Soon to be former iPhone user needs advice.

[Tim]

Hello wonderful people of the Mobile Devices & Gadgets sub-forum.

I've been an iPhone user since the iPhone 3g, and am currently using an iPhone 5. I will be switching to Verizon from AT&T in September due to the fact that I can save 18% through my employer.

The recent rumors that the iPhone 6 will still only have 1gb ram, start on the low end with 16gb of storage rather than 32, and the fact that it's still a dual-core processor are turning me off. Where's the innovation at?

The long and short of it, I'm not sure where to go now. I'm almost dead-set on going with a Windows phone, but not sure which to get. I use Windows 8.1 at home and at work, and would love to see more integration with my desktop and mobile experience, so figured a windows phone would be the way to go. Is there any reason I should consider android over windows?

If you so care to spend your time helping me in this transition, please tell me which OS you prefer, and give me some current hardware choices to mull over.

Thanks.

 

[Eug]

Whatever you do, make sure you turn off iMessage now (if it isn't already off) on all your iDevices and Macs, and tell your friends to only text you to your phone number.

Otherwise, you might end up getting an Android or Windows phone only to never get a text again (at least for the first several weeks).

 

[Tim]

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[maevinj]

Whatever you do, make sure you turn off iMessage now (if it isn't already off) on all your iDevices and Macs, and tell your friends to only text you to your phone number.

Otherwise, you might end up getting an Android or Windows phone only to never get a text again (at least for the first several weeks).

This. I made that mistake when I switched to WP from iOS.
Honestly there really isn't that much integration between WP and Windows 8.1(yet). However I really enjoy using WP and the live tiles. Before you make the plunge, check the Windows Phone App store to make sure that the apps you use are on there. I know a few of the apps I used on iOS aren't on WP, but they weren't critical for me.
You definitely want to check out the HTC One (M8) for Windows. It's a gorgeous phone!

 

[Tim]

So this iMessage thing happens even if you switch service providers?

 

[bearxor]

The recent rumors that the iPhone 6 will still only have 1gb ram, start on the low end with 16gb of storage rather than 32, and the fact that it's still a dual-core processor are turning me off. Where's the innovation at?

You simply can not compare the hardware Apple is using to the hardware in Windows Phone/Android from a usage standpoint. iOS is so tightly integrated and customized to the hardware that this just can not be an Apples to Apples comparison.

Take the dual-core A7 chip. At 1.1ghz, it stands right alongside 2.1ghz quad-core Snapdragon 800 chips. So chips that have almost double the clock and double the cores barely outpace the Apple chip and typically only do so during heavily threaded applications. The A8 chip is likely to increase this performance even more, probably by a combination of clock speed increases and instruction set efficiency.

We don't have details. We don't even have 100% confirmation that it will ship with 1GB of RAM only.

EDIT: I completely misunderstood your initial post. I thought it said you were switching from Verizon to AT&T.

Rather than deleting it, I spoilered it because it's not relevant to your situation, but may be good advice for someone looking at a phone coming to AT&T from VZW around this time. And I spent a good bit of time on it .

Spoiler

So, to that effect:

Spoiler

I've been an iPhone user since the iPhone 3g, and am currently using an iPhone 5. I will be switching to Verizon from AT&T in September due to the fact that I can save 18% through my employer.

That is freaking fantastic news. That means you do not have to buy a new phone when you switch. You can bring your existing iPhone 5. It's unlocked already so you'll be able to put an AT&T nano SIM in to it and use it on AT&T.

You will not get LTE. But that's ok. AT&T 3G is not like Verizon 3G. It is significantly faster than Verizon 3G. Often times 3-5x faster. And you can do voice/data simultaneously.

And with the way AT&T prices their plans now, you're not missing out on anything by choosing to not buy a phone at the time you switch over and then deciding to buy one later. Since the price of the phone is rolled up in the monthly cost when you choose to do it, your monthly bill will just be $25-30 cheaper than it normally is. When you can better decide on a phone, that cost will just be tacked on to your bill. Or you can choose to do a two-year contract subsidized phone anytime you want to.

What I'm saying is; Do not feel like you are being pressured or hurried to buy a new phone right when you switch.

Which brings me to this:

Spoiler

The long and short of it, I'm not sure where to go now. I'm almost dead-set on going with a Windows phone, but not sure which to get. I use Windows 8.1 at home and at work, and would love to see more integration with my desktop and mobile experience, so figured a windows phone would be the way to go. Is there any reason I should consider android over windows?

Do yourself a favor and go buy a Nokia Lumia 520. They're super cheap. $50 sometimes $40. They are on clearance at some Target's for $35.

This is a FANTASTIC way to see if Windows Phone is for you. Buy it. Try it. If you don't like it, you wouldn't have wasted $600 and feel like you're locked in to it for a year or eighteen months. Buy a nanoSIM to MicroSIM adapter off ebay or Amazon. They're like $5. This will let you switch your nano SIM back and forth from your iPhone to the Lumia. See what using the Lumia is like day to day.

Because, basically, this is the worst time to be buying a new iPhone and the worst time to be buying a new Windows Phone on AT&T.

We'll know so much more about the iPhone after next week. The HTC One M8 should be available on AT&T in a few weeks. The Note 4 gets announced next week. The Android One conference is in a couple of weeks. Nokia should have a couple more Windows Phones available on AT&T by the end of October.

By all means, go ahead and switch and start saving $. But I don't think you NEED to buy a new phone right this instant. And if you're even thinking of trying something other than iOS, go ahead and disable iMessage on all your iOS device. IT won't affect you across carriers, but it will across platforms.

