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iPhone 5 or Galaxy S3

SteveFury

SteveFury

Newbie
Hello.

I will be upgrading from an iPhone 4 to either an iPhone 5 or Samsung Galaxy S3 or Galaxy One Note

I've been an iPhone user since the version 3 came out in 2009. I love the iPhone but I can't stand Apple Draconian policies and restrictions. They have pushed, pushed pushed and I am right at the edge.

I know nothing of Android other than it's an iPhonecompetitor and here doing research so I can come to a logical decision.

I believe my phone CPU usage is probably at a common level watching a few videos, there's a couple 3D games I like to play etc. I'm also into 3D graphic design and have some related programs on my iPhone, but the iPhone screen is too small to be practical within the graphic packages.

I also use my phone to security scan my home network, ping websites.

The most important function of my phone is turn by turn navigation, which I've used Navigon's app and simply LOVE it.

It's most important my next phone has a high resolution larger screen than my iPhone 4.

I am really considering the Samsung Galaxy S3. I don't know a lot about deciphering specifications, but I understand they are pretty good, at least as good as the iPhone 5.

I was also looking at the Samsung Galaxy One Note, but if I am reading the specifications correctly, it accepts a maximum of 32gig external memory while the S3 can expand to 64gig. The One Note has a larger screen but appears to have a lower resolution screen. And the One Note is more expensive.

Years ago, before I began my iPhone purchases I was a Windows Mobile user for quite a while. I had liked the flexibility of the OS at the time, and I didn't like the iOS at all because of its relative inflexibility. But I had gotten used to the iOS and its imposed limitations.

Now I'm considering Android to free myself. Maybe. Maybe not.

There's die-hard iPhone users who praise everything iPhone and hate everything else. Alternatively, there's die-hard Android users who hate iPhone.
That's ok... what ever a person's into but I'm mainly appealing to those who have had both types of phones. Those who like and dislike different aspects of both who are willing to share their experiences.

If you were me, would you choose the iPhone 5, Galaxy S3 or Galaxy One Note? Apparently the S3 and One note have two different Android distributions. I know nothing of either.
Those seem to be my at&t upgrade choices.

I thank you more than I can express for replies. I may need to make my decision early as tomorrow morning.

-Steve
 
Welcome to the forums!

You say that Navigation is your most important feature. Android is great for this. Google's Nav app is very good. And it's free. In addition, because the phones you are considering have large screens, it makes viewing much easier on the eyes. The iPhone 5's screen, despite the size increase, is still way too small to be used as a Nav in the car, IMO. My first Android had a 4.3" screen. My current one has a 4.7" and I really appreciate the extra real estate. I find that I depend on the screen directions as much as the voice-directions.

If the other major issue is Apple's restrictions, you're going to really appreciate the freedom that Android gives you. I'm not talking about silly themes and other homescreen customizations. You'll find that moving your data (music, videos, photos, ebooks, Office docs, etc) to be a piece of cake. And as soon as you stick it on the phone, Android automatically picks up music, pictures, and videos. Sharing a file is a total breeze: FB, twitter, email, dropbox, picasa, youtube, etc. Basically, whatever app you have installed that can accept files, it will be an option when you use Android's native 'share' ability. You are in total control of your own data.

In the end, iPhone is a phone that runs apps. An Android device is a computer that's yours to control. It also runs apps and can make phone calls.
 
SteveFury said:
Hello.
I also use my phone to security scan my home network, ping websites.
Click to expand...
I have used several Android apps for this purpose. There are ping apps, network host discovery apps... tons of awesome android applications for networking/infosec

:D
 
I know that you've said you may have to purchase a phone by tomorrow but I'd advise you to wait if you have a functioning phone right now.

I think if you are into 3D graphics design, you should wait for the Galaxy Note 2. It has a larger screen, more power internally and a larger battery.

but if you must, then, consider how important a large screen is to you.
 
GoldenDiamond said:
I know that you've said you may have to purchase a phone by tomorrow but I'd advise you to wait if you have a functioning phone right now.

