Looking for Yay's and nay's...upgrading next month

[andreah1]

Hi all! May post a similar thread in one of the motorola forum's too to get a clear idea. The hubs and I are upgrading phones next month, praise God. I'm kinda torn on what to get. I like the looks of the S4 but it seems quite big (ok for me, but not sure the hubs would agree for himself). We currently both have Droid Bionics which were rated on of the best when we got them but honestly after about a month of having it I've hated it ever since. It's slow, the battery drains quick, even after shutting just about everything off (why have a smart phone if you can't do anything with it?), have to reboot it often which I guess is ok because it gets locked up. If it were just my phone I would think it's something I'm doing but both of ours act the same. Can't tell you how many times I've wanted to throw the phone 'til I remember what I paid, lol.
Anyhow, looking for what you like and dislike about the S4. I'm looking at that and also the new motorola droid's coming out or possibly the razr maxx hd, something in that range (but wondering if I'm just going to see the same performance and have to deal with it for 2 more years).
THANKS!

 

[KGreis]

I had the razr it was a good phone but motorola ruins the phone with their build of the updates they slowly turn your phone into junk like mine. I have the S4 I love this device your husband will love it. If your worried about the size I believe they have a mini that you can get or wait a little longer for the htc one is my oppinion for you good luck choosing your phone

 

[andreah1]

Thanks Kgreis, I agree, it seemed with each update the phone got (gets) worse and worse. A shame because I had a high opinion of Motorla. My very first cell phone back in the day was a startach (sp?) made by them and it was always my favorite. Miss that phone, lol!

 

[KGreis]

Thanks Kgreis, I agree, it seemed with each update the phone got (gets) worse and worse. A shame because I had a high opinion of Motorla. My very first cell phone back in the day was a startach (sp?) made by them and it was always my favorite. Miss that phone, lol!

Yeah theyve pretty much gone to the dumps

 

[jstwondrng]

Yeah theyve pretty much gone to the dumps

I agree... I will never go back to Motorola. I upgraded to my S4 from having the Droid Bionic. Loved the phone but hated the company. I am a believer in Samsung and their products now. You will be very happy with this device!

J

 

[reybie]

I say give the S4 a try, you have 14 days, if you're not satisfied, you're only out what $35 now?

 

[m3incorp]

Next month and Sep/Oct you will have a few choices. The Motorola X, The new Droids, gasp the iphone whatever it will be called, and of course the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 possibly. I had the Motorola Razr and loved it about as much as you did your Bionic, so no more Motorola for me for a while. I like the Samsung Galaxy S4 a lot better, but you really should expect to hear that on this forum. You are doing right, by hanging out on different forums and surely you will hear both sides. Make sure you go in the store and play with whatever you are going to buy to make sure you like the feel of it.

 

[andreah1]

Def. not interested in the iphone, I've looked at them 100 times and many friends have them but I just don't see what the draw is...it's so small. I don't know, guess I'm just not a fruit lover! I'm hoping by the end of August beginning of Sept. there will be alot of back to school specials too, that of course will have some say on what we do!

 

[kevsgroove]

Like many here, I came to the S4 from Motorola. Had the OG Droid, Droid X, and Bionic. IMHO the S4 is light years ahead of the Bionic. Snappy, runs flawlessly, beautiful screen, phone calls are clear, and the size is just right. Yes, it's larger than the Bionic, but after a day you'll be used to it. Verizon screwed us (should we expect any less from big red) by not having all the toggles included when the S4 was released, and hopefully, the Blocking toggle will be added in a later update. Sure, there may be something greater on the horizon, but there always will be. And this will bring down the cost of the S4. Good luck with your decision, you can't go wrong here.

 

[dezymond]

I really haven't found anything I dislike about the s4 to be honest. I guess if I had to choose it'd be nitpicking, and the slipper back of the original battery cover would be the top dislike. Luckily I was on my bed the few times but I've fumbled the s4 twice cause of the slippery back. Since then I've gotten two different battery covers and the problem has disappeared. Can't really think of any other dislikes.

In terms of likes, what's not to like about it?
-Fantastic screen
-Amazing battery life
-GPS locks instantly
-I've thrown everything at this phone and it won't even stutter/lag
-Great phone radios
-Best stock experience I've ever used and it is the reason why I have kept it stock after 3wks, well stock rooted

The phone is an absolute beast and will keep me happy for the next 2yrs. Any phones in the future have to be really good for me to use my upgrade. I held onto my Nexus for 18mo because I really liked that phone and didn't feel that the phones available before the s4 were worthy upgrades (I used the s3 for a week but ended up returning it). I can easily see myself hanging onto this s4 for even longer. And the difference between the Nexus is day and night.

 

[bbtkd]

I upgraded from the Bionic to the S4 about five weeks ago, and can echo what most have said. I've had no problems with it, it is fast, and the battery lasts much longer than the Bionic did with the extended battery. I work in a low signal area, and many areas of the building have no coverage. That would suck the battery right down on the Bionic, and I was forced to use Juice Defender and/or charge it. Now on the S4 I easily get through the workday with 60%+ remaining. I was concerned about straying from Moto and their legendary radio quality so before I got the S4, my son and I compared the Bionic side by side with his S4 using the Network Signal Info app. I was surprised to find that the S4 had a notably higher signal level. At work I've noted I do have coverage more often, which is why the battery is lasting longer. If you're not interested in looking at the Moto X, then there is no reason not to get the S4.

 

[andreah1]

You guys are great, I appreciate so many "reviews". I especially like hearing about battery life as that is a big complaint of mine. I live in a low signal area and it sucks the life out of my phone. I know getting a new different phone won't magically bring lots of better battery life but it sounds like I might actually experience at least a little longer of a charge! You've all got me leaning towards the S4 and now I'm ticked I have to wait another month, lol. I'm definitely going into the store to compare it to a couple Motorola's once the new ones come out (if they're out in time) just to be sure. Having a higher signal level in my home area would be a big plus!

 

[bbtkd]

You guys are great, I appreciate so many "reviews". I especially like hearing about battery life as that is a big complaint of mine. I live in a low signal area and it sucks the life out of my phone. I know getting a new different phone won't magically bring lots of better battery life but it sounds like I might actually experience at least a little longer of a charge! You've all got me leaning towards the S4 and now I'm ticked I have to wait another month, lol. I'm definitely going into the store to compare it to a couple Motorola's once the new ones come out (if they're out in time) just to be sure. Having a higher signal level in my home area would be a big plus!

If you can, in the mean time see if you can have someone over with an S4 so you can compare signal side by side at your house. Be sure to use an app that shows signal in db, as you can't compare bars between different phone models.

 

[bluezdawg]

Also upgraded recently from a Motorola Droid Bionic, only regret I have is waiting so long to do it! I just got back from a weeks vacation in San Diego, the S4 was awesome. Used Navigation, took lots of photos, streamed my local sports talk station, surfed, checked lots of email. You will have to keep a charger around as the battery life is a bit marginal but manageable. Also found a nice, slim "Otterbox" case that I really like. I give the device a huge thumbs up and would say, "Go for it!"

 

[bluezdawg]

Forgot to mention signal strength... My previous Bionic got very poor phone and data connectivity at the house. seemed to always drop to 3g. I can do calls from my basement now on the s4 and get 4g. There are so many variables on signal strength that as someone mentioned above, if you know someone with a 4g AND the same carrier, check it out! I would also add that I use to not be able to connect to wireless on my back patio, no problem with the S4