Phones Your thoughts on the Galaxy S III

[matttye]

This video is creating a lot of controversy (iOS vs Android simplicity). If anyone wants to join the debate, feel free to spend next 13 mins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMiY1kSTHZw

iOS simplicity comes from the fact that there's usually only one way to do things, theres hardly any customisation available. Options and customisation are nice for those who know how to use them, but for the not so tech savvy, being able to change everything can be a disaster!

Most things are indeed easier to do in Android when you know how.

I don't think anybody can honestly say that Androids approach to sharing isn't miles ahead of ios...

 

[Navdakilla]

All I'm saying is the iPhone 5 better blow people's minds..I will be switching to android if this update is minimal

 

[cynics]

All I'm saying is the iPhone 5 better blow people's minds..I will be switching to android if this update is minimal

I doubt it will blow people's minds but I think it will be enough of an upgrade to satisfy the majority.

 

[qwerty123123]

Except apple own the rights to liquidmetal in consumer electronics!

didnt they just buy the company? i dont think they bought the rights for it.

 

[blairh]

Also the Nexus series which is what i use gets and will get fresher updates because its the pure version of the OS with no OEM Gui placed on top of it

I really like the Nexus. And this is coming from a 3 years plus iPhone user. So the Nexus will get Jelly Bean sooner than the other Androids? That is very interesting. What are your thoughts about the headphone jack on the bottom of the device?

My contract is up this July. I kinda want to ditch my iPhone for a Nexus but I worry that I'll have buyers remorse when I see the next iPhone unveiled this fall.

 

[onthecouchagain]

I really like the Nexus. And this is coming from a 3 years plus iPhone user. So the Nexus will get Jelly Bean sooner than the other Androids? That is very interesting. What are your thoughts about the headphone jack on the bottom of the device?

My contract is up this July. I kinda want to ditch my iPhone for a Nexus but I worry that I'll have buyers remorse when I see the next iPhone unveiled this fall.

Heh, I love the headphone jack being on the bottom. I always insert my phone in my pocket top-down, meaning the device is upset down in my pocket (the screen facing toward me/my leg).

This just makes more sense when pulling out the phone because I'm grabbing it the way I'd be holding it, so it just comes up and out more naturally.

When I had the 4/4S, it wasn't as natural to have to pull the phone out and sort of "slide" it up in my hand to get the right grip on it to handle.


Also, semi-related/unrelated: I much prefer the sleep/wake button on the right side of my device. My thumb is naturally there, or my index finger when using my left hand. Reaching up to push the sleep button on the iPhone felt unnecessarily "far" to reach.

Just me.

 

[Yumunum]

iOS simplicity comes from the fact that there's usually only one way to do things, theres hardly any customisation available. Options and customisation are nice for those who know how to use them, but for the not so tech savvy, being able to change everything can be a disaster!

Most things are indeed easier to do in Android when you know how.

I don't think anybody can honestly say that Androids approach to sharing isn't miles ahead of ios...

Sharing on Android is amazing. I love how connected all the apps are. One of the things I miss from Android. I'd love to switch back when if I see the right opportunity and the right phone. (hopefully the GSIII will be that phone)

 

[blairh]

Heh, I love the headphone jack being on the bottom. I always insert my phone in my pocket top-down, meaning the device is upset down in my pocket (the screen facing toward me/my leg).

This just makes more sense when pulling out the phone because I'm grabbing it the way I'd be holding it, so it just comes up and out more naturally.

When I had the 4/4S, it wasn't as natural to have to pull the phone out and sort of "slide" it up in my hand to get the right grip on it to handle.

I've heard this side of the discussion. I've never had a problem with the headphone jack being on the top. Hell I used such a method with my iPod's long before I got my first smartphone (3G iPhone). Also at the gym I use the elliptical machine a lot and it makes sense to have the headphones coming out from the top of my iPhone (it rests in front of me on the machine). If I figured out a way to incorporate the Nexus at the gym I'd have to rest the phone on its side. (Or use an iTouch.)

I'm assuming you have a Nexus? How do you like it?

 

[JediZenMaster]

I really like the Nexus. And this is coming from a 3 years plus iPhone user. So the Nexus will get Jelly Bean sooner than the other Androids? That is very interesting. What are your thoughts about the headphone jack on the bottom of the device?