I think if you are into 3D graphics design, you should wait for the Galaxy Note 2. It has a larger screen, more power internally and a larger battery.

but if you must, then, consider how important a large screen is to you.
Click to expand...

I was getting ready to post this as well. Galaxy Note 2 comes out in a few weeks. 5.5
 
Thank you all for the very helpful replies.

Wow the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 looks really impressive and I like the larger screen. It's like a mini-tablet. However the way things have worked out here for me personally, I don't think that's the one for me.

I've been very busy digesting reviews from various sources on the Galaxy S3. Although the at&t version is dual core- not quad core, I believe it will have the processing power I'll need for the next few years. At least until the next upgrade. Wow I love the fact it can be opened up for battery and card exchange. I've missed that opportunity for years!

I've also been reading reviews on Ice Cream Sandwitch OS and browsing through the apps at play-google dot com.

Some of the iPhone apps I really love the most are available but some are not ported to Android. Maybe I can find replacements.
Finger 3D by NGCYBIT Robotics or similar is what I've been searching in Android apps.

Play Google even has my other favorites, iCircuit and classic DOOM.

I'm strongly favoring the Galaxy S3, but I'll need to have actually hold one in my hand at the store for its feel before making the plunge.

Please let me ask you all somethings.

1. Many times an iPhone software developer will offer their new programs free of charge for a short time upon its initial release. Some websites list these temporarily free apps. One such place is appshopper dot com, and I've gotten probably 3/4 of my paid iPhone apps this way.

Is there such a place where new Android apps can be found offered for free for a limited time (I assume to obtain favorable ratings)?
I see most apps at play google are free, but I mean the developed Android applications which are destined to be future paid-for software.

2. I've noticed virus protection Android apps. In your opinion, what is the risk of not running protection, or is it even necessary? I'll probably download/install some apps outside of the play google store from time to time.

3. Many if not most iPhone apps are regularly updated by the 3rd party developers, and notifications appear on the iPhone of such an update. How does Android handle 3rd party upgrades? Is it simply arbitrary between individual developers whether they offer these or not?

4. The Galaxy S3 comes preloaded with 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS. How does google/Android handle OS upgrades?

5. What is "rooting" your phone? Is that similar to jailbreaking the iPhone? I jailbroke my first iPhone 3 with Cydia for a time back in 2009 but honestly, it made me kinda nervous for lack of knowledge of what I was doing.
Cydia was gone upon my next iPhone sync, as iTunes required the phone to be erased and restored by backup. That was the last time I messed with jailbreaking.

How safe is rooting and can it brick your phone if something is done wrong?

Thanks again.
-Steve
 
SteveFury said:
Some of the iPhone apps I really love the most are available but some are not ported to Android. Maybe I can find replacements.
Finger 3D by NGCYBIT Robotics or similar is what I've been searching in Android apps.
Click to expand...

Tell us what you are looking for, as not all apps on iOS and Android have the same name :)


1. Many times an iPhone software developer will offer their new programs free of charge for a short time upon its initial release. Some websites list these temporarily free apps. One such place is appshopper dot com, and I've gotten probably 3/4 of my paid iPhone apps this way.

Is there such a place where new Android apps can be found offered for free for a limited time (I assume to obtain favorable ratings)?
I see most apps at play google are free, but I mean the developed Android applications which are destined to be future paid-for software.
Click to expand...

Only trials are available via Play Store, but they are either limited in functionality or have a time-based trial, no good for long term use. There are also free versions of paid apps that lack some advanced function or are limited in some way or are fully functional but ads show up.

2. I've noticed virus protection Android apps. In your opinion, what is the risk of not running protection, or is it even necessary? I'll probably download/install some apps outside of the play google store from time to time.
Click to expand...

If you are careful enough and think before installing you will be fine. I have never had a problem myself and have not heard of many cases of problems. I would not go for an AV on Android.

