Resolved Android Phone As A Christmas Gift?

[Macman45]

As the title says, I'm looking into an Android phone as a gift idea for a buddy who wants to give it to his wife. I know nothing about Android, but according to him, the contracts can be had more cheaply than an iPhone, and the handsets are cheaper as we know.

With all that in mind, and me being utterly clueless when it comes to Android phones, what would you recommend? His wife would like a camera, doesn't really need Internet access although I suspect she'd use it if it was cheap enough. Samsung? Lumia?

In short....Help!!

 

[ReanimationN]

How much does he want to spend? If he's happy to go up to $350, he may as well get a Nexus 4. The Lumia is a Nokia phone running Windows Phone.

 

[Macman45]

How much does he want to spend? If he's happy to go up to $350, he may as well get a Nexus 4. The Lumia is a Nokia phone running Windows Phone.

I should have said UK based, but yes he could certainly run to the Nexus, Can somebody in the UK give me an idea of what contract prices are like? He is with Virgin Mobile so it would make sense for his wife to go with them too....Also, what's the build quality like on the Nexus? I really am a total doofus when it comes to Android phones. Other's he has considered are the S3...( Dumped due to build quality) and the Lumia, which, as it's a Windows phone can now be dumped too....he has just bought a new Imac 21.5, has an iPad, but his phone is an ancient Nokia Express music.. My own advice to him was that since he has a Mac and an iPad, that the iphone would play better with his stuff than an Android would, but I assume that the Nexus can be connected and synced to a Mac?

 

[Ericcc]

My own advice to him was that since he has a Mac and an iPad, that the iphone would play better with his stuff than an Android would, but I assume that the Nexus can be connected and synced to a Mac?

Yeah, an iPhone certainly sounds like a no-fuss, no-brainer addition to his current array of devices. There are ways to synch to Android to Mac, but understandably, they're not as simple. For example can use DoubleTwist to synch iTunes content (wireless synch option also available).

This is the list of current Android flagships:
- Google Nexus 4
- Samsung Galaxy Note II (phone tablet hybrid)
- Samsung Galaxy S III
- LG Optimus G
- HTC One X or X+
- Sony Xperia T or TL

Out of that list I still pick the Nexus 4, then the Galaxy S3 due to futureproofing. Note that these are all huge devices with phone width of ~67 to 70 mm -far larger than an iPhone. It's a tradeoff between more screen realestate and one-hand usability for someone with smaller hands. If you guys need a smaller handset, the HTC Ones S is probably the only option with good specs.

As for build quality, so far, every source has stated the construction of the Nexus 4 to be superb. For the Galaxy S III, I hope you tried a real one and not a demo devoid of electronics at the store, because there is a huge difference. To me, it felt pretty solid and very slick despite its materials.

Out of curiosity, how tech-savvy is your friend or his wife?

 

[Highboy90]

Last year, after a iPhone GS3, I went with a Samsung Galaxy S II as I wanted to "experience" Android and really liked the larger screen. Phone has been solid except for a few false alerts regarding e-mails (have multiple accounts). Was in a AT&T store the other day and placed the Samsung aside the new iPhone 5 and I'm not sure I would like losing the viewing capabilities.

Perhaps a Samsung Galaxy S II which would save a few dollars or a III would be a good choice?

 

[MonkeySee....]

I should have said UK based, but yes he could certainly run to the Nexus, Can somebody in the UK give me an idea of what contract prices are like? He is with Virgin Mobile so it would make sense for his wife to go with them too....Also, what's the build quality like on the Nexus? I really am a total doofus when it comes to Android phones. Other's he has considered are the S3...( Dumped due to build quality) and the Lumia, which, as it's a Windows phone can now be dumped too....he has just bought a new Imac 21.5, has an iPad, but his phone is an ancient Nokia Express music.. My own advice to him was that since he has a Mac and an iPad, that the iphone would play better with his stuff than an Android would, but I assume that the Nexus can be connected and synced to a Mac?

