Wait for iPhone 5 or just get another Android?

[Kabob]

A quick backstory: My wife jumped onto the smartphone bandwagon in September of 2010 with our Verizon Samsung Galaxy S "Fascinate" phones. We really wanted iPhones but kept waiting and waiting for them to arrive on Verizon and got tired of waiting. A few months after we went Android they did show up.

The SGS phones have been an absolute nightmare, I've had two replacement phones and my wife has had one and both of our current phones are absolute garbage. They stop working, freeze, run slow, and take random screen shots of themselves. They lose cell service for no reason and when they do have service their data speeds are paltry. Couple this with growing Verizon costs/fees and we're planning on switching to Sprint...but we wanted to wait for the iPhone 5. Well, that was going to happen in March, no...definitely June. Nevermind, now it's October.

As much as I like the idea of a getting an iPhone 5 do I just need to throw myself back at the mercy of Android/Samsung and get an SGS3? Our current phones are so awful that they don't work half the time we need them to and considering the level of quality of our Fascinate phones I really don't want to get an SGS3 (I think it's way too big and I don't trust Samsung), but I don't know of any competitive phones. I like the freedom that Android offers but I like the overall more user friendly package of iOS and the simplicity. I don't plan to root/jailbreak, I just want it to work out the box.

Thoughts?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I think the SGS3 and HTC One X phones are "fast enough" where the bloat provided by Sense/TouchWiz is less of an issue.

I feel the single core phones are really bogged down (though having competent hardware) by the bloat. My gf's Sense based Incredible 2 and other friend's Captivate with TouchWiz felt like crap. I flashed both to CM and they're running well. The Captivate does a little better, but probably because it's helped by Nexus S development. And honestly my Nexus S feels fine on CM9 and even the experimental CM10.

I think if you're not willing to flash ROMs, some of the older phones can feel like crap. However, Android's brute force hardware upgrades can overcome a lot of the lag/slow issues people feel. The SGS3 flies compared to my SGS2, but that may be because SGS3 TouchWiz is very hardware optimized compared to stock CM9 on my SGS2.

As for your reception issue, the SGS phones didn't have the best antennas, but neither does my SGS2. I'd say my SGS2 is a notch better than my Nexus S, but nothing like my Motorola champion phone. Can't comment on the SGS3.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Android has changed a lot in the last two years in terms of both hardware and software. I had a Galaxy S and upgraded to a Galaxy S2 and it's completely different in terms of stability and performance.

I wouldn't pass on the GS3 simply because of the Fascinate, Verizon set up that phone to fail from the beginning. The GS3 is completely different though, Samsung has started putting a lot of effort into optimizing their software and the S2 and S3 really show it. The S3 will work perfectly fine out of the box and there is no need for a custom rom.

I suggest going to a Verizon store and using a S3 for yourself so you can see how far things have come since the Fascinate.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Yeah I'd also say go for the SGS3 if you don't want to mess around with the phone. Great experience right out of the box.

The Galaxy Nexus is what I have, and although it is also a great phone, the customization is where it really shines. It's not that great out of the box but running custom roms makes it a lot better and smoother.

I'd reconsider your fear of rooting though. You don't even need to do roms or anything, just root so you can get access to the file system and a few root-required apps, and you can uninstall (or simply "freeze") all the carrier bloatware that you never use but can't normally get rid of.

 

[Dari]

Where did you get the idea that the next iPhone was coming out in March or June?

 

[pm]

My general philosophy in life is that if I need something now, then I need it now and I'm not going to worry about what the future may or may not be like... unless the wait is a very short one. If your phones really are an absolute nightmare, then I wouldn't try to predict when Apple may release the iPhone 5 because the price, features and release date of the iPhone 5 are all unknown.

If it was me, I would take my time and would play with the Galaxy Nexus (my personal pick right now), the Galaxy S3, or the HTC One. And then buy the one you like.

 

[Kabob]

Where did you get the idea that the next iPhone was coming out in March or June?

Lots and lots of initial rumors. June was the most concrete date I heard and the time frame made sense.

My general philosophy in life is that if I need something now, then I need it now and I'm not going to worry about what the future may or may not be like... unless the wait is a very short one. If your phones really are an absolute nightmare, then I wouldn't try to predict when Apple may release the iPhone 5 because the price, features and release date of the iPhone 5 are all unknown.

If it was me, I would take my time and would play with the Galaxy Nexus (my personal pick right now), the Galaxy S3, or the HTC One. And then buy the one you like.

Not necessarily a bad philosophy, although I didn't think they made the THC One on Sprint. My wife is even more fed up than I am so we may go look at a few phones this weekend, but after buying an iPad 2 and iTunes Match she might be more inclined to get a 4S than another Android.

 

[ControlD]

My wife just last week replaced her Fascinate with a SGS3 and she still sort of misses the old phone which she absolutely loved. That being said, the SGS3 is a completely different beast. Everything runs smooth and fast. It is a bit of a monster size-wise but that is a personal preference issue. If you are invested in the Android ecosystem I would say go for the SGS3. If not, maybe wait and see what the iP5 has to offer.

 

[s44]

Do you live in an early Sprint LTE market?

 

[Kabob]

Do you live in an early Sprint LTE market?

I don't think so, I know KC was part of the market but St. Louis missed out on an early release, but I heard that months and months ago when they first announced they were going LTE. Anyone know their rollout schedule as I can't find it...

 

[SickBeast]

Wait simply because it will have a huge impact on prices.

 

[Mopetar]

I'd just get something now, rather than waiting. You could ask about what kind of return policy is in place and try to hope that the iPhone comes out within the window so you still have that option available to you. Otherwise, it sounds like you need an upgrade and the current crop of Android phones that are available are pretty good.