3. Many if not most iPhone apps are regularly updated by the 3rd party developers, and notifications appear on the iPhone of such an update. How does Android handle 3rd party upgrades? Is it simply arbitrary between individual developers whether they offer these or not?
Click to expand...

Once an app is updted by developer you get a notification about it in the Notification Bar.


4. The Galaxy S3 comes preloaded with 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS. How does google/Android handle OS upgrades?
Click to expand...

Do not expect updates every 6 months, but there is already an update to JellyBean 4.1.1 available for some S3s and will be available soon for everyone else.

5. What is "rooting" your phone? Is that similar to jailbreaking the iPhone? I jailbroke my first iPhone 3 with Cydia for a time back in 2009 but honestly, it made me kinda nervous for lack of knowledge of what I was doing.
Cydia was gone upon my next iPhone sync, as iTunes required the phone to be erased and restored by backup. That was the last time I messed with jailbreaking.
Click to expand...

Rooting is the same as Jailbreaiking in priciple and gives you more rights on the phone.

How safe is rooting and can it brick your phone if something is done wrong?

Thanks again.
-Steve
Click to expand...

Rooting is easy and 99% safe. I have done it on every single Android phone I have had and never had a poblem afterwards. Do it only if you need it, though.
 
Hi Szadzik.

I am looking for 3D modeling software for Android.

Something like Lightwave 3D, Maya, Blender, 3DS max etc. I am not (of course) expecting a full function modeling package, but a program I can build basic models and export as a common .obj file to the PC for the bigger, full featured PC software packages to finish manipulating.
There's one for iPhone called Finger3D.
 
i have a s3 and my wife a ip5.

honestly, holding them at the same time, i'm not that impressed with the ip5. sure the build quality of the ip5 is greater than that of the mostly plastic s3, but the s3 has a HUGE screen compared to the ip5. the ip5 reminds me of my 3.7" droid incredible.

google maps >>>>>>>> apple maps

most apps have an ios and an android version, so apps are pretty even.

im far from a power user. email/web/texting for me.
 
SteveFury said:
Hi Szadzik.

I am looking for 3D modeling software for Android.

Something like Lightwave 3D, Maya, Blender, 3DS max etc. I am not (of course) expecting a full function modeling package, but a program I can build basic models and export as a common .obj file to the PC for the bigger, full featured PC software packages to finish manipulating.
There's one for iPhone called Finger3D.
Click to expand...

I have no idea about 3d modelling, but here is what I found when doing a search in Play Market with 3d modelling:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Doktor3D.Sketcher3D_Pro&feature=search_result
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.jtb.modelview&feature=search_result
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cadenas.cadmodels&feature=search_result
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Doktor3D.Sketcher3D&feature=search_result
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...esscomputing.SightSpace&feature=search_result
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.afanche.android.ATView3D&feature=search_result
 
Typically once you root an Android phone, you can preserve the rooted state indefinitely. In other words, you can get newer versions/updates of the OS without losing root in the process.

With an iDevice jailbreak, if you want the new version/update of iOS, you have to give up your jailbreak and wait for an exploit for the new version.

Another subtle but important philosophical difference is that in the Android world, having a rooted phone simply means that you can have admin access to certain parts of the filesystem. The operating system itself is still open and unchanged. A jailbreak also gives you admin access, but it also removes a lot of artificial, Apple-imposed restriction on the OS. So you'll sometimes hear that the Android OS was never 'in jail' in the first place. That's why we use the term 'root' and not 'jailbreak' for Android devices.
 
SteveFury said:
Thank you all for the very helpful replies.

Wow the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 looks really impressive and I like the larger screen. It's like a mini-tablet. However the way things have worked out here for me personally, I don't think that's the one for me.

I've been very busy digesting reviews from various sources on the Galaxy S3. Although the at&t version is dual core- not quad core, I believe it will have the processing power I'll need for the next few years. At least until the next upgrade. Wow I love the fact it can be opened up for battery and card exchange. I've missed that opportunity for years!

