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Advice for a PhoneTard

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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
My 7 year old "eco" Samsung flip phone is about to bite the dust.

I don't know much about smartphones but after a little recon, I think I have it narrowed down to:
1. Iphone
2. Sony Xperia
3. Samsung Galaxy S3

I have a mac and that's really the only reason I'm interested in the iphone (and the dimensions seem smaller than anything else). Between mtn biking and my job which is a lot of field work, my electronics get beaten up and I want a phone that won't have the screen break if it falls out of my pocket on occasion. I hate how large most smart phones are, especially once you put a case on them to "protect them". Also interested in having a nice camera on it as well and battery life.

Which would you choose? Is there something else that I should look at?
Mar 20 2013 8:07PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
And I nexted the Samsung Rugby because it's only 5mp Camera and not an HD screen, and the battery is still the same (supposedly).
Mar 20 2013 8:09PM
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.Rybak.
Posts: 9017 - Karma: 9,864
If you're thinking about the s3 just wait another month or 2 if you can to get the s4.
Mar 20 2013 8:10PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
do you need the phone for fieldwork? it's probably going to break if you take it into the field a lot.
Mar 20 2013 8:20PM
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Dr.Newschoolers
Posts: 1357 - Karma: 508
get a nokia
Mar 20 2013 8:21PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
i don't do as much field work as i used to, but i'm just generally not nice to phones. i do need the phone for business though. my phone is about to crap out (been doing all kinds of crazy things lately), and i figure i might as well finally hop on the smartphone train since I'm eligible for an upgrade on ATT since i'm going to need it for upcoming contract work.
Mar 20 2013 8:26PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
which is why i've never hopped on the train. also havne't wanted to pay the data plan, but i'm willing to now that i can afford it.
Mar 20 2013 8:27PM
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cope+
Posts: 763 - Karma: 870
Iphone
Mar 20 2013 8:28PM
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blazer258
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 646
plus lifeproof case and your set
Mar 20 2013 8:30PM
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whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,103
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nexus 4
Mar 20 2013 8:31PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
OK, thanks for the opinions so far but can you guys you know, like, give me reasons why I should get one rather than just tell me the name of a phone model?

Thanks.
Mar 20 2013 8:37PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
it really depends on what you want to be able to do with it. if you're just looking for a little bit of text, phone calls, and maybe some minimal data, realistically, any of them are going to work fine.

personally, i would go with the s3 and here's the main reason why.....external battery. the iphone does not have a removable battery, so if that thing dies on you, and you aren't near a charger, you're fucked. whereas with the s3, you can have a backup battery and just swap them out in the event that your phone dies on you while you're out and about. this is very key with a smart phone these days imo. especially when i use the web a lot either tethering my laptop, or browsing on the mobile phone itself, i can chew up batteries like mad. the thought of being restricted to only one battery absolutely terrifies me.

also, the screens on iphones are just too god damn small for my taste. although the additional size on the s3 isn't much, it makes a world of difference when it comes to mobile web browsing, watching videos on your phone, etc.

and i won't even get in to all the cool stuff you can do once you root an adroid phone...probably irrelevant at this point.
Mar 20 2013 9:35PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
I have had two iphones. My iphone 4 has lasted me longer than any other cellphone I have owned. I initially had a case for it (never a screen protector though) but I have not had a case for it in over a year. The glass is VERY scratch resistant. I've used it maybe 20 days in the field so definitely thrown it around a bit (it was in a water proof bag though). I think it's a fairly durable phone. If I don't use it for an ipod I still get a few days worth of charge.

I hate to recommend apple products but it seems like it's a fairly durable phone. I took a look at my buddys 5 the other day and I actually do like the bigger screen. I would hate to have anything much bigger though.
Mar 20 2013 10:54PM
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Shark.
Posts: 3158 - Karma: 270
iphone, because cool people have iphones ;)
Mar 20 2013 11:02PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
I like your reasoning, and I've always been intrigued by the idea of rooting phones for tethering internet and whatnot. I just dont understand how that's not obvious to the service provider though. Plus, I'll probably need to be using excel or reading .pdfs for my job while in the field, and I've heard it's easier to use those files/programs on Androids.
Mar 21 2013 2:49AM
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Treblegrogg
Posts: 182 - Karma: 227
I was going the same decision about 2 months ago and i decided on the iphone 5. So stoked that i did, as soon as i got it i went and bought a lifeproof case. Expensive i know but its defiantely worth it! dropped it into a puddle just the other day from pocket height and it was fine. So yeah i'm pretty stoked in the 5 with lifeproof but i can't really say much about the xperia or the s3 as i've never owned one haha. just my 2 cents
Mar 21 2013 3:02AM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
wifi tethering is obvious to the service provider, but unless you're doing a lot of it on a regular basis, I've never heard of it being a problem.

i also really dislike the lack of flash on iphones/ipads. i remember being royally pissed off when i couldn't watch a Chicago Blackhawks game online on an ipad after my android phone died.

i won't say that apple products are junk, etc., but they're definitely not for me. disclaimer: i own both an android phone and an iphone and the iphone loses in all aspects imho.
Mar 21 2013 3:33AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
any advice on which is best with managing actual programs/files over fancy/gimicky apps? apps are cool and all, but i probably won't be playing many games or watching many movies on mine... unless i'm bored of course.
Mar 21 2013 3:38AM
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SnorkBoard
Posts: 311 - Karma: 821
Bump, my iPhone 4 is about to crap out, I'm not sure if I should wait for some new Android to come out, or get the 5 or Galaxy S3 or something.


Mostly use if for:
listening to music and podcasts (not sure you can do that on android),

taking pictures and video (don't have another camera),

Mobile web browsing

then all the phone calls, texting, use a few different apps regularly, etc.


I know squat about phones and the only reason I'd really like something else over the iPhone 5 is if the camera is a lot better.
Mar 22 2013 4:04PM
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