required to replace the s/w??
None of the OS out there is as good as a debloated version which ROM provides. Ultimately u r freeing up memory for using other heavier apps in conjunction.

Also, once u start putting in apps which have been ported from other manufacturers, it makes owning the most powerful handset even more relevant. You know fs that the feature which is being tried for a port to ur phone will run a 100% simply cuz of the h/w u holding.

As for the looks, i have never been bothered about it once the h/w passes a bare min level. It shdnt look hideous, that's all.
I am not bothered about owning a set which is supposed to be drop dead gorgeous. I ll be using it and looking into the screen than all the studio designed and cut corners. It should be a good piece of h/w capable of delivering raw power with a good design. And as i said, its just personal. To each his own.
 
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comp@ddict said:
- Is it really that bad?
- I don't really see that bad support. Sense 5 is amazing, Android 4.2.2 is on the way. What else?
- Is it really that important? My Xperia Sola has a non-removable battery. Never needed to remove it anyways.
- 64 GB is more than I'll ever need trust me. And I never store sensitive data on my phone that shouldn't go to someone else. If it is present, it's usually transferred at the earliest. However your statement about expandable storage SD cards is perfectly valid as well.

As for the Galaxy S4, what's the point of buying a 42k flagship to put custom ROMs into it because I don't like the software in the first place? What's the point of 42k spent if I don't like to look at my phone itself (because I find it unattractive?)
Click to expand...
I won't agree. Friend had HTC phone about an year back. It died while updating over the air. It refused to start. He sent it to HTC guys. He got replacement (or repaired phone, I don't remember) after 2 months.. Which is pathetic.. He ended up buying Sony Sola instead.

Yesterday itself, HTC 8x of my colleague died while upgrading over the air. Removable battery is good thing, battery life drops down over the year. It's easy to remove battery and replace with new one. Which I have been doing for 2 years with my SGS :-)
 
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So with the debate circling over removable battery now, both HTC One and Xperia Z should be dropped out? Surely that can't be the conclusion to all this. Does battery life really depreciate "soo much" within 2 years? I've been using my Sola for a complete year and the battery life is EXACTLY the same.
 
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b00gieMan said:
Battery life goes kaput in almost a years time. Sola is not a high end phone with huge display and stuff.. So your battery is still lasting.
Click to expand...

I'm still willing to commit to the HTC One. If I have to get a replacement from the service center in 1 years time, somehow I can still live with that.

Does that change the tide a bit?
 
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comp@ddict said:
I'm still willing to commit to the HTC One. If I have to get a replacement from the service center in 1 years time, somehow I can still live with that.

Does that change the tide a bit?
Click to expand...
The type of experience I and others I know have had with htc under warranty phones was pathetic. They sure will help you, but it's like once you give your phone to their service Centre then you forget it for a month and this is Minimum time that they say. Most of the time their parts are never available, so they import it from their manufacturing plant, lands to Delhi or bangalore and then to your city.. Then here's the bigger surprise, the part that you get is a "compatible" component / part and not the exact same part which was there in your phone.

This happens with their latest phones, not even talking about phones that have reached eol.

HTC One also is known best for its irreparable built.

HTC sure is good in USA and Europe and other countries but sucks in India. Something I wouldn't even want to think about if I want to buy an expensive phone.

Also dare you call their call Centre which are situated in Delhi, trust me you'll end up being so frustrated coz their agents are nothing less than hooligans.. And u want to escalate? Sure go ahead, they are the worse of all.
 
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b00gieMan said:
HTC One also is known best for its irreparable built.
Click to expand...
Yep. That is one pt which i forgot about.
It has scored very poorly when a site reviewed its 'repairable index'.. or whatever its called.

Combine it with the engg skill of ppl at CC+parts availability+misc delays, it really is a tricky situation for anybody to pick the set up despite being fully inclined to do so.

I see a person purchasing it purely based on its looks. It has fared badly on other critical fronts.
I must mention, that the new feature of HTC Sense, the news feed something was impressive.


raksrules said:
the same way how Xperia discussion is there in the thread when the topic is s4 vs htc.
Click to expand...

