Need help buying a new phone!
Which one to get? :)
All comments and suggestions very much appreciated.
Samsung Galaxy S II or iPhone 4S? or other?
SakuraChan on 09/11/2011 - 23:14
Last edited 10/11/2011 - 11:35
Last edited 10/11/2011 - 11:35
Poll Options
- 71Samsung S2
- 20iPhone 4s
Comments
Wow you can poll now? Awesome!
I vote for a fourth: Galaxy Note.
Woohoo I voted. Polls are cool. Would be nice to see who voted what though.
okay, i'll add that in! maybe i'll think about it :) thx guys
woah poll!
thanks mods!
noooo i can't change the poll options…
Use Report if you want mods to add/remove poll options, with Talk with a Mod forum.
If you have a habit of dropping things this may sway some decision.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elKxgsrJFhwNot exactly scientific, but worth consideration.
Haha, i saw that on tv! it's because iphone screens are made out of glass :P
So are Galaxy series and all other good touchscreen phones.
iPhone has an extra layer of glass on the back that most others don't.
I'm not necessarily an iPhone person, I'm actually a very happy Galaxy S (Cyanogenmod 7.1) owner, but I am an anti-"iPhone hater". For the whole, the iPhone is a good (if overpriced) phone.
I vote for Galaxy Note. It's fantastic! The battery is pretty dahm good when you consider the massive screen and specs it has to power. From what I have seen so far the battery lasts longer than my Desire HD, when I would really expect the opposite.
If you get the battery charging accessory and a spare battery it will be dahm epic.
Do not underestimate the S-Pen feature. Being able to use a stylus to draw, select with great accuracy and interact with the phone is amazing.
Out of curiosity, can you use a stick in lieu of the 'S-pen'?
And yeah, the battery is meant to last for ~two days with normal usage but people have only been getting 12 hours or so due to a bug.The S-Pen has a button that is actually used a bit, so not really. Also, I doubt the pressure sensitive features would work with another pen.
THe pen is mighty expensive to replace too. $40, although it does include the pen attachment.
Do you carry it in your pocket? If you do, do you feel it's too big? I haven't gotten my hands on one yet, but from the specs, it seems too big to be pocketable. I'm thinking of getting a new phone soon; wondering if this is a possible choice.
It fits in my pocket. I think the biggest issue for me is that the phone feels so light and it takes almost the whole pocket. If you aren't careful it may fall out of your pocket getting into a car (happened to me once, now I instinctively make sure it doesn't). A case, zippered pocket or some other solution I haven't heard of would fix this issue.
My Samsung Galaxy S2 is the same. It's just sooooo light and thin I can't even feel it in my pocket. Love it!
I voted iphone 4s. I've gone from ios to android back to ios and overall the level of polish with apps and the ecosystem in general is just better with iOS IMO. Either choice you make, it should be a good phone for a while to come
The poll is between iphone 4s and samsung galaxy s2; Not IOS and Android. Android even comes on $100 phones. But a powerful device like S2 provides the complete experience.
So you buy a phone without considering the operating system?
And if someone is considering the iphone4s and the S2, then they are in the same market financially, so $100 phones wouldn't even be on their radar.
All I am saying is he can't vote against S2 if he had bad experience with Android on some device.
S2 is Android + Super Amoled 4.3 + 8 MP camera + Thin Profile + Power etc
If he said he used S2 specifically and didn't like it then thats fine.So those not having an iphone4s cant VOTE AGAINST the iphone4s
Or those not using Siri, or those not IOS5 cant vote
And likewise those who havent used the S2 cant vote FOR the S2?
Etc Etc and vice versa
How do you even consider policing that?
And since we dont know who voted what, how do you know they even voted or how? LOL
I voted for the S2 because I have one and its awesome. I'm totally biased towards android as a developer, it started out with me making apps for it since I knew Java and strictly based on a aspiring developer's point of view, Java is much easier to learn and use than Objective C(which isn't typically taught in Australian Uni(s))
Software
Not going to argue with anyone on an iOS/Android argument. Either you like one or the other. Personally I've played with an iPhone (non jailbroken) and while it was nice and easy, I did feel restrictive in the customisation section. With Android customisation is essential in making it look good and ROMs neccesary after the phone becomes abandoned by the manufacturers.
