New smartphone?

[RandomGuy]

Old phone fell victim to a bath of river water during last weekend's tubing adventure.

Been thinking about getting a new smartphone to replace the old flip dinosaur, but have been, until now, too cheap to bother with it.

Now I am forced to figure out if I want one, how much it will cost, and what it is I need/want if I decide to make the leap.

Don't really need much, as I had been mostly happy with just having the ability to text/call, but wouldn't mind a phone with some cool games, and the ability to google stuff. That will require a data plan.

I remember from my last adventure in this direction that the array of options is huge.

Thoughts? Recommendations? If I go to the new phones, what do I look for?

[clambake]

iphone

[Halberto]

If you're kind of uninterested in all the specifics you would probably be happy getting an iphone. A few years back I remember that getting insurance was noyt an option for the iphone... you might want to see if that's still the case

[RandomGuy]

If you're kind of uninterested in all the specifics you would probably be happy getting an iphone. A few years back I remember that getting insurance was noyt an option for the iphone... you might want to see if that's still the case

Don't they have an app for that?

[leemajors]

If you have a platinum MC or AMEX, buy whatever you get with that. Most of those cards will provide complementary accident insurance for your electronics for the length of the limited warranty and sometimes for an additional year. The claim process can be a bit tedious sometimes, but getting reimbursed if something happens is worth it.

[Drachen]

I would think that the first question we should be asking you, RG, is what carrier are you on, or would you want to switch?

[MannyIsGod]

If your carrier is sprint Amazon just had the evo shift for free. (or a penny).

[Canibspur]

If your carrier is sprint Amazon just had the evo shift for free. (or a penny).


Well thats a huge difference bro! Don't waste the guys time now...

[Summers]

We (me being Mrs. RG) have T-Mobile. A friend of mine has their Android and loves it.

[tlongII]

AT&T iPhone 4

[DJ Mbenga]

would be nice to know your carrier choice first.

[TheManFromAcme]

Get an OS Android phone and leave the iPhone for the kiddies.

This is the HTC Evo 3d. The 3d capabilities are a novelty but the processor in this baby is amazing. I got this 2 weeks ago and traded in my Evo 4g. Big difference. My iPhone owning buddies are going to trade in their little iphones and get this one. Be a man, don't get an iPhone.

http://www.htc.com/us/content/images/phones/evo3d-sprint-Support-1723.png

http://www.androidstickers.com/27-74-large/android-pissin-on-apple-decal.jpg

[RandomGuy]

Get an OS Android phone and leave the iPhone for the kiddies.

This is the HTC Evo 3d. The 3d capabilities are a novelty but the processor in this baby is amazing. I got this 2 weeks ago and traded in my Evo 4g. Big difference. My iPhone owning buddies are going to trade in their little iphones and get this one. Be a man, don't get an iPhone.

http://www.htc.com/us/content/images/phones/evo3d-sprint-Support-1723.png


Thanks, this is a good place to start.

I had been seriously giving the Andriod a look, so this helps.

The carrier we are on is T-mobile, but have been there quite long enough to have had the contract lock in lapse.

The only thing I might want an iPhone for is iTunes and other things, along with the fact it is less hassle. I can be a grownup about computers and deal with all sorts of technical things, as opposed to letting the OS handle them in the background like Macs do, but I'm not sure I want that for a phone.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Evo Shift for a penny seems like the best bet.

[gospursgojas]

If you're staying on Tmobile, the G2X is probably the best phone they have available right now.

[Ace]

Thanks, this is a good place to start.

I had been seriously giving the Andriod a look, so this helps.

The carrier we are on is T-mobile, but have been there quite long enough to have had the contract lock in lapse.

The only thing I might want an iPhone for is iTunes and other things, along with the fact it is less hassle. I can be a grownup about computers and deal with all sorts of technical things, as opposed to letting the OS handle them in the background like Macs do, but I'm not sure I want that for a phone.
HTC Sensation

It's like the phone he described minus 3D. Easily T-Mobiles best option imo...

[MannyIsGod]

If your'e out of contract I'd say just move over to Sprint and get an EvoShift off of Amazon for the penny. You can take your phone number with you and Sprint still has unlimited data which you may not have if the AT&T merger goes through.

[lefty]

Iphone 4 or 5, course


The rest is shit

[TheManFromAcme]

Iphone 4 or 5, course


The rest is shit

:nope sorry......iPhones are nice but lack balls. I will admit, though, I do own an ipod :lol

5UAMZjbcb3Q

[lefty]

I was trolling :lol

[RandomGuy]

HTC Sensation

It's like the phone he described minus 3D. Easily T-Mobiles best option imo...

