Android Newbie.. Can't make up my mind - need input? (very long)

[FitMomXtine]

Okay! Hi everyone..

So.. I came from an iPhone 4S.. I do love that phone to pieces.. but I honestly really just got bored of it I guess.

Everything else I own is apple (Like I have an iMac for school and that I use to edit videos for fitness and beauty vids) I have an iPad that I also have for school to and an older MacBook Pro..

so as you can see I've been a fan of apple products.

But the phone since I spend most of my time on it (I really just use it to browse web, take pictures and edit them, social media like instagram, twitter, facebook etc, e-mail and of course games for myself and my kiddos)... I found myself really drawn to the Note 2.. so I got it.. but before my 2 weeks were up, I felt like something just wasn't right.. maybe I felt like I cheated on my iPhone (my whole family has iPhones and friends, so you know they chewed my **** out for switching.. but my brother has the maxx hd and supported me lol)

I did like the Note 2, and all of it's functions. I loved how easily you could customize it without having to root it (not like my iPhone you have to jailbreak it etc).. But I did find myself missing features from the iPhone.. Like the quick camera grabber feature, the search feature ON the phone itself (not google), and of course emoji's (my family and friends love to converse with me with emoji's lol) and the camera was amazing but didn't quite have the nifty features as the Note 2 (but I feel the quality of the Note 2 wasn't really that great - pictures looked grainy when I uploaded them.. or pixelated)

So now I'm back on my iPhone 4S.. and I'm really, really, really missing the Note 2.. but the other reason why I returned it was because of the size. I liked how big the size of the screen is, but because i use my iPhone to play my music at the gym (and stuck it in my pocket) I really couldn't do that with the Note 2 and found myself bringing my iPhone still to the gym just for music and leave my Note 2 at home.. People have recommended to me get an iPod touch.. well to me that beats the whole purpose of having the note and I just might as well use my iPhone right?

I'm a tiny person at 5'0 so yes it's hard to stick in my pocket when I'm wearing tiny clothes lol.. and I looooved the features of the S-Pen .. and I find myself wanting to go back to the Note 2.. but i'm not sure if i'll get discouraged again because of the size..

When I went back to the AT&T Store to return the Note 2, the sales rep recommended I go with the Samsung Galaxy S3 even though the S4 will be out the end of this month.. he said it was basically the same thing and even with the 13mp camera you couldn't tell much of a difference unless you were blowing up the pictures to poster size.. and camera quality is important to me.. but I was reading some posts on here that the S4 will just be faster, quicker and better (and who wouldn't want that?!)

He also recommended the HTC One - which I don't know anything about (I at least like to read up on the phones before I try it out)

I'm also debating about just waiting until the iPhone 5S comes out (or whatever they decide to name it).. but I'm just worried it'll be the same thing (I've read blogs where the screen size will be bigger and other blogs where it will not).. but at the same time I really like iMessage/Facetime features.. but whatever I can skype right.. lol

So I need input.. I need the phone for web browsing, social media (more so instagram and facebook/twitter), gaming for myself and my kids.. nothing too crazy just games to pass the time (like candy crush haha).. but I also love the customization features of these androids (yes i'm a girly girl and loooove the hello kitty themes lol) but camera does play a big role as well in my decision since I spend most of my time using the camera and video for my blogs and videos etc..

what would be a good phone for me? All i've ever known was the iPhone.. had a taste of the Note 2 and want to go back kinda.. but the size is why i liked it and why I didn't like it

and thanks for reading if you've kept up till now :-[ appreciate any input!

 

[lpt2569]

I would suggest waiting until the HTC One and Galaxy S4 are out in a couple weeks or so, so you can go see them and hold them. If the size of the Note2 (5.5") was a bit much for you, both of these phones are a bit smaller (5"), but still bigger than the iPhone. And both devices will have a lot of great features that will meet your requirements. I'm thinking the HTC One may be better for you, the BlinkFeed feature it comes with sounds like it would be right up your alley. Checkout the hands-on reviews for a bit more about the two devices to get you started.

HTC One hands-on | Android Central

Samsung Galaxy S4 hands-on | Android Central

 

[FitMomXtine]

I would suggest waiting until the HTC One and Galaxy S4 are out in a couple weeks or so, so you can go see them and hold them. If the size of the Note2 (5.5") was a bit much for you, both of these phones are a bit smaller (5"), but still bigger than the iPhone. And both devices will have a lot of great features that will meet your requirements. I'm thinking the HTC One may be better for you, the BlinkFeed feature it comes with sounds like it would be right up your alley. Checkout the hands-on reviews for a bit more about the two devices to get you started.

