Looking into the S3. Couple of questions!

[EKG]

I am due for an upgrade next month and can only afford a phone that is under $100. Thankfully, technology has reached a point where I no longer feel far behind if I don't have the top-of-the-line phone. I am looking into both this and the Droid DNA, however with the DNA's SIM Card Error being a plaguing problem, this seems to be a much more likely choice.

I do have some questions though. Is the MB3 (is that what it is) radio issue the main problem? From what I have read on here, that can be fixed by just flashing the old radios, so that isn't a huge problem for me. Are there any other issues with the device? My Gnex is plagued with problems so I would like to go for a phone that won't cause me too much grief.

Also, how do you all like the Galaxy S exclusive software features? The Briefing Alarm sounds pretty awesome, as does the voice activated camera and others. Do you all use them often or not really after the first few months?

 

[funkylogik]

In my case, i found that i used none of the s-software and disabled it near the beginning. I quite liked the split-screen multi window feature but its only useful if youre rooted tbh.
Im now running a much purer version of android with no Samsung firmware or software and its great. The phone is really nice hardware and any firmware bugs like that terrible new virizon radio can be easily fixed. The DNA is also an excellent phone so it probably comes down to which one feels/looks best and how confident/willing you are to modify the phone :thumbup:

 

[jackroo]

I second funkylogik. Although I'm not rooted I have disabled or tried to freeze as much Samsung stuff as possible. I just don't use it or see a need for it. I'd choose the S3 over the DNA

 

[jhawkkw]

If your problem is with signal strength/radio issues with your gnex, switching to the another Samsung isn't going to improve it that much. They're better, but not loads better.

 

[pandacookie]

Are there any other issues with the device?

There is the issue that the S3 seems to have with SD cards, as discussed here: http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s3/654417-samsung-galaxy-s3-kills-sd-cards.html.

Long story short: a lot of users seem to have an issue where their SanDisk 32GB SD cards stop working a while after they insert them in their S3s. I personally had this issue happen with a PNY 32GB card. Bottom line: use caution when choosing an SD card card for this thing.

 

[blenky]

I like the Smart Stay - works pretty well - as long as you are looking directly at the phone

Smart rotation works is OK as screen rotates based on orientation of your face.

Also we will be getting some of the S4 features fairly soon. I have tried the smart scroll on the S4 and thought it was pretty good.

Other than that don't use any other S features.

Found Touchwiz very laggy so use a launcher. I was using Nova but since bought Next Launcher - which is awesome!

 

[Ramer84015]

There is the issue that the S3 seems to have with SD cards, as discussed here: http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s3/654417-samsung-galaxy-s3-kills-sd-cards.html.

Long story short: a lot of users seem to have an issue where their SanDisk 32GB SD cards stop working a while after they insert them in their S3s. I personally had this issue happen with a PNY 32GB card. Bottom line: use caution when choosing an SD card card for this thing.

IMHO, a little preparation goes a long way. I had already ordered my SanDisk 64 gb card and while waiting for it I read some threads on the XDA forum and other places. At least for the 64 gb, you have to remove the second partition and reclaim the space, then long format it from exFat to Fat32 using a 3rd party program for that purpose. Lastly quick reformat it once it's in your phone. I'm going on 4 months without a problem and I've got about 40 gigs on mine (it's really nice not having to stream music)

I'm not sure if the 32 gb card has a 2nd partition, but I can't help but wonder if that's the source of so many "fried card" threads.

 

[rexster314]

I bought an SIII from Wirefly on Verizon for 29$ over the past weekend to replace my wife's Tmobile phone. Pretty hard to beat that