[JerseyJet]

My wife has a phone contract expiring in March. Right now she has a basic Samsung phone and wants a serious upgrade. Both my kids have Iphones while I have the Galaxy S2. My kids and I love our individual phones and have been pulling my wife in both directions about what to get. S3 or Iphone, that's the question. For anyone out there whose had both, or has strong opinions one way or the other, I’d appreciate your thoughts.

[Almeuit]

My wife has a phone contract expiring in March. Right now she has a basic Samsung phone and wants a serious upgrade. Both my kids have Iphones while I have the Galaxy S2. My kids and I love our individual phones and have been pulling my wife in both directions about what to get. S3 or Iphone, that's the question. For anyone out there whose had both, or has strong opinions one way or the other, I’d appreciate your thoughts.

It depends. Does she do a lot with her phone or not? I had iPhone since the 3g but converted to an s2 (now an s3) after the iPhone 4. I like Android more due to the ROMing and bunch of tweaking you can do.. Even with the default such as changing launchers and (soon) to be able to change the buttons in the notification bar... Well I ever like having those toggles and love my widgets as well.

If she doesn't mind having to tweak settings now and then and likes widgets I'd suggest a S3. Android can sometimes require some setup to have everything you like and some people don't mind.. Whereas others just don't want to do this.

iPhone is great for someone who wants a smartphone but doesn't care about customizing or having to do any tweaking to get the phone just how they want it. It's great for the (don't beat me up people) people want the "it just works" thing. I suggest it for people who may not be as tech savy or for people who won't really take advantage of what android has to offer in forms of customization simply because they could probably care less.


This question is just hard to answer. It really mainly depends on (as I said previously) what she does with her phone and.. If she likes tweaking things or not.

Sent from my Sprint S3 using AC forums.

[ybcthanerd]

If ur thinkin s3 I would just say wait a few more months for tha s4

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Android Central Forums

[xlDeMoNiClx]

Basically, if you want an overall better phone (much better), with customization, widgets, bigger screen, more features, etc you go with the S3.

If you just want a basic smartphone that works and is easy to use immediately out of the box, get an iPhone.

[Almeuit]

Basically, if you want an overall better phone (much better), with customization, widgets, bigger screen, more features, etc you go with the S3.

If you just want a basic smartphone that works and is easy to use immediately out of the box, get an iPhone.

I like this post... Summed up what I was saying.. I just talk to much sometimes :o

Sent from my Sprint S3 using AC forums.

[EvilMonkey]

Agreed. It really depends on what your wife is like. Does she just want a phone that is a basic smartphone and she just wants to open the box and be off? Then an iPhone is probably a good choice. That's not to say Android isn't easy to use out of the box either, but the iPhone is just "simple."

If she wants things like widgets, customization, ability to change default programs, use a different keyboard, etc, then get her an Android phone. Same if Android Intents system means anything to her (like how iOS users had to wait for iOS6 for Facebook integration when all we had to do was install the Facebook app, and they'll have to wait for iOS7 or iOS8 to integrate Instagram....on Android she'll just need to install the app and it's done). Does she want the ability to have apps actually integrated with the OS, like being in a browser and clicking on an address and being able to navigate directly to it with Google Maps? Does Google Now interest her? That just told me the other day I had to leave for my meeting early because there was a traffic accident between where I was at and where my meeting was. Siri won't do stuff like that, but maybe she has no need (or want) for that kind of stuff.

But maybe she doesn't care about any of the cool stuff Android can do that the iPhone can't. I got my wife an S3, and all she really uses it for is Facebook, email, some pictures and Words with Friends (and an occasional phone call). She just doesn't really use her phone in the same way I do or want to. She'd be just as happy with an iPhone, but having the S3 makes my life a bit easier cause I only have to support the S3 in my house, instead of two different OS's. I show her all the cool stuff my phone does and and ask her if she wants me to set her phone up like that and I get a response of "meh..." She just doesn't care about that stuff, and if she had an iPhone, it's not like she'd take advantage of it either....she'd still only have like 5 or 10 apps installed and use 3 of them. I don't even think she's bothered to move a single icon from the initial setup I did on her phone (I put icons for the play store and IMDB and Netflix, but doubt she's ever opened any of them on her phone. She did change the wallpaper and ringtone though, but that's about the extent of what she spent time changing.

Point is, you know your wife best (well, hopefully you do), and what kind of phone she would enjoy the most.