Hardware
iPhone has a much better GPU, the CPU part is not arguable since I know that with setCPU, S2 can be overclocked to 1.5GHz. The iPhone does not have a better camera so S2 wins here. SAMOLED + vs Retina is subjective since some people like natural polished colours(4S) while others like vibrant, saturated colours(S2). iPhone does seem to have CDMA support which is awesome. I'd say its 50-50 with the hardware as well. Note that the iPhone is underclocked to 800MHz to conserve battery and yet still only matches the S2 battery life.
TL:DR pointless poll since I'll agree with ozpete here, iOS comes on only apple devices, Android comes on dozens, each with hardware being updated every month. But Financially I'd say it would be between 4S and the Galaxy Note, because S2 is second best android phone( Moto Razr can suck it)
wow, ozbargain became like a michael caton maccas ad (little bit fancy)
i hate those ads..
iphone all the way… the apps outweigh everything on ios.
Is it?
More free apps on android and this being ozbargain… I think decision is clear. Plus the galaxy s2 is significantly cheaper than the iphone 4s.
Free to use Samsung Dive too.. And the google apps like gmail, search, navigation is so beautifully integrated. I use navigation all the time on my phone when I go on trips. Plus removable battery and memory seals the deal for me…
For the person who went back to iphone I think you must have had an earlier phone. Once you use the s2 you can never have an I phone again. I can't believe they have never upgraded the screen since the iphone 1 (in size that is). Apple are an evil dishonest company that do everything based on what is good for apple. Android you can instal any music program any email program etc and even get apps not through google. then you have a wide range of choice of phones.
Samsung are bigger and meaner than Apple by a significant margin. Apple are minnows by comparison!
Every company does what's best by their company and it's ridiculous to say otherwise, in fact it's illegal for company directors to do otherwise!I love my Android handset and I'm not tempted by iOS, but I'm glad it's there to keep pushing Android to improve. I love that my year old handset still very capably runs the most up to date OS, but it's taken a lot of work by me to make that happen.
For someone who is less technically savvy, or just can't be bothered, I agree with Scotty, go iOS. If you're not technically savvy, and have a limited budget, go Android or even consider WinPhone7.Good points - some sanity in the latest discussion… but not sure if you made a typo. What does the Technically Savvy use? Cans with string?? LOL
Not looking to start any kind of war, but in regards to your line "IOS…pushing android to improve", then what is your comment on the fact that Jobs said that Android is copied off IOS - and that (something along these lines) "He wants to correct this wrong even with his last breath". That sounds pretty nasty. Not to mention it insinuates that it is on Apple's agenda to KILL Android off.
But sure, the fact that Android is IOS' biggest competitor right now IS pushing them to improve. But Apple is also trying to strangle them.
link to article
http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/android-started-b…
That is not true. Google do plenty of stuff that doesn't necessarily benefit them. Allowing other people to open an app store is the perfect example. Apple will inconvenience millions of people just to make a buck.the lack of flash is another good example
From what I remember, they had their reasons for killing flash. Just because flash is widely used does not mean that it is good. Apple has always pushed for html5.
I don't think that "Apple will inconvenience millions of people" is a good argument. While this is true in some cases (e.g. proprietary cables, software etc.), the customer chooses to inconvenience themselves by purchasing their products. If someone purchases an Apple product, it seems a bit stupid for them to be complaining about Apple afterwards.
I think the whole proprietary concept is the reason why people choose Android. Some apple users wouldn't even know about it until they are hit with those requirements. But then again some choose apple for this exact reason(convenience)
Flash has and will be a PITA until adobe get thier act together and make it much more efficient and less buggy(not happening)
HTML5 is the future of internet videos except I prefer H.264
I can't believe that you can't believe that they never increased the size of the screen lol. They obviously decided that that was the sweet spot, and have stuck with that since. The size of the screen pretty much determines the size of the phone, and they have found what they believe to be the best balance between the two.
I have to agree with the point about the limited ecosystem though. Sucks to be limited to only what Apple says you can use.
What they think is the sweet spot for screen size? So it doesn't matter what the consumers think? I think the trend is clear. 4" and above is the new standard.
er…since when did it matter what the consumers think? Apple does what it will, and their products will continue to sell because they have garnered a following.
One thing to note is that not everyone wants a >4" phone. Much of the time, I find that it is technology buffs who are enthusiastic about screen sizes. Personally, I think the galaxy s2 with a 4.3" screen might already be too big for my needs.
