Database Users

[Q] Switching from Sprint - simple questions

I am switching from Sprint to AT&T, as I already said in the subject, and I am looking for some QUICK opinions.
As most people probably have gone through this when buying their phone, I am debating on the S4 Active or the HTC One.
Upon coming onto here though, I was leaning more toward the HTC One because I like several things about it, more than the normal S4 and S4 Active, and because most of the S4 software features I don't really care about; I'm an EVO 3D owner, so I know how the gimmicks go. Nonetheless there are things that do attract me to the S4 Active over the One
I noticed the difference in activity for the S4 vs the One is SIGNIFICANT. ~13.5k posts for the S4 and ~3.6k posts for the One. Why is this? Are there that many junk postings\ROMs\etc or is it really just THAT active in this community? Is this section the same area to go to for the S4 Active device w/ AT&T?
- How is battery life? This is more geared toward the S4 \ S4 Active veteran users as I don't care how long your battery is lasting after you got your phone just a week ago lol
- How is NORMAL everyday use of the camera\camcorder?
- Are there significant amounts of SOLID daily drivers that are varying in style and operation? (ROMs)
- For the Active, how is call quality (for both sides), are there any other downsides to the Active edition vs regular S4 or HTC One?
Thanks

incarceration said:
I am switching from Sprint to AT&T, as I already said in the subject, and I am looking for some QUICK opinions.
As most people probably have gone through this when buying their phone, I am debating on the S4 Active or the HTC One.
Upon coming onto here though, I was leaning more toward the HTC One because I like several things about it, more than the normal S4 and S4 Active, and because most of the S4 software features I don't really care about; I'm an EVO 3D owner, so I know how the gimmicks go. Nonetheless there are things that do attract me to the S4 Active over the One
I noticed the difference in activity for the S4 vs the One is SIGNIFICANT. ~13.5k posts for the S4 and ~3.6k posts for the One. Why is this? Are there that many junk postings\ROMs\etc or is it really just THAT active in this community? Is this section the same area to go to for the S4 Active device w/ AT&T?
- How is battery life? This is more geared toward the S4 \ S4 Active veteran users as I don't care how long your battery is lasting after you got your phone just a week ago lol
- How is NORMAL everyday use of the camera\camcorder?
- Are there significant amounts of SOLID daily drivers that are varying in style and operation? (ROMs)
- For the Active, how is call quality (for both sides), are there any other downsides to the Active edition vs regular S4 or HTC One?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I'll try to answer most of ur questions there r more posts in the s4 section for two reasons 1 there r two devices using this forum the s4 and the s4 active 2 s4 has sold 20 million devices or so the HTC one about 5 million ( est not exact number from what I read )
Battery close is similar on all 3 devices for a lot of ppl the decidinng factor is the SD card and removable battery which HTC one has neither plus that power button being on top ( u had a evo 3d u mite be used to this )
Daily drivers there is plenty of good ROMs for the s4 and the HTC one
The active is really limited in this aspect since it has yet to acquire custom recovery exploit yet
The s4 has a boot loader exploit so u can use custom recovery as long as u don't update it out of the box mf3 ( plenty of threads on how to freeze att updater )
Out of the total amt of phones sold very few ppl actually flash ROMs a small percent of the android population the galaxy line has always had a lot of devs and ROMs cuz of its awesome specs and likability and ease to root and flash ROMs ( minus boot loader locking which isn't Samsung's fault its the carriers )
Hope this helps u and answers ur questions
sent from my SGH - leet ( i337) using Tapatalk 4 beta

Thanks for the fairly detailed response!
I have a couple other questions for you - is the cartoon-like UI their TouchWiz software?
Not to ruffle any feathers but I don't really like that aspect of it.
Also, when you unlock the bootloader and\or root, do you still get the annoying triangle upon boot? My friend had the S III and he had that problem. It didn't affect functionality but it was a bit tacky\annoying.
Yeah I have found AT&T to be root\unlock Nazis, but it seemed to be select devices they like to lock down. Not sure why, because you still have your plan that limits you lol
Thanks again!

incarceration said:
Thanks for the fairly detailed response!
I have a couple other questions for you - is the cartoon-like UI their TouchWiz software?
Not to ruffle any feathers but I don't really like that aspect of it.
Also, when you unlock the bootloader and\or root, do you still get the annoying triangle upon boot? My friend had the S III and he had that problem. It didn't affect functionality but it was a bit tacky\annoying.
Yeah I have found AT&T to be root\unlock Nazis, but it seemed to be select devices they like to lock down. Not sure why, because you still have your plan that limits you lol
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TW (TouchWhiz) is samsungs launcher and I wouldn't call it cartoon-like, but if you think so there are alternatives such as launchers from the Play Store, or flashing an AOSP ROM for vanilla Android look and feel.
As far as unlocking the bootloader, there are working methods as to remove the triangle on boot, so don't sweat that.

