Quick one: smartphone choice - S5 or M8?

[Cagey75]

My contract is up and time to select a new phone. I've had 2 iphones, the 4 and 5 standard. The 5 died recently, the battery just kicked in ... so I'm not jumping at the chance for a 5s [the third option offered to me] - I also have an ipad mini, which does the same thing outside of making calls.

Out of the other 2, Samsung 5S or HTC one M8, which would you pick? and why? from experience.

Cheers.

 

[ancient_mariner]

M8 for me: build quality, HTC's additions to android are helpful and I'd expect it to have a usable camera. Never liked the plasticky feel of a Samsung phone.

 

[sep9001]

Another vote for htc, I have always had a htc from vario onwards.

However on the last upgrade I decided to go for galaxy s3, biggest mistake I made. Have had issue since the start.

 

[Dave *]

You might want to read some of the reviews coming out for the iPhone 6, it seems to have only positive reviews for its camera and AF capabilities.

 

[dejongj]

iPhone six has got very good reviews indeed. However as an android alternative I would rather have the Nexus opposed to either of those listed. I think a stock Google android experience is a rather good one.

 

[Steep]

I'd agree with Toni, HTC build quality is best and with generally less bloatware. but if you want to customise the rom the Sammy is easier. Check first if you have not used it that android will suit you as an o/s, not everyone coming from ios likes it.

 

[Dave *]

I hadn't hadn't initially realised the 6 now uses phase detection pixels on the sensor for AF, the reviews are saying it was pretty instantaneous AF in most of their usage.


http://mashable.com/2014/09/16/apple-iphone-6-review/
More review and images at the link.

Apple's decision to stick with an 8-megapixel sensor for its iSight camera was surprising, especially considering the 13MP and even 20MP cameras found on competing smartphones like the Nokia Lumia 1520.

Of course, the main camera on the iPhone 6 isn't the same as the one found in the iPhone 5S and actually has a number of powerful features designed to enhance still photography and video. Most of them take smartphone image capture to another level.

Still Photography
Apple’s new Focus Pixels are designed to detect light more quickly and speed up the iSight camera’s autofocus capabilities.

I never found the iPhone 5S' autofocus lacking, but when I ran a simple test — covering both smartphone lenses with my fingers and then seeing which could focus more quickly on the scene when I removed them — the iPhone 6 won every time. A similar test with the Samsung Galaxy 5 showed little difference, though the latter had a habit of trying to refocus even when the scene was already in focus.

Panorama pictures also get an upgrade. The iPhone 5S shoots panoramas at roughly 28 megapixels. Even though its sensor is technically the same quality, the iPhone 6 can shoot stunning, 43-megapixel panoramas. The dynamic auto exposure ensured perfect exposure even subjects are brightly illuminated or backlit. I never had to tap the screen, mid-capture, to improve the shot.

Video
The iPhone 6’s video capabilities are mind-bogglingly good. While the default setting for video is 1080p, 30 frames per second (fps), you can go into settings and change it to 60 fps. The resulting video has an almost hyper-real look; essentially people and objects look like you could reach out and touch them.

The iPhone 5S introduced 120 fps slow-motion video. It was the first time I ever had a device that could shoot slo-mo video, and it was entertaining.

Still it couldn’t slow down everything. A balloon popping, for example, was too fast. The iPhone 6’s iSight camera and its companion A8 chip, though, have upped the ante. It can capture video at 240 fps. That slows down just about everything.

Combined with new continuous autofocus, the iPhone 6’s 240-fps slo-mo is now a powerful cinematic tool that can add drama and interest to just about any scene.

I did a number of experiments with water droplets. You don’t realize how much happens when a drop of water lands in a glass cup until you’ve seen it at crystal-clear 240 fps. I definitely saw things in the iPhone 6 video that I did not in what iPhone 5S captures.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

You already know the iOS, so I don't need to tell about it. Android is great OS, but custom skins is not the best thing to have. Nexus is what I'd get, or you can load a custom ROM on of these two. I am a bit concerned with the reputation of HTC (Desire, and customer treatment left me wanting a lot more), while samsung has a far better name.

 

[Brendan Mulachy]

some things my htc does not do winds me up...stupid things like not being able to assign a specific tune for a message like you can do for ring tone just burns my head out...my contract is up and im in the same boat as to what i get next...desisions decisions

 

[Cagey75]

Cheers for the suggestions. The Iphone 6 isn't on the cards yet, but they have put me down as 'expressed interest in' - so they'll send me info on it when it's in the stores. I reckon that'll be a lot pricier anyway.

I don't think they have the Nexus - the 2 I mentioned are the best they got in Three

 

[Dave *]

Three will start stocking the iPhone 6 on Friday morning .

 

[DaveS2]

I had an Android phone (Samsung Galaxy), and it did all I ever wanted it to do, and was very user friendly. It even came with a user manual.

When I changed my 2011 car this year, for the new 2014 version of the same model, my phone would not work with the in-car hands-free system.

So, I bought an iPhone 4S, which works fine, and gave the Samsung to the missus.

