Should I Buy An iPhone 5 or S3?

I wouldn't buy a Galaxy S3 right now. The Galaxy S4 is just around the corner, and I know I would be pissed off if I bought an S3, only to have it get succeeded 2 months after.

As for whether to go Galaxy or iPhone, depends on what you want. The iPhone is simple, streamlined, but at the same time, sort of stale and the same as it has been for years. Also, I find the screen aspect ratio weird, I don't like how its so elongated.
On the other hand, the Galaxy is a powerhouse of an Android phone. There's nothing you can throw at it that will slow it down, and on many fronts it keeps up with an even surpasses the iPhone. Not just in benchmarks, but in practicality as well. A little while ago Android's laggyness and lack of apps would have let it down, but both those issues have been rectified.

I don't think I'd buy either at this point although both are great phones. The GS3 is 9 months old and is due to be replaced very soon and the iPhone, while a great phone, is missing a lot of things. I'd wait and see what happens with the Galaxy S4. I don't anticipate apple changing things up much with the 5s.

I'd wait for the S4, then decide. That's what I'm doing at this point.

This greatly depends on what your priorities are. To me, I am heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and I continue to buy Apple products because things tend to work together very well AND if they don't Apple usually bends over backwards trying to make things right.

If you aren't heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and have good luck with electronics (I have terrible luck) and you think the Samsung would better fit your needs, go with the Samsung (S3 or S4 whenever it comes out).

If you NEED a phone right now and can't wait, I'd opt for the Note II. Otherwise I tend to agree with the others, the S4 is right around the corner.

AT&T is selling iPhone 4 for 99 cents. That's a savings till the new crop of smartphones are released later this year.

Do both device offer all the apps you want to use? Are they both offered at the same price? I personally do not like the width of the SIII nor do I like the longer display on the iPhone 5. And as mentioned both phones are due for a refresh. Any way you could get a cheap phone and upgrade in a few months?

Also consider how tied to the Apple ecosystem you are.

maxosx said:

AT&T is selling iPhone 4 for 99 cents. That's a savings till the new crop of smartphones are released later this year.

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That's assuming the OP is willing to lose unlimited data assuming they have it and have another upgrade to get a subsidized phone in a couple of months.

OP are you on a GSM carrier? If so I would just get the Nexus 4 as a place holder until a phone comes out that you want (such as the GS4). Or find a used GS3/iphone 4/4S on craigslist or ebay And on a semi-related note, do you put your iPhone in cases or plan to if you get the iPhone 5? Because if so, why cover up an aesthetically pleasing phone with a plastic case? You might as well just get the plastic galaxy

If you get an iPhone now, you can jailbreak it and get some of the customisability you're looking for.

maxosx said:

AT&T is selling iPhone 4 for 99 cents. That's a savings till the new crop of smartphones are released later this year.

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But is that at the cost of using your upgrade, i.e., locked into that phone for 2 years before you can buy another phone on subsidy?

S3. Its just a better to phone.

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maxosx said:

AT&T is selling iPhone 4 for 99 cents. That's a savings till the new crop of smartphones are released later this year.

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Are you kidding me. Anyone that wastes their carrier subsidy on an iPhone 4 today is moron.

blackhand1001 said:

S3. Its just a better to phone.

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Are you kidding me. Anyone that wastes their carrier subsidy on an iPhone 4 today is moron.

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No need to be emotional, I read the fine print on this special. It includes a provision to retain one upgrade eligibility. It's win, win all around.

I've had both, they are both superb. I preferred the S3 so kept that one. All my other devices are Apple (MBP, iPad Mini and formally iPad) people seem to think that once heavily into the Apple ecosystem then one should stay there. I am not technically gifted but found it really easy to move to the S3, I am glad I never listened to all those that cite the ecosystem as a reason not to switch.

daveathall said:

I've had both, they are both superb. I preferred the S3 so kept that one. All my other devices are Apple (MBP, iPad Mini and formally iPad) people seem to think that once heavily into the Apple ecosystem then one should stay there. I am not technically gifted but found it really easy to move to the S3, I am glad I never listened to all those that cite the ecosystem as a reason not to switch.

