Another cell phone thread

[ray1970]

Time to upgrade to a new phone but not sure what to get. I've had an iPhone 4S for a while now and have been pretty happy with it overall. Seems like as everything goes more and more to 4G coverage, my 3G service has been getting worse and worse. So, time to get something with 4G capability.

I'm leaning towards getting the iPhone 5S since I am familiar with the operating system.

I mostly use the phone for calls, texts, and email but I do have a few apps and games but don't use them much. It is my primary camera and video camera as well.

Other than being able to do the things mentioned above, my two main requirements are that it fits easily in my front pocket and is very "user friendly".

So, is the iPhone 5S the best option for me or is there something else better suited for those of us who know just enough about technology to be dangerous?

[newracer]

Your 4s is not 4G? The 6 is supposed to be out in the fall.

[Tinelement]

I have a 5s.

Use it for just what you mentioned. Phone, email, web, text. I think I have like 3 apps.

I personally don't think it runs any better then my 4s did.

I hate the bigger size of the 5. It lives in my front pocket and even though it isn't much bigger, I still prefer the size of 4 to carry in the pocket. And they did the stupid charger change also....

[ray1970]

Your 4s is not 4G? The 6 is supposed to be out in the fall.

No. No 4G on the iPhone until the 5 came out. I heard the 6 will be out sometime this year but it looks like it is going to be too big for my tastes anyways and my spotty 3G coverage is really beginning to aggravate me.


I have a 5s.

And they did the stupid charger change also....

My iPad has the new style charger so if I go with the 5S they will both share the same cords.

[kwando]

If you're going apple just hang in and wait. They will announce something Aug/Sept

[clublights]

the 4s had "fake" 4G the 5 and 5S are true LTE.

I went from the 4S to the 5S and was was quite surprised at the speed jump. not just network speeds but everything is just faster.

the size change was a bit annoying at first ( I've had every iPhone since the original with the exception of the 5) but I got used to it


My personally belief is that your already used to the apple eco system.. have other hardware in the same eco system you'll be happier staying there.


For me as I have 4 macs sitting within sight of me right now plus iPhone 5S, iPad Air, and AppleTV Gen3. going to Android would probably annoy me more for loss of interoperability then any advantages I might gain.

The fingerprint unlock is cool and useful.

the LTE speeds on AT&T are great. here is a test from a few mins ago

44795

[DFBrews]

What carrier ray? I have sprint with an iPhone 5 bad am getting pissed with sprints coverage right now can't even keep a call connected in my house period

[Irving]

My Sprint coverage seems to be getting worse as well. More dropped calls all the time, and my phone can't seem to pick the correct network to even operate when I have it set to "auto."

Ray I use Android stuff and agree with Clublights that you would probably hate the change to switch to a different OS; especially considering none of your complaints concerned the OS at all.

[MrPrena]

I assume fake is wimax 4g?
Yeah they suck.



the 4s had "fake" 4G the 5 and 5S are true LTE.

I went from the 4S to the 5S and was was quite surprised at the speed jump. not just network speeds but everything is just faster.

the size change was a bit annoying at first ( I've had every iPhone since the original with the exception of the 5) but I got used to it


My personally belief is that your already used to the apple eco system.. have other hardware in the same eco system you'll be happier staying there.


For me as I have 4 macs sitting within sight of me right now plus iPhone 5S, iPad Air, and AppleTV Gen3. going to Android would probably annoy me more for loss of interoperability then any advantages I might gain.

The fingerprint unlock is cool and useful.

the LTE speeds on AT&T are great. here is a test from a few mins ago

44795

[brutal]

the 4s had "fake" 4G the 5 and 5S are true LTE.

I went from the 4S to the 5S and was was quite surprised at the speed jump. not just network speeds but everything is just faster.

the size change was a bit annoying at first ( I've had every iPhone since the original with the exception of the 5) but I got used to it


My personally belief is that your already used to the apple eco system.. have other hardware in the same eco system you'll be happier staying there.


