panda123: Can someone give me pros and con and/or specs relating to these phones. Having a hard time deciding which one I should get in the near future. Cheers
Really don't have a budget but would prefer to get a good phone which cost less if there really isnt a big differnet in specs between the phones. To answer your 2nd question I don't a clue what "flashing custom ROMs" means sorry. Don't really know much about these kind of stuff. Don't need it asap but would prefer to get one late this year or ealry next. Um the usual..music, apps, txting, vids etc
From what I understand, the default ROM (Read Only Memory - the software install) on Android devices tends to be locked down, and might not have the expected Google applications. Additionally, Android devices manufacturers have a bit of a reputation for not keeping up with Google's releases. Everyone I know with an Android phone has "rooted" (enabled the loading of third party ROMs) the device and installed a different release. You will probably also need to import the phone yourself. Retailers in NZ don't tend to carry them.
The next Android release will however, have some kick-ass features. Tap-to-transfer looks very, very nice.
Apple provides a much more curated experience. Once you buy the device, you can expect two years of software upgrades for the device at the same time as the OS is released. For example, the IOS5 is available for the 3GS (but not the 1st gen iPhone, nor the 3G).
Apple, however, provides a locked down device. If you want to hack it, you need to pay. If you want to install an app that does anything that Apple doesn't like, you need to jailbreak it. Additionally, Apple charges a premium for the device, and Apple NZ charges an additional premium on top of that. Expect to pay 30% more than an Android phone.
Based on your comments about not knowing what a ROM is, and your desire for general use, smartphone requirements, I would recommend an iPhone. The ease of use and curated experience would seem to be what you're looking for.
- Don't worry, Samsung don't look their Bootloaders or there ROMs, therefore it's easy to put a new rom on and hard to break it - Samsung have also got their upgrades up to scratch, putting out new Roms for most phones, the Galaxy S original is still being updated every month or so and that's over a year and a half old now - iOS vs Android is basically what you prefer best. But you won't know that until you try both :) - I have an iPhone 4 for work and a Galaxy S 2 for home. I've decided I like Android better, due to the customisation options and other features. But if you prefer to have a phone and leave it to be just a phone, then iPhone is probably the best option, or a GS2 with it's standard upgrades, ie no CM7 or overclocking ROMs - The user experiences are very similar now I find too, while the iPhone4 used to feel smooth than my Galaxy S, the Galaxy S 2 feels the smoothest out of all of them. Although who knows about the Nexus yet, it could be amazing compared to the rest - Dropability - GS2 seems to be best to drop...not that you'd want to - Availability, as comments above: GS2, iPhone 4 pretty much walk into a store, Nexus Prime a few weeks away. Although if you got the Nexus prime you would have a lot of bragging rights!
I still think though, if you are doing video(mp4/itunes), mp3s and text, then the 4S would be best, or even the 4.
Do you mod your current PC? or like playng round with gadgets? Basically once you root and mod your Android, it's like a bug and you can't stop. I used to say I'd never do it...now I've flashed my GS2 around 20 times in the past few weeks
I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.
My first and last response is to try. The iPhone and Android are a similarish interface but different. I have an iPhone4 a mate has a Galaxy S2. I find both similar in smoothness, although have not had a long, long play with the S2, but the 4 is single core although the A4 chip is more than decent. Your post referred to the 4S, that is fast, very fast.
As to Apple being locked down, that needs context. The only negative on that is that if you are a dev creating apps, you cannot get the online instantly as you can with Android, thats not an issue for you. The closed ecosystem that Apple and Windows Phone has is quality control. And, while you cannot say there wont be any buggy apps, or malware in any apps, the chances of that are much lower than an open system. Apps-wise there are hundreds of thousands for Android and Apple.
Apple do charge a premium, but given that I cannot figure why the RRP for Galaxy S2 was $1099 and the older single core iPhone 4 16Gb was $1123??