[JerseyJet]

I appreciate the comments. To me in this case "more words are better". My wife is definitely not a tech person. Out of the box and go is what she's looking for. Evilmonkey, your wife sounds EXACTLY like mine. Whereas I am always looking at different apps for my S2, on a new phone my wife will only have downloaded apps if someone else does it for her. Does the Iphone have a free GPS navagation app ?? I have two or three on my S2 ,use them all the time and love them. I'm always hearing from my kids that they are paying for apps that I"m downloading for free.

[EvilMonkey]

Just one more thought: If she just wants a basic smartphone, either will work fine and they are equally on par with each other as far as out of the box stuff (in either case, you set up your email and your home wifi network, maybe change your wallpaper and your ringtone and you're off and running). So as a basic smartphone, either should be sufficient.

But the true power of Android is when you want to go beyond that. When you want your phone to go beyond being a "dumb smartphone" (which is how I refer to the iPhone and earlier phones in general) and truly being part of the new generation of a smartphone. Things like i talked about earlier where my phone is telling me to leave for appointments early because of traffic, When it's automatically silencing itself because I have a meeting on my calendar or I'm in a movie theater. When it's automatically telling me how long my commute is before I ever leave the house or the office (without asking it to). Where it's giving me flight information because it knows I have a flight based on a confirmation email or that it's on my calendar (I don't have to do anything special other than get a confirmation email). Where I walk out the door of my office and it texts my wife automatically to let her know I'm on my way home (but only if it's after 4:00, because otherwise I'm probably on my way to lunch or another meeting). Where I leave my house and it turns off wifi automatically to save battery, then turns it on again when I get back home. Where I tap my phone on a sticker on my desk at the office and it connects to my bluetooth stereo, starts Pandora, sets my volume control and starts playing music. Where I just turn it face down or put my palm over the glass to silence it if I need to.

That's the stuff that the next generation of smartphone is about, and stuff that the S3 and other some other Android devices offer now (and iPhone will be touting 2 years from now with the iPhone 7, like they are the iPhone5's **snicker** panorama mode and **guffaw** do not disturb feature). It's making the phone work for you automatically.

Buy not everyone cares about that kindof stuff. I do though, and it's all stuff my phone does right now.

[rteichman]

I appreciate the comments. To me in this case "more words are better". My wife is definitely not a tech person. Out of the box and go is what she's looking for. Evilmonkey, your wife sounds EXACTLY like mine. Whereas I am always looking at different apps for my S2, on a new phone my wife will only have downloaded apps if someone else does it for her. Does the Iphone have a free GPS navagation app ?? I have two or three on my S2 ,use them all the time and love them. I'm always hearing from my kids that they are paying for apps that I"m downloading for free.

Yes the iPhone has a navigation app, and now that Google maps is back on the iphone, it has a great map app. Based on your description of your wife, if she uses iPhoto and iTunes, get the iPhone. No doubt about it, she will be much happier. If she uses the google eco system for music and photos get the S3. With your kids using iPhones, I would tend to think that they are already on the Apple eco system and your wife will be happier there (iCloud integration for photos being the number 1 draw)

[Rev2010]

Have to agree here. If she's the type that doesn't ever ask, "Why the hell can't I do this, why is there no option??" when it comes to her phone or computer than she's probably better off with the iPhone. My wife was an iPhone user, well we both were with iPhone 3G's for two years. I converted her over to Android because if she had any questions or problems I'm right here to help (IT Tech). She converted with an Atrix. After nearly two years she was having some issues with it and was wanting a Galaxy Note (since her dad got one and she loved the large screen) but had been considering going back to an iPhone for all the extra bazillion silly game apps they have. Well, the Note 2 came out, her birthday came around and while she refused the idea of me spending the cash for an early upgrade I went ahead and did. Now.... now I can't tear her away from the thing!! She now tells me often how much she loves her phone and would never go back to an iPhone.

What's my point here? I gave two contradictory points right? Yes I did, but not really. My point is simply that if your wife is somewhat capable of handling tech then an Android is a great choice, the better choice. If she really is the open the box and go type, the type that doesn't want to find the best email app and just use whatever is there already, doesn't care about customizing the theme or look of the OS, doesn't care about being restricted in a dozen ways and actually enjoys using iTunes to simply transfer files and such then yes, by all means the iPhone is the best choice.

As much as I am an Android fan there definitely are certain individuals I have no problem at all steering towards the iPhone. It has it's place and it's definitely a great device to fill that demographic.


Rev.

