[Galaxy S I9000 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] andrewluecke:
Currently can't use stock (but there is no reason why someone couldn't port get a fully stock rom working). A lot of us like this phone, some people don't. Some people prefer the Desire.

Current main problems people are having.

1) GPS is sketchy, but it does appear Samsung is fixing it. It is a good chipset (and the solution may be that they release a new backplate with a better antenna, because there is a jack for an external antenna). Or, it may be improved drivers. As of JM5, I have quickly tested mine and it is great, but haven't tested it properly yet.

2) "Lag". Some people are whinging that applications take too long to load, and some tasks lag. We KNOW the processor is awesome though, and we KNOW that the NAND chip is fast, so it's probably a configuration/software issue. Perhaps they simply need better caching in place. Also be aware, many people here are blowing the lag WAYYY out of proportion. Some people here will tell you their applications are lagging 10 secs, and that the lag killed their cat.

In JM5 and JG5, I tested it, and I could only get 3 secs lag max after running many apps. I later managed to increase that to perhaps 4. But later firmwares now seem to be quite immune to serious lag problems.

When it comes down to it though, your only way of knowing for sure whether it's the right phone for you, is to test them both.

However, you must be honest with yourself too. Anything to do with graphics is probably better on the Galaxy S (and the firmware is much more buggy still). But the HTC has a better experience at the moment. The Galaxy S also has a better screen, and a PROPER multitouch atmel controller, whereas most mobiles (including the nexus one) still use a hacked synaptics/single touch panel which can support multitouch (but doesn't actually do it properly, and it's easy to generate false ).

I wouldn't trade my Samsung Galaxy S though, even if I was offered full asking price. It really comes down to your needs. The Samsung might be the better long term solution (especially since Samsung are REALLY pushing it, which suggests they are serious about turning it mainstream), but the desire might be the better short term one.

It all comes down to your needs though, and patience. If you need fully accurate GPS right now, or are too impatient to wait 1 sec for an app to open, get the HTC desire. But, if you want a proper multitouch controller, MUCH faster GPU and better screen, Samsung Galaxy. At the end of the day, they are just mobile phones, you just need to go for it! I spent months wasting hours looking up reviews every week, and at the end, I just did it on a whim (had never even seen it in real life). The fact is, in actual real world use, the HTC desire is possibly a bit better for some people if they need accurate GPS for fitness and such (but ours will probably improve too with a bit of software improvements, or a new back case with a better antenna). Both have 802.11n, so you'll find that you can set your router to 802.11n mode only.

It's just a phone though. If you need a fashion accessory, the HTC legend might appeal to you. But as mentioned, what you need is everything.

Also, some people may complain about the build quality of the galaxy S (it uses a plastic back which snaps on). I'd say the build quality is fine (materials which are used doesn't mean a damn if your smartphone gets wet). In fact, I actually think its a pro point, because we can swap the back with a rubberdised one and simply get a screen protector/bumper. But yeah, nothing to worry about. The glass seems strong too.

Good luck.