Smart phone decisions..

[timswi]

Galaxy S3....Love it.

 

[BuzzardA91]

I have had them all, iPhone hands down. Unless you really need access to the operating system you can't go wrong with iPhone. Easiest to use by far. Never locks up. Problem free.

 

[jejeosborne]

If you sell a phone for $200 when your contract is up (so after 2 years) you did not sell it for what you purchased it. Your phone was subsidized the whole time your contract was in place, so you paid list price. Pretty much any model I-Phone has been $500 to $700 when newly released, this is spread out over your contract. On top of that, if you carry on after your contract is done, you are really getting bent over. Again this is a great big misconception/marketing scheme.
Dave

I understand that the phone cost is subsidized. This would not work for someone who didn't want to commit to a two year contract but I have owned a cell phone for 20 years and don't plan on quitting now. I have to have a service provider so why not let them subsidize it? You are missing out on not having yours subsidized because you are paying equivalent monthly bills as us on a contract and using a lower cost phone. I earlier mentioned swapping phones every two years but it is more like every 18 months because AT&T has earlier upgrades for customers with multiple smart phones.

 

[kiotiken]

Hey Gang, I am not meaning to be confrontational or anything. I am merely stating that most places besides the U.S. and maybe Canada have pay as pay as you go as the standard. You purchase your phones up front and then you can go where ever you want whenever you want. There are no contracts or late fees. I moved away from a contract in October of 2011, and I will never go back. In general, a contract plan will cost substantially more in the long run. This has nothing to do with android, I-phone. I am just pointing this out.
One of the largest growing segments of the cell phone market here in the US is the no contract market, or bring your own device. Many of the new devices have the ability to move from network to network. Even moving from CDMA to GSM, The manufactures now have chips that can do either and make the same model phone for all carriers. The I-Phone 5 is built with both and I believe the S3 is too.
Dave

You're absolutely right. I've been with my provider since 1998 and have never had a contract. As a result, I've been able to negotiate a spectacular rate. The days of contracts are quickly coming to an end, and that's a great thing. Up here in "socialist" Canada, the govt. of many Provinces have capped cancellation fees, and as a result, there are fewer and fewer companies requiring a contract. Canadians are still blessed with the highest cell rates in the world, something I'm hoping changes with the death of contracts.

 

[jejeosborne]

You're absolutely right. I've been with my provider since 1998 and have never had a contract. As a result, I've been able to negotiate a spectacular rate. The days of contracts are quickly coming to an end, and that's a great thing. Up here in "socialist" Canada, the govt. of many Provinces have capped cancellation fees, and as a result, there are fewer and fewer companies requiring a contract. Canadians are still blessed with the highest cell rates in the world, something I'm hoping changes with the death of contracts.

I don't see this happening south of you on the US. I doubt Apple or Samsung would allow carriers to discontinue the subsidy because these phones are getting more complex and staying very expensive. I could be wrong but I think the contracts allow the carriers to reduce the price of the plans because they know you are a captive customer for two years. Fortunately both are offered because obviously there is a need for both styles of doing business.

 

[kiotiken]

I don't see this happening south of you on the US. I doubt Apple or Samsung would allow carriers to discontinue the subsidy because these phones are getting more complex and staying very expensive. I could be wrong but I think the contracts allow the carriers to reduce the price of the plans because they know you are a captive customer for two years. Fortunately both are offered because obviously there is a need for both styles of doing business.

I just bought my wife a new Samsung Galaxy Ace II-x. The phone was just release and is a very good phone (hardware wise) and runs Android ICS. It was $250 to buy it out or $250 on the "tab" with $0 down. To me, that's a very decent price and shows that we don't need a subsidy on phones. The tab system also seems to accomplish the same thing as contracts used to and is a system that makes sense and is more fair IMO. For those who don't know, every month you keep the phone, a certain amount is taken off the tab so that after 2 or 3 years, you don't owe anything and the phone is essentially free. If you leave before the time is up, you pay whatever is left on the tab.

Because only Apple makes phones with iOS, you are stuck buying from them and they are able to keep the prices higher. Because Android is licensed freely, many different manufactures can use it on various hardware platforms. This creates competition and prices come down. This works as long as the value of the phone isn't hidden in the price of the contract. With a contract, you're not getting a subsidy on the phone, you're paying higher rates and you're locked into those rates for a long time. There are also very few people who keep their phone for 3 years and there are plenty of phones lost or stolen. Those replacements are at the full pop (and inflated) price.

My previous new phone wasn't a smart phone and Telus wanted $199 for it, or $0 with a 3 yr contract. I bought the EXACT same phone from Future Shop (think Best Buy) as a pay as you go phone for $69. I called up Telus and had it activated as you would with any other phone. By telling you the phone you want is worth $700, they are trying to steer you to a contract and high monthly fees. Now that contracts are disapearing here, phones seem to be a lot cheaper.

