How do you android guys deal with the constant upgrade cycle?

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

If you're happy with what you've got, that's fine. But one drink from the LTE fire hose and you may be wondering why you waited.

I had a drink from the LTE fire house with my Windows Phone. I used it for 2 months almost, and then jumped back to HSDPA. Why? Because I've never really had to download something THAT big. Youtube streams fine on my HSDPA/HSPA connection anyway. Not like I need to blow through my 2gb cap in 25 minutes anyway....

But if you're on Verizon I can understand.

 

[Bateluer]

Despite the iFan-isms in the OP's post, technology progresses. Often very fast. One deals with the upgrade cycle in a few ways.

First, keep an eye on release schedules, technical write ups, and rumor blogs. That way you'll be more in the loop as far as whats coming out, approximately when its coming out, and what kind of performance/features you can expect. Its being a good consumer to conduct some research before you buy. LG's invitations for the Optimus G launch went out a while back, and had multiple leaks and docs that pointed to the feature set of the G, for example.

Second, just because a new device arrived doesn't mean you need to upgrade to it. If your current phone is working fine, isn't broken, and suits your needs, you need to ask yourself if you should upgrade. Do the increased processor power, feature set, etc, of the new device make it worth your time to upgrade? Or would you be alright for another cycle?

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I just upgrade when something significant or a device I particulars want comes along. I love the fact that only a year after getting a Captivate I could upgrade to a SGS2 and now that my S2 is close to a year old there is the Note 2 to look forward to. That said my SGS2 still performs great and I am very happy with it on iCS and JB, I just want a Note

 

[T_Yamamoto]

We love upgrades.
I love my gnex
iPhone screen too small
I'm an android lover
Upgraded from a D1
Love all the features from rooting
Easier to "hack" than an iPhone.

 

[wirednuts]

I was under the impression that there is no lag, stuttering, or unresponsiveness in iOS...

no it just parts the red sea. re read your wikis man

 

[shortylickens]

I was under the impression that there is no lag, stuttering, or unresponsiveness in iOS...

I had an iPhone 4 for a weekend. It was quite smooth and fun. Not as nice as WebOS but.... well...... yeah.

I actually prefer usability and a plethora of good, free apps, so Android worked better for me. The hiccups in UI were mostly fixed in 2.3 across all hardware.

 

[zerocool84]

I have a Nexus S, Jelly Bean 4.1 is much faster on a Galaxy Nexus than on the S, much faster, but I've been holding out on the new Nexus coming out later this year. Sure the phone is nearing two years old now but with the upgrades, it makes it feel much better and it helps the wait for the new Nexus phones coming out later this year. That's why I'll only get Nexus phones.

 

[Kenmitch]

I dont worry about latest and greatest phones. I'll replace my SGS2 when the screen seems too small. Already looking at larger screens

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I have a Nexus S, Jelly Bean 4.1 is much faster on a Galaxy Nexus than on the S, much faster, but I've been holding out on the new Nexus coming out later this year. Sure the phone is nearing two years old now but with the upgrades, it makes it feel much better and it helps the wait for the new Nexus phones coming out later this year. That's why I'll only get Nexus phones.

if the rumors of a mini bump are true I'll be sad.

Edit: But perhaps Google's been silent because they waited for Apple to debut its specs first.

 

[Geekbabe]

I've been pretty anti-android (own a windows phone, prefer iOs and it's integrated marketplace and accessories ecosystem) but my nexus 7 really converted me - my concerns about smoothness have been worked out, and android no longer looks like a cheap iOS clone - good work talent hired from WebOs! I like jelly bean so took a leap and ordered a Galaxy Nexus. I know it's not cutting edge but it was a nice mix of hardware and software for THE TIME.. "The time" being last week, now this new LG phone made my middle-of-the-road phone an antique before it's even shipped (seriously, google play store - you need to take lessons from amazon on order fulfillment). And I just bought a mid-tier phone, I imagine I'd be more annoyed if I bought a Galaxy S3 or a HTC One X.

My wife is still on an iPhone 4 and hasn't felt left out for a few upgrade cycles (iPhone "5S" is probably the generation she'll upgrade to - that's quite a few years). Progress stops for no one, for sure, but is this spec race getting tiring to anyone else?

I love new hardware, few things excite me more than an unboxing of an amazing device! With that out of the way, there's no way I can afford to outright buy every great phone on every carrier.

How do I cope? By evaluating the device in my hand. Does the phone operate smoothly, are transitions snappy, does it still meet my needs? What features does a new device offer me, is the new phone offered by my carrier? Is this upgrade going to be worth shelling out off contract dollars to buy it?

I currently have a rooted Galaxy Nexus running Jelly Bean, yeah I'd love a new phone, hell I'd love to snap up an iPhone 5 & an SGIII, sign me up for the next Galaxy Nexus & a Galaxy Note 2 while we're at it but that is just the addict voice speaking. My Gnex is a beautiful phone, performs my daily tasks flawlessly, so I silence my inner addict by reminding myself that good things come to those who wait. Soon I'll be able to choose from ALL of the above named devices.

People who hang out in hardware forums tend to lose touch with the real world, normal end users get phones & keep them for 2 years, a lot of them are very happy with the free upgrade phones or modestly priced models. Those people text, Facebook & Tweet very happily & don't lose a moment's sleep plotting as to how they are going to cough up $649 to buy the latest iPhone off contract. I look to those people for a shot of reality whenever I feel dissatisfied. Fact is, if you have a Gnex you have a phone that packs a helluva lot more punch & offers more options than the vast majority of phones out there.

There is always something newer coming "soon" appreciate the phone you've got, unlock it, root it, play with roms, make it the best device possible in terms of filling your unique needs. Half the value in android devices is the pleasure we get in customizing them, don't deprive yourself of that joy.

 

[zerogear]

Pick a specific series of phone and stick with the series unless something overwhelms it. I'm pretty much on a yearly cycle, just like when I used iPhone.

 

[Zaap]

When a new device comes out your old one doesn't become magically slower.

This.

If you let yourself get caught up on a consumer treadmill with just about any product, you'll just drive yourself nuts. There's always something faster/better coming out than whatever you've got. So what? You jump on when something comes along that you like, and you ride it out. The new stuff doesn't automagically make your 'old' stuff worthless, but it amazes me how many people think like that.

I know a lot of people that are hopelessly in debt- owing more money than they have the potential to pay for in the next decade, just because they're obsessed with keeping up with the Jones, always going into hawk for new crap. (Meanwhile, the Jones are probably underwater too). Many of these people won't be able to ever retire, and will just have a pile of old junk to show for their life's worth of consumer obsessions.

 

[slackerinabox]

**update**
humble pie time - got my galaxy nexus, upgraded to jelly bean, and have absolutely no reason to worry about it being antiquated. Love this phone- it's really an outstanding piece of work and feels better in my hand than the gs3. Anyways, yeah, I regret nothing!

 

[T_Yamamoto]

**update**
humble pie time - got my galaxy nexus, upgraded to jelly bean, and have absolutely no reason to worry about it being antiquated. Love this phone- it's really an outstanding piece of work and feels better in my hand than the gs3. Anyways, yeah, I regret nothing!

That's how it should be

 

[Spoooon]

**update**
humble pie time - got my galaxy nexus, upgraded to jelly bean, and have absolutely no reason to worry about it being antiquated. Love this phone- it's really an outstanding piece of work and feels better in my hand than the gs3. Anyways, yeah, I regret nothing!

Glad to hear you're enjoying your new phone.

For if you root and want to start messing with it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1336