Phones Unbiased advice. (4S vs Nexus 4) :D

[js81]

OK, so I have an iPhone 4... it is MISERABLY slow and all-but-useless with iOS 6. To be quite honest, I HATE my phone now (a phone that I USED to love). I've tried wiping it, disabling a ton of stuff, etc - nothing helps. So that leads me to wanting a NEW phone... problem is I do NOT want a new contract and I do NOT want to spend over $300. I'm on a prepaid plan and would like to stay that way.

So the question, then, is this - if it were YOU, would you spend the $300 buying a nearly 2 year old iPhone 4S -OR- would you spend the $300 and buy a brand new Nexus 4? I know the Nexus kicks the 4S's butt in terms of hardware specs... but I'm used to and actually like iOS (well, as long as it's not being dog-slow, like my 4 is NOW). I don't have a ton of money invested in iOS apps (and my wife would still have an iPhone, anyway - hers is a 4, too), so that's not a big issue. It basically comes down to iOS vs. Android.

And I know this is an opinion question... that's why I'm asking for your opinion. And if you have any other ~$300 phone suggestions, please let me know.

EDIT: Oh, and I DO have experience with Android - it's limited (one device, one version), but it is something.

 

[Paddle1]

Unbiased.. in the iPhone section?

 

[maxosx]

Buy the iPhone.

Android is for those who like learning something new & have patience to do it.

Far too many iPhone users actually believe they're qualified to evaluate Android after a short visit to their carrier. Others give up after a few days or a week of ownership. Why they expect it to be similar to an iPhone amazes me.

I have both & enjoy each for what they're good at. There's no perfect phone. Presently my personal favorite is my Galaxy S4. For my preferences it's an incredibly good phone.

 

[lordofthereef]

This is a tough one. I truly feel the two phones are about on par with one another. It would be easier to recommend something if I knew whether you have EVER used Android before. I ask because if you are completely new to the platform, you might end up getting frustrated for no reason other than it is something you have to learn from "scratch". No, I don't think the learning curve is high, but there is one, so you might feel like iOS is "easier", when the difference is mostly in the fact that you are used to one and not the other.

 

[js81]

Android is for those who like learning something new & have patience to do it.

If it is of any assistance, I am a tech-geek with years of computer experience (repair, troubleshooting, etc., both PC and Mac) and do have some experience with Android (my wife used to have an HTC Inspire, running Froyo 2.2). I don't think I'll have any issue at all with learning it or using it; I'm just wondering how other iPhone users feel about Android as an OS in terms of functionality, features, etc.

I think your last statement maybe the best answer to me; even though you said you have both, you also said you prefer your S4.

This is a tough one. I truly feel the two phones are about on par with one another. It would be easier to recommend something if I knew whether you have EVER used Android before. I ask because if you are completely new to the platform, you might end up getting frustrated for no reason other than it is something you have to learn from "scratch". No, I don't think the learning curve is high, but there is one, so you might feel like iOS is "easier", when the difference is mostly in the fact that you are used to one and not the other.

Sorry, should've said that in the OP. Editing now...

 

[lordofthereef]

If it is of any assistance, I am a tech-geek with years of computer experience (repair, troubleshooting, etc., both PC and Mac) and do have some experience with Android (my wife used to have an HTC Inspire, running Froyo 2.2).

Froyo and Jellybean are like two different OS's. REALLY. That said, at least you know you are getting into something new. In that case, I might lean towards the Nexus. It will feel fresh, you say you like tot inker, so you will probably enjoy it, and you can always sell it if you hate it. It seems to have held its value pretty well. I think MSRP is $350 and the thing is still selling used for about $300, at least in my area.

Fair warning, there are a LOT of complaints about cracked glass. I am not sure if that translates into actual fragility, or if it's just Android users not used to having glass on the back of their phones. I do believe they ship with a free bumper now though (from Google Play).

 

[Caesars]

Talking about a brand new top phone for 300 vs a used phone for same price, I have extensive experience with both sides and for my personal use the decision would be an obvious Nexus 4 (ATM I'm doing i5 and an s4).

 

[js81]

Thanks, all. I'm leaning that way, too - I love my iPhone, don't get me wrong; I just simply cannot afford/do not want to afford $600 outright for a new one.

and you can always sell it if you hate it. It seems to have held its value pretty well.

