First Smartphone. please help

[onelivinlarge]

so im up for upgrade. and my kin 2 phone is been acting up and the battery went from lasting 3 days + to less than a day. so ive started to look for a new phone but not really up to date on any phone technology. Im locked in to Verizon. Im currently looking a the droid razr hd. So help me out please out so i can get a good phone.

 

[sze5003]

Can you wait until the HTC one comes to Verizon. It's going to be a great phone. So far now check out the droid dna.

 

[onelivinlarge]

Can you wait until the HTC one comes to Verizon. It's going to be a great phone. So far now check out the droid dna.

i looked at the dna, do u know why verizon dropped it from their site?

 

[Commodus]

If you're looking at a first smartphone, and you want a high-end phone without a big screen... iPhone 5.

Not that the alternatives aren't good, but the Android world does tend to link high performance with screen size; you don't really have a lot of choice in that field. That and you're likely looking for something which is easy to understand quickly. Bonuses: the iPhone 5 also has the best overall camera of the current pack, and it's faster than most high-end Android phones on the market.

 

[onelivinlarge]

If you're looking at a first smartphone, and you want a high-end phone without a big screen... iPhone 5.

Not that the alternatives aren't good, but the Android world does tend to link high performance with screen size; you don't really have a lot of choice in that field. That and you're likely looking for something which is easy to understand quickly. Bonuses: the iPhone 5 also has the best overall camera of the current pack, and it's faster than most high-end Android phones on the market.

im not overly interested in an iPhone. ive got an ipod touch and never much liked for using my email and everything.

after looking in to the dna the tech junky in me is enthusiastic about it. i think i need get my hands on the razr hd and dna and see when feels better

 

[saratoga172]

If you want a smaller screen and Android appeals check out the Razr M. It doesn't have the super high end screen but the phone gets great battery life and is very powerful. About the physical size of the iPhone 5.

Have you looked at Windows Phone 8 or the new Blackberry Z10. You'll want to play with them in store but they may appeal since you haven't had a smartphone.

 

[Commodus]

im not overly interested in an iPhone. ive got an ipod touch and never much liked for using my email and everything.

after looking in to the dna the tech junky in me is enthusiastic about it. i think i need get my hands on the razr hd and dna and see when feels better

The RAZR M might do the trick, although I'd warn that Motorola, even under Google, doesn't have a great track record for OS updates. It's been stringing people along on some Jelly Bean updates, and I wouldn't count on getting Android 5.0.

I would wait a few weeks, if you can -- the Galaxy S 4 is getting close. There's been off-and-on rumors of the HTC One hitting Verizon, too, although they're not what I'd use to determine my buying habits.

 

[onelivinlarge]

The RAZR M might do the trick, although I'd warn that Motorola, even under Google, doesn't have a great track record for OS updates. It's been stringing people along on some Jelly Bean updates, and I wouldn't count on getting Android 5.0.

I would wait a few weeks, if you can -- the Galaxy S 4 is getting close. There's been off-and-on rumors of the HTC One hitting Verizon, too, although they're not what I'd use to determine my buying habits.

the s4 and htc one are just to much initial cost being a college student. so im leaning to the dna it seems to be everything im looking for. screen mite be a little to big for what i think id be comfortable carrying in my pocket but i think i could get over the big screen

 

[sze5003]

I can upgrade too but if I do I lose my unlimited data plan. So I'm not doing that. I'll have to buy the phone out right. Which will suck so either I pony up 400-450 for the DNA or wait until HTC one comes out. I work with Roms a lot so my phone choices can be somewhat limited.

 

[zokudu]

If you liked the Kin, Verizon is supposed to be getting a Nokia Lumia 920 variant in the next month or so, if not the HTC 8X is a wonderful phone if you're interested in windows phone.

 

[shortylickens]

RAZR M is a good choice for a decent phone with small screen.

 

[onelivinlarge]

If you liked the Kin, Verizon is supposed to be getting a Nokia Lumia 920 variant in the next month or so, if not the HTC 8X is a wonderful phone if you're interested in windows phone.

it was ok but i disliked not having a background or ability to see the weather. did like its camera and slide out keyboard

 

[bearxor]

The RAZR M might do the trick, although I'd warn that Motorola, even under Google, doesn't have a great track record for OS updates. It's been stringing people along on some Jelly Bean updates, and I wouldn't count on getting Android 5.0.