Not meaningful.
Xperia's name had to come up as it has a strong contender.As is evident, OP himself asked for opinion between the Z Vs ZL Vs HTC.
And tbh, any debate which includes the probables will not only help the OP at hand, but will also be a good discussion for the present and for future references as well.

Whether Samsung comes up with a non removable battery or not, that is just a hypothetical situation.


Btw I would just like to have views later from people if and when Samsung does introduce phones without use replaceable batteries.
Click to expand...

And as for the last bit, i ll slander Samsung just as i have done to other brands for spoiling the party.
 
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Do HTC or any company provide a temporary phone when one keeps the phone at their service center ? I remember long time back when my friend's Nokia 5800 went bad, the nokia guy gave him a temporary dumb phone.
Also surprisingly i never see anyone saying "My samsung phone was in the service center for X days" and all that. Is the samsung so great that they never go had or is it that the turnaround time for repairing is very less so the consumer gets the phone fixed almost immediately ?

@OP
HTC One has almost no repair-ability. Now only if they were efficient and generous like Apple and replace the phone with a new one on the spot then it is worth going for but at the existing scenario where they will probably keep the phone at the service center for a long time for lack for replacement of parts / refurb units, i would not go for HTC.

And yes as someone mentioned in some MMX thread, one should not have to go to service center at all in the first place, that's reliability.
 
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raksrules said:
Do HTC or any company provide a temporary phone when one keeps the phone at their service center ? I remember long time back when my friend's Nokia 5800 went bad, the nokia guy gave him a temporary dumb phone.
Also surprisingly i never see anyone saying "My samsung phone was in the service center for X days" and all that. Is the samsung so great that they never go had or is it that the turnaround time for repairing is very less so the consumer gets the phone fixed almost immediately ?

@OP
HTC One has almost no repair-ability. Now only if they were efficient and generous like Apple and replace the phone with a new one on the spot then it is worth going for but at the existing scenario where they will probably keep the phone at the service center for a long time for lack for replacement of parts / refurb units, i would not go for HTC.

And yes as someone mentioned in some MMX thread, one should not have to go to service center at all in the first place, that's reliability.
Click to expand...
Yes that's true Samsung really has a good service. Won't say they are like apple, replacing the handset completely on the spot.. But yes they are cooperative and nothing at all like Htc. Their parts are easily available with them. Plus they also listen to your suggestions.
 
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raksrules said:
Do HTC or any company provide a temporary phone when one keeps the phone at their service center ? I remember long time back when my friend's Nokia 5800 went bad, the nokia guy gave him a temporary dumb phone.
Also surprisingly i never see anyone saying "My samsung phone was in the service center for X days" and all that. Is the samsung so great that they never go had or is it that the turnaround time for repairing is very less so the consumer gets the phone fixed almost immediately ?

@OP
HTC One has almost no repair-ability. Now only if they were efficient and generous like Apple and replace the phone with a new one on the spot then it is worth going for but at the existing scenario where they will probably keep the phone at the service center for a long time for lack for replacement of parts / refurb units, i would not go for HTC.

And yes as someone mentioned in some MMX thread, one should not have to go to service center at all in the first place, that's reliability.
Click to expand...


Exactly! That's what I'm talking about. Has anybody here with a FLAGSHIP One X faced a problem like this? Or is it just 'people' bashing the HTC One and it's poor repair-ability and how poor it's service will be despite being a flagship for the heck of it?

You don't see an iPhone going for repairs because nothing goes wrong. Same applies to a phone. Once it's working it's working. Whatever has to go wrong happens in the first few days itself. Premium phones just don't develop problems out of the blue.

And please, Samsung Service Centers NEED TO BE GOOD considering how many times people have to keep going there (couple of my friends with Samsung Galaxy Y, Ace Duos, S Duos etc etc etc, every 2 months they run to service center. Restarts, earphone problem blah blah).
 
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I am not getting biased on iPhone here and i am sure OP it does not satisfy your criteria, you most probably will not receive the service that you get from Apple store from any other manufacturer. Apple will just replace your phone on the spot (in warranty) if something goes bad. But that's how they operate.

Also be it HTC/Samsung/Anyone, they won't give some special importance to flagships like giving greater turnaround times for repair or anything. So do not expect this at least in India.
 
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