Simple …
Get the iphone if you like being told what to do
Get the Samsung GS2 if you like freedom of choicehahaha are you looking to get banned?
why would that get him banned ?
Have you not read the warning signs mods have been hanging out? Tell me that methotical's comment is not borderline inflammatory
Well it wouldn't have been different if he'd just said either ONE of those statements, because they are by definition of his statement, polar opposites. He's stated both and that's his opinion, he hasn't attacked anyone but just presented his views. I think that the amount of freedom IS a large factor in choosing between these phones.
But even though i know what you mea,n, It'd take the most rabid of fanboys for methotical's post to start a flamewar though, so really i don't see how it would get him banned.
This is a discussion forum, so different standards apply. As distinct from comments in a bargain post where we want people to discuss the bargain, not personal preferences of the hater or the fanbois
Fanbois are for both products, and when irrational statements are made about a product eg evil company, or being told what to do, rather than specific statements about the product, then you have to suspect the quality of the rest of the "advice or opinion" the person has to make. It also tends to indicate a fanbois approach. But thats my personal view.
But personal attacks on someone regardless of them being irrational, a fanbois or hater aren't on, they will be deleted when we see one of those.
I guess the statements are presented as polar opposites, even though they obviously are not. Perhaps I am picking up things that are not intended, but that first statement seems lined with contempt. I know that is a world of difference in customisability between iOS and Android, but of course, it would not be the only factor in deciding which phone to get.
The most rabid of fanboys? But…but…these are Apple fanboys we are speaking of. =) I kid.
@ozpete Thanks for the clarification. I assume personal attacks are directed at a specific person, so my last statement doesn't count?
unfortunately we are communicating only on text and no tone, so until somebody comes up with how to incorporate tone … there will be large margins of error in interpreting typed sentences !
The only gripe I have with the S2 or any other Android device for that matter is the lack of a line out. If it wasn't for this I'd be all over the Nexus or Note, but unfortunately my laziness and need of a line out beats the freedom I get in Android, so iP4S for me. At the end of the day I'm still getting an excellent phone (which the only thing I'm using it for is eye candy, music, and to make and receive calls and texts lol…. apps? what apps?)
Even though I'm going with the iPhone, I'm voting S2. Better phone overall just that the iP4S ticks the boxes I want and the S2 doesn't :(Do you have an amp or something?
Yeah, portable amp and connection to my HT system would be up there on the reasons for choosing the iP4S.
I see. Are you ever concerned about battery life? I don't have a smart phone, so I don't have personal experience, but it seems that these new phones with their touch screens and large displays and more powerful processors require charging every night. I am assuming that playing music with the phone would drain it even quicker. It's one reason why I think that I would still carry an mp3 player with me even when I get a smart phone.
I do have a touch, but the reason why I am going with the iP4S is because I want less things to carry. All I want when I walk out the door is my phone, earphones and wallet. Nothing else (if I can help it, my wallet is one of those extremely small bifolds too btw)
Yeah I am concerned about battery life but the iP4S is one of the best out there in terms of actual use (not standby, their standby time for some reason is horrible) but as long as it lasts me the 10 hours that I'm out the door the phone is fine, I don't mind charging it every night (or second night long shot with smartphones). If the iP4S can handle almost 8 hours of video playback I'm sure it can handle standby, the occasional call/text, glacing web browsing and app use and music for 10 hours.
My friend has the iP4 and my use would be equal or less than his and he manages to get through the day fine with battery to spare.from what I have read, the iP4S seems to have poor battery life compared to the iP4 since they switched from single core to dual core, which apple really didn't test well enough. I think iOS hasn't been fully optimised for great battery life with the dual core A5/A4 they are using.
Might be interesting to see if this is still a problem now they have released 5.01 which is supposed to fix some battery issues.
call it conspiracy but few online techblog readers(android users) are saying that new update did not only not fix battery life but also patched the exploit needed to jailbreak the device.
Although I read somewhere that Apple itself stated it won't make any changes to iOS which will decrease battery life, and thats for all supported iphones and not just the current one. I wonder if Apple added new features(location based services, Siri) just to outdo Android but at the cost of battery life?
Whenever they introduce a new version caution is recommended. Nothing new here. Just need to wait. Like with Android new versions we have to wait until someone finds a way to port it to an older device.
