fusi0n Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 This is my third smart phone this year :D I am very excited to have purchased the new Galaxy S4.. My last phone was a Nexus 4. This isn't suppose to be an indepth review.. but just for someone looking for a new phone or interested and didn't want to have to weed out all the crap.. Screen - 10/10 -Clearest screen I have ever seen for the size.. The iPhone 5 has a great looking screen.. but the size is what turned me off.. This screen is huge and very easy to read.. Night and Day when compared to the S3 due to the resolution. Speed - 6/10 - 9/10 - Stock.. The phone is laggy and highly bloated. Coming from the Nexus 4 made me forget how fast the Android OS can be degraded from OEMs. After removing all the boat and replacing TouchWiz with Nova.. There was a HUGE difference in speed and boot times.. The lag went away. I give the Stock Speed 6/10 and after you remove bloat and do some tweaks, 9/10 when compared to a Nexus 4 Features -This phone has a ton of new features, but I don't really use any of the new ones. I just use the "screen lock" which is an eye sensor that keeps the screen turned on as long as you are looking at it.. This feature was also on the S3. Not going to grade the features because I don't really use and of the "extras" Data Speed - 10/10 52Mbs down on LTE AT&T.. Sums it up.. especially coming from a Nexus 4.. Really missed my LTE speeds Camera - 10/10 I don't want to come off as a "fan boy" here rating everything 10/10.. but this Camera is amazing.. I really missed have a good camera on my Nexus 4.. This Camera takes better pics than most point and shoots.. For tips and tricks I have added more info here: https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1156780-quick-and-dirty-galaxy-s4-review/page__view__findpost__p__595736144 If you would like me to help you remove bloat or have any questions, please let me know.. Steven P. 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A. Destroyer Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Hi, great quick review! I recently owned an iPhone 4S until I accidentally took it for a swim. Completely broke the phone and it wouldn't even turn on. I am with AT&T and had an upgrade available. I saw that the GS4 is $180 with an upgrade, and the GS3 is $40 with an upgrade, so I got the GS3 of course. Do you know if there are any big differences between the two? Would the GS4 be worth the extra $140? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyLarry Veteran Posted June 4, 2013 Veteran Share Posted June 4, 2013 When you say removing the bloat do you mean rooting it, or do you have a way to remove the bloat without rooting it? I was highly contemplating going to stock Android, but I actually like a few of the Samsung specific features, especially in regards to the camera. So if it means losing those, i am fine as is. Honestly I have come back to Android after being on iOS, and if there is lag I do not notice it as I have nothing to compare it to from the Android side. It must be a matter of miliseconds It is easily fast enough for me and I really see no lag that people mention. I am curious as to exactly what actions you feel had lag so I can check them out and see if they indeed seem to take longer than they should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconian Guppy Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 This is my third smart phone this year :D I am very excited to have purchased the new Galaxy S4.. My last phone was a Nexus 4. This isn't suppose to be an indepth review.. but just for someone looking for a new phone or interested and didn't want to have to weed out all the crap.. Screen - 10/10 -Clearest screen I have ever seen for the size.. The iPhone 5 has a great looking screen.. but the size is what turned me off.. This screen is huge and very easy to read.. Night and Day when compared to the S3 due to the resolution. Speed - 6/10 - 9/10 - Stock.. The phone is laggy and highly bloated. Coming from the Nexus 4 made me forget how fast the Android OS can be degraded from OEMs. After removing all the boat and replacing TouchWiz with Nova.. There was a HUGE difference in speed and boot times.. The lag went away. I give the Stock Speed 6/10 and after you remove bloat and do some tweaks, 9/10 when compared to a Nexus 4 Features -This phone has a ton of new features, but I don't really use any of the new ones. I just use the "screen lock" which is an eye sensor that keeps the screen turned on as long as you are looking at it.. This feature was also on the S3. Not going to grade the features because I don't really use and of the "extras" Data Speed - 10/10 52Mbs down on LTE AT&T.. Sums it up.. especially coming from a Nexus 4.. Really missed my LTE speeds If you would like me to help you remove bloat or have any questions, please let me know.. Could you list what you did to remove lag? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Laughing Man Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 I have not had the lag issues a few have claimed In fact to me its the fastest android phone I have used its quick and snappy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLegendOfMart Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Hi, great quick review! I recently owned an iPhone 4S until I accidentally took it for a swim. Completely broke the phone and it wouldn't even turn on. I am with AT&T and had an upgrade available. I saw that the GS4 is $180 with an upgrade, and the GS3 is $40 with an upgrade, so I got the GS3 of course. Do you know if there are any big differences between the two? Would the GS4 be worth the extra $140? Bigger 1080p screen compared to 720p of S3, S4 has faster CPU but at this point outside of synthetic benchmarks you won't notice the difference. S4 has 13MP camera as opposed to 8MP of S3. Basically just spec bumps with some interesting head/face tracking and finger hover hardware built into screen but they are just gimmicks rather than long term usable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyLarry Veteran Posted June 4, 2013 Veteran Share Posted June 4, 2013 I have not had the lag issues a few have claimed In fact to me its the fastest android phone I have used its quick and snappy. This is why I asked for specifics, because if there is lag either I am not experiencing it or it is so minute (as in the tiny definition) it is not something that affects me one way or the other. But I would like to see it in action for myself. But so far everything responds great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Montage Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 I have the Note2, and agree how TW can just slow down a great phone. I'm most likely skipping this years offerings and waiting for next year, but if I were in the market for a smartphone, the Google Pure version of the S4 would be that phone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusi0n Posted June 4, 2013 Author Share Posted June 4, 2013 This is why I asked for specifics, because if there is lag either I am not experiencing it or it is so minute (as in the tiny definition) it is not something that affects me one way or the other. But I would like to see it in action for myself. But so far everything responds great. I had it rooted and ran a script that removed. After this alone.. made a HUGE difference.. I had no FCs after doing this either.. Link to Script. http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=2296788 This is for T-Mobile, but I am sure there is an AT&T version.. I bought the T-Mobile version and unlocked it for AT&T.. AccessTmobile_TMO.apk AllShareCastPlayer.apk AllshareControlShare.apk AllshareFileShare.apk AllshareFileShareClient.apk AllshareFileShareServer.apk AllshareMediaServer.apk AllshareMediaShare.apk AllSharePlay15.apk Blurb.apk BonusApp_TMO.apk Books.apk ChatON_feature.apk ChatONV_J.apk CHS_J_Device_only.apk com.mobitv.client.tmobiletvhd.apk Com2usPoker_ASGC.apk ContainerAgent.apk DemoStub_TMO.apk EasyFavoritesContactsWidget.apk EasyLauncher.apk ECID-release_TMO.apk ELMAgent.apk Episodes.apk FotaClient.apk GroupPlay_20.apk InteractiveTutorial.apk IQ_OOB_TMO.apk IQ-tmobile-release-unsigned.signed_TMO.apk IQToggle.signed_TMO.apk Kies.apk kieswifi.apk KNOXAgent.apk LocalFOTA.apk Lookout_TMO.apk Magazines.apk Match3VS.apk MobilePrint2.apk MobilePrintSvc_CUPS.apk MobilePrintSvc_CUPS_Backend.apk MobilePrintSvc_Epson.apk MobilePrintSvc_HP.apk MobilePrintSvc_Samsung.apk MobileTrackerEngineTwo.apk NfcTest.apk Peel.apk PolarisOffice5.apk S_Translator_CSLi.apk SamsungApps_J_Only.apk SamsungAppsUNA3.apk SamsungBooks.apk SamsungGames.apk SamsungHub.apk SamsungHubUpdater.apk SamsungMusic.apk SamsungOCR2.apk Samsungservice.apk SamsungTTS.apk SamsungWatchON.apk SBrowserTry.apk sCloudBackupApp.apk sCloudBackupProvider.apk sCloudDataRelay.apk sCloudDataSync.apk sCloudQuotaApp.apk sCloudSyncCalendar.apk sCloudSyncContacts.apk sCloudSyncSBrowserBookmark.apk sCloudSyncSBrowserTabs.apk sCloudSyncSNote.apk SecSetupWizard2013.apk SensorService.apk SimpleWidgtet.apk SHealth2.apk SmartBriefing4x2.apk SphericalMosaic.apk SPPPushClient_Prod.apk StoryAlbumWidget.apk SyncmlDM.apk SyncmlDS.apk S-Voice_Android_phone_J.apk TravelService.apk TravelWidget.apk TripAdvisor.apk TrimApp_phone_J.apk Videos.apk Vvm_TMO.apk WlanTest.apk wssyncmlnps.apk YosemitePHN.apk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconian Guppy Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 I had it rooted and ran a script that removed. After this alone.. made a HUGE difference.. I had no FCs after doing this either.. Link to