I can't settle on a new Android phone. Current BlackBerry user.

knightfall

Well-known member
Jun 20, 2012
58
4
0
As much as I love BlackBerry and hold high hopes for BB10, I'm thinking about jumping ship to Android. RIM has disappointed me with promised dates quite a few times before, so I don't want to be stuck with this BB6 Torch for too much longer.

A friend let me borrow his old Nexus S for a week and I fell in love with the OS - that being ICS which he put on it. It's an old phone and SIM cards won't work in it for some reason, so it was a WiFi-only demo, but more than good enough for me.

This lead me to a tough decision. Which Android do I go with?

My gut is telling me the Galaxy Nexus, as it's the pure ICS with no flavours added (like what I've learned Samsung, Sony, HTC, and Sony do). Personally, I'd like to get to know the bare-bones OS first and then maybe the next phone after that I'll open my options.

Is this a silly train of thought? Should I forgot that nonsense and go chase after this Galaxy S3 that everyone seems so horny for? Will the Galaxy Nexus hold up well for 2-3 years?

Any input is appreciated!
 

Cyber Warrior

Robots Will Kill
Nov 28, 2010
7,239
2,519
0
Re: I can't settle on a new Android phone. Current BlackBerry use

Jumping to a new OS will take some time to master.. especially if you've been a long time BB user.. you are accustomed to doing things a certain way. There's plenty of members here.. including myself who were once Blackberry users... so no worries.

Your best bet would be to go to the store and play with both phones and decide which one you like best.. while at the same time, try to study and learn everything you can about the Android OS by reading the General Help + Tips & Tricks threads and watch some You Tube videos or better yet.. have your friend explain the difference between the different manufacturers and their phones.

You have two Samsung phones in question.. The GNex has a great community for development and should have no problem receiving the newest OS when released. The GSIII.. will also have a great community for development due to the popularity of it being on numerous different carriers. What you need to decide is if you want a pure Google phone or Samsungs TouchWiz interface/skin... which by the way can be easily changed by a custom ROM to give you that stock ICS look.

As for your question on whether or not these two phones will be great in two years from now.. yes both phones will hold up fairly well amongst the rest that are currently out.. but just realize that new and better phones will be released every year so its almost impossible for the average consumer to have the top of the line phone. Its a constant change in technology... by next year there will be newer and better phones out with cooler features, newer hardware, etc. Now this doesn't mean that the GNex and GS3 will be bad phones in a year from now.. there will just be newer and better phones being pushed out throughout those two years.. there's nothing you can really do about that though... unless you can afford to switch new devices every six months to a year.

To give you a quick and simple answer.. yes both devices will still be great phones in a years time that I'm sure you'll love no matter which one you choose... they're both powerful phones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: knightfall

knightfall

Well-known member
Jun 20, 2012
58
4
0
Re: I can't settle on a new Android phone. Current BlackBerry use

CW, thanks for that detailed response. Much appreciated.

I've been doing about 90% of your suggestions already. I've gone to several Rogers stores, Best Buys, etc. and demo'd the other Android options out there. I've also been reading through the threads here on Android Central as time allows. I'm familiar with the layout since I'm a regular visitor over at CrackBerry.

Said friend who loaned me this device is actually an iPhone guy and only had the one device to try "the other side". He likes it, but not as much as Apple overall. I am an Apple fan, but not for their mobile products. I don't like the restrictions they've set in place.

Still leaning towards the Google phone overall as my entrance to Android. I suppose when I made my original post, I was looking to see if other people here would jump in and say, "No! Don't do it!".
 

jerryjerryjerry

New member
Jul 26, 2012
3
0
0
Re: I can't settle on a new Android phone. Current BlackBerry use

Doesn't matter because whichever Android phone you choose, in 3 months there will be something "better" with 0.2 more ghz and a 5" screen instead of a 4.9" screen. The Android treadmill never leads you anywhere except down a path of endlessly wanting to change or upgrade something whether it's your ROM or your home screen or your phone.