HTC One hands-on | Android Central

Samsung Galaxy S4 hands-on | Android Central

going to read those right now Thank you for your response!

 

[lpt2569]

going to read those right now Thank you for your response!

No problem. And actually the HTC One is a 4.7" screen, so a tad bit smaller than the GS4, which has a 5" screen. Good luck!

 

[dorrien12]

I came from an iPhone 4s and I know what you mean about feeling like you're cheating..Lol

For the 1st week, I kept using both devices, the 2nd week more so my OG Note, by the 3rd week I was only using the Note and after a month, the iPhone felt so tiny (not as much pinching and zooming...lol. After 3 months I sold my iPhone 4s.

What I miss about the 4s: Siri & quick OS updates. By the time the 5 came out, I was mad that they only changed the screen size by a small amount.

What I love about my OG Galaxy Note:
- Screen size...
- SPen - I use it more and more...
- Customization (all kinds of neat stuff, and I
love that I can change launchers, right now
I'm using launcher 8, functionality like
windows 8 phone...pretty cool)...
- SMS option (pop up windows, had to
jailbrake iPhone to get this option)...
- Screen size (yea I mentioned this again on
purpose)...
- Removable battery (I carry an extra one,
power user)...
- Expandable storage (Micro SD Card)...
- There are lock screens (MagicLocker) that give you a camera button so as soon as you turn on phone, you can just click the camera, SMS, or telephone icons to go straight to those features before unlocking the phone.
- There are emojic cons as well, you can get those in the Play Store (similar to Appstore). And different keyboard layouts have them too.

What I don't like about my OG Galaxy Note:
- how it handles MMS (I get them but its
different).
- miss my physical home button (but the Note 2 has one...problem solved. Lol

At first, people said it was big and it's big to hold as a phone, SO what, I use a blue tooth.

Now more people compliment it, and now some say I'm getting one. In fact my family now uses the Galaxy line because of MY recommendation .

But I don't care what people think about my smartphone choice, I get what I like AND I am free to change my mind..lol

But it's really about what YOU want and like, I say if YOU are most concerned with the size, after time it will feel normal to you. Get a small cheap MP3 player for the gym (can get a tiny sandisk) and the SPen is the bomb, I say go for it.

Hope this was helpful!!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Android Central Forums

 

[dorrien12]

I modified message three times, wanted to talk about some of your pointers; camera, emojicons, etc.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Android Central Forums

 

[FitMomXtine]

I modified message three times, wanted to talk about some of your pointers; camera, emojicons, etc.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Android Central Forums

Thank you so much for that! I know what you're talking about though about the MMS.. it's weird.. it has like a play button on it for some odd reason..

from looking at pictures I took of the camera.. the quality doesn't seem that great.. don't know what it was though because i kept the lens clean always.. but everything looked rather grainy or way too blurry..

I have so much thinking to do.. I don't know! lol

 

[nickndfl]

If you are going on a plan, S4 without a doubt. If you bringing your own phone month-to-month, then Nexus4.

 

[FitMomXtine]

If you are going on a plan, S4 without a doubt. If you bringing your own phone month-to-month, then Nexus4.

I'm truly considering the S4 I want to see the camera quality though and play with it. I'm also considering the note 2 again because of the neat and handy s pen features but the camera on the note 2 (at least the one I had was not as crisp and hd as i was hoping)

 

[nickndfl]

The camera/video on my S3 is the best I have ever seen. The S4 is even better. Lots of special effects too. My wife has an HTC 3D and it is the equivalent of an S1.

 

[FitMomXtine]

Okay so I'm closer to making up my mind. I've narrowed it down between the S4 and Note 2. Can't decide between the two lol.

 

[Glitzy35]

I'm having the same problem as you all the time. Keep switching back and forth between my iphone 4s and my galaxy s3. I even had the iPhone 5 at one point but had to get rid of it due to poor call quality. I love the Apple app store and the ease of use on the iPhone 5. But I also love my awesome s3 which in using right now.I can't bring myself to get rid of my iphone. The 4s is way better then the iPhone 5. I honestly think this time in gonna stick with my S3 and even go for the S4 or Note3.I'll keep the trusty iphone around for my games and just in case anything happens to my Samsung. Or just when I feel like switching back. But I love being able to watch movies and read tapatalk or other stuff at the same time. Love my S3 and love my iphone as well. I say keep the iPhone around and get your Samsung fix too. Right now I'm comfy and cozy with my Sammy. But by this time next month who knows, might be into the iPhone again!!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[FitMomXtine]

