yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] scryan:
Just considering offers here, getting kinda tired of the verizon S4 situation....

Mine is in very good condition still, and I see on swappa I may be able to get close to what I paid. Putting that towards a new phone in the ~$500 range would mean that the new phone would cost essentially the same as an upgrade phone, but I could upgrade early and get an unlocked dev phone...

Looking at the Moto X... but a little concerned that I may be a little late here. I don't play games, I just need stuff like tapatalk facebook and chrome to load quickly... Given the specs that are coming on phones I feel like it may not be an issue having an "old" phone hardware wise... But I do worry a bit about community/official support. I've been reading the MotoX forums and have heard some talk about "no love" for Moto X development but it seems thats because people love stock based Roms so much for that phone. I actually have always used stock based roms, I just like some extra clean up, the few added options (reboot options ect). My desire for unlocking has more to do with simply wanting to manage my own system and apply the updates I want then to be able to run AOSP roms... But I want to be able to continue having updates offered for the OS/radios. The S3's continued support gives me some hope on this, and I know I have heard a lot of praise about the moto x from devs so hopefully it could be kept more or less up to date over the next 2 or so years?

I dunno, any thoughts on the Moto X, its future support, or other guaranteed unlockable (dev ed. ) phones? I would probably look for new, not used... I though about seeing what the current price on an S4 dev edition is, but I think I would rather not support Samsung.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
Its hard to justify the moto x at this point, the hardware was considered a year out of date when it came out and its been over a year since then.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] scryan:
This was my main concern. I wish I could play with one for a week... I do kind of feel like we are getting to a point where the hardware is good enough reguardless of it being "out of date". I dont play games on cellphone. Usually random utility apps that require little, then like Facebook, chrome, tapa talk. I feel like were about at the point where older hardware that is more open is better for me then increasing specs when I wasn't really bottle necked in the first place. I cant see needing more then the stock vz s4 has in terms of performance... but I notice the x has a worse processor and I wouldnt want a phone that was much slower.

Either way, appreciate the input. Any phone YOU would be looking at in my shoes?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
When I get off work today and get my laptop I'll give you a full response rather than something half assed from my phone lol
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1454:
Honestly, I think this "outdated" concept is completely untrue. It is a dual core, but it has the newest "core design" (krait 400,iirc) and adreno 320 gfx. Which is the same as the s4 had. So they got rid of two cores to put the language processor and notification cores in. I have the maxx, which is just a variant of that phone and it is smoother than my s4. I do miss this like the ir blaster though. So I will probably get a s5. Plus I want water proof and a micro SD back. They being said, I actually like the maxx. It just needs the features listed above. (for me anyway)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] scryan:
The no SD card annoys me... I gotta check how much music I have but at least the dev edition is 32 gig at least and I dont use a ton of big apps.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1454:
Not sure if it is an option for you, but I have found play music to be very beneficial in this regard. Plus not having to load all my music on the device was nice. Also, it will cache an offline Playlist for you. Just food for thought.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] scryan:
I got all my music on play, and all my media is on a server at home... But I don't want to have to use my data or rely on a data connection.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] skepticmisfit:
i came from a Samsung Fascinate (original galaxy s, verizon variant, had BING as the default search engine for some arcane reason). before that i had an LG Vortex, which was also plagued with the bing problem but got fully functional ICS apparently like 3 days after i dropped mine in the pool :crying:

as far as upgrading, i think it might happen. one day. i'm satisfied aside from the locked bootloader. this is still one pretty beefy phone as far as hardware's concerned.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] scryan:
I was near a verizon store so I went in a played with one today. It definitely seemed plenty quick, and most the reviews put it as snappier then the S4. I do like simple and I use NONE of the S4s features... Out side of novelty testing, I think I have used the IR twice and I got S4 at release, and I seem to be seeing a lot of reviews that show that the moto will be quicker and easier to update, will have similar or even in some areas better performance while offering more straightforward functionality and quicker updates with out the whole will it be rootable game.

