Best Phone

[steveo]

As someone who always had IPhones and was looking forward to the Iphone 5, it doesnt look like its going to be a lot different.
So my quetion is, whats the best mobile phone you can buy at the moment?

 

[Jam_Man]

Uh oh, Apple Fanboy vs the rest discussion warning !

Im with you I was totally underwhelmed with the iPhone. I have a 3GS and have never upgraded as whilst I was blown away when I got it Ive found I dont really use it for anything other than checking email. Main reason for me is browsing the web is too annoying on the size screen.

I was waiting to see if the IPhone5 was going to get a bigger screen, and whilst it has it isnt big enough for me to want one.

I think ll personally be looking at the Galaxy S3 LTE when it comes out to make the most of 4G, although doubt coverage will actually make that worthwhile.

 

[Beefy]

Personally, I'm of the opinion that HTC make the best phones. I upgraded my HTC Desire a few months ago to the Galaxy SII and whilst the screen is nice and I've learned to like the phone itself I felt the Desire was a stronger piece of kit at the time. Wish I'd upgraded to the HTC One X.

As it turned out I could have got the Galaxy SIII had I waited two more weeks (I wasn't expecting it to get released in Ireland so quickly) but even then I think I'd have had the same frustrations with it as I occasionally have with my SII. I just don't think Samsung make the best phones.

Obviously they're better than the iPhone though [/Androidfanboy]

 

[Jam_Man]

I was looking at HTC phones prior to the SIII, again come with good reviews and would probably go with one of them before an iPhone too.

So steveo, thats sorted and made your easier so clear :)

 

[steveo]

I suppose I might as well save the 500 quid and stick with IPhone 4

 

[Jam_Man]

Im struggling to justify upgrading my iPhone 3GS. Tricky as Im out of contract so only pay £19 a month, so will cost me a fair bit extra a month, and am not really convinced Id get more for my money.

All depends on what you use your phone for I guess.

 

[steveo]

the jump from 3Gs to 4 is quite big especially in terms of screen definition. also, the 4 is now down to £319 which makes it quite cheap.
I prefer to buy the phone outright and get a one month rolling contract. Have a look at O2 simplicity, or I just got a 1 month rolling for my Mum at carphone warehouse which goes through Vodafone. 500 minutes, unlimited texts and 500mb data for 12 quid a month. Also, you should be able to get 70 or 80 quid for your 3Gs so definitley worth it.

 

[Bielzibubz]

I was a 3Gs owner & lover until I realized the majority of it's use was on the fly email checking, web surfing and the occasional game, and to be honest the screen is way to small for any of those in my opinion. So, instead of either upgrading to the 4S or waiting a month or so for the 5 to be released I took the plunge and went from being a dedicated Apple lover and switched completely to the Galaxy S3 on Android and I have got to say it's been a revelation. It has a huge screen that makes surfing the web and all associated tasks a breeze and a pleasure. The screen is absolutely stunning in it's detail and refinement. The quad core processor can handle anything an app or game can throw at it (Just installed Shadowgun and the graphics are seriously console like and it can handle it effortlessly with no lag etc). Although being substantially bigger than anything Apple has to offer it's remarkably light and pocket friendly. I played around with a few phones before deciding on the S3 and the only one that comes remotely close to it in terms of performance, ease of use and clarity was the HTC One X, another very good phone.

There's a reason Apple have lost their market share dominance over the last 12 months or so. They lost their vision as to where the mobile market was heading. Something it's competitors such as Samsung and HTC didn't.

Of course this is all just my opinion and means diddly squat to some ;)

 

[Beefy]

How does the battery life on the S3 compare to the iPhone?

I must admit that it always seems to me that my S2 runs out of battery more quickly than the iPhones of my friends do which surprises me as I should be in more control over what my phone is doing than they are.

 

[Pubey]

Decided not to upgrade to the 5 (even though my contract is up on my 4) and will wait to see what the 5S is like.

 

[Jam_Man]

I was a 3Gs owner & lover until I realized the majority of it's use was on the fly email checking, web surfing and the occasional game, and to be honest the screen is way to small for any of those in my opinion. So, instead of either upgrading to the 4S or waiting a month or so for the 5 to be released I took the plunge and went from being a dedicated Apple lover and switched completely to the Galaxy S3 on Android and I have got to say it's been a revelation. It has a huge screen that makes surfing the web and all associated tasks a breeze and a pleasure. The screen is absolutely stunning in it's detail and refinement. The quad core processor can handle anything an app or game can throw at it (Just installed Shadowgun and the graphics are seriously console like and it can handle it effortlessly with no lag etc). Although being substantially bigger than anything Apple has to offer it's remarkably light and pocket friendly. I played around with a few phones before deciding on the S3 and the only one that comes remotely close to it in terms of performance, ease of use and clarity was the HTC One X, another very good phone.

There's a reason Apple have lost their market share dominance over the last 12 months or so. They lost their vision as to where the mobile market was heading. Something it's competitors such as Samsung and HTC didn't.

Of course this is all just my opinion and means diddly squat to some ;)

Thanks for feedback.

Im in no way a fan of any product, cant stand Apple computers, but love the iPad.

Still looking tot the SIII when it supports 4g, but will look at the HTC before hand.

 

[Bielzibubz]

With 'normal' everyday use battery life of the S3 is about the same. All smartphone batteries are going to be naff but I suppose it depends on what you do with it that matters. I use mine a lot for web, FB, ****ter etc so I have to charge my S3 daily which I used to have to do on my 3Gs anyway.

And the Galaxy S3 is 4g ready as it has a 4g LTE antenna built in so win win IMO

Info here http://www.product-reviews.net/2012/09/12/samsung-galaxy-s3-is-4g-lte-ready-for-uk/

And here http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i9300_galaxy_s_iii-4238.php

 

[Jam_Man]

I thought the LTE version was a new version and not released yet?

 

[Bielzibubz]

The S4 is going to be built for the 4g market and is due for release in Feb 2013 and will be duel core, not quad core. The S3 that's on the market now is '4g regional friendly' apparently as it has an unused 4g antenna built in.

 

[steveo]

I'm due to treat myself to something and the S3 looks a likely candidate but there are two things putting me off. Firstly the size of the thing and secondly, I see loads of people with Iphones but not many if any S3's, and I ask myself why is that.

 

[Beefy]

It's because people are sheep.

 

[steveo]

It's because people are sheep.

I'm not but wary of changing from something I like.
So Beefy, if you had a 4 and went shopping tomorrow, would you come back with an HTC One or an S3?

 

[Jam_Man]

Im interested in one because of the size, prefer a larger one. ooer.

As for iphones, apple have the marketing and the brand. Preorders of the iphone are at record highs just so people can upgrade "a bit" from their old one.

 

[Beefy]

I'd have a play around with them both and see. I've not got either. My instinct would be the One X but by all accounts the S3 is a great phone.

My 'sheep' comment earlier was harsh actually. I think people buy iPhones because other people have iPhones and they're seen as being cool. But at the same time they are very simple and easy to use and people do like that. My Mum is in her 70s and she loves her iPhone and my youngest niece started Primary school last week and she knows her way around both of her parents' iPhones. I can see why people would own them, but I wouldn't be put off of going for an alternative just because so many people have iPhones.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Im interested in one because of the size, prefer a larger one. ooer.

As for iphones, apple have the marketing and the brand. Preorders of the iphone are at record highs just so people can upgrade "a bit" from their old one.

If it's size you want then why not go for the Galaxy note. Fantastic piece of kit.

HTC phones always feel solid and well built too