Switching from iPhone (AT&T) to Sprint?

[Gary86]

Hello everyone...

I currently have an iPhone 4 and have always had iPhones. I'm thinking of switching to Sprint bc the AT&T bill is higher than I would like. I have some questions before I actually make the switch...

I'm looking at the Nexus S 4G from Google; HTC EVO Shift 4G or Samsung Epic 4G. Any thoughts on which of the 3 is the better device.

My wife and I both need email (we have gmail), texting, internet, camera's (front and rear if possible).

I know very little to nothing about Android phones but I've heard Honeycomb is the lastest and greatest and wondering if the Android phones have this OS or just tablets?

On the iPhone I jailbreak to get some features that aren't native such as turning my phone into a hotspot. Do android phones have thier own type of jailbreak which allows you to manpulate the OS? I travel a lot and the free hotspot from jailbreak helps out a lot.

I have two Macbooks for my main computers. Do android phones work with Macbooks and iTunes for music as I have all my music on iTunes.

I'm trying to find reasons besides the lower plan on Sprint to change from iOS to Android...hoping you guys/gals can help.

Thanks for your time.

 

[kinster02]

Hello and welcome to AC.

1) The Nexus is the only one out of the three with a front facing camera.

2) Tablets are the only devices with the honeycomb OS

3) Yes, the jail break is called rooting which you need for free wireless tethering.

4) You will need a program such as double twist available in the market to download from itunes.

5) Unlimited data, unlimited calling to cellphones, nights and weeks starts at 7pm instead of 9pm.

6) Don't know if its true but there's rumor that Sprint may get the next iphone?

 

[dchawk81]

The Epic also has a FFC. Don't know about the Shift but you can find out with a simple google search.

"Best phone" is subjective. That's why there are so many available.

 

[werkx]

agree with all that's said so far. with the three phones mentioned and since you are coming from iphone 4, you will be disappointed with the htc shift. the nexus s would be the closest to your current phone in regards to form factor and capabilities.

 

[Verdes8891]

You will not be disappointed in the switch from AT&T to Sprint

 

[chud]

The NS4G has free wireless tethering right out of the box. You only need to root it if you want free 4G wireless tethering.

 

[NMherron]

I moved from AT&T to Sprint last year. I am still happy that I did leave the Empire for the Rebellion.

I have read a lot of grumblings of antenna issues in the the Nexus 4G. I was wanting to get one, but until it's resolved I will hang out with my Evo for awhile. Speeds are slower for 3G and 4G, as well as more dropped calls when signal is low and no signal showing in places where there should be one or two bars. The last I read, they were working on it. Hopefully it can fixed with a software update.

The Epic is a solid phone. However, in the age of dual-cores it's starting to get long in the tooth. Technology moves so fast!!!

 

[chud]

I have read a lot of grumblings of antenna issues in the the Nexus 4G. I was wanting to get one, but until it's resolved I will hang out with my Evo for awhile. Speeds are slower for 3G and 4G,

this might be attributed to the speedtest.net app. it seems to give results that are half of what you get when you do the test through the website and not the app.

as well as more dropped calls when signal is low and no signal showing in places where there should be one or two bars. The last I read, they were working on it. Hopefully it can fixed with a software update.

of course only speaking of my own experiences, but my signal has been on par and actually better in some spots than my Pre that I replaced. Now the only place I don't get signal is in the bathroom of my house but the window there has leaded glass so it's to be expected.

 

[NMherron]

this might be attributed to the speedtest.net app. it seems to give results that are half of what you get when you do the test through the website and not the app.


of course only speaking of my own experiences, but my signal has been on par and actually better in some spots than my Pre that I replaced. Now the only place I don't get signal is in the bathroom of my house but the window there has leaded glass so it's to be expected.

Glad to hear!

 

[zak]

I'm looking at the Nexus S 4G from Google; HTC EVO Shift 4G or Samsung Epic 4G. Any thoughts on which of the 3 is the better device.

Nexus S4G, although it does have some antena issues, it seems like most samsung phones do when they first come out. Might also want to look into the Evo 3D. It can be hard to keep up with since it seems like Sprint comes out with a new 4g phone every other month. Since you are coming from an iPhone, you may want to go with a Samsung phone as from my understanding about Apple's lawsuit against them, touchwiz is apparently quite similar to the iphone

My wife and I both need email (we have gmail), texting, internet, camera's (front and rear if possible).

all of those are standard features on android phones (well maybe not the front camera, but I haven't seen one that doesn't yet)

I know very little to nothing about Android phones but I've heard Honeycomb is the lastest and greatest and wondering if the Android phones have this OS or just tablets?

From my understanding Honeycomb is designed specifically for tablets. Don't worry though, any OS you get with a new phone from Sprint would be pretty sweet.

On the iPhone I jailbreak to get some features that aren't native such as turning my phone into a hotspot. Do android phones have thier own type of jailbreak which allows you to manpulate the OS? I travel a lot and the free hotspot from jailbreak helps out a lot.

Yes, it's called Root & Rom, check for info in the help and tips section of the website

I have two Macbooks for my main computers. Do android phones work with Macbooks and iTunes for music as I have all my music on iTunes.

yes and yes, although you may need an app in order to play the music

I'm trying to find reasons besides the lower plan on Sprint to change from iOS to Android...hoping you guys/gals can help.

more customization options, 4g depending on location, removable battery, widgets, video calls without needing wifi, charger compatability (i've never been at a friends house who didn't have a charger I can use, my friends with iphones can't say that) everyone I know who has an Android has different reasons for having one

 

[tompro53]

The Nexus S 4G is my idea of the best of those 3 since it is pure Android which means no manufacturer add ons, and Honeycomb is only for Android tablets but later this year Google will release Ice Cream Sandwich OS which is Honeycomb for phones and since the Nexus S 4G is a Google phone they will usually get the latest OS first.

 

[srkmagnus]

I would suggest Nexus S4G or the Evo3D...There are a few newer phones expected for release, the Photon 4G being one and another Samsung device. The Epic has had problems staying updated and the Shift is problem nearing it's end of life as well.

If you truly want a good Android experience get a newer phone that will hopefully stay updated. You may also want to wait a bit and see how the various phones are doing and what user reviews are. The forums here are great for that...visit each phone forums you are interested in and see what the phone is like and how active the community is for developing custom ROMs and hacks if you plan on rooting (jailbreaking) the device.

In terms of Sprint, I have had no problems...both with coverage and customer service. But then again, I live near a major metropolitan area.