[Q] Galaxy S4 I9505 - Questions about transforming it to Google Play Edition and more

Hello guys, good night, how are you?
I'm currently planning on getting the Galaxy S4 I9505 but I was wondering about some things regarding the model. I'm a little bit new to the Android experience (I only had one smartphone until now, and was the Xperia Mini) and wanted to know if you guys could help me.
I am sorry if I am just at the wrong space and if there are a topic that already cover these questions, I will just read it with no problem.
Let's go:
1. I am tempted to get it transformed to the Google Play Edition, are there any way to transform it "totally", I mean, like if it was bought directly from the Google Play Store, with the original ROM and getting further upgrades via OTA?
2. I saw in some reviews that the App Menu Button on S4 is at the last position at the right side. Can I move it to the center?
3. How big it really is, and is it a problem? Could you guys give me a simple overview regarding it?
4. I saw some news around a new model released by Samsung, which comes equipped with the Snapdragon 800. If there is a way to totally transform the 9505 to the Google Play Edition as original, can we expect the same for this new model, or we can't just say that yet? I am asking this mostly because perhaps it would be best to wait for this new model (but we don't know if Samsung will release an International version), but the possibility to install the Google Play Edition on the 9505 is a huge driver actually, as the pure Android experience seems to be very, very good.
5. How "future proof" is the S4 when talking about games, as it sports a Full HD screen? That screen and the model specs are sure fantastic, but won't a Full HD screen demand much more from the GPU in the future, with newer and heavier games being released? Does it perform well today? By the way, can we change the resolution of the games on Android?
Guys, I appreciate a lot the help, thank you! :good:

Guys, I'm sorry, it seems I just made a mistake and posted a thread in the wrong section, It was meant to be on the Q&A Forum.
Could you guys delete this thread?
Thanks and sorry for the trouble.

[Q] New Excited note 3 user.

Hello guys,
I just joined the NOTE 3 community, [SM-9005] model. I am really excited about the device it's such a beast.
Now I wanna root my phone and install an awesome custom ROM. I am very confused with 3 of the ROMS on here.
1.Crash ROM
2.Echoe ROM
3.X-Note ROM
They all sound sweet and highly customizable which is what I am looking for. I am looking for a ROM that makes my phone even more beast-mode
as well as increase my battery's lifetime and an overall performance upgrade.
Beast-Mode :- Even more powerful and can handle anything you can throw at it.
Note 1: If anyone could provide more information about rooting and installing a custom recovery that would be great because I am still too confused with the KNOX and all the weird stuff on this phone.
Note 2: Please don't ruin my fun by asking me to search for other posts. Had I found what I was looking for I wouldn't have wasted my time typing this.
Note 3: To that life saver that will give me the answer of my dreams. THANK YOU!

Ruining your fun. Such is life. Every single one of your questions can be found by searching. Everyone else manages it.

Why do i even bother, but, I said it before, and i say it again, i hate lazy noobs. Wtf, the Note 3 is now half a year old, there are millions of threads describing what you want. Google is your friend.
Sent from my N9005

Dejan Sathanas said:
Why do i even bother, but, I said it before, and i say it again, i hate lazy noobs. Wtf, the Note 3 is now half a year old, there are millions of threads describing what you want. Google is your friend.
Sent from my N9005
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel just like the OP, I have spent a long time reading and googling by now, and it is still not clear to me how to go about rooting and flashing custom Roms, and this is having a lot of experience rooting and flashing Roms with Odin during the past 4, 5 years or more since I had the Galaxy S.
There are a lot of threads and posts, as usual, and an up2date summary is really needed in the Note 3 subforum.
This isn't about lazyness, I love modifying my devices and I am happy to spend a full weekend reading, googling and figuring it out, but with this device right now, especially with the Knox issue, it is going to take much more than 2 days to get this right and well some people do have real life to deal with, too.

1. You root you will trip Knox... Period...
2. CF-Autoroot is easiest - ODIN Flash. Make sure it is the latest and supports Kitkat
3. Install CWM or TWRP. I prefer CWM because that's what I'm used to. CWM 4.0.4.7 for Kitkat - ODIN Flash.
4. Copy rom file to sd card - external preferably, go to recovery and flash. It will take a little while to reboot for 1st boot bu shouldn't be more than around 10 minutes...
I like Androidnow, older rom but battery life is AWESOME... You can also flash the OTA updates for theming options to be included in settings....

MrWil said:
I feel just like the OP, I have spent a long time reading and googling by now, and it is still not clear to me how to go about rooting and flashing custom Roms, and this is having a lot of experience rooting and flashing Roms with Odin during the past 4, 5 years or more since I had the Galaxy S.
There are a lot of threads and posts, as usual, and an up2date summary is really needed in the Note 3 subforum.
This isn't about lazyness, I love modifying my devices and I am happy to spend a full weekend reading, googling and figuring it out, but with this device right now, especially with the Knox issue, it is going to take much more than 2 days to get this right and well some people do have real life to deal with, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also feel like you guys, I've been googling my butt off (that sounds wrong) and I'm still confused about some things. I feel like this note 3 subforum needs more stickies which would cancel the need for noob questions from people like me.

