Which Smartphone Should I Buy?

[aggies1960]

So I am going to be getting my very first smart phone after all these years of just having my good old slide keyboard phone. Verizon Wireless is my provider.

I went into the store to check a few out and I have narrowed it down to two mainly, the Galaxy S4 and the iPhone 5.

My Thought:

S4:
Bigger screen, seems to have more customization with things like widgets and such. Its an Android device, I guess thats good...overall seems to have better specs than iphone.

iPhone 5:
Simple interface, very clean, and easy to use. I already have an itouch that I have loved for many years. Plus io7 is coming out soon and I think I really like it.

Question:

Which smartphone should I get and why?

[tolrobb]

which one's cheaper? there's your answer. :)

[aggies1960]

which one's cheaper? there's your answer. :)

same price, $199

[iBLeeDBaTTLeReD]

So I am going to be getting my very first smart phone after all these years of just having my good old slide keyboard phone. Verizon Wireless is my provider.

I went into the store to check a few out and I have narrowed it down to two mainly, the Galaxy S4 and the iPhone 5.

My Thought:

S4:
Bigger screen, seems to have more customization with things like widgets and such. Its an Android device, I guess thats good...overall seems to have better specs than iphone.

iPhone 5:
Simple interface, very clean, and easy to use. I already have an itouch that I have loved for many years. Plus io7 is coming out soon and I think I really like it.

Question:

Which smartphone should I get and why?

S4 if you like watching vids on your phone, no flash player for iPhone 5 if I'm not mistaken

[thor_rider08]

I enjoy the s4 and the note 2..
I have big hands so the not is perfect for me.. the note 2 is a bit bigger but I love it...
I hate the iphone.. then again I use my phone for business and could care less about music and crap..
Quality cameras, sound, easy to learn, and no siri.

[tolrobb]

same price, $199

then wait and see which one goes on sale first and get that one.

[Twinsfan33]

If you don't mind it being a little bit older I would go with the S3. You can get it for $50 at bestbuy. Or if you don't mind waiting a few months get an s4 during black Friday/Christmas when phones go on sale.

[TrueNE_09]

I'd been an Android guy for a long while (my provider, Sprint, initially didn't offer the iPhone so it was never an option). The phones were fine, but people always told me the iPhone would be better and that I'd enjoy it.

I have to be honest - I really do love it. I'm not a big tech guy though, so I can't explain the differences very well, but it is just smooth. The interface is clean, easy. It works, and I enjoy it.

Overall, now that I have an iPhone I definitely don't anticipate switching back to another operating system phone.

I think if you try the iPhone you'll like it.....

[Ooosh]

S4 if you like watching vids on your phone, no flash player for iPhone 5 if I'm not mistaken

You can watch videos on an iPhone. There are some flash websites that won't work, but I haven't run up against that yet. YouTube, MLB, etc. work fine.

[tajikey]

Wait for the Moto X if you're going Android...

[pingbling23]

i got the motorola razr hd about a month ago and i love it, it was also my first smart phone. they have the price for 49.99 now with a 2 year contract, i paid 99.99.

[lambeauleap87]

If you have an iPod Touch that you like and are familiar with, I'd recommend the iPhone 5. That's what I went with a few months back, and I really like it.

[CAS239]

I had a droid phone..I highly enjoyed customizing it and changing the font, layout, lock screen, etc etc. But after awhile it did get bored. I got tired of wanting to download apps and finding out this or that app was only for the Apple market. I enjoyed that you can fully customize it, but having a mini computer for a phone is only fun for so long (virus protection programs included).

After my contract was up and my Droid was starting to have problems..like not ringing, turn off randomly, etc..I waited until it came out and finally made the switch to the iPhone 5. I had had an iTouch for years and loved it, plus everyone I knew had an iPhone. I was one of the people that was like "naw man, Droid all day.", but being that the iPhone is the biggest selling phone, I had to see the hype for myself.

I love the iPhone 5 and don't see myself wanting to switch to a different type of phone anytime soon. While being able to fully customize my Droid was fun, I don't miss it. The iPhone is great and my next switch will just be to whatever the newest iPhone is when my contract is up.

