First smart phone, I-Phone 5 or Galaxy S3?

[Dizzo1992]

Good decision! It was on sale on Amazon yesterday for $99 I'm not sure if the deal is still going on.

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[deadlypoke]

I found it!

AmazonWireless: Samsung Galaxy S III 4G Android Phone, White 16GB (AT&T)

 

[Dizzo1992]

There she is best phone on the market for an unbelievable price Buy it tonight for sure while that deal is still around!

 

[funkylogik]

tbh it depends how "into" your phone you are mate, how important customisation is to you and how tech minded you are.
the iphone will probably hold its value better and get firmware updates for years to come.
if ur a bit more geeky, experimental and indevidual then go for an android.
also once you start buying apple content, youll be stuck in that eco-system and have the choice of one phone per year whereas with android theres 100s of phones and your content follows you around via your google login details.
what is it that you want out of a smartphone that a dumbphone cant do?

global s3, UK. Ask me anything and ill reply even if its just an intelligent (or crazy) guess

 

[GalaxyOnyxWitch]

From surfing the forum for a few days, I can see that you guys express mild hatred towards the i-phone in general so I need someone completely bias. I've never been into smart phones (I know, I've been living in a cave) but I think it's time I finally go mainstream. If it was the I-Phone 4G/S or whatever VS S3 I would have automatically went with the S3. However, with the i-phone 5 revealed and all should I wait a week or so and purchase that? I just want the most for my money, and I want it to last the longest (in style and technology wise) I'd hate to get the S3 and then bam S4 or something comes out. The i-phone 5 is appealing because it's the newest of its phone, and so is the S3 but I'm afraid something new might hit the market and I'll regret. Thanks!

Looking at all aspects, i-phone 5 or galaxy s3?

With this statement here, I would suggest you go with the ip5. It is the BEST for beginners into the smartphone world such as yourself!

OK here is the bottom line friend.

Facts: It is your first smartphone ever. So yes there will be a learning curve. Apple is almost idiot proof. The only pain in the ass is learning and dealing with iTunes if you are not familiar with it.

Second fact: Apple care and customer service are second to NONE. If you are having trouble, if you drop your phone etc etc etc, you will be walking out of the door with a new phone. The warranty plans available for the S3 are abysmal. I WISH there was something similar. Perhaps some people's carriers or insurance offer better than what I had to buy for my S3 Via FutureShop.

Thirdly: Apple puts out a solid product. Whether Android fans etc are bored with it, dislike it because of what they feel are constraints etc, you cannot argue that Apple puts out a SOLID product.

Fourth: immediate updates for OS and bug fixes.

Fifth: Very robust app store with generally all apps available for your device. I still haven't found a compatible Plants Vs Zombies for my S3 supported in my country. So if Apps are important to you, Apple has a great app store.

I had a coworker who had never had a good smartphone before, or even a real smart phone. I recommended the iP4S to her (she couldn't wait for the iP5 due to time constraints). She is LOVING the device. It is easy to use, reliable, nice design, takes great pictures etc.

Maybe once she gets used to the ins and outs of a smart phone she may want to dip into a larger screen. But for a starter device you cannot go wrong with Apple.

My iP4 (2 years old) is now in my mother's contented hands. I expect she will get at least 2-3 years of use out of that phone. So if you are looking for return of investment, again Apple offers a good solid, long lasting product. A fellow student of mine, broke her Android phone and is using her ORIGINAL iPhone as a back up and it is still working well for her.

I know this is an Android forum, but in all honesty, unless you are a huge tinkerer, and customization and a larger screen (than 4"), and let's face it, if you have never had a smartphone before you are not going to know or really appreciate the difference anyways. I highly recommend the iP5 for your FIRST smartphone. Why not make things easy on yourself?

EDIT: I noticed I hit this post a bit late. Whatever you choose, enjoy!!

 

[brewzer]

If you get a phone from at&t you can return within their time limit and exchange for a different model but you will have to pay a restocking fee. I'm not sure how much it is but I think it's around $40.