Re a comment about getting an iPhone if you just want the phone to be a phone. Pardon me but that isn't helpful to the poster. Top end smartphones all do the same things, and they do them well. The Galaxy has a bigger screen which is good. The smaller but decent iPhone screen I find great due to its dots per inch, although bigger would have been good in the 4S
You can customise to your hearts content with Android, much less so than iPhone. In fact MUCH less so! I used to do that on my PC's in days gone by, but I find the clean polished UI for iOS is what I prefer in a tool. Bur you can certainly tinker with everything on Android, more so if you root it as advised above.
I find the integration of Apple devices to iTunes syncing great, although others feel thats a tiedown, but thats opinion I guess.
But, you need to have a try. Get someone or a shop to show you how to phone, text, browse your main websites, play music, etc, etc, etc. Then you will know what ticks your boxes.
If you don't mind waiting and want a phone with a large (4.65 inch) hi def screen then the Samsung Galaxy Nexus could be the phone for you. It will come with the new version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich and will have a much more consistent feel to it than previous versions. Also since it is the official Google phone it will enjoy getting updates before other Android devices and will recieve updates for at least 18 months (as per Google's policy).
Senior Consultant @Intergen All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.
While the iPhone4 is a great phone, the Galaxy s2 is a newer phone with dual core and bigger screen. As the 4S is coming, the iPhone 4 is cheap at $899 but only 8Gb. S2 is $1099 at 16Gb, so pretty similar.
Do you want dual core? S2 now or 4S in December Is a bigger screen wanted or needed? S2 now Is 8Gb ok? iPhone 4 now or S2 now
It really isnt about the hardware. Screen size is the only key difference right now. Its about the OS, do you like the look, the operation, the ease to do what you want to do. You really do need to try one or at least search for a few YouTube clips to see them in action. See two in real life to compare screen size and image quality/sharpness/colour
If you choose Apple, you can save money now on a $899 iPhone 4 if 8Gb is ok. (You can also buy my 32Gb iPhone 4 mint in December!!) Or you can get a 4S in December for around $1100 for the 32Gb and $1275 for the 64Gb,
If you prefer Android, Lokhors above post looks the ticket, great advice.
how much in price would the iphone 4 decrease by when the 4s comes out in nz? if its not worth the extra few hundred should i just consider either getting the GS2/iphone 4 later this year instead of waiting for 4S or nexus? and with the storage size i was thinking of getting atleast 32gb. 16 or 8gb is too small since i would be chucking music and movies on it too
panda123: cheers for all the reply. just wondering what if it was a choice between an iphone 4(not 4s) and samsung galaxy s2?
this is EASY! it has to be Samsung Galaxy S2!
For Galaxy S2, you can buy the 16GB version and add micro sd (up to 64GB), that will give you a total of 80GB of storage - excellent feature if you do have lots of movies and songs. Galaxy S2 has newer technology than iphone4 ie: dual core, better camera, bigger screen, super amoled +. It is also way cheaper than iphone4. iphone4S is catching up with sgs2 in term of technical specifications.
In that case the iPhone4 is not an option as since 4S was released overseas, only 8Gb on that now.
It won't decrease, the 8Gb version at $899 is the decrease. The 3GS was $899 it is now $599.
So, its either the 32Gb or 64Gb iPhone 4S in December or the S2 or Nexus, the Android boys can better explain whats involved cost wise to get 32Gb or 64Gb running on those.
Have you considered Motorola RAZR Spyder - available on 1st Nov. Ice cream sandwich update will be available early 2012 for this phone. splashproof, kevlar and alumunium built will make this phone tough as. if you are not in a hurry, you can wait for extensive review by NZtechfreak
panda123: how much in price would the iphone 4 decrease by when the 4s comes out in nz? if its not worth the extra few hundred should i just consider either getting the GS2/iphone 4 later this year instead of waiting for 4S or nexus? and with the storage size i was thinking of getting atleast 32gb. 16 or 8gb is too small since i would be chucking music and movies on it too
if 16gb is too small, get the Galaxy S II from EInfo or Techbrands @ $750NZD including shipping Then get a Class 10 16Gb micro SD for around 30-45 or a 32Gb for between $66-$80
That'd give you 32gb or 48gb respectively
I'd agree with the others above, if it was a Galaxy S original vs iPhone 4, then it'd be hard to call But Galaxy S II vs iPhone 4, you'd want the GS2
I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.
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