Iphone VS Samsung Galaxy - School me IIS

[bloodhound31]

I just broke my phone today by leaning on it up in the tower while cutting a big tree down...must have folded the screen over the edge of the rail. :mad2:

So, now I am thinking of upgrading to one of these new-fangled thingo's.

What's the diff? What do they all do? Why pick one over another?

Baz.

[Octane]

Epic thread is epic.

Popcorn ready.

H

[bloodhound31]

So H, you had an Iphone last time we knocked about together...what's your thoughts?

[pluto]

Apart from physical differences like size and weight they basically do the same things. I used to have iPhones and still have an iPad but I have a galaxy s3 now as I wanted a bigger screen, hated iTunes and was really keen to use the android app "DSLR Controller" with my Canon DSLR (which fundamentally can't work on an iPhone).
If you want something that works and you don't want to think about it then an iPhone won't disappoint.
If you're the sort of person that likes to customise things to work a certain way and you like to have a choice of software like browsers, keyboards, etc. then an android based phone might be the better choice.

Just my $0.02 :-)

[bloodhound31]

Thanks Hugh. That's good ammo.

Baz.

[pluto]

Oh and to answer the bit about what they actually do: They let you browse the net, email, play games, use apps (some very useful for astronomy). They also have built-in GPS recievers and compasses so the maps can be very handy. Not sure about the iPhones but the GPS navigation on the android phones is as good or better than any GPS unit I've used.
And they can make the odd phone call ;-)

[Octane]

I love my iPhone(s).

Smooth user interface, no clunkiness, apps guaranteed/vetted/centralised by the App Store so you're unlikely to get any nasties. There's an enormous range of software, both free and paid-for, to do just about anything you could want. Beautiful Retina Display (can't see the pixels). Simple to use.

If you want to be able to customise and have a lot of flexibility, then Android is for you.

H

[iceman]

If you have any other apple products (iPod, iPad etc) the an iPhone is great - all sync up together, common experience and interface etc.

The Samsung Galaxy 3 just looks too big to me (barely fit in pocket size) but from all accounts it's a very nice phone.

[mozzie]

baz i have i-phones and ipad.i'm a bricklayer and the i-phone has been solid and rugged with my work. it has a tradesman rubber cover and never let me down i know have one for the wife and she loves the ease of it..i get emails hourly for work and don't use much of the other technical stuff so can't comment on that side.signal reception is excellent and the battery lasts for ages..
hope this helps a bit !!!!!!!!!

[supernova1965]

Well I have had a Samsung Galaxy GIO and had to send the first one back waited 2months still hadn't gotten it back so they gave me a new one now it is playing up the same as the first one so now it has gone back and the story continues.

[MrB]

Thanks H, I laughed so hard I think I burst a lung.

Baz, if you know someone with one of each, have a play with their phones.
When you boil it down, they both do the same thing, just differently, and which one is better for you only you will know the answer to that.

[mithrandir]

Like H says. My iPhone4 works. Always has. Adding more and more apps to it seem to help run the battery down faster and faster.
SWMBO will be putting in an order for an iPhone5 tomorrow to replace her many years old Motorola "Dolce & Gabana" Razor, which also "just works".

[DavidU]

My son has the Samsung and daughter has the iPhone 4S running OS6.
Both are very good, the camera on the iphone works a treat through the telescope (not the Samsung). The display on the Iphone is very good and seems seamless to use. Some of the GPS & map stuff is better on the Samsung.
Kinda like Ford Holden type thing........

[Irish stargazer]

Thats why I have a Toyota:lol:
I have a Galaxy S2-good phone. I miss my old candy bar phone with 10 days battery life. Not a fan of touchscreens anymore.

[acropolite]

My take on the Iphone / Samsung , Samsung is an excellent phone with a mediocre OS, Interface and inferior app availablilty. Iphone is a mediocre phone with an excellent OS & intuitive Interface & huge range of apps. If I were offered the choice of either for free I would take the iPhone. If I had to buy I would take the Samsung.