Having now used the iPhone for a while, all I can say is "give me back" my Samsung Android. I've had many mobiles over the years, but never before, an iPhone. I have to say its the most non user friendly phone I've ever had. No user manual supplied, and far to gimmicky. Too many 'bells & whistles", and most of them only accessible by non user friendly procedures. With no manual, its very much 'poke & hope', and then try and remember what you did, the next time you want to access a particular feature.

Purely my personal opinion of course, but I reckon the iPhone is overrated and overpriced.

Dave

 

[dejongj]

I had an Android phone (Samsung Galaxy), and it did all I ever wanted it to do, and was very user friendly. It even came with a user manual.

When I changed my 2011 car this year, for the new 2014 version of the same model, my phone would not work with the in-car hands-free system.

So, I bought an iPhone 4S, which works fine, and gave the Samsung to the missus.

Having now used the iPhone for a while, all I can say is "give me back" my Samsung Android. I've had many mobiles over the years, but never before, an iPhone. I have to say its the most non user friendly phone I've ever had. No user manual supplied, and far to gimmicky. Too many 'bells & whistles", and most of them only accessible by non user friendly procedures. With no manual, its very much 'poke & hope', and then try and remember what you did, the next time you want to access a particular feature.

Purely my personal opinion of course, but I reckon the iPhone is overrated and overpriced.

Dave

Oh come on are you a man or a mouse...A manual? Seriously you require a manual? Most Android users say there aren't enough bells & whistles on iOS...Something is very strange here....Perhaps you had a fake

 

[Dave *]

I have to say its the most non user friendly phone I've ever had. No user manual supplied, and far to gimmicky. Too many 'bells & whistles", and most of them only accessible by non user friendly procedures. With no manual, its very much 'poke & hope', and then try and remember what you did, the next time you want to access a particular feature.



Dave

You couldn't have looked all that hard, first link in Google when you type "iPhone user manual" goes to the iPhone user manual on iBooks...

iPhone User Guide For iOS 7.1 by Apple Inc.
https://itun.es/gb/YT8tQ.l

 

[Cagey75]

I found the iphone almost too simplistic! :/ I felt it lacked a bit of ... vavavooom The layout couldn't be simpler. I have an ipad mini too, which is basically the same, so I'm getting a bit bored of iOS. BUT ... if they promised to keep me an iphone 6, price depending as I'm about to drop down to a lower package too - I'd probably take one. They'll go for ridiculous amounts on advert sites when released, if you can get them unlocked! then buy any phone you like and keep the change

Nah, I'd probably keep it, I do like iphones, just a bit bored and wanting to try something else. Also, the way my 5 died, and they wanted €240 to repair it!! ... I'm a bit wary of them

 

[DaveS2]

Oh come on are you a man or a mouse...A manual? Seriously you require a manual? Most Android users say there aren't enough bells & whistles on iOS...Something is very strange here....Perhaps you had a fake

You never need to read a manual, wow!!, how us mere mortals envy your level of intellect.

It may come as a bit shock, but there are people who just want a mobile phone, and to be able to send and receive e-mails on it, having no need, or interest in playing with the 'bells & whistles" and games.

You know, having retired from a High Tech career in R&D, which included writing International Technical Standards, I've grown to enjoy the simple things in life now.

Dave1, I realise that there is an iPhone user manual in iBooks, but my point was, that a manual wasn't supplied with the iPhone, wheres it was with the Samsung.

Dave

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Cheers for the suggestions. The Iphone 6 isn't on the cards yet, but they have put me down as 'expressed interest in' - so they'll send me info on it when it's in the stores. I reckon that'll be a lot pricier anyway.

I don't think they have the Nexus - the 2 I mentioned are the best they got in Three

You don't have to take upgrade. Just tell them you want SIM only contract, £15/month (half what you pay?), more minutes, unlimited data and buy the phone from google direct. Far cheaper and better and it doesn't tie you in for 24months.

 

[dejongj]

You never need to read a manual, wow!!, how us mere mortals envy your level of intellect.

A clear case where words on a page don't express the smile and cheeky tone....it was meant in jest @DaveS2 a poke on men not reading manuals etc that is all...

It may come as a bit shock, but there are people who just want a mobile phone, and to be able to send and receive e-mails on it, having no need, or interest in playing with the 'bells & whistles" and games.

You are however honestly the only one that I've ever heard referring to iOS as having too much bells and whistles and games, it is genuinely normally an argument made against it. Heck the first time you connect it via iTunes it picks up all your email settings and sets it up automatically for you on the phone. You don't have to do a thing but plug it in. And there are no games installed by default. So you have phone for phone calls, messages for text messages and mail for emails. All ready configured and all on the home screen, you don't have to do anything for that but to plug it in...

You know, having retired from a High Tech career in R&D, which included writing International Technical Standards, I've grown to enjoy the simple things in life now.

Ah it is all your fault then but the need for a manual becomes clear...

Dave1, I realise that there is an iPhone user manual in iBooks, but my point was, that a manual wasn't supplied with the iPhone, wheres it was with the Samsung.