For me as I have 4 macs sitting within sight of me right now plus iPhone 5S, iPad Air, and AppleTV Gen3. going to Android would probably annoy me more for loss of interoperability then any advantages I might gain.

The fingerprint unlock is cool and useful.

the LTE speeds on AT&T are great. here is a test from a few mins ago

44795

Good advice.

If your not married to apple, it's tough to beat the GS5. I really think my GS4 is the best phone I've ever had to date.

Most AT&T users I talk to are not happy with coverage outside the major Metro markets. Verizon seems to have better overall coverage.

Only 4/5 bars on LTE here at the house in Parker on this test....

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/15/4usy4agy.jpg



Sent from my subconscious mind.

[Madeinhb]

If you're going apple just hang in and wait. They will announce something Aug/Sept

I just read 1 model could come out in July and the bigger model in August.

[clublights]

I assume fake is wimax 4g?
Yeah they suck.

No just a high speed 3G that at&t called 4G not "true" 4G but as fast as low end 4G


Kinda silly but what really mattered is the end result not the nomenclature... which was faster speeds then anyone else's 3G and as fast as Verizons 4G ( at the time it started .... 2-3 years ago)


I got in the 12-15Mb range if I recall correctly.


Good advice.

If your not married to apple, it's tough to beat the GS5. I really think my GS4 is the best phone I've ever had to date.

Most AT&T users I talk to are not happy with coverage outside the major Metro markets. Verizon seems to have better overall coverage.

Only 4/5 bars on LTE here at the house in Parker on this test....



Sent from my subconscious mind.

Touring the US With bands I've been pretty happy with my AT&T it would work most times that anyone else's did .. either we all had service or no one had service. a few times only AT&T had service ... a couple times only Verizon .. but that was honestly only once or twice ( over 12 weeks of touring the us coast to coast twice) But AT&T and Verizon always kicked Sprints ass. T-mobile was .. meh...

[Fentonite]

Glad you started this thread. I'm with Sprint, but contract expires next month, and I'm dumping them. Same as DFBrews: When I can't even make calls from my home due to crappy coverage, it's time to change.

I have an Iphone 4s, but will probably go to the 5s. Not excited about the size or different charger, but from what I've seen, it's worth the trade off. And like clublights said, I expect I'll get used to it.

I'm leaning toward Verizon or T-mobile, but still need to do more research.

[clublights]

Oh I forgot earier ( just reread your original post)

The Camera in the 5S kicks the 4S's cam square in the teeth ... major improvement .

[clublights]

Glad you started this thread. I'm with Sprint, but contract expires next month, and I'm dumping them. Same as DFBrews: When I can't even make calls from my home due to crappy coverage, it's time to change.

I have an Iphone 4s, but will probably go to the 5s. Not excited about the size or different charger, but from what I've seen, it's worth the trade off. And like clublights said, I expect I'll get used to it.

I'm leaning toward Verizon or T-mobile, but still need to do more research.


Assuming your phone is in fair to excellent condition ...

Buy your new phone at the apple store and you can sell them your old 4S.. I'm sure prices hacve changed since I got my 5S.. but they gave me a like 200 buck credit for my 4S 32MB

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/reuse_and_recycle

you can put in all the stuff for your phone and they will give you an estimate.

a 4S 32MB on AT&T is going for 199 right now. so it's the same as when I got mine .. I think .. I can't find my receipt and I normally have apple e-mail them .. weird anyways

go see what your's is worth to sell to apple they give you a gift card on site and the you turn around and buy your new phone they help with activation the whole 9 yards .

[Fentonite]

Assuming your phone is in fair to excellent condition ...

Buy your new phone at the apple store and you can sell them your old 4S.. I'm sure prices hacve changed since I got my 5S.. but they gave me a like 200 buck credit for my 4S 32MB

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/reuse_and_recycle

you can put in all the stuff for your phone and they will give you an estimate.

a 4S 32MB on AT&T is going for 199 right now. so it's the same as when I got mine .. I think .. I can't find my receipt and I normally have apple e-mail them .. weird anyways

go see what your's is worth to sell to apple they give you a gift card on site and the you turn around and buy your new phone they help with activation the whole 9 yards .