Why take the Samsung.
Screen size does matter, it's one thing to have a retina display, it's another to have a suitable retina (or two) to be able to do anything useful with a (now elongated) postage stamp size screen.
Memory, the SIII can have a cheap flash card to expand the memory, cost almost nothing.
Battery, the Samsung has a removable and replaceable battery, if you happen to drown the beastie, you have the option of immediately removing the battery before the laws of physics and chemistry etch the crap out of the phone. When the battery gets tired you can replace, or even have a second battery for those times when one battery simply doesn't satisfy.
Cost, a 64 Gb Iphone will set you back around $900, a 32 Gb SIII can be had for under $600 (DWI or similar online seller) add a flash card and you have the same capacity and around $300 still in your pocket.

[brian nordstrom]

:) I got the samsung G3 as my phone of choice with a new 2 year Telstra deal about 6 months ago , and loved it , it was , and I mean WAS a great phone , we compared it to my work mates I phones and its screen was lots better and its OP's were as good , ( there is that word WAS again :question: )
But I did like it until it went thru the wash about 2 weeks ago and it aint gone since :sadeyes: .
I pulled the sim and are now using my old HTC again as insurance / Telestra wont replace it , bugger ,
But all up it was a very good smart phone , cant wait till my contract with Telstra finishes in about 18 months , imagine what they will be like then ??:thumbsup: .
I say go the G3 . Great phone !! .
Brian.

[clive milne]

Another one to consider is the Nokia 920 which will be released next month.

It will use a Windows based operating system.


The performance of the camera on the 920 is in a league of its own.
Also, Nokia's I am told have the best antenna technology on the market.

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/135500-nokia-unveils-lumia-920-superphone-claims-to-have-the-best-screen-and-camera-in-the-world?print

[mswhin63]

Had an iPhone 4 for 2 years and finally contract ran out. iPhone did not have the future opportunities I wanted regarding OS so I bit the bullet and bought a Samsung Galaxy III and not looking back.

Great resolution and now starting to support many of the popular programs you find on iPhone. The Galaxy is lighter and larger but still easier for me to carry around. I deliberately did not get the Galaxy Note as this is way too big for a mobile.

I also have an ASUS TF301 quad core tablet which is really great too and possibly it use swayed my decision as well.

The only negative is the potential for battery life reduction when certain options are enabled but I have disabled these options and gives me an easy full days battery life before recharging.

I also found the speech recognition far better than iPhone 4 but not sure of the iPhone 5 in this regard.

[mswhin63]

Tis a shame about the water damage, Telstra are adamant about insuring when I got my phone but still decided I was careful enough. I may though look at private content insurance for accidental damage as I think it will be far cheaper than Telstra cover.

[andrew2008]

If you buy your apps from the 'Play Store' on Android you can't get a bad one either. Only when you start downloading from other sources or rooting phones can people get in trouble. Rooting is fun though and can provide even more customisation. I did it to an Android tablet and it's a piece of cake on Samsung devices. The myth that Apple phones are easier for non-tech users no longer applies in my view. Android is very easy to learn.

HTC One x is my pick for phones. Just the right size. It has a much nicer screen than the Galaxy S3 and no physical home button. Also the HTC Android software is a bit nicer than on the Samsungs.

[Octane]

That's the thing, Andrew, it's "if" you puchase/download through the legitimate stores, then, you're safe. I suppose it's the same with jailbroken iPhones; if you download dodgy software, you should be aware of the consequences!

My understanding is that there's a whole host of ways of getting stuff for your phone in the Android space. Can't vouch or vet every single source, right?

Having gotten used to the Apple App Store, and, the way in which everything is integrated (if I buy on one phone, it gets downloaded to my other phone/iPad) is great.

Choice is wonderful!

H

[tlgerdes]

If you have content locally that you want to "easily" move to you mobile device, then android is definately easier. If you dont care for local content then Apple maybe your thing.

I am not saying you cant with Apple, just easier with Android. Android just plugs in mounts as local storage, copy content, hen open with appropriate app on your device, ie docs, spreadsheets, pdfs, books, movies, photos etc no juggling 3rd party sync apps.

