The phone dilemma

I have a two year-old iPhone 4 I need to upgrade.

The iPhone 5 is out of the picture because of the different form factor. My Mophie won’t work with it, and there aren’t any cases for it yet.

This morning, I went into both an AT&T store and an Apple store. Apparently the only iPhone 4S I can purchase is the 16GB. This would be a significant downgrade from the 32GB model that I’m currently using 26GB of. Furthermore, because I’m using my mom’s upgrade, buying a new iPhone at the Apple store would mean that my mom’s line would be deactivated until I ran over to the AT&T store to reactivate it.

I’m taking this as a sign I should finally make the switch to Android. What should I get instead?

22 Comments

Boone B. Gorges October 17, 2012 Reply

I’ve got a Galaxy Nexus and it’s pretty good. Battery life is probably going to be disappointing next to the iPhone 4S, but otherwise it’s a solid performer. Also, since it’s the “google phone”, it’s most likely to get Android updates quickest, running the least amount of manufacturer’s shitty chrome.

Daniel Bachhuber October 17, 2012 Reply

Does your battery last the entire day?

Boone B. Gorges October 17, 2012 Reply

Depends on how you use it. With moderate use it’ll easily last a 12 hr day. At, eg, a WordCamp, where you use it nonstop from 8am to midnight, it’ll probably only last half the day.

Mo Jangda October 17, 2012 Reply

Galaxy Nexus will open your world to new frontiers.

Daniel Bachhuber October 17, 2012 Reply

Oh, and the apps I use most commonly are:

Rdio
Remember The Milk
car2go
Foursquare
Zendesk
Maps
Kindle
Runkeeper
Evernote
Tripit

Andrew Witherspoon October 17, 2012 Reply

Windows phone. Andriod–

Erick October 17, 2012 Reply

I love my Galaxy Nexus. I’ve also heard really great things about the Galaxy S3.

Daniel Bachhuber October 17, 2012 Reply

What’s the difference between the two?

Hew October 17, 2012 Reply

Ha, nice. I’m making the opposite jump to an iPhone after a couple years on a Droid Incredible.

Android (Jelly Bean) is really nice. The problem for me is the hardware. It’s gargantuan now on the Android side with 4.5″+ displays routine and in a lot of cases lacking in craftmanship. None of the Android phones match the iPhone cameras either which is a big deal for me.

The clear market leader at the moment is the Galaxy SIII. If I personally had to pick up an Android phone right now, I’d be taking a hard look at the Droid Incredible 4G as the form factor is the closest to something reasonable and the build quality should be good if previous HTC phones are any indication.

One other idea to throw at you would be the impending Lumia 920. I played around in a store with the previous rev (Lumia 900) and I felt like the form factor was again too big, but the hype is saying the 920 will be a winner and the aesthetics of the design and camera did catch my eye for a bit.

Yoav October 18, 2012 Reply

I’m thinking of going Android->iPhone for the exact same reasons

Jonathan Desrosiers October 17, 2012 Reply

I have the GALAXY S III. Love it! Battery varies based on how much I use it, but 80% of the time I get through the entire day. I keep a charger hooked up in my car and throw it on there when I am between locations for some extra juice.

Russell Heimlich October 17, 2012 Reply

Wait until November when a new batch of Nexus phones will be announced. Don’t bother getting an Android phone that isn’t a Nexus one.

Hew October 17, 2012 Reply

BTW, if you haven’t stumbled over it yet, Phandroid and Droid Life are pretty much the Android equivalents of Mac Rumors and iLounge. You can peak some into the knownish future through there.

Donncha October 18, 2012 Reply

Thanks Hew, didn’t know about those sites. I usually keep an eye on XDA and Android Police.

Oh, Daniel – my next phone will be the Galaxy S3, but there are always better phones coming out so buy whatever you can afford and suits your budget.

Generally, searching for phone X vs phone Y will bring you to a site comparing the two 🙂

Hew October 19, 2012 Reply

XDA is terrific. 🙂 I’m not able to keep up with much there due to time being in short supply, but it’s such a great community.

Nick Momrik October 17, 2012 Reply

I have a 64GB 4S I’ll trade you for a 5. 🙂

Nick Momrik October 17, 2012 Reply

Got it at launch last year.

Ryan Markel October 18, 2012 Reply

You’re not the only one willing to make this offer. 🙂

James October 17, 2012 Reply

If you’re avoiding the iPhone 5 because of the different form factor, but willing to switch to Android (which is a different form factor), might as well get the iPhone 5. 😉

From what I have heard from those who use it, the iPhone 5 has much improved battery life. Even the iPhone 4S was better than the iPhone 4.

Alex Mills October 17, 2012 Reply

That was my thought as well.

I’m completely happy with my 5 (upgraded from a 4). Super, super fast and good battery life too.

Alison Barrett October 19, 2012 Reply

I feel very left behind… time to upgrade my 3GS, I think.

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