He most likely has Virgin Media then right? My dad has Virgin Median and gets cheap phones and tarrifs on Virgin Mobile tied in with his account.

http://www.virginmobile.com/vm/home.do

 

[BananaJones]

I'm new here. I've been reading the threads for a while, just never registered. Just thought I'd chime in on this one. I just came from the Galaxy S III to the iPhone 5. I loved the S III. It was an amazing phone. I switched back simply because of compatibility. Everything is my house is Apple and I had big issues getting my S III to sync with my computers. It was a large headache. So, I'm back with the iPhone. BUT if someone is looking for an Android device, I would definitely recommend the S III. I had no issues whatsoever. It was fast, the screen was beautiful and not a single glitch or freeze up.

 

[daveathall]

You can buy a Nexus 4 from O2 or Carphone warehouse for £399, they are unlocked so he could use whatever plan and carrier is best for her, even pay and go if she wants. I have a N4 and the build quality is superb. I must admit that with him having that many Apple products that an iPhone would suit him down to the ground, although, I have a MBP and find no problem integrating my contacts and calendar with it.

 

[ReanimationN]

I should have said UK based, but yes he could certainly run to the Nexus, Can somebody in the UK give me an idea of what contract prices are like?

The Nexus 4 is sold as a contract-free, unlocked phone.

He is with Virgin Mobile so it would make sense for his wife to go with them too....Also, what's the build quality like on the Nexus?

I don't own one, but it sounds like people have been happy with them for the most part.

I really am a total doofus when it comes to Android phones. Other's he has considered are the S3...( Dumped due to build quality) and the Lumia, which, as it's a Windows phone can now be dumped too....he has just bought a new Imac 21.5, has an iPad, but his phone is an ancient Nokia Express music.. My own advice to him was that since he has a Mac and an iPad, that the iphone would play better with his stuff than an Android would, but I assume that the Nexus can be connected and synced to a Mac?

The Nexus 4 can be connected to a Mac, but getting everything you want to sync will be a mission. It's not easy like the iPhone, there'll be work involved. There's no desktop companion app like the iPhone has in iTunes. You can't plug your phone into your computer and make a backup of your entire phone, your apps and app data like you can with an iPhone and iTunes. That's unless you've rooted your Android phone (the Android equivalent of jailbreaking), then you can make a decent backup.

If your friend and his wife want a phone that'll sync up nicely and easily with the rest of their Apple gear, they're better off going for one of the older iPhones (if cost is a concern).

 

[Macman45]

Yeah, an iPhone certainly sounds like a no-fuss, no-brainer addition to his current array of devices. There are ways to synch to Android to Mac, but understandably, they're not as simple. For example can use DoubleTwist to synch iTunes content (wireless synch option also available).

This is the list of current Android flagships:
- Google Nexus 4
- Samsung Galaxy Note II (phone tablet hybrid)
- Samsung Galaxy S III
- LG Optimus G
- HTC One X or X+
- Sony Xperia T or TL

Out of that list I still pick the Nexus 4, then the Galaxy S3 due to futureproofing. Note that these are all huge devices with phone width of ~67 to 70 mm -far larger than an iPhone. It's a tradeoff between more screen realestate and one-hand usability for someone with smaller hands. If you guys need a smaller handset, the HTC Ones S is probably the only option with good specs.

As for build quality, so far, every source has stated the construction of the Nexus 4 to be superb. For the Galaxy S III, I hope you tried a real one and not a demo devoid of electronics at the store, because there is a huge difference. To me, it felt pretty solid and very slick despite its materials.

Out of curiosity, how tech-savvy is your friend or his wife?

Firstly, thank you for all the replies...very useful indeed..S far as being tech savvy goes...she isn't..not one bit, and has been using a PAYG piece of junk that she bought from Tescos for about £30! Yes, the provider is Virgin Media, and judging from the responses here, the Nexus seems to be the way to go, but if the base price is £399, then a little extra money would buy her an iPhone. I did get hands on with an S3, but it was a demo ( empty) model. When we asked to try a real out of the box example, the saleswoman declined...."we are not allowed to take them out of the box" That was phones4us or whatever they go by. I will pass this information on and he can decide...The device size would concern me as well, but then again, I have an IP5 and am all Mac....Just makes more sense for him to buy even a refurb Iphone would work better with his current setup. Thanks again!

