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Cant decide between S3/4 and Iphone 5

B

black_jesus

Lurker
Hello, I'm am a 16 year old, and I am looking to buy an upgrade soon. I'm upgrading from a Cosmos touch so I'm looking for a decent phone. As of right now, my choices are between the Galaxy s4, the Galaxy s3, and the IPhone 5. My mind is more set on the Galaxy S4 but I'm afraid my specifications may be too picky for it. What I'm looking for in a phone is a comfortable interface, a phone that takes great photos (pretty much the only reason I'm considering the iPhone), and a device that has a great sound system for music. I also want a phone with up to date social app, since you know, I'm a teenager lol. One of the only things that worries me about the s4 is that I'm afraid it will be overwhelmingly big when using it, especially with one hand. How does the s3 compare to the s4 in terms of speed, comfort, photo quality etc. And how do both of these compare to the iPhone 5? Which of these SOUNDS like a better fit to me? In the end, I will still choose what I want, but I want to hear from people with experience. Thank you!
 
I would recommend the S4 it has a superb camera. The S4 is a little bigger than the S3, but if you got the S4 i'm sure you would get use to the size. The S4 is up to date with social apps to, you can get twitter, facebook, instagram, google plus, and many more. The S4 also has good speakers.
 
Honestly, asking a question between an Android device and an iDevice on an Android related forums might give you a biased answer. Same if you posted on an iOS forum.

If you want great pictures and audio quality, you might want to consider the HTC One as clemson suggested. Boomsound on the HTC One makes other phone's speakers sound... just bad. That's subjective to some, but that's my opinion.

The Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4 are basically the same size. The S4 has a bigger screen because Samsung removed some of the bezel to get in the extra couple tenth-inches.
 
In terms of actual size of the device, the S4 is about the same size as the S3. As Panda mentioned above, Samsung removed bezel to make room for the larger screen. The S4 will perform snappier than the S3, but with all the "Bells and Whistles" running, you'll notice worse battery life. However if you turn them off, you'll notice much better battery life. I am also in the group that suggests checking out the HTC One as most of the "tech nerds" agree that it's probably the best all around android phone out right now in the US.
 
Overall, I recommend going to a carrier store (like t-mobile) and playing with all three phones. You talk about how the size will feel, etc. That is very personal and the only way to decide is to hold all three at about the same time.

Keyboard/size, etc.
My daughter went from a physical keyboard to a screen only a short while ago - much like you are about to do. The only thing that makes her not miss her physical keyboard is having a larger screen to type on. The iphone screen (she also has an ipod touch) is just too small for her after being used to a physical keyboard. That, and using a third party app like SwiftKey makes it easier to type after her not wanting to switch from a physical keyboard in the first place

Interface:
Looks like the Cosmos interface is more similar to Android than apple. But that is something you can decide on your own when playing with both in a store

Photos:
I doubt you will hate any of the photos on any of the three you mention. But while you are in the store try to take a picture of the same object or wall from about the same angle and lighting. Of course the screens will be different quality (the S4 being the best screen quality of the three), but it will give you an idea.

Sound:
HTC One for sure here, but try them all and see if you can tell a difference.

Social apps:
Now that Android has vine, they should all have what you need. Check the app stores online.
 
I'm becoming more and more interested in the HTC One, the only thing that came off cheesy to me was the home screen tbh but its not that bad. Does anyone have any experience with it?
 
black_jesus said:
I'm becoming more and more interested in the HTC One, the only thing that came off cheesy to me was the home screen tbh but its not that bad. Does anyone have any experience with it?
Click to expand...

No personal experience with HTC Sense, but Androids are very customizable. If you don't like it, your could replace it with a completely different launcher and further modify that custom one with a theme more to your taste.
 
I am concerned that Apple is going to pull a BlackBerry/RIM and lose their hold in light of Android's recent success. they have brought zero new items to the table and like RIM are losing their ability to keep up. it always concerns me to have a device that may have little support into the future. as for music, Android has Play Music which is far cheaper than iTunes since $8/month gives you unlimited streaming/downloads, and iTunes is now $1.29 per SONG.

