technology Sony Xperia Z1 vs HTC One vs Samsung Galaxy S4

[D1SC0RD 987]

 

So I'm getting a phone soon. My father refuses to let me get the iPhone because then my sister would want one, so he suggests that I pick up something else. I'm not a huge fan of Windows, so I'm looking at Androids (all of these currently run some form of Jelly Bean, and it hasn't been released which ones will be getting Kit-Kat). These are the three I'm looking at... I'll do a rundown on the specs (just the basics) and maybe you guys can give me your thoughts?

 

Sony Xperia Z1

 

 

Screen Size: 5''

CPU: Quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor (2.2 GHz)

RAM: 2 GB

Storage: 16GB (expandable up to 64GB with use of a micro-SD card)

Camera: 20.7 MP in the back, 2MP in the front, 1080p camcorder

 

While this phone has the same screen size as the S4, it has the largest body.

The big thing with this one is that it is waterproof and dustproof. I've youtubed demonstrations of this, and it really is submersible. This makes it sound very safe to me (my last phone was destroyed from water damage), but the front and back of this phone are made of glass, so perhaps it's still fragile.

My co-worker told me that if I got this phone, I should never let it die to 0% because theres been a defect that it may not be able to recharge. I'm wondering if he's just trying to sketch me out or if theres any truth to this...

Dat camera tho...

 

 

 

Samsung Galaxy S4

 

 

Screen Size: 5''

CPU: Quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor (1.9 GHz)

RAM: 2GB

Storage: 16GB (expandable up to 64GB with use of a micro-SD card)

Camera: 13MP in the back, 2MP in the front, Full HD video

 

Not that this is really a big deal, but I think this one is the ugliest out of the three.

Some people say that the features on here are what make the phone. For example, you can take a picture with the back camera and front camera at the same time, which is good for reaction photos I suppose. You can also add sound to photos. Theres another thing called Air View which lets you navigate your phone without touching the screen. Features are cool and stuff but I'm not sure how much everyday use I'd get out of them. The only one that really makes me Ooo and Ahhh is the multi-window feature, which allows you to run two applications on the same screen.

The bug I heard with this one is that the touch screen just stops working sometimes. Again, not too sure how much truth there is to this (still the same co-worker as before spewing his gossip).

 

 

HTC One

 

 

Screen Size: 4.7''

CPU: Quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor (1.7 GHz)

RAM: 2GB

Storage: 32GB, non-explandable.

Camera: 4MP in the back, 2MP in the front, 1080p camcorder

 

On paper, this phone isn't quite as impressive as the other two. Though it does have excellent sound thanks to the dual-frontal stereo speakers made with Beats Audio. This one's made of aluminum. Other than that, I haven't heard about anything too noteworthy.

Except for the fact that my co-worker said this was an extremely reliable device. Also, it had the most 5 star rating out of all the phones I have seen (though they were all rated pretty high). If it weren't for my co-worker mentioning that, then I probably wouldn't be considering it.

 

 

• If any of you have been looking at one of these (or all of these) phones, what one are you rooting for?
• If you own one of the above phones or have experience with them, what's your opinion on the device?
• If you have heard of any issues with one of these phones, what was it?
• If you are thinking about buying one of these cell phones, then I hope this thread can help us both.

 

Currently, I am leaning towards the Sony, but I could really use some advice! Any help is appreciated! Thanks

Edited January 10, 2014 by D1SC0RD

[Sn0wblind 78]

I have the HTC One and to be honest, I don't like it that much. I'm an Android guy for life, but this phone has been a disappointment after all the high praises the critics have been heaping on it gave me high hopes. The version of android packed into the HTC One, Sense, is awful IMO. Everything that comes pre-loaded on it feels like it is all gimmick at the cost of usability. I would have just gone to stock with root access, but my brother did the same and after a while, his got bricked (not that it's hard to restore it, it's just a pain to do so, especially with the limited time a lot of people have). Also, having a battery that is damn near impossible to replace is a con. Though I will say it does have a very sexy build and feels like a premium phone plus the FM-radio is a nice addon (I used it for local talk shows and sportscasts back when I was in Dallas). 

 

I'd go with the Nexus 5 or the Moto X. The HTC One with stock android would be OK I guess, but I think you would be better off with one of those two, preferably the Nexus 5.

[D1SC0RD 987]

I have the HTC One and to be honest, I don't like it that much. I'm an Android guy for life, but this phone has been a disappointment after all the high praises the critics have been heaping on it gave me high hopes. The version of android packed into the HTC One, Sense, is awful IMO. Everything that comes pre-loaded on it feels like it is all gimmick at the cost of usability. I would have just gone to stock with root access, but my brother did the same and after a while, his got bricked (not that it's hard to restore it, it's just a pain to do so, especially with the limited time a lot of people have). Also, having a battery that is damn near impossible to replace is a con. Though I will say it does have a very sexy build and feels like a premium phone plus the FM-radio is a nice addon (I used it for local talk shows and sportscasts back when I was in Dallas). 