Stopped by the store and that was one of the options.

Probably get the missus a new phone too, and upgrade our service plan.

[TheManFromAcme]

I was trolling :lol

:tu

[spursncowboys]

Just got a HTC Incredible 2 with Verizon. It's not 4g but i made that decision cuz my area I'm living at doesn't have 4g and I doubt will in the next year. So far it's effin awesome so far but some things I have a problem with: battery life is terrible. Also the screne although just as larger as the iphone, doesn't have the resolution. I love Linux so it's why I picked Android. However if you don't have a dog in the fight, then get the Iphone. It's the same price or cheaper than the Droid phones that compete with it and the Iphone is still better overall.

[RandomGuy]

Just got a HTC Incredible 2 with Verizon. It's not 4g but i made that decision cuz my area I'm living at doesn't have 4g and I doubt will in the next year. So far it's effin awesome so far but some things I have a problem with: battery life is terrible. Also the [screen] although just as larger as the iphone, doesn't have the resolution. I love Linux so it's why I picked Android. However if you don't have a dog in the fight, then get the Iphone. It's the same price or cheaper than the Droid phones that compete with it and the Iphone is still better overall.

That battery problem was one of the things that I ran across in my internet searches.

The 4G Androids at the upper end apparently offer the ability to use the phone as a mobile internet connection for a laptop, which is a huge plus for me.

Screen resolution is kinda important to me though. I want it to look nice, because I will not be likely to upgrade for another few years. Argh.

Some of the other things like a screen facing phone that would allow for Skype conversations seems cool. Not exactly a Dick Tracy wrist TV, but its getting there.


http://sontag.ca/img/dick-tracy.jpg

Make me feeler a lot more hip than the old flip phone....

http://stuckattheairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/shoe-phone-239x300.jpg

[MannyIsGod]

You can pretty much use every smartphone as a hotspot for a laptop barring that its jailbroken/rooted. Thats usually very easy to do and is the way to go since your phone will work much better.

[Blake]

I have a TMobile HTC MyTouch.

Good battery, 4G, throws out a hotspot for up to 8 laptops in the area, and an HD Camcorder.

It's pretty nice, imo.

[spursncowboys]

That battery problem was one of the things that I ran across in my internet searches.

The 4G Androids at the upper end apparently offer the ability to use the phone as a mobile internet connection for a laptop, which is a huge plus for me.

Screen resolution is kinda important to me though. I want it to look nice, because I will not be likely to upgrade for another few years. Argh.

Some of the other things like a screen facing phone that would allow for Skype conversations seems cool. Not exactly a Dick Tracy wrist TV, but its getting there.


http://sontag.ca/img/dick-tracy.jpg

Make me feeler a lot more hip than the old flip phone....

http://stuckattheairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/shoe-phone-239x300.jpg Yeah I picked the Incredible 2 over 4g phones cuz it has wifi, bluetooth and can tether. but verizon is making it to where you pay extra.
http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/3-r_0SLOgcs/verizon-cripples-data-tethering-be-wary-of-new-android-updates

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

I haven't run into any issues regarding battery life with the Shift. But I'm not constantly with phone in hand like a majority of people.

[Nathan Explosion]

With most Android phones, battery life is a problem. Plus, unless the specs have changed recently, no phone has a higher screen resolution than the iPhone.

But really, none of that matter because you have T-Mobile. The My Touch seems pretty cool, although I haven't played with it much. Isn't the Nexus S also on T-Mobile? A friend of mine has an unlocked version that goes both T-Mobile and AT&T.

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

If you switch over to Sprint and port your numbers over before July 23rd they have a $125 port credit going on right now. I work for Sprint, so let me know if you have any other questions and maybe I can help you out a bit.

[Drachen]

If your'e out of contract I'd say just move over to Sprint and get an EvoShift off of Amazon for the penny. You can take your phone number with you and Sprint still has unlimited data which you may not have if the AT&T merger goes through.

