Finally Decided to Switch: So Many Choices

[TomK1965]

I finally decided to make the switch to Android from the iPhone 5 mainly to get a larger screen. As I get older the 4 inch screen is getting more and more difficult to see. The problem (or maybe not) with Android is the number of choices. I never had this problem with the iPhone. After visiting a number of AT&T and Verizon stores during the past few weeks, I think I narrowed it down to three choices: MotoX, LG G2, and the Galaxy S4.

The MotoX was the most comfortable to hold and the easiest to use with one hand. The screen was bright and the text very clear. The camera was good, but not great. Believe this would have the lowest learning curve.

The G2 had a great screen and had very clear text. The camera was great. The size seem to be large, even though it was comfortable to hold, but would definitely need two hands to text and write emails. Had a lot of bells and whistles, not sure if that would be a plus or minus.

Galaxy S4 was comfortable to hold, was able to use with one hand, but had to stretch my thumb (I have about medium size hands). The screen was just under par with the G2, the camera was just as good as the G2. Also, had a lot of bells and whistles which makes me a little nervous that the learning curve would be higher than the MotoX.

Right now I am edging towards the Motox, but have the G2 a very close second, but not sure about the size. The G4 third because the screen did wash out a little under bright light, and because of the number of features which seem to be overwhelming.

Since this would be a two year commitment any advice would be appreciated. Also, since I am off contract with AT&T, any opinion on staying or switching to Verizon (my employee discount is the same for both).

Also, this concerns group messaging. I don't seem to be able to find a clear answer researching the forums. Once a remove my number from iMessages, will I be able to respond to a sender and the entire group receive the response, or will it go private to the sender. A friend has a Galaxy S3 and when he responds to the group only the sender gets the response, but I read this was corrected in later phones.

Thanks.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! I don't have direct experience with those phones, but from the many posts I read about them, it sounds like your impressions are not out of the ordinary. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them, to be honest. The main thing I'd say about size is that these larger phones will always seem bulky and unwieldy at first, but trust me, after using them for a few weeks, you'll wonder how you ever used a phone with a smaller screen!

 

[mth785]

If you like the G2 and the Galaxy S4 I would look at the Galaxy Note 3. Out of the 3 phones you mentioned I would go with the Moto X because I prefer it's size.

Via my Nexus 4.

 

[maybi0058]

Welcome to the forum and Android. I own a Galaxy s3 and can't wait to get the 4. It has a great camara and it does seem to be difficult to handle at first (I also switched from Apple not too long ago) but assure you you will get the hang of it pretty fast. It might take you a day to arrange everything to your liking and when you get bored rearrange it again and that is the beauty of Android, nothing gets old since you can safely play with every settings. You mentioned something about you hands being medium in size and having trouble using your thumb to reach the top screen while in use with one hand. Remember that this phone has a back button right next to your home button, I bet you were trying to go back on apps from the top left corner of the screen like on iPhone ;-) I don't know the other two phones but i think you'll do great on the s4.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Robert Lyon]

I made the switch from iOS to Android (iPhone from 2008 to early 2013) and wanted the best possible experience with the least glitching, and timely OS updates so I went with Nexus 4. I also ditched At&t where I was paying about $120/month in favor of Straight Talk with an At&t Sim card at $48 a month with no contact. An unlocked Nexus 4 is now cheap as all hell directly from Google on the Play store desktop site since Google is releasing the Nexus 5 soon which should be very similar to the G2. I have no major complaint with the Nexus 4 and I'll never go back to iOS. Like you, my primary reason for switching was the larger screen. Just to be clear, iPhone has the best camera or of all smartphones. Aside from that however, I prefer Android to iOS any day of the week. You should consider the Nexus 4 or the Nexus 5 and if I were choosing between only the phones you mentioned I'd probably go with Moto X. The reason is Google owns Motorola and the Android experience there is nearly stock with a few minor alterations. However with that said, there's so much freedom in ditching the traditional carriers and being able to switch phones at will. Although I'm totally happy with the N4, I'm actually starting to want an even bigger screen. The Note 3 size is appealing, but it's so much more expensive than Nexus and don't expect any future update to the OS. This is what you should expect with anything other than Nexus, and possibly with Moto X if the carriers have all the say. I'm not sure the X will get timely updates either in that scenario. Nexus devices get them within about 10 days of any new OS release because we aren't tied to carriers. Of course with Android you can always unlock, root, and flash a new version, but I frankly don't want to be bothered with that.

 

[benhmadison]

While all three you mentioned are great, I believe the x would be the best for your situation.

Sent from my White Moto X

 

[ultravisitor]

I would go with the Moto X if I were you. It'll be the easiest for you to transition to in terms of size, and it offers a very clean Android experience because it doesn't have a bunch of features stuffed into it that you may not even use. There's a lot to discover about Android and what it can do even without the OEM software additions. Most of the people I know with Android phones don't even use them to their fullest capability.

In terms of group messaging, all I can say is that if my sister sends a text addressed to multiple members of my family, any responses to her text are sent to all of us.

 

[Ry]

I have had no issues with group messaging on my Moto X.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Norgoth]

Why not try the HTC One(Here is a post of mine):

"I was, and lament not being able to continue being so, a diehard BB user. I really loved the physical keyboard. But between my PBs, Storm 1, Storm 2, 9930, Z10 and finally the Q10, I simply had enough with being disappointed by BB. So, I decided to move on after the latest round of fiascos. I had used an iphone before and immediately reactivated my iphone 5. However, the size of the screen, the size of the virtual keyboard and the new ios7 software simply do not work for me. I find that everything is simply too small and light colored for my eyes. I make so many mistakes typing. It was exhausting. I then tried the new Samsung Galaxy S4 and as far as typing goes and the ability to personalize your user experience, it is fantastic. I especially adored the fact that you could have two apps running side by side on the home screen at one time. The problem for me is that: 1.) I felt the phone was a bit too gimmicky with all the virtual stuff that Samsung included, such as being able to swipe with your eyes, etc. For me, it was more a phone for someone much younger than me. It is a great phone and software no doubt about it in my opinion. The real deal breaker though was that the physical phone felt cheap. I little too plastic. Coming off the well constructed Z and Q from BB made it hard for me to accept the S4. I read that the HTC One was better constructed and it is true. More like the Z10 in my opinion, not quite as large at the S4(which is a good thing because the S4 just feels slightly too large). The software and interface of the HTC has fewer gimmicks, but still has the personalization of the android operating system, a significantly larger screen than the iphone but not humongous like the S4. A great balance in my opinion. The only issue is that you must spend the time learning the operating system and get the phone personalized to your taste, as opposed to something like the iphone that simply works reasonably well for most people out of the box. The new Z and Q were a little like the iphone in that respect. Easy to setup and start using. The HTC requires a bit of time to get set up, but once you get it right for your personal preferences it is great. And of course, compared to the BBs, the apps are fantastic!!

I hope this has helped. The HTC is a well constructed phone, large but not phalet large screen, great apps. So far, I am happy to have switched. Think of it as a Z10 with great apps after you spend a good day getting it set to our preferences.

Regards, John"

 

[Gekko]

wait a few weeks and see what the Nexus 5 offers.