 

I'd go with the Nexus 5 or the Moto X. The HTC One with stock android would be OK I guess, but I think you would be better off with one of those two, preferably the Nexus 5.

 

Okay, I will definitely check them out I've heard good things about the Nexus 5 but never much looked into it. I'll do that though! Same for the Moto X. Thank you.

And yeah, the only phone with a removable battery of the three I listed was the Samsung... Risky.

[MLPForums Phanact 1,374]

The Nexus 5 or Xperia Z1 are your best bets.

 

If you're just looking for a phone with an amazing camera then get the Lumia 1020. They actually used this phone to film the How Long Will I Love You music video for Ellie Goulding and that alone is reason enough to buy it ;D

[The Mane-iac 1,648]

I can't comment on the Sony or HTC (beyond the fact I'd never buy a phone without an SD slot).

 

I don't personally own an S4, I have the Note 3, but the special features are all the same basically except the s pen and I have a friend with the S4 and another with the S4 mini. Air View is REALLY nice if you ask me. You can do stuff on websites that require hover, like you can normally do with a mouse on a pc, that you can't do on other phones without this feature. And I don't care what others say, I find the Smart Stay to be very helpful. I also have a huge preference for the AMOLED screen, while the S4 screen isn't as nice as the Note 3's, it is still very nice (once you turn the colors from their over saturated standard setting to movie so they are very realistic). You can also turn the sensitivity up so you can use gloves, which I find nicer than the phones that always have it turned up, saves battery this way. Speaking of battery, I know my friends get really good life out of theirs and I recently found out it's because Samsung licensed some fancy program called PowerXtend that has to be integrated at the core level and is only a Samsung thing for now. I personally have gotten 4 days 17hrs from my Note 3 before, this was of course light use I suppose since I didn't play any games for those days.

 

I find the design of a phone to be overrated, I mean pretty much everyone ends up putting them in a case anyways. And call me the odd one again, but I prefer plastic. I've seen plenty of iPhones that don't look that great after being dropped because their color has been scratched/gouged/chipped away.

 

And no, I'm not an Android fanboy. I used to own a factory unlocked 64gb iPhone 4S and could not stand iOS 7 so I gave it up.

 

 

If you are going to look into the Nexus 5, make sure you read up on Android 4.4 issues. I keep seeing stuff pop up on sites I follow about Nexus issues and 4.4. I never read the stories since I don't have a Nexus or 4.4, but that might be something to read on. I know base Android on the Nexus 7 I used to own was nice, though I find the UI on Samsung phones to be nice as well. I've never noticed any of the rumored lag/hangup on any of the phones I've played with (S3, S4, S4 mini, Note 2, Note 3).

Edited January 10, 2014 by The Mane-iac

[Sn0wblind 78]

the only phone with a removable battery of the three I listed was the Samsung... Risky.

 

Yeah, really the only thing that a removable battery is going to help you with is a) if the battery decides to commit seppuku on you and you have to replace it (happened to my old iPhone 3GS. It was a nightmare to repair)   You want to install a battery with a higher capacity

 

Might I add phones with a metal body like the aluminum HTC One WILL get the crap scratched out of them if you do not take care of them or do not put them in a case. Trust me. Mine looks like it failed a will it blend test and I take care of my phone.

[D1SC0RD 987]

snip

 

Ohh yes, the smart-stay was REALLY cool. I forgot to mention that! For those of you who don't know, the Samsung front camera senses your eyes looking at the screen and keeps it from dimming. And yeah, the screens on them are very pretty, plus thin bezels

 

And true about the style of phone... I suppose I could just get a Lifeproof case if I want a waterproof phone.

 

Ahhh, now you made me not to sure about the Sony!

 

Funny though, the whole reason I wanted an iphone wasn't for the hardware, it was for the OS.

[The Mane-iac 1,648]

And true about the style of phone... I suppose I could just get a Lifeproof case if I want a waterproof phone.

 

My sis has a LifeProof Nuud on her S3. That is one niiiice case. I really wish they made one for the Note 3, I'm sure they could come up with something to cap the pen. I'd even be happy with a case that was built the same but didn't protect against water, their drop protection puts OtterBox to shame IMO because the cases are so much thinner/form fitting.

 

Best way to figure out what phone you want though, is to go into the store and play with them. Also, with spring comes new flagship phones. So if you could hold off you could get newer gen or these for cheap if any of that matters.

[risingpulsar 9]

Samsung Galaxy S4 by far. I have the Note 3 and it rox my sox.