Wait for iPhone 5 or just get another Android?

[sygyzy]

How is this even a question? You find Android phones to be "an absolute nightmare." Clearly you want the iPhone 5. So just wait and get one.

 

[ControlD]

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?

If it was me and I went into this knowing I did not want to root or jailbreak I would go with an Android phone no question. If I were willing to jailbreak however I would go with the iPhone (assuming there will be a JB for the new phone). I have a 4S and without a jailbreak I would have ditched it by now. With the jailbreak I think the 4S is pretty hard to beat for overall user experience. That's just me though. If you have used and are happy with the iPhone out of the box and you already have a bad experience with Android then give the iPhone a shot and see if it fits you better. You can always take it back or sell it for profit if you don't like it.

 

[Bateluer]

The Fascinate was notoriously bad, and Verizon didn't do much to help it out either. Today's HTC Ones, SGS2s, and SGS3s are entirely different animals.

The iPhone 5, whatever its final name may end up being, will identical to a 4S. Except, it will use a 32nm A5 SoC vs the 45nm in the 4S, and it will sport a 28nm LTE baseband chip.

 

[Fingolfin269]

If you're asking the question at this point you might as well just wait.

 

[jiffylube1024]

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.

That's like saying if you had an original iPhone running iOS 3.2 and didn't like it, why would you settle for an iPhone 4S running iOS 5?

---------

To the OP -- you can definitely wait for the iPhone 5, which should be awesome, but the horrid experiences you've had with your SGS 1's do not exist on current gen (or even last-gen) Android phones.

Half of your problems sound like you got a pair of lemons (random screenshots, losing cell service, bad data service). I never had any of those issues on my Galaxy S Captivate.

The other have have all been fixed in the Galaxy S 2 generation (the slowness/lag/freezing). The big problem was the file format system for the flash memory on the Galaxy S 1 series. It caused a lot of pointless lag that they fixed with the SGS2.

So: go with an iPhone for the simplicity/ecosystem/etc. But don't go with them because you got a pair of really awful Galaxy S 1's. Those phones are dated and their issues are under a magnifying glass compared to the current gen of phones.

A Galaxy S 2/Galaxy Nexus/Galaxy S 3 would be a tremendous upgrade over your current phones.

 

[MrX8503]

That's like saying if you had an original iPhone running iOS 3.2 and didn't like it, why would you settle for an iPhone 4S running iOS 5?

The fascinate was released in 2010, the original iPhone was released in 2007. A 3 year difference. If he didn't like Android, it doesn't make sense to try it again even if Android has improved since then.

The iPhone 5, whatever its final name may end up being, will identical to a 4S. Except, it will use a 32nm A5 SoC vs the 45nm in the 4S, and it will sport a 28nm LTE baseband chip.

It'll be identical but different. Gotcha.

 

[Sephire]

I have iPhone 4 32 GB right now and I want more storage. So I will upgrade to 64 or 128 GB iPhone 5 this fall. Bigger screen means better use of my RDP apps.

This smartphones right now is just incredible.

 

[zsdersw]

The fascinate was released in 2010, the original iPhone was released in 2007. A 3 year difference. If he didn't like Android, it doesn't make sense to try it again even if Android has improved since then.

There's no "if" about it. It definitely has improved since then. If you don't see that you're not paying attention.

 

[zsdersw]

Even if I were one of the idiots who buys Apple products*, I can't say I'd be terribly excited about the iPhone 5. What amazing killer feature is it going to bring to the table? A bigger screen? Big deal. LTE? Again.. so what. iOS 6? *yawn*

* my opinion.. too bad if you don't like it.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

The fascinate was released in 2010, the original iPhone was released in 2007. A 3 year difference. If he didn't like Android, it doesn't make sense to try it again even if Android has improved since then.



It'll be identical but different. Gotcha.

Android hasn't been out as long as iOS and has evolved much more rapidly in the past few years.

In case you have forgotten the iPhone 4 had it's share of problems too.

 

[Anubis]

I have iPhone 4 32 GB right now and I want more storage. So I will upgrade to 64 or 128 GB iPhone 5 this fall. Bigger screen means better use of my RDP apps.

This smartphones right now is just incredible.

Curious to why you think there will be a 128 GB iPhone because I don't see that happening.

 

[stackkart]

Waiting for launch...ready to buy it from online mobile store.

 

[Yuriman]

I have iPhone 4 32 GB right now and I want more storage. So I will upgrade to 64 or 128 GB iPhone 5 this fall. Bigger screen means better use of my RDP apps.

This smartphones right now is just incredible.

Had this issue myself. This was my solution:

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Mobile...128gb+micro+sd

I snagged a Galaxy S2 for $20 when it came time for contract renewal and couldn't be happier. The One X was just around the corner at the time (and of course the 4S was out), but lack of uSD slot pretty much rules a phone out for me, as I use my phone heavily for media consumption, so the GS2 was easily the best device on the market for me and the price was right.

 

[Kabob]

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

I'm not PJ, I don't need to carry a full-size LCD monitor in my pocket everywhere I go.

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.

1) I played with a GS3 at the store the other day, it's manageable but I'd greatly prefer something smaller.
2) It's not the network speed, it's what my phone can handle. When I first got my phone it was reasonably fast, now running SpeedTest it's about 1/4 the speed. On top of that where I'm currently living Verizon gets almost no signal while Sprint gets great reception.
3) I could put a ROM on my Fascinate, I've always been a vehement "I just want it to work out the box" kind of guy when it comes to phones. Maybe I'm just lazy...

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.

Yeah, I thought about buying a used iPhone and making the switch but that's a lot of effort for the change. The issue is that Sprint just got the iPhones so getting a 4 should be pretty costly considering the phone will be less than a year old.

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.