 

[tbayrgs]

This is the list of current Android flagships:
- Google Nexus 4
- Samsung Galaxy Note II (phone tablet hybrid)
- Samsung Galaxy S III
- LG Optimus G
- HTC One X or X+
- Sony Xperia T or TL

Considering your friends wife's needs and level of tech expertise, I'd stay away from these devices and probably Android all together, unless your friend plans on managing the device. My wife is a very intelligent physician but when it comes to anything tech related, my 4, 7, and 9 year old kids stand a better chance. She's been using an iPhone for a few years now and while she still needs to ask me how to do certain things (that I've show her dozen's of times), she does just fine with the basics (phone, email, texting, internet--mostly) and thanks to Apple's desire to keep most things same as they were years ago , she get's a new iPhone is can use it immediately.

To be honest, it really doesn't sound like she needs a smartphone as all so why make it more complicated?

 

[Macman45]

Considering your friends wife's needs and level of tech expertise, I'd stay away from these devices and probably Android all together, unless your friend plans on managing the device. My wife is a very intelligent physician but when it comes to anything tech related, my 4, 7, and 9 year old kids stand a better chance. She's been using an iPhone for a few years now and while she still needs to ask me how to do certain things (that I've show her dozen's of times), she does just fine with the basics (phone, email, texting, internet--mostly) and thanks to Apple's desire to keep most things same as they were years ago , she get's a new iPhone is can use it immediately.

To be honest, it really doesn't sound like she needs a smartphone as all so why make it more complicated?

I'm 100% with you, the Iphone makes far more sense...I'm going to tell him to get hold of one...I think it was price she was more concerned about, but since 16GB would be ample, there isn't a lot in it...It will make things easy to manage as well....I think they thought that Android phones were a lot cheaper, but that isn't the case. Thanks for the reply!

 

[kevinone]

There are many options on the android platform phones. But I will list one of the impressive number of samples to choose from.

Google Nexus 4
Samsung Galaxy Note II
Samsung Galaxy S III
LG Optimus G
LG Optimus L9

Or Windows Phone:

Nokia Lumia 920

 

[Macman45]

There are many options on the android platform phones. But I will list one of the impressive number of samples to choose from.

Google Nexus 4
Samsung Galaxy Note II
Samsung Galaxy S III
LG Optimus G
LG Optimus L9

Or Windows Phone:

Nokia Lumia 920

Oh No.......Not a Windows phone...... I'm going to recommned an iPhone, but if he decides he doesn't want to spend the few extra ££ then I think the Nexus will be next in the line.

 

[RetepNamenots]

Firstly, thank you for all the replies...very useful indeed..S far as being tech savvy goes...she isn't..not one bit, and has been using a PAYG piece of junk that she bought from Tescos for about £30! Yes, the provider is Virgin Media, and judging from the responses here, the Nexus seems to be the way to go, but if the base price is £399, then a little extra money would buy her an iPhone. I did get hands on with an S3, but it was a demo ( empty) model. When we asked to try a real out of the box example, the saleswoman declined...."we are not allowed to take them out of the box" That was phones4us or whatever they go by. I will pass this information on and he can decide...The device size would concern me as well, but then again, I have an IP5 and am all Mac....Just makes more sense for him to buy even a refurb Iphone would work better with his current setup. Thanks again!

The base price of the Nexus is £239:

https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_4_8gb

Google are selling it at a loss –*that's why Carphone Warehouse and O2 are selling it for far more money by comparison.

 

[Macman45]

I will mark this resolved as he decided on a 16GB IP5 in white...A sensible choice given the circumstances..Thanks for all the information.all...

 

[blackhand1001]

You can't go wrong with the s3. The nexus is nice as well but I think for the average user the s3 may be better. Google still has to iron out some bugs from 4.2.