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No more iPhones - what replacement?

S

Shredder-

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 4, 2012
161
16
Time to leave the iPhone cycle. Currently using an iPhone 4. My plan is expiring in about two months and I've had my eyes on the Xperia Sola. Question is: What phone has similar size to the iPhone and better specs? (I'm not interested in the S3/Nexus size phones). What Android phones will blow me away? I'm really interested in trying an android, but once again, size about the same as iPhone (3.5 - 3.8" ish)

Will the Sola be sufficient, or is it actually a downgrade from the iPhone 4?
 
You are not going to get a good Android phone at the iPhone size at this point. You'll learn to love the bigger size, especially because the Android features are so much easier to control because of it.
 
Jessica Lares said:
You are not going to get a good Android phone at the iPhone size at this point. You'll learn to love the bigger size, especially because the Android features are so much easier to control because of it.
Click to expand...

What about the Xperia Sola?
 
Shredder- said:
What about the Xperia Sola?
Click to expand...

You could do so much better. Android 2.3, 5 megapixel camera, talk time (up to) 6 hours, all deal breakers.

Your money is well spent on higher specs and LTE. Honestly, you won't regret it. The Xperia is a HUGE downgrade from iPhone 4. Another thing I'll point out is the 512 MB RAM. ICS is not optimized for that (it needs at least 1GB).

You should go into a store and play with some of the models. I think it would benefit you.
 
There's always the Nexus S. Older phone, but has all of the features the iphone has EXCEPT for a high res display. It runs ICS
 
Tarzanman said:
There's always the Nexus S. Older phone, but has all of the features the iphone has EXCEPT for a high res display. It runs ICS
Click to expand...

CPU and camera are too old on that one unless you pick up a really cheap used one.

I would still consider the galaxy nexus. The screen dimensions on it are a bit misleading as the soft keys are part of the screen. I personally think its the best size for a phone. I thought it looked big when I first got it but after an hour I loved it. Its really more of a 4.3 inch screen. Don't assume because you have an iPhone that you won't like the size of the nexus. I came from a such smaller phone as well.
 
blackhand1001 said:
CPU and camera are too old on that one unless you pick up a really cheap used one.

I would still consider the galaxy nexus. The screen dimensions on it are a bit misleading as the soft keys are part of the screen. I personally think its the best size for a phone. I thought it looked big when I first got it but after an hour I loved it. Its really more of a 4.3 inch screen.
Click to expand...

I loved and miss the on screen buttons. It's one of the things I wish were on my GS3. I can get them on my GS3 but it would look stupid :p
 
Motorola Droid Razr M. It's a small phone with an edge-to-edge 4.3" screen.

I just sold my 4s three weeks ago and have been using a GNex (I bought used). I'd recommended buying something relatively cheap so you can try out Android before committing to a 2 yr contract (if you can afford it).
 
3bs said:
I loved and miss the on screen buttons. It's one of the things I wish were on my GS3. I can get them on my GS3 but it would look stupid :p
Click to expand...

Yeah. I still have my nexus since I am still on contract but yeah the onscreen buttons are amazing.
 
How about the Razr M?
Razr_iPhone-620x349.jpg


Similar width to the iPhone 4 with a little more length but a larger screen overall and soft buttons.
 
This actually raises an interesting problem with Android: there are no well-specced or high-end devices that are iPhone-sized. Some people surely don't want a bigger screen or device, but Android doesn't really offer any worthwhile options.
 
zbarvian said:
This actually raises an interesting problem with Android: there are no well-specced or high-end devices that are iPhone-sized. Some people surely don't want a bigger screen or device, but Android doesn't really offer any worthwhile options.
Click to expand...

The RAZR m is roughly the same size as the new iphone and offers the snapdragon s4 and premium build quality.
 
blackhand1001 said:
The RAZR m is roughly the same size as the new iphone and offers the snapdragon s4 and premium build quality.
Click to expand...

That's one device and it's still substantially larger. I personally am not complaining, but I understand there is an audience of smaller-phone lovers, and am just observing that Android really doesn't have a device as small as the iPhone that is even comparable in quality.
 
zbarvian said:
This actually raises an interesting problem with Android: there are no well-specced or high-end devices that are iPhone-sized. Some people surely don't want a bigger screen or device, but Android doesn't really offer any worthwhile options.
Click to expand...

Multiple polls have shown the vast majority of the people polled want screens at least 4.3 inches and thats why you won't find any new Android phones around 4 inches. I think if there were a big enough demand for that size, there would be some out or at least coming up.
 
S3 is amazing. or if you want to sell your i4 and just get a stock JB phone.. Nexus is great with stock jelly bean you wont regret it.
 
Jessica Lares said:
You could do so much better. Android 2.3, 5 megapixel camera, talk time (up to) 6 hours, all deal breakers.

Your money is well spent on higher specs and LTE. Honestly, you won't regret it. The Xperia is a HUGE downgrade from iPhone 4. Another thing I'll point out is the 512 MB RAM. ICS is not optimized for that (it needs at least 1GB).

You should go into a store and play with some of the models. I think it would benefit you.
Click to expand...

You can upgrade the Sola to 4.0 can't you?
 
I recommend checking out the HTC One X, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Nexus, and Nokia's WP8. When your contract is up, there should be a wide variety to choose from. Take your time getting a phone. These days it's as important as choosing a home or car in terms of taste and preference.
 
Taking into account your wanting a similar-sized phone with almost equally stalwart build quality and spec sheet, try the HTC One V.
 
Yea, I really love the One V design, but isn't that one of those phones that kinda "flopped"?
 
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