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Which Samsung?
- Thread starter jrswizzle
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Stooby Mcdoobie
macrumors 6502a
I'm partial to the S3. I had a 'hard enough' time adjusting to the 4.8" screen coming from my iPhone 4's screen. I can't even imagine going to the Note 2 (S3 barely fits in my pocket as is), but many here seem to like it. Don't think you can really go wrong with either - just go to a store and play with the display models so you can get a feel for which one you like more.
Hmm - I just realized the N4 is pretty cheap - since LTE isn't a huge factor for me for a secondary phone, how does it compare? I've read some decent things about it, save for the LTE and microSD missing (both of which I can do without)
What do you see as "really cheap"
LSUtigers03
macrumors 68020
I would go with the Note 2. I have an S3 and I want a Note 2. The S3 is an awesome phone but the Note 2 is on a whole different level. I've spent a good amount of time playing around with the Note 2 and I love it. My reason for not buying the Note 2 is I'm going to wait and use my upgrade for the S4.
I currently don't have an upgrade to use and I would still be using my iP5 as my primary device - just looking for a high end Android phone as cheap as possible haha....
The Nexus 4 looks good - though out of stock.
3bs
macrumors 603
I would go with the S3 because it'll be easier to adjust to. You're already coming from a pretty small phone and the Note 2 might be too big but that's just my opinion. The battery life on the Note 2 is insane and that's the main thing I'm jealous about.
I had an international S3 for a few months and I loved the phone. Everything about it. I even miss it now and I own a Nexus 4 which does better in most aspects (except camera).
The smart thing would be to wait for the S4 but that'll be bigger and in between the S3 and Note 2 but performance will obviously be better. It might take some time for the custom ROMs to start showing up for it while there are a bunch of custom ROMs and mods already out there (at least for the international S3). You should take that into consideration too.
I had an international S3 for a few months and I loved the phone. Everything about it. I even miss it now and I own a Nexus 4 which does better in most aspects (except camera).
The smart thing would be to wait for the S4 but that'll be bigger and in between the S3 and Note 2 but performance will obviously be better. It might take some time for the custom ROMs to start showing up for it while there are a bunch of custom ROMs and mods already out there (at least for the international S3). You should take that into consideration too.
I jumped ship to a note 2... It's large but not so large I can't get used to it. Another to consider is the HTC dna... The nexus 4 is a sweet phone for the price.
Right now I would wait to see what the s4 is going to have and go from there.
I learned quickly that how happy I am with a phone comes from how much support is available for it. Android phones are not like Apple.... An update might be out for the note 2 but since you are on att the update is unavailable. So comes down to rooting and flashing a custom rom that has all the updates on it.
Support from Samsung seems almost non existent and carrier support is very slow.
Also support always seems to be better for the international versions instead of carrier specific but you make trade offs for that... Like maybe no lte.
Right now I would wait to see what the s4 is going to have and go from there.
I learned quickly that how happy I am with a phone comes from how much support is available for it. Android phones are not like Apple.... An update might be out for the note 2 but since you are on att the update is unavailable. So comes down to rooting and flashing a custom rom that has all the updates on it.
Support from Samsung seems almost non existent and carrier support is very slow.
Also support always seems to be better for the international versions instead of carrier specific but you make trade offs for that... Like maybe no lte.
3bs
macrumors 603
Yeah I saw a guy complaining about the lack of custom ROMs and devs working on one of the US variants of the Note 2. He ended up selling it and getting an S3 but he's really into custom ROMs.
I had a 4S and bought a Nexus 4 to test out Android with the intention to keep my 4S as my primary phone. Now my 4S is in its box and hasn't been touched in a long time.
I would suggest the Nexus 4 as it is most comparable to an iPhone IMO. That is mainly due to instant updates, carrier bloatware free, and manufacturer bloatware free.
And if you are interested in custom ROMs, the S3, Note II, and Nexus 4 will all have a lot available. But it seems that developers prefer working for Nexus devices.
I would suggest the Nexus 4 as it is most comparable to an iPhone IMO. That is mainly due to instant updates, carrier bloatware free, and manufacturer bloatware free.
And if you are interested in custom ROMs, the S3, Note II, and Nexus 4 will all have a lot available. But it seems that developers prefer working for Nexus devices.
LSUtigers03
macrumors 68020
Getting the S3 will be the cheapest option. If you get one used in good condition you'll pay less that you would for a new Nexus 4 and you won't have to wait weeks.
daveathall
macrumors 68020
I have both the S3 and N4 and would recommend either as a superb phone, the Nexus, IMHO is the better value but the S3 has extra features that you may (or may not) like to have. I preferred the S3 over the iPhone 5 I previously had, I say preferred as opposed to thinking it was better, neither are better, they are both brilliant, but just do things differently. From what you say you can keep your iP5 and have either a N4 or S3, great position, you may want to wait slightly longer and sample the S4. Good luck on your decision, I predict that whatever you choose, you will enjoy.🙂
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Im local to you (frisco) Go with the Nexus if you want the pure android experience. if its going to be a backup phone it'll stay up with the updates from android a lot better than the S3. You'll get the best of both worlds and have a true google experience google wants you to have.
You should be able to snag some on clist for not too much over retail after you factor shipping and tax.
You should be able to snag some on clist for not too much over retail after you factor shipping and tax.
I'm on the att note 2 and if you want to keep the Samsung touchwiz features I have found roms that are good for me.... If you don't care about the Samsung stuff and want a stock Android experience I don't see why people would buy a note anyways but the roms seem a little lacking. On the att note 2 might want to look at cleanrom or jedi. I went with jedi... Keeps all the touchwiz stuff with a little bit of nice.
3bs
macrumors 603
I agree a Note 2 should be used with TouchWiz because of all the cool features. On my s3 I used CM10/Paranoid Android most of the time but eventually went on to Omega.
3bs
macrumors 603
Hmm haven't found one yet with good enough support for spen. Could be a lack of looking too... After I decided I was content with jedi I mostly quit looking and instead of playing with my phone I just use it and minor playing with theming
I think the Nexus 4 is going to be the one. I've never been a fan of Samsung and would like quick updates and the "pure Android experience" so to speak.
Will be replacing my iP4S at work.
Edit: I realize I asked which Samsung - I hadn't really looked at the Nexus 4 until now!
Will be replacing my iP4S at work.
Edit: I realize I asked which Samsung - I hadn't really looked at the Nexus 4 until now!
Welcome to MY dilemma. 🙂 Although at this point I might wait to see the S4, then choose one of the three.