[TomsAndroid]

Customizability isn't the only advantage if Android phones. If you want heaps of sharing options, NFC, access to your phone from your PC etc. then Android is also a better choice. Still, it will be interesting to see what the S4 is like. There's also the HTC M7 coming so you can expect some cool new high-end devices coming soon :-)
I'd definitely prefer Android and you don't need to be too tech-savvy to use it like a normal phone. Android just gives you more features and options if you do want to explore.

Tom

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

[winmod21]

I completely agree with rteichman, and my wife says the same things, all the time, about loving her Note, just as Rev2010's wife does. Nevertheless, with regards to the iPhone, I still think it's a much better built phone, and agree that it may indeed be the best choice for your wife, considering that both your kids have the iPhones.

Up 'til last October, we had iPhones for almost 4 years, and then sold one and kept one when we upgraded, and yet I still use the iPhone quite a bit, and much prefer it at times; especially handling it; the GS3 has always felt really awkward to me. Maybe it's due to all those iPhone years.

[TomsAndroid]

I forgot to mention, maybe the iPhone is a better choice if your kids have them. Which gen I phones do they have? If they have iOS 6 and Facetime as well as other apple features, it might make it a better choice. Otherwise, if you kids want to upgrade in the next few years, they might want to try the Android ecosystem which means your wife getting an Android might be future-proofing.

Tom

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

[meyerweb]

It seems to me this is her decision, not yours or your kids. Why not let her actually USE you phone, and the kid's phones, play around with them, make a few calls, send a few texts, and let HER figure out which she prefers?

[V J]

I have the 4G Galaxy S3 and my partner has the iphone 5. If your wife is not a power user / personalizer then I would definitely recommend the iphone 5 over the GS3. It is so rigid and plain and uncustomizable that its perfectly suited for users who never wanted a smartphone to begin with but are sort of just wedged into using a smartphone only because all the premium higher-end phones happen to be smartphones these days.

She's much less likely to get lost or confused navigating her way around the UI with iOS than Android. Make no mistake, for a REAL tech enthusiast Android is by far and away the better option. But for the average user who will only use their smartphones for calls/texts/photos, iOS is like a childproof device, you can't accidentally pin anything to your homescreen (because you don't have one!). Add to that great platform stability and battery performance and its a foolproof choice for non-techy women.

[JerseyJet]

It seems to me this is her decision, not yours or your kids. Why not let her actually USE you phone, and the kid's phones, play around with them, make a few calls, send a few texts, and let HER figure out which she prefers?

Having a specific phone has never gotten my wife excited, regardless of price. She sees that my kids are happy with the Iphone and I'm very happy with the S2, so to her those are two phones to consider. I'm generally a person who gets bored with a phone after 3 months and then es for the next 15 months until I can get something else. Well I've had the S2 for almost 1 year and I'm still VERY happy with this purchase. Again, she is a very basic user at this point soeither phone should be good. I was going to give this to her in March as sort of a gift "for no reason" knowing we'd have 30 days to make a final decision.

[JerseyJet]

If ur thinkin s3 I would just say wait a few more months for tha s4
Maybe the S4 for me and I hand down my S2 to her...Win Win Ah the endless possibilities

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Android Central Forums

[nolittdroid]

I was looking at both and opted for the S3 for a few reasons...the screen is bigger, which is better for browsing and playing games. The iPhone5 looks exactly like it did 4 years ago when the original iPhone came out. The S3 also allows for way more customization. I felt I was really constrained with the iPhone and the S3 was far less limited.

However, my mother and sisters are happy with their iPhones. They have a selection of "cute" cases to pick from and are happier with a simpler phone. However, one of my sisters has inadvertently managed to wipe her phone 3 times just by plugging it into a friends computer to charge.

[nolittdroid]

I have the 4G Galaxy S3 and my partner has the iphone 5. If your wife is not a power user / personalizer then I would definitely recommend the iphone 5 over the GS3. It is so rigid and plain and uncustomizable that its perfectly suited for users who never wanted a smartphone to begin with but are sort of just wedged into using a smartphone only because all the premium higher-end phones happen to be smartphones these days.

She's much less likely to get lost or confused navigating her way around the UI with iOS than Android. Make no mistake, for a REAL tech enthusiast Android is by far and away the better option. But for the average user who will only use their smartphones for calls/texts/photos, iOS is like a childproof device, you can't accidentally pin anything to your homescreen (because you don't have one!). Add to that great platform stability and battery performance and its a foolproof choice for non-techy women.

