Why I Switched Back to the iPhone 4 from the SGS2

[rjohnstone]

The Droid Charge is a Verizon device that uses LTE. That IS real 4G.

Hate ot break it to you, but Verizon's LTE service isn't "real 4G" either.
It's marginally faster than 21 Mbps HSPA +... and that's under prefect conditions.

My issue with Samsung phones has always been build quality.
Gorgeous displays but the rest of the phone seems to fall short.

As for these items mentioned below...

- Platform wide Netflix streaming without rooting
- Bluetooth HID keyboard support without rooting
- Bluetooth wiimote/game controller support for gaming emulators without rooting

The first is on Netflix, not Android. Netflix choses what devices to support.
Google has no say in the matter.

BT HID keyboard support is currently implemented by the vendor. My Atrix supports BT HID keyboards out of the box.
But I agree... it should be native.

Wii remotes are not natively supported in iOS, so I fail to see our point.
The game/emulator usually provides the BT profile for the controller.

 

[iUser4Lyfe]

cool
i want to try out android, but not samsung's. Touchwiz gives me a headache lol

Really? It's just funny because Apple is suing Samsung for making touchwiz an iOS clone. Apple must believe it's a pretty good clone as well to sue.

 

[El3ctronics]

Hate ot break it to you, but Verizon's LTE service isn't "real 4G" either.
It's marginally faster than 21 Mbps HSPA +... and that's under prefect conditions.

Yes, I know but LTE is the real 4G STANDARD that can and will be updated to real 4G specs (even if it's not there yet). In real world testing, HSPA+ 21mbps gets nowhere close to those speeds yet Verizon's LTE network does.

 

[rjohnstone]

Yes, I know but LTE is the real 4G STANDARD that can and will be updated to real 4G specs (even if it's not there yet). In real world testing, HSPA+ 21mbps gets nowhere close to those speeds yet Verizon's LTE network does.

Source?

Every "real world" test of Verizon's LTE network shows an average DL speed of 12-15 Mbps.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti...E_vs._Sprint_WiMax?taxonomyId=79&pageNumber=3

I get an average of 6Mbps DL speeds on my Atrix 4G and I'm not even in an area that has the expanded backhaul yet. Granted the Atrix's radio only supports 14Mbps HSPA+, so it will never see speeds over 10Mbps in the real world.

T-Mobiles 42Mbps HSPA+ network will get average speeds of 25Mbps. Think of what AT&T could do with that backhaul when they finalize the acquisition.
http://pocketnow.com/tech-news/t-mo...2mbps-this-year-with-real-world-25mbps-speeds

 

[D1G1T4L]

Hate ot break it to you, but Verizon's LTE service isn't "real 4G" either.
It's marginally faster than 21 Mbps HSPA +... and that's under prefect conditions.

So what is "real 4G"?

 

[rjohnstone]

So what is "real 4G"?

LTE Advanced.
http://www.3gpp.org/LTE-Advanced

 

[D1G1T4L]

LTE Advanced.
http://www.3gpp.org/LTE-Advanced

Ok thanks for the link......but not really in the mood of reading all that.

So what are the quick easy specks that make something "true 4G"?

 

[eastercat]

Since you're going to make unfounded assumptions, I'll assume you don't want your phone to last the day without dragging a charger around.
I browse and read just fine with the iphone's 3.5" screen. I prefer longer battery life to the inconvenience of dragging a charger with me.
Name me a phone with a 4" screen that lasts as long as the iphone and we can then talk about how Apple needs to use a 4" screen.

You clearly don't use your device the way many others do (which is fine). To me, and many others, the device isn't just my phone, email & messaging device but it's also the device I use to read on the go as well as browse the web. Granted when you have more time, an iPad or computer are better for these tasks but people are starting to use mobile devices for these tasks more than they have in the past. That's why I think 4" is the sweet spot. It's large enough to make reading and browsing convenient while also not making the device too large to not be comfortable to carry with you at all times.

 

[Hueyfreeman]

seriously do you really need an external game controller for a 3.5" screen? I can understand a tablet but really on a phone

 

[tigress666]

Wow, don't know what to say. Can't imagine anyone going back to an iPhone4 after reading what you just posted. The very things you say you miss about the SGS2 are very reason to keep the phone and not go back to the inferior iphone 4. Yes it is inferior in every way. Not sure if you really had this phone. It doesn't seem to add up. The only thing that would make anyone pick the iPhone 4 is because you prefer an Apple product. And there's nothing wrong with saying so. Just sayin'.