Script. http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=2296788 AccessTmobile_TMO.apk AllShareCastPlayer.apk AllshareControlShare.apk AllshareFileShare.apk AllshareFileShareClient.apk AllshareFileShareServer.apk AllshareMediaServer.apk AllshareMediaShare.apk AllSharePlay15.apk Blurb.apk BonusApp_TMO.apk Books.apk ChatON_feature.apk ChatONV_J.apk CHS_J_Device_only.apk com.mobitv.client.tmobiletvhd.apk Com2usPoker_ASGC.apk ContainerAgent.apk DemoStub_TMO.apk EasyFavoritesContactsWidget.apk EasyLauncher.apk ECID-release_TMO.apk ELMAgent.apk Episodes.apk FotaClient.apk GroupPlay_20.apk InteractiveTutorial.apk IQ_OOB_TMO.apk IQ-tmobile-release-unsigned.signed_TMO.apk IQToggle.signed_TMO.apk Kies.apk kieswifi.apk KNOXAgent.apk LocalFOTA.apk Lookout_TMO.apk Magazines.apk Match3VS.apk MobilePrint2.apk MobilePrintSvc_CUPS.apk MobilePrintSvc_CUPS_Backend.apk MobilePrintSvc_Epson.apk MobilePrintSvc_HP.apk MobilePrintSvc_Samsung.apk MobileTrackerEngineTwo.apk NfcTest.apk Peel.apk PolarisOffice5.apk S_Translator_CSLi.apk SamsungApps_J_Only.apk SamsungAppsUNA3.apk SamsungBooks.apk SamsungGames.apk SamsungHub.apk SamsungHubUpdater.apk SamsungMusic.apk SamsungOCR2.apk Samsungservice.apk SamsungTTS.apk SamsungWatchON.apk SBrowserTry.apk sCloudBackupApp.apk sCloudBackupProvider.apk sCloudDataRelay.apk sCloudDataSync.apk sCloudQuotaApp.apk sCloudSyncCalendar.apk sCloudSyncContacts.apk sCloudSyncSBrowserBookmark.apk sCloudSyncSBrowserTabs.apk sCloudSyncSNote.apk SecSetupWizard2013.apk SensorService.apk SimpleWidgtet.apk SHealth2.apk SmartBriefing4x2.apk SphericalMosaic.apk SPPPushClient_Prod.apk StoryAlbumWidget.apk SyncmlDM.apk SyncmlDS.apk S-Voice_Android_phone_J.apk TravelService.apk TravelWidget.apk TripAdvisor.apk TrimApp_phone_J.apk Videos.apk Vvm_TMO.apk WlanTest.apk wssyncmlnps.apk YosemitePHN.apk Holy crap that's alot? Isn't samsung music the default player? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusi0n Posted June 4, 2013 Author Share Posted June 4, 2013 I have not had the lag issues a few have claimed In fact to me its the fastest android phone I have used its quick and snappy. I think it may feel "lagging" because of how fast the Nexus 4 was.. I know the S4 has a faster CPU.. but the vanilla Android makes a huge difference.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusi0n Posted June 4, 2013 Author Share Posted June 4, 2013 Holy crap that's alot? Isn't samsung music the default player? I guess not because I still have the Music app on my phone. It is the same on my Nexus.. So I guess it reverts it to the default android player. I just use Music Folder Player anyway Hi, great quick review! I recently owned an iPhone 4S until I accidentally took it for a swim. Completely broke the phone and it wouldn't even turn on. I am with AT&T and had an upgrade available. I saw that the GS4 is $180 with an upgrade, and the GS3 is $40 with an upgrade, so I got the GS3 of course. Do you know if there are any big differences between the two? Would the GS4 be worth the extra $140? The GS4 is very much worth the $140.. The Camera is much better, double me the memory and much faster CPU.. Also depends on what you want to do with your phone.. but I would highly recommend getting the GS4 over the GS3.. The screen is amazing.. I didn't care for the screen much on the GS3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyLarry Veteran Posted June 4, 2013 Veteran Share Posted June 4, 2013 I had it rooted and ran a script that removed. After this alone.. made a HUGE difference.. I had no FCs after doing this either.. Link to Script. http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=2296788 This is for T-Mobile, but I am sure there is an AT&T version.. I bought the T-Mobile version and unlocked it for AT&T.. <snipped> Thanks for providing that list. I think for now I am going to stick to how it is by default. Perhaps it is because this is the first Droid phone I have owned since the original Motorola Droid, and then I went to an iPhone, and I am back to Droid, but I think the speed is fantastic. Do not get me wrong, it bothers the living hell out of me some of these apps are even on the phone and I have no control over them, but they also do not seem to be having a detrimental affect on my experience either. And I do like some of the Samsung specific features, mainly the Camera related stuff, which I do believe I would then lose. Maybe a few months down the road I will change my mind though, as I do like the idea of just having stock Android as well. Thanks again for the list, that is insane how much unnecessary **** is on there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+InsaneNutter MVC Posted June 4, 2013 MVC Share Posted June 4, 2013 This is my third smart phone this year :D Thats crazy lol, Ive owned 3 since 2007! a Nokia N95, HTC Desire and currently the