Is Samsung the only manufacturer to still make Hardware Home/Back/Multitasking Keys?

[airborne]

If I have a choice I'm all for hardware Home/Back/Multitasking keys but it just occurred to me it seems only Samsung still makes phones with them, are there any other decent android phones available in SA with hardware Home etc buttons?

 

[backstreetboy]

If I have a choice I'm all for hardware Home/Back/Multitasking keys but it just occurred to me it seems only Samsung still makes phones with them, are there any other decent android phones available in SA with hardware Home etc buttons?

Xiaomi...

 

[supersunbird]

If I have a choice I'm all for hardware Home/Back/Multitasking keys but it just occurred to me it seems only Samsung still makes phones with them, are there any other decent android phones available in SA with hardware Home etc buttons?

CAT phones. And even the Back and Multitasking are real hardware buttons.

 

[$m@Rt@$$]

If I have a choice I'm all for hardware Home/Back/Multitasking keys but it just occurred to me it seems only Samsung still makes phones with them, are there any other decent android phones available in SA with hardware Home etc buttons?

I agree, software buttons just eat away on your screen real-estate...

 

[backstreetboy]

I agree, software buttons just eat away on your screen real-estate...

? They auto hide when you watch a movie etc.

 

[supersunbird]

I agree, software buttons just eat away on your screen real-estate...

And then also can overlay the keyboard (my Huawei T1 Pro 8" tablet in landscape mode has those 3 buttons on left and sometimes its over the keyboard and its hard to backspace and enter).

 

[supersunbird]

? They auto hide when you watch a movie etc.

And when browsing the forum?

 

[backstreetboy]

And when browsing the forum?

Blame the app dev for not implementing full screen mode or use a browser...

 

[airborne]

Xiaomi...

Which models, most of their top range phones are all soft keys.

? They auto hide when you watch a movie etc.

Auto hide is a schlep even on video, I tried that on my G4 and eventually accepted the lost screen space. To operate a handset speedily the soft buttons need to always be displayed.

 

[airborne]

CAT phones. And even the Back and Multitasking are real hardware buttons.

That's not a run of the mill phone though, they are expensive and chunky.

 

[supersunbird]

That's not a run of the mill phone though, they are expensive and chunky.

People notice it though, much more of a conversation piece than a Yawnsung (miss my Samsung apps though)

 

[Johnatan56]

Which models, most of their top range phones are all soft keys.

Auto hide is a schlep even on video, I tried that on my G4 and eventually accepted the lost screen space. To operate a handset speedily the soft buttons need to always be displayed.

But the screen is bigger, software buttons don't make that sound and don't have issues after x clicks (all those broken home buttons)? I prefer software keys, so I'm biased.

 

[airborne]

But the screen is bigger, software buttons don't make that sound and don't have issues after x clicks (all those broken home buttons)? I prefer software keys, so I'm biased.

Useable screen size is smaller if the bottom section is used for soft keys.
Never had a Samsung hard key fail

 

[Johnatan56]

Useable screen size is smaller if the bottom section is used for soft keys.
Never had a Samsung hard key fail

Then something like this: GMD Full Screen Immersive Mode

 

[airborne]

Then something like this: GMD Full Screen Immersive Mode

How's that useful, tried that app with my G4, becomes a pita, you need instant access to the back/home etc

 

[backstreetboy]

Which models, most of their top range phones are all soft keys.

? They all have hardware keys even their flagship Mi 5.

EDIT: MIUI 8 also comes with quick ball that's like pie controls. It'll make you think differently about soft keys.

 

[Tsepz_GP]

Which models, most of their top range phones are all soft keys.

Auto hide is a schlep even on video, I tried that on my G4 and eventually accepted the lost screen space. To operate a handset speedily the soft buttons need to always be displayed.

My thoughts exactly!

This is another thing that kept me from leaving Samsung.

I HATE those On Screen keys, I had an early Android tablet (Galaxy Tab10.1) in the days of Android 3.0 Honeycomb, and disliked software keys there, and then the phones got them, urrgh.

Samsungs setup, IMO, is the best, no wasted screen real estate.

 

[Tsepz_GP]

But the screen is bigger, software buttons don't make that sound and don't have issues after x clicks (all those broken home buttons)? I prefer software keys, so I'm biased.

I punished my Note 4 with very heavy usage for over 2years, and the Home button still works fine, the other 2 keys are capacitive, never had an issue.

 

[surfs-up]

? They all have hardware keys even their flagship Mi 5.

EDIT: MIUI 8 also comes with quick ball that's like pie controls. It'll make you think differently about soft keys.

My Xiaomi Note 4 has no hardware keys (except the volume rocker and power button). It uses capacitive keys for home/back and open apps...which I prefer

 

[Tsepz_GP]

My Xiaomi Note 4 has no hardware keys (except the volume rocker and power button). It uses capacitive keys for home/back and open apps...which I prefer

I'd take that over On Screen keys any day.

I say that hoping Samsung never leave their setup.