It's getting to be that time again- New phone... need advice

[kwando]

Have you seen the new iPhone?

Yea it looks like the original one 10 years go... Zing! And i'm an Apple fanboy.

[Ronin13]

Have you seen the new iPhone?

Yeah, my brother and dad both have it. I don't dislike them because they're iPhones, I dislike the fact that to upload music or anything really for that matter, I have to use iTunes as the medium. Small gripe, but I have an old version of iTunes that I refuse to upgrade to the latest version, getting an iPhone would change that. Bottom line, I'm used to and comfortable with the Android OS, I like being able to plug it in and drag and drop anything into/off of my phone, and I have apps that can read any PDF or eBook format, create custom ringtones on the go, and even more useful for pinch moments, I can download songs from YouTube onto my phone to expand my music library on the go. I could write an entire PhD dissertation on the differences between iPhones and Android and why I prefer one over the other.

Toughness can be mitigated through an Otterbox case and Gorilla Glass cover, o matter what type of phone you choose. Most of the phones have SD card slots for expanded storage, too.

I wont go into the lack of security features on Android Apps, since you sound as though your mind is made up. Good luck on your new phone!

This is true. I thought about whatever new phone I go with getting an Otterbox for it. I understand the security features and what not, and was wondering the validity of Verizon's protection services (if you're not familiar, it's like a anti-virus for your phone that scans newly downloaded or updated apps for security risks). Like any anti-virus, there are things that slip through. I'm not too worried about all that as I don't use my phone for a whole lot- I have a desktop at home, no need to replicate it's uses with my phone.

[TFOGGER]

Still clanking along with my Galaxy S3 in its second otterbox. Still get about 40 hours of battery life from a full charge, but I take call infrequently, text a little, surf less. I do use about 2 hours of iheartradio each day, streaming through bluetooth into my helmet during the commute.

[PugnacAutMortem]

I had a Note 4 that I bought in May...hated it so much I switched back to iPhone last week and haven't been happier. It never seemed to work the way that it should have. By that I mean I bought an $750 phone and I felt like my old iPhone 4 worked more consistently than that phone did.

However, since the OP specifically says no Apple...I would get a Nexus device. It's a pure Android experience, they get the new OS updates 1st.

[Gman]

Toughness can be mitigated through an Otterbox case and Gorilla Glass cover, o matter what type of phone you choose. Most of the phones have SD card slots for expanded storage, too.

Some of the cases can take a thin phone and turn it into a brick. Most of the phone manufacturers are getting away from SD cards. Google has deprecated support for them for the past couple of years.

Not sure what you mean by a lack of security features on Android apps. Apple just got owned in their Chinese app store a month ago. Nothing is immune. I've had iPhones and Android. I don't like being locked into Apple's ecosystem.

I'm due for an upgrade in a few months. I'm still using a Galaxy Note 3 and will probably go for the Note 5. My old eyes have a tough time with some of the tiny phones.

[hurley842002]

I don't like being locked into Apple's ecosystem.

Folks must be doing some wild things with their phones, because I was a long time android user, and recently switched to iPhone and don't feel "locked" into anything. I do the exact same things I did with my android, including all the Google stuff.

[ray1970]

Two words. Flip phone.




Just kidding. Although my crappy company flip phone does have an amazing battery life that can be measured in days and even weeks.

I currently have the Galaxy S5 and really like it. Other than it's a bit big for pocket carry.

[asmo]

Check out the new Google nexus (both of them). Granted you will have to wait until November for delivery - but you will get a stock Android phone, with all the goodies, with no bloatware.

[Gunner]

I'd look at a nexus since they are motorola. However they are pretty big now. The galaxy s6 is a good phone. Keep in mind most phones now don't have external memory cards.

Sent from my S6 Edge +

[Jer]

We have VZW too & just upgraded to the LG G3. For your needs I highly recommend this phone. The LG G4 is out so it's not cutting edge tech (read: much cheaper) yet the improvements between phones from a year ago and today are significantly less than they were from the previous year and the year before that. IMO the LG G3 and the SGS5 are the sweet spot of value in mobile phones right now. Don't buy under contract. Buy from a seller on eBay (we got the Red LG G3 VZW version for $279 shipped each and with eBay GC deals and such the price comes down even more) and then contact VZW about lowering your bill since you're month to month. We were paying $160/mo for two lines of service. We just finished our 2yr agreement and a buddy told me about their month to month specials and we now pay half of what we paid for the exact same level of service. Nothing else changed. We then sold out SGS4's on CL for about what we paid for LG G3's that were a year newer, slightly larger screen and much better features. The LG G3 also has a user-replaceable battery so buy a kit that has a spare battery charger & two batteries for less than $20 shipped and never worry about battery life again. Throw an Otterbox on it or, my personal favorite, Seidio kickstand case on it and a glass screen protector (got 3 for $9.99 shipped) and call it a day.