User Review History
MOTU's review of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 (Verizon / Sprint)
original version, submitted Sep 2, 2013, 10:14 PM:
I prefer the Razr HD Max
I received the S4 as a company phone - still have my Razr HD Max as my personal. Overall it's not a bad phone but IMO the Samsung user interface falls short compared to the standard Google interface on the Motorola.
Pros:
Beautiful screen.
Cons:
No Circles Widget
Voice command requires confirmation to make a call - unlike the Motoroal
Loud dinging noise on bluetooth initiated calls - can't reduce the volume
I use my phone for an alarm clock - setting the alarm on the S4 is not intuitive. Also doesn't seem to be any way to have multiple alarms - weekend vs weekday, etc.
Battery is OK but not as good as the Max.
Final thoughts:
Overall not a bad phone but Samsung dropped the ball on the user interface. I never thought I'd say it but the Razr Max HD is a better phone.
edited Oct 23, 2013, 11:15 PM to read:
I prefer the Razr HD Max
I received the S4 as a company phone in Aug. 2013 but still have my Razr HD Max as my personal. Overall it's not a bad phone but IMO the Samsung user interface falls short compared to the standard Google interface on the Motorola.
Pros:
Beautiful screen.
Cons:
Ear volume is not as loud as the Maxx. No Circles Widget - a minor issue but still missed. Voice command requires confirmation to make a call - unlike the Motorola - and ignores the "Yes" confirmation most of he time. I end up scrolling through my contact list by hand to make calls. In short voice dialing is an absolute failure. Also has a loud dinging noise on bluetooth initiated calls - and you can't reduce the volume. I use my phone for an alarm clock; the native alarm setting the alarm on the S4 is not intuitive and doesn't seem to be any way to have multiple alarms - weekend vs weekday, etc.
Battery is OK but not as good as the Maxx HD.
Final thoughts:
Overall not a bad phone but a pretty screen isn't everything. Samsung dropped the ball on the user interface. I never thought I'd say it but the Razr Maxx HD is a better phone.
edited Oct 23, 2013, 11:17 PM to the current version:
I prefer the Razr HD Max
I received the S4 as a company phone in Aug. 2013 but still have my Razr HD Max as my personal. Overall it's not a bad phone but IMO the Samsung user interface falls short compared to the standard Google interface on the Motorola.
Pros:
Beautiful screen.
Cons:
Ear volume is not as loud as the Maxx. No Circles Widget - a minor issue but still missed. Voice command requires confirmation to make a call - unlike the Motorola - and ignores the "Yes" confirmation most of he time. I end up scrolling through my contact list by hand to make calls. In short, voice dialing is an absolute failure. Also has a loud dinging noise on bluetooth initiated calls - and you can't reduce the volume. I use my phone for an alarm clock; the native alarm setting the alarm on the S4 is not intuitive and doesn't seem to be any way to have multiple alarms - weekend vs weekday, etc.
Battery is OK but not as good as the Maxx HD.
Final thoughts:
Overall not a bad phone but a pretty screen isn't everything. Samsung dropped the ball on the user interface. I never thought I'd say it but the Razr Maxx HD is a better phone.
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