New smartphone advice

#51
#51
kiddiedoc said:
I always have, unless something has changed?
Click to expand...

It hasn't. If customer service & support is something you like then you can't go wrong with Apple. Just this past Friday I finally decided to upgrade my iPhone 5 to iOS 7. Everything went smooth until I started to set it up. After I chose a network it would say sim not valid. Went to AT&T & they swapped sim, still no good. Got online with at&t & still no luck. Got online with apple & no luck. Had made soonest appointment at Genius Bar that was 2 days away so I just went to Apple store. They were swamped after 2 days of everybody being snowed in & couldn't squeeze me in as a walk in. So I asked if I could just trade it in & upgrade. I was kinda surprised they agreed. Girl took my phone in back for 2 minutes so a tech could crack it open & check components. Came back & said they'd give me $252 & asked what I wanted. I went with a gold 32GB that cost me $64 out of pocket. When she was setting it up & saw my unlimited data she said "I know you're not changing that!".
 
#56
#56
govols/cc said:
Yes I'm with AT&T. I mentioned it a few times. Unlike Verizon if you like your plan you can keep it. You WON'T lose unlimited data if you upgrade.
Click to expand...

you only lose unlimited on Verizon if you take a discount on the device. Buy it outright and you keep unlimited

I have a Galaxy s3 and it is a great phone. Haven't run into anything it can't do and the interface is simple to learn. I think it comes down to whether you're already tied into the Apple line or not
 
#57
#57
My take: If you enjoy tinkering and mass customization to your phone, then Android is the way to go, plus there are really neat apps produced by indie developers, because the market allows practically all apps.

If you enjoy a simple and clean phone, that is extremely user friendly, no matter your tech experience, then go with an iPhone. Plus, if your household is already a Mac household (ie Apple TV, iMacs or Macbooks), an iPhone will integrate with them all smoothly and effectively.
 
#58
#58
Still say check out T-Mobile or Virgin Mobile, both are offering low cost unlimited everything plans without contracts. The catch is you have to buy your phones up front. T-Mobile lets you pay over time, whereas Virgin asks for the phone to be paid for at the start.
 
#59
#59
utvolpj said:
you only lose unlimited on Verizon if you take a discount on the device. Buy it outright and you keep unlimited

I have a Galaxy s3 and it is a great phone. Haven't run into anything it can't do and the interface is simple to learn. I think it comes down to whether you're already tied into the Apple line or not
Click to expand...

Also, going off of PJ's post, I've found that Samsung's version of Android is a lot easier to use than other brands and is extremely similar to IOS.
 
#60
#60
Through_The_T said:
My take: If you enjoy tinkering and mass customization to your phone, then Android is the way to go, plus there are really neat apps produced by indie developers, because the market allows practically all apps.

If you enjoy a simple and clean phone, that is extremely user friendly, no matter your tech experience, then go with an iPhone. Plus, if your household is already a Mac household (ie Apple TV, iMacs or Macbooks), an iPhone will integrate with them all smoothly and effectively.
Click to expand...

but customization is not a requirement. You can run "simple and clean" on an android phone just as easily. I still think it's just what you feel comfortable with in the end since both will do the same thing for the low-tech user
 
#61
#61
I don't want to throw another wrench in your decision-making process, but I've also had the chance to tinker around with some Windows phones over the last few months, and I'm very impressed with them. The live tiles are a very neat concept, and the Nokia ones I've seen look fairly well built and the specs are good. That being said, the Windows App Market is nowhere near as large as IOS or Android, so you might not find all of the apps you want. Still though, I think they're worth a look if you enjoy the Microsoft Windows 8/Xbox One interface.
 
Last edited:
#62
#62
I switched from VZW to T-mo about a month ago since I would lose my unlimited due to upgrade. My bill is $80/month cheaper with 3 lines. I bought a Nexus 5 32/gb from the google play store and the other two phones we purchased from T-mo. The service around knox has been outstanding.

As for the android/iphone debate... I don't allow apple products in my house after seeing my brother break so many screens from pocket level drops with a case on his phone.

FYI... gorilla glass is scratch resistant not shatterproof.
 
#63
#63
BilboTN said:
I switched from VZW to T-mo about a month ago since I would lose my unlimited due to upgrade. My bill is $80/month cheaper with 3 lines. I bought a Nexus 5 32/gb from the google play store and the other two phones we purchased from T-mo. The service around knox has been outstanding.

As for the android/iphone debate... I don't allow apple products in my house after seeing my brother break so many screens from pocket level drops with a case on his phone.

FYI... gorilla glass is scratch resistant not shatterproof.
Click to expand...

How many screens has he broken? Ive dropped mine dozens of times on various surfaces. Not a scratch on it.
 
#65
#65
kiddiedoc said:
well, that sucks. I will look around at other carriers.
Click to expand...

I am also grandfathered into unlimited data with Vzw - so I had to buy my latest phone outright. While definitely a bit of a hit up front, it was well worth keeping the unlimited data and great coverage (and this is coming from someone who despises Vzw). That said, if you want to stay on Vzw and be able to afford something nice, I can't recommend the Moto X enough (I have the dev edition, but if you do not plan to root, customize it to your heart's desire with a non-dev edition).