Moto's payment plan looks nice, even though the interest is ****ing crazy if you don't pay in time (Like 30$ deferred, lol), but that shouldn't be an issue. I would likely sell the S4 pretty quick and put the money towards the moto.

I'm pretty set that the next phone WILL be a dev edition, or a similar phone that is unlock-able with out any exploits, seems like all of this points towards the Moto X dev.

Though I am not actually THAT unhappy with the S4, its not a bad phone... There is a decent chance I will just stick with it. However it definitely has me regretting not having some kind of developer device, and I feel like not only is there benefit in getting the money back out of the S4 while I can (which would basically allow me to upgrade a year early, with out contract, getting a dev edition for similar cost to me as a subsidized phone).

Seems from here it would mostly be personal preference.

Only two things I am wondering would be

-Am I wrong to think I could potentially get longer support with the moto X? Seems as though they have gotten faster updates then the S4, and already have a commitment for Android L support. That plus a fully unlocked phone seems like it has a brighter future then trying to keep a rooted S4 up to date, especially with safestrap in limbo.

-I see the Moto Dev (unlocked) and Moto Dev (Verizon). Anyone know offhand if the unlocked can be used on verizon too? I don't know why there would be a verizon edition if this was true, but it would be nice to be less tied to verizon. Guess this will be one for me to research. If I go ahead I will likely call in to work out the whole payment plan thing and see if they would offer any sales price or anything.

Appreciate the thorough reply. Plenty to think about.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1454:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapdragon_(system_on_chip)

Yes, sorry, I couldn't remember if it was the 300 or 400. But it is just the same as the APQ8064T in the S4. Just with two less of them. Also, I will day this, the camera on my maxx is way worse than my s4.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
Considering all of the devices i mentioned can have unlocked bootloaders, yes, XDA will keep them updated far faster and longer than Samsung, the slowest company to update in the world, ever could lol. The unlocked Moto X you see doesn't have the CDMA bands for Verizon.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] lazer9:
I still have my heart set on the Note 4 supposedly to be released mid September just when my upgrade comes along. I just hope it can be at least rooted at minimum. :fingers-crossed:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] liljoe727:
Have you heard anything on the Note 4 other than the specs that have been released recently?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Jraider44:
Anybody had any time with a OnePlus One? I'm seriously considering it if I can get my hands on an invite ( the only thing I'm not liking so far about it).

I'm also considering the next nexus device to be released.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Cowbell_Guy:
I'm planning on the Motorola x+1 personally
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] calebcabob:
I'm hoping to go with the LG G3 still I think:)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 318sugarhill:
Excellent choice....loving mine. Got it before they closed the unlimited loophole upgrade. Haven't used my s4 since I got it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
Wow Unpacked 4 had a lot going on. Note 4, Gear S, Gear VR. Note 4 has 2.7ghz Snapdragon 805, QuadHD display, 16mp OIS back cam, 3.7mp 1.9f front cam, fingerprint scanner, heart rate monitor (doubles as a selfie button now too), and REAL METAL frame. That only took a hundred years. Went back to USB 2.0 lol because "no one was really using 3.0 for data transfers" but it still has fast charging using a proprietary technology (also compatible with QC2.0) so it can go from 0-50% in 30ish minutes.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] lazer9:
Yea I caught a little on the Note 4 today. Having trouble finding good info. Samsung Mobile/Unpacking site on Youtube which every blog seems to direct to only has a few cheezy ads listed. Still looking forward to the Note 4 and praying it will at minimum be rootable. My upgrade is due this month on the 19th. Hoping I don't have to wait on Big Red and Sammy much further than that date but one of the blogs now is rumoring not until October for Release on the major carriers. Hrmmm :confused:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
Yeah release isn't until October. I was able to watch the whole event but I think Engadget has the best coverage right now and they got a pretty good hands on with the Gear VR.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] liljoe727:
So, I found out I have an upgrade available today and was going to hold out for the Note 4. I'm not so sure anymore. With the nightmare that was the rooting process for my S4 (NC5), before TowelRoot, how long it took to gain root on the S5, and the recent addition of a Verizon update that TowelRoot can't bypass, I am becoming increasingly disinterested in samsung devices. (I would leave big red but the service is untouchable). I have been looking into a lot of other mobile devices and the two standouts, in my mind, are the Sony Xperia Z2 and the HTC one M8. All the reviews I have read seemed pretty even and the Sony device may have even fared a bit better. I have done some poking about on their respective threads on this site and it seems that root access and ROMS are readily available. I was wondering if anybody had any real world experience with either of the devices, or both for that matter. Thank you in advance.

