[rduchateau2954]

My contract with a smaller local cell company expired a while ago and I am in need of a new phone.

The problem is this company doesn't get the latest and greatest phones. My only 4G options are the Motorola RAZR maxx, the HTC desire, or the iPhone 5.

I will call in the morning to see about the GS4 but I'm not hopeful.

Soo... I've been seriously considering the iPhone just because its the newest tech and have been doing research. Here are my pros and cons.

-IPhone gets latest updates. This is kinda big for me. I hate that my milestone x is still running an outdated OS.

- The iPhone has a better feel in the hands

- iPhone is brand new compared to my android choices.

- Better battery life?

CONS

- I own nothing else apple so can't really use the "environment"

- I constantly change things on my android. I worry the lack of customization will leave me bored with and iPhone.

- Small screen.

I have been asking people I know but only get the standard "android rulez" or "iphone rulez" answers.

I realized the answers here might be a bit biased but I'm hoping for some solid info.

Thanks

Sent from my Milestone X using Tapatalk 2

[jdbii]

I get the feeling that you've already answered the question yourself. In other words, it looks to me like your pros for the iPhone make the iPhone your choice.

So much of everything depends on gut feelings and first impressions regardless of which option is the better choice. If the iPhone "feels" better in your hands right now, then every single time you go to grab it you will feel nice positive feedback in your mind about how good it feels. I suspect if you buy an older Android phone, from day one you will be suppressing bummed out feelings for having bought an "older phone." After today with the S4 coming out, and with all the samrt phones coming out this year -- HTC One, Note 3, Nexus 5, the new Balckberries, and whatever -- thee RAZR and HTC Desire will feel old. Even the iPhone 5 is going to feel "old" pretty quick, but just less so.

You'll take a hit on customization, but maybe you have other tablets you can still customize. You will also take a hit on screen size, and especially if the iPhone 6 comes out with a 5 inch screen this year. But imho I actually think the smaller screen size is a benefit. So many of the Android phones (I have the Nexus 4) are like fragile glass slippers. I get the impression that most iPhone owners don't use protective cases, and not that it never happens, but I personally have never heard one person say they cracked the screen on their iPhone.

[xlDeMoNiClx]

I get the feeling that you've already answered the question yourself. In other words, it looks to me like your pros for the iPhone make the iPhone your choice.

So much of everything depends on gut feelings and first impressions regardless of which option is the better choice. If the iPhone "feels" better in your hands right now, then every single time you go to grab it you will feel nice positive feedback in your mind about how good it feels. I suspect if you buy an older Android phone, from day one you will be suppressing bummed out feelings for having bought an "older phone." After today with the S4 coming out, and with all the samrt phones coming out this year -- HTC One, Note 3, Nexus 5, the new Balckberries, and whatever -- thee RAZR and HTC Desire will feel old. Even the iPhone 5 is going to feel "old" pretty quick, but just less so.

You'll take a hit on customization, but maybe you have other tablets you can still customize. You will also take a hit on screen size, and especially if the iPhone 6 comes out with a 5 inch screen this year. But imho I actually think the smaller screen size is a benefit. So many of the Android phones (I have the Nexus 4) are like fragile glass slippers. I get the impression that most iPhone owners don't use protective cases, and not that it never happens, but I personally have never heard one person say they cracked the screen on their iPhone.

Weird cause more than half the people I see that own an iPhone have cracked the screen badly and they tell me it was a short drop too.

But compared to the Android phones available to you the iPhone 5 might be the best choice for you.

This is from me, on my EVO 3D.

[jdbii]

Weird cause more than half the people I see that own an iPhone have cracked the screen badly and they tell me it was a short drop too.

But compared to the Android phones available to you the iPhone 5 might be the best choice for you.

This is from me, on my EVO 3D.

Thanks for pointing that out. I guess I don't know that many people with iPhones, and I probably was unqualified to make that statment. I have a Nexus 4 and I have been following the threads that people post about being angry about how easily the N4 cracked, and I just got the impression that every other person was saying "I had an iPhone for 3 years and never had a problem." I didn't know that iPhone were prone to cracking too.

[xlDeMoNiClx]

Thanks for pointing that out. I guess I don't know that many people with iPhones, and I probably was unqualified to make that statment. I have a Nexus 4 and I have been following the threads that people post about being angry about how easily the N4 cracked, and I just got the impression that every other person was saying "I had an iPhone for 3 years and never had a problem." I didn't know that iPhone were prone to cracking too.

I wouldn't say you were unqualified, I think you just meet people who are a lot more careful with phones.

This is from me, on my EVO 3D.

[rduchateau2954]

I get the feeling that you've already answered the question yourself. In other words, it looks to me like your pros for the iPhone make the iPhone your choice.

So much of everything depends on gut feelings and first impressions regardless of which option is the better choice. If the iPhone "feels" better in your hands right now, then every single time you go to grab it you will feel nice positive feedback in your mind about how good it feels..

It's funny you say that, other than the solid metal feel and the latest updates, I am leaning away from the iPhone. The only reason I am considering it is because it is brand new vs the older android phones, but the lack of customization is what scares me away.

As far as drop tests, I watched a few in the GS4 v iPhone5. The iphone came out ahead but only slightly, and both were fairly destroyed.

What can you guys tell me about rooting and android vs jailbreaking and iphone?

