Root Your Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Without Tripping Samsung Knox Security Suite

Rooting Samsung Galaxy S3 can trip off the Samsung Knox security suite and voids the warranty whenever the flash counter gets a point. But there is a new rooting kit to ensure that Knox will not react and void out the warranty.

Prerequisites

1. Create a manual backup of all data files and settings on your Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
2. Battery level should be at least 50 per cent.
3. Some knowledge on how to use Command Window.
4. Enable USB debugging mode by going to Settings > General > About phone Tap build number seven times > Go back to Settings > Developer options > USB debugging.”
5. You need a 32-bit computer in order for the process to work.
6. Working Internet connection.
7. Download the Cygwin, ODIN flash tool, Samsung Kies, Universal RDLV, RDLV SD card file and the phablet’s firmware on your computer. Download the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean firmware appropriate for your Galaxy Note 3 model with PDA not ending on MJ4, MJ7, MK1 or MK2 as it would trip Knox.

Warning: TheBitBag is not responsible for any errors or void of warranty on your Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Root access provides full administration rights on an Android device which may cost its warranty. Read and follow the instructions properly to prevent tripping Knox. Do this at your own risk.

Rooting Procedure

1. Double check if you downloaded the right firmware for your Galaxy Note 3. Take your time in reviewing the list to avoid any issues later.
2. Unzip the files to their respective folders on your computer’s desktop and download the firmware for your Galaxy Note 3 along with the tools mentioned above.
3. On your Galaxy Note 3, go to Settings > Security > Reactivation lock must be unticked.
4. Remove the microSD card on your phablet.
5. On your computer, extract the files from the firmware you’ve downloaded to a new folder in the C: drive. Rename it to “Note3” for simplicity.
6. Extract the Universal RDLV file to the “Note3” folder you’ve created earlier.
7. Install the Cygwin and keep all settings on default. Leave all selected packages when asked.
8. After the installation, find the directory path of Cygwin on your computer, then open “Cygwin.bat” from its folder.
9. Enter the following commands exactly as it is without the quotation marks:
   “cd /cygdrive/c/Note3/”
10. Enter the next command as it is without the quotation marks, but DO NOT press enter yet.
    “./URDLV.sh full /cydrive/c/Note3/
    (now add the file name of the firmware that you’ve downloaded which is long and so be careful as one mistake will cause an error – press enter)
11. Assuming you have typed the correct commands and file path, a greeting message will appear containing Universal Root de la Vega and other details regarding the firmware.
12. The process may take some time and once it is complete, you will find the result in “C:/Note3/output” folder which looks like an original firmware.
13. Install the ODIN flash tool and Samsung Kies along with the necessary drivers on your computer.
14. Switch off your Samsung Galaxy Note 3 then reboot into Download mode by pressing home, power and volume down keys at the same time.
15. A warning will prompt you inside the Download mode and press volume up to proceed.
16. Connect your Galaxy Note 3 using a USB cable to your computer. The ID:COM will turn blue if the ODIN tool detects it.
17. Click the “AP” in ODIN tool and then select the newly created firmware from Cygwin earlier inside the “C:/Note3/output” folder. The new firmware has “VEGA” appearing in the last part of its file name.
18. Turn on “Auto Reboot” and “F. Reset Time” but keep “Re-Partition OFF” in the ODIN tool.
19. Hit “Start” button to begin installation of the new and modified firmware. Let the ODIN tool finish the process and wait till the device reaches the home screen.
20. Enable USB mass storage then extract the content of the second RDLV zip file you have downloaded earlier. Extract the “root_files” folder and “root_de_la_vega. sh” file in the root folder of the Galaxy Note 3.
21. Turn off the phablet and then switch it back on. You will see some setup details for Google and others which you can finish later.
22. After the device finished booting up, delete the files you’ve copied on the root folder of Galaxy Note 3 then reboot once more.
23. This time, your device is rooted and you can check it using Root Check app from the Play Store.
24. Check the Knox security by rebooting into Download mode and view the warranty status and Knox kernel lock shown as OxO and current binary as “Samsung Official.”

Congratulations! Your Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is now rooted and retains the current warranty without tripping Knox security suite.

