Don't like the iPhone 4, won't like the iPhone 5 - what should I do?

[wordoflife]

What don't you like about the iPhone4, exactly? If its design, then you can't really do anything about that (but I'd suggest you try it out anyways ... its really nice!). If you don't like the software, then that's easy ... find a different platform. Windows 7 has a really nice UI in my opinion, but it can't touch Android App's Store (as of right now).

 

[Trius]

To any of you that think the iPhone 4's design isn't better than the 3gs... you obviously don't have an iPhone 4.... I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone that upgraded to the iPhone 4 and misses their 3gs... just saying...

 

[ZombieZakk]

Someone else on this thread suggested the S2 - looked into it and like what I see. Can't find a couple of bits of info - maybe you've had more luck.

When's it out (in the UK)?
How would you sync music and movies onto it from a Mac/iTunes?

For the first time in three years, I'm excited about getting a new phone!

for your best source of info on android and android devices may i suggest androidcentral.com and phandroid.com best two android forums around i frequent them often zombiepug(android central) comradequestion(phandroid)


There is no official release as i know yet but it is supposed to drop in 2011 i believe but be warned samsung is slow with updates and android updates are fragmented for example the samsung fascinate released in september/october with android 2.1 android 2.2 was already out for about 4 months and just 2 days ago did the fascinate receive the 2.2 update.

to sync music with android your easiest way is just mount the sd card to the computer and drag and drop files there is also doubletwist a service that allows you to sync with an itunes library i have not had much luck with it but seems to be very popular in the android sect. Dragging and dropping and doubletwist will only work with music as it is DRM free movies/shows are not and will not work maybe doubletwist can do it but never worked for me. so if you have the dvd collection just download handbrake and rip it so you can have the file without DRM.

 

[ZombieZakk]

To any of you that think the iPhone 4's design isn't better than the 3gs... you obviously don't have an iPhone 4.... I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone that upgraded to the iPhone 4 and misses their 3gs... just saying...

i think the majority of people who dislike the 4 are people who are not exactly careful with their device as i feel they are worried that the glass will break.

i love the design of the iphone 4 if they would just give it stronger glass on the back or a metal back like the ipad id be set! i have never dropped an iphone and dont plan to lol. but the phone is thin no creaks like some other devices and feels very premium i absolutely feel like im holding an expensive device not a toy.

 

[Trius]

i think the majority of people who dislike the 4 are people who are not exactly careful with their device as i feel they are worried that the glass will break.

i love the design of the iphone 4 if they would just give it stronger glass on the back or a metal back like the ipad id be set! i have never dropped an iphone and dont plan to lol. but the phone is thin no creaks like some other devices and feels very premium i absolutely feel like im holding an expensive device not a toy.

I can see that.. I used to feel that way as well. I was sooooo careful with my iP4 when I first got it. Terrified at the thought of this beautiful device breaking or getting scratched... As soon as I got over my fear, its fine. I don't have it in a case or have a screen protector. I'm not "extra" careful with it, and it looks brand new.... What I'm getting at is, it's a lot tougher than you think it is... Besides, if the back breaks, its a $30 fix....

 

[johneaston]

Easy, if you dont like it then dont buy it.

BAM! I think you win a prize, too. You most certainly deserve your "demi-god" status with such incredible input like that.

 

[johneaston]

i can see the op's point. we've been staring at the same basic phone since 2007. Sure we get multi-tasking and folders, but the basic OS has remained unchanged for 5 years as well as the phone. The only notable improvement is the retina display and more cpu power, but apple couldn't even give us a larger screen out of the deal.

and by the looks of it, the story will remain the same until at least iphone 6 in 2012.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this! Especially once they're in a case and laying face-up on a table, every generation looks almost exactly the same as the last.

I assume people at Apple HQ use iPhones? How come they don't feel the same and do something about it?

 

[petvas]

I know I'm not the only one that has a 3GS and decided to skip the iPhone 4. With rumours that the iPhone 5 will be the same, I'm inclined to not get that either.

I like my iPhone and, obviously, like how is syncs with my Mac, but don't like the iPhone 4 and won't like/want the iPhone 5. However, I could really do with a new phone.

If you're in the same situation, what are your plans?

(Looking forward to all the "If you don't like it, don't get it - see if we care" answers, but would really appreciate some honest suggestions).

Why don't you like the iPhone 4?

 

[VulchR]

I have a 3GS and time things so that I could upgrade hopefully about the time the iPhone 5/4S/whatever comes out. For now, I am happy with my 3GS and I am content to see what Apple actually produces for the next refresh of the iPhone and iOS. I'd be happier with a better display, processor etc. but I really would better GPS performance.