I use my S3 a lot and I have the 3gb plan. You should be fine with that as long as you have Wi-Fi at home.

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[jrsharp70]

Look, I'm an android fan, switched from iPhone. I'm not going back.

But I think you'll be happier with the iPhone.

- every app you buy will work right
- in 2 years, it'll still be worth $200 at least
- you'll spend less time messing with it.
- Build quality was already great, with fewer duds, and now they have an even tighter quality control system that, in my opinion, was the coolest part of the whole demo
- photostream is just better than any other sync platform
-battery management is better out of the box. My 4s went for 3 days on a charge when I was just texting and looking a few things up.

These aren't controversial statements.

Get the iPhone, and it holds its value sooooo incredibly well that, if you hate it, you can trade it for anything you want, for the next few years even.

My $0.02

 

[minnieusa]

I read an article that said an iPhone 5 is for fanatical iPhone users and for 1st time smart phone buyers. more user friendly and will last a long time. I recommend the iPhone 5 even tho I am an android lover

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[Johnly]

Just get humble and get the apple phone. No reason to show off with a sgs3.

 

[TOPshogun]

From what it seems like you want you should go with the iPhone mainly because you have a solid year before another one is released and you get the most out of it until then. As with android there is constantly improving hardware, I'm sure in a few months a new top dog android phone will be released and then your gs3 will be old news.

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[Johnly]

- every app you buy will work right

As long as you don't mind black bars on the screen until the million app developers actually care to integrate both resolutions. I recommend the apple phone too. No point in showing off or having the best. Better to just grab 4 extra icons, finally some LTE (don't expect voice and data on real LTE networks) and a never changing OS, and call it a day. Play it safe folks, play it safe.

---------- Post Merged at 12:07 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 12:01 AM ----------

TOPshogun is so right. No sense in getting android when it is growing so fast and double downing on trumping. Just get a iPhone and turn a blind eye....it is gonna be alright ~Bob Marley

 

[Tkbredx]

I think this pretty much summed everything up with a few exceptions and little bias. Excellent article in my opinion

iPhone 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S3: Which phone should you get? | iMore.com

 

[funkylogik]

i'm agreeing with the people who say iphone as a 1st smartphone (ive never owned one) but dont start spending money in their eco-system unless youre sure you wana stick with it.
also, dont think anyones mentioned but the s3 Jellybean update is gona have an "easy mode" to help 1st-time android users

global s3, UK. Ask me anything and ill reply even if its just an intelligent (or crazy) guess

 

[KreepyKen]

It's probably too late to toss my hat in the ring on this, but I will anyway.

The idea that the iPhone is the clear choice for first-time smartphone owners is crap. I'm a Macintosh guy. I always have been. I'm on my 4th Apple computer since 1994 and between my wife and I, we've gone through 4 iPods. I love Apple and their products. Less than two years ago, I decided to get my first smartphone. I just wasn't impressed by the iPhone, so I went with Android. I had no problem learning how to use it, and I've never regretted the decision.

Now, on to the main point. The bottom line is that the Galaxy S III and the iPhone 5 are inarguably the two best phones out there (the Note 2 will be a beast, too). Either one you choose will be awesome. What you should do is go to an AT&T store when the iPhone 5 becomes available and try both of them (larger stores will have all live units you can play with...smaller stores tend to not do this). Just pick the one you like best and you will not be sorry.

Now, because I just can't pass up a chance to throw in my opinion, I'd like to offer a few thoughts that may help you.