I'm having the same problem as you all the time. Keep switching back and forth between my iphone 4s and my galaxy s3. I even had the iPhone 5 at one point but had to get rid of it due to poor call quality. I love the Apple app store and the ease of use on the iPhone 5. But I also love my awesome s3 which in using right now.I can't bring myself to get rid of my iphone. The 4s is way better then the iPhone 5. I honestly think this time in gonna stick with my S3 and even go for the S4 or Note3.I'll keep the trusty iphone around for my games and just in case anything happens to my Samsung. Or just when I feel like switching back. But I love being able to watch movies and read tapatalk or other stuff at the same time. Love my S3 and love my iphone as well. I say keep the iPhone around and get your Samsung fix too. Right now I'm comfy and cozy with my Sammy. But by this time next month who knows, might be into the iPhone again!!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

i totally agree I love the apple store and the ease of using it and how easy the iPhone 4S is to use.. But I also love how you can customize everything about the Note 2 (and i'm guessing the Galaxy S4) without needing to root it.. unlike the iPhone you need to jailbreak it to change the font etc etc. I can't even jailbreak my phone because I didn't know there was no jailbreak available for 6.1.3 so even still i'm just waiting for a jailbreak version for my phone and getting quite impatient lol.

I mean I can just get my "bigger screen" fix with my iPad and still facetime/iMessage on there too.. and I guess I can use my S4 (if I decide to get it) for my samsung fix.. the thing is whatever phone I decide (note 2 or S4, the Note 3 is out of the question for me.. screen is going to be way too big if it is 6.3") I'm going to be selling my iPhone 4S to cover the cost of the phone..

so.. decisions... decisions.. but yes I still want an android! :-*

 

[bigdaddytee]

Have you considered a Nexus 4? It isn't "huge", and it isn't expensive, you can buy it on the Play Store for $199/249 (8/16gb). Plus, it's a fix of pure Android. That way you won't have to sell your iPhone, and you can still enjoy Android.

Sent from the (4.2 updated) redheaded stepchild of the Nexii

 

[FitMomXtine]

Have you considered a Nexus 4? It isn't "huge", and it isn't expensive, you can buy it on the Play Store for $199/249 (8/16gb). Plus, it's a fix of pure Android. That way you won't have to sell your iPhone, and you can still enjoy Android.

Sent from the (4.2 updated) redheaded stepchild of the Nexii

No I haven't at all.. because these were the only two phones that caught my eye and i'm already struggling with deciding I don't know if I want to add another phone to the mix lol.. but no matter what i'm not keeping my iPhone (like i mentioned, i'm going to use the money i get from my iPhone for the new phone I'm getting )

 

[ring o fire]

All of the things you mentioned in your original post I had worried about as well. Me and most of my family have iPhones so we all used iMessage and got used to the emoji's and things of that nature but I got really bored with the iPhone. I have used the HTC One X, S3 and now I am on the Nexus 4. I have to honestly say that the Nexus 4 is freaking amazing and blows the rest out of the water. It isn't huge but is super fast and has great functionality. People talk about expandable storage and a removable battery but we are already used to not having those things (the "we" being iphone users). I have to say the Nexus 4 is the way to go. You won't have to resign a contract, which was important to me, and the phone takes great pictures and handles music very well. The screen is beautiful and the phone just feels great in your hand. I know you are set on the HTC One of the S4 but I say look into the N4 and but look in to the others as well because they are excellent phones as well. I just didn't like Touchwhiz (s4) or sense(HTC One) although I haven't use the One so I can't speak for it.

That is my ranty opinion but I think that any of the 2 (3) choices laid out on the table currently are great choices and even better alternatives to the iPhone.

 

[FitMomXtine]

All of the things you mentioned in your original post I had worried about as well. Me and most of my family have iPhones so we all used iMessage and got used to the emoji's and things of that nature but I got really bored with the iPhone. I have used the HTC One X, S3 and now I am on the Nexus 4. I have to honestly say that the Nexus 4 is freaking amazing and blows the rest out of the water. It isn't huge but is super fast and has great functionality. People talk about expandable storage and a removable battery but we are already used to not having those things (the "we" being iphone users). I have to say the Nexus 4 is the way to go. You won't have to resign a contract, which was important to me, and the phone takes great pictures and handles music very well. The screen is beautiful and the phone just feels great in your hand. I know you are set on the HTC One of the S4 but I say look into the N4 and but look in to the others as well because they are excellent phones as well. I just didn't like Touchwhiz (s4) or sense(HTC One) although I haven't use the One so I can't speak for it.

