Smart phone suggestions

[35Remington]

As someone who repairs phones for a living, I can say that Apple products are far and away better pieces of hardware than the competition. The fit and finish just isn't there on the other brands.

I can see the argument in favor of customizing the software. Apple certainly built high walls around their playground. They did this to protect the "user experience." The evil dark side about more customizable platforms like Android is the risk of introducing software that will destroy the phone, or at least render it inoperable until it can be repaired.

 

[Glockster69]

Taken from another thread ...

Sage my phone started going bonkers yesterday. Thought maybe it was the A/C charger so I took it to the car charger for a while, no bueno. Just so happens I had a new, unused battery and stabbed it in literally 10min ago. So far that seems to have been the issue.

It wasn't the battery but apparently the internal connection for the charging port because the phone works if I torque the cords just so.
Bottom line is my ATT contract is up on 5/27 and I need/want two things:

1. New phone. Either iPhone which I'm not a fan of on the user side but read the pros here on reliability. Or Galaxy S3
2. Switch to Smartalk to cut the bill in 1/2.

Can anyone tell me where to get an unlocked ATT compatible model or do those actually work?
Can anyone recommend Smartalk?

 

[Brains]

Apples developer conference is next month, where they'll be announcing ios7. Don't be surprised if they update the UI finally, they've been getting crap about it for a long time, and now the guy in charge of the physical design is also in charge of the UI design.

 

[35Remington]

Taken from another thread ...



It wasn't the battery but apparently the internal connection for the charging port because the phone works if I torque the cords just so.
Bottom line is my ATT contract is up on 5/27 and I need/want two things:

1. New phone. Either iPhone which I'm not a fan of on the user side but read the pros here on reliability. Or Galaxy S3
2. Switch to Smartalk to cut the bill in 1/2.

Can anyone tell me where to get an unlocked ATT compatible model or do those actually work?
Can anyone recommend Smartalk?

I can get you an AT&T phone that will not require a contract of any sort. Send me a PM.

 

[SC-Texas]

I have a galaxy note 2 and I like it enough to get the galaxy when I upgrade.

just not a big iPhone phan.

 

[jimbo]

I like my iPhone.

 

[jparks54]

I've gone from iPhone to android back to IPhone I can't stand how locked up the I phone is but for everything I use a phone for it is the better choice for me. I have had less problems with my iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 than I have had with my galaxy s II

 

[RstyShcklfrd]

I really like my Galaxy S3. I had the opportunity to go with either the iPhone 5 or the S3, and I chose the S3. I've used both platforms and Android based phones can be hit or miss sometimes, but I personally find that the S3 is better than the iPhone 5. If it were up to me, I'd get an S4 now that it's out too.

 

[Glockster69]

Only problem with an S4 Rsty is I'll probably be non-contract so it's cash out of pocket. Good thing is being an old fart I'm smart enoigh not to buy the latest bells n whistles when I don't need them.

 

[Younggun]

Why would it be non contract?

 

[Glockster69]

Long term it's cheaper
I can have the phone I want (I'm pretty sure)
I can switch back if I don't get the needed service out in the sticks

 

[RstyShcklfrd]

Only problem with an S4 Rsty is I'll probably be non-contract so it's cash out of pocket. Good thing is being an old fart I'm smart enoigh not to buy the latest bells n whistles when I don't need them.

Then it's going to be expensive regardless of what phone you end up with.

I don't have any personal experience with it, but the Nexus 4 from Google is an Android phone and is $299 without a contract. I've heard good things about it.

I put a link here now so you can check it out for yourself. It's unlocked and no contract is needed.

http://www.google.com/nexus/4/

 

[Younggun]

Long term it's cheaper
I can have the phone I want (I'm pretty sure)
I can switch back if I don't get the needed service out in the sticks

I read your post wrong. Non contract is the way to go IMO.

 

[Glockster69]

I read your post wrong.Non contract is the way to go IMO.

Formal apology in 3...2...


Thanks Rsty, I'm still researching but so far that's my plan, no contract and phone of choice.

Anyone that can help with an unlocked ATT GSM phone I'd appreciate some help.

 

[Brains]

If you are going Android, first choice is definitely the Galaxy S3 or S4. The Nexus 4 (made by LG) is a good device, but a little on the fragile side. Get a good case for it. It also doesn't have a Micro-SD card slot, so the storage you buy is what you get (so get the 16GB unless you don't take pictures, install apps, etc.).

If you don't like to tinker with settings/themes/colors/icons/widgets/etc., Android may not be your bag. That's really it's strong point over an iPhone. The iPhone is more reliable (sorry guys, it is), buttery smooth UI (Android UI still stutters), secure (Android malware still sucks), etc.

In a nutshell, iPhone for users, Android for tinkerers. Grossly generalized, of course.

There's a few unique things to each platform as well, but you'd likely already know if you needed 'em. Like short range radio tech: NFC on Android (gimmick, not used for anything in the real world) and Bluetooth 4.0LE on iPhone (health/fitness monitors, wireless sensors, keyless deadbolts, etc.)

 

[Tuff]

I have a old Galaxy S2 SkyRocket and like it , Im waiting on ATT so I can get a upgrade at the end of next month and I will be going with the New S4..

 

[digitaltrip]

If you are going Android, first choice is definitely the Galaxy S3 or S4. The Nexus 4 (made by LG) is a good device, but a little on the fragile side. Get a good case for it. It also doesn't have a Micro-SD card slot, so the storage you buy is what you get (so get the 16GB unless you don't take pictures, install apps, etc.).

If you don't like to tinker with settings/themes/colors/icons/widgets/etc., Android may not be your bag. That's really it's strong point over an iPhone. The iPhone is more reliable (sorry guys, it is), buttery smooth UI (Android UI still stutters), secure (Android malware still sucks), etc.

In a nutshell, iPhone for users, Android for tinkerers. Grossly generalized, of course.

There's a few unique things to each platform as well, but you'd likely already know if you needed 'em. Like short range radio tech: NFC on Android (gimmick, not used for anything in the real world) and Bluetooth 4.0LE on iPhone (health/fitness monitors, wireless sensors, keyless deadbolts, etc.)

This man knows what he speaks of.

 

[digitaltrip]

I've jumped into every platform known and I always wind up back to iPhone.

Is it the end all be all? No. It's like asking "what's the best gun?" Everyone has their own favorite.

I wind up back with Apple because honestly I don't need to tweak settings left and right like Android or get the latest Cyanogen nightlies.

It just works for me. It might not work for you but at least you have options.

Good Luck!

 

[Ole Cowboy]

Wife just dumped her Apple 4S for the Samsung Galaxy. She has been a Apple fone since day one, but she think the Samsung Galaxy 3 that she bought today is the BEST and she us a power user.
I have the Apple 5, but if Apple does not raise the bar in a bigger and better fone soon then I too will dump for Samsung Galaxy series.
I am a Apple user since '85 and would NEVER leave the platform for the other junk out there. My wife is a software engineer and I am a software, hardware and network engineer. Apple broke the mold in fones, but they are now in a catch up mode IMO...

​

 

[Skip]

I've had my S3 about 1 1/2 months now, and I really enjoy it. My last phone was a IPhone 3g, and was pretty tired of it.

"Character is doing the right thing even when no one is watching"