By: Abhishek On 04:51

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How to Root the Motorola Moto X with KitKat 4.4.2 [Root Guide]

How to Root the Motorola Moto X with KitKat 4.4.2 [Root Guide]

This Root Guide has been tested only on the Moto X that is running on stock official Android 4.4.2 KitKat Firmware. Therefore, the steps from below are compatible only with the mentioned Android based device, always Back-up all your data. NOTE: Rooting your Moto X will void your warranty.

Step 1 - First of all, on your computer you need to Download the Android SDK.

Step 2 - You'll need Cydia Impactor file Download HERE, and the latest version ofSlap My Moto Download HERE.

Step 3 - Now, connect your Moto X with your computer via USB cable.

Step 4 - On your computer open a command prompt window go to "start -> run -> type cmd".

Step 5 - On the cmd window type the following command: "adb push SlapMyMoto.jar /sdcard/SlapMyMoto.jar".

Step 6 - Also, on the same cmd window enter "adb shell getprop dhcp.wlan0.ipaddress" (the ip address of your phone will be displayed).

Step 7 - Good, now from your computer open the Cydia Impactor program and select the "# start telnetd as system on port 2222" option. Then Click on start.

Step 8 - Return to the cmd window and enter the following commands (replace IPADDRESS with your phone's own IP address that has been provided before): "telnet IPADDRESS 2222; dalvikvm -cp /sdcard/SlapMyMoto.jar SlapMyMoto".

Step 9 - When the system will prompt you to reboot your phone, in cmd enter "adb reboot".

Step 10 - Now reboot your handset in bootloader mode by typing in cmd "adb reboot bootloader".

Step 11 - Once your Moto X has been entered the bootloader mode, on the cmd window you need to enter: "fastboot flash partition gpt.bin"; "fastboot flash motoboot motoboot.img"; "fastboot flash logo logo.bin"; "fastboot reboot".

Step 12 - Up next, your handset will reboot; then you will have to type the command (again on the same cmd window): "adb push su /data/local/tmp/su"; "adb push install.sh /data/local/tmp/install.sh"; "adb push rec.sh /data/local/tmp/rec.sh"; "adb push install-recovery.sh /data/local/tmp/install-recovery.sh"; "adb push setup.sh /data/local/tmp/setup.sh"; "adb reboot".

Step 13 - Once your phone reboots type in cmd: "adb shell; echo /data/local/tmp/rec.sh > /sys/kernel/uevent_helper".

Step 14 - In the end you will just have to go to Google Play for installing the Super SU app.

Step 15 - NOTE THAT: if during the process from above your Moto X gets stuck on a boot loop (Don't panic), you will have to restart your handset and repeat the root operation from (Step 1). Check this XDA Forums Topic for More Help.

Your Moto X is Rooted!

By: Abhishek On 04:49

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Root Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 (SM-P901) on Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Guide to root Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 on Android 4.4.2 Kitkat.Samsung

The 3G variant of Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 with model number SM-P901 running Android 4.4.2 KitKat can now be rooted using CF-Auto-Root file by XDA developer, Chainfire.

Those who wish to root their Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 3G version may follow our step-by-step guide.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held liable for any damage to the device. Users are advised to ensure their devices meet following set of requirements.

Pre-requisites

1) Install USB Driver for Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 to transfer files between the Android device and the computer.

2) Enable USB Debugging Mode on the tablet to connect it with computer and use Android SDK with it. [Navigate to Settings>> Developer Options to enable USB Debugging.]

3) As the tutorial might wipe out all data of the tablet, create a backup. If the device is having any custom recoveries such as ClockworkMod or, TWRP then backup data using the recovery.

4) If the Android tablet powers off due to lack of battery while the rooting process, it could damage the device. Therefore, the Galaxy Note should have charge above 80% battery charge.

5) The device will lose manufacturer's warranty once the root method is installed.

6) The CF-Auto-Root files work only with the 3G version of the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2. As applying this on any incorrect variant might brick the device, verify the model number of Galaxy Note Pro by navigating to Settings>> About tablet>> Model number.

