iphone appeals to the masses which is the reason why its so popular. Combine that + the jewel-like design and top notch construction materials and you got a winner. Androids appeal to another category of people who like to think their phone is an all in one supercomputer/tablet/game console/tv/hack device/etc. thus the reason why androids are so diverse. Both are equally good at what they do. No reason to bash Apple since the ipod/ipad/macbook are second to none. Iphone vs Android is a different story that can be debated for ages. I say use whatever you love and be happy.
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Help Can someone persuade me to get the S3?
- Thread starter Schiffer4
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- samsung galaxy s3
Easilyamused
Android Enthusiast
You could also disagree that the world is round, but....
There’s one bit of iOS misinformation that I keep hearing. Even supposedly authoritative sources such as Apple Geniuses don’t seem to get it. It has to do with how multitasking works in iOS.
Here’s the statement I keep hearing, and it’s wrong:
All those apps in the multitasking bar on your iOS device are currently active and slowing it down, filling the device’s memory or using up your battery. To maximise performance and battery life, you should kill them all manually.
The iOS multitasking bar does not contain a list of all running apps. It contains a list of recently used apps. The user never has to manage background tasks on iOS.
Except in a few cases, which I’ll explain, the apps that appear in the multitasking bar are not currently running. When you press the home button, iOS will tell the app to quit. In almost all cases, it quits, it stops using processor time (and hence battery), and the memory it was using is eventually recovered, if required.
From MacWorld. For more details, refer to How iOS multitasking really works | Macworld
I feel your pain. I swore off Android after the Droid for the lag and the some of the odd things, like the SD card and music like you say. So why am I here now? I like the S3. BUT... your experience will vary. If you read the forums here, some users get HORRIBLE battery life and the phone lags. Fortunately, my battery life is good- not 2 day stand by good, but I can go a full day out, like 7am to midnight. And my phone will lag a bit, but it might be one swipe from one homescreen to another... once every other week. The samsung s3 is easier to use, but I still find putting music on it a bit of a workaround, even with kies. Much better than my Droid, but not as easy as the iPhone.
I've gotten into hot water over this here, but I'll say it again- the S3 is old. The phone is great, but Android evolves too fast to cling onto high-end phones that have been on the market for a few months. Especially as the HTC dlx (depends if you are on verizon) is coming soon and the galaxy note 2 (if you are into phablets) is also coming out soon. And given how most phones (if you don't root) barely get the next OS update, if that, the S3 is done for. Why? Why would Samsung put all their effort into providing Android 5.0 on the S3s and get nothing, when they can just sell the S4 next year with the new OS? And rumors are already making the rounds for the S4.
Now if you are the type who won't stroke out if a new phone is released 2 weeks after you buy your phone or plan to root your phone, then the S3 can be found for a good price, and it would be a good buy then.
In your position, I'd pass on the S3 and get the upcoming HTC phone or the galaxy note 2 (think of it as an S3 on steroids)
With the iPhone coming out so soon, might as well wait and try one out, why not? And might as well take a look at the Nokia 920. See what else is out there.
I've gotten into hot water over this here, but I'll say it again- the S3 is old. The phone is great, but Android evolves too fast to cling onto high-end phones that have been on the market for a few months. Especially as the HTC dlx (depends if you are on verizon) is coming soon and the galaxy note 2 (if you are into phablets) is also coming out soon. And given how most phones (if you don't root) barely get the next OS update, if that, the S3 is done for. Why? Why would Samsung put all their effort into providing Android 5.0 on the S3s and get nothing, when they can just sell the S4 next year with the new OS? And rumors are already making the rounds for the S4.
Now if you are the type who won't stroke out if a new phone is released 2 weeks after you buy your phone or plan to root your phone, then the S3 can be found for a good price, and it would be a good buy then.
In your position, I'd pass on the S3 and get the upcoming HTC phone or the galaxy note 2 (think of it as an S3 on steroids)
With the iPhone coming out so soon, might as well wait and try one out, why not? And might as well take a look at the Nokia 920. See what else is out there.
Very true. As a lifetime Mac user I cannot/am not into rooting and hacking and what not. I'm at the mercy of the phone manufacturer to update the OS. Apple has Android beat on bugs and updates. Not all of us Android users are hackers or like using windows. iphones have no bloatware on them and no carrier is allowed to mess with ios updates. Google Android NEEDS to be closed and have Google update all Androids in a timely fashion. Sorry but having to plug my Android into a windows pc and browse hacker forums for leaks and such is a pain in the rear.