[fullmetal]

I have a Motorola Droid Razr MAXX. I previously used a Razr before owning this, my first smart phone. I like Motorola products.

I'm not a tech wizard, but what I've read leads me to believe the Droid is better than Apple's system, but Apple has a cult following that will buy any product, even when they are inferior and more expensive than a competitor's product.

My wife, sister and my parents chose an iPhone and all have noted that my phone is easier to use and has more features.

Note: I don't download applications.

[Bengals4life]

Samsung galaxy s3($1 at walmart),Samsung galaxy s4 active($148 at walmart) or Samsung Note 2.($168 at walmart)

[aggies1960]

iPhone users: does the size of the phone bother you at all. And are there major differences between the app markets on android and apple?

[rip+flip]

iPhone 5. There are many reasons but the main thing I have heard for Galaxy 4 vs. iPhone is that the iphone has a much much better internet browser/software/operating system. There is nothing as easy, and as smooth, as Safari. Also the quality of the phone itself. Iphone uses top quality materials such as aluminum, high quality glass, etc. Other smart phones feel extremely "cheap" and poor quality compared to the iphone. Another reason for the iphone is apple's customer service. It is some of the best customer service you can possibly have. They have been great everytime I have called and I believe it is based in America and you get fluent English speaking people every time. Oh yeah and a little thing called iTunes. iTunes is the best and easiest to use music and music transfer software period. It also has the biggest library of music, its easy to import music from other places on your computer into iTunes, etc. Also iphone/apple has the biggest app library. There are probably additional things but those are just some that come to mind. But I would say the main reason to go with the iphone is the software. Nobody has been able to come even close to apples software. It is just extremely user friendly and smooth. I gave Safari as an example earlier but pretty much everyone agrees that is the main reason that people prefer iphones and stick with iphones. Other companies might have more high tech and better hardware, but apple has always been king of software and operating system.

[fullmetal]

^
My Razr has gorilla glass and a kevlar back. Seems everyone with an iPhone has cracked theirs with minimal effort. I don't use any type of phone cover or screen.

[tajikey]

Point: iPhone 5. There are many reasons but the main thing I have heard for Galaxy 4 vs. iPhone is that the iphone has a much much better internet browser/software/operating system.

Counterpoint: Only if you're talking Safari vs. Samsung Internet App. You can just as easily download Chrome on the Android device, and your web surfing is MUCH improved over Safari.

Point: There is nothing as easy, and as smooth, as Safari.

Counterpaint: See comment about Chrome, above. Safari is garbage compared to Chrome, especially between devices.

Point: Also the quality of the phone itself. Iphone uses top quality materials such as aluminum, high quality glass, etc. Other smart phones feel extremely "cheap" and poor quality compared to the iphone.

Counterpoint: I will agree that Apple knows how to design the hell out of hardware, but putting glass on the front AND back lends itself to being more susceptible to damage when dropped. I will also agree that the Galaxy line of devices from Samsung feel cheap, but I'll take a scratch over a break any day of the week.

Point: Another reason for the iphone is apple's customer service. It is some of the best customer service you can possibly have. They have been great everytime I have called and I believe it is based in America and you get fluent English speaking people every time.

Counterpoint: Never had to interact with Apple's Customer Care team, but I have heard similar stories as far as swapping out defective devices for brand new ones. Not sure what being based in America has to do with anything, though. Sounds a bit prejudice/racist.

Point: Oh yeah and a little thing called iTunes. iTunes is the best and easiest to use music and music transfer software period. It also has the biggest library of music, its easy to import music from other places on your computer into iTunes, etc.

Counterpoint: This is a huge fail in terms of a point. iTunes is the WORST distribution service there could possibly be. I mean, why the hell do I still need to plug my phone into another device to put stuff on it, and why is it not as simple as drag and drop (Android). Plus, what about getting information off of my device? I need iTunes, and MY registered version of iTunes that's tied to the phone. With Android, plug it in to any device, move your data, and you're done. It acts as storage device, not a Fort Knox secured consumer electronic device.

