Within a week I get to upgrade to a SmartPhone...

06 Feb 2012 | US Navy Vet

[US Navy Vet]

...any recommendations, Suggestions?

[org.whodat]

Whatever, just make sure you get a warranty on it, this is my third droid, and each one has been free. This is the newest model, does a good job, and they have fixed most of the auto spell problems. Mine has the slide out key pad, much easier to use.

[for-q-clinton]

My best friend has a droid (and his whole family does). He said they are nothing but trouble. Camera crashes. Apps freeze. Clunky. It has completely turned him off of android. But before that he was gung ho. Now that he’s seen my windows phone he a bit jealous. My whole family has them and we have 0 issues.

[FreedomPoster]

RIM is so far behind the curve with their Blackberries that it isn’t even funny.

iPhone or Android. These are the platforms with significant 3rd party app support. As an example, the popular Sonos music system has support for iPhone and Andoid. No Blackberry, no Windows phone.

[Jonty30]

Windows has about the same amount of apps that Android did in their first year. From what I’ve read, it’s reasonably expected to get more apps quickly than Android, in the same time.

What Windows could really do to get a jump on both Apple and Google is if they used their lack of apps to organize their marketplace so apps are easy to find.

I really hate just looking under a large category and have to root through 100 pages of apps to find new ones. Like most people, they search through the first three pages and choose from there.

[HereInTheHeartland]

Just upgraded to Blackberry Torch from a Curve. The Torch is nicer with the bigger screen.

I would get an IPhone in a heartbeat if my company had them on our plan.

[org.whodat]

My first the screen would go crazy, the second one whould not turn off and on correctly after 6 months, this one has operated trouble free. They gave me a new phone each time.

[38special]

Plus one for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus with Verizon and the latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich. You can’t go wrong with this phone. The only drawback is battery life.

[topspinr]

You won't be disappointed in the Samsung Galaxy Nexus with the latest OS from Google. I purchased one in Dec and like the way it performs. Check out the features on the phone at Verizon.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Wifey got herself a Droid and loves it. I’ve tried it and can’t stand it. So I have her VX8300 in reserve if mine gives up the ghost.

[BlazingArizona]

That might have been the very phone I recently traded in for an iPhone 4S. I can now run my hiking GPS app in background.

[MonicaG]

I got a Samsung Galaxy S II a month ago - a little bit of a learning curve but completely amazing and I recommend. As a phone; great sound; easy-to-read & navigate Contacts. I love the Google maps navigation (free); having fast internet access everywhere (FRee Republic!); email (it's wired for Gmail thru AT&T; not sure about Verizon); Facebook; plus awesome photos & videos. I've only downloaded one app (Thru The Bible daily bible study with Dr. J. Vernon McGee, that I used to listen to on the radio until November when the local station schedule changed) but this smartphone comes with a ton (that I haven't even used yet). It's pretty amazing; I didn't want to deal with iPhone iTunes limitations for music but had no idea I was buying such an amazing communications device.

Wow, I just searched for a link for you - guess you might not be able to get this phone thru Verizon?

http://www.mobiledia.com/news/104872.html

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Personally I’d hold out until the Nokia Lumia 900 is out. Bing search it! It’s going to be the phone to own in 2011.

Better check the calendar, Mr. Winkle . . .

[for-q-clinton]

Funny...I think that’s the first time I referred to 2012 as 2011—I typically do it all January. Looks like I let my guard down.

[Swordmaker]

Freeper wants advice on what smartphone to buy—PING!

Apple Ping!

Please, No Flame Wars!
Discuss technical issues, software, and hardware.
Don't attack people!
Don't respond to the Anti-Apple Thread Trolls!
PLEASE IGNORE THEM!!!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

[CurlyDave]

iPhone 4S.

Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

[itsahoot]

Wait a few week, Apple may reveal what their new iPhone will do. Might be worth the wait. Unless of course you are a genuine Apple hater, like most of the suggestee’s on this thread.

I have had an iPhone since the first day they were available, and would have no other, because it just works. It is always unto date unlike android phones which may or may not run the latest software, depending on the hooks the carrier or maker decided to put in their version.

[martin_fierro]

I have the Samsung Droid Charge with Verizon.

Mrs. F has the iPhone 4 with Verizon, and while I think it's a good phone, the Samsung Droid had more features at the time I needed to upgrade (4G LTS, more eye candy, more customizable, etc.).

Downsides to the Droid Charge:

• Its huge screen, while nice & bright & sharp, eats battery life like a mofo.
• Google's coming "unified privacy policies" will also extend to Android phones

If you're looking for a strong protective case for your smartphone, consider the Otterbox line.

[martin_fierro]

Always take the classic. The Blackberry.

While you can.

[antiRepublicrat]

After having an Android for a couple of years, I just got an iPhone 4S on Verizon. Perfection. Siri is great, and the dictation is very accurate. I rarely use the keyboard now.

The wife got a new high-speed Android phone too, but the iPhone is just overall a better experience. Unless you need something specifically Android, or something not available for the iPhone, go with the iPhone.

If you do get an Android, make sure it has boatloads of on-board space. She keeps having to juggle her apps, manually putting them on the SD card, but still is running low on onboard space because of her general use, plus the fact that not all apps will load onto the SD card.

[antiRepublicrat]

Personally I’d hold out until the Nokia Lumia 900 is out. Bing search it! It’s going to be the phone to own in 2011.

That sounds about right. This is 2012, and Microsoft's catch-up product as usual will be out already behind the competition.