My contract is up this July. I kinda want to ditch my iPhone for a Nexus but I worry that I'll have buyers remorse when I see the next iPhone unveiled this fall.

I dont mind the headset jack on the bottom and if all things go well hopefully it will get jelly bean.

I love iOS and in the past i have tryed other android devices and then swore off of it. But im in nerd love with ics and the galaxy nexus

 

[ixodes]

I like both platforms. My SGS2 has been every bit as stable & reliable as my iPhone 4S.

Having experience with both since their original models were introduced has allowed me to enjoy the fun of modifying (jailbreak in Applespeak) each platform to my liking.

Well optimized, my Galaxy S II is as fast & smooth as my iPhone. Since I've never been one to place a higher priority on sheer numbers, the fact that Apple offers more apps is meaningless to me. Both platforms have the apps I use, so I'm doing very well.

Beyond those thoughts this thread is premature. The SGS III is not readily available in the USA. I will buy it upon release. I've had several Samsungs thus far and they've been great. In addition the HTC models I've had are also quite good. I simply prefer Samsung. Side by side, build quality is excellent for both.

I like a light phone, it's not 1960, the plastics of today don't have to be an inch thick to do the job. A thin & light case is not inferior, only in the eyes of those who may not be familiar with modern materials.

 

[onthecouchagain]

I'm assuming you have a Nexus? How do you like it?

Wrote up some impressions here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=14719805#post14719805

and here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=14750027#post14750027 EDIT: Apparently ICS 4.04 update fixes all the [minor] complaints I write about in this link. Haven't gotten the update quite yet, so make that as you will.


In short:

Hardware wise, the GN is a better experience. The 4S may have a few areas beating it, but they are wholly unimportant in the long run (I'd take HSPA+, larger screen, etc. over things like better material). 4S definitely has storage size and camera on its side though.

Software wise is where the experience really shines. ICS has iOS beat on almost every front. Better keyboard (we're talking leaps and bounds), better browser, better mail, easier to use and access to things (thanks to widgets, shortcuts, toggles, direct dial), better contacts, better search, navigation, etc.

Read the two links for more in depth opinions (I think I'm fair in my impressions). And for what it's worth, owned a Nexus S, iPhone 4, 4S, and now the GN.

Good luck.

 

[blairh]

I dont mind the headset jack on the bottom and if all things go well hopefully it will get jelly bean.

I love iOS and in the past i have tryed other android devices and then swore off of it. But im in nerd love with ics and the galaxy nexus

Hopefully get Jelly Bean? It's not a given that you can get the latest OS at some point?

 

[onthecouchagain]

One more thing Blairh, not sure if you plan to pick up the GSM unlocked version or go with Verizon. From what I understand, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus isn't a true Nexus device (in that they have to approve the update from Google before it gets released to their users -- sad really, to tarnish the "Nexus" name like that) and apparently has a slew of glitches and issues, none of which, in my experience, exists with the GSM Galaxy Nexus.

So, just a heads up. If there are GN Verizon users floating around here, maybe they can chime in.

 

[blairh]

Wrote up some impressions here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=14719805#post14719805

and here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=14750027#post14750027 EDIT: Apparently ICS 4.04 update fixes all the [minor] complaints I write about in this link. Haven't gotten the update quite yet, so make that as you will.


In short:

Hardware wise, the GN is a better experience. The 4S may have a few areas beating it, but they are wholly unimportant in the long run (I'd take HSPA+, larger screen, etc. over things like better material). 4S definitely has storage size and camera on its side though.

Software wise is where the experience really shines. ICS has iOS beat on almost every front. Better keyboard (we're talking leaps and bounds), better browser, better mail, easier to use and access to things (thanks to widgets, shortcuts, toggles, direct dial), better contacts, better search, navigation, etc.

Read the two links for more in depth opinions (I think I'm fair in my impressions). And for what it's worth, owned a Nexus S, iPhone 4, 4S, and now the GN.


Good luck.

Thanks so much for this reply.

Are you annoyed/worried that you haven't received 4.0.4 just yet?

I saw you praised Chrome in the second link. I'm assuming that's what you meant by 'better browser'?

How do you feel battery life compares with the iP4 & 4S?