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Yup. I switched and got over the whole eco-system thing, too. And quite quickly. You let it go because the gains you get with Android easily make up for it.

It's like poker, you don't continue betting into a losing hand just because you already put money into the pot.

onthecouchagain said:

Yup. I switched and got over the whole eco-system thing, too. And quite quickly. You let it go because the gains you get with Android easily make up for it.

It's like poker, you don't continue betting into a losing hand just because you already put money into the pot.

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I am beginning to put "heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem" in the same category as "it just works."

It's like saying, "Yea I paid to be an indentured servant to Apple, but such is life."



Michael

Tinmania said:

I am beginning to put "heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem" in the same category as "it just works."

It's like saying, "Yea I paid to be an indentured servant to Apple, but such is life."



Michael

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It depends on how you use your phone....

If the iPhone is also your primary picture taking device, the integration of photo stream to your iPad and mac might be a big draw to stay within that eco system.

Also there are still some apps that have (arguably) better user experience on iOS than on Android.

Its all in how you use the phone - for you the ecosystem argument doesn't carry any weight. For others (like myself) it does - hence why, even with my Nexus 4, I still won't move away from my iPhone 5 - and will likely continue to upgrade to iPhones.

Tinmania said:

I am beginning to put "heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem" in the same category as "it just works."

It's like saying, "Yea I paid to be an indentured servant to Apple, but such is life."



Michael

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I have always been one of those people, and the only thing I cannot do (since almost all apps are cross platform) is control my airports and apple tv. A few months ago there were several more things, but all are available on android now.

onthecouchagain said:

Yup. I switched and got over the whole eco-system thing, too. And quite quickly. You let it go because the gains you get with Android easily make up for it.

It's like poker, you don't continue betting into a losing hand just because you already put money into the pot.

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Depends now you look at it.

If you prefer a choppier frame rate, bogged with carrier settings, handful of features you neither care or want, lower quality apps, a phone you need 2 hands to operate - a "winning hand." Go for it.

Dmaynard83 said:

Depends now you look at it.

If you prefer a choppier frame rate, bogged with carrier settings, handful of features you neither care or want, lower quality apps, a phone you need 2 hands to operate - a "winning hand." Go for it.

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You really have no idea what you are talking about, go get an up to date flagship Android phone and then come back with something intelligent.

I'm not so hot on the S3's looks either, and I'm guessing the S4 won't look much different. Coming from an iPhone 4S, which I still hold as the best looking phone to date (iPhone 5 is actually a step back design-wise IMO, too brittle looking, too light in the hand) the top of the line Android I'm interested in at the moment is Sony's Xperia Z. FINALLY an Android phone with an exterior that actually gives as much an impression of quality as the iPhone 4S.

I like the design of the LG Optimus G as well, but I fear it may feel too light and cheap in the hand, given that was my impression of the Nexus 4 when I tested it (it's based off of the Optimus G afaik).

So yeah, check out the Z. If you can wait for it, I think it gets released in about three weeks or something. It also has that HD screen which should be at least on par with the latest iPhones, something I feel the S3 is not quite.

I would wait for the S4, it's rumored to be released in May.

Dmaynard83 said:

Depends now you look at it.

If you prefer a choppier frame rate, bogged with carrier settings, handful of features you neither care or want, lower quality apps, a phone you need 2 hands to operate - a "winning hand." Go for it.

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What are you basing this off of? An HTC t mobile G1?

blackhand1001 said:

S3. Its just a better to phone.

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Are you kidding me. Anyone that wastes their carrier subsidy on an iPhone 4 today is moron.

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I totally agree with you, yet people still do it. Mostly people who just want a phone and don't want to spend the money on their upgrade. Some of my teacher friends get the 4 or 4s as a hand me down when their son/daughter gets the 5. Some just feel that they really can't justify spending $200 on a phone. I have a friend in college who needed to upgrade because his flip phone died, and opted for the 4 because he felt he couldn't spend the money. Another demographic is parents who buy iPhones for their kids. Why spend $200 when you can spend a dollar and the kid is happy anyway. Either way, Apple still gets customers. It's actually ingenious.

ask yourself, can you airplay youporn with that plastic phone onto your apple tv? if your answer is no, then you have just given yourself your answer.