time for the monthly "Due for my ATT upgrade" post

[Ns1]

so I'm about 22 months into my 24 month contract and looking to upgrade. I'm already eligible to upgrade now but might wait until the 24 month mark so I can unlock both our iPhones before selling it on the secondary market.

I will consider switching to VZW IF I can get cell support in Mumbai with VZW phones.

So onto the details:

I'm coming off an iPhone4s, been with iPhones since the 3gs. Thus far, my considerations are Note 2, Note 3, HTC One, maybe a Lumia? It seems very unlikely at this point that I will get another iPhone, however I might buy an iTouch so I can keep my apps (and the smaller size is useful for one handed operation).

My needs:
- I would prefer a removable battery . I spend A LOT of time on my phone and would like to be able to swap in fresh batteries when needed. This is especially important for time on the plane/airport
- Camera. Phone camera is my only camera, so I need it to take photos of printable quality. I would say that any phone I get would need a camera at least as good as the 4s.


Other than that I'm fairly open to suggestions. Help me ATMD&G, you're my only hope

 

[bearxor]

I think this is pretty simple. Galaxy S4 or wait until the Note 3 is released.

If the removable battery comes down from the priority list, the HTC One is the better device, IMO, and the Lumia 1020 would get you the awesome camera.
EDIT: But $300 for the L1020 on contract is really hard to swallow.

 

[Ns1]

I think this is pretty simple. Galaxy S4 or wait until the Note 3 is released.

If the removable battery comes down from the priority list, the HTC One is the better device, IMO, and the Lumia 1020 would get you the awesome camera.
EDIT: But $300 for the L1020 on contract is really hard to swallow.

I played around with my aunts GS4 and I've come to the conclusion that I hate GS* devices. I realize that the Note is the cousin to the S4 but still...

Are we still looking at October timeframe for US release of Note 3?

 

[bearxor]

Probably.

Rumor is it will be unveiled in early September.

 

[Ns1]

Bump. Looks like a battle between 5s and Note3 now; the 2 devices couldn’t be farther apart.

iPhone5s
+ already embedded into apple ecosystem
+ synergy with existing devices (OSX + AppleTV + Fiance’s iDevice + iPads)
+ great fit/finish
+/- 4” screen
- $299 for 32gb
- non removable battery
- no SD slot
- no stylus/digitizer

Note3
+ Stylus/Digitizer
+ Spec beast
+ SD slot
+ removable battery
+/- Big ol giant screen
- shit plastic feeling exterior; i'm not convinced pleather is the solution.
- moving to a new ecosystem


1020 is DOA, all it’s got going for it is the camera. HTC One is good, but not as compelling to me as the other two (great build quality + front facing speakers though).

 

[dguy6789]

If you want crazy battery life Verizon has the Droid Maxx. Note 3 will also have extremely good battery life. No idea about VZW's Mumbai compatibility.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Funny, it seems like you described the Galaxy S4 to a "t" except for the part where you "hate GS* devices".

For me, it came down to the HTC One and the S4, and the S4's removable battery and SD slot won out, since I don't listen to my phone without headphones and the sleek look of the HTC One would be irrelevant in a case.

 

[Ns1]

Funny, it seems like you described the Galaxy S4 to a "t" except for the part where you "hate GS* devices".

For me, it came down to the HTC One and the S4, and the S4's removable battery and SD slot won out, since I don't listen to my phone without headphones and the sleek look of the HTC One would be irrelevant in a case.

...and if I were going in that direction, it would be the Note3 over the S4. Pretty much for the same reasons you mentioned.

 

[zerogear]

Note 3 if you really need swappable batteries. -- Just be sure to disable all the Samsung crapware to reduce lag.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I'm renewing on AT&T, buying an iPhone 5s and flipping it. Due to not having preorders, I think this time it may be a good flipping opportunity. Similar to the iPhone 4 where it was all pre-ordering to pickup in person.

 

[pm]

I have an upgrade on AT&T that I could use as well... I've decided to wait to see what tje new Nexus 4 (or 5) looks like when Google announces the next generation OS and the launch device for it.

 

[Ns1]

I'm renewing on AT&T, buying an iPhone 5s and flipping it. Due to not having preorders, I think this time it may be a good flipping opportunity. Similar to the iPhone 4 where it was all pre-ordering to pickup in person.

I thought about doing this too and picking up a 32gb ip5, but the profit after all is said and done isn't that much.

 

[ponyo]

I have an upgrade on AT&T that I could use as well... I've decided to wait to see what tje new Nexus 4 (or 5) looks like when Google announces the next generation OS and the launch device for it.

If you have an upgrade available, I don't see the advantage of waiting and holding out til Nexus 5 announcement. Nexus 5 will be available directly from Google and not AT&T so you don't gain anything by waiting. Perhaps I'm missing something?