So there you have it - I am waiting until speculation an rumor are replaced with fact.

 

[BadMoon]

Sorry, I don't usually do/say this, but...what a ridiculous thread! You come out say you don't like the iPhone 4, and probably won't like the iPhone 5. You've made up your mind. The choices are easy, go Android, WP7, or BB. The latter is a dead-end, IMHO...

Another useless macrumors thread.

 

[Interstella5555]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this! Especially once they're in a case and laying face-up on a table, every generation looks almost exactly the same as the last.

I assume people at Apple HQ use iPhones? How come they don't feel the same and do something about it?

Just like every MBP since 2006 looks the same with the lid closed? Yeah, I bet they're killing themselves to figure out that problem as well.

 

[spikefood]

Ok - that's worth knowing. Wasn't sure if Blackberrys, Samsungs etc. came with some sort of Mac software.



I could go on for a while here! Mainly, I don't like the way it feels in the hand; don't like how easily they seem to crack (I see so many iPhone 4's that are broken where as my 2yr old 3GS has never had a case and still looks fine); plus EVERYONE seems to have the iPhone 4.

There's also the fact that the iPhone 4 (and I reckon the iPhone 5 also) doesn't solve the things I don't like about my 3GS like the lack of a file system, no wifi sync, no customisable text tones, no customisable email tones, no way of seeing if I have new emails without unlocking the phone, the physical silence switch, lack of Nokia-style 'profiles' for tones, bad call/earphone quality, alarm doesn't work if the phone is switched off, switching wifi on and off requires a larger than necessary number of menus to be navigated etc. etc.

Sounds like most of your issues could be solved through jailbreaking. And to the people saying the phone has changed very little since 2007 obviously have not used all the iphones. I have owned everyone, including the first. And there has been leaps and bounds in terms of software and hardware upgrades.

 

[Pink∆Floyd]

This thread is just a big WOW...

 

[johneaston]

Well, for anyone who cares, I may actually have to go for an iPhone after all.

I've just learnt that a new car I've ordered has an "iPhone interface" so, whilst I don't doubt it'll work with other phones, maybe it'll be worth sticking with the iPhone for the added functionality whilst in the car.

Oh well.

 

[ClutchThese]

You're making a sound decision sticking with the iPhone.

 

[Sankersizzle]

word on the street is that the "Storm 3"/ BlackBerry Monza (or Monaco or whatever the hell they decided to call it)is coming out June - September with an announcement at BlackBerry world in May. Why not wait it out and take a look at it? That's what I'm doing with my 3GS. Although I know the IP4 is great, I'm just tired of having the same phone as everyone else on campus, I like to be different .

 

[wordoflife]

Well, for anyone who cares, I may actually have to go for an iPhone after all.

I've just learnt that a new car I've ordered has an "iPhone interface" so, whilst I don't doubt it'll work with other phones, maybe it'll be worth sticking with the iPhone for the added functionality whilst in the car.

Oh well.

No one is forcing you. If you're getting bored with the UI (you still haven't mentioned why you don't like the iPhone 4?), then there are some other great options such as Windows Phone 7 and Android.

 

[62tele]

Because I'm very confident, regardless of the rumours, that the next iPhone will be the same thing again. People say the iPhone 4 was a complete redesign but, in my opinion, every iPhone has been essentially the same. And every release of iOS has disappointed me, so I want to try something else.

There you have it!

Your thread should have been posted on an Android forum. You hate Apple's current hardware and OS. You see no hope in it improving. Voila!!! Why ask people in an iPhone forum what to do. Presumably folks on an iPhone forum are going to be pro iPhone. Whereas, Droid folks could advise on you on a suitable alternative for your needs.

Do us a favor and don't report back what you decide!

 

[Richdmoore]

I know I'm not the only one that has a 3GS and decided to skip the iPhone 4. With rumours that the iPhone 5 will be the same, I'm inclined to not get that either.

I like my iPhone and, obviously, like how is syncs with my Mac, but don't like the iPhone 4 and won't like/want the iPhone 5. However, I could really do with a new phone.

If you like the iPhone 3GS, maybe simply keep it and invest in a battery replacement and a new case?

 

[revelated]

I could go on for a while here! Mainly, I don't like the way it feels in the hand;

Neither did I. Though I couldn't tell you why that was. Just seemed...too squarish. Maybe that's why I didn't go for the Droid X over the Fascinate when I first joined the Android Mafia.

don't like how easily they seem to crack (I see so many iPhone 4's that are broken where as my 2yr old 3GS has never had a case and still looks fine);

There's a girl at my work who had two separate iPhone 3GS's, both with cracked screens. I know of nobody who has cracked their iPhone 4 screen. I know it seems more prone to happen, but just giving a fair opinion here.

plus EVERYONE seems to have the iPhone 4.