Actually Sprint will give you 125 dollars for bringing your number over if I remember correctly.

edit: DOH! nevermind

[024]

if you are willing to switch to at&t or verizon, you should get an iphone. i would probably wait until iphone 5 comes out because it should be coming soon. any claims that these new android phones are superior to the iphone 4 are irrelevent until apple releases the iphone 5. these spiffy new android phones obviously have some advantages compared to the year old iphone 4. however, even though the iphone 4 is a year old now, it still has many advantages over the new phones. i will list the advantages and disadvantages the iphone 4 (not 5) has with the best android phones:

advantages:
- friendly user interface, when i used my first apple product, the ipod touch, i pretty much learned how to use everything in about 5 minutes. everything is just more intuitive and organized on the iphone
- better icon designs and placement, just purely my subjective view
- better app market not just in numbers but in developers. most developers will not mess with android phones because of all the different versions out there. therefore, a company like zynga (if you heard of them, they are the biggest mobile game developers and the most profitable currently) still does not develop games for the android phones for this reason.
- amazing high resolution display, there is still no phone that can match iphone 4's incredible display even though it's been one year since the iphone 4 was released. the iphone 4's display pretty much trounces every other phone out there in both specs and real life experience
- build quality is just excellent, the iphone 4 absolutely destroys any other phone out there, including the plastic android phones
- good size, the screen size isn't too big that it just looks ridiculous when placed in your pocket
- great battery life, lasts a few days if you just use your phone occasionally throughout the day
- just an overall well rounded package with good battery life, good internet speed, and able to utilize apps without noticeable lag

disadvantages
- because apple has chosen to maximize battery life, you won't get stuff like flash for your mobile browser (but they are mostly for ads anyways, you can still watch most videos)
- also, for the same reason, you won't get 4g or a dual core processor, giving the iphone 4 slower speeds
- no ability to customize home screen, switch out keyboards, use a different internet browser (stuck with safari) etc.
- camera is getting a little dated at 5 megapixel
- no universal back button, intrusive notifications when trying to do other things on the phone
- people complain about at&t but i personally don't have problems with it. if you really will be bothered by it, just use verizon
- iphone is very hard to get open and you will pretty much be at the mercy of apple in regards to replacing parts

conclusion:
if you are looking for a well rounded phone for everyday use, the iphone 4 is best. honestly, you won't need a dual core for your phone or even 4g if you don't plan on doing anything intensive. the tradeoff is definitely battery life as 4g and dual core processors would eat battery charges like crazy. the iphone just has the better apps (for now) and has the processor and internet speeds to smoothly run them.

as for customization, i sometimes wish i had it on the iphone 4. but honestly, it's overrated. i'm perfectly fine with the apple keyboard and browser. there's a bunch of other stuff you could change on android phones but for the average user, you wouldn't bother with it. the iphone lacks a good home screen though as it just puts all the apps on one home screen.

also, if you have itunes as the primary music organizer on your computer, an iphone simplifies the music transferring process. it was a complete pain for me to transfer music onto my phone when i didn't use an iphone. whenever i needed to add a song, i had to add it first to my itunes library then onto my phone. with an iphone, i just plug it into the computer and sync it, which automatically adds all the music in my itunes library that's not in my iphone. in addition, the iphone has an app that turns the phone into a remote that can control your itunes player anywhere you have wifi. pretty cool.

[Blake]

Old phone fell victim to a bath of river water during last weekend's tubing adventure.

Been thinking about getting a new smartphone to replace the old flip dinosaur, but have been, until now, too cheap to bother with it.

Now I am forced to figure out if I want one, how much it will cost, and what it is I need/want if I decide to make the leap.

Don't really need much, as I had been mostly happy with just having the ability to text/call, but wouldn't mind a phone with some cool games, and the ability to google stuff. That will require a data plan.

I remember from my last adventure in this direction that the array of options is huge.

Thoughts? Recommendations? If I go to the new phones, what do I look for?

honestly, I was thinking the same thing........just need text/calling and maybe some limited internet and I'm good.

I'm now paying a good chunk more a month for this thing because the data plan is a requirement... but there is no way in hell I will ever go back.

Everrrrrrrr.

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah - I'm with Blake. Too many useful apps out there that I would hate to get rid of now.

[spursncowboys]

yeah i would wait for the iphone5. and sprint sucks. pure and point blank. in everything associated with cellular phone coverage business.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

as for customization, i sometimes wish i had it on the iphone 4. but honestly, it's overrated. i'm perfectly fine with the apple keyboard and browser. there's a bunch of other stuff you could change on android phones but for the average user, you wouldn't bother with it. the iphone lacks a good home screen though as it just puts all the apps on one home screen.



This is where I disagree. The customization is what makes the phone mine.

[Blake]

Yeah - I'm with Blake. Too many useful apps out there that I would hate to get rid of now.

Way too many apps have already been too useful for me.

Best thing though is the ability to take quality camera shots and video of kiddo and send them to grandmas email within seconds.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Having one of these phones at your disposal is definitely a convenience that will be hard to ever give up.

[TheMACHINE]

If you want customizations, better browsing experience, bigger screens, adobe Flash, go Android.

