phone advice needed - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/13/2013 10:31:28 AM · #1

My phone died.

I think it's a conspiracy. It was working just fine. I walked into the verizon store to add a phone on for my son for his birthday. 3 hours after leaving the store, my phone starting acting up. Dead touch screen. Coincidence?? I think not... ;)

Anyway, went through everything there was to do, and it's definitely hardware, it's definitely too expensive to fix. New phone time.

Looking for an android type phone.

Thinking about:

Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX
Samsung Galaxy S III

(it has to be available for verizon)

Thanks!!!

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

03/13/2013 10:36:22 AM · #2

Originally posted by vawendy:

I've heard only great things about the Galaxy, and only bad things about the Razor. I don't have either one myself, but the people that I know that had razors got rid of them. The S4 will be out shortly (April I believe).

eta: //www.expertreviews.co.uk/smartphones/1298467/samsung-galaxy-s4-release-date-price-specs-rumours

This one is a little easier to read... //news.cnet.com/8300-5_3-0.html?keyword=samsung+galaxy+s4

Message edited by author 2013-03-13 10:40:14.

03/13/2013 10:42:41 AM · #3

unfortunately, can't wait for a release. This thing is dead and is the family lifeline. So a phone is being procured today. :)

Bad things about razr? that's odd... I hadn't heard that.

One of my concerns about the galaxy is they say the screen is dim. That's the one thing that I've hated about my current phone -- I can't really see it in the sunlight. I have to go into the shade. And I can't see where the adjustments are to brighten the screen -- I have to guess. That's one of the cons listed on the galaxy, that it's not as bright as the other androids.

SaraR

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

03/13/2013 10:52:06 AM · #4

Originally posted by vawendy:

I love my S3 - and I can work it, which is pretty amazing given that I had resisited all attempts by my children to use a mobile phone until last summer! The inability to read the screen in bright sunlight has, at times, been a definite draw-back, but there again, it isn't sunny all that often in England... The only cons I have are as discussed, and the position of the power off button, which I have been known to activate at times when holding the phone.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

03/13/2013 10:56:30 AM · #5

Originally posted by SaraR:

Originally posted by vawendy:
unfortunately, can't wait for a release. This thing is dead and is the family lifeline. So a phone is being procured today. :)

Bad things about razr? that's odd... I hadn't heard that.

One of my concerns about the galaxy is they say the screen is dim. That's the one thing that I've hated about my current phone -- I can't really see it in the sunlight. I have to go into the shade. And I can't see where the adjustments are to brighten the screen -- I have to guess. That's one of the cons listed on the galaxy, that it's not as bright as the other androids.

I love my S3 - and I can work it, which is pretty amazing given that I had resisited all attempts by my children to use a mobile phone until last summer! The inability to read the screen in bright sunlight has, at times, been a definite draw-back, but there again, it isn't sunny all that often in England... The only cons I have are as discussed, and the position of the power off button, which I have been known to activate at times when holding the phone.

Can you brighten it enough to read it in sunlight? Or are you just out of luck until you get in the shade? (it's sunny all the time here in VA)

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

03/13/2013 11:02:33 AM · #6

I recently bought the Galaxy SII to replace a Tmobile G2 that was acting up similarly to your own. I chose the SII instead of the SIII for a few reasons:

SIII was overkill for my usage. I use my smarthone like I used to use a PDA. I don't do heavy multimedia with my phone and the quad core processor was more than I needed.

The II fits better in a camelbak or jersey pocket when riding my bike.

The SII was only $30 with a contract renewal.

A big advantage to the SIII would have been accessories. It appears to be as popular as the iPhone and there are many aftermarket cases and add-ons for it.

Message edited by author 2013-03-13 11:03:39.

03/13/2013 11:04:03 AM · #7

Jellybean is now on both, the Samsungs are the flagship phones for each carrier so you cant go wrong there with updates.

03/13/2013 11:05:50 AM · #8

android has an auto brightness where it uses the front camera to sense ambient but you can override it much to the chagrin of your battery.

03/13/2013 11:09:19 AM · #9

I've been using my phone as a laptop -- and doing DPC on it. (no laptop, no tablet) That's why I was thinking the bigger screen would be nice. I think I'll probably regret it when I try to put it in a pocket... :)

03/13/2013 11:09:43 AM · #10

Originally posted by mike_311:

Jellybean is now on both, the Samsungs are the flagship phones for each carrier so you cant go wrong there with updates.

I thought they said that the MAXX didn't ship with jelly bean...

03/13/2013 11:13:17 AM · #11

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by mike_311:
Jellybean is now on both, the Samsungs are the flagship phones for each carrier so you cant go wrong there with updates.

I thought they said that the MAXX didn't ship with jelly bean...

company email i got yesterday:

Software Upgrade for the DROID RAZR / DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola

All â��

Verizon has started pushing the latest software (Jelly Bean) to all users. For installation instructions and more information visit: https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/93191

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

03/13/2013 11:13:43 AM · #12

Originally posted by mike_311:

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by mike_311:
Jellybean is now on both, the Samsungs are the flagship phones for each carrier so you cant go wrong there with updates.