Sorry for the follow-up questions. It's funny because I haven't paid much attention to the Nexus since its debut. I've been giving the One X a hard look (I'm on AT&T) but Sense looks lame compared to stock ICS and I really would prefer the on screen buttons versus the capacitive ones found on the One X. Also like the idea of the Nexus potentially getting updates sooner.

My AT&T contract ends in July and by then I'll have a better idea of my situation. (What the SIII is all about, what iOS 6 has to offer.) I really do like the look and feel of the Nexus. However I fear making the move and then having buyer's remorse when the next iPhone is unveiled.

----------

One more thing Blairh, not sure if you plan to pick up the GSM unlocked version or go with Verizon. From what I understand, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus isn't a true Nexus device (in that they have to approve the update from Google before it gets released to their users -- sad really, to tarnish the "Nexus" name like that) and apparently has a slew of glitches and issues, none of which, in my experience, exists with the GSM Galaxy Nexus.

So, just a heads up. If there are GN Verizon users floating around here, maybe they can chime in.

If I make the jump it would be with Verizon. (Unless AT&T by chance gets the Nexus in the upcoming months.)

I've come across a few articles regarding the 'glitches and issues'. My impression was that it wasn't a huge deal but I could be very wrong.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Blairh, happy to answer your questions.

1) I'm eager for 4.04, but my understanding is that they just started rolling it out to users a few days ago. It's a shame Google can't roll out system-wide like Apple does, but a week or two wait isn't bad. Google certainly does not have the "Nexus"-ness practiced down well yet. Having said that, a lot consider this a very minor issue since it's so easy to unlock the bootloader, root, and install the 4.04 update yourself, if you're so inclines. Plenty of very smart, helpful people over at the XDA forums to guide you through that.

2) Yes. Chrome is in beta, but it is already a better browsing experience than Safari on the iPhone. I love Safari on my iPad, but on the iPhone, it is cumbersome, cramped, and unintuitive. A recent thread right here on this forum pointed out the lack of auto text-resizing. Just one of many frustrating things with Safari on the iPhone. Chrome is intuitive, usually fast, and just easier to use. Switching tabs is a breeze; it's at least a 3 step process with Safari iPhone.

3) Battery life is significantly better (yes, you read that right) on my GSM GN than when i was using the 4S. I attached two pics to show you my battery life from today. I didn't use it too heavily today (texts and email throughout the day, music commuting to and from work, a few phone calls, a little bit of gaming... nothing heavy) and I'm still at 49% after nearly 14 hours unplugged. Honestly, even I'm a little surprised.

I understand your position. It's up to you what you want to do, but come July, you'll be close to the Apple keynote for iOS 6 and the next gen. iPhone. Sounds like you're better off waiting if you can hold out. And I hate to complicate your choices further, but if iOS 6 and the next gen. iPhone disappoint, the next Nexus would also be a few months away (usually November/December release). Galaxy SIII will be interesting too.

Tough choices, but the good news is it's hard to go wrong with anyone.

Hope that helps.

 

[Yumunum]

Hopefully get Jelly Bean? It's not a given that you can get the latest OS at some point?

I think it's expected that the Galaxy Nexus will get Jelly Bean. For example, the Nexus One got Gingerbread, and the Nexus S got Ice Cream Sandwich... actually... not all versions of the Nexus S have got it yet.

Yes, I know, it's sad.
But keep in mind that a person could argue that they don't need timely updates. Or that even without the latest update, their phone is still amazing. That may depend on what kind of update it is though, and whether it causes compatibility issues. For example, Google Chrome requires Android 4.0 and up. How many phones actually have ICS? Not many. Again, this may depend on the user, the update, and the new opportunities given with the update.

A person could also root their phone. Many people would use ROMs/rooting to argue that the manufacturers'/carriers' slow update times don't matter, because they can install whatever new ROMs are out. But there's a problem with this argument. Rooting your device can be against your carriers' terms of service, and void your warranty. On top of that, some people may not want to go through the hassle. Not all Android phones have 1-click root tools. It's not always as easy as it sounds. By using custom ROMs, you may also lose good features that were in the original firmware. Features that were advertised for the phone, features that were part of why the phone was great in the first place. So the ROM/root argument can not be used as a universal answer to the update problem, or any other problems that would be solved using ROMs/rooting. If a person wants to possibly break their carriers' terms of service, void their phones warranty (your $500+ phone may have problems and you won't be able to replace it), possibly go through hassle to root their device and upkeep it, and lose features originally placed on the phone, then... they can. But that is certainly not the ideal solution for many people.