That is my ranty opinion but I think that any of the 2 (3) choices laid out on the table currently are great choices and even better alternatives to the iPhone.

I Did take a look at the N4.. and although i do like that idea at how straight android it is.. The only options are for the 8GB and 16GB and my current phone (iPhone 4s) is 32gb and it's almost full.. so I know 16 would not be enough for me.. it does look like a great phone and it got some pretty amazing reviews but I think I have my heart already set on the Note 2 or the SG4... I'm not even considering the HTC One anymore. I think the two I mentioned would be best for me.. I just don't know which one out of the two lol.. that's where my decision lies.

I do appreciate your input though! very much appreciated!

 

[rankar7]

I Did take a look at the N4.. and although i do like that idea at how straight android it is.. The only options are for the 8GB and 16GB and my current phone (iPhone 4s) is 32gb and it's almost full.. so I know 16 would not be enough for me.. it does look like a great phone and it got some pretty amazing reviews but I think I have my heart already set on the Note 2 or the SG4... I'm not even considering the HTC One anymore. I think the two I mentioned would be best for me.. I just don't know which one out of the two lol.. that's where my decision lies.

I do appreciate your input though! very much appreciated!

i saw that you were getting the hang of things on the note2 boards. i think you'd enjoy the s4 (nice continuity from the note2), and with a lot of chatter happening now about 128gb microsd cards coming out possibly before the summer, you won't be left wanting. and besides, i'm 6'1" 215lbs, and sometimes in regular jeans the note2 gets in the way for me when I have to pick something up off the floor. i have to move the phone to the outside of my jeans pocket (i just nudge it to the outside, i don't take it out of the pocket) and then everything is cool. i can't imagine how you'd manage that in petite jeans.

 

[FitMomXtine]

i saw that you were getting the hang of things on the note2 boards. i think you'd enjoy the s4 (nice continuity from the note2), and with a lot of chatter happening now about 128gb microsd cards coming out possibly before the summer, you won't be left wanting. and besides, i'm 6'1" 215lbs, and sometimes in regular jeans the note2 gets in the way for me when I have to pick something up off the floor. i have to move the phone to the outside of my jeans pocket (i just nudge it to the outside, i don't take it out of the pocket) and then everything is cool. i can't imagine how you'd manage that in petite jeans.

I really was getting the hang of it, I returned it because I thought we were going to switch providers and I wanted to return it before my 2 week window was up. I really did like how big it was (for reading, drawing, writing, playing games etc).. But it was bothersome of it size too because it couldn't fit in my pocket when I worked out. I never put it in myjeans pockets because they'd never fit, so I'd just put it in my purse.

I'm leaning towards the S4, but I know i'm going to miss the S-Pen :-[ lol.. everytime I do a pros and cons about each phone, I just try to justify each and cancel each other out and end up being a draw.. I can't wait till next week! I'm dying to get a new phone lol

 

[Golfdriver97]

I really was getting the hang of it, I returned it because I thought we were going to switch providers and I wanted to return it before my 2 week window was up. I really did like how big it was (for reading, drawing, writing, playing games etc).. But it was bothersome of it size too because it couldn't fit in my pocket when I worked out. I never put it in myjeans pockets because they'd never fit, so I'd just put it in my purse.

I'm leaning towards the S4, but I know i'm going to miss the S-Pen :-[ lol.. everytime I do a pros and cons about each phone, I just try to justify each and cancel each other out and end up being a draw.. I can't wait till next week! I'm dying to get a new phone lol

The upside to either the Note 2, Galaxy S3 or 4, is expandable memory. I have a 16 GB Galaxy S3, with 16 GB SD card. My SD card is mainly for music, wallpaper and backup files, while the internal memory is for apps and anything else that is small (mainly sound files that I have set for notifications, cause if they are on the SD card and you remove it, notifications revert to default) The touch sensitivity is very good for the S3, so I don't think you will miss the SPen on the S4. However, I think the S4 is capable of supporting the SPen (Don't quote me on that).

Now, which ever Android device you choose, and don't let peer pressure have you go back to Apple you have very good reasons for switching, you can download a launcher from Play, like Nova, ADW, or GO. I love Nova, it lets you change the grid layout for the home and app drawer, color themes, animation for scrolling, dock icons, dock pages and more. Oh, by the way what I listed was the free version, and you don't have to be rooted.

There are many threads and posts about people who are getting bored of the 'stale' and 'same old thing' on iPhones. And honestly, in my opinion, I highly doubt that the iPhone 5S will have a change in screen size, due to the 3S and 4S made no such changes.