The fastest and the most stable system (ICS, JB, KK, LP) for LT18i

Hello to everyone, my Xperia Arc S was ,,hidden" in my drawer for almost 2 years and I wouldn't change this if my primary smarphone wasn't broken. Now I have to send it to the service (warranty) and therefore I have to use my Xperia Arc S again. Currently, I have some version of gigerbread installed on it but I need something above Ice Cream Sandwich and I remember how laggy the ICS was . Therefore I hope this improved with Jelly Bean, KitKat or Lollipop, which I haven't tested on this device yet...
Thus, I would really appreciate if anyone told me which version of Android, or specifically which ROM (according to your experience), is the fastest and the most stable one on this device (except for Gingebread) because I don't have time to test it by myself.... (My smartphone was sent for a warranty a few hours ago)
Thanks in Advance,
Dominik

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2097137

popthosegaskets said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2097137
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you are satisfied - your answer is an absolute waste of time....
I said I didn't have time to test it by myself moreover I didn't use this device for almost 2 years and therefore I don't know what's new and I have absolutely no experience with new ROMs... And yeah, I do not have time to find it out a gain any experience... Therefore I wanted to gather some user experience with individual systems (ICS, JB, KK or Lollipop) or specifically ROM and then choose the most suitable one for me...
Your answer was appropriate 3 and more years ago when this device was a higher-end smartphone and new ROMs were cooked/developed every day and owners of this device were just too lazy to find the best ROM for them and therefore they asked others, but now it is just a bu*****... :good:
But it seems, nobody else is going to answer me, so I'm grateful for your answer anyway. Moreover I slightly modified the original post so that it will fit your comments...

DominikHolecek said:
I hope you are satisfied - your answer is an absolute waste of time....
I said I didn't have time to test it by myself moreover I didn't use this device for almost 2 years and therefore I don't know what's new and I have absolutely no experience with new ROMs... And yeah, I do not have time to find it out a gain any experience... Therefore I wanted to gather some user experience with individual systems (ICS, JB, KK or Lollipop) or specifically ROM and then choose the most suitable one for me...
Your answer was appropriate 3 and more years ago when this device was a higher-end smartphone and new ROMs were cooked/developed every day and owners of this device were just too lazy to find the best ROM for them and therefore they asked others, but now it is just a bu*****... :good:
But it seems, nobody else is going to answer me, so I'm grateful for your answer anyway. Moreover I slightly modified the original post so that it will fit your comments...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before you say my answer was a waste of time, check if your question was allowed in the first place. The forums specifically mentioned this type of ROM comparison thread was never allowed in the first place. If you have the time to ask a question, you do not have the time to read?
Sorry, regardless if it was 3 or more years ago or recently, the rule still stands. Your stand that it is bu****** is moot.
Mod, please close thread.

Beginner needing some guidance in how to confirm editon and also how to flash etc

Hi,
Well, the thread name wasnt what i wanted but hopefully people find it interesting and check anyway
A couple years back when the S3 and S4 were new i used to do this to my phones, emui was what i installed.
Anyway, years have gone by and i remember exactly nothing of how to do it.
I have checked some videos ytube but it doesnt really feel 100% secure going just by a video for a samsung s4 or whatever samsung device they choose to show it with.
Anyway, what i want is to flash(correct term) ressurection rom on my phone.
Can you guys please help and maybe help me along the wathe phone this is about:
Swedish sold Samsung S5
Model number SM-G900F
android version 6.0.1
basebandversion G900FXXS1CQD (I think basebandversion is the correct term in english..=)
Is there anything else you know?
I would be very pleased if someone could warn me for differenet dangers and also other things to think about and also HOW TO do it either by writing it or linking to a place that is 100% verified to work. I DONT want to brick my 1600$reserve phone but i also want it to have a better look and feel more up to date so to speak.
I really admire the things you can do to your phone with resurrection ROM. Talk about what a possibility to make a little bit out of fashion phone up to fasion, MY fasion!
Please do remember i have done this before but that has left my memory totally blank regarding this.
I´m a newb i phone tech talk etc but im not dumb per se, computers and phones arent my thing, engines and building speakers and now im entering into the realm of building a power and pre amplifier so tech savvy i am, at my interests.
Phones, are phones. But i still like to have them work and look alot more better and a adore the ability to customise as much as is possible with ressurection rom.
Feel fre to post suggestions on other ROMs too!! Keep in mind that i do not game AT ALL. I call, sms, surf and such but dont do anything creating super high capacity speed. But i still dont whant a slow phone.
But main thing here is help in making my phone as customizable as possible.
Thanks//Mathias from Sweden