 

[jejeosborne]

I just bought my wife a new Samsung Galaxy Ace II-x. The phone was just release and is a very good phone (hardware wise) and runs Android ICS. It was $250 to buy it out or $250 on the "tab" with $0 down. To me, that's a very decent price and shows that we don't need a subsidy on phones. The tab system also seems to accomplish the same thing as contracts used to and is a system that makes sense and is more fair IMO. For those who don't know, every month you keep the phone, a certain amount is taken off the tab so that after 2 or 3 years, you don't owe anything and the phone is essentially free. If you leave before the time is up, you pay whatever is left on the tab.

Because only Apple makes phones with iOS, you are stuck buying from them and they are able to keep the prices higher. Because Android is licensed freely, many different manufactures can use it on various hardware platforms. This creates competition and prices come down. This works as long as the value of the phone isn't hidden in the price of the contract. With a contract, you're not getting a subsidy on the phone, you're paying higher rates and you're locked into those rates for a long time. There are also very few people who keep their phone for 3 years and there are plenty of phones lost or stolen. Those replacements are at the full pop (and inflated) price.

My previous new phone wasn't a smart phone and Telus wanted $199 for it, or $0 with a 3 yr contract. I bought the EXACT same phone from Future Shop (think Best Buy) as a pay as you go phone for $69. I called up Telus and had it activated as you would with any other phone. By telling you the phone you want is worth $700, they are trying to steer you to a contract and high monthly fees. Now that contracts are disapearing here, phones seem to be a lot cheaper.

You obviously are a Samsung fan and I know they make great phones. Realize though that samsung has phones like the galaxy 3 ($750) that cost more than the iPhone 5. Apple is not inflating their equipment due lack of competition. Samsung is their competition. These phones are like computers. The quicker processors, better screens, cameras, etc all add to the cost. There are cheap computers that get great reviews just like expensive computers getting great reviews yet the two are still not compatible because of the capabilities between the two.

iPhone 4's are now free, 4s are $50, and iPhone 5 are now $150 with contract. 3 years to pay off a $250 phone doesn't sound that great to me. My son wants to try an android next so we will be entering that market as well next this summer.

 

[TeamNH]

My wife and I are upgrading to smartphones in February when we are eligible for our Verizon upgrade.

I am consider the following phones and wanted to get input from anyone about the pro's and con's of each

1) Motorola Razr Maxx (same as the razr but with a bigger battery)

2) Samsung Galaxy S3

3) Iphone 5


I am really leaning toward the Razr Maxx due to the longer battery life - but still open.. We are Mac/Apple users, but there is an app for Android phones that allow you to load your iTunes onto the droid phone.

Thoughts. Suggestions

Brian

I own a Verizon Store... With that said... If you go android, dont go with a cheap one. Constantly people come in and say "my phone is full, I cant get any more texts, or take pictures." The Phone has plenty of storage, but the memory the phone uses to store the cache is limited and you have this problem because you went with a cheap phone.

Personally I would never own an apple product, they are a great product, just not for me. Most people who buy Iphones do it because thats what Mr. and Mrs. Jones have. Or "my friend Sally has one and she likes it." You are "stuck" with the phone for 2 years, buy one for you, not your friend or to keep with the Jones's. I often refer to people buying Iphones for the reasons above, the "John Deere" affect. You are paying for the name, yes its a good product, but it is not for everyone. I hate having to buy accessories that work only on one device. If you have other apple products, then getting the Iphone makes more sense.

I like HTC's. Their skin they use(sense) is really nice. Their camera, while the same MegaPixel as others, take clearer pictures. They don't seem to bog down. I would suggest the HTC DNA. After that the S3 or the Note2. After that, I would look at a Galaxy Nexus or HTC Rezound(which I currently have) if you can find them, they are older but still great phones. The Motorola's are nice, but not on my top 5. I like to be able to take my battery out... the razr's you can't.

 

[kiotiken]

You obviously are a Samsung fan and I know they make great phones. Realize though that samsung has phones like the galaxy 3 ($750) that cost more than the iPhone 5. Apple is not inflating their equipment due lack of competition. Samsung is their competition. These phones are like computers. The quicker processors, better screens, cameras, etc all add to the cost. There are cheap computers that get great reviews just like expensive computers getting great reviews yet the two are still not compatible because of the capabilities between the two.

iPhone 4's are now free, 4s are $50, and iPhone 5 are now $150 with contract. 3 years to pay off a $250 phone doesn't sound that great to me. My son wants to try an android next so we will be entering that market as well next this summer.