This was my thought process exactly. My iPhone 4 is worth maybe $180, and it's just going to keep going down. If I hated the Nexus, maybe in 6 months to a year I could find a much better deal on an iPhone 5 than I can right now, and still have a phone I could sell for the same $180-or-so that my iPhone 4 is worth now.

 

[CoMoMacUser]

I have an iPad, an MBA and an iMac, but I bought an N4 partly because the iPhone felt too small and partly because I wanted an unlocked device. I don't regret it. My previous phone was the original EVO, and I really didn't see much difference between Android and iOS in terms of app selection, features, etc.

Despite having all of my other devices in the Apple ecosystem, I never used iCloud because that would have required putting ML on my iMac. I have ML on my MBA, and it blows compared to SL. So iCloud was a non-factor in my decision. Dropbox, Google Calendar, Evernote, etc. cover all the bases for me and don't tie me to a single vendor.

YMMV. Good luck with your decision.

----------

Fair warning, there are a LOT of complaints about cracked glass. I am not sure if that translates into actual fragility, or if it's just Android users not used to having glass on the back of their phones.

This definitely is a drawback. I recommend getting a case.

 

[vistadude]

I'd rather trade in the iphone 4 for $200, and buy an iphone 5, HTC One, or S4 for free (under contract) or $375 ETF.

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2013/05/att-offering-free-iphone-5-handset-with-iphone-4s-trade-in

 

[js81]

I'd rather trade in the iphone 4 for $200, and buy an iphone 5, HTC One, or S4 for free (under contract) or $375 ETF.

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2013/05/att-offering-free-iphone-5-handset-with-iphone-4s-trade-in

While a good deal, I do not want a contract. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

 

[teknikal90]

ive been back and forth between android and iOS.
bottom line, i love iTunes and the app store too much
also, since it is a phone, having imessage and facetime are value add features that dont have android replacements.(FaceTime has a huge adoption rate, as does imessage...)
with regards to customisability, android is like driving through the suburbs in a manual car, iphone is driving in automatic. for some people, getting from A-B via the easiest way is the right way.

 

[lordofthereef]

ive been back and forth between android and iOS.
bottom line, i love iTunes and the app store too much
also, since it is a phone, having imessage and facetime are value add features that dont have android replacements.(FaceTime has a huge adoption rate, as does imessage...)
with regards to customisability, android is like driving through the suburbs in a manual car, iphone is driving in automatic. for some people, getting from A-B via the easiest way is the right way.

It's all in who you know. If you know many android users, they probably use hangouts, which is the closest android equivalent of iMessage. It will also be getting text message integration, so it will basically be like iMessage, but te beat thing is it will still be cross platform (although non android devices obviously won't be integrated as SMS/mms). As far as FaceTime, there is always Skype. Again, depends on who you know. Everyone I know prefers Skype over FaceTime. I suspect the adoption rate of Skype far outweighs FaceTime since its been cross platform for so very long. I'm not sure there is a platform now where Skype isn't compatible (maybe blackberry?).

 

[teknikal90]

It's all in who you know. If you know many android users, they probably use hangouts, which is the closest android equivalent of iMessage. It will also be getting text message integration, so it will basically be like iMessage, but te beat thing is it will still be cross platform (although non android devices obviously won't be integrated as SMS/mms). As far as FaceTime, there is always Skype. Again, depends on who you know. Everyone I know prefers Skype over FaceTime. I suspect the adoption rate of Skype far outweighs FaceTime since its been cross platform for so very long. I'm not sure there is a platform now where Skype isn't compatible (maybe blackberry?).

i know all my friends prefer facetime simply because of ease of use.

 

[Mxbzz]

The Nexus 4 was the first Android phone that really changed my preference between the two (iOS and Android). I thoroughly enjoyed my Nexus 4, and only lost a handful of dollars when I resold it (to upgrade to the HTC One). Android has made great strides as of late and I'd recommend giving the Nexus a shot.

 

[BuddyRich]

For a phone its its a tough descision.

I bought my wife, a non-tinkerer and iPad user /w older blackberry phone, the N4, because it was cheap and unlocked as we needed an unlocked phone on our Euro trip.

All of the apps she uses on her iPad have Android equivalents for the phone so it was a painless conversion and she didn't really notice much of a difference. If you touch an icon, an app launches. If you hit a button, you can slide away and close apps vs. dbl-clocking home and hitting x on their icon.