 

[deathBOB]

LOL at switching phones because of core count.

 

[Tim]

LOL at switching phones because of core count.

Maybe the main reason shot right over your head. I'm saving 18% to switch from AT&T to Verizon. I also mentioned various other reasons. Go find another thread to shit on please.

 

[Red Storm]

*Long, informative post*

He's switching to Verizon from AT&T though, not the other way around.

 

[Tim]

...

You've got it backwards. I'm switching to Verizon from AT&T.

 

[Red Storm]

I would look at the things you currently do on your phone (and the things you want to be able to do) and see how each OS serves your needs.

 

[bearxor]

He's switching to Verizon from AT&T though, not the other way around.

You've got it backwards. I'm switching to Verizon from AT&T.

Yeah, I got it completely backwards. I was already hard at work on modifying it.

But my main point now might be:
Say goodbye to phone freedom!

At least for a couple more years.

But I will say that at least you have the M8 and Lumia Icon on Verizon which are great phones right now.

But I'd probably still wait a couple weeks before switching. At least through the Apple conference so you have more details. And when it goes up for pre-order, you can sign up with Verizon and tell them you want to port your number and then, when it ships, your account will move over and you can tack on your 18% discount.

Unless you're simply bored with iOS. Which is why it's a bummer about VZW right now. Being on AT&T or TMobile gives me the opportunity to try basically anything anytime I want to.

 

[TreVader]

Best advice: Make sure you back up everything you do on your android or windows phone, because after about 2 months you'll realize iOS was way better and then 3 months later, you'll be back to iPhone and need to transfer it all back.




I tried Android. I gave it a shot, and it def has it's perks and I would prob go with it if I was 14.

 

[Tim]

I can't help it. 18% savings is just going to be that much more worth it to me. As far as this "phone freedom" that you speak of, I've always been and always will be only buying a new phone every couple of years anyway. I don't need or want a new phone every month just to satisfy my technology craving.

 

[bearxor]

I can't help it. 18% savings is just going to be that much more worth it to me. As far as this "phone freedom" that you speak of, I've always been and always will be only buying a new phone every couple of years anyway. I don't need or want a new phone every month just to satisfy my technology craving.

Sure, but like, right now, you have no idea what you want to do. You say you probably don't want to get a new iPhone because of specs but we're still at least a week out from knowing anything for sure.

You might want Windows Phone but it sounds like you might not have a lot of experience.

You probably have some Android experience but if you choose it, you'd probably be wondering about Windows Phone.

It's just nice that I can kick back and say 'I'm going to buy this cheap, unlocked device and use it as my main phone for two months' to see if I want to switch to it.

Not that you can't do that on VZW, but your options are more limited.

 

[Eug]

So this iMessage thing happens even if you switch service providers?

Well, it could, if you're keeping the same number.

 

[TreVader]

Oh and do not listen to the 1GB ram rumors. That's simply not possible. The 16GB flash however, may be true. Just pay for 32GB. It's a worth it to avoid all the bloatware and issues you'll get with any android device.



People are so stuck on specs. Put a note 3 in my hands and it lags all day long at 2.6Ghz. My 5s with half the cores, 1/3 the ram, and half the Ghz is just a better experience.

 

[Tim]

You probably have some Android experience but if you choose it, you'd probably be wondering about Windows Phone.

No android experience at all. Like my op stated, have been an iPhone user since the 3G. Have had no other smart phones other than iOS.

 

[Eug]

I went from iOS to Android for a cheaper plan and a cheaper flagship phone.

Within 9 months I was back on iOS, with the same plan, but I just bought a new iPhone outright, unlocked. So, it didn't actually really save me much money. However, it's certainly more flexible this way.

OTOH, other people switch to Android and never look back. YMMV.

 

[sgrinavi]

So why does switching between AT&T and VZW (regardless of direction) preclude you from using the iPhone?

I've actually have an iPad from AT&T and stuck a VZW sim in and it works fine, could be more flexible for you in the long run.

 

[Tim]

So why does switching between AT&T and VZW (regardless of direction) preclude you from using the iPhone?

I've actually have an iPad from AT&T and stuck a VZW sim in and it works fine, could be more flexible for you in the long run.

Because it's been two years and I actually do want a new phone as well.

 

[Red Storm]

So why does switching between AT&T and VZW (regardless of direction) preclude you from using the iPhone?

I've actually have an iPad from AT&T and stuck a VZW sim in and it works fine, could be more flexible for you in the long run.

The Verizon phones are unlocked and work on GSM networks because of a mandate.

 

[maevinj]

So this iMessage thing happens even if you switch service providers?

If you're porting your number, then yes it will. The iMessage service is attached to your phone number, not your service provider.

 

[bearxor]

I've actually have an iPad from AT&T and stuck a VZW sim in and it works fine, could be more flexible for you in the long run.

Curious about one thing, a bit OT.

If you turn off LTE on your AT&T iPad with a VZW SIM in it, do you get 3G CDMA data?

 

[lopri]

Best advice: Make sure you back up everything you do on your android or windows phone, because after about 2 months you'll realize iOS was way better and then 3 months later, you'll be back to iPhone and need to transfer it all back.

I tried Android. I gave it a shot, and it def has it's perks and I would prob go with it if I was 14.

I don't know if this post adds any info or value to the thread? I could imagine exact opposite sentences stated by many if given the chance.

Glad to see other AT members are mature enough not to bite this bait.