When a phone is designed well from the beginning, you just want to use the phone and enjoy it and get on with living life in the real world outside your cell phone screen. Once you figure that out, you walk away from Android and never look back. iPhone or Windows Phone are the way to go.
 

knightfall

Well-known member
Jun 20, 2012
58
4
0
Wow... that mentality does not apply to everyone.

Also FYI, ALL phone companies will release newer and better phones frequently. If you think Apple or Windows phone won't lead people other than yourself to wanting the next rendition, you're living in a dream world. I'd be buying a new phone every year to keep up with Apple because that's the way I am. Even BlackBerry was pumping out new phones like candy and a few left me wanting to upgrade.

FYI, since making this thread I bought the G Nexus and haven't looked back. :D

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums
 

wschlitz

Member
Sep 2, 2012
23
1
0
Re: I can't settle on a new Android phone. Current BlackBerry use

Uh, Galaxy Nexus. Love the untouched flavor of ICS/JB...plus it's a fantastic phone. Brilliant screen, nice design. It's just...awesome.

Beware the battery life.

Well, you have one. xD
 

agentmobile

Active member
Jul 11, 2012
38
1
0
Good choice! Got to messing around with one the other day and loved it, plus its kind of future proofed with the on screen buttons on the bottom of the screen, I feel like that's gonna be the direction android goes with removing physical home buttons altogether. So new OS updates for you should be a breeze. I'm using an iPhone right now tho so what do I know? Lol
I'm getting a GS3 tmrw , can't wait! Trading iPhone for brand new S3 :)


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk
 

LG1963

New member
Oct 3, 2012
3
0
0
I too have been a long time blackberry user with a 9800 and my wife using a newer bold 9790. Last month I bought the gs3. I have to say I am totally impressed. Really like this phone. Didn't think I would like the big phone but when you get used to it I would have it no other way now. It is a very fast phone and I can only imagine what it will be like after it gets the jellybean upgrade
 

SandMulls

New member
Aug 30, 2012
3
0
0
I do agree with knightfall. Androids are swarming the market and every now and then, when you get to look at an ad, you will notice that a better phone is available. What I do in order not to be pulled into the "new phone every time" dilemma is to buy one now and say to myself that I'll be using it for at least a year before I look at another phone. Helps me not to drool whenever new gadgets are released in the market. :)
 

knightfall

Well-known member
Jun 20, 2012
58
4
0
I've subscribed to this thread so I'm still seeing the replies.

The Galaxy Nexus has been a dream. Great introductory to Android. I also just received the 4.1.2 update this afternoon. I enjoy being at the top of the list when it comes to receiving the latest and greatest from Google. I'm just the type of person to care about such things.

BlackBerry has been left to far behind me, it's not even funny. I sold the PlayBook a few months ago and picked up an Asus Transformer. Much happier now with my mobile toys. :cool:
 

papa54

Well-known member
Feb 24, 2011
590
15
0
Re: I can't settle on a new Android phone. Current BlackBerry use

didnt know where to post this so if its in the wrong spot please feel free to move or del it. I'm kinda in the same boat as the other fellow except maybe not as bad. I use a Droid Charge by Samsung and have flashed odin'ed etc.. my only question is what would be my better choice to move up to 1.(Droid Razor Max HD, Droid Razor HD or the Samsung Galaxy S3. i am in this delima because i had my heart set to get the Gal S 3, But then i saw the Droid Razor Maxx HD large internal storage.. But I love that amolode screen. i play with the GS3 for a bit but got confused about processor GHZ saw it was a 1.5 mhz Hummingbird and fell in love, but that DRoid Razor Max 2 hd with ample internal storage and cant make up my mind which to get.. oh and i'll lose my unlimited data.. I just want to buy the newest kid on the block, but I also want to be able to mess around with the ph.. i have subscribed to this section because i am tired of hold my head a certain way or lay back in lounge chair, with out losing signal., I am border lineon top this mtn. Verizon works ,none of this rest work. I'm hoping that one of the top 2 contenders will hell my service.. please make replies.. thx
 

Forum statistics

Threads
951,295
Messages
6,952,429
Members
3,162,318
Latest member
DBH-PJ