Galaxy S5: 699/799? Forget it

[Scott7217]

No one wants a Nexus, especially not college students.

I can see the Nexus line being less popular than the Samsung Galaxy line for the general public. However, most college students have limited funds and a low credit rating. What would be affordable for them? Should they get the Samsung Galaxy S3? You can pick one up for $300 brand-new without a contract. You might be able to find it cheaper if you shop around.

 

[Soundtrack to Chaos]

I can see the Nexus line being less popular than the Samsung Galaxy line for the general public. However, most college students have limited funds and a low credit rating. What would be affordable for them? Should they get the Samsung Galaxy S3? You can pick one up for $300 brand-new without a contract. You might be able to find it cheaper if you shop around.

Most students, at least in NY and at the schools I've been to, do not pay their own phone bill or buy their own phones. I only know one person who has an off contact phone(iPhone) that they paid for themselves, but they paid for the phone on contract and then brought it to an off contract carrier (Tmobile)

 

[Scott7217]

Most students, at least in NY and at the schools I've been to, do not pay their own phone bill or buy their own phones.

I would agree. In fact, most students probably just stay on a family plan with their parents. However, the OP seems to be looking at off-contract prices for a brand-new Samsung Galaxy S5.

 

[Soundtrack to Chaos]

I would agree. In fact, most students probably just stay on a family plan with their parents. However, the OP seems to be looking at off-contract prices for a brand-new Samsung Galaxy S5.

His best bet is a Nexus then. Samsung has no reason to price their off contract phones lower than their competitors, so if he is in serious need of a off contract device, they won't be an option for him

 

[Scott7217]

His best bet is a Nexus then.

I think you're right. There aren't many smartphones that would be competitive with the Nexus 5 on price, which is important because the OP has limited funds. The Samsung Galaxy S5 is really for people who don't mind signing 2-year contracts that cost around $80 or more per month.

 

[Aquila]

Moto x is in that price tier as well.

XTNiT-1060 through spacetime.

 

[Scott7217]

Moto x is in that price tier as well.

That's a good point. The Moto X is about $400 off-contract for the 16 GB GSM version. You can also get a Republic Wireless Moto X for $300. It's locked to the Sprint network, but it makes extensive use of wifi to route calls. College students often have wifi on campus, so they might be able to take advantage of that.

 

[Aquila]

That's a good point. The Moto X is about $400 off-contract for the 16 GB GSM version. You can also get a Republic Wireless Moto X for $300. It's locked to the Sprint network, but it makes extensive use of wifi to route calls. College students often have wifi on campus, so they might be able to take advantage of that.

Just picked up the 32 GB for $380 on sale

XTNiT-1060 through spacetime.

 

[Raptor007]

Business practices shouldn't affect your view on a product. Business are in business to make money, if you were in that same position and in the right frame of mind, you would do the same thing they are doing.

You are right every company is in business to make money and I as a consumer vote my choice and opinion about companies I choose to do business with, I share those same opinions with others who ask me and help them make their own decisions so they can make an informed purchase. If people don't care that a company is borderline predatory in its practices then that's cool I take no offense to them not having an issue its their choice. We make choices everyday some are easier than others.

 

[Scott7217]

Just picked up the 32 GB for $380 on sale

$380 for a 32 GB Moto X is a great price! The Moto X and the Nexus 5 ($350) are reasonable alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy S5, especially for college students (or anyone else that needs to save money).

 

[iN8ter]

The Note 3 is probably the more well rounded device for a student, but it does have its drawbacks (price being one, if you're looking to buy on the cheap).

Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk

 

[A895]

The Note 3 is probably the more well rounded device for a student, but it does have its drawbacks (price being one, if you're looking to buy on the cheap).

Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk

It also depends on portability. A note 3 is kind of big. Devices like the Moto X and the iPhone 5S are more slip in the pocket no problem, throw in some gym shorts/sweatpants and go exercise and use one handed while looking at/doing something else. As a college student I can attest to the fact how convenient and portable a smaller smartphone is. I wanted a Note 3 badly but its way too big to use one handed. I see a ton of iPhones in college students hands. Devices like the S3 and S4 are still common to see as well.

Posted via Moto X or Droid RAZR M on the Android Central App

 

[dpham00]

It also depends on portability. A note 3 is kind of big. Devices like the Moto X and the iPhone 5S are more slip in the pocket no problem, throw in some gym shorts/sweatpants and go exercise and use one handed while looking at/doing something else. As a college student I can attest to the fact how convenient and portable a smaller smartphone is. I wanted a Note 3 badly but its way too big to use one handed. I see a ton of iPhones in college students hands. Devices like the S3 and S4 are still common to see as well.

Posted via Moto X or Droid RAZR M on the Android Central App

Does it not fit in your pant pocket?


The note 3 fits in my pocket even when I wear slim fit jeans with a large case (Trident Kraken ams)

dpham00, Android Central Moderator
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk Pro

 

[iN8ter]

"But it dies have its drawbacks."

I'm not seeing any portability issues. I put the phone in my pocket when I'm out and about just fine.

One handed usage may be a factor depending on how you use your phone.

iPhones are super popular on college campuses.

A lot of those students also carry around computers too

Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk

 

[A895]

Does it not fit in your pant pocket?


The note 3 fits in my pocket even when I wear slim fit jeans with a large case (Trident Kraken ams)


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/22/pe4u7y5a.jpg

dpham00, Android Central Moderator
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Tapatalk Pro

It'll probably fit in my pants but it'll be uncomfortable as I am short and have small hands which makes it hard to use.

Posted via Moto X or Droid RAZR M on the Android Central App

 

[A895]

"But it dies have its drawbacks."

I'm not seeing any portability issues. I put the phone in my pocket when I'm out and about just fine.

One handed usage may be a factor depending on how you use your phone.

iPhones are super popular on college campuses.

A lot of those students also carry around computers too

Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk

Computers aren't used with one hand though. We have been using cellphones with one hand for years now phones are getting quite large all over again.

Posted via Moto X or Droid RAZR M on the Android Central App

 

[iN8ter]

It'll probably fit in my pants but it'll be uncomfortable as I am short and have small hands which makes it hard to use.

Posted via Moto X or Droid RAZR M on the Android Central App

I'm 5'4" and 130#ish

It fits in my back pocket with in a case. Portability isn't an issue. There are much larger phones than a Note 3 these days.

One handed use for navigation and stuff is fine.

I've always typed with 2 hands so that is a non factor to me

Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk

 

[A895]

I'm 5'4" and 130#ish

It fits in my back pocket with in a case. Portability isn't an issue. There are much larger phones than a Note 3 these days.

One handed use for navigation and stuff is fine.

I've always typed with 2 hands so that is a non factor to me

Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk

I am 5'5"-5'6" and I have small hands so one handed use is definitely a problem. So things like picking up a phone while driving (not advisable) is very easy with my Moto X. My RAZR M is very compact and not much smaller than my X.

Posted via Moto X or Droid RAZR M on the Android Central App

 

[anon(27512)]

OP that's like asking Rolls Royce to price the Phantom at 5k.

 

[Greg C]

Why are people comparing the Nexus 5 to the SGS 5? The specs on the SGS 5 tramples on the Nexus 5. Specs cost money.