You do realize that what some people find most important in a phone may not be the same things you find most important in the phone? Obviously you'd keep the Samsung. OP decided the pros of the iphone were more important to him than the pros of the Samsung.

Just cause he does not have the same priorities as you doesn't mean he just chose it cause it's an apple product. It means, well that his priorities are not the same as yours.

As for the screen size debate, I mostly use my iphone for web browsing and gaming. I personally think 3.5" is a good compromise between a good sized phone and a usable screen size. I do want it to fit in most places I'd put a phone. And I think bezels do serve a purpose (besides whether you can make the phone without one or not). As some one pointed out, when you hold the phone in general a little of your finger is going to overlap over the front. I'd rather not have to worry about accidental inputs if I don't delicately hold my phone so my fingers are only touching the sides and not overlapping the front at all(never mind that that also means I won't have as good grip on it and more likely to drop it).

Anyways, I wouldn't object to a 4" screen if it is shown to me that it can be done and the phone still easy to grip and not sized bigger (so if apple manages it, whoot! All I care is they don't increase the size or make it awkward to hold/use). But for me the more important thing is that the phone stays the same size, a bigger screen to me is not worth a bigger phone.

And, OP, think of this, some one else pointed out that bigger screen = more battery use. Didn't you just complain that the Samsung's screen seemed to be the biggest battery hog? Maybe that is partly due to size and not just the AMOLED.

 

[El3ctronics]

Since you're going to make unfounded assumptions, I'll assume you don't want your phone to last the day without dragging a charger around.
I browse and read just fine with the iphone's 3.5" screen. I prefer longer battery life to the inconvenience of dragging a charger with me.
Name me a phone with a 4" screen that lasts as long as the iphone and we can then talk about how Apple needs to use a 4" screen.

Name me a 4" screen that runs iOS and/or an OS that is built simultaneously with the hardware to function seamlessly? You have no idea if it's the screen or the OS that is killing the battery on Android devices.

 

[rjohnstone]

Ok thanks for the link......but not really in the mood of reading all that.

So what are the quick easy specks that make something "true 4G"?

Worldwide functionality & roaming
Enhanced peak data rates to support advanced services and applications
100 Mbit/s for high and 1 Gbit/s for low mobility
High mobility devices are things like cell phones.

 

[D1G1T4L]

Worldwide functionality & roaming
Enhanced peak data rates to support advanced services and applications
100 Mbit/s for high and 1 Gbit/s for low mobility
High mobility devices are things like cell phones.

So what is the difference between high and low mobility?

Nevermind.....found some info on this that I'm reading.

 

[tigress666]

Anyways, to OP, thanks for an objective look at the two phones.

I think so far this is the most objective look I've seen (though some droid fans might say it's not solely cause you dared pick the iphone <- yes, droid people, some of you are as bad as the apple people you accuse and while it is an apple forum there seems to be an equal amount of both type "zealouts" on this forum. I think you seemed pretty balanced in your assessment. For one thing, some one already thought your reasons were better for keeping the Samsung so you weren't balancing it so much that it was "obvious" the iphone was better by your assessment).

 

[kre62]

Worldwide functionality & roaming
Enhanced peak data rates to support advanced services and applications
100 Mbit/s for high and 1 Gbit/s for low mobility
High mobility devices are things like cell phones.

You’re working with outdated information.

The most true and correct answer is that 4G remains technically undefined.

The numbers you are citing were for the original proposed standards. Those standards were changed by the ITU late last year to include LTE, WIMAX, and HSPA+.

As of right now, the proposed 4G standard includes the services currently being branded as 4G. Although nothing is, and never has been, completely finalized.

 

[D1G1T4L]

You’re working with outdated information.

The most true and correct answer is that 4G remains technically undefined.

The numbers you are citing were for the original proposed standards. Those standards were changed by the ITU late last year to include LTE, WIMAX, and HSPA+.

As of right now, the proposed 4G standard includes the services currently being branded as 4G. Although nothing is, and never has been, completely finalized.

See that was my understanding. That the whole 4G standard didn't have a "true" standard. Anything that performs better than .....well I guess 3G can be classified as 4G. I was just interested in what this "True 4G" was.

Learn something new everyday.