Jesus loves you!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] vicariouscheese:
Looking forward to the note... but also interested in seeing if there are any other phablets in the horizon. Worth checking out the htc one max? Or the nexus/moto 6" leak? I like using a stylus, but not dead set on the samsung offerings for their spen.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
The Nexus looks interesting but I doubt we'll see it on Verizon. We'll be getting the Droid Turbo, which is expected to a 5.2" device similar to Shamu (the Nexus model). The One Max could be pretty cool, I love mine really. It's expected to be a lot smaller than the current One Max, at 5.5" but that's not a bad thing consider the dual front facing speakers and wasted bezel space for the HTC logo between the display and the speakers. I just hope they don't skimp out on this generation. The last generation One Max had the same specs of devices that came out like 6-9 months before it, which is kind of a big deal in tech time. I would hope this Max has an 805, etc. Oh and I never had a problem using the fingerprint sensor, although a lot of reviewers complain about it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] NikolaeVarius:
We will never get a Nexus device ever again.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] vicariouscheese:
On verizon? What about international version unlocked or something?

Anyways I'm actually on AT&T now, just still using my verizon s4. Still want to look at note 4 and nexus 6.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Cowbell_Guy:
If the droid turbo is rootable, I'll definitely be getting that. Any word on if that's going to happen?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
Jcase recently released sunshine for the original Moto X on 4.4.3, $25 to unlock bootloader and root... apparently he's closing to get the same going for 4.4.4, which is the latest OTA of the original Moto X, the current software of the new Moto X, and the software the Droid Turbo should be running at launch
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] BBEgo:
The M8 is a fantastic phone. S-off, unlocked, rooted, ROM'd, etc.

Sense 6, AOSP, MIUI... Sky's the limit with this device.

HTC's radios are generally much better than Samsung.

Last weekend, in 'night mode', my M8 killed my fiancee's S4 camera in both stills and video image quality in an indoor club party environment. Dark room, but laser lights, and a brightly lit stage.

Battery life is better, too.

The S4 takes great daytime pics, though. Competes with, or beats my M8. HTC's camera app doesn't have as many features as the S4 either.

M8 is quite water resistant too. My HTC Droid DNA (phone before this one) was the first flagship phone from HTC to have a sealed design (inaccessible battery compartment). This actually saved my phone when I stupidly went swimming with it in my pocket. 2 min in, it hit me. I powered it down and let it bake in the desert sun for about an hour. Fired it up, and it was fine.

The M8 is solid, and turns heads whenever it's out.

Once you discover how much the Sense UI has to offer, you'll never look at TW the same again. TW is mostly gimmicky garbage and half baked ideas. Sense is solid and useful.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
The Verge: Sony's latest flagship is coming to Verizon as the Xperia Z3v. http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIw0oLV3h8
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] liljoe727:
Broken link.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
Works for me on mobile, but doesn't matter everyone has the story now, you can just google it lol
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tshelby73:
Looks like nexus 6 week be available on Verizon to bad the price is pretty high compared to previous nexus devices. Probably so Verizon can subsidize and get some us off unlimited
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] vicariouscheese:
Now the real question... is the spen and related software worth over the nexus6? I like using a regular crappy stylus with my s4, so I'd definitely get one for the nexus. Also worth considering battery life as I'd be willing to put one of those ridiculous 10kmah batteries on a note 4.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] liljoe727:
The Nexus 6 is looking better and better everyday. I hope Verizon does not go crazy on locking it down : ( stupid Verizon! Why must you have the best coverage and network!?!?