[jdbii]

It's funny you say that, other than the solid metal feel and the latest updates, I am leaning away from the iPhone. The only reason I am considering it is because it is brand new vs the older android phones, but the lack of customization is what scares me away.

As far as drop tests, I watched a few in the GS4 v iPhone5. The iphone came out ahead but only slightly, and both were fairly destroyed.

What can you guys tell me about rooting and android vs jailbreaking and iphone?

Hmmmmm.......I guess I am mixing up my own subjective opinion. I was speaking off the cuff regarding breakability. I didn't really know what I was talking about regarding sturdiness and drop test. I don't know why, but when you said "it feels better," and "updates were important," both of which were in the pro column for the iPhone. i just got the impression that you wanted the iPhone more. Again, this is my own subjectivity, but I get drawn to the latest gadgets. I wouldn't want to buy last year's android models if I had a choice, and the speed at which the android phones are improving would make me very envious, so my personal preference if I could afford it would be the iPhone. I have the Nexus 4 and it is a sweet phone. I think after having such a great phone I wouldn't be choosing your other two options over the iPhone. I'd have too much envy with so many great android phones being released this year.

I haven't rooted my Nexus 4, but I did root my Nexus 7 tablet. I don't know anything about jailbreaking an iPhone. Rooting is quite simple, and the nice thing is it is quite easy reinstalling back to factory settings should you want to. I use Linux as my primary OS on my pc, and I tinker around a lot with different Linux Distros so I can understand how customization can be extremely important.

[NothingIsTrue]

It's really weird the list of phones available. The HTC Desire is a GSM phone to the bone, meaning "4G" is referring to HSPA, I assume. The Razr does have a GSM version, as does the iPhone 5... I think you're on a GSM carrier. If that's the case, Nexus 4 all the way. Buy it unlocked, then there's no contract.

But then your current device (from signature, Motorola Milestone X is CDMA, looks like a mimic of Sprint's devices, which leaves me confused, as 2 of the three phones you listed as options do have a CDMA variant, but one does not, unless you mean the HTC Desire 4G LTE.

Can you clarify if you're on a CDMA or GSM carrier? Or which carrier it is, such as is it Bluegrass or an affiliate market of another carrier, etc? Also, is switching carriers for you not an option? If it's a CDMA carrier and you don't want to switch carriers, I'd recommend buying something that you actually want off of contract; be it the S4, Note 2, HTC One, whatever. It's a little more expensive up front, but that way you're not compromising between the least amongst all evils.

[rduchateau2954]

I am through a company called Cellcom

. According to their online chat help, " Cellcom has a CDMA network"

As far as an unlocked phone goes, it's a crapshoot. Something to do with the way their network works or something with data means that not all unlocked phones will work. I have heard this from many people.

A new carrier is also a gamble. I've been with Verizon, alltel, and US cellular. I will never go back to any of them. Atm I pay about $60 a month for my service by hopping on my moms family plan, I don't know how many places can beat that.

[rduchateau2954]

My conversation with Cellcom.

Me: are you a CDMA or GSM carrier?
Cellcom: I would be happy to help you with that.
Cellcom: Cellcom has a CDMA network.
Me: okay thanks,
Cellcom: You're welcome.
Cellcom: Is there anything else I can help you with?
Me: is there any possible way you could tell me what unlocked phones could be activated on my account? I know not all will work.
Cellcom: We are not able to reprogram any smartphones to work on our network. If it's a standard device it would need to be one that Cellcom has carried in the past.
Me: Okay...
Me: What about any new android phones that cellcom will be offering in the near future?
Cellcom: Are you looking for information on what new phones we will have in the future?
Me: Yes
Cellcom: Unfortunately, I don't have any additional information on new handset releases in regards to what they are or when they will be available.
Me: May I ask why I am forced to choose between an iPhone 5 or old android phones? Why doesn't cellcom offer the newest android phones?
Cellcom: I wish I had more information for you on that. I'm not sure how the selection of new phones works.
Me: Do you have any contact information for me that would allow me to find out?
Cellcom: Unfortunately, I do not have any contact information for you.
Me: Okay. The reason I ask is because my contract is either finished or near finished and I am struggling with the decision to stay with cellcom or not because of the phone selection.
Me: I love your customer service and reception in the north woods, but I hesitate to buy an old android or the iPhone.
Cellcom: I can understand that.
Me: Thank you for your time Debra. That was all I wanted to ask.
Cellcom: It's been great chatting with you today and thank you for contacting Cellcom.
Cellcom: Have a good weekend.

[NothingIsTrue]

Ouch... well that clears things up a bit! If longevity of software upgrades and modern form are priorities, my bet would be with Apple from their selection without knowing what devices they're getting in the near future, for many of the reasons you've already stated.

[rduchateau2954]

Yea I'm thinking the same thing. I'll check out a couple other carriers before I re-up but I can't see myself leaving them.

Thanks for the help guys.

[sting7k]

Yea I'm thinking the same thing. I'll check out a couple other carriers before I re-up but I can't see myself leaving them.

Thanks for the help guys.

Honestly, switch carriers and get the phone you want. You obviously don't want the iPhone; nothing wrong with that. Don't settle. That carrier is not going to fulfill your needs and if you buy another phone you will just be unhappy with it.

Switch and be happy getting what you want.