Awesome advice, thanks!!

[ray1970]

I am on Sprint. Never really had too much trouble with their service until about six months ago. Now dropped calls, texts that won't send, and random signal strength fluctuations seem to be the norm. I know they have been doing a lot of 4G upgrades on their system and I had thought my old 3G phone just wasn't so compatible any more. I was hoping to avoid switching carriers since I am locked into a pretty good "unlimited everything" plan and have four lines on it. (Including two kids in their early twenties who live on their phones.)

Thanks for all of the advice.

[JerryG]

I also have Sprint, we were having some issues with the service at home. They sent us a booster tower which is hooked directly to our modem. They sent it to us with no fees, now we have super fast web surfing (faster than my laptop at times). I'm sure most people who have IPhones love them, but I have a Galaxy which does pretty damn good. My daughter's said they would like an iPhone if it had Swype.

[Gman]

I bailed on Sprint. Got tired of their endless promises that 4G was coming. They, by far, have the worst 4G coverage in the Denver metro (http://www.sensorly.com/map/4G/US/USA/Sprint/lte_310sprint#q=Denver%2C+CO%2C+USA|coverage) market.

Carrier is most important, the phone is secondary.

[ray1970]

I bailed on Sprint. Got tired of their endless promises that 4G was coming. They, by far, have the worst 4G coverage in the Denver metro (http://www.sensorly.com/map/4G/US/USA/Sprint/lte_310sprint#q=Denver%2C+CO%2C+USA|coverage) market.

Carrier is most important, the phone is secondary.

The last two phone bills I had through Verizon were over $400 for the month. Switched to Sprint and now the bill is down under $250.

I guess I have to sacrifice a little in quality of service to save a little money.

I'm hoping now that they are starting to upgrade their system to 4G that my service will get better with a new 4G phone.

[hurley842002]

I'm an android guy myself, but I say if you are accustomed to Apple products, stick with them.

[cstone]

I haven't liked a phone since my Motorola 550 flip phone on Bell Atlantic Mobile. [Flower]

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

I switched from sprint to verizon 6 months ago. My bill for 2 iPhones is $160/month. 8 gig of data which we never go over and good service.

[Madeinhb]

Here's my phone. Not sure if I should upgrade. What do you guys think?

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/15/7u7umy7y.jpg

[Bitter Clinger]

Verizon will bend over with data charges, no more unlimited

[SouthPaw]

I currently have the iPhone 5 and bought it when it was first released. It was time for an upgrade and I ended getting it for almost free. Verizon was running a promo for trading in your old droid towards a new droid, you receive $100 credit. I tried the Droix MaXX HD for 1 week and it began to fail. Charging port was loose so I couldn't charge my phone, it would randomly freeze and only restart by removing the battery. The phone had only been out for a month and salesman was very surprised at all the problems it had in less than a week. They offered to get me a refurbished one but I argued that I did not pay for a refurbished. I asked for a iPhone 5 since my brother had the 4s and has had 0 problems with it. They said they could do it but could not give me my phone or $100 credit since it was not a droid. Well long story short after explaining my case that they took my property and did not pay for it, they gave me $100 off the iPhone 5 (currently on promo for $200 with a 2 year contract) and a $50 otterbox defender case for free for the troubles.

I have been 100% with my iPhone 5 and have had 0 problems. When comparing the 4s to the 5 side by side, the 5 is noticeably faster. For some one like my father, who browses the internet rarely, doesn't use email all that much the 4s was perfect for him. The iPhone has some cool features that you can do with other iPhone users. I believe the droid does have more "cool" features and apps but I like reliability and simplicity.

[MrPrena]

I do prepaid Virgin Mobile.

$35 ($32ish if I buy a top up card) per month
300min/unlimited txt data

Wife is $40 (5 discount for having an iphone)
1200min/unlimited txt data

I am planning to move to TING wireless to save some $$.