Get the iPhone 5 if:

• You're already heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem (you've purchased iPad/iPod apps through the app store or if you own a bunch of Apple products already)

• You just want a phone that works without having to do any customizing or tinkering

• You always want to be involved in the initial rollout of OS updates

• You want to use the phone as a camera to take GREAT pictures...no other phone compares with trying to get macro shots

• You intend to use your phone outside a LOT...the screen on the Galaxy S III is beautiful, but it's practically impossible to see outside on a sunny day unless you have the brightness at 100%...and even then it can be hard to see

Get the Galaxy S III if:

• You want more out of your OS than just a grid full of icons

• You like the idea of customizing your interface

• You want to use widgets

• You want to be able to EASILY change default applications, like your browser and keyboard

• You're okay with having to wait a few weeks/months to get the latest OS

• Being able to use an SD card is important to you

• Being able to remove/swap the battery is important to you

And a few other points of interest:
1. Siri is cool...but Google Now (part of Jelly Bean) completely blows it away.
2. The Galaxy S III will ABSOLUTELY get Jelly Bean. The US carriers will take their sweet time rolling it out, but we should all have it by the end of 2012 because Samsung is getting a little more pushy with getting things rolled out faster.
3. Really, the Galaxy S III screen is hard to see outside (my single biggest pet peeve)
4. Both phones have (or will have) a metric ass-load of excellent accessories.

Hope that helps.

 

[jcp007]

The i5 appears to be the i4s tweaked with a better processor and LTE as well as a larger screen being marketed as innovation. It is playing catch up. I came from RIM and had very little difficulty adapting to Android. Apple is about user control and vertical integration of a closed ecosystem whereas Android is all about the user experience with customization options. Android is more about personal choice and the freedom to decide how to maximize your device to meet your needs.

Sent From My Samsung Galaxy S III Handheld Device

 

[20blks]

With this statement here, I would suggest you go with the ip5. It is the BEST for beginners into the smartphone world such as yourself!

I hate the iPhone and ios but I have to agree with you on this one

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[BIGPADDY]

Why not a Windows 8 phone the NOKIA LUMIA 920 It also good to have a thrid option it look great it has;

4.5 inch puremotion HD which is more HD than HD that would be good to watch HD movies and content in more HD
1280*768 332 pixel per inch
Look very sexy comes in lot of colours red, blue, green, yellow etc.
Plays music
It has games
Xbox lives
Nokia Maps

BEST PART you can wear gloves in winter to touch the screen big plus no risking ure fingers on frost bite :3

As well NOKIA needs the money so it going to a good course

 

[funkylogik]

Why not a Windows 8 phone the NOKIA LUMIA 920 It also good to have a thrid option it look great it has;

4.5 inch puremotion HD which is more HD than HD that would be good to watch HD movies and content in more HD
1280*768 332 pixel per inch
Look very sexy comes in lot of colours red, blue, green, yellow etc.
Plays music
It has games
Xbox lives
Nokia Maps

BEST PART you can wear gloves in winter to touch the screen big plus no risking ure fingers on frost bite :3

As well NOKIA needs the money so it going to a good course

good point mate. and even on the android side... dont forget the HTC One X
apart from all of this, ip5 and s3 are VERY different sizes. if youre even considering the ip5, large screen mustnt be a priority so check out some high end small screened androids..
global s3, UK. Ask me anything and ill reply even if its just an intelligent (or crazy) guess

 

[gbswales]

The larger screensize and not being tied into itunes are good enough reasons. Removable battery and up to 64 gb micro sd are too. Not an apple hater

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[rexxman]

From what it seems like you want you should go with the iPhone mainly because you have a solid year before another one is released and you get the most out of it until then. As with android there is constantly improving hardware, I'm sure in a few months a new top dog android phone will be released and then your gs3 will be old news.

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This just underlines that some iPhone users are into cool and not function. This poster is apparently more concerned about old/new news (i.e. "cool") then the functions provided by the device. Do you believe the release of the IP5 will somehow cause the IP4S to no longer function? Of course not! I enjoy my GS3 and am not concerned about what next superphone might be released in the coming months. My GS3 rocks now, will rock a few months from now, and will rock well into the future. So, buy the Apple. You are guaranteed to be the coolest for a year because of the Apple release cycle. Apple mindset exposed, at least for TOPshogun.


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