Download files

CF-Auto-Root [File name: CF-Auto-Root-v1a3g-v1a3gxx-smp901.zip]

Odin3 v3.09

How to root Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 SM-P901 on Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Step-1: Extract CF-Auto-Root zip using any extracting tool such as WinRAR/7-Zip/WinZip to get a .tar.md5 file

Step-2: Extract Odin zip to get Odin3 v3.09.exe with other files

Step-3: Turn off the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2

Step-4: Place the tablet into Download Mode by pressing and holding Volume Down, Home andPower buttons together until a construction Android robot icon with a warning triangle appears on screen. Now press the Volume Up button to enter into Download Mode

Step-5: Launch Odin on the computer as an Administrator

Step-6: Connect the Galaxy tablet to the computer using USB cable while it is in Download Mode. Wait for some time until Odin detects the device. When the phone is connected successfully, an Added message will appear under Odin message box. You should also see the ID: COM box in Odin will turn blue with the COM port number indicating successful connection

Note: If the Added message does not appear then try another USB port, try the one located at the back side of the computer. If that does not work too then reinstall USB driver.

Step-7: In Odin, click the AP button and select the CF-Auto-Root-v1a3g-v1a3gxx-smp901.tar.md5 file

Step-8: Verify the Re-Partition checkbox in Odin is not selected

Step-9: Click the Start button in Odin. The installation process should begin now

Step-10: When the installation process is completed, the tablet will restart and soon a PASSmessage with green background will appear in the extreme left box at the very top of Odin. You may now unplug the USB cable from the tablet to disconnect it from computer

The Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 should now be rooted successfully on Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Open the app drawer of the tablet and check for SuperSU app. To verify the root status of the device, download Root Checker app from Google Play Store.

Reset flash counter

A number of Samsung devices store a flash counter that keeps track on how many times custom firmware is flashed on the device. Use Triangle Away app to reset the flash counter to zero.

[Source: Honai of Android]

By: Abhishek On 04:47

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How To Install Android 4.4.2 KitKat (XXUFNC5) On Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE

The I9505XXUFNC5 official Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware is now available to Galaxy S4 LTE (GT-I9505) users. For those unable to get the KitKat update OTA, the following guide will walk you through installing it manually.

As always, DroidReport assumes no liability for the firmware installation. Proceed with caution.

Before Getting Started

Before you get started, ensure that your Galaxy S4 LTE is the GT-I9505 model.

As always, you want to backup your device and charge it to at least 80 percent. Finally, enable USB Debugging mode by navigating to Settings -> Developer Options.

Installing Android KitKat 4.4.2 Official Build (XXUFNC5) On Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE

1) Download the firmware package and Odin v3.09, available here and here.

2) Put your Galaxy S4 in download mode by holding the Volume Down, Home and Power buttons. When a warning prompt appears, press Volume Up.

3) Unzip Odin v3.09. Right click on Odin v3.09.exe and run the application as an administrator.

4) Using your USB cable, connect your Galaxy S4 to your computer. You should see one of the ID:COM fields turn blue in Odin. If this does not occur, reinstall your computer’s USB drivers.

5) Within Odin, press AP and select the .md5 file.

6) Make sure Re-Partition is deselected, then check Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time.

7) Press start, which will begin the installation process. Do nothing until this completes.

8) Your Galaxy S4 will reboot and you’ll officially be running Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Kudos. 

By: Abhishek On 04:44

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5 great Android KitKat features you could get right now

Android 4.4 KitKat is finally here! But as longtime Android users know all too well, its official rollout will be slow, gradual, and for many, non-existent. That's why many people don't wait around for official builds to pass through carriers and hardware manufacturers, instead opting to flash custom ROMs or download leaked APKs. Yes, it's a tad impatient, but for us techie folk who like to live on the bleeding edge, it's worth it. 

Now, KitKat didn't introduce that many ground-breaking features, and it didn't reinvent the mobile landscape; it simply refined what has become a solid operating system. But that's not to say that it doesn't have some cool features. 

Thankfully, a few of those cool features are available now, either through official APKs or third-party apps. 

Google Experience Launcher 

The new stock launcher in KitKat is all about Google. Scroll all the way to the left, and you're making a Google search. Tap on the persistent search bar at the top, and you're making a Google search. Say, " OK Google" at any time, and you're making a Google search. I think you get the idea. 