If you want Hanging with Friends, go Iphone.

[Drachen]

If you are worried about battery get the Sensation (or alternatively the Evo 3d on sprint as they are almost the same phone). I average 15-16 hours on battery with about 18-20% left. I don't practice any battery saving techniques outside of turning off 4g when I am not using it. Incidentally my low day was 13 hours and my long day was 27 hours.


yeah i would wait for the iphone5. and sprint sucks. pure and point blank. in everything associated with cellular phone coverage business.

Sprint is now 1 point behind Verizon for highest customer satisfaction rating. Both ATT and Tmobile are 4th and 3rd respectively (and pretty far back from the first two). This is a trend as sprint has been moving up slowly for a while now. I quit sprint about 6 years ago due to service, I came back almost 2 years ago and it is like night and day.

[tlongII]

The iPhone 4 display is unbeavable. And I love unbeavable things.

[Wild Cobra]

I still couldn't find a NetFlix player for my Android. The only actual player I found says it won't work on my older phone. Time to upgrade.

:(


* The Netflix app runs on these phones:
- Casio G'zOne Commando C771 with Android 2.2
- DROID X by Motorola with Android 2.3
- DROID by Motorola with Android 2.2
- HTC Incredible with Android 2.2
- HTC Nexus One with Android 2.2, 2.3
- HTC G2 with Android 2.2
- HTC Evo 4G with Android 2.2, 2.3
- LG Revolution with Android 2.2
- Samsung Nexus S with Android 2.3

I have the Samsung Behold II

[Drachen]

Without trying to get all flame war on each other, for the sake of someone who is uninitiated, I do want to respond to some of these things. My additions in medium turquoise (lol).

if you are willing to switch to at&t or verizon, you should get an iphone. i would probably wait until iphone 5 comes out because it should be coming soon. any claims that these new android phones are superior to the iphone 4 are irrelevent until apple releases the iphone 5. these spiffy new android phones obviously have some advantages compared to the year old iphone 4 (EVO 4g which is over a year old, is only behind the Iphone 4 in battery and screen) . however, even though the iphone 4 is a year old now, it still has many advantages over the new phones. i will list the advantages and disadvantages the iphone 4 (not 5) has with the best android phones:

advantages:
- friendly user interface, when i used my first apple product, the ipod touch, i pretty much learned how to use everything in about 5 minutes. everything is just more intuitive and organized on the iphone
I used to be willing to give this one to apple, but it is not so anymore. Especially as I see more and more of my completely non techy friends able to competently handle (and do some outstanding, for them, things with their phones) their phones within a very short period of time
- better icon designs and placement, just purely my subjective view
I don't want to dismiss one of your points, but really? Its a grid
- better app market not just in numbers but in developers. most developers will not mess with android phones because of all the different versions out there. therefore, a company like zynga (if you heard of them, they are the biggest mobile game developers and the most profitable currently) still does not develop games for the android phones for this reason.
I am still willing to give this one to apple, though it is closer than it used to be. I will, however, counter with the fact that despite having less overall apps, the android market has a higher amount of free apps than apple. Even many of the apps that you must pay for on iOS are free on android. Oh and you don't have to enter in a CC# unless you are purchasing a paid app.
- amazing high resolution display, there is still no phone that can match iphone 4's incredible display even though it's been one year since the iphone 4 was released. the iphone 4's display pretty much trounces every other phone out there in both specs and real life experience
You do have all of the android phones on pixel density, yes. However the resolution on my phone is the same as the resolution on the Iphone 4, it is just spread accross 0.8 more inches
- build quality is just excellent, the iphone 4 absolutely destroys any other phone out there, including the plastic android phones
If we are talking Samsung, I agree. However the HTCs are rock solid (from experience), as are (from what I hear) the Motorolas. Choice is good.
- good size, the screen size isn't too big that it just looks ridiculous when placed in your pocket
subjective, but definitely a determining factor for some people. Valid if you don't like the size
- great battery life, lasts a few days if you just use your phone occasionally throughout the day
You do have me there. Iphones have better battery life at the moment. A greater variety of capabilities does hurt android on this particular point. Rooting makes a difference, but for those who are disinclined to do so, this could be a problem
- just an overall well rounded package with good battery life, good internet speed, and able to utilize apps without noticeable lag
I will concede the noticeable lag part for older phones, I don't know why google has taken so long to include the hardware acceleration that apple has had (it is coming with ice cream sandwich). However since he is likely going to buy a new phone I do have to say this: without hardware acceleration my phone has had no instances of lag.
disadvantages
- because apple has chosen to maximize battery life, you won't get stuff like flash for your mobile browser (but they are mostly for ads anyways, you can still watch most videos)
- also, for the same reason, you won't get 4g or a dual core processor, giving the iphone 4 slower speeds
dual-core processors are more energy efficient than single core processors, also you touted fast internet above, but then disparage 4g here which is strange to me.
- no ability to customize home screen, switch out keyboards, use a different internet browser (stuck with safari) etc.
- camera is getting a little dated at 5 megapixel
The Iphone camera is a good thing, megapixel doesn't really tell even half of the story
- no universal back button, intrusive notifications when trying to do other things on the phone
- people complain about at&t but i personally don't have problems with it. if you really will be bothered by it, just use verizon
- iphone is very hard to get open and you will pretty much be at the mercy of apple in regards to replacing parts