I've also been reading reviews on Ice Cream Sandwitch OS and browsing through the apps at play-google dot com.

Some of the iPhone apps I really love the most are available but some are not ported to Android. Maybe I can find replacements.
Finger 3D by NGCYBIT Robotics or similar is what I've been searching in Android apps.

Play Google even has my other favorites, iCircuit and classic DOOM.

I'm strongly favoring the Galaxy S3, but I'll need to have actually hold one in my hand at the store for its feel before making the plunge.

Please let me ask you all somethings.

1. Many times an iPhone software developer will offer their new programs free of charge for a short time upon its initial release. Some websites list these temporarily free apps. One such place is appshopper dot com, and I've gotten probably 3/4 of my paid iPhone apps this way.

Is there such a place where new Android apps can be found offered for free for a limited time (I assume to obtain favorable ratings)?
I see most apps at play google are free, but I mean the developed Android applications which are destined to be future paid-for software.

2. I've noticed virus protection Android apps. In your opinion, what is the risk of not running protection, or is it even necessary? I'll probably download/install some apps outside of the play google store from time to time.

3. Many if not most iPhone apps are regularly updated by the 3rd party developers, and notifications appear on the iPhone of such an update. How does Android handle 3rd party upgrades? Is it simply arbitrary between individual developers whether they offer these or not?

4. The Galaxy S3 comes preloaded with 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS. How does google/Android handle OS upgrades?

5. What is "rooting" your phone? Is that similar to jailbreaking the iPhone? I jailbroke my first iPhone 3 with Cydia for a time back in 2009 but honestly, it made me kinda nervous for lack of knowledge of what I was doing.
Cydia was gone upon my next iPhone sync, as iTunes required the phone to be erased and restored by backup. That was the last time I messed with jailbreaking.

How safe is rooting and can it brick your phone if something is done wrong?

Thanks again.
-Steve
Click to expand...

1. Along with what Szadzik has said, the Google Play Store allows you to buy apps, try them out for 15 minutes and then refund them if you don't like it.

2. I haven't had any problems nor have I heard of many so there is probably a small minority who has such issues.

3. already answered.

4. since you are buying the AT&T version of the SGS3, it is up to google to come up with a newer version, but up to Samsung and AT&T to bring you the upgrades. the speed really depends on them rather than google because there is an overlay of UI and programs given to the native google OS (aka Android)

5. rooting basically gives you full access to your phone. if you want to overclock your processor or under volt your CPU, get rid of programs etc...
I have found little use in rooting the SGS3. it's pretty fast and smooth as it is even with the extra bloat ware on it.
 
I had the iPhone 4/4s and bought the 5. I returned the 5 last night and got the S3. Much better phone.
 
I just got an iPhone 5 on Saturday having used a Galaxy S3 from May - Sep.

You can do a hell of a lot more with Android but it's not as easy to use, and some things don't work as "well" on Android as they do on the iPhone (and vice versa, I'm sure). One such example is that if I leave Bluetooth on all the time on my S3 (which I still have for the time being), when I get into my car it sometimes connects automatically to Bluetooth and sometimes doesn't. It sometimes takes a while to connect and sometimes doesn't connect at all unless I open it up and tap on my headset's name. With the iPhone, it connects every time as soon as I get near my car. It's also worth noting that leaving Bluetooth and WiFi on all the time has less of an impact on battery life on the iPhone than on the S3.

The iPhone has better cloud features if you have any other Apple devices or lots of friends with Apple devices (synced messages, photos, shared photo streams). If you just have the one device, then I'd say Android is better for cloud (being able to install apps via a web browser etc.)

I also like that the iPhone has direct access to the largest music store in the world (iTunes).

Google Now is better than Siri at web searching and it's a lot faster, but Siri is more intelligent. It understands relationships and can set geolocation reminders (e.g. "remind me to pick up milk when I leave work," "remind me to dance when I get to my girlfriend's house"). You can speak to Siri using ordinary language and it gets the gist of what you want most of the time.