 

[NutBucket]

To echo what others have said the Fascinate was complete crap with the stock software. My Fascinate is running an ICS ROM and is absolutely fantastic. Even prior to that the ROMs out there that removed all the bloat/junk made the phone a pleasure to use. In fact, I can honestly say that in day to day useage the only truly noticeable differences between my Fascinate and the GS3 are data speeds and the speed at which apps install/open.

The Fascinate was absolutely crippled by its software. I can assure you the GS3 is not and is awesome straight out of the box.

 

[Kabob]

To echo what others have said the Fascinate was complete crap with the stock software. My Fascinate has is running an ICS ROM is absolutely fantastic. Even prior to that the ROMs out there that removed all the bloat made the phone a pleasure to use. In fact, I can honestly say that in day to day useage the only truly noticeable differences between the Fascinate and the GS3 are data speeds and the speed at which apps install/open.

The Fascinate was absolutely crippled by its software. I can assure you the GS3 is not and is awesome straight out of the box.

Good info, although I still think it's too damn big!

 

[bucwylde23]

Good info, although I still think it's too damn big!

Your girly hands can't handle a mans phone kabooble?

 

[ilkhan]

1: Try the size, you may like it more than you realize.
2: You are complaining about slow data speeds on verizon...so you want to switch to Sprint?
SPRINT?!
3: Do yourself a favor and before you completely abandon android try a custom ROM with one of your fascinates. You'll be amazed. You already hate the thing, it can't be any worse.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

I have owned s, s2, s3 and iPhone 4s

In terms of speed:
iPhone 4s>s2>s>s3

In terms of ui, s3 competes/beats I os,

But iPhone 4s is more polished, has a better camera, better sound, better readability etc.

I am talking of out of the box experience for each.

If you install custom software and/or remove bloat ware, then s3 may be at least as fast as s2 or comparable but still lagg in comparison to I os.

The thing is :
In terms of speed and less lag:
Ios>Gb>ics>froyo

In terms Of ui
Ics>gb/froyo

The s3 may be an improved s series phone if you remove bloat ware etc through root and stuff. But it won't be the smooth os without lag and polished stuff iPhone 5 will be since you are so anti android,

 

[s44]

I love my Galaxy Nexus. Google Now is going to be killer. That said, for most people I'd recommend the SGS3.

With St. Louis not in the first wave or the announced next wave for Sprint LTE, I'd stick to VZ for now. Going from slow single-core GB to fast dual-core ICS+LTE will be pretty mind-blowing.

 

[MrX8503]

If you settled for an Android device and weren't happy with it, why would you settle again for the second time? What if you're unhappy for the second time, that'd be a pretty big burn.

Was there a reason why you didn't get the 4S on Sprint at launch? The 4S is kinda old now, but you can settle for that, wait for the iPhone5, or get another brand android device like HTC.

 

[Yongsta]

So far what we know about the new iphone is that it's going to have a 4" screen and new 19 pin connector.

I don't think it'll be that much of an improvement over the current iphone... will it have LTE / 4G?

If you enjoy itunes and the apple ecosystem then wait, if not, I would go for the Galaxy S 3.

 

[pm]

So far what we know about the new iphone is that it's going to have a 4" screen and new 19 pin connector.

I don't think it'll be that much of an improvement over the current iphone... will it have LTE / 4G?

If you enjoy itunes and the apple ecosystem then wait, if not, I would go for the Galaxy S 3.

I can't imagine that it won't have LTE. I was a bit surprised that the 4S didn't have LTE, but if Apple skipped LTE on the iPhone 5, they would get pummeled for it.


Back to the OP's question, I missed the part about Sprint... Yeah, the HTC One isn't on Sprint... EVO 4G instead, I guess.

One thing worth mentioning is that you could always buy a used iPhone (or any other Sprint phone) from Craiglist/Ebay or a more reputable outfit like Cowboom.com (Bestbuy) and then wait for the iPhone 5 or whatever the future might hold and then sell said used iPhone back to Craiglist/Ebay/Gazelle.com and it will likely end up costing you very little... Pick up an iPhone 4 for Sprint from Cowboom for $260 - link (they have a 30 day return policy too), and then sell it down the road back to Gazelle, or on Ebay or whatever and even after the iPhone 5 comes out, the iPhone 4 will still be worth $200+... yeah, buying and selling is more hassle, but this way you get the best of both worlds, "new" phones now and then the option to swap out at a later for most of your money back for something better.

 

[KentState]

I just purchased a S3 coming from a Thunderbolt. I never felt the TB was particularly slow or troublesome, but the battery was a crapshoot. Some days it would last and others it would burn up in 4 hours. Anyways, the S3 is very fast and the size doesn't appear to be an issue. I would give it a try and see if you like it. If after 14 days, you hate it, you are only out $35.

 

[shurato]

I went from a 4s to a Verizon SG3 and couldn't be happier. You can't keep waiting for tech because something better is always looming around the corner. However if you really want an iPhone then at this point maybe you wait for the 5.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[notposting]

Wait for WP8! :awe:

I say hold off and wait for the iPhone 5 though.

What do you mean by growing costs/fees with Verizon? They shouldn't be changing while you are in contract. Although you could be right if they are going to force changes on you when you renew.

The new iPhone sounds like (according to the wild speculation) like a monster though. Bigger screen finally, LTE, you can bet it will have good battery life, blah blah blah. And should be pretty polished.

 

[BladeVenom]

Android apps crash less often than iOS apps. http://www.forbes.com/sites/tomiogeron/2012/02/02/does-ios-crash-more-than-android-a-data-dive/