This DOES bother me and I don't know why. I really can't stand it when I see everyone around me with the same phone. That's part of the reason I dumped the Fascinate, my company issued the T-mobile (Vibrant? Captivate?) for workers and I was absolutely sickened to see my phone no longer stand out. So I got the Thunderbolt

There's also the fact that the iPhone 4 (and I reckon the iPhone 5 also) doesn't solve the things I don't like about my 3GS like the lack of a file system,

I hope you never expect this from an Apple non-computer device, because it's not ever happening.

no wifi sync,

Never understood the lack of this feature either. Why force people to tether with a cable? It makes no sense. Data is data.

no customisable text tones, no customisable email tones,

Again, don't ever expect such things from an Apple mobile phone/tablet.

no way of seeing if I have new emails without unlocking the phone,

I thought the iPhone 4 had an LED indicator? It's been a while since I looked at one, but if not, yeah that's a problem.

the physical silence switch, lack of Nokia-style 'profiles' for tones,

? Never used a Nokia, don't know what you mean here.

bad call/earphone quality,

Call quality is a carrier issue. As for earphone I have never heard this complaint from iPhone 4 users. I have called them and they sound loud and clear.

alarm doesn't work if the phone is switched off,

You're asking too much. That's something HTC and Motorola do. Don't switch it off.

switching wifi on and off requires a larger than necessary number of menus to be navigated etc. etc.

Yeah, I noted that in my review of iPhone 4 vs. Fascinate and a lot of people agree. It's clunky to do the basics of things which is annoying, true enough.




If you ask me, you need to join the Android Mafia, dude. Just don't expect it to play nice with your Mac. That's about the only thing Droid Don't Do. Also "learnt" is not a word, and don't let an interface on a $20k+ car be your deciding factor on a $500 phone. Get the phone that does what you need it to do. My Altima has an iPod interface that will never be used. I use the USB port to charge the Thunderbolt without taking up a lighter port.

 

[labman]

get one of these they have great reception! just get what you like best after all it's a phone. I might get the next iphone I might not!

 

[DeepIn2U]

The notion of having an "exclusive" phone is a bit ridiculous; these are Mass produced products.

You want exclusitivity get a Vertu or similar custom/limited edition phone. If not keep your iPhone, jailbreak it to sauce it up a bit -or- get a custom case or folio to carry it in.

I like the IP4 but the components in the software limit me; and the options to use them for simplicity & effectiveness (why can I not sync Tasks in Mail/Cal ?). This is why I keep bouncing back & forth to BlackBerry & iOS. I don't consume apps as much as the common person.

I still don't understand how a full glass back benefits the end user (it does for Apple with regards to cheap recycling)? I keep holding it like its fragile - its a smartphone and it should be handled this way.

 

[McGiord]

Seriously you don't like the Retina Display and the HD video recording capabilities of the iPhone 4? And you do prefer the 3GS. The iPhone 4 is faster, handles better graphics and has more RAM, so things like swapping webpages are not reloading all the time like in the 3GS.
Nothing is perfect in life.
I would say to reconsider the iPhone 4.
You can always jailbreak and do things that don't allow.

 

[Ke1ington]

I've attempted switching to Android on more than one occasion and always found myself back with the iPhone. It's just an all around more enjoyable experience.

Android is a cool OS and all, but it's got a long way to go. iOS has pretty regular updates for adding features and fixing security vulnerabilities. You don't really get that with Android.

I'm not telling you not to get an Android. I understand that you've already decided on your next phone. Rather, I'm suggesting you hold on to your 3GS in the process so you don't have to shell out for another when you start missing it.

 

[johneaston]

Also "learnt" is not a word,

What do you mean?!

learnt past participle, past tense of learn (Verb)
1. Gain or acquire knowledge of or skill in (something) by study, experience, or being taught.
2. Commit to memory



Nokia profiles were awesome - in the menu you'd set-up about 5 'profiles'. Eg, Loud, Silent, Meeting, Discreet, Alarm and each one would have its own customisable volume/ringtone/vibrate on/off etc etc. With one press of the power button the list would appear and you could quickly select a whole different phone set-up. Great if, like me, you work in TV (or similar) where the phone inadvertently going off is not an option!

With the iPhone, several times a day I have to go into Settings and individually switch everything to silent which is incredibly frustrating.


Why not customisable text tones when I can have customisable ring tones? I'm afraid I do expect this from an Apple device.


How is the alarm to work with the phone off asking too much? It's technically possible (my first nokia 15yrs ago did it), so why ever not?