In conclusion, ROMs/rooting is not a universal answer. A large number (if not all) Android phones are unreliable with OS updates.
You have to ask yourself the questions: Will I root or not? If not, can I live with a phone that may get untimely updates and/or few updates, or possibly none at all?

If somebody disagrees with this post I invite you to mention it.

 

[blairh]

Blairh, happy to answer your questions.

1) I'm eager for 4.04, but my understanding is that they just started rolling it out to users a few days ago. It's a shame Google can't roll out system-wide like Apple does, but a week or two wait isn't bad. Google certainly does not have the "Nexus"-ness practiced down well yet. Having said that, a lot consider this a very minor issue since it's so easy to unlock the bootloader, root, and install the 4.04 update yourself, if you're so inclines. Plenty of very smart, helpful people over at the XDA forums to guide you through that.

2) Yes. Chrome is in beta, but it is already a better browsing experience than Safari on the iPhone. I love Safari on my iPad, but on the iPhone, it is cumbersome, cramped, and unintuitive. A recent thread right here on this forum pointed out the lack of auto text-resizing. Just one of many frustrating things with Safari on the iPhone. Chrome is intuitive, usually fast, and just easier to use. Switching tabs is a breeze; it's at least a 3 step process with Safari iPhone.

3) Battery life is significantly better (yes, you read that right) on my GSM GN than when i was using the 4S. I attached two pics to show you my battery life from today. I didn't use it too heavily today (texts and email throughout the day, music commuting to and from work, a few phone calls, a little bit of gaming... nothing heavy) and I'm still at 49% after nearly 14 hours unplugged. Honestly, even I'm a little surprised.

I understand your position. It's up to you what you want to do, but come July, you'll be close to the Apple keynote for iOS 6 and the next gen. iPhone. Sounds like you're better off waiting if you can hold out. And I hate to complicate your choices further, but if iOS 6 and the next gen. iPhone disappoint, the next Nexus would also be a few months away (usually November/December release). Galaxy SIII will be interesting too.

Tough choices, but the good news is it's hard to go wrong with anyone.

Hope that helps.

Thank you so so much for your detailed and incredibly helpful replies.

Am I correct in assuming that your GSM Nexus does not feature LTE? And if that is the case, doesn't that help a great deal with battery life? I've been reading up on the reviews for the Nexus directly on the Verizon site and quite a few mention that the 4G LTE performance tends to drain the battery. (I'm aware of the extended battery.)

I was completely unaware that a new Nexus model was coming at the end of the year. (Pretty obvious now that I think about it.) Last year the Nexus was unveiled two weeks after the 4S keynote. Perhaps that means I should just wait and see what October has in store. That would be the smart move. I'm just so tired of my iP4. (But I'll probably wait .)

 

[onthecouchagain]

You'd have to do a little more research regarding the battery life between 3G, Hspa+, and 4G Lte. But I think you're correct to say hspa+ drains less than 4g lte but I believe also drains more than 3G. Personally, I feel hspa+ is the best of both worlds. You get great download and upload speeds while not taking too much of a hit in battery.

My understanding is that the galaxy nexus lte on Verizon is pretty harsh on the battery. Sounds like if youre willing to wait until October, might as well got iPhone or new nexus.

If you truly can't wait, galaxy s iii might be your answer. I'm sure it'll be an impressive device. We shall see may 3rd. And so, the topic of this thread is back on course.

 

[DanteMann]

And benchmarks on the prototype are already leaking. This could get scary.

Just for comparison. The iPad 3. Didn't think a phone could hold it's own against a tablet of the iPad's caliber. .

 

[Yumunum]

You'd have to do a little more research regarding the battery life between 3G, Hspa+, and 4G Lte. But I think you're correct to say hspa+ drains less than 4g lte but I believe also drains more than 3G. Personally, I feel hspa+ is the best of both worlds. You get great download and upload speeds while not taking too much of a hit in battery.

My understanding is that the galaxy nexus lte on Verizon is pretty harsh on the battery. Sounds like if youre willing to wait until October, might as well got iPhone or new nexus.