Nope, not a Samsung fan (although I like them), I have a Motorola Atrix. I am an Android fan though. The difference between a Samsung phone at $750 and an iPhone 5 at $750 is that the Samsung will quickly come down in price as competitors bring out new phones and the iPhone won't, because there's not as much pressure to do so. The Samsung Galaxy S III for instance is now down to $650 with my provider, while a 16GB iPhone 5 is still $799. The iPhone was released long before the new S III. As far as them being competition goes, there may be some truth to that, but most people either stick with iOS or Android, I don't think many people go back and forth.

As for 2 years to pay off $250, that's not the point. The point is there's no contract and the cost of the phone is now much lower. The Galaxy Ace II-x I bought my wife is a very nice, just released phone and $250 isn't a huge investment. I attribute the lower prices on the hardware to the end of contracts and the capping of cancellation fees.

 

[JDgreen227]

TeamNH---what you say about the Razrs having a non-removable battery: Is that REALLY such a big deal for a smartphone? My 4 1/2 year old BB Curve 8330 STILL had the OEM battery when it was 4 1/2 years old, and in all that time I probably pulled the battery to perform a hard reset twice a year. Since you are in the business, will you please give us your viewpoints as regards the expected battery life we can expect from our smartphones? BTW, I agree with you 100% about buying a high end Android. With the rapid development in the marketplace today, buying a basic phone will assure the buyer will need to upgrade much sooner. Good point !!

 

[TeamNH]

TeamNH---what you say about the Razrs having a non-removable battery: Is that REALLY such a big deal for a smartphone? My 4 1/2 year old BB Curve 8330 STILL had the OEM battery when it was 4 1/2 years old, and in all that time I probably pulled the battery to perform a hard reset twice a year. Since you are in the business, will you please give us your viewpoints as regards the expected battery life we can expect from our smartphones? BTW, I agree with you 100% about buying a high end Android. With the rapid development in the marketplace today, buying a basic phone will assure the buyer will need to upgrade much sooner. Good point !!

JDgreen, this is a hard question. Mostly it is a personal choice for me regarding taking the battery out. I like the fact that if the phone locks up, I can pull the battery. Yes, most if not all the phones have a hard reset option where you hold down a couple of buttons for xx amount of time and it does a hard reset. I like to pull the battery... I know it cut power.

As far as battery life, this is the hard to predict because there are many variables. Usage, Charges, Over Charges and cold temps all can cause battery's to fail at some point. Smart Phones tend to get used alot, since they do more. Thus they get charged more, and probably when they are not dead or close to dead. Repeat this day after day... soon the battery no longer will hold as much of its charge. Add in they have multiple wireless services they are working on(4g, 3g, wifi and bluetooth) and a extra large touch screens, you are asking alot of a battery. In short, I would not be surprised if a battery needed replace after one year of use, I see this happen. I also would not be surprised if it made it to the upgrade mark of 20 months or 2 years, I also see this happen. After 2 years, you really need a new one but put the money into a new phone.

With that said, I know someone here will say "I have had my smartphone for 3 years and the battery is fine". I would answer, every one is different with how they use the phone and charge it and the environment the phone is in is different in every case. Either way, I like the option of spending $40 and putting a new battery in to a phone I like then having to deal with a crappy battery until I can upgrade. Also, often times when a phone gets wet(dropped in the sink, toilet or pool, I have seen them all and more), its the battery that dies, being able to replace a battery might just save you from buying a $600 phone at full price.

 

[unbidden]

To TeamNH + JDgreen:

I posted earlier concerning phones that you are unable to swap out batteries, that's a deal breaker for me. I'm often in a situation were using a charger is not an option.

 

[JamesHW]

I'm in a similiar situation as the op in that I can chose to re-up with Verizon and replace our current phones. Our experience with a pair of HTC Android Incredibles has not been stellar. They worked well at first, but something happened with the updates about five months ago where now they will reboot all the time for no apparent reason. Mine will freeze and sometimes just shut down for no apparent reason. I did research and apparently it is not an uncommon issue with the original HTC Incredible and many users have been unable to resolve it despite taking all sorts of corrective actions. Also the phones barely make it through a 8 hour work day battery wise and god forbid you play a game on it. Add to that the camera is marginal at best.

I'm not a Mac fan, but have a nephew who has used iPhones for years and I think we will go ahead and make the switch based on our experience with our not so Incredibles. I have a ton of projects I can fiddle with, but fiddling with my phone that I need to be able to rely is something I am willing to dispense with.

 

[TeamNH]

I'm in a similiar situation as the op in that I can chose to re-up with Verizon and replace our current phones. Our experience with a pair of HTC Android Incredibles has not been stellar. They worked well at first, but something happened with the updates about five months ago where now they will reboot all the time for no apparent reason. Mine will freeze and sometimes just shut down for no apparent reason. I did research and apparently it is not an uncommon issue with the original HTC Incredible and many users have been unable to resolve it despite taking all sorts of corrective actions. Also the phones barely make it through a 8 hour work day battery wise and god forbid you play a game on it. Add to that the camera is marginal at best.

