Honestly, what's the difference between phones now? It seems like they all have the same functionality. The only notable differences that I see are size and perhaps maybe battery life. What else differentiates one from another?

It all depends on what features you will actually USE. Most people don't use a lot of the new features but here are some that are pretty damn cool.

For example, my S4 is a universal remote which I find handy. Also, if you do the whole "voice commands" thing than the new Moto-X is amazing because you don;t have to hit a button you can simple say "OK Google" and ask for information or tell it to dial or send a text... etc...

Of course there are a ton of other features but it all boils down to which ones you personally will get value from.

I'm not a big fan of the approach that OEMs like Samsung have taken. LG to a lesser extent too. I don't want S Voice, when Google Now is simply better. I don't want S Translate; if I need to translate something I'll download an app (probably google translate). I don't want some fitness app. Again, if I'm looking for something like that, let me pick what I want in the play store. To me that's all bloat crap. All of it's about branding, so they can make cute ads and put an S in front of everything. Blech

What I do want is for the phone to be well made. I want it to feel good in my hand. I want it to have all the sensors in there so developers can take advantage of them. And I want it supported, so I know I'll get around 18 months of updates.

That's why I like what Motorola is trying. Not perfect, mind you. But I can pick how my phone feels and looks, and then I get a relatively clean version of Android. And the things they have focused on are actually useful. Geofencing so my phone automatically unlocks at home. Always on voice. A pretty cool active notification screen based on sensors. Not eye tracking and hover scrolling bs.

We'll see. I agree though, it's becoming very hard for the companies to release flagship phones with any "wow" features.

I JUST got the Note II.....:cuss:

Nevermind... Apparently only Korea is getting a version of the phone where the battery can be removed.

:facepalm:

You'll be ok man. I've had mine for 8 months.....and I have no desire to switch to the Note 3. The N2 still does everything, and more, that I need.

I like where this discussion is going.
As I stated earlier I am using an HTC one currently - but I do have 2 upgrades sitting in the account as well - the Moto X is a great first product for Googlrola, but I don't think I'll be switching.

The HTC One MAX is on the way out and i'm guessing build quality will dictate which I will try between the NoteIII or MAX... historically I would say HTC, but its rumored that it has plastic for the front instead of the solid metal - not huge but something to take into consideration.

I had the LG OG and I really enjoyed it, it was a solid phone and for a little while I was sad that it was gone as the HTC one wasn't such a big upgrade except in the speaker department.

the G2 looks awesome but the volume rocker on the back is hard for me to overcome

I actually think the power button and volume rocker on the back is a pretty smart design.

Of course I have yet to use it but even on my smaller devices I have to shift the phone in my hand to push the power button or volume and that's when you start dropping shit, so having it on the back would allow me to simply use my index finger. Design wise it might not appeal to a lot of people but I don't think it's that bad.

You don't like plastic... So the g2 or note? :confused face:

I like high build quality - Some Manufacturers can create high build quality with plastic but samsung does not usually fall into this category, IMO.

Other hardware and software factors may play into my decision, but since these are the known devices that are suppose to be release this year, I imagine these are going to be my choices if I want to try something other than the HTC ONE - which I am still very pleased with

I've got the first one. Waiting to upgrade until three hits. If it was farther out I would just get the two
Posted via Mobile Device

You must have small hands
Posted via Mobile Device

Me too, love my Note 2 still and no desire to change to any of the phones coming out now.

I do, but it's not just me. You wouldn't see companies moving the position of the power buttons on phones if it wasn't beginning to become an issue with the increase in phone size. Sony putting it on the right side where your thumb is, LG putting it on the back so you can easily use your index finger, and I believe HTC has theirs on the top left(?) where your index finger rests when you are holding the phone, assuming you are right handed.

I think the back power/volume button is interesting. Impossible to tell until you hold it, but isn't that always where your hand hits? Even with smaller phones, it's become hard to do everything with one hand. The bigger ones? I like different design thinking.