I would suggest that is primarily because the samsung needs it out of the box. You have to enter your account details yourself, they've changed the Android user interface to their own thing, etc...They've deviated from the standard Heck it doesn't even support standards like caldav for calendaring, or carddav for contacts out of the box...

 

[Cagey75]

You don't have to take upgrade. Just tell them you want SIM only contract, £15/month (half what you pay?), more minutes, unlimited data and buy the phone from google direct. Far cheaper and better and it doesn't tie you in for 24months.

Hmm, that would mean shelling out a lot more in one than I want for a phone. I don't use them enough to warrant it tbh. I'm using a s***ty Samsung €60 phone ATM, that I detest. It keeps going off and ringing people in my pocket and the battery dies twice a day so I need something! May as well have a nice one. But €100 up front is the max I'll go and I can get either the S5 or M8 for that, even taking a cheaper contract.

 

[paulr5604]

I use an M8 and I love it. I have had samsung's in the past and they always felt cheap to me. The android OS is pretty similar on both phones they just use different 'skins' to display it. I have never owned an iphone so I can't really make judgement on them, however I do feel that for a phone the iphone range is a bit over priced. I know a lot of people that swear by their iphones and would never switch.

The best thing would be to go into a store and actually play with each phone to see which suits you the most. You also have the 14day cool off period so if you don't like the phone just send it back in the 14 days to cancel the upgrade.

 

[Cagey75]

They'll all work out the same price for me pretty much, inc the iphone 5s. I didn't like the 5, I found it too slim for my liking, annoying when texting, I found the keyboard just a little too teensy, and I don't have large hands.

The larger version of the 6 would probably be ideal, I could wait until they get those in and check pricing, otherwise it's looking like the M8 - I do like the look of it, it's only weakness seems to be the camera - and well, we're all here for a reason, we already have decent cameras. Shouldn't be an issue. I think I used my iphone 5 maybe 5 times for pictures in 2 years.

The video is apparently just as good on the M8 as the others? which I'd use maybe a little more - on trips or whatever. For photos, I always have my dslr when going anywhere there might be something worth shooting stills of

 

[ancient_mariner]

Do you have to have a contract? Some of the lower end Nokia windows phones are very good - slick, fluid interface, easy to use, and being Nokia call & build quality are excellent. £100 for a phone plus a giffgaff SIM card at £5-£10/month would do you very well.

Currently have a Motorola RAZRi, which has great build quality and 3 to 5 day battery life, depending an what I do, but the next phone will likely be a Nokia windows phone.

 

[Cagey75]

I don't need a contract - but I am the type who will forget to buy top up when I do need it most, I'm terrible with phones in general - as in, charging them, answering them ... I'd probably end up buying 20-25 credit per month anyway, and that's the cost of the contract I'm dropping to. Currently paying €40 p.m and I never use the value of it. I make brief calls mostly, and the odd text. It's the all you can eat data I like to have on the go. For €100 I can have a phone worth €450 on the lighter contract, free calls to the same network, all you can use data and cheap calls to other networks for €25 p.m.

They don't have a great range, that's the only issue. But what they have aint bad at all. Looking about on 'top smart phone' lists, the M8 seems to be right up there to date.

 

[LCPete]

Another vote for htc, I have always had a htc from vario onwards.

However on the last upgrade I decided to go for galaxy s3, biggest mistake I made. Have had issue since the start.

You must be unlucky I've had my S3 for 18 months now and its been perfect

 

[cosmicma]

some things my htc does not do winds me up...stupid things like not being able to assign a specific tune for a message like you can do for ring tone just burns my head out...

ringo lite will sort that out for you works a treat on the M8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.electricpocket.ringo&hl=en_GB

regarding which phone i would choose the M8 ( well i did ) my wife has an Iphone 5s and my daughter has the S5
the wife loves the 5s but she has come from a 4s my daughter has fallen out with the S5 as it keeps rebooting and needs to be sent back to samsung and i am quite happy with the M8 that replaced the HTC one x before it
the battery life is good the screen is good , build quality and speed is good the camera i don't care too much about although it does do a half decent attempt at a photo

i know nothing about the iphone 6 iphones in general have never really caught my interest

out of the htc phones iv'e owned only the desire gave me problems with overheating which caused a reboot loop which was a known problem and was repaired under warranty

i think android and the latest phones have come of age so to speak non of them are laggy and are smart , fast enough to keep most of us happy the only question is which one do you like the look and feel of ?

 

[Digisatman]

NO have alook @ the LG G3 much better than the S5

 

[Slimbert]

I prefer my HTC One M7 to my wife's S5 so I guess I'd recommend the M8 since I gather it's better than M7.

I'm yet to find a single moan about my M7 after having it for a little over a year. Absolutely faultless.

 

[Cagey75]

Ordered the M8 today, in shiny Blue .... cheers for all suggestions. Watched another bunch of comparison vids and it seems to be one of the more solid smart phones, probably the best all-rounder - outside of the camera, which I will probably very rarely ever use.