I would wait a few weeks, if you can -- the Galaxy S 4 is getting close. There's been off-and-on rumors of the HTC One hitting Verizon, too, although they're not what I'd use to determine my buying habits.

I'm a little confused. Isn't jelly bean out for the RAZR, RAZR HD and RAZR M?

 

[s44]

I'm a little confused. Isn't jelly bean out for the RAZR, RAZR HD and RAZR M?

4.1 is. Not 4.2 (which isn't a big deal). But 5.0 is over two steps upgrade, making it a bit of a stretch.

Since OP is apparently looking at low upfront cost (i.e. 2012 release) options on VZ, I'd evaluate them like this:
DNA -- best processor and screen; limited storage; iffy software support (both official/unofficial)
RAZR HD -- better battery; expandable storage; standard processor and less (1gb) RAM; same iffy software support
RAZR M -- basically the same but smaller
SGS3 -- standard processor but 2gb RAM; expandable storage; similar battery to the DNA but swappable; pretty good official software support and excellent unofficial software support

I would get the S3 ($50 or less on Amazon) or the DNA.

 

[onelivinlarge]

4.1 is. Not 4.2 (which isn't a big deal). But 5.0 is over two steps upgrade, making it a bit of a stretch.

Since OP is apparently looking at low upfront cost (i.e. 2012 release) options on VZ, I'd evaluate them like this:
DNA -- best processor and screen; limited storage; iffy software support (both official/unofficial)
RAZR HD -- better battery; expandable storage; standard processor and less (1gb) RAM; same iffy software support
RAZR M -- basically the same but smaller
SGS3 -- standard processor but 2gb RAM; expandable storage; similar battery to the DNA but swappable; pretty good official software support and excellent unofficial software support

I would get the S3 ($50 or less on Amazon) or the DNA.

i would rep plus this if this was ocn

 

[WelshBloke]

OP as this is going to be your first smartphone how long are you expecting it to last on one charge?

 

[sze5003]

If you get the DNA you can root it and greatly increase battery life. I have some friends working on a Rom for it right now. I think it's done and runs great with a custom kernel but I can't seem to muster up nearly 500 bucks for it. I'm still using the HTC rezound.

 

[onelivinlarge]

OP as this is going to be your first smartphone how long are you expecting it to last on one charge?

about 24 hours of mild use and liek 2-3 days with little to no use other than as an alarm

 

[TallBill]

RAZRs have nice battery life.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

If you want games, get an Android.

If games don't matter, get an Android or a Blackberry Z10.

 

[onelivinlarge]

im defiantly wanting android. due to customization. i just find apple to be to plain and blackberry i just worry about support

 

[Vdubchaos]

If it's your first, just about any Samsung or Motorola will do the trick.

Differences are tiny and not even worth talking about....

 

[Chocu1a]

The Galaxy S3 is still a great phone. Cost wise, it is probably right in line with what you are looking to spend. Also, Samsung has just about the best productivity suite out of all the manufacturers. It is also said that the GS3 will get the software improvements that the GS4 has, including Android 5.0
Go to a Verizon store and physically check them all out.

 

[onelivinlarge]

The Galaxy S3 is still a great phone. Cost wise, it is probably right in line with what you are looking to spend. Also, Samsung has just about the best productivity suite out of all the manufacturers. It is also said that the GS3 will get the software improvements that the GS4 has, including Android 5.0
Go to a Verizon store and physically check them all out.

I'm going to try an do that tonight. I still really like the specs of the DNA and I can get it for 20 on newegg right now. But it's down to 3

DNA
S3
Razr hd

I like the unibody feel of the razr hd and the Kevlar feels nice in my hand. So I assume I would like that on the DNA as well. But I don't like the 1 gb of ram on the razr hd where the other 2 have 2gb. I just need to find a DNA and razr hd to try the software suites on since I've messed with my friends s3

 

[onelivinlarge]

went to the store today and going to be getting a droid dna even tho the store guy was mass nut hugging on the s3 balls