Shopping for a Smart Phone - Suggestions requested - Ideas?

[NorthStar]

Bob - I have no idea what OS you are running. Windows XP? Here is one of the many benefits to Apple - call them at: 1-800-263-3394 (I can't check this number since it is Apple Canada and doesn't accept US calls). In addition, go to the Apple store OR BestBuy. Sit down and talk to the rep about the iPhone and your PC. I'm sure it will all work out. You're not the first person in this situation who wants to buy an iPhone or something else.

Yep, XP.

I will certainly do that Mike; visit the stores and hold the jewelry goods in my hand (that'll tell me which one is a good match for my 'sound' personality).

But I'm glad that I did start this thread because you guys are a good bunch. ...You are motivators.
It's a start in the right direction; several opinions with excellent info. :heart:

 

[NorthStar]

Bob,

Is your computer coal fired?

Yes, steamed vapor energy; how did you guess Joe!

* That's only one of the multitude of reasons why I love you so much here. :heart:
- Hamster; my PC is not that modem. ...And besides, cost more money to feed the little lovely guy.

** Do they make smart phones (China) with a mini hamster in it?

 

[Petro85]

Lmao!!!!!! Funny thread!! I don't have an opinion one way or the other, but I would like to say I have an iphone5 and don't have a protective case. Just a screen protector and I've dropped it a bunch of times and have beat the hell out of it and it is still in great shape.
Good luck Bob!!!

 

[NorthStar]

Thx Steve. ...The iPhone 5S is $700 Cdn, just a little bit over my ceiling ($500).

 

[dlb2]

Just rent one Bob.

 

[Matt715]

I'll throw my $.02 in for what it's worth.. I was in the same situation as you, Bob; remember my thread over at WBF? I ended up choosing the Galaxy S4 due to the excellent screen, fast processor, great camera, and replaceable battery. I was a bit apprehensive about getting such a large phone because they can be uncomfortable in in your pocket, but I've found it to be alright. I wouldn't get anything bigger, though. After having my S4 for 6 months, I still like it, but I find the radio signal (Verizon CDMA) to be weaker than my old Motorola V9m flip phone. As far as the phone feeling cheap, I have a thin silicone case around it so metal or plastic, I wouldn't know the difference. My battery life is pretty good too. I get on average 2-4 days on a charge depending on use.

If I were in the market for a phone right now, I think I would look at the HTC One, current Motorola offerings, Nokia Lumina, or an iPhone.

My suggestion to you is to go to the store, get your hands on them and play with them for a while. See how they feel in your hands, how responsive the screen is, and if they fit your needs. The bottom line is, no matter what you buy, it will be "outdated" in about 6 months or less.

 

[ohbythebay]

Mike, can I sync (Wi-Fi) an iPhone with a PC (Windows - Microsoft)? ...And perfectly?

The answer is ..No...

This is such a touchy subject. The IPhone folks are very loyal and they tell you "they just work"...yet the IPHONE is the ones that always seem to have problems. You pay premium prices and then you have to hold the phone a certain way to get reception. They release with software errors that NO phone should have (read up on it). Apple security sucks (sorry Mike, I know I said I wouldn;t but the truth must be known)

But IPhone people will tell you "Oh its the best, they'll fix it in the next release" Its so easy, so many apps...as long as they are coming from apples proprietary screening (apple has the least number of apps because of this)

What I am trying to educate you guys on is YES, the IPhone was awesome a few years ago...it re-invented smart phone tech...but, like the Blackberry, it has frozen in time and is trying to live on its name. The windows phone and the services I listed run circles around them. You have to accept that technology can move on, that NEW can beat old even if market share was heavily weighted otherwise before. How the heck do you think the IPhone came to be so popular ? And in truth, it really isn't. Android has it beat 8 to 1 and Windows is just about caught up in share.

SO to Mikes' suggestion. yes, sit down at Best buy, check out the IPhone. But check out the Windows phone also.

BTW...There is a VERY good reason why Delta, Boeing, hospitals, etc. are going with Windows Surface tablets. Some of their IT guys have IPads...for fun...but they freely admit, Ipad's can't do what Windows can. Its like trying to compare a Laptops (windows) to a Kindle reader...No compare

 

[MDP]

Bob, I think this post is your best yet !

 

[ohbythebay]

Mark...get in here and break this Up !!! LOL

 

[MDP]

Mark...get in here and break this Up !!! LOL

It's kind of funny really, I never knew that a cell phone post would be so combative :woot:

Everybody has been pretty nice though !

 

[ohbythebay]

I haven't been..I am too passionate...sorry...here is why

I work for Microsoft. Prior to that I worked for Tmobile. So basically, I have had ALOT of exposure to phones...