[tlgerdes]

With Android, it doesnt automatically get distributed to all your devices. It registers it in their store and you select to download to each device seperately, still just one purchase though.

As H says choice is good.

[Zhou]

I don't own either an Apple or a Samsung phone but I am leaning towards the Galaxy in the new year.

Apple, perhaps lost my business about five years ago when I purchased an i Pod. The rigmarole with i Tunes and the short battery life of the device put me off their products.

I am also looking at Nokia's new phone as I have a soft spot for that company. I still have my old Nokia "dumb phone" as a spare, the only reason I stopped using it is because it is extremely unfashionable, I felt like a social leper when I used that phone in Hong Kong (Yes, I am that shallow:thumbsup:). The Nokia phone can not be killed and I have heard stories about them falling into toilets and still being perfectly usable. It will be great when there is a retro revival in old school phones:D. Also, I live close to the Nokia factory in Dongguan.

[brian nordstrom]

:question: I will definatly look at one of these Clive , look good , thanks mate .
Brian.

[malclocke]

Every Android device I'm aware of comes with only one way of installing apps enabled by default, the Google Play store.

It is possible to install from other sources, but the owner of the phone will need to enable this explicitly.

Malc

[Octane]

You can do the same with the Apple devices.

I have left mine turned on for the phones, but, disabled for the iPad.

H

[dannat]

I reckon Phil is on the money with hs points,
I used to have one of every apple device, ipd touch (gave o kid2) iphone (gave to kid1) iPad (prize from my dead hands) MacBook air-still use , MacBook (given o wife) iMac -home computer
I now have Android, the galaxy is the best alternative to iphone , it's very usabe-the one big apple plus imo is Still the App store- some places (business govt dept) have Apple apps which can make things easy-the sheer no of Apos s impressive & you can get doe real crppy android Apps, I think iTS much easier to get good working apps workroom Apple store

If you're not a big app user go galaxy, if you need the Apps stay Apple

[OICURMT]

Should someone give the BlackBerry a plug :question:


:D

[bloodhound31]

Thanks guys, lots of valuable input and you have well and truly educated me on the pros and cons of both.

I visited the Telstra store today where my current broken phone's contract is kept. Looks like I have a couple of choices.

1. Keep my existing $49 plan (still heaps to go on it.) ditch the handset and buy a prepaid android handset outright for $100.

2. Upgrade to a $67 plan for an iPhone (or android equivalent), plus pay out the old contract of $190 at $10 added to each monthly bill until paid out.

Seems it has been my year for broken stuff. Washing machine, 5DMKII camera, my car's air-conditioner just packed it in, and now the phone.

[erick]

Work are putting me on a new contract and I have to get a smart phone - first time for me. Going to be a Galaxy S2 - no extra $s needed for that one. I think the Iph4 needed extra $s and and I'm just philosophically opposed to the Apple monster.

Watch this space - smart phone meets dumb user! yikes!!

[bloodhound31]

Well, in the end I got the android phone from Telstra and I must say that after a few days with it, I am really enjoying it. The camera is so-so, but the display is fantastic. I have loaded a few of my photography portfolios onto the card and it's awesome to have on hand and so easy to scroll through and display so bright and clear.

The iPhone was very tempting, but I just couldn't justify the monthly plan as my wife already has one. The camera on the iPhone is better, but that's why I carry a 5DMK II everywhere....

Once again, thanks everyone for the input. I was able to weigh up cost vs features and make a good decision.

Bless ya's!!

Baz.

[multiweb]

I have a nokia N95. It has buttons that go 'click' and it slides out too. Wicked thing. :thumbsup:

[bloodhound31]

Sounds nice mate. I got the Telstra Smart-Touch 2. (https://onlineshop.telstra.com.au/prepaid-mobile/mobile-phones/telstra-smart-touch-2-black?tc=G|E|D|TP|tpreph|SmartTouch 2Brand~mckv_sSYDRlfIp_18065949190_t elstra%20smart%20touch%202_e)

[tlgerdes]

See, Marc is smart, he saves his money for astro toys.:D

[multiweb]

Actually it's the other way around. I have no money left to get a decent mobile phone.... :help: