This is the most disappointing Galaxy phone release yet. I would choose Sony Xperia Z2 over Samsung Galaxy 5.
Nope, honestly wasn't expecting a massive difference in specs. I predicted (who didn't) them upgrading to the Snapdragon 8xx, which they did, slight camera bump, and that's it. Where they need to work on is hardware design, and software improvements (less bloat).Everyone here is just wanting some massive spec bump. Like I said spec wars only go so far and was important in an era where lag was prevalent.
Actually, they did. It's just that the high-end phone market is shrinking, particularly in non-subsidy markets.When Apple release the 5s, I thought Samsung would really thrive with the S4, that didn't happened.
Actually, they did. It's just that the high-end phone market is shrinking, particularly in non-subsidy markets.
I think if everyone stops drooling over just raw performance and takes a step back and looks at what realistically new smartphones could have, there's not likely many enhancements. The problem is everyone still expects some massive spec war still, like the doubling of cores, RAM, storage, megapixels with EACH release. Those used to be huge issues given that Android lagged like hell, so going from single to dual core was huge, and so was going from dual to quad. The same when RAM doubled from 256mb to 512mb (oh god, finally), and 512mb to 1gb, and finally 1gb to 2gb.Nope, honestly wasn't expecting a massive difference in specs. I predicted (who didn't) them upgrading to the Snapdragon 8xx, which they did, slight camera bump, and that's it. Where they need to work on is hardware design, and software improvements (less bloat).
I don't think it's shrinking in absolute size. It's just shrinking as a percentage of the overall market because more emerging markets are buying more low-end smartphones.
I think if everyone stops drooling over just raw performance and takes a step back and looks at what realistically new smartphones could have, there's not likely many enhancements. The problem is everyone still expects some massive spec war still, like the doubling of cores, RAM, storage, megapixels with EACH release. Those used to be huge issues given that Android lagged like hell, so going from single to dual core was huge, and so was going from dual to quad. The same when RAM doubled from 256mb to 512mb (oh god, finally), and 512mb to 1gb, and finally 1gb to 2gb.
I honestly thing as an out of the box experience, just cleaning up TouchWiz on a GS5 will do wonders in terms of improvements. I mean, honestly, what did people expect? Samsung's really been pushing the edge in terms of featureset and capabilities already. The only lacking area has really been software and bloat, which they set out to address this round.
It's not a big update, but it's a better release than the past two GS phones.
Absolutely. The Nexus 5 and Moto G are not eating up GS4 sales fast enough compared to the market growth.
Also, what's with all the "omg ugly" comments? Where were you guys when the GS3 launched? If anything, the GS4 and GS5 have looked FAR better than the GS3.
Edit: To me, we're kinda past the days of just releasing new hardware over and over again. There's bigger fish to fry, and to me if Google were to add options to control permission better, add sync settings, add a better battery saver built into Android, those would be far better experience enhancers today than going octa core or even a faster CPU.
The other way to look at it is if you look at a Nexus 5, and you ask what changes would I like, I'd say "better camera, better battery life, and in general to be more competitive with the flagship devices." But with a GS4, the features are there. It's mainly the software that needs a rework.
Why make your phone flagship even bigger, Samsung? Don't you already have a million other larger phablets under your belt already? And you still think having 4 icon rows on a 5+ inch screen is still OK in bloody 2014?
BTW, 2014 will be the year of cheapo and midrange phones. Flagships are fast becoming too expensive for what they offer over the previous gen.
With the new releases, they are forgetting some more important aspects of a phone. Ruggedness, water proof (thanks it's there finally), more storage, a proper file system like windows, more brightness, more battery life. And Flash support? What the hell Adobe?! And Google?!
Just what are you doing on your phone that requires Flash these days?.
Just what are you doing on your phone that requires Flash these days? .
Actually flash did work with the note 2 in the stock browser. But after the Jellybean 4.3 update, it stopped and crashes every time.
Also, what's with all the "omg ugly" comments? Where were you guys when the GS3 launched? If anything, the GS4 and GS5 have looked FAR better than the GS3.