Decisions....Help picking a new phone

[exceta]

Hey everyone,

I have a HTC Droid Incredible(first version) phone which I am looking to upgrade from. I am considering a iPhone 4S(16Gb unlocked), Nexus 4(16Gb), iPhone 5(16Gb).

So the issue, I am a student so money is an issue and I want to be happy with my purchase for atleast 2 years.

iPhone 4S: $549
iPhone 5: $649
Nexus 4: $349

I know that the Nexus 4 is the most powerful, but I don't play games and hardly do any high performance activities so I don't think that is necessary for me. If there is a reason as to why that might be, I am curious. Basically I was happy with my Incredible for quite a while even with all the new technology coming out.

Also I am going to be traveling overseas for a year and wish for my phone to be able to use SIM cards in other countries. Seeing as the 4S has MicroSim while the 5 has NanoSim I am thinking it would be easier to get the MicroSim cards because it is more popular. Same with the old adapter. Lightning is pretty new and all the normal iPhone extras wouldn't work.

Taking nice point and shoot pictures is something I want as well, and it seems that the iPhones have the best cameras in them. And there isn't much of a difference between the camera in the 4S and 5.

So I am very much leaning towards the 4S even though it is a year old. Speed I hear is very much the same between the 5 and 4S because iOS 6.1 is nicely optimized.

My concern is that the 4S will die faster in terms of usability with technology before it has lived its (preferred) 2 years life span. And since only $100 is the difference between the 5 and 4S that maybe saving up and getting the 5 is smarter. Though the 4S is more resilient to scratches due to its glass back.

Any advice is appreciated that I may have not considered.

Thanks! :biggrin:

 

[ImDonly1]

Money is issue then Nexus 4.

Personally, if I was going to spend $500 for a new phone I wouldn't get the 4S. Rather pay the extra $100 and get the 5.

NanoSIM to micro adapters are like $1-2 online. Should not be an issue.

 

[lopri]

If you are looking at 2 years and 2 years only, then sure the 4S can do. But keep in mind that a smart phone does more than making phone calls and you will likely invest more on the platform to utilize the hardware. And Apple has made the switch to Lightening cables starting fall 2012 so that's another consideration if you go with an iPhone.

 

[s44]

I don't have any idea why you, as a poor student, are considering paying $200 more for a crappier, near-obsolete product.

Choice #1:
Nexus
Choice #2:
Nexus
Choice #3:
secondhand S3

EDIT: *btw*, does your current phone mean you have unlimited on Verizon? either sell that for $200+ on eBay or stick to LTE phones only.

 

[exceta]

I do think it is expensive, but it would be an investment in a sense so I consider it worth it.

And good pointers. The NanoSim issue is that the 5 only takes Nano when the rest of the world is still keeping MicroSims. But if wireless carriers can give either option(or I cut it down myself) it would work.

 

[s44]

It's not an investment... it's worse.

If you want to spend $550+, get the i9300.

 

[bearxor]

So I'm looking at your priorities in this manner:
Longevity, cost, global capabilities, camera, performance

Nexus 4. It will cover, if I'm parsing your post properly, your top three priorities. It will be well supported by Google, it's only $350 unlocked, and is a pentaband phone.

The camera in the 4S and the 5 is better, but not an order of magnitude better. The processing power of the iPhone 5 and the N4 are pretty similar, except the GPU in the iPhone is noticeably better. One misconception you listed is that the 4S is "very much the same" as the iPhone 5. It might not be noticeable in basic usage, but the iPhone 5 is significantly faster than the 4S.

So my recommendation, based on what you've outlaid, is a Nexus 4.

 

[exceta]

Ok. And I just read an update, the Nexus 4 is back in stock now.

BTW what is your guys recommendations on buying a used/refurbished phone? Like if I see one cheap on craigslist that says factory unlocked, is there a way to check that?

Thanks.

 

[Red Storm]

Between those options, Nexus 4 without a doubt. You can get a brand new one for less money than a used iPhone.