Sorry if I over-passioned...but Windows Phones still rule !!! LOL

 

[MDP]

It's all good Rob ! Hey I was wondering, did motorola move their cell phone assembly to Ft.Worth Tx. ? I know one of them did.

 

[RedSectorA]

My vote goes to Samsung Note 3, big screen and full featured including Incognito Screen . Been using it since it's release with no issue, very easy to operate.

Hey Dan, what's the difference between a Samsung Note and a Samsung Galaxy touchscreen (smart phone - S Series)?
Is the Note an iPad type like?

Same screen than the s4 but bigger with a faster processor. What I love about it is I can read without glasses, use it for both personal and biz and I've had no issues to date. Fully configured in about an hour with 4 different email server type. To boot I have both French and English dictionary on the fly. That been said I ain't no techno geek, just a happy user.

 

[RedSectorA]

Considering the size of my screen it's probably $300 anyways!

How big is your Note 3 Dan? If it is like a tablet or a large pad then I cannot exchange time ($$) for one of them.
Tablets and laptops are not included in my exchange. ...It has to be a smart phone (touchscreen, and the larger the better; for me, like 5").

* Next year sometimes I'll be looking for a tablet or a laptop; with a 10 to 20" screen. But I'm not there yet.
Perhaps Mike will have a good deal for me by then. Or a member here has a spare one he's not using so he can make a nice gift to someone nice like I. ...A laptop would be cool.

BTW, my PC is so old that it has only 40Gb capacity (and 3/4+ of it is already used; I have to delete stuff occasionally).
Takes about 15 minutes to boot it up (morning startup).

Don't know it's exact size, all I can say it's the biggest I found that's not a tablet.

 

[ohbythebay]

It's all good Rob ! Hey I was wondering, did motorola move their cell phone assembly to Ft.Worth Tx. ? I know one of them did.

Not sure Mark, probably after I left. I do know TMO moved their reverse logistics and repair to Texas. Used to be in LaGrange GA, full timers that cared. VP got the bright idea to outsource ..he was cutting corners for the ATT POTENTIAL acquisition...fail ! LOL

I used to get every new phone to try before release (friends with QC folks..lol). We played with Iphones too but Apple would not deal (at that time)

Now at MSFT, I see where everything is going and its amazing..Moto is another that is starting to fall off the map..not sure why...Thought the new RAZR looked cool...I have played with the new PHABLETS...lol..Phones are getting BIGGER not smaller...

 

[Mike]

I haven't been..I am too passionate...sorry...here is why

I work for Microsoft. Prior to that I worked for Tmobile. So basically, I have had ALOT of exposure to phones...

Sorry if I over-passioned...but Windows Phones still rule !!! LOL

Oh now I get it! You're biased! . It's all good.

Apple iPhone rules!

 

[NorthStar]

Hey, Beyonce (the young and cute artist female singer); did she just sell over 800,000 albums (her latest one; 14 songs + 17 video clips) from the iTunes store!
...And even before its official street release date!

Can I get that from a smart phone? From which one; Samsung Galaxy, Apple iPhone, Nokia Lumia, HTC, Nexus, Blackberry Z?
I just wanna know who makes the best smart phone, who's the smartest? ...Really!

 

[Mike]

iPhone!!!!!

 

[NorthStar]

Just rent one Bob.

Hey you know that's a smart idea Doug.
In case of a cataclysm (forest fire, hurricane, flood, ...) from which my phone can get hurt, I just lose my rental, not the entire phone.

 

[NorthStar]

I'll throw my $.02 in for what it's worth.. I was in the same situation as you, Bob; remember my thread over at WBF? I ended up choosing the Galaxy S4 due to the excellent screen, fast processor, great camera, and replaceable battery. I was a bit apprehensive about getting such a large phone because they can be uncomfortable in in your pocket, but I've found it to be alright. I wouldn't get anything bigger, though. After having my S4 for 6 months, I still like it, but I find the radio signal (Verizon CDMA) to be weaker than my old Motorola V9m flip phone. As far as the phone feeling cheap, I have a thin silicone case around it so metal or plastic, I wouldn't know the difference. My battery life is pretty good too. I get on average 2-4 days on a charge depending on use.

This is great Matt! I'm very inclined towards the Samsung Galaxy S3 right now, because the S4 is $700 (over my ceiling).
Is there a big difference between the S3 ($450) and the S4?

If I were in the market for a phone right now, I think I would look at the HTC One, current Motorola offerings, Nokia Lumina, or an iPhone.

????? Not a Samsung Galaxy S4 (or S3)? ...I'm confused now, not that you intended to or that I wanted to, but still confused nonetheless.

My suggestion to you is to go to the store, get your hands on them and play with them for a while. See how they feel in your hands, how responsive the screen is, and if they fit your needs. The bottom line is, no matter what you buy, it will be "outdated" in about 6 months or less.

Oh ya, it's part of the plan. ...The "outdated" part.