Easilyamused
Android Enthusiast
Well, many of those posts are either by people trolling or just making ridiculous conclusions.. Like the guy who bitched and moaned about how terrible his battery life is, and even calling me out when I made a remark to question his statements. Turned out he was getting over 13 hours when his screen time was 5 hours.
Take the HORRIBLE battery life stories with a grain of salt.
And rumors are just that. Rumors. http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s3/618996-no-galaxy-s-4-early-says-samsung-androites.html
This has changed with the Galaxy S3, although Google Wallet is not available with all carriers yet. There are still ways to get it installed though.
Background programs on the iPhone are loaded into RAM but not running. iOS does not have true multitasking at this time.
Have you tried enabling power saver mode? Also disable things like NFC, Bluetooth, and Wifi when you're not using them.
Battery life is a little strange with mine. Sometimes I get really good battery life and sometimes it just drains. I just took this screenshot, all I've been doing since I took the phone off the charger is reading web sites and watching a few videos, and power saving mode is enabled.
Easilyamused
Android Enthusiast
Disabling those will make no significant difference in how long your battery lasts, unless of course they are actually being used. Explained here: http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s3/618583-truth-about-your-battery.html
Power Saver mode will make a difference. Here is what that supposedly does:
CPU power savings from limiting max performance
Turns off haptic feedback (vibration)
Uses lower power level for screen use
Changes background to save power in email and browser (only default apps afaik)
Easilyamused
Android Enthusiast
iOS is capable of multitasking (and has been since iOS 4 if I'm not mistaken), it's just limited to certain apps. There are 5 specific types of apps which may be allowed to run indefinitely in the background:
1. Apps that play audio while in the Background state. A good example is Instacast while it's playing a podcast.
2. Apps that track your location in the Background. For example, you still want voice prompts from your TomTom navigation app, even if another app is Active.
3. Apps that listen for incoming VOIP calls. If you use Skype on iOS, you can receive incoming Skype calls while the app is in the Background.
4. Newsstand apps that are downloading new content.
5. Apps that receive continuous updates from an external accessory in the Background.
Well, that huge screen is the #1 drain on the battery, which explains why reading web sites and watching videos has drained your battery. Not much you can do to change that, except manually lowering the brightness all the way down. It's still going to consume power tho.
If you are a heavy user when it comes to "Screen On" time, you might consider picking up an extended battery.
Wifi constantly looks for saved networks when one is not connected, bluetooth constantly looks for paired devices, and NFC constantly sends out a signal to power any NFC tags (the tags are passive in that they are powered by the reader) that are near the phone. So yes, all three of those constantly use battery power. GPS on the other hand can be left on since it is only in use when you have the GPS icon in the task bar.
Easilyamused
Android Enthusiast
The power drain is negligible. I leave Wi-Fi on 24/7, and as an example I spent yesterday traveling around downtown (where there are always dozens of hotspots) and of the 60% battery used, W-Fi accounted for only 2%. Try it and check for yourself. It's easy, just grab Gsam battery monitor and you can track the actual usage.
Your Bluetooth does not look for paired devices; it's the other way around. When you turn on the headset or whatever, it seeks its pairing partner.
NFC battery use has actually been discussed and tested over at XDA. When breaking down battery drain while the device was on and in use NFC accounted for 0.5% of power consumption (out of 100%). This is only when the screen is on. When the screen is off NFC is disabled and uses no battery.
edit: I couldn't find the exact thread, but here is another talking about the power usage of NFC: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1761982
3vodroid
Android Expert
Easilyamused
Android Enthusiast
I don't doubt that you experienced what you stated, but what happened was probably not due to the reason you thought, or the reason given. It certainly isn't impossible that one of the apps in the "recent apps" list could have "hung", or something like Skype (which is allowed to run in the background) was causing problems, but I do think it's important to understand what that list really is - a recent apps list, not an list of active programs running in the background.
And you should care; you shared the information in a public forum and those reading may care that it's accurate.
One thing your experience does show however is that iOS is not as infallible as some people would lead you to believe
What to do, what to do! Any idea when the Galaxy 4 will be arriving? I feel like I missed the boat on this phone by a few months because I was awaiting the Iphone 5 but now I'm leaning to the Galaxy 3. I like the size, and the crisp screen plus I can use the accessories from my Droid Charge, and of course use the micro SD to expand memory. The thought of losing my unlimited data package doesn't thrill me but I'll have to get used to using wireless more I guess. Thanks everyone for the info on this thread!