I wonder if Apple added new features(location based services, Siri) just to outdo Android but at the cost of battery life?
Not sure what you mean here? Dont try to out do Android? Or in trying to outdo Android they used more battery life?
They have said its a bug, and not everyone is seeing it, so it was a matter of the testing missing a combination of somethings that created higher battery use.
As for this testing, in Androids case, if they dont officially support any new releases on older devices, they save a bucket load of money and time testing on these old devices (multiplied by the number of variations by manufacturer etc). By leaving it to the hackers, they avoid having to be responsible if some bug is introduced.
what I meant by that is Apple introduces new features when they see fit and are properly tested.
MMS, Notifications, quick reply, google cloud integration, bluetooth transfer(this was high up on my list when looking for a phone)
A few of these Apple have implemented by now but a few are still remaining and can only be implemented by JB.
That said the converse is also true, but not as much of a fundamental level as iOS
I'm going to say something i rarely see get said (wow thats difficult to say out loud):
I hate the AMOLED screens on samsung phones. It looks crap. I don't care if it has higher DPI or whatever, or has darker blacks, or stands out more in sunlight…..it looks crappy.
Am i missing something ? I'm no techno buff and i would not buy a samsung phone purely because of the screen, which is why i have an HTC. Though my matte screen protector really dims my screen.
Maybe you don't like vibrant screens and prefer natural colours to a more lively screen. Don't worry you'll find many people with the same opinion as you in WP.
The thing I love about the AMOLED is the sunlight visibility, it's absolutely brilliant. Compared to Desire HD and N73, this is revolutionary (disclaimer: IMO)
yup definitely good point about the sunlight visibility.
but wtf at people negging me without saying anything ???
balanced, I've been seeing a lot of unnecessary negging but WTF cares anyways, I rather be negged and state my opinion than lie and get pos'd
iPhone is way overpriced for what you get and I am a bit sick of the iOS but the camera is fantastic, I dont think there is a better phone for camera/video on the market yet.
Does the 4S have the same problems with the camera as the iPhone 4? (the blue/green dot)
For me I ended up getting an SGS2 over iPhone4S and here are my reasoning. Do keep in mind I had a iPhone3GS and LG Optimus One before deciding the next hand set. Will limit my self to best 4 points.
Pro-iPhone4S
* Gotta love the App store
* Love the support in the iStore (or there lack of sometimes -> 1%)
* When you get one you get to join the cool/artsy group. In addition girls digs iPhones (from my experience =P)
* Easy to learnPro-SGS2
* Enjoy the flexibility that you can do on your phone. Customisation. CM7
* Got flash! In my experience, it loads website better and faster.
* HUGE online support group. There are so many techies who knows Android. There is no problem to big for them.
* CheaperI had a big toss up between the two possibilities, I even waited for an stalled iPhone4S deal but no go there. In the end I went for Kogan's $520 SGS2 and with 2 weeks playing with it. I don't regret it. It's fun and can't wait to mod it. Although I have to admit their market is a bit sparse right now. Hopefully it will pick up soon!
I enjoy having android because I don't need other's approvals (no need to join the cool group as seen on the apple commercials etc.) I got a partner now, so don't think using iPhones to attract girls will do me any good =P. Lastly, really comes down to the cost vs. return. For iPhone I don't really see the value for a limited capability.
The final call is on you. Both are good phones.
Oh and just to let you know. My partner is using iPhone4 =) (told you girls dig it!)my gf too …… she says my phone is hard to use, and every time she says that, i want to slap myself. i was able to pick it up instantly (htc incredible S, so gingerbread) and that was THE FIRST TIME i'd touched an android phone. she just won't take the time to feel around the interface, and i'd go out on a limb to say this is true for a large percentage of girls hence the higher iphone casualty rate with females.
If you want a good out-of-the-box experience (OOBE), get the iPhone. It's easy to use and learn.
If you like tweaking the heck out of your device, or prefer to have your own style (themes, homescreens, widgets), and generally enjoy more freedom when it comes to apps, get the SGS2 (or similar Android device).
Overall, this "debate" has now turned for the better, we have some very good points for and against both products.
One thing that most of the fanbois (both products) forget, is that out of the scores of smart phones its these two products that are successful in the market. And unfortunately all fanbois think fanbois are more rabid about the opposing product than they are about theirs.
If the products were as bad as the opposing fanbois make out, then you wouldn't see as great a take up as has occurred.
Although one thing does puzzle me, and that is the constant referral to IOS based systems that it is a locked system, by people who admit that they have already doctored their Android devices by modding them.
To me Jailbreaking an IOS = Modding an Android. And like all systems those interested in either system are really not that interested into delving into the modding of the other, and frankly why would they.
While admittedly the Android base system is more flexible than IOS, the negative is that in many cases you are reliant on Cyanogenmods when it comes to being updated.
But in the end its probably up to the girls, (50% of all purchasers) where as one above puts it, they (overall) just want to be able to do what they want without modding their system. Which has always been the Jobs mantra. In 1984 he had said he wanted computers to be like toasters, simple and just do what people want it to do..
And it wold be an interesting statistic in seeing if its users who were brought up via the DOS Windows market, vs those from the Mac market who fall into the Android/IOS camps.
And on that score probably those from the games market (Predominantly and traditionally interested in being able to tweek things to get that extra advantage in a game) who like the flexibility that Android offers out of the box.
"To me Jailbreaking an IOS = Modding an Android. And like all systems those interested in either system are really not that interested into delving into the modding of the other, and frankly why would they."
Yes I do agree that jailbreaking == modding. But please correct me if I am wrong, apple condemns jailbreaking. If you take any jailbreak iProduct to apple store, you will be frown upon and get exiled. However having a modded Android, most phone shops doesn't really care. There are some that even ask me what mod did I do to my Optimus One (CM5). So it is true that on one hand it's basically the same thing
(hacking the system) but the difference is the people's 'welcomeness' towards the idea of jailbreaking/modding.As you said, Apple is about out-of-the-box-and-ready-to-use type of product. It's speedy, it's easy to learn and it's visually appealing! Where as Android to get that level of style and oomph you require to tweak around with it (i.e. off with the bloatwares) and once you get to that plateau you find your self to customise every little bit of the system to the way you like it. And not the way 'Jobs' likes it ;)
This is just a general comment which I'm not sure had been touched on, but from my own experience I have found the iPhone to generally keep its value (I usually wait a few months till the price seems to have plateaued before purchasing) and was very easy to resell when time to upgrade. This probably has more to do with demand and the marketplace rather than the phone itself. I know this shouldn't really be a deciding factor to which phone is better but I thought it was a point worth noting.
For all I know this might be the same for an Android phone but as I've never had experience selling one I can't comment.
The iPhone holds its value because it only comes out once a year.
Android phones however has very poor value retention because:
1. There are always new and better Android phones coming out from the plethora of phone manufacturers in the market.
2. Even if you're looking at just one manufacturer, there are going to be loads of different models to choose from.Android has so many choices and updates that value retention is just impossible. The iPhone however holds it's value because there is one and only one release a year (this may change in 2012 as May comes round and quad core phones put pressure on Apple to update).
If we go back to the original concept of the poll, then value for money would be a consideration, and while new android devices might mean better products and would be valid for a debate on why one platform may be better than another.
If to get advantage of that means getting new hardware (Apple or Android) then it doesnt help a buy now purchase.
However if a person can sell their old phone and upgrade, then resale factors do come into play. Total cost of ownership.
I voted for Samsung mainly because I have almost everything with this brand. From my 2 door refrigerator, LED TV and air-conditioner :) I'm using Samsung Galaxy tab too.
Then you should really give Apple a shot too ;)
Their products are quite good, just at a premium price… but it works wonder!
Chose iphone cuz of the appstore!
Im pretty disappointed with my GS2. Didnt like touchwiz too much so I put cyanogen on and its a buggy piece of crap. Drop reception often and bluetooth doesnt like to connect with stuff. Im going to go back to stock soon.
The way I see it, if you want to play around with your phone a lot ie. modify it to how you want it. Go android.
If you really dont care and just use a phone as a phone go iPhone or a WP7 phone.
Neither is superior or inferior as its up to the user, they all have pros and cons no matter which side of the OS war your on. I like to swap every year or two to get the best of both worlds.
Your mistake was to use Cyanogen on a Samsung phone. Should have used Darky's rom.
Samsung S 2 is my choice!
Does anyone remember the phone size comparison site that someone posted but was removed because it might have incited antisocial behaviour?
what about the galaxy nexus?
too big?