 

[ratzzo]

Name me a 4" screen that runs iOS and/or an OS that is built simultaneously with the hardware to function seamlessly? You have no idea if it's the screen or the OS that is killing the battery on Android devices.

I think it's the screen, the OS can't really take all that much power. Not only are most of Android smartphones screens huge (4.3", 4.5"?! get a tablet) but most of them sport AMOLED. If I remember correctly, AMOLEDs have 300% the battery usage on white screens and 0% usage on black screens. 300% is a lot, mind you.

Also, sorry for making this thread into defining what 4G really is

 

[rjohnstone]

You’re working with outdated information.

The most true and correct answer is that 4G remains technically undefined.

The numbers you are citing were for the original proposed standards. Those standards were changed by the ITU late last year to include LTE, WIMAX, and HSPA+.

As of right now, the proposed 4G standard includes the services currently being branded as 4G. Although nothing is, and never has been, completely finalized.

The info is straight off of 3GPP's site.
It doesn't get any more current than that.
But if you want to get technical about it, here is the CURRENT proposed standard from the ITU.
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2010/40.aspx

Geneva, 21 October 2010 — ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) has completed the assessment of six candidate submissions for the global 4G mobile wireless broadband technology, otherwise known as IMT-Advanced. Harmonization among these proposals has resulted in two technologies, “LTE-Advanced1” and “WirelessMAN-Advanced2” being accorded the official designation of IMT-Advanced, qualifying them as true 4G technologies.

The ITU never changed the "proposed" standard, they simply agreed that the carriers could call HSPA+, WiMax and LTE a "4G technology".

http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2010/48.aspx

As the most advanced technologies currently defined for global wireless mobile broadband communications, IMT-Advanced is considered as “4G”, although it is recognized that this term, while undefined, may also be applied to the forerunners of these technologies, LTE and WiMax, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed.

Here's a lovely graphic to explain most of it.

 

[D1G1T4L]

The info is straight off of 3GPP's site.
It doesn't get any more current than that.
But if you want to get technical about it, here is the CURRENT proposed standard from the ITU.
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2010/40.aspx


The ITU never changed the "proposed" standard, they simply agreed that the carriers could call HSPA+, WiMax and LTE a "4G technology".

http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2010/48.aspx



Here's a lovely graphic to explain most of it.

So it is proposed and not a set standard right?

 

[kre62]

http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2010/48.aspx

As the most advanced technologies currently defined for global wireless mobile broadband communications, IMT-Advanced is considered as “4G”, although it is recognized that this term, while undefined, may also be applied to the forerunners of these technologies, LTE and WiMax, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed.

Heres the key. Remains undefined. Term can apply to the forerunners. So yeah, it's 4G.

 

[steve31]

I love my iPhone 4 but the Samsung galaxy s2 just kills it!!! Hands down the best phone out now. The battery life has been good for me but not as great as the iPone but it lasts the day. The screen size is great for the web and the speed is as fast as my Mac for page loading times. I have ios 5 on my iPhone 4 and I do think that its an great upgrade but I like the customizations that I have control over with android better. The iPhone 4 feels laggy after using the sgs2. I do agree that it is super light and dose not feel as premium as the iPhone 4. But it is VERY FAST!!!

 

[rjohnstone]

So it is proposed and not a set standard right?

They actually set the basis for 4G in October (IMT Advanced) and then caved in December because of pressure from the carrier's marketing departments and lawyers.

Heres the key. Remains undefined. Term can apply to the forerunners. So yeah, it's 4G.

It's a load of crap and you know it.
HSPA+, WiMax and LTE were already defined as 3.9G... the standard for those was already set.
4G sounded sexier than 3.9G, so the carriers decided on their own to reclassify the tech as 4G.
ITU initially said not so fast and then wimped out a short time later in a bid to remain relevant.

Remember... the ITU is funded by the carriers.

 

[reactions]

Op I have to commend u for a very unbias review

I've always been intrigued by android handsets and you cleared some things up for me.

See I run a jb iPhone 4 and I wholeheartedly agree a stock iPhone 4 is a gimped phone missing some great features that android has.

Now OP is a jb iPhone better than an android phone?

 

[scott craft]

Great comparison on the phones. I was interested in the samsung, but if it has poor battery life like my motorola droid I'll have to pass.

 

[D1G1T4L]

They actually set the basis for 4G in October (IMT Advanced) and then caved in December because of pressure from the carrier's marketing departments and lawyers.

So there isn't a set standard anymore? Trying to figure this out