It is vanilla Android with a couple of really nice additions. No bloat-ware or horrific skins such as Moto-Blur or TouchWiz. I usually flash a custom ROM to enable the specific tweaks I prefer, but the Moto X version of Android is too nice to leave (though, I do use a couple of Xposed modules such as Gravity Box).

If you are ready to leave Vzw, you can't go wrong with a Nexus 5 (I have one I've not activated that I play with and will use to test with, and I like it almost as much as my Moto X). Outside of those two devices, most recent Android handsets have some sort of skin or non-stock bloat, but most with an S4 or Note 3 really like their experience.
 
#66
#66
Through_The_T said:
I don't want to throw another wrench in your decision-making process, but I've also had the chance to tinker around with some Windows phones over the last few months, and I'm very impressed with them. The live tiles are a very neat concept, and the Nokia ones I've seen look fairly well built and the specs are good. That being said, the Windows App Market is nowhere near as large as IOS or Android, so you might not find all of the apps you want. Still though, I think they're worth a look if you enjoy the Microsoft Windows 8/Xbox One interface.
Click to expand...

Windows phones are good but limited now.

There has been some talk recently about putting android apps on Windows Phone. This would be a huge step. It's a nice platform, but just not much in the store like you mentioned.


Someone above mentioned TMo and Nexus 5. That's a strong combination right now. Plus, the Nexus 5 is unlocked and can work on TMo, ATT, and Sprint (and any of their MNVOs). Can't really beat it right now for price/features especially if you don't want to subsidize a phone with a 2yr contract.
 
#68
#68
BilboTN said:
4 iphones. He had the case made by Magpul on it. Concrete floors at Eastman must be extra hard or something. lol
Click to expand...

There is sweet spot that will shatter any phone. The iphone 4 and 4S were a little more fragile just because the back was glass too. Guess he was just unlucky and hit that spot each time.

Like I said though, Ive dropped mine on hard wood, tile, concrete, and asphalt. I have a slim case and no screen protector. Not a scratch in over 2 years. My old ipod touch has a couple dings on the aluminium case but the screen survived a good 3 years of abuse before it got shuffled to semi retirement when I got an iphone.
 
#70
#70
BilboTN said:
4 iphones. He had the case made by Magpul on it. Concrete floors at Eastman must be extra hard or something. lol
Click to expand...

The Magpul cases don't protect the screen, AT ALL. The case looks cool, but offers little protection.
 
#71
#71
govols/cc said:
Yes I'm with AT&T. I mentioned it a few times. Unlike Verizon if you like your plan you can keep it. You WON'T lose unlimited data if you upgrade.
Click to expand...

This post doesn't do anybody any good as att no longer offers unlimited data to new customers.

KD, do you have any lines on your account without unlimited data? If so, there is a loophole to use it and keep your unlimited. Costco, or any location that uses verizon eROES activation system can run an alternate upgrade to the line without unlimited data, then just change the new device back over to your line. Presto, unlimited kept. I do it on a regular basis.

Costco refuses to work with apple, so I'm not too sure about your ability to get an iphone and keep unlimited, but I can give you 100% assurance it's doable at Costco, given the salesperson knows the loophole.

As far as phones, there's a reason the S4 is near-unanimously reviewed as the best smartphone out there. I've had the iPhone 3GS, 4s, 5 and now 5s, as well as samsung galaxy s, s3 and now s4. I'll admit the cloud services offered by apple are great if you're fully in the apple system (MacBook, iPad, Apple TV) but they're still ultimately overpriced given the hardware you get. Apples intransigence on device pricing, compared to th ability to find heavily discounted devices... Also the propietary nature of apple hardware can be a pain, whereas all android hardware supports regular old micro USB.

Another phone I would consider is the LG G2. I used to hate LG, but this phone is outstanding. I got my dad one for his birthday. Spectacular screen, snapdragon 800 (currently hands down the best mobile processor on the market), battery life is superb and a standard 32gb of storage compared to iPhones 16.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#72
#72
I was simply stating that you can keep unlimited data with AT&T if you upgrade. There seemed to be a bit of confusion.
 
#73
#73
That's true. ATT's activation system suggests swapping it out for a 3GB plan at the same price point, so make sure whoever is setting you up catches it.
 
#74
#74
milohimself said:
That's true. ATT's activation system suggests swapping it out for a 3GB plan at the same price point, so make sure whoever is setting you up catches it.
Click to expand...

Yes they always try & offer a share plan or something like it's something better & I just tell them it ain't happening.
 
#75
#75
Went from a basic phone to iPhone 5s just over the winter break. Feels awfully intuitive and I love it. Never really been an Apple guy, I just felt the iPhone was best for what I was looking for. I strongly considered the Samsung S4, but it's just too big for my taste and I didn't want to sacrifice any power or capability by going with the S4 mini. I looked at the Moto X, but eventually ruled it out. Moreover, Motorola just got bought out, so my gut says that there won't be much backing of Motorola products for a while. Just my $0.02. Everyone that has gotten an iPhone recently that I've talked to loved it. Throw an otterbox or lifeproof case on it and you'll be set.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top