I had a 20% discount through my old employer which we lost when we moved. My wife's new employer would get us a 25% discount at Sprint.

Half of your problems sound like you got a pair of lemons (random screenshots, losing cell service, bad data service). I never had any of those issues on my Galaxy S Captivate.

The other have have all been fixed in the Galaxy S 2 generation (the slowness/lag/freezing). The big problem was the file format system for the flash memory on the Galaxy S 1 series. It caused a lot of pointless lag that they fixed with the SGS2.

We didn't get a pair of lemon Fascinate's, we got 5 lemon Fascinate's. Three replacement phones between my wife and I and they're all horribly buggy. I think the Fascinate just had the most bugs out of the original SGS line though, although my sister-in-law's Epic 4G is pretty bad as well.

My brother-in-law has a GS2 and he really likes it although I've played with it a few times and think it's alright, nothing amazing.

 

[jiffylube1024]

The fascinate was released in 2010, the original iPhone was released in 2007. A 3 year difference. If he didn't like Android, it doesn't make sense to try it again even if Android has improved since then.

Of course it makes sense to try Android again if they've fixed all the problems they had with it. People box themselves in by being so dogmatic.
Just because Hyundai was crap for years, I wouldn't hesitate to check out a new Sonata or Elantra - - even if the Pony was garbage.

 

[MrX8503]

Android hasn't been out as long as iOS and has evolved much more rapidly in the past few years.

In case you have forgotten the iPhone 4 had it's share of problems too.

I never said iOS/iPhone didn't have its fair share of problems. If he didn't like Android, my suggestion is a new OS. Going back to the same OS is like a sick dog always coming back. If he hated iOS, I wouldn't suggest to him to get another iOS device. Doesn't make sense.

 

[TuxDave]

Of course it makes sense to try Android again if they've fixed all the problems they had with it. People box themselves in by being so dogmatic.
Just because Hyundai was crap for years, I wouldn't hesitate to check out a new Sonata or Elantra - - even if the Pony was garbage.

I dunno, my wife had the WORST experience with VWs back in 2003. Car engine problems, had to put the car into reverse TWICE to get it to go reverse and even the WINDOW FALLING INTO THE DOOR! It was so bad, that even if VW is better now, we're not going to give them another cent.

For the OP. A smartphone isn't a lifelong decision. If he had problems with Android, go try something else. (same with the other way around) At least then you'll find out what you really like. I don't understand the, "No, don't try alternatives! Try now, it's bettter I promise!"

Personally, I would try to tough it out and shift my contract to better line up with Apple and Google Nexus refreshes. That way you don't get stuck trying to refresh in the middle and have the "if I only waited X months I could've gotten a much better phone"

 

[mashimaroo]

wait for the windows 8 phones! they look really great

 

[psych2]

The ergonomics on the GS3 are really nice, you should handle one in person to see how it feels. While I think the One X still looks better, the GS3 feels better to handle, and makes the larger size inconsequential IMO.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Wait for the iPhone 5

 

[bdub951]

I think I'm in a similar situation as you. I have a droid X which is of the same generation of phones. While it started out reasonably fast, it seemed as if each update brought more carrier bloat and less performance. The limited amount of ram on these devices means the carrier bloat can really cripple their performance.

I was ready to upgrade to the SG3 but decided to try the custom rom route before I did. I'm so glad I did and I highly recommend you go that route before you get into a new device. The initial rooting/rom installation process was a bit of a pain on my phone due to the locked and encrypted bootloader but once that is out of the way updates are a 5 minute process.

I decided to settle on an ICS rom (cm9). I love it. The responsiveness and performance is night and day when compared to the stock GB rom. My dad has a droid x that still runs the stock rom and he is very jealous now and wants to go that route too.

There are certain issues that have to be fixed on my phone but I've decided I can live with them. Netflix does not work and the video camera does not work. Additionally, battery life is a problem on ICS. I was able to help it by undervolting but I still can't get through an entire day without having access to a charger ( I could not before flashing the ICS ROM either). New batterys are about $6 shipped on amazon and most report a noticeable improvement so I might go that route.

 

[jiffylube1024]

I dunno, my wife had the WORST experience with VWs back in 2003. Car engine problems, had to put the car into reverse TWICE to get it to go reverse and even the WINDOW FALLING INTO THE DOOR! It was so bad, that even if VW is better now, we're not going to give them another cent.

It's tough, but the new Golf, especially the TDI and Turbo versions are really nice. I still don't like the Jetta. I know that VW was awful in the early 00's and they were even a running joke in terms of reliability.

----

I have iPhone 4 32 GB right now and I want more storage. So I will upgrade to 64 or 128 GB iPhone 5 this fall. Bigger screen means better use of my RDP apps.

This smartphones right now is just incredible.

I doubt there will be a 128GB version of the iPhone 5, but hey, you never know.

 

[lothar]

How is this even a question? You find Android phones to be "an absolute nightmare." Clearly you want the iPhone 5. So just wait and get one.

This.

 

[dagamer34]

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.

The iPhone 4S didn't have LTE because what network would it run on? Even a year later, Verizon barely has all the Metro areas covered, AT&Ts LTE coverage is a joke, Sprint is non-existant unless you live in Texas, and T-Mobile is still planning.

The real problem is that any LTE phone is going to require multiple SKUs for Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and then Europe. Plus, sticking in hardware support for all of those antenna bands means making the phone bigger. Also, the LTE chipsets were immature in phones.

You shouldn't have been surprised. It was never going to happen last year. Anand did an article last year (but I think the title of the article should have said "there's no network to run it on"): http://www.anandtech.com/show/4925/why-no-lte-iphone-5-blame-28nm-maturity

 

[buckshot24]

I think we can close the thread now. It looks like the OP had his mind made up before posting this thread....