Due my getting booted from T-Mobile I'm forced to pick up a new Wireless provider. I have to sign a 2 year contract. Just curious which you would choose to keep for the next two years starting today. An iphone 5S or Galaxy S4. To me both have their positives and negatives. But I'm thinking more long term here. In 2 years which phone will hold up the test of time and still be usable and functional?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Better phone for the next two years: iPhone or Galaxy S4?
- Thread starter rockitdog
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
My vote would be for the iphone.
How did they do this? They just terminated your service? What provider are you looking for?
How did they do this? They just terminated your service? What provider are you looking for?
Well, since you are asking on an iPhone forum on a site specialized in Apple news, you should pretty much know what people will say around here: go for the iPhone. 
However, the answer depends on you and how you use your smartphone. There are a lot of questions for you to answer in order for you to find out which is better for you, but when I suggest a new phone to a friend, I normally follor these guidelines:
Go for the Android - in your case the S4 if:
- you like tweaking with electronic devices and have time to work your phone to meet your needs;
- if you don't mind doing your own security in your devices - running antivirus scans, setting up anti theft solutions, etc;
- you had Android devices before and want to keep your purchases (musics, apps, etc.) in the transition
Go for the iOS - iPhone 5s if:
- you don't have the time to make your phone meet your needs perfectly and just want something that 'just works';
- you had iOS devices before and want to keep your purchases (musics, apps, etc.) in the transition
With these guidelines I normally succeed in convincing my friends into buying the right phone for them, and so far everyone is happy with their purchase. I hope this helps
EDIT - wrong button pressed when previewing...
However, the answer depends on you and how you use your smartphone. There are a lot of questions for you to answer in order for you to find out which is better for you, but when I suggest a new phone to a friend, I normally follor these guidelines:
Go for the Android - in your case the S4 if:
- you like tweaking with electronic devices and have time to work your phone to meet your needs;
- if you don't mind doing your own security in your devices - running antivirus scans, setting up anti theft solutions, etc;
- you had Android devices before and want to keep your purchases (musics, apps, etc.) in the transition
Go for the iOS - iPhone 5s if:
- you don't have the time to make your phone meet your needs perfectly and just want something that 'just works';
- you had iOS devices before and want to keep your purchases (musics, apps, etc.) in the transition
With these guidelines I normally succeed in convincing my friends into buying the right phone for them, and so far everyone is happy with their purchase. I hope this helps
EDIT - wrong button pressed when previewing...
Last edited:
This is a pretty big factor IMO. If you wanted a phone for just a year or 18 months tops, the s4 would be just fine. If you plan on hanging onto a phone for 2 years, the iphone gets my vote.
The only android device I could see keeping for 2 years would be a nexus.
Better phone for the next two years: iPhone or Galaxy S4?
I would go iPhone. The S4 is plagued with unoptimized software and the 2 gigs of RAM isn't doing it any favors.
I would go iPhone. The S4 is plagued with unoptimized software and the 2 gigs of RAM isn't doing it any favors.
What a load of old rubbish!
Running anti virus scans and setting up anti theft solutions? I don't know a single person that has done any of that not has any need too!
Maybe you could enlighten me.
I personally think the S4 is the better device, but I'll go with the 5S if your talking 2 years. The S6 and the 6S will be out in 2 years. The S6 will be worlds away from the S4, but the 6S might not be so far apart from the 5S except for the screen size.
I think either would be fine. The GS3 is still getting support almost 2 years later. With the iPhone all you're guaranteed is a new version number, there's no telling what features you'll actually be getting 2 years from now. So yes, you'll probably get more updates with the iPhone but there's more to a smartphone than just waiting for new OS's. Such as actually, ya know....using them.
Get a moto X. Its the best all around phone out right now. Butter smooth, great size, amazing battery life, and the software is top notch.
I'd recommend the iPhone 5S just because Apple will keep it up to date for the next two years. The Galaxy S4 is a great device though so if you don't care much about updates, want a bigger screen, or you like to geek around with your phone I'd get it.
I agree with this. There is honestly not a better all around phone on the market right now. HTC One comes really close, but it is about to updated. I truly think the Moto X gives you just an all around great phone. Maybe it does not have the fastest processor, best screen, camera, or metal build. It does does everything well, and does nothing bad.
The S4 may have a better screen, processor, and camera. But the S4 with TW is laggy. The S4 will give you a great camera, but the over all performance leaves a lot to be desired.
The iPhone 5S has the best camera, and is very smooth. The screen is nothing special anymore, and the size can be an issue. You get great software in iOS that you can't go wrong with. You just have to love iOS out of the box because there is no changing it.
With all that said I am using the iPhone 5s, and I love it. It works for me, and I don't need a huge screen to be happy. If Apple offers one I will go for it because I have larger hands, but I can work with the size now. Moto X just seems like a great all around phone. It does not have any real flaws. It has nothing that stands out either, but that just makes for the most well rounded phone. Right now I don't think you can get a better phone.
Why do you have to sign a contract? If you are thinking of going to AT&T I would purchase a Nexus 5. It's $15 less a month if you don't sign a contract. Plus you're guaranteed to get OS updates.
If you don't want the Nexus 5 for whatever reason I would not sign a contract for an S4 right now. The S5 will be available for purchase in April. You are better off getting something temporary for 2 months (if you don't want the N5).
An iPhone 5S would be fine but you might be envious of the larger iPhone 6 come fall.
Attachments
how will those updates be with lenovo? That is a big question. Also, in 2 years will it still be a good phone? There is a lot of unknowns in the android world with updates....especially with a new company.
According the Motorola a few weeks ago, the Moto X was actually done independently from Google, and the fast updates were actually due to the stock android codebase Motorola uses, and working very closely with the carriers, not because of the relationship with Google. Lenovo so far has made it sound like that the current Motorola Management is staying in place, and they will probably try to replace Lenovos current lineup with Motorola's since its pretty indisputably superior. Hopefully they realize the advantage that the stock android base gives them. Its not even just about updates but about performance and usability. Everything on the Moto X is just so polished.