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." - Galatians 5:1
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] skepticmisfit:
google would kill them if they even touched anything on the hardware side. the n6 would be the only major dev-friendly device they have, locking it would decrease sales and piss everyone off
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] liljoe727:
If I were to buy a branded N6 from Verizon it would no doubt have all their ridiculous bloat on it, but your saying it would probably be rooted/unlocked still so I could just delete everything like I normally do?

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." - Galatians 5:1
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] koreanschoolkid:
I actually upgraded to uh...to a SGS 4

I spent forever shopping around but I hated all the new phones for only using softkeys and hated the SGS4/5 Note 2/3 for making me use safestrap after I swore off using it with the Razr

Call me weird but I was pretty happy to find a MDK SGS4 as an upgrade

I don't hate all softkeys though. <3 Button Savior
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] liljoe727:
I'd be pretty happy with an MDK S4. Might not even be considering a new device if that's what was in my hand. I think the S4 is a great phone, better than the S5 in my opinion and I've had it for a while and am comfortable with it. That Nexus 6 is looking better everyday though, lol.

"Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts." - Jeremiah 15:16
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] cerice74:
I went to check out the Droid Turbo at a local store and I am sold!! Unfortunatly i have to wait until my MDK S4 sells.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tkacer:
Still rocking the MDK S4 myself - don't see myself upgrading until the Snapdragon 810's hit early next year. For those specs I can wait!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] liljoe727:
The MDK S4 is like the white unicorn of samsung devices or something. Lol. I came into the game late (I didn't get one within the first two weeks or whatever) so I've never been able to flash pure AOSP but if I could, I'd be set for a while too. Lol. The 810 looks like it's gonna be pretty excellent. I'm kind of interested in seeing the Z4, as I have an upgrade available in early Spring next year. Root is high priority though and an unlocked bootloader would be like...heaven almost, so being on Verizon, the Nexus 6 is looking like the cats pajamas.

"Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts." - Jeremiah 15:16
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] skepticmisfit:
i don't remember the Verizon GNex having bloat, i believe they replaced google wallet with the terrorist wallet (isis), but that was it. it should be unlockable through fastboot tho because nexus.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tkacer:
I got mine as soon as it hit and never looked back. If not for the loki exploit, I would have sold this long ago. Won't have a phone I can't have a custom recovery on (gotta have AOSP to flash!) My days on VZW will probably end this spring too with the upgrade - would be really surprised if any unlocked/exploitable phones will be offered by then.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] koreanschoolkid:
If it is then I guess I'm slightly rare then

S4 MDK with an old unlimited data line.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 06sharpshot:
I'm another unlucky fellow that got the phone after the bootloader was totally locked down but recently I flashed the super-nexus ROM which is AOSP that has been modded to work on safestrap. For a workaround solution for now it seems to work really well.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ncope562:
I am also still sporting MDK S4. So happy I didn't take the update like so many people did! I am just wondering if any of the future Galaxy phones will be unlockable if you don't get a dev edition, especially with Verizon.

For now though I am wondering when people will have a Lollypop rom out so I can flash it! :cyclops:

And also wish that Jelly Beans was updating his roms still, the good old days.. Sometimes I want to flash build 7 just because it is so good...
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Flypanam:
Same here. I'm finding it really hard to justify upgrading.

The ONLY thing that is tempting me with this new Gen (2014 X, Turbo, N6) is Lollipop and maybe the Turbo's battery.