For my part I've had the i5 since launch and I have to admit that I liked the newness of the N4 better and when it was looking like I was going to have to pay 229 for a referb i5 rather than a free warranty replacement I was considering jumping over for just $100 more. In the end Apple came through but next upgrade I will give Nexus a good look.

All of that said, the iPad is still the clear tablet choice by far because of its apps. While android might have equivalents on the phone side, they won't run in 10" hi-res mode on the Nexus 10, but in a scaled mode.

 

[ebbygoo]

Free texting over iMessage ftw woo

 

[maflynn]

Free texting over iMessage ftw woo

There's a bunch of texting apps on android so I don't think that is a major advantage. Its a nice app don't get me wrong but its not a unique feature.

 

[T5BRICK]

So the question, then, is this - if it were YOU, would you spend the $300 buying a nearly 2 year old iPhone 4S -OR- would you spend the $300 and buy a brand new Nexus 4? I know the Nexus kicks the 4S's butt in terms of hardware specs... but I'm used to and actually like iOS (well, as long as it's not being dog-slow, like my 4 is NOW). I don't have a ton of money invested in iOS apps (and my wife would still have an iPhone, anyway - hers is a 4, too), so that's not a big issue. It basically comes down to iOS vs. Android.

I just sold my iPhone 4S and bought a new HTC One(on contract). First I'll say that the iPhone 4S is a HUGE upgrade, performance wise, from the iPhone 4. A friend of mine was constantly having lag problems with his 4, and my 4S didn't exhibit any of those issues. I really, truly, thought my 4S was a great phone.

That being said, the HTC One is also a great phone. I went this route because it was time to try something new and because Android is much more polished than it was when I used to fiddle around with my wifes Droid Eris running Android 2.2/2.3.

I almost went with the Nexus 4, and I almost went the no-contract route like you. But I just couldn't trim back the music selection that I carry around with me, so 16GB storage on the Nexus 4 wasn't going to cut it. Additionally, I realized that my MNVO options were too limited and coverage most of them provided using the T-Mobile network isn't good where I live or some of the places I frequently visit.

There's a bunch of texting apps on android so I don't think that is a major advantage. Its a nice app don't get me wrong but its not a unique feature.

While that is true, iMessage doesn't require a separate phone number or App to use for free texting. I didn't have to explain how it worked to my mother, whereas she still doesn't get why I use Google Voice. "You use two numbers? That's confusing!"

 

[ebbygoo]

Exactly. I can easily say 75% of my contacts have iMessage, and the ease of simply texting their number, with a feature built into their phone easily, in my opinion, bests any alternative, such as FB messenger.

 

[TacticalDesire]

Free texting over iMessage ftw woo

Is there anyone here who doesn't have unlimited texting? That being said I am a fan of iMessage


OP, having used both platforms extensively (4+ years) my vote goes to the nexus 4 based on the information you've given. It really is a fantastic phone and is stupid fast on stock android.

 

[HiDEF]

Free texting over iMessage ftw woo

The one and only thing I miss from iOS. Other than that, Android has come a long with Jelly Bean.

 

[daveathall]

Ive had all the phones you mention (iPhone 4, 4S and Nexus 4) I still have the Nexus 4, out of those 3 it is the one I preferred. (I also have a Nexus 4 and mostly use that all the time.

 

[sentinelsx]

For $300, why not a gs3? I see sealed ones going for $350 around at our place, which is usually always on the high side in terms of phone prices in aftermarket.

Otherwise, I would say a 4S if you still like ios and the 3.5 inch screen is perfect for you. The nexus 4 is blazing fast, but the battery life gets a little volatile unless you take steps to set it up properly (setting location profiles, disabling some apps and stuff, not letting google accounts play wild all the time etc). Unlike skinned devices, it has no power saving mode which can automatically give you an emergency 30 mins-1hr for calls and some usage etc.

Otherwise, once set up properly, the nexus 4 is going to be a great device. It just flies and amazes me with the performance months after the launch and the UI is very clean and gets out of way quickly.

 

[Greg.]

Get the Nexus 4. iOS is far behind Android nowadays, but maybe wait for the Keynote to see if anything interesting is announced besides some graphical changes.