Review of the HTC One from a Samsung Galaxy S II User

With two huge flagship phones released to the market so close together it's inevitable that they would be compared to each other - which explains all the reviews comparing the HTC One to the Samsung Galaxy S 4.  But if you're like me and bought Samsung's earlier smash hit, the Samsung Galaxy S II (SGS2), you're probably looking to upgrade about now so here's a Samsung Galaxy S II user's impressions of the HTC One.

I'm reviewing a HTC One Unlocked US edition running 1.29.1540.16 (Android 4.1.2) and comparing it against a Samsung Galaxy S II GT-I9100 UK Unlocked running Android 4.1.2.


The former Android flagship has finally met its match in the HTC One

Samsung Galaxy S II UK International 4.1.2 Jelly Bean Released and Impressions

After waiting months and months since Samsung first starting rolling out Jellybean in Spain, UK unlocked Galaxy S II (XEU) can now officially upgrade their phone and taste some of that Jelly Bean goodness and the latest TouchWiz Nature UX.

Like all firmware upgrade processes, make sure you take a back up of whatever you need from your phone.

Note: This update will wipe out your homescreen settings

You can update via OTA:


Or through Kies:

You'll need to update Kies before you can update your phone since Samsung just released a new version of Kies today

In the first hour, I'm regretting the upgrade. The UI looks so garish and cramped.  All your home screen configurations will be lost on the upgrade.

Is Nokia next on Apple's hit list?

A second generation Apple iPod nano with a Nokia Lumia 800

I always wondered when Apple would let their lawyers loose on Nokia for their Lumia 800/900 and upcoming WP8 device.  But with Nokia's really low uncompetitive sales, I have a feeling Apple won't bother with Nokia yet.

Samsung Galaxy S II UK International 4.0.4 ICS Released and Impressions

In a process much faster than this year's 4.0.3 update, UK international (XEU) phones get Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) 4.0.4 just a few weeks after the initial roll out.

If you're running Samsung stock 4.0.3 ICS then 4.0.4 is a must get

The About Screen showing 4.0.4	The Samsung 4.0.4 firmware introduces even larger font in the UI and the icons are back in the menu

Changes Noticed:

• Larger font throughout user interface
• Screen capture changed back to pre-ICS which is hold center key and Power button at the same time
• Much improved user interface response and transitions
• Some UI menus are stock ICS (greyish with aqua blue) like the WiFi selection
• Faster key recognition at the lock screen
• Browser no longer shows URL bar when you scroll (I turn on Labs > Quick Controls to compensate)
• Scrolling in the native browser changed back to prefering scrolling left, right, down, up instead of scrolling based on your exact finger swipe motion
• Font changes: Adds Rosemary font
• Adds Display battery percentage option in Display menu to display both the standard green battery icon and the percentage at the top
• Fixes the auto-sync Exchange e-mail when connected to WiFi
• Calculator now vibrates the phone at each key press
• A "More" link has been added to the bottom right of Calendar descriptions can be expanded to see the whole description

In comparison to the battery life of 4.0.3, this firmware gives me slightly better results:

• On average usage I get 25 minutes of battery life for every 1% of battery loss.
• Leaving the phone on with display off, all data off, RAM memory cleared, and no background apps running, I get a little over 1.5 hours for every 1% of battery loss.
• With heavy GPS usage and occasional WiFi usage, I get about 7 minutes for every 1% of battery loss
• Recharging from empty takes a little over 3 hours

With ICS 4.0.4, the Samsung Galaxy S II can get over 100 hours of battery life with light usage.

If you're on 4.0.3 right now then you should definitely upgrade to 4.0.4.  The improved user interface performance is well worth the upgrade.  The only drawback is the increased font size which increases menu scrolling.

Why a Google tablet like Nexus 7 won't gain traction

Google debuts its latest and greatest smartphone OS, Android Jelly Bean, with the Nexus 7

Designed to compete against market leader, Apple iPad, the new Google tablet will get more competition from large sized phones called phablets and make only a slight dent to the iPad marketshare.

No real competition for the iPad:

• Even though Android market penetration has been phenomenal, there are still more quality apps on the Apple AppStore due to numerous reasons (OS fragmentation, less paying users)
• The iPad's 11 inch screen size makes content consumption much more satisfying than a small 7 inch
• With very little marketshare in the tablet area, most app developers will continue to target the phone market so the Google tablets with just run upsized phone apps unlike the the thousand of iPad specific apps.

More competition from fellow Android devices:

• Phablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Note at 5 inch creeps into tablet area while including 3G/4G connectivity and calling capabilities.  Phablets sold on contract can potentially undercut the price of tablets
• Android phones like the Galaxy Nexus and phablets will eventually get Jelly Bean
• With very little marketshare in the tablet area, most app developers will continue to target the phone market so the Google tablets won't be able to differentiate or gain from the added display real estate

Although Jelly Bean was hyped up with a new Nexus tablet, it's minor version update, 4.1 from Ice Cream Sandwich's 4.0, is really just a minor update which doesn't bring any significant functionality.  I was really hoping for the rumored docking feature.

Samsung Galaxy S II better in drops than Samsung Galaxy S 3

ElectronicsBreak on YouTube conducted drop tests between the Samsung Galaxy S 3 against the iPhone 4S. Unfortunately the SGS3 doesn't handle drops as well.


They also conducted drop tests between the Samsung Galaxy S II (SGS2) and iPhone 4S.  Here the SSG2 handles the drop tests much better.


I think it's safe to conclude that the SGS2 is a much better at taking falls than the SGS3. Another reason not to upgrade.

Watch the videos below:

10 Reasons I won't be Buying the Samsung Galaxy S 3

Samsung's flagship phone had high expectations before its announcement.  It's still a top phone but I won't be buying it.