Posted by JanetK_CA on 9/10/12 8:09pm
Msg #433837

Samsung Galaxy S III vs iPhone

Is anyone using the new Galaxy S III phone? My Blackberry battery is about to completely bite the dust and I've been thinking about upgrading - and Costco has a good deal until tomorrow or the next day.

I'm wondering, though, if the law suit with Apple might have any long-term affects and if I might be sorry if I sign another two year contract. I've been with T-Mobile for a long time and can get a great deal - even less than I'm paying now - for true unlimited data (and talk and text), but I don't want to have to change again in several months.

For any current users, what to you like / dislike about this phone?

Thanks for any feedback!

Reply by anotaryinva on 9/10/12 8:34pm
Msg #433841

I'm in the same boat right now, my kids have unlimited data plans, I have no data plan, if we change we have to share, not sure how to figure this out. I have 4 weeks.

Reply by chucke/fl on 9/10/12 9:09pm
Msg #433843

I had the 3g iphone and the 4s(which I lost 2 months after I purchased it). The only way I could get an Iphone was to pay full price(not an option). They did manually change my renewal if I got a different smartphone. I got the Samsung Galaxy Note. I am more that satisfied. This phone has so many features and really out smart the IPhone. Apple has marketed very well their product but the Galaxy is a better product. JMO

Reply by Yoli/CA on 9/10/12 9:54pm
Msg #433846

Consumer Reports gives Galaxy a higher rating.

http://news.consumerreports.org/electronics/2012/06/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-shines-despite-some-glitches.html

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/11/12 2:11am
Msg #433867

Great reveiw, Yoli. Thanks! (Now I'm just wondering if I really need all those cool features! )

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 9/10/12 11:55pm
Msg #433861

If you can still have unlimited data, I would stay with your current carrier. The Samsung phone gets high marks.

As far as the lawsuit, I wouldn't worry about it. What wasn't reported in the media were the other four lawsuits in the world that Apple either had a split decision or lost. While Apple may be classified as the most valuable company by it's stock value, Samsung is a much larger company with a much larger cash flow and more money in the bank (think of all the items you see with the Samsung name on them). The $1 billion, if in fact they do pay it after the appeals, would be like one of us throwing a nickel into the street. The changes that would have to be made would be a couple of programming changes in the manner in which the screen zooms and the overall appearance of the phone. As far as the Android operating system that Apple claims was copied from them, that part of all the worldwide lawsuits was thrown out or dropped from the suits as Android is actually Linux for phones and predates the iPhone operating system. Also, Apple buys most of their electronic chips and processors for the iPhone from Samsung I am sure they are going to work things out. Because Apple is an assembler, and Samsung is a manufacturer, Apple just can't quit buying from Samsung overnight. Apple also accounts for 10% of Samsung's operating income, so they can't just tell Apple to pound sand. Sounds like a marriage......

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/11/12 2:17am
Msg #433868

"If you can still have unlimited data, I would stay with your current carrier."

I can, and that's my thought, exactly! I'm with T-Mobile and have been since they came to California. I can get unlimited everything for even less than I was paying before (which was already under $100).

I appreciate your comments about Samsung. It makes lots of sense - and has me thinking much more confidently about the phone. When the sales person tells me not to worry, it just doesn't have the same resonance for some reason... I'm wondering, though, if I'd be just as happy with an older, less expensive version of the Galaxy S, since I probably won't ever use many of the newer features. Ya just never know, though!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/11/12 5:49am
Msg #433870

Just my .02 FWIW because I hate spending a

king's ransom for phone service - and I hate being locked into contracts..

I'm with StraightTalk - two months ago I bought a Samsung Galaxy Proclaim - I love love love this phone. Android 2.3, gingerbread, bunches of memory (gigs, don't recall offhand how much). It bounces off Verizon towers and I always have a signal and clear reception.

$45/month - unlimited talk, text and web - and no contract.

Admittedly have not used it in a work setting yet (tethering to printer, etc) but given about 6 months I'm sure this pea-brain can figure it out.

And I'm very pleased with StraightTalk - have had nothing but great customer support and customer service.

My .02 FWIW

Reply by LynnNC on 9/11/12 10:49am
Msg #433885

The Samsung Galaxy Proclaim souns like a great phone

I currently have a Pantech androide through AT&T and husband and daughter both have iPhones. Our bill is over $400 a month.

I still have another year on my contract, but might be able to reduce the service to a minimum with no data plan for my line and get the Proclaim for a lower total amount.

The only problem is I am not very tech-savy and probably go in to see an AT&T rep once a month because I need help with a feature. If I get the Proclaim, there will be no one to help me.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/11/12 1:27pm
Msg #433919

StraightTalk customer support has been great to me

and there's always WalMart - they're sold there and sometimes you do get a clerk that does know what they're doing.

Anyone with a smartphone can help you - and there's google too..

Reply by Gina/VA on 9/11/12 6:30am
Msg #433873

I am with Tmo also and recently upgraded to the Samsung Galaxy S III from my BB and absolutely love it. I didn't mind renewing to another 2 year contract because I had not planned on going to a different carrier anyway so that factor didn't make a difference to me.

Reply by 101livescan on 9/11/12 8:29am
Msg #433877

Recently I went for the MAXX, Android Razor Maxx. For two weeks, I thought I'd like to throw it into the Pacific Ocean, but we've learned a lot together. Many, Many features. You don't know how useful and beneficial, time saving and efficient these tools can be until you employ them.

Now I'm a happy camper. Soon the Blackberry will be extinct. I have unlimited texting and talk. MAXX has expanded battery power, good for over 21 hours, which I need on busy days.

I'm impressed with this phone, I don't know much about Galazy S III, and the iPhone is more expensive.

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/11/12 10:18am
Msg #433882

I have the Galaxy S II. The III is just faster and better; I would buy it in a heartbeat over the IPhone to keep my TMobile plan.

Downside of the Galaxies - the big screens suck power.
I recommend adjusting power sucking settings, an extra battery, and keeping power cords handy at your usual resting places. I was at a 3-day conference and I played with my phone a lot. When everyone else was seeing their batteries drained down to 10%, I pulled out a fresh one and popped it in. Never ran out of juice. So, upside is that you can have an extra battery. IPhones do not have that.

Reply by LynnNC on 9/11/12 10:23am
Msg #433883

"I was at 3-day conference and I played with my phone a lot"

Conference must have been boring!

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/11/12 12:29pm
Msg #433906

Ok...perhaps I should say "used" my phone.

Checked email.
Answered email.
Looked at weather.
Read newspaper during breaks.
Read bios on speakers.
Sought EXTRA background on speakers.
Recorded a couple of conversations.
Took pix of xxxxxxxx for reference.
Texted people in my group, "Hey...what are we having for lunch?"
Texted people in my group, "Is there coffee out there?"
Reviewed my calendar.
Looked to see what time it was in Texas.
Texted people in my group, "This guy makes a good point."
Texted people in my group, "We will give out bigger bags at our conference."
Texted to check on the dog.
Opened conference materials I had stored in Dropbox.
Texted people in my group, "Hey...are we eating dinner here?"
Drew a diagram of the room.
Took pictures of the room.
Took pictures of the overhead screen.

What I didn't do: Play WWF. I wanted to, but I didn't.

Reply by Gina/VA on 9/11/12 11:33am
Msg #433900

So true Brenda. The additional features will drain the battery but I have gone all night with a low battery alert and it still stayed on. Also, since the GPS is a real battery drainer, when I use it in the car, the first thing that I do is plug the car charger. This way, my battery is not being affected since I use both the GPS and navigator.