But this newfangled launcher is actually a pretty sweet improvement over the stock Jelly Bean launcher. To get it requires installing three different APKs because for the launcher to work, it also needs Google Now to be updated and Play Services.Launcher-1You can view some detailed instructions and get help over on the XDA-Developers forum for the topic, but the basic premise is simple: Download this ZIP file (mirror), unzip it, place the three APK files on your phone, and install them. When you press the home button, it should prompt you to select "Launcher" as your default launcher. 

Hangouts 2.0 

One day, Hangouts will be the amazing, all-encompassing communication app that the world needs, but that day is not today. However, that day is a little bit closer as Hangouts jumps from version 1.2 to 2.0 with the KitKat update, allowing for the app to handle SMS, MMS, animated gifs, and improved Emoji support. 

Unfortunately, Android users don't get the calling features and Google Voice integration that iOSusers received recently (Why, Google? Why?), but they have promised to bring those features "soon." Oh well. In the meantime, you can enjoy using Hangouts as your default SMS app, and don't forget to snag some awesome animated GIFs to make use of the new feature. 

To get started, download Hangouts 2.0 from one of the mirrors below, transfer the file to your Android device, and install like normal. If you have any major issues, you can always uninstall it and reinstall version 1.2 from the Play Store. 

Mirror #1 - Android PoliceMirror #2 - Android PoliceMirror #3 - Android PoliceMirror #4 - XDA-Developers Senior Member l. 

Screen Recording 

KitKat supports native screen recording! Hooray for all those tutorial makers! But we've actually been able to do that for a while as long as you have root access. If you're new to rooting, be sure to check out our extensive Android rooting guide. 

There's a number of apps that will let you do this, a quick search of the Play Store will show you that, but my favorite is SCR Screen Recorder. It's simple to use: you just install it, tap record, grant it root permission, and you're on your way. It also has a settings menu so you can adjust things to your liking if need be.SRC-Recorder-1There is a free version as well as a $5.21 paid version that removes the watermark, notification icon, and allows you to record for longer than 3 minutes. 

Caller ID 

The new caller ID in the KitKat dialer looks awesome. It searches through Google's databases for people or businesses registered to that number and shows you their name and photo even if they're not in your contacts. Unfortunately, there hasn't been a lot of luck getting the dialer to function properly on non-KitKat devices, so you're stuck with third-party options.Thread-Caller-ID-1There are some great choices out there, though! We've gone through four great caller ID apps that should tie you over until you can break yourself off a piece of that KitKat. Above are some screenshots from Thread, the best of the Caller ID apps that displays relevant information from whoever's calling, including their picture, previous text messages, and social media updates. 

Gallery 

Keeping up with Google's continued efforts to improve Android's photo capabilities, the new default Gallery has a quality photo editor built-in. Aside from that, it looks largely the same. 

The editor has a few preset filters, preset border options, the ability to manually tweak many aspects of the filters, and options for cropping, rotating, mirroring, and straightening your photos. 

There's even a slide-out menu to the right that displays your edit history, allowing you to revert back to any point at any time. Plus, the photo editor is nondestructive, so any changes that are made are saved as a new photo, ensuring that your original photo is preserved. 

You can download the Gallery apk from this XDA thread. To install it, though, you'll have to use a file browser with root permission to place it under System > Apps and then restart your phone. 

Others 

KitKat comes with a lot of new features, but most of them are pretty minor. Some of the smaller updates include the stock apps like Email, Clock, Camera, and several new fonts, wallpapers, sounds, and boot animations. All of these can (hopefully) work on your Jelly Bean device thanks to the amazing folks over at Android Police and XDA-Developers. Follow the links for installing/flashing instructions. 

Conclusion 

This is part of what makes the Android community so great. A new version comes out and suddenly everyone's up in a flurry grabbing APKs, explaining how to get certain features now, modding, rooting, and flashing everything they can get their hands on. It's fun, and it also makes for a great smartphone.

By: Abhishek On 05:07

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Top Ten Tablets Of 2013: Apple iPad Air, Asus Transformer Pad, Apple iPad Mini2, Google Nexus 7

Tablets have indeed taken the tech world by storm. Think back a few years ago, when the world tablet itself in the tech arena had no meaning, hardly many people knew about it. Today, it has created a buzz in the tech-savvy public. Here is an attempt to put ten of the best tablets available today.

• Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

This marvel in the tablet world has a large screen size, a wonderful design and the feature of a stylish S pen that is good for creative stuff on the tablet.

• Asus Transformer Pad Infinity

It has got everything to be called a good tablet, just the price rates are a notch high. A 1920 X 1200 screen resolution means HD viewing is possible. 1.3 GHz NVidia Tegra 3 Quad-core processor runs the tab. It has a full Qwerty touchpad and a simple interface.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

With Exynos 4412 1.6 GHz quad-core processor and 1280X800 resolution, Galaxy Note 8.0 is one of the best tablets around. The best part about Note 8.0 is its portability thanks to the lightweight and incredibly sleek design.

• Tesco Hudl:

The 7-inch Tesco Hudl tablet (yes, a tablet from the supermarket chain) is decent enough with a quad-core processor. It is very light to carry, however, not so good as far as the camera is concerned.

• Microsoft Surface Pro 2:

This tablet bridges the gap between a tablet and a laptop perfectly. It has a large screen, Qwerty keypad and Windows 8 OS. It is slightly heavy though and average on screen resolution

• Google Nexus 10

How can we miss one of the most talked about tablets, Google Nexus 10. The best part is, it packs a lot of pixels with a pixel density of 299ppi, and is decently priced for the quality it provides.

• iPad mini 2

This tablet from the tech giant Apple Inc has a superb design, great battery life andwonderful performance. It is light and extremely portable too. Of course, the lack of retina display and the high price is a concern, nevertheless, Apple never misses out on high quality.

• Google Nexus 7:

ncredibly lightweight at 290g and has a sleek design, but loaded with powerful features. Doesn’t matter if you are an Android fan or not, Nexus 7 is definitely one great buy for the price it is offered at.

• Sony Xperia Tablet Z

Sleek, powerful and a wonderful screen. This tablet takes viewing to a whole new level. It is power-packed internally and portable too. Highly recommended.

• iPad Air

Larger screen, A7 and M7 processor chips and has an incredible design to say the least. This tablet is easily at the top, and we reckon won’t move from there at least for now.

- See more at: http://techthirsty.com/2013/11/07/top-ten-tablets-of-2013-apple-ipad-5-vs-asus-transformer-pad-vs-apple-ipad-mini2-vs-google-nexus-7/#sthash.swmV9j6R.dpuf

By: Abhishek On 05:53

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Security developments on Android KitKat mean more enterprise and more stability

Android KitKat has been out well over a week now (in production on the Nexus 5) and for those that are running it, the new operating system is packed with many new features.  Less obvious to most however are a bunch of security features that are meant for the enterprise, for better security than was ever possible before.  A list of the new features and details are available over at the Android developer site, they include such things as enhanced sandboxing, certificate pinning and boot verification.  Bogdan Botezatu, Senior E-Threat Analyst from the computer security software company Bit Defender produced some very interesting findings in some research done at the Bit Defender labs.

The top new Android KitKat security features:

Among the most interesting things uncovered in the findings:

Rooting phones is gone

A new kernel ability called device-mapper-verity makes rooting the phone a thing of the past.  Android KitKat also utilizes a kernel security module called SELinux, which was developed by the NSA, is now able to prevent privilege escalation attacks such as an application gaining root privileges over the device, regardless of the application’s permissions. The phone modification scene is a rather widespread hobby, with custom ROMs, custom software, overclocking and a whole bunch of other things that hobbyists do on their phones that they’re not supposed to.  While we’ve seen root-prevention methods out there before, they have largely been inevitably defeated.  As Botezatu summarizes:

Another notable change introduced in KitKat is a new kernel ability calleddevice-mapper-verity, an anti-rootkit subsystem system that prevents malware from exploiting. At the same time, by verifying the integrity of the device’s file system at a low level via cryptography, rooting the phone becomes a thing of the past for most devices that come with a locked-down bootloader. This means that alternative ROMs such as CyanogenMod, Paranoid Android or others will have a hard time getting on devices other than developer or Nexus ones running stock Android.

Malware root-elevation will be difficult

Preventing root-level malware to ever take hold is a great security feature, but there will be some frustrated by not being able to get complete control of their own phone.   SELinux was present in prior Android versions, but only there for logging purposes, in KitKat, the “Enforce Mode” has been set in order to prevent privilege escalation attacks.