conclusion:
if you are looking for a well rounded phone for everyday use, the iphone 4 is best. honestly, you won't need a dual core for your phone or even 4g if you don't plan on doing anything intensive (this is at least 2 year investment future proofing is never a bad thing). the tradeoff is definitely battery life as 4g and dual core processors (once again dual core is more energy efficient) would eat battery charges like crazy. the iphone just has the better apps (for now) and has the processor and internet speeds to smoothly run them.

as for customization, i sometimes wish i had it on the iphone 4. but honestly, it's overrated. i'm perfectly fine with the apple keyboard and browser. there's a bunch of other stuff you could change on android phones but for the average user, you wouldn't bother with it. the iphone lacks a good home screen though as it just puts all the apps on one home screen.

also, if you have itunes as the primary music organizer on your computer, an iphone simplifies the music transferring process. it was a complete pain for me to transfer music onto my phone when i didn't use an iphone. whenever i needed to add a song, i had to add it first to my itunes library then onto my phone. with an iphone, i just plug it into the computer and sync it, which automatically adds all the music in my itunes library that's not in my iphone. My buddy just bought a sensation and all he had to do was plug and play as well (what he said, I don't have itunes) in addition, the iphone has an app that turns the phone into a remote that can control your itunes player anywhere you have wifi. pretty cool (so does android, and blackberry for that matter).

[Drachen]

I still couldn't find a NetFlix player for my Android. The only actual player I found says it won't work on my older phone. Time to upgrade.

:(



I have the Samsung Behold II

I had the Hero and the netflix app worked.... up to a point. it would go to the loading screen, but not go any further. The older phones dont have a GPU (or a powerful enough GPU) to run netflix.

[benefactor]

I stuck with my flip up until recently too...had(still have) a really nice one...a Motorola Tundra. I sort of fell into a smart phone by accident.

My wife got a Blackberry Torch on a promotion through AT&T. After a few days she decided to go back to her old phone and was talking about taking the Torch back. I told her to keep it because we got it cheap and worst case scenario we could sell it. I decided to give it a go and I've come to like it. It's very basic...but I don't do much online beyond weather, maps, news, etc. The camera is good and I like the real keyboard over the touch screen one. It seems like it would be a good phone for someone that doesn't really care for advanced features but would like the little things that make a smart phone convenient.

[DJ Mbenga]

not sure how super amoled screen compares to retina but before that super amoled there was no comparison, but now its basically a wash.

[024]

Without trying to get all flame war on each other, for the sake of someone who is uninitiated, I do want to respond to some of these things. My additions in medium turquoise (lol).
i'm not an apple fan boy so i won't take these points personally. i would never buy a macbook over a pc because it is ridiculously overpriced and i don't line up at the stores for the newest apple product. i don't own an ipad either. when i was looking to upgrade my smartphone, i came to the conclusion that the iphone was the best choice.

regarding:

icons - they simply look more aesthetic than android's app menu with the black background

app market - i've never paid for an app, the good games are usually free (with ads) and there are always free apps specials. you can always count on apple with the talent advantage regarding developers.

noticeable lag - all high end phones won't have much lag, i was just saying that the iphone 4 achieves this without 4g or a dual core processor

dual core processor - did not know dual cores are more energy efficient. good to know. but iphone still gets better battery life though

camera - i am aware that megapixels don't matter too much but the iphone's camera is definitely not the highest quality out there

4g - kind of wish apple will put this on the iphone but 3g speed is enough for web browsing. i don't think i ever bashed 4g.

build quality - it's seriously better than any other phone out there in terms of material and design. not saying other android phones are crap but the iphone 4 is ahead of the curve on this one.

[fraga]

Just upgraded from my little HTC Hero to the HTC Evo 4G...picked one up from Radio Shack for $30 today...can't beat that...