I'm not a Mac fan, but have a nephew who has used iPhones for years and I think we will go ahead and make the switch based on our experience with our not so Incredible's. I have a ton of projects I can fiddle with, but fiddling with my phone that I need to be able to rely is something I am willing to dispense with.

The original Incredible is almost 3 years old. The latest update should have been tested better but I can understand them not putting tons of hours into an old phone. At one time 80% of my employees used that phone, and all had great things to say about it. My wife uses the Incredible 2, which was a pre-release given to me by HTC themselves. Still works great. Third party apps can cause the issues you are talking about, as well as a bad install of an update. I am sure there is a way to fix it, but if you are just going to upgrade, why spend the time. I like my HTC's, sorry you didn't have the same experience I did.

It could have been made on a Monday or a Friday....

Everyday someone asks me what piece of technology to buy. What I would buy is different then what they should buy, because our needs our different, that is why my employees are not sales people but consultants. Iphones are great for many, Droids are too. Its like asking, which tractor is better, Green, Red, Blue or Orange?

 

[JamesHW]

In all fairness TeamNH, you own a Verizon store, so likely have access to the latest and greatest in phones (using the latest model would be part of the job). But I don't understand pushing out updates to a phone that f's the functionality, period, full stop (no apps were installed prior to the update that started the issue).

Once bitten, twice shy.

 

[JDgreen227]

In all fairness TeamNH, you own a Verizon store, so likely have access to the latest and greatest in phones (using the latest model would be part of the job). But I don't understand pushing out updates to a phone that f's the functionality, period, full stop (no apps were installed prior to the update that started the issue).

Once bitten, twice shy.

May be off topic here, but when I purchased my Droid in mid-November of last year, the supposedly TRAINED AND INFORMED Best Buy Mobile associate was clueless when I asked him if my new device had the most recent update to ICS 4.0.4 Android. A guy who makes his living selling phones for all carriers and should have known what I was talking about....DIDN'T KNOW what I was talking about. It truthfully baffled me why he was in the job he had.

 

[thatguy]

i got a chance to play with all 3 phones today, but for just a few minutes :-(

I am a Mac/Apple person in heart - BUT the screen was quite small on the 5 and I was shocked that the 4s screen is NOT that much smaller than the 5. I know the 5 has a 4" screen BUT they got it by making the screen narrower than the 4s.. In real life - if you are viewing the screen in landscape mode the 4s screen is actually taller


I loved the screens on the Razr Maxx and S3 - But when i turned the s3 to landscape i kept hitting the side buttons though


thanks for all the input

Brian

 

[thatguy]

TeamNH - any ides when/if Verizon will offer the "double your data" incentive again?


Brian

 

[JDgreen227]

i got a chance to play with all 3 phones today, but for just a few minutes :-(

I am a Mac/Apple person in heart - BUT the screen was quite small on the 5 and I was shocked that the 4s screen is NOT that much smaller than the 5. I know the 5 has a 4" screen BUT they got it by making the screen narrower than the 4s.. In real life - if you are viewing the screen in landscape mode the 4s screen is actually taller


I loved the screens on the Razr Maxx and S3 - But when i turned the s3 to landscape i kept hitting the side buttons though


thanks for all the input

Brian

Love my Razr Maxx...and for what it's worth I have had an Otterbox Commuter case on it since new, and it takes a determined push of the side buttons to activate them. I find it very hard to press them by accident.

 

[Grateful11]

Personally I would never own an apple product, they are a great product, just not for me. Most people who buy Iphones do it because thats what Mr. and Mrs. Jones have. Or "my friend Sally has one and she likes it." You are "stuck" with the phone for 2 years, buy one for you, not your friend or to keep with the Jones's. I often refer to people buying Iphones for the reasons above, the "John Deere" affect. You are paying for the name, yes its a good product, but it is not for everyone. I hate having to buy accessories that work only on one device. If you have other apple products, then getting the Iphone makes more sense.

Oh really. I go with iPhone's because they plain frickin' work just like their computers and no other reason. I have no friends to keep up with, the JD effect give me a break. Every single cellphone I've had before including an iPhone had to have a different type charger connection so there goes your, "I hate having to buy accessories that work only on one device." reasoning. That's why WalMart has the charger pigtail hanging out the box nowadays so people will buy the right one. All headphone jacks are universal these days whether it's an iPhone or and Android. I've had a cellphone since they came in a bag back in the early 90's so I'm not a noob when it comes to cellphones.

OT: There's no "brand effects" around my wife's operation she buys whatever works, whether it's Kubota, CaseIH, John Deere, New Holland, Krone, Precision Welding, Amco, etc.