Cryptography features

Cryptography features have stepped up big on KitKat, with some interesting new features that help prevent man-in-the-middle attacks but will make traffic-scanning SSL more difficult, particularly in enterprise situations.  KitKat has introduced Google Certificate Pinning and SSL CA Certificate warnings.  The new features mean that a better level of assurance of device digital certificates can be achieved and that there’s a notification system that tells the user when there has been a potential substitution in the digital certificate chain.  By matching certificate fingerprints versus what Google has on record, the certificate pinning feature maintains certificate integrity through this validation process.

Buffer overflow detection

Another welcome security feature is the FORTIFY_SOURCE again buffer overflow exploitation.  KitKat basically is able to identify conditions of a buffer overflow within the compiler.   While this may not prevent every possible buffer overflow condition, the elevation of security at this level means buffer overflow attempts at re-allocating memory will be much more difficult.

Per-User VPN for shared devices

The last main feature is one that is very much enterprise-friendly, particularly in shared situations.  Per-user VPN settings have been introduced, which means that each user that is using a shared device can have different VPN settings, including account info and so forth.   However, it is noted by Botezatu that:

..from what we see with the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) build – VPN settings are only available for the first tablet user, while other users have to do without VPN at all.

Missing security feature

Bit Defender’s position also points out one security feature that didn’t make the cut apparently:

Back in Android 4.3 Android introduced a feature that was supposed to let users individually deny or allow permissions for every application installed on the device. The feature, buried inside an activity called App Ops was something both average users and security companies have been demanding for years and it would have been for sure nice to have it introduced in KitKat. However, the activity has been completely removed from the code.

The report also pointed out another key element:

Google Now integration is another key point for Google. In Android 4.4, the service can be invoked by simply calling “OK Google” when the phone is awake, unlocked and on any of the home screens. While this feature is a great selling point in terms of usability and offers an extra layer of interactivity, the phone cannot tell whose voice is passing orders, so chances are that someone in your proximity could order your phone to do various tasks after invoking Google Now.

Android continues to evolve, and they are maturing quite a bit in the demands of the enterprise space with better security with each release.  It’s a track that iOS7 has followed as well, which was long-awaited and a welcome progression.  Android however is on a path towards mobile OS domination, a position they currently hold by a very large margin, and as they move deeper into the realm of enterprise, they have clearly implemented a strategy that is incorporating security features that make the mobile OS as flexible, stable and secure as possible. Android is not letting go of this market dominance any time soon, and the development is a key indicator of that.

photo credit: Nestlé via photopin cc

By: Abhishek On 05:48

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Google Nexus 5 vs. HTC One vs. Moto X vs. Samsung Galaxy S 4: The best Android phone available

SUMMARY:

After a month of leaks the Nexus 5 is finally here, and it looks awesome. But how does it compare to the best Android phones on the market?

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Google just delivered a Halloween treat in the form of Android 4.4 KitKat and the new Nexus 5. Perhaps one of the most leaked phones in recent memory, the Nexus 5 nevertheless manages to impress. But how does it compare to the other top Android phones on the market – namely the HTC One, the Moto X and the Samsung Galaxy S 4? Let’s compare the specs to find out.

Here’s what’s similar. Physically, the display of all four phones measure between 4.7 to 5 inches, which places them in the same average size category. Interestingly, the Nexus 5, Moto X and the Galaxy S 4 even weigh the same exact 4.59 ounces, while the HTC One tips the scales at 5.04 ounces. Still, all four phones should be relatively comfortable to handle for most hand sizes.

Battery size is relatively comparable as well. The Galaxy S 4 features the biggest 2,600mAh battery of the bunch, but it also has the largest 5-inch screen to power. The Nexus 5 and HTC One meanwhile, use 2,300mAh cells, while the Moto X has a 2,200mAh battery. Overall you can expect similar battery life across the board, although the Moto X uses lower-powered hardware for some tasks and generally last more than a day on a charge.

When it comes to storage, Samsung has a considerable advantage over the competition, as the Galaxy S 4 is the only phone to offer a microSD card slot. That allows you to add up to 64GB of memory in addition to your internal phone storage. The HTC One comes in next, with either 32 or 64GB models, while the Nexus 5 and Moto X are available in 16 or 32GB variants. You can always use cloud storage, but if you need to carry tons of data most of the time, you should really get a phone with a microSD slot.