I'm about to give up Straight Talk AT&T and sign a new contract with AT&T on 9/20 for the new iPhone 5S. My wife needs a new iPhone so I will sign the dreaded 2yr carrier contract. Since I'm signing the contract, I plan to get the iPhone 5S as well since I can't let my subsidy go to waste. I plan to get the Nexus 5 too when it's released. I might flip the iPhone 5S to fund the Nexus 5 purchase or just keep both. It depends how much I like the 5S.

 

[Ns1]

I think 5s is winning this out.

Buying a 5 and selling the 5s just isn't worth it from a $$$ perspective and carries a decent scam risk.

I want the note, but I also want a Surface Pro. If I'm getting my stylus/office on via Surface Pro, the Note3 doesn't really have a place.

if I got the Note3, I'd still want an iPod Touch so I can keep my iOS stuff and the smaller size is useful for some things that I do.

so I guess that's that...unless 32gb iPhone5's are cheap as hell.

 

[lopri]

Off-topic but what's the best way to make use of an available upgrade when you don't need/want a new phone? I have upgrades that I haven't been using. AT&T.

On topic: The 5S and the Note 3 are so different that I am having a hard time understanding the OP's needs/wants. Do you simply want the most value out of an available upgrade?

 

[Ns1]

On topic: The 5S and the Note 3 are so different that I am having a hard time understanding the OP's needs/wants. Do you simply want the most value out of an available upgrade?

well, let's put it this way: my ideal phone would be an 4.5" iphone w/ wacom-style stylus implementation that can also run office.

so I gotta pick something that does most of what I want/need, but not all of it. And you're right, they are very different.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I thought about doing this too and picking up a 32gb ip5, but the profit after all is said and done isn't that much.

I sold my 4S for $580 easily. With supply constraints I think the 5S will go for more. The 5 already had supply constraints and had I done the buy and dump tactic, I would've sold it for more than $580.

I'm trying to figure either I can give my parents a new phone (5S or GS4), or I can sell whatever it is and then buy the next Nexus and hand my N4 down to them. I haven't figured it out yet.

Off-topic but what's the best way to make use of an available upgrade when you don't need/want a new phone? I have upgrades that I haven't been using. AT&T.

On topic: The 5S and the Note 3 are so different that I am having a hard time understanding the OP's needs/wants. Do you simply want the most value out of an available upgrade?

Buy and sell? Don't waste that subsidy.

 

[Crono]

I would go for a Lumia 928, HTC One, or LG G2.

Not necessarily in that order. I have the One so I'm slightly biased in favor of it knowing how good it is, but I also love Lumias and Windows Phone, and the G2 simply looks to be very good across the board.

I have nothing bad to say about the Note 3 or any of the large phablets, it's just not my personal preference to carry anything above 4.7" (ideally, 4.5" like the Lumia 925 and a few other phones).

 

[VulgarDisplay]

One vote for the g2 here. It doesn't have a removable battery but it gets amazing battery life.

 

[Jesusthewererabbit]

I've had an Optimus G Pro for a couple of weeks. I had to have a new phone, and it was the cheapest of the flagship phones. I know the G2 is about to come out, and that's why it was cheaper, but this thing is awesome. Big, excellent screen, removable battery, and a decent camera. The UI isn't as flashy as Sense, but is a big step up from the Samsung stuff.

Just wish I could uninstall that stupid Facebook app without rooting it.

 

[RandomFool]

I really like the Lumias, it sort of depends on your app usage. I also really like the HTC One I just wish they had a microSD.

As for removable batteries, I ended up investing in a couple USB batteries to recharge my devices on the go. They're slightly bulkier but are compatible with any phone I use, my camera, my Zune and my friend's phones which is a nice bonus.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I'm in a similar boat OP. We'll likely buy one 5S but I need(want) a phone with a larger screen so am trying to decide between the GS4/HTC One. Not sure I have a preference between the two. But the bigger choice for me right now is whether to stay with Verizon or not. The lack of phone selection, inability to get in on a lot of good deals like the Nexus, etc. are a killer. But I love the network. Tough call..

*edit* And actually just took a closer look at the G2. That's a nice looking phone. The rear buttons are odd though so I'm going to wait for some of the braver souls to give this a shot first...

 

[Red Storm]

Buy and sell? Don't waste that subsidy.

Buying and selling new iPhones is a great use of that subsidy. I did it all the time to not only get the phone I want, but pocket the extra money that some fool was gladly willing to pay me.

 

[Ns1]

I've been switching almost hourly.

"I want a note3"
"no wait, I want a 5s"
"argh but stylus!"
"argh but I don't wanna carry a 6" dildo in my pocket"
"but i want a bigger screen!"
etc, etc, etc.

As for removable batteries, I ended up investing in a couple USB batteries to recharge my devices on the go. They're slightly bulkier but are compatible with any phone I use, my camera, my Zune and my friend's phones which is a nice bonus.

that's actually not a bad idea.

 

[ewdotson]

For what it's worth, the price of the Lumia 1020 has come down since your original post.