The Galaxy S3 supports NFC, which is very useful with NFC tags. It will also be great when NFC payments are more widely supported. The iPhone has Passbook, which has hardly any supported applications yet, but I think it has promise.

The iPhone is very easy to use one handed and the grip on it is good. With the S3, it's very large and a bit slippery when the grease/oil/sweat from your hands gets on it as it's made out of plastic. I can't reach the top left hand corner of the S3's screen without shifting my grip, but other than that it's pretty much usable with one hand.

The S3 has a much bigger screen. The iPhone has a much brighter and more responsive screen.

The Jelly Bean update makes the S3 more responsive but it's still not as fast/smooth as the iPhone 5.

So far I don't really miss widgets, but the iPhone is still new to me. I may miss widgets further down the line.

Android has superior multitasking. This is at a cost to battery life, but the S3 does have adequate battery life. I would say that the iPhone 5 still has slightly superior battery life to the S3. So far I'm at 15 hours 7 minutes standby, 4 hours 20 minutes usage, with 34% battery remaining.

Android still has better sharing features, although iOS 6 is a massive step in the right direction.

Android has MUCH better maps. Apple maps are a joke. If you rely on your phone for navigation then you're pretty much guaranteed to have to buy a third party app if you get an iPhone, as the current maps are rubbish.

The iPhone is available in 64GB NOW, whereas the 64GB S3 isn't available yet.

Just trying to offer an unbiased opinion from someone who has used and loved both devices! :)
 
I did the plunge and got the S3.

Ive been working with it all day, doing different things. Ill be ordering a 64gb card this weekend.

I have two computers running Win7. When I plug the USB in, the only thing that happens is the phone beeps once and begins charging. The S3 is not detected in either PCs, as if nothinh is plugged in at all.

Ive read in the manual about connecting to pc. I understand a connection notice is supposed to appear in the S3. Nothing appears.

Is there something wrong? Am I supposed to be able to transfer media files over USB?
 
I am in the same boat, I have the iPhone 4 right now and I really want to upgrade. I just recently purchased a Nexus 7 which I love. The iPhone screen is still too small but two things really but the crap out of me on android I cant seem to fix... Before I got the iPhone 4 I had a Droid X for a while and it was my first real smartphone well I downloaded every app I could find and now they are all listed on my play store account with no way to remove them which drives me up the wall. The other thing that bothers me is the fact that I cannot empty the trash folder in Gmail without going to the website. So I just dont know what I want to do.

Another thing I am worried about it the screen of the S3, I spend a lot of time outside and from the reviews I have read, the screen can be a little too dim.
 
dont forget you need the drivers, or sometimes, it will just read your phone as a camera yet not show folders/contents
 
gilleyab said:
Another thing I am worried about it the screen of the S3, I spend a lot of time outside and from the reviews I have read, the screen can be a little too dim.
Click to expand...

people usually dont read...
but, there is a couple things to avert this as out of the box the phone has auto-brightness on, turn it off, it will be much brighter as it only lights the screen (in direct light) to 75%. i can barely see with my screen on 100%, and in settings/display there is an auto adjust screen tone, you can turn it off, and images on your screen seem to be brighter (but others will seem darker)

for you and the op, go to your service provider and get some hands on time with the phone. the screen, battery swap/pulls, and sd storage was enough to never look back after the i3Gs, not to mention now you get nfc, just about ANY format audio/video play back, hdmi, and the list goes on.


but to each his/her own, so unless you "test drive" each device or get a hands on.....
 
Hi.

I navigated to Settings> Developer Options> and checked the "Debugging mode launches when USB is connected"

I have reseat the USB cable, still no detection of a device on either side.
 
I'm also on an iPhone 4 right now and I am making the move to Android. I'm waiting for the Note 2 though since I think it will be a bad ass device. I don't talk much on my phone anymore either so it will be something fun to play with while I'm bored at work. :)
 
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