Point: Also iphone/apple has the biggest app library.

Counterpoint: Quantity and quality aren't the same thing. Just because there are more apps, does not mean they're better.

Point: But I would say the main reason to go with the iphone is the software. Nobody has been able to come even close to apples software.

Counterpoint: Use Android on a Google-Branded device and you'll think differently about this. Apple allows very LITTLE customization in terms of tweaking with the OS. Android's customization options are practically limitless without the need to root/jailbreak. I didn't like the Keyboard for the GS3 I am using now, so I went into the Play Store, grabbed Google's version, and boom, happy camper. I could also bring up widgets, but I may run out of room.

Point: It is just extremely user friendly and smooth. I gave Safari as an example earlier but pretty much everyone agrees that is the main reason that people prefer iphones and stick with iphones. Other companies might have more high tech and better hardware, but apple has always been king of software and operating system.

Counterpoint: Safari is junk compared to Chrome, and in my opinion, iOS is junk compared to non-bloatware filled Android (found on Nexus and the upcoming Moto X devices). It's never a fair fight to compare iOS against Android when using any other device, including the GS3, GS4, Droids, etc.

People prefer iPhone because of:

A) Marketing - Though this is starting to fall off after Jobs' passing
B) Trend - Everyone has one, so I must have one, too
C) Marketshare - Bought the original iPhone, continued to buy the upgrades while other smartphone manufacturers played catch up. Now that everything is on iTunes, it would be too difficult to switch (defined as scared/apprehensive).

At the end of the day, OP, buy what you're happy with, and what makes you the most comfortable. If the iPhone is what piques your interest, then go for it, but understand that it isn't the end-all-be-all any longer.

[CAS239]

iPhone users: does the size of the phone bother you at all. And are there major differences between the app markets on android and apple?

I had a Droid X..I liked mine vs the iPhone 4/4s because of my bigger screen. With the iPhone 5 screen, it's bigger than the 4s and I definitely enjoy the screen on the 5 versus the 4s.

As far as your question..does the size of the phone bother you..not at all. I like that its bigger than the 4, but I definitely like that its not as big as the new Galaxy. I personally wouldn't like a phone that big in my pocket.

As far as apps..when I had my droid. A LOT of the apps that were popular and what I wanted were only on apple. A lot of the times the more popular apps would eventually come to the droid marketplace, but not after they had been on apples marketplace for awhile. Majority of the apps you see on the droid market that aren't on the apple market are apps to customize the look of your phone.

I'm sure some has changed since I owned my droid with integration of apps between apple and droid. Im sure its a bit more even. But I know majority of apps are still programmed and made with apple in mind or released on the apple market first.

[Davesportscards]

I have a $10 phone from K-mart. I've had it for 3 years now. I've dropped it on concrete at least a dozen times, stepped on it twice and my girlfriend spilled an entire glass of Coca-Cola on it. Still works just as good as the day I got it. It's a Virgin Mobile LG 101. Probably the most durable phone I've ever had. Although, I am considering upgrading to a $40 phone, I'm sure it would break within a week...

[HOFcollector]

i have an s4 and i love it. i will play a game on my girlfriends iphone 5 and i just dont like it. i am a fan of the big screen and fast processor as well as unlimited customization

[Metsfan1121]

iPhone all the way, although I would go 4s or 4. The difference between iPhones is hardly anything substantial. However the reasons I would stick to iPhones are:
-The App Store! It's a HUGE step ahead of any other out there, with the most popular apps and largest selection at the lowest prices and quickest availability
-Interface. The phone is easy and smooth to learn, and you'll utilize more features than you would on other phones.
-Popularity. Now buying a phone because it's popular seems silly, but that means it'll work with more other products (ie car radios, phone cases, gaming systems, etc)

Overall it isn't a big difference between smart phones, but I don't see a single area where the iPhone is significantly behind.

[howethegreat]

what about the htc one?

[tdmonkeys]

what about the htc one?