Galaxy Nexus! Nice mini review anyway and some good tips :) fusi0n 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusi0n Posted June 4, 2013 Author Share Posted June 4, 2013 Thats crazy lol, Ive owned 3 since 2007! a Nokia N95, HTC Desire and currently the Galaxy Nexus! Nice mini review anyway and some good tips :) Thanks :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ichigo+ Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 You can also go into developer options and change the animatiopn scale for Windows Animation Scale, Transition Animation Scale, and Animator Animation Scale, to 0.5 instead of 1. This will speed up opening of apps due to that little animation. If you put it to 0 they pretty much open instant. +Warwagon and fusi0n 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusi0n Posted June 4, 2013 Author Share Posted June 4, 2013 Here are some Tips for future owners.. I was unable to edit my original post.. If you can, recommand getting the T-Mobile version.. even you have AT&T.. The T-Mobile version supports ALL LTE bands, so the phone will work fine on T-Mobile and AT&T. The AT&T version will not get LTE on T-Mobile.. I would bet that the "Google Galaxy S4" will most likely be the T-Mobile version since their version will work on both LTE Networks as well.. ALSO, the T-Mobile version has a unlocked bootloader To Unlock your Samsung Galaxy S4, http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=2282683 If you want to change the boot animations, you actually don't have to have a custom kernel.. you just have to flash this, http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=1897969 (It says it is for GS3, but the author told me to test it.. worked fine) Scroll down to the fourth post and download, CWM_CustomBootanimation_421_Enable.zip After that you can download new boot animations with Rom Toolkit If you can to get rid of the carrier logos during boot and shutdown, using root explorer copy bootsamsung.qmg and bootsamsungloop.qmg to System/Media/ I have uploaded the files in this post. I can not find the post on XDA I grabbed them from As all ready mentioned, to remove bloat, (T-Mobile version) http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=2296788 How to Root(T-Mobile) http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=2294005 Logos-Samsung.zip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted June 4, 2013 Member Share Posted June 4, 2013 I switched from TW to Nova on my Note 2 and I can really tell the difference. I was rooted for a while and I didn't really see any benefits so I went back to stock. But switching launchers made a huge difference for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasethebase Reporter Posted June 4, 2013 Reporter Share Posted June 4, 2013 Moved to Reviews by Members for Members fusi0n 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusi0n Posted June 4, 2013 Author Share Posted June 4, 2013 I switched from TW to Nova on my Note 2 and I can really tell the difference. I was rooted for a while and I didn't really see any benefits so I went back to stock. But switching launchers made a huge difference for me. I mainly rooted mine for Titanium Backup.. Made it an easy transition from my Nexus.. Using custom boot animations is pretty cool too :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusi0n Posted June 4, 2013 Author Share Posted June 4, 2013 Also Battery Life.. 9/10 Much better than any Android phone I have owned.. It can last all day..even when I am constantly messing with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Warwagon MVC Posted June 14, 2013 MVC Share Posted June 14, 2013 You should try the Carbon 4.2.2 ROM.... err not sure about GS4 I have it on my G3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconian Guppy Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Speed - 6/10 - 9/10 - Stock.. The phone is laggy and highly bloated. Coming from the Nexus 4 made me forget how fast the Android OS can be degraded from OEMs. After removing all the boat and replacing TouchWiz with Nova.. There was a HUGE difference in speed and boot times.. The lag went away. I give the Stock Speed 6/10 and after you remove bloat and do some tweaks, 9/10 when compared to a Nexus 4 If you would like me to help you remove bloat or have any questions, please let me know.. What bloat did you remove and how? Also do you have the snapdragon version or exynos? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusi0n Posted February 5, 2014 Author Share Posted February 5, 2014 What bloat did you remove and how? Also do you have the snapdragon version or exynos? Here is an updated version, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2326002 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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