If you truly can't wait, galaxy s iii might be your answer. I'm sure it'll be an impressive device. We shall see may 3rd. And so, the topic of this thread is back on course.

Like I mentioned in the first post, Samsung mentions having phones with better battery lives' this year. It'd make sense that their flagship phone, the Galaxy S III, would have the battery life they're talking about. Just wait till May 3! Not too much longer.

Btw,
DanteMann brought up an interesting graphic in the post before me. Find more info on Slashgear's article: http://www.slashgear.com/galaxy-s-iii-benchmark-leak-tips-new-graphics-king-23224148/

That's pretty interesting. Samsung already made Android crazy fast. This will be amazing, if true. I won't be surprised if Samsung impresses us. The GSII was a large leap from the GSI. The 3rd gen might be a large leap too.

 

[Ke1ington]

So the fact that the iPhone is made of glass and stainless steel overrides everything else

In this case, yes. Build quality matters to me. You're rolling your eyes at what? My inability to switch to a phone that feels like something you'd find in the toy aisle at Walmart?

Mature.

 

[blairh]

You'd have to do a little more research regarding the battery life between 3G, Hspa+, and 4G Lte. But I think you're correct to say hspa+ drains less than 4g lte but I believe also drains more than 3G. Personally, I feel hspa+ is the best of both worlds. You get great download and upload speeds while not taking too much of a hit in battery.

My understanding is that the galaxy nexus lte on Verizon is pretty harsh on the battery. Sounds like if youre willing to wait until October, might as well got iPhone or new nexus.

If you truly can't wait, galaxy s iii might be your answer. I'm sure it'll be an impressive device. We shall see may 3rd. And so, the topic of this thread is back on course.

Thanks again for your input. I actually thought of another idea. I could sell my iP4 and purchase an unlocked GSM Nexus. I believe this would allow me to stay on AT&T without extending my current contract. I get to mess around with a Nexus for the months leading up-to the Apple and Nexus unveilings in October.

Like you said, back to the SIII talk. Thanks again for your help (and everybody else too).

 

[Yumunum]

The guy wasn't completely justified in his post, but maybe you can see a reason why he'd roll his eyes.

The phone materials will not effect the software, or the other aspects of the phone. The materials might even be studier and less damageable. But it sounds like a deal breaker to you.

So we can all put our priorities where we want, and your priority is a design like the iPhones, apparently. Not saying there's anything wrong with that. But you can probably see that for many (if not most) people, it wouldn't make sense for them to put those priorities on a design like the iPhone.

 

[SurferMan]

You'd have to do a little more research regarding the battery life between 3G, Hspa+, and 4G Lte. But I think you're correct to say hspa+ drains less than 4g lte but I believe also drains more than 3G. Personally, I feel hspa+ is the best of both worlds. You get great download and upload speeds while not taking too much of a hit in battery.

My understanding is that the galaxy nexus lte on Verizon is pretty harsh on the battery. Sounds like if youre willing to wait until October, might as well got iPhone or new nexus.

If you truly can't wait, galaxy s iii might be your answer. I'm sure it'll be an impressive device. We shall see may 3rd. And so, the topic of this thread is back on course.

Totally agree with hspa+, I don't notice anymore drain over 3G, but you get awesome speed and great battery life. LTE is great, but the current chipsets are still inefficient, the only Android devices lasting long with LTE have huge batteries. There have honestly been times when using my GSII that I had wifi off and didn't realize it b/c hspa+ was so fast and smooth.

Hopefully the new chipsets for LTE are more efficient like is expect this year for the next gen chips.

I don't know if the GSIII will be world wide though, most likely like before where the GSII was released over seas in May, and the US carriers didn't get their variants in different sizes/configurations until like November when I got mine. Still too early to have an opinion on the GSIII as nothing has really been released, but no doubt the phone will kick ass like the GSII did.

 

[saberz]

Hmm, T-mobile customers might be a bit screwed concerning updates to ICS.

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2012/04/samsung-devices-confirmed-for-android-40-dont-include-one-galaxy-s-ii.ars

Also Samsung is running a bit late on deploying the update to other carriers. This is one reason why I'm still on the sideline (also waiting to see what Apple announces).