Changing from iPhone to Android

Lkingdim on 30/08/2014 - 14:21

I've been a long time iPhone user and have just made the decision to switch over to Android based phone.

Now the question is, what is the best Android phone?
I have no clue where to start in terms of comparison and different review sites have obviously biased opinions. And then you have sites giving every damn phone 9/10 etc.

Some people tell me Galaxy S5… then HTC One M8, and today someone mentioned LG G3 (which I had never heard of until today).

Just wondering for people's opinion, especially those who have or have used any of them.

I'm also open to other suggestions.

Thanks.

Mobile

Comments

  • Unorthodox on 30/08/2014 - 14:34
    +2

    Wait until the end or start of October.

    Note4 will be announced.
    Moto X+1
    Nexus Shamu (possibly)
    Iphone6
    Z3

    At the moment I would recommend:
    One plus One
    LG G3
    Samsung Galaxy S5

    You've listed flag ship phones so I've omitted the lower/mid spec phones

  • Davros on 30/08/2014 - 14:51
    +2

    "I've been a long time iPhone user", so's my aunt, but she only uses it for phone calls and looking at pictures of her grandson, all which can be done with a $40 device

    Perhaps you should state what you actually use if for and then we can suggest a phone that fits your requirments.

    • kingdim on 30/08/2014 - 15:09

      Fair call. Really it's mainly the email and photo taking on the odd occasion. Plus I'm getting sick of iPhone updating 1 feature and calling it a new, more expensive phone. Although my kids play a lot of games on my phone. I just want smooth/fast phone. I remember a few years ago (the last time I tried the Galaxy S2 or something similar), it seemed really slow/laggy.

      • RockyRaccoon on 30/08/2014 - 16:45

        Plus I'm getting sick of iPhone updating 1 feature and calling it a new, more expensive phone

        Pardon me but how does that affect you if you are using the same phone rather than a new one.

        If you want advice which many here have given, you really need to be straight about what you are wanting from a phone.

        Banslavery has some very good advice. In a few weeks the iphone6 will be announced. While you might not want the iphone for the reasons you have stated, this may change the game. Plus I believe the week before Samsung is supposed to pre-emept the launch with their new phone.

        The effect of this will be on whats available AND possibly prices. The deck will be reshuffled and those that are short on cards will probably offer better deals. And value is a function of features AND price. A win for you.

      • SirFlibbled on 01/09/2014 - 10:55

        You don't need to buy a new phone every year. First you need to ask yourself if you need a new phone. Up until last month I was still using an iPhone 4 quite happily. I bought a Z1 because it was cheap and did everything I needed it to do and the iPhone 4 was getting quite slow and old.

        Apple (and all tech companies) encourage you to buy the latest and greatest but really only upgrade when you need to.

  • ShamelessBargains on 30/08/2014 - 14:59
    +1

    Htc One M8 would be the way to go if you are switching platforms. Their android skin is very clean and easy to use and the phone is stunning. S5 is loaded with bloatware and becomes slow and laggy over time. The lg g3 is a very large phone and coming from a 3.5 or 4" iphone, it would be a bit strange. Test the phones out at shops though and see what suits you! I'm personally waiting for the iphone 6 launch else I'm looking at the next nexus or a one m8 on windows.

    • Davros on 30/08/2014 - 15:19
      +1

      "Htc One M8 would be the way to go if you are switching platforms."
      The op just said all it gets used for is phonecalls, email and the odd photo. I hardly think a $700 phone is required for that.
      The majority of phones under $100 will perform those tasks with no problem whatsoever, probably several under $50 as well.

  • sane on 30/08/2014 - 15:03
    +2

    The most immediately comparable to the iphone is the Moto G 4G. Same low resolution, same small screen - just the camera and CPU on the iphone are better. Though the battery life on the Moto G is much longer.

    http://www.versusos.com/motorola-moto-g-4g-vs-apple-iphone-5…

    However, it's at the very budget end of things.

    Personally I've had the Nexus 5 for nearly a year and it's a great combination of low price and high spec. I personally wouldn't want to go above a 5inch screen, but the Nexus 6/X/Shamu is due out in Oct/Nov to replace the Nexus 5 and could be a good bet.

    Galaxy S5, HTC M8 and LG G3 tend to play the flagship game and price themselves comparably to the iphone (eg overpriced). Personally don't think they offer enough for the price.

    However, what you first need to do is understand your own needs. You aren't in apple's one-size-fits-all game now - there are niches and there are phones to fill them. Understand your niches and specific requirements and get a phone that matches.

    • RockyRaccoon on 30/08/2014 - 16:52

      Galaxy S5, HTC M8 and LG G3 tend to play the flagship game and price themselves comparably to the iphone (eg overpriced). Personally don't think they offer enough for the price.

      Considering most of the phone manufacturers are losing money, the alternative argument maybe, the lower end phones are being sold at a loss to clear stock and buy market share, rather than the top end being overpriced.

      That said, as you say, if you dont want those "extra" features you can save by buying at the lower end.

    • whooah1979 on 31/08/2014 - 08:47

      The z1 compact would be a good replacement in terms of physical size and specs. They sell for around $432 local and $395 imported.

  • isthisreally_me on 30/08/2014 - 15:05

    Id go for the LG G3 a 5.5 inch screen and denser pixels for a more vibrant view on a phone that's marginally larger than the Samsung.
    Though I do like the idea of the Galaxy S5s ultra power saving mode, for those times when you cant recharge easily.

  • Baghern on 30/08/2014 - 19:49

    I'm waiting to see how big they make the note 4, the Galaxy 5 is almost the same size as the note 2/3 now

  • adamren on 30/08/2014 - 21:32
    -1

    If you want fun features like Foxtel Go or tracking fitness with smartwatch then Samsung is the one brand to keep at top of your list.

    Personally, when it comes to kids using phone I'd refrain from it or get the lowest SAR one and some of the Samsungs have high SAR, like over 1W/kg similar to the iPhone, whilst other models have much lower radiation levels, like half.

    Best to just buy two things, a toy game thingo for kids and a $200 phone with good camera.

  • ProjectZero on 30/08/2014 - 21:45

    One of us! One of us!

    lol, I've been a Samsung devices but i actually recommend the Nexus series simply because it gets updates faster, usually matches the same-gen flagships in terms of specs (minus minor stuff) and it is usually cheaper then well known branded flagships.

  • koplik8 on 31/08/2014 - 07:53

    If you want to transfer everything off your iPhone onto a Samsung download Kies
    http://www.samsung.com/au/support/usefulsoftware/KIES/
    It copies everything including contacts, pictures, notes, calendar, txt

  • mattyman on 31/08/2014 - 13:34
    +1

    Don't go for a cheap Android. If you're coming from an iPhone you will have a bad experience with lag. You didn't like it on the S2 you won't like it on a cheap Android.

    The phones you have been advised about are all pretty good. I'd be looking at the specs for each and comparing whats different.

    I personally won't look at a phone if it doesn't have a removable battery or SD card slot. I normally stick with Samsung. Some people have mentioned that they get laggy over time which is true, so I just swap out the gui launcher with Apex or Nova which you can get on the play store (on Android the main user interface is an app and can be changed).

    I'm currently running with the Note 3 … the large screen isn't for everyone but I love it.

  • Davros on 31/08/2014 - 14:51

    "I personally won't look at a phone if it doesn't have a removable battery or SD card slot"

    I have these in my $40 Coles special
    Also the op said he uses it for phone, email and occasional picture, tasks even my $40 Coles special can manage all while remaining lag free.

    • mattyman on 31/08/2014 - 15:10
      +1

      No, really? What I was getting at though is that some of the flagship phones don't come with these options.

      A flagship phone is what the OP is after given that he thinks that the S2 was laggy.

      When changing OS's you want the best experience possible so that you can compare the two.

  • thereyougo on 01/09/2014 - 08:41

    Definitely go the HTC M8, I've had mine for 3 months now, no complaints what so ever.
    It's an extremely user friendly phone with a hot motor under the hood.
    Just over $600 on fleabay from an Australian seller.
    Question: why would anyone continue using an iphone, my uncle has one but unfortunately it's in a Otter case so it's pretty well protected when he throws it at the wall in frustration and I can tell who has one walking down the street, their the one's jumping up and down, cursing and screaming, why hasn't this got a back button, why did it just turn off, why isn't it more like an Android!

    • Davros on 01/09/2014 - 09:31
      -1

      "Just over $600 on fleabay from an Australian seller."
      For a device that the OP admits will only be used as a phone, email and occasional camera.
      Absolute overkill and totally ridiculous.

      The $100 Nokia Lumia 630 that was posted recently would be more than adequate for those tasks and more
      http://www.dicksmith.com.au/prepaid-mobile-phones/vodafone-n…

      • mattyman on 01/09/2014 - 10:00
        +1

        But he also said that he wants something that won't be laggy. A $100 phone isn't going to cut it.

        • Davros on 01/09/2014 - 10:21
          -1

          Bollocks
          My 3 year old $40 dollar coles special has no lag issues when used as a phone, sending email or used as a camera, why would a newer higher spec'd $100 phone?
          And lets not forget that the $100 phone is really a $250 phone that was on special.
          http://www.dicksmith.com.au/unlocked-smart-phones/nokia-lumi…

          It may be laggy if trying to do multiple tasks, gaming etc but the OP said he is not using it for that.

  • porsche804 on 01/09/2014 - 10:09

    this website helps http://www.antutu.com/en/Ranking.shtml.

  • malkakas on 01/09/2014 - 10:12

    Buy a last year's flagship phone(LG G2, HTC One M7, Galaxy S4). That will save you heaps of money and you still get better performance. All these phones have 2GB RAM and good performance benchmarks.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join