I thought they said that the MAXX didn't ship with jelly bean...

company email i got yesterday:

Software Upgrade for the DROID RAZR / DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola

All â��

Verizon has started pushing the latest software (Jelly Bean) to all users. For installation instructions and more information visit: https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/93191

ahhh... ok.

Apple iPhone 5

03/13/2013 11:14:24 AM · #13

I'm loving my iPhone 5, but that's a different story... :)

My brother got a Samsung Note - Do you have these over there? (since you mention you're using it like a laptop)

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

03/13/2013 11:14:28 AM · #14

it may not ship for it but its available.

Brent_S

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

03/13/2013 11:16:49 AM · #15

I remember you saying you were anti Apple PC because of their prices Wendy, but an iPhone will cost you no more than a top notch Android phone. You ought to at least consider an iPhone 5 as the screen may not be as big as some of the Android offerings, but it's is very readable in all light and the phone is still very pocketable. That said, it seems HTC has a new Android phone coming out (think it's called the "One") that positive things have beed said about- not sure it is available yet though.

03/13/2013 11:23:50 AM · #16

Originally posted by Brent_S:

i have a one x and love it.

its on par with S3, however i'm not sure how Verizon is but I had to root it to get Jellybean since AT&T didn't consider it a flagship product and made everyone wait month for the update after the S3 got it right away.

it you want a true android experience get a Nexus or an unbranded phone.

my wife and i both have the same phone, mine is rooted running android 4.1 (Cyanogen rom) hers isnt, she just got the jellybean update this past weekend.

my phone is so much better, its faster, it isn't loaded with carrier bloat and apps you cant uninstall, its just looks cleaner and did i say it runs so much faster. she is actually considering letting me root hers to get it run like mine.

Message edited by author 2013-03-13 11:28:14.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

03/13/2013 11:25:44 AM · #17

The Iphone is actually the same price now, but I read about 9 reviews saying that the recent androids really surpass the iphones.

(just looked at the note -- it was exciting, but it is too big, and out of the price range.)

HTC one isn't available through verizon yet (if it even will be)

So it's still looking like razr maxx vs samsung galaxy sIII other other android options in verizon.

Message edited by author 2013-03-13 11:27:09.

Apple iPhone 5

03/13/2013 11:25:52 AM · #18

Damn, nobody's taking the bait. Come on Android fanbois! - That's 2 mentions of iPhone on this thread so far! :)

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

03/13/2013 11:33:19 AM · #19

Originally posted by JH:

Damn, nobody's taking the bait. Come on Android fanbois! - That's 2 mentions of iPhone on this thread so far! :)

i'd seriously consider the window 8 phones too, best interface by far in the phone market, if you like to play with or tweak your phone get an android, if you want a great phone and dont care about lots of apps and only need only the good ones get a windows phone.

when i first switched from windows to android i really missed it, but I've grown on android simple because i can do so much more with it, but thats me.

Brent_S

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

03/13/2013 11:52:59 AM · #20

Originally posted by vawendy:

Instead of reading reviews that maybe compare processing power when Android maybe requires more, etc. you really ought to go into a store and try out an iPhone Wendy- it won't bite ;) I think you will find it very snappy and responsive with no need to remove bloatware to speed it up. Stick it in your pocket and notice how you can control everything with one hand. And as a photographer there are so many apps available that can assist you in determining angle of the sun, etc. Yes, Android gets many of these apps eventually, but they go to iOS first usually. And if you think you can use some of these apps, that would be a reason to steer away from a Windows phone right there.

mariahdc

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

03/13/2013 12:04:05 PM · #21

My husband as the Razr MAXX. He loves it - and he's a tech guy. His company gave him an iPhone 4S to use for business calls but he doesn't like it and prefers his Razr MAXX.

The only issue he had was with the speaker not working. In order for it to work, he has to rub on the back - no kidding. It's like a connection is bad and by rubbing it, enough static is created to boost the connection.

https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/772385
https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/943448

Not sure if this helps or not. Good luck with your decision. :)

(ETA - we use the iPhone as an extra phone around the house. I'm a Mac person so I love it. If you have an iPad, it will be intuitive).

Message edited by author 2013-03-13 12:06:41.

pixelpig

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 1.8/50mm SAM

03/13/2013 12:12:00 PM · #22

I have a Razr Maxx & love it. The Android OS takes a little getting used to. But I have a tablet w/the Android OS too, so I'm getting used to it.

I have the iPhone 4S & love that one, too. It's smaller, so it fits in more places.

cowboy221977

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

03/13/2013 12:20:00 PM · #23

I have had bad luck with verison

Ann

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

03/13/2013 01:21:02 PM · #24

I just had the same problem, and bought a new phone last week. I got tired of the bloatware, poor battery life, and lack of OS updates on every Android phone I've had, so I got an iPhone this time. The thing will run for days without charging, isn't loaded with all the crapware that the Androids come with, and it's small and light, so it doesn't pull my pants down when I put it in my pocket. The only thing I miss from Android is swype.

oh...and the camera is surprisingly good on the iPhone.

Message edited by author 2013-03-13 13:21:35.