Need Help Picking a Smartphone

[bageled123]

It's time to retire old yeller flip phone to get a smartphone. There are so many options, I'm totally lost. I would definitely like to do some kind of modification, but I don't know if that means more capability and hardware than the iphone.

I've used iphones before and don't have any problems with it. I've tried to call and text from a friend's droid and it's REALLY frustrating. I can't stand how the touchscreen doesn't work as well as the iphone's screen. I don't think I would ever purchase an app unless I absolutely needed it. Are there many free useful apps available? Yes, I'm that clueless. Other than that, I don't know what I'm looking at.

Are there any guides or a place to show what is capable on each platform?

 

[zerocool84]

First things first, what carrier are you on?

 

[bageled123]

oh sorry, Verizon. I don't think I qualify for any "specials" since I'm on the family plan.

 

[MotF Bane]

You tried your friend's Droid. Which Droid was this? The original one?

 

[bageled123]

yes, the one with the keyboard.

 

[Ksyder]

That's odd that you had problems with the original Droid, IMO the touchscreen works very well.

What is your main need? Do you want gps? Web browsing? Great media capability?

If you want great nav go with android, but if you don't mind paying the full Verizon smartphone plan and want good music capability maybe you should go Iphone. Android is good but there can be much variability in term of devices.

I can't comment much on blackberry or windows 7 phone, because I personally like android and ios. Also at this time the 4g phones are around, so you may want to pick one of those if you are going android.

Also, if you want free apps, Android is the only way to go as far as I know, since there are so many that are ad-supported.

 

[MotF Bane]

yes, the one with the keyboard.

Try newer ones, and try several. Motorola, HTC, Samsung, they're all a little bit different.

 

[zerocool84]

Try newer ones, and try several. Motorola, HTC, Samsung, they're all a little bit different.

Newer Android phones are infinitely better than older ones. It's a night and day difference.

 

[s44]

The OG Droid definitely had a less sensitive touchscreen than current/last-gen stuff.

You can still get discounted upgrades on a family plan. Check online for the best deals -- either Amazon (lowest prices) or membershipwireless (3 month exchange policy on same carrier). Right now I'd either go cheap last-gen with a Droid X/Fascinate or unlimited 4G with a Charge/Revolution.

If you want to stick to free apps, iOS isn't for you.

 

[finbarqs]

unless you want to jailbreak your iOS

 

[smartpatrol]

Android's responsiveness has improved over time, but iOS and WP7 are both still more responsive in my experience. If you're like me and you demand an interface that responds instantaneously and runs at a silky-smooth framerate at all times, check out iPhone or the HTC Trophy (WP7).

I don't have too much experience with the iOS App Store, but the WP7 Marketplace has plenty of free apps (some ad-supported, some not). One downside is that paid apps tend to be a bit more expensive on WP7, but you can get by just fine by sticking with the free ones.

If you want a lot of customization options, though, you're only going to get that from Android.

 

[finbarqs]

I hear iOS 5 will support widget customization as well...

 

[Zargon]

or unlimited 4G with a Charge/Revolution.

I've read 2 reviews of the revolution that both said they prefered the charge/thunderbolt.

but thats 2, and didnt get any farther

 

[finbarqs]

wait for the hp pre 3! viva la webOS!

 

[s44]

unless you want to jailbreak your iOS

How does that get you free stuff? Stealing isn't free, it's stealing.

Or does Cydia have lots of Android-style cool free stuff?

 

[bageled123]

unless you want to jailbreak your iOS

could you elaborate?

 

[finbarqs]

same thing as rooting your android, but doing it to iOS!