Non techy women? I think you meant non-techy people.

[myIphone4s]

Just one more thought: If she just wants a basic smartphone, either will work fine and they are equally on par with each other as far as out of the box stuff (in either case, you set up your email and your home wifi network, maybe change your wallpaper and your ringtone and you're off and running). So as a basic smartphone, either should be sufficient.

But the true power of Android is when you want to go beyond that. When you want your phone to go beyond being a "dumb smartphone" (which is how I refer to the iPhone and earlier phones in general) and truly being part of the new generation of a smartphone. Things like i talked about earlier where my phone is telling me to leave for appointments early because of traffic, When it's automatically silencing itself because I have a meeting on my calendar or I'm in a movie theater. When it's automatically telling me how long my commute is before I ever leave the house or the office (without asking it to). Where it's giving me flight information because it knows I have a flight based on a confirmation email or that it's on my calendar (I don't have to do anything special other than get a confirmation email). Where I walk out the door of my office and it texts my wife automatically to let her know I'm on my way home (but only if it's after 4:00, because otherwise I'm probably on my way to lunch or another meeting). Where I leave my house and it turns off wifi automatically to save battery, then turns it on again when I get back home. Where I tap my phone on a sticker on my desk at the office and it connects to my bluetooth stereo, starts Pandora, sets my volume control and starts playing music. Where I just turn it face down or put my palm over the glass to silence it if I need to.

Buy not everyone cares about that kindof stuff. I do though, and it's all stuff my phone does right now.

What the heck your phone does all that?
How? My 4S can only set things and i do the rest doesnt tell me much

The only thing i am wanting is the texting, commute, silencing, and turning the phone face down i guess that stops playing music, right?


Any way thank ya

[EvilMonkey]

What the heck your phone does all that?
How? My 4S can only set things and i do the rest doesnt tell me much

The only thing i am wanting is the texting, commute, silencing, and turning the phone face down i guess that stops playing music, right?


Any way thank ya

Well, Google Now is built into Jellybean and does the commute times (and warnings about traffic). It does the flights and I just got a notice from it that a package shipped from Amazon with tracking info (so I don't have to go to my email and click the tracking link).

The built in motion controls on the S3 handle the silencing when face down (along with other things like Smart Stay which uses the front camera to check if you're looking at the screen so it won't turn off if you are).

NFC (also out of the box) handles the sticker thing, but you have to buy the stickers and program them with what you want the phone to do when you tap the sticker (which is easy).

Most of the rest I handle with a single app called Settings Profiles (although there's others like Tasker and Llama that do similar things). Basically you set up profiles (like silence or brightness) and then locations (like home or work or a movie theater). Finally you create rules to tie them together.

So I have a rule that says if it's work hours (8-5 Monday through Friday) and I have a meeting on my calendar, then silence my phone during the meeting. I have another that says if it's after 4 and I leave the office, then send my wife a text (i have this because my schedule is erratic so sometimes I'm leaving at 4 and somethings it's not until 8 or later).

Additional rules for movie theaters do the silence thing (so it doesn't work for every theater in the world, but I set up the three theaters in my area that I go to). When I leave my house it turns off Wi-Fi, on GPS and Bluetooth and then reverses it when I get to the office. I have a few more rules, but you get the point. The do not disturb rules I have set up blow away anything the iPhone's can do.

Setting that up and creating the locations and rules is a bit time consuming, but in a couple of hours I had it all working. And I find myself tweaking and modifying them occasionally...like adding keyword exceptions to meetings on my calendar so the phone won't silence during it (like 'lunch').

The iPhone doesn't have anything like that AFAIK since the won't allow apps that level of control over other aspects of the OS.

[myIphone4s]

thank ya for the explaction hey can you pm me about how to set up the profiles such as silencing the phone at movie theather and work/school ( i dont have the phone yet but close to getting it prob during this month)

And i am guessing that the settings profile app is built in?

The iphone has its place with the people that loads their wallpaper, rigtones and some apps.
From what i read android is for people that want more from there phone.

[EvilMonkey]

^ No, Settings Profiles is a separate app (as is Tasker and Llama which are similar):

This webpage will walk you through the basics of setting up some common profiles, but you can determine location based on GPS, or the presence of a wi-fi network (like it will recognize the presence of home network as "home" and my work network as "work"):

I personally just use the GPS location to set them up. It is neat to pull in my garage and see the phone switch profiles automatically, likewise when I pull into the parking lot at work.