Bad part about prepaid is that they do not subsidize the cost of phone, and even Galaxy S3 cost over $250. Iphone 5s is about $350-400?

[clublights]

I am on Sprint. Never really had too much trouble with their service until about six months ago. Now dropped calls, texts that won't send, and random signal strength fluctuations seem to be the norm. I know they have been doing a lot of 4G upgrades on their system and I had thought my old 3G phone just wasn't so compatible any more. I was hoping to avoid switching carriers since I am locked into a pretty good "unlimited everything" plan and have four lines on it. (Including two kids in their early twenties who live on their phones.)

Thanks for all of the advice.


I also have Sprint, we were having some issues with the service at home. They sent us a booster tower which is hooked directly to our modem. They sent it to us with no fees, now we have super fast web surfing (faster than my laptop at times). I'm sure most people who have IPhones love them, but I have a Galaxy which does pretty damn good. My daughter's said they would like an iPhone if it had Swype.


This at least it will help at the house, if you have a decent net connection.


And refuse to pay for it make them give it to you.

[Monky]

I have been less than happy with verizon lately. iPhone 5... Constantly dropping calls through he metro area. I've addressed it with them and have had zero answers. They can see the calls dropping, got a new sim, reset connections and still the same shit. There is a massive dead area for me all through the tech center. I could barely take calls at my house because they would drop.

All the while I watch my boss yacking on his phone w/ AT&T and no issues


Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.

[Jer]

Time to upgrade to a new phone but not sure what to get. I've had an iPhone 4S for a while now and have been pretty happy with it overall. Seems like as everything goes more and more to 4G coverage, my 3G service has been getting worse and worse. So, time to get something with 4G capability.

I'm leaning towards getting the iPhone 5S since I am familiar with the operating system.

I mostly use the phone for calls, texts, and email but I do have a few apps and games but don't use them much. It is my primary camera and video camera as well.

Other than being able to do the things mentioned above, my two main requirements are that it fits easily in my front pocket and is very "user friendly".

So, is the iPhone 5S the best option for me or is there something else better suited for those of us who know just enough about technology to be dangerous?
I know this isn't what people would expect me to say but for your needs and from what you've said I think the best bet for you is to buy the newest iPhone that you can fit in the budget.

[Jer]

The last two phone bills I had through Verizon were over $400 for the month. Switched to Sprint and now the bill is down under $250.

I guess I have to sacrifice a little in quality of service to save a little money.

I'm hoping now that they are starting to upgrade their system to 4G that my service will get better with a new 4G phone.

How many phones? Me thinks you were just on the wrong plan and a plan evaluation could have got you closer to the $250 you're paying now w/Sprint. Take it from a guy who has gone from T-Mobile to VZW to Sprint for a couple of years and then back to VZW after much disappointment. it should be noted that prior to T-Mobile I was selling phones for Cellular Junction and was known as the AT&T Nazi and lead the state in AT&T activations because they were the best. Hands down. My how time have changed.

[ray1970]

Four phones on my plan. Two of them used by kids in their early twenties. They live on those things.

It really doesn't matter too much who my carrier is because I will always be in areas with poor reception since I work in remote parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, etc.

[Jer]

Four phones on my plan. Two of them used by kids in their early twenties. They live on those things.

It really doesn't matter too much who my carrier is because I will always be in areas with poor reception since I work in remote parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, etc.

The newer plans on VZW have unlimited airtime and texts and all you pay is data other than the base plan. We pay less than $200 for three lines on VZW and we have a home network extender so that in our home we get solid reception and VZW easily gets the best reception in all the places you mentioned as I frequent them too. Sprint & T-Mobile are best for those who stay in the populated areas and if you want to be able to get reception in the sticks your best bet is VZW & AT&T.. in that order.

[Madeinhb]

I've had sprint, AT&T and verizon. I am most happy with verizon. I hardly have any issues with coverage. Was thinking about switching to tmobile for unlimited data and to save money. But since they stopped the employer discounts if save less than 10 bucks a money over verizon. Not worth it.