Things start to get a little more complicated when you compare screen resolutions. Right off the bat, the Moto X misses the mark here, as it’s the only phone that doesn’t feature a 1080p display. Its 4.7-inch, 720p screen is still packed with a dense 316 pixels per inch (ppi), but it simply can’t compete against the HTC One, which, at 4.7 inches and 1080p resolution, has one of the densest mobile screens available (it works out to an incredible 468ppi). The Nexus 5 and Galaxy S 4 come close, however, with 445 and 443ppi respectively. I’d give an advantage to the HTC One, but the Nexus 5 and Galaxy S 4 are comparable if you want a slightly bigger screen.

In terms of processing power, no phone on this list can compete with the Nexus 5, which uses Qualcomm’s latest 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 chip and 450 MHz Adreno 330 GPU. The HTC One and Galaxy S 4 are a generation behind, with their Snapdragon 600 chips, while the Moto X uses Motorola’s X8 processing system, which is based on last year’s Snapdragon S4 Pro. Don’t get me wrong – all of these devices will deliver smooth, fast performance. But if you want the phone that doubles as a top-notch gaming machine, the Nexus 5 is your best bet.

Cameras are harder to compare on specs alone. It looks like HTC One should be the outright loser, when you look at its 4-megapixel sensor compared to the 13-megapixels in the Galaxy S 4. But HTC’s camera uses “ultrapixels,” which essentially means it uses larger individual pixels to reduce noise and for better low-light performance. Anecdotally, I’ve used the HTC One, Moto X and the Galaxy S 4, and I’d say the Galaxy is the sharpest shooter of the bunch. It also has the highest megapixel-rating, so perhaps megapixels do count for something. But my colleague Kevin Tofel has already tested the Nexus 5’s camera, and the results are pretty good. I’ll have to spend some time with it before I can make a decision here.

But while all four phones are somewhat comparable in terms of performance and physical design, there’s one key feature that distinctly separates the Nexus 5 from the pack: Software.

The Nexus 5 is the only phone in this comparison, as well as the only phone in general, to ship running Android 4.4, also known as KitKat. You can barely get an official version of Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) running on any of the other phones listed here yet, and that’s been out since July. And KitKat has a ton of great new features, like new voice control, faster multitasking, a new and improved phone app, printing capabilities, native keyboard emoji and more.

On top of that, with a Nexus phone, you’re pretty much guaranteed to receive future software updates from Google before any other phone does, since you’re running a stock version of Android. You don’t need to wait for it to pass through a network operator before it makes its way to you months later.

Now, the other three phones here each bring their own unique software additions to the table. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the heavy skins used by HTC and Samsung, though the Moto X has some great hands-free voice control abilities the Nexus 5 lacks. But overall, one of the best things about mobile phones is that they’re constantly evolving, and with the Nexus 5, you’ll have a phone that evolves much more quickly than the competition.

Then there’s carrier support and price to consider. The Nexus 5 is the only phone here that doesn’t support all four major U.S. carriers, which is a bummer. While you can get the phone on AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, it isn’t available on Verizon. But you can’t beat the price: The phone costs $349 or $399 off-contract, which is pretty fantastic. And Sprint has announced that it will be carrying the 16GB model of the phone for $149.99, with monthly payments after that. You’ll certainly be getting your money’s worth, considering it has some of the best specs of the bunch.

The Moto X is your least expensive option, starting at a newly-reduced $99.99, while the Galaxy S 4 remains pricey as ever, at the same $199.99 it launched at.

Also worth mentioning is that there are other great Android phones out there that are also worth a look – the LG G2 comes to mind. It features comparable specs to the Nexus 5, but I didn’t include it here because I think the phone’s software and rear button design dampen its overall appeal.

All that said, if you’d rather treat yourself to a new Android phone today instead of candy, which one should you get? I think the Nexus 5 offers the best overall value. You’re getting a killer combination of the fastest hardware and the latest software for a great price. As long as you’re not on Verizon or don’t mind carrying a relatively large phone, consider it a happy Halloween indeed.

By: Unknown On 09:37

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