HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S 4 Google Play edition Review - Nearly Nexus
by Brian Klug on June 26, 2013 1:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Android
- Mobile
- google play
- Android 4.2
Choice – that's really what it comes down to. If you know what AOSP stands for without having to Google it, you probably want to buy the Google Play edition of whichever phone suits you most. If you don't care or don't know (which seems unlikely if you're an AnandTech reader and made it this far), or need an operator subsidy, the skinned versions of both phones offer a user experience arguably better suited to the masses. It's really that simple. That's the advice I'm sticking to, at least.
The Google Play editions of the HTC One and SGS4 don't fundamentally alter what made the respective hardware great, nor does it help sway me one way or another on the issue of deciding which of the two is the better phone, it's just a breath of fresh air. At the same time it's an interesting way for Google to sort of refresh its devices-with-stock-Android lineup, even if neither the HTC One nor SGS4 are canonical Nexus hardware. It sounds weird, but it's awesome to see Android 4.2.x assets in 1080p on these two phones after spending so much time on the 1280x768 Nexus 4.
I like the idea of Google getting popular Android devices and making Google Play editions with their own version of the software atop them, as this seems like an ideal way to combine some of what the OEMs do best (hardware) with what Google does best (Android). Along those lines, I hope Google continues this with other future devices and OEMs, something they've stated they're hoping to do. I think it's easy to see this new device strategy paying off as it appeases the most vocal enthusiasts who want that pure Android option while at the same time allowing for faster access to newer hardware.
The only remaining concern is one of timing. It's a bit unfortunate to see these options come months after the release of the normal versions of each phone. HTC is mitigating some of that with the option for users to flash the GPe ROM on their Developer Edition and Factory Unlocked phones, with the option to even go back to the Sense 5 version, but those who went and got an operator subsidized handset will have to resort to alternative means.
Although unadulterated Android is great, as I mentioned earlier I still can't shake that there's-something-missing feeling when using it. There's usually just more that I wind up installing and tweaking to feel at home on those devices. Even though I regularly critique OEM skins and software decisions, there's an undeniable certainty that HTC and Samsung respectively do add a lot to their software that makes things better. I ended up enjoying HTC's Sense 5 and found that it addressed a number of friction points, and even though I harp on TouchWiz a lot I do make frequent use of their notification center settings shortcuts and appreciate their camera UI. I keep going back to the Android camera UI since it remains, in a word, disappointing, and this is one of the places every OEM spends considerable time tweaking and changing things.
For now at least, shoppers and Android enthusiasts have a choice between skinned and stock, and I'm all for it.
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thesavvymage - Thursday, June 27, 2013 - link
its not in stock android, so no it doesnt have it. Assuming you mean for the screenakdj - Thursday, June 27, 2013 - link
Wow...completely off topic, but damn! I can't get rid of my original 'Note' fast enough! Good. Lord! The speed, in every test on these new handsets just absolutely SMOKE the Galaxy Note and GSIII! Unreal...in some case 4-500% increase in performance...still another 6 months to go. Amazing though, the performance increases across the board in just one years time. The Note and GSIII along with the iPhone 4S were really the top of the heap about 13 months back. Now, those numbers are barely enough to 'anchor' your list!That said...pretty amazing how well the iPhone 5 has held up to the newer generation Snapdragon procs. It's still definitely holding its own...even topping the newer hardware in all of those GL/graphic benches. Crazy.
Here's to looking forward to the Note 3 or SG5! Damn two year contracts. This move though by Google will make me second guess my next Android purchase....exactly because of this option. Forget the carrier subsidy. In the two year plan, you're always laying a helluva lot more than the 550-700 dollar range on these Google Play options
I think that may be a third group to add....those of us in America, where the cell companies and their massive monopolous empire they've built on these '2 year' subsidies. Crazy....$600 up front and 40-60 bucks a month vs. a C Note for 24 straight months....that is easily a 50% savings on the initial purchase.
qucktaker - Thursday, June 27, 2013 - link
Can I assume that the Samsung SAFE APIs will not be included in the Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition?MrDarthBuddy - Thursday, June 27, 2013 - link
Are you going to benchmark that Radeon card too? LOLcbutters - Thursday, June 27, 2013 - link
What about wifi calling?cyberguyz - Thursday, June 27, 2013 - link
Samsung includes exFAT to support SD cards >32GB under license with Microsoft.Because raw Android does not license this from Microsoft, can it provide the same SDCard support that Samsung does? I am doubting it - hence only half-assed support for >32GB SDCards.
augustofretes - Thursday, June 27, 2013 - link
I wouldn't worry too much about the crappy camera, or a missing application, I'm sure there's going to be a perfectly functional ROM that will simply bring the HTC's or Samsung's framework to an otherwise AOSP ROM to run the camera app, etc.xaml - Thursday, June 27, 2013 - link
"I've had a lot success handing out Nexus 4 phones"You wouldn't mind, now, would you? ;-)
nubian1 - Friday, June 28, 2013 - link
My concern is that the kernel is still being supplied by the respective manufacturers with Google only supplying the Stock Android OS. This can still lead to lack of ongoing support as newer handsets come out from HTC & Samsung. I'm not convinced.bamyasi - Saturday, June 29, 2013 - link
Contrary to what Brian wrote in his review, GS4 GPE is an AT&T variant and its radio does not include WCDMA Band IV (AWS), so T-Mobile HSPA+ will not work on this phone. Oh, and GP phone page clearly states this (under Tech Specs).