I almost asked that question but I didnt want to be "that" guy. ;)

[aggies1960]

I am thinking I will get Galaxy S4

[aggies1960]

Got the galaxy s4 :)

[pingbling23]

good choice, samsung makes a great phone.

[sportscardbreak]

The S4 is ten years ahead of the iPhone. Read this site: Galaxy S4 VS iPhone 5: Specs, Camera, Price Review / Samsung Finally Knocks Apple Off Throne with New Galaxy S4 : Trending New : breathecast (http://breathecast.christianpost.com/articles/galaxy-s4-vs-iphone-5-specs-camera-9296/)

The S4 is a beautiful phone that can be customized to YOUR liking. The iPhone is well built phone that operates the way APPLE wants. If you want something in between get the HTC One.

[Cactuspies]

I'm w/boost and my bill is $40 for all inclusive.

I currently have an LG Venice which is the same as the Optimus for other carriers. I love the thing. It was such and upgrade over my first andriod. JellyBean isn't ideal for it but it works. (they pushed an upgrade from ICS a few months back)

Boost has access to many newer smart phones now. You just have to pay for them outright instead of being locked for years and paying that way for higher priced plans which get you the same exact service.

Many places including boostmobile.com run specials on the phones. We are currently shopping around to upgrade the wifes phone and have some nice options now.

just to add, I thought Iphones were "larger" but it was the same exact size as my old galaxy prevail (and much heavier), and they both fit on the screen of my LG FWIW.

[bkovach06]

nice choice on the S4, by far the best phone on the market, the only thing i liked about the iphone was the vivd screen and the S4 finally has a comparable one. i also have rather large hands and the iphones seem so small, the S4 fits like it was made for me

[fm8418]

I have a Motorola Droid Razr MAXX. I previously used a Razr before owning this, my first smart phone. I like Motorola products.

I'm not a tech wizard, but what I've read leads me to believe the Droid is better than Apple's system, but Apple has a cult following that will buy any product, even when they are inferior and more expensive than a competitor's product.

My wife, sister and my parents chose an iPhone and all have noted that my phone is easier to use and has more features.

Note: I don't download applications.

That's pretty crazy because my iPhone is actually way easier to use than any of my old pre-smartphones.

[Braveskid1025]

I would go galaxy s4 or maybe even galaxy note I or II if you like big phones.
I have had two iPhones and like them both but recently got the note II and like it a lot more. I wish i could get the s4 now. Few friends have it and love it.
If you go iphone definitely get an otterbox cause after one nice little drop your phone screen will crack. And the otter boxes make it bulk and i didnt like the phone anymore after having one on. I feel the s4 and such have better features anyways.

[freethrowtommy]

If you are a technological idiot and just want a phone that works, iPhone all the way.

If you like to tinker with your phone and have way more customization options, Android phones are the clear choice.

[fm8418]

If you are a technological idiot and just want a phone that works, iPhone all the way.

If you like to tinker with your phone and have way more customization options, Android phones are the clear choice.

cant tell this is a fanboy post.

[freethrowtommy]

cant tell this is a fanboy post.

Considering I would recommend an iPhone to any family member (because I hate being tech support) or my non-tech savvy friend, I would say you are wrong.

You even said yourself and I quote:

That's pretty crazy because my iPhone is actually way easier to use than any of my old pre-smartphones.

iPhone just works... nothing wrong with that. But it isn't for everyone.

[fm8418]

Considering I would recommend an iPhone to any family member (because I hate being tech support) or my non-tech savvy friend, I would say you are wrong.

You even said yourself and I quote:

maybe it was your choice of words "technological idiot" that sounds very condescending. That's why I took it that way.

I say it's simple because you don't have to search through folders to find stuff like the old phones.

[freethrowtommy]

maybe it was your choice of words "technological idiot" that sounds very condescending. That's why I took it that way.

I say it's simple because you don't have to search through folders to find stuff like the old phones.

It is because, personally, I don't like iPhones. But I know who and what they are perfect for. Perhaps the term "idiot" was misplaced.