What's a guy to do? (buy new device or wait) ????

[Donald Schipani]

I thinking of a new s-phone this Christmas, as my 2-yr runs out w/ Verizon. I plan to reup w/ them but am stuck on what device, if any I should consider...or wait for.

I presently have an HTC Rezound which will go to wife so I will be in the market for a new s-phone. I really like the Sammy S4 and the HTC One (nn), but I am not sure 12/2013 is a good time to buy. I am particularly concerned with if there is a new awesome device that will make my 12/2013 purchase look stupid and dwarfed in capabilities/improvements, etc.

I am also impressed by the Sammy Note 3 w/ a stylus. More importantly, for this old guy with bad closeup eyesight, I appreciate a LARGE screen.

I don't mind widebody (read: prefer), as I am not very good at thumbing my way around due to a physical disability, hence I am a two-hander using a pen as my pointing/selecting tool.

What's a guy to do?:-\

Thank you in advance.

DWS

 

[Gekko]

sounds like a Note 3 is good for you.

 

[Gary Friderichsohn]

More importantly, for this old guy with bad closeup eyesight, I appreciate a LARGE screen."
You don't hear this enough, but you should. It is very important to me.

 

[dookie.]

G2. It's a phone, not a tablet (like the Note). Screen is beautiful, battery life fantastic, performance off the chart.

 

[lafountain]

The issue with waiting to see what is coming next is that something better is always coming next. Some are able to decide without issue what they want, and others are never happy. If you absolutely intent on upgrading this year, make a choice that you think you will be happy with, if you can wait for the next batch of announcements, wait and see. I know I am not eligible for upgrade until April, but will wait until the GS5 is announced before making any decisions myself.

 

[Donald Schipani]

Are there any guesstimates on when the GS5 will be on the market??

 

[Donald Schipani]

I agree with you Mr. Friderichsohn, not too many people admit it, I guess. I hate having to have my reading glasses on, then have to remove them to talk w/someone, then put back on to continue reading on my phone. Vicious cycle. ...and don;t even mention anything about hearing, 'cause I guarantee you I'll just say "What?", or "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you". As the song goes "What a drag it is getting old" !
Btw, your name appears to me as one that goes way back, true? Medieval maybe?
Also, I love the Pink Panther series. What a great actor.

 

[Ry]

If you wait, you'll always be waiting. There's always something newer right around the corner.

When you're ready, look at all the available options.

 

[lafountain]

Are there any guesstimates on when the GS5 will be on the market??

Some rumors are saying announced in January, on sale in February. If this is true, anticipate another 2 months after that for US versions. I think that is a bit early though based on the s3 and s4 dates.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[Gary Friderichsohn]

I agree with you Mr. Friderichsohn, not too many people admit it, I guess. I hate having to have my reading glasses on, then have to remove them to talk w/someone, then put back on to continue reading on my phone. Vicious cycle. ...and don;t even mention anything about hearing, 'cause I guarantee you I'll just say "What?", or "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you". As the song goes "What a drag it is getting old" !
Btw, your name appears to me as one that goes way back, true? Medieval maybe?
Also, I love the Pink Panther series. What a great actor.

Yeh, I have been told my name is German but i really don't know. I have been out of contract for 11 months now. I have been waiting for LTE in my area. I have seen a truck backed up to a tower three times in the last few weeks. They seem to have it all tore apart. I am literally 300 feet from that Sprint tower. I should walk over there and ask the guys working there, but in this day and age I am afraid they would call Homeland Security.
In that eleven months I have been off contract I have been paying the full price, even though the phone has been "paid for". And now when I want to buy a new phone I must pay more for a phone than a new account. And pay the activation fee, which is waived for new accounts. If TMobile was here I would switch to them.

 

[Donald Schipani]

Gary,
That does sound like you have a challenge there with the phones/upgrades, et al. You should go over and ask, what-the-heck, they can't do anything more than say no, or we don't know... but I bet they will tell you if they do know.

For now I will wait until at least Dec., since that is when my contract runs out. I always battle about whether to re-up w/ another contract (I would still stay w/ my carrier - Verizon for reasons mentioned above and great coverage), or just pay the monthly and no contract... Verizon is offering a new service called Edge), which is similar to the Jump being offered by T-Mobile.

On the ability to see front check this out... isn't technology the best! I love this stuff!
see here: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/new-screen-lets-users-go-glasses-free-933556

Thank you to all who have helped me try to make sense of my options. It is greatly appreciated. Thanks !

 

[Donald Schipani]

More importantly, for this old guy with bad closeup eyesight, I appreciate a LARGE screen."
You don't hear this enough, but you should. It is very important to me.

Isn't technology great! I love this stuff!

New screen lets users go glasses-free - NBC News.com

 

[Donald Schipani]

dookie, I agree... that G2 is a one awesome phone. All specs you mentioned are off the charts. I will definitely consider this phone, thanks !

 

[Gekko]

IMO wait to see what the Nexus 5 offers.

 

[evan_adams]

Sounds like you are talking about the note 3. I would go that route. Even if the Gal S5 comes out in January it wont have as big a screen. Also, the Nexus5 will not be on Verizon so you need not worry about that. The HTC One may get updated early 2014 but, for me, I wouldn't get an HTC right now as they seem to be on verge of implosion.

 

[Donald Schipani]

Yes, Evan_Adams, I agree on the Note 3... and frankly, I love it... Now the worse part... I have to wait til 12/13 for my contract to lapse.
I am thinking of "possibly" going with the "Edge Plan" from Verizon which is much like the T-Mobile exchange program. After 6mos. and 1/2 the cost of the phone paid, you can upgrade to a newer phone. Any thoughts on this plan folks? you can check it out here: Verizon Edge - Verizon Wireless



Note: Everyone has been so great pitching in and helping me... I truly appreciate it. Thank you.

Sounds like you are talking about the note 3. I would go that route. Even if the Gal S5 comes out in January it wont have as big a screen. Also, the Nexus5 will not be on Verizon so you need not worry about that. The HTC One may get updated early 2014 but, for me, I wouldn't get an HTC right now as they seem to be on verge of implosion.

 

[hal1]

Not thrilled with the edge plan and not sure it's worth it for me. I look at it this way. My new phone may be promo'd for $ 200 but retail for $600. I get a new phone about every 12-14 months. If I pay retail I spend about $400 more and own the phone. If I pay for the Edge plan I pay about $360 - $420 extra over that 12-14 month period and I'm tied in their policies (which I'm still unsure of). If you have the cash I think it's better to buy it outright than finance it through their Edge plan.

 

[Donald Schipani]

@hal1, thank you so much for that quick analysis... that makes a whole lot more sense, doesn't it...buying outright, I mean.

I am not sure what to do in my case or what is most financially beneficial, as I really do not NEED to get a new phone every year or so... 24 months is alright for me. Your opinion in my case?

Once again, thanks...much appreciated.

 

[BigScreenAddict]

I just ordered a Galaxy S4, I know the S5 is a few months away but I just can't wait any longer. Odds are the upgrades on the S5 won't be so mind blowing that I'll regret getting the S4 AND if they are and I do regret it I can sell mine, lose a couple hunred bucks and get the S5.
The key is can you wait? I couldnt.