Not sure if it is merely a gimmick or if they make any sense but some Android devices have Beats audio iirc. Apple has basically the same audio setup it had in 2007
 
I recommend the iPhone 5 but if you can wait, see what Apple announces at the conference next week.

I know as a 16 year old, I loved taking pics to share which made the iPhone perfect. The camera is better than the HTC One by miles and better than the S4.

And having used and owning all 3...Apple gets better apps and better quality apps.
Facebook and Flipboard are perfect examples. They are just better on iOS because the developers put more effort into iOS.

And don't buy into this Android has the same apps as Apple. Over 80% of apps on Apple are useful and usable. Only 40-50% of apps on Android are useful or usable. The rest are just spam or just plain bad attempts at putting an app out there.
 
Also want to add that Instagram has been having issues with the S4.
Every teen uses Instagram now a days and no update has been pushed to fix the issues with Instagram on the S4 for over 2 months now.

Oh and you know every teen is using iMessage now a days. At least through college about 90% of people I met and texted had iMessage. No one except international students used WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Talk (Hangouts), or Kik.
 
chris2k5 said:
Also want to add that Instagram has been having issues with the S4.
Every teen uses Instagram now a days and no update has been pushed to fix the issues with Instagram on the S4 for over 2 months now.

Oh and you know every teen is using iMessage now a days. At least through college about 90% of people I met and texted had iMessage. No one except international students used WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Talk (Hangouts), or Kik.
Click to expand...

I have noticed that in reviews, the S4 camera is rated higher than the iPhone 5 camera. However , if you search instagram photos taken by the S4, the quality looks miles worse than the photos uploaded by iPhone. Has anyone else experienced or noticed this as well? I would like a phone that I will enjoy raking photos with as well as sharing them.
 
You will get used to the size if you buy a galaxy. I now look at my friend's iphones and it is just too small. And they say my galaxy is too big. But IMO its a great size.
 
gtbarry said:
Overall, I recommend going to a carrier store (like t-mobile) and playing with all three phones. You talk about how the size will feel, etc. That is very personal and the only way to decide is to hold all three at about the same time.
Click to expand...

This ^ .. even if you're making your purchase online.. get your hands on the devices being considered.

It's amazing how many posts we find in the forums complaining of how the phone "feels too heavy" or "the buttons are in the way when I pick it up" etc. ;)

That all gets eliminated with some time with the devices prior to purchase. :)
 
chris2k5 said:
I recommend the iPhone 5 but if you can wait, see what Apple announces at the conference next week.

I know as a 16 year old, I loved taking pics to share which made the iPhone perfect. The camera is better than the HTC One by miles and better than the S4.

And having used and owning all 3...Apple gets better apps and better quality apps.
Facebook and Flipboard are perfect examples. They are just better on iOS because the developers put more effort into iOS.

And don't buy into this Android has the same apps as Apple. Over 80% of apps on Apple are useful and usable. Only 40-50% of apps on Android are useful or usable. The rest are just spam or just plain bad attempts at putting an app out there.
Click to expand...

chris2k5 said:
Also want to add that Instagram has been having issues with the S4.
Every teen uses Instagram now a days and no update has been pushed to fix the issues with Instagram on the S4 for over 2 months now.

Oh and you know every teen is using iMessage now a days. At least through college about 90% of people I met and texted had iMessage. No one except international students used WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Talk (Hangouts), or Kik.
Click to expand...

I question almost every statement you make here. Any proof?

If not, you shouldn't make such broad statements from your focus group of one.
 
As gtbarry and Frisco said, go to the store. Hold the device in your hands. Navigate the screens with one hand.

Personally, based on size, I like the S3/S4. Easier to see/read/type etc.
The camera is great in my opinion and to see the pics is easier on the bigger screen.

I don't have alot of experience with the Iphone...only from what my wife and daughter used to have. :p So, I cannot comment too much on it.
 
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