Is Anyone Else Waiting for the 32GB GS4?

[mike5757]

As the title says, I'm waiting for the 32GB model. I'm switching from iOS, so I'm not sure exactly how using two separate storage spaces works (internal and microSD). From what I've heard, most apps won't be able to run from microSD on the GS4. This is quite an issue as there is only 9.5 GB of storage available to the user. And I'm not sure I'd even want stuff running from microSD due to it being slower. Is microSD noticeably slower for apps? Can it be annoying managing which storage space content goes to? I know on my dad's Note, he had apps all over the place.

 

[QueBert]

mSD cards are only good if you're going to put music, video or pics on them. Widgets won't work, and many apps won't install to mSD or if they do they run wonky.

 

[lopri]

For my parents, not really. But if I were to get one for myself (unlikely) then I would consider that route. The amount of bloat on AT&T model is shameful. Haven't got a chance to see T-Mobile version yet, but if it's anything like AT&T then it'd be the same story. I believe I've read how to remove all those bloats and get the space back @XDA but at this early stage of the S4's life, there will be confusion as to which bloat is safe to remove - sans some obvious ones. (e.g. Yahoo! search)

I don't know how built-in external storage capability works on Android, either, for I have not used a device with that functionality. I have relied on Stickmount for my Nexus 7 and it just shows up as a folder under home directory.

Your concern is a very valid one to my eyes and it's a shame that majority of critics failed to adequately inform consumers of these bloats, instead they wasted my time (and likely others) drumming on their "feelings." Amount of bloats may vary per carriers so that's probably their excuses, but it's disappointing nonetheless.

 

[Thegonagle]

As mentioned, you can install some, but not most apps on the SD card.

Anything that relies on a background service (used for notifications and the like) or a homescreen widget generally needs to be on the internal storage. It's little confusing and frustrating, and it just isn't a user-friendly situation.

That's the biggest reason Google no longer specifies mSD storage on Nexus devices. One storage space is much easier to manage from the user's POV.

Like QueBert said, the mSD is best for storing your personal media and files, not for installing oodles of apps.

 

[ChronoReverse]

I was originally going to pick up the Canadian one ASAP but I'm starting to think I'll just hold off for at least a couple months to see where everything settles because it's starting to look like the GS4 has some real problems beyond what the crazies like to expound on.

 

[Muadib]

I was originally going to pick up the Canadian one ASAP but I'm starting to think I'll just hold off for at least a couple months to see where everything settles because it's starting to look like the GS4 has some real problems beyond what the crazies like to expound on.

What problems?

 

[ChronoReverse]

1) Some of the firmwares have "red tint" issue where if you're displaying pure black, instead of being completely off like an OLED should, there's slight red tint because the red subpixels are barely on.

2) However, if you have this issue, then you won't get the other issue, "screen smearing". For some reason, especially when brightness is all the way down, the blue and red subpixels turn on quicker than the green and if you scroll quickly, it'll appear to smear screen elements into a purplish leading splotch.

3) The Exynos version of the GS4's big.Little CPU is supposed to be able to switch the core independently according power usage. It seems there may be a limitation where you have to switch all four cores at once. Initial battery results show no better than Snapdragon at best.



These are the ones I've been following. Of course, there's the whole locked bootloader issue.

 

[zerogear]

If SGS2 and SGS3/Note 2 is of any indication. You'll have a pretty hard time finding 32GB and 64GB models.