Hopefully some Devs put together a 5.0 Rom soon.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] scryan:
Little advice from anyone who uses multiple phones?

I'm on verizon in the middle of a contract, and bought a new 2013 Moto X dev edition off ebay. I currently have an S4.

The S4 uses a micro sim, the Moto X uses a nano.

First thought was to cut my current card with scissors down to a nano, then buy an adapter so I can still use it with the S4 if I want. Has anyone had this done at the store? Do they typically have the cutter? I can do it myself but if you can just pop in the store and they will nicely stamp it out, that is probably better.

Then I noticed a new nano is about the same cost as an adapter... I don't know how often I am going to be switching back and forth (probably not often), should I just buy a new sim?

I guess I don't care if they think I am still using S4, but does simply swapping the sim over to the new phone update my account information to show a Moto X online?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1454:
I go back and forth all the time. It shows the phone you are currently using it in. Also, just take it to the store and get a nano sim. It's easier that way and buy an adapter. I am currently swapping between a Maxx and s5.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] scryan:
Cut my sim down, only to find new phone came with a nano. Used the cut one for a day or two, but I never really took the time to make it fit nice, and I started having random no-sim issues that only got more frequent. Probably could have cleaned up the cut card and made it fit better, but oh well I had a real one and just activated that.

The Moto X is sweet. For anyone else who is just tired of the whole bootloader thing, Dev Edition seems to still be $220 on ebay, according to Moto still warrantied. Only catch is the normal bootload unlock site isn't working for them if they are a Sept 2014 batch (I think they all are?), and you have to email Moto directly for the unlock code.

Little bit smaller screen, hard to compare quality because I put a matte protector on the Moto X where I had glass on the S4.... But god going back to the S4 feels like such a stupid shaped slab of plastic. Performance and battery wise its basically on par with the S4... Its just been a more comfortable package with an unlocked bootloader. VERY glad I picked it up, probably the phone I should have bought out of the gate. Just nice to know that regardless, I can unlock, flash recovery and root no problems had. If your on the fence do it. Very nice phone and hopefully should be getting official 5.0 in the next few weeks.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 06sharpshot:
I'm very much considering going the swappa route with my phone to pick up an MDK version as my contract doesn't end until August and I'm happy with the hardware on this phone just not the software.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tshelby73:
Got the moto x dev edition for my wife I couldn't run the thing I was so used to Samsung touch wiz which is funny cause I had galaxy nexus before the s4. The moto x seems snappier to me. Only thing is my big thumbs don't work well with the smaller keyboard. Mine was 250 on eBay and had no problem unlocking on moto site I even did it before I activated it. It was get Christmas present. I stole her old dumb phone activated moto without her noticing and stuck it in her stocking then I called it it was some funny shiznit.

Sent from S4 using the worst jacked up version of Tapatalk to date
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] TJ2713:
My contract is up just as the S6 should hit. Think I will hold out for the note 5 though. No issues with

my MDK S4 on hyperdrive that has me super twitchy on anything new thats coming.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] skepticmisfit:
im getting really tired of being stuck on touchwiz... going with a different manufacturer next time around.

actually now that i think about it, i want a droid mini. yea its an old device but its got cm support (bootloader unlock through Sunshine which i'd buy, $25 is worth it for pretty much easy freedom imo), and it's small (can barely hold my s4 in my tiny hands ;__;)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] darker_slayer:
My wife's long term use of the s4 has led her to living touch wiz and hating cm12 for the short time she ran it on my G2. Moved her to t mobile and a used note 3 for her touch wiz fix

Myself I still like the G2 the most. I'll probably never come back to Samsung with Verizon lock down. If I'm going locked it will be for Sony and ip68. Could get by with stock rooted lollipop on Motorola or Sony. Wouldn't be able to stand stock Samsung or LG root or not. Fortunately G2/G3 is aosp friendly

At least Verizon is starting to remove their head from their tucus and over something other than the iPhone and Galaxies