Correct answer: Community Forums - Should I Make The Switch?

JaySean · ‎04-19-2011

I am a DROID guy, plain and simple. I love the droid line of phones and i enjoy using Android. BUT, it dosen't come without its share of problems. The droid x is my favorite phone but I have had to replace it 3 times because of many lock ups and freezing and constant rebooting. My third droid x screen went out. I now have the HTC Thundebolt. Its been working fine but on and off. I am having alot of data issues and its frustrating. Htc said fixes are coming and verizon offers me a replacement..And the thing that led me to this post was that my thunderbolt suddenly crashed on me, i lost everything on my SD card. I wanted to wait for the droid x2 but i have had enough. I don't like replacements because i always buy my phones full retail, so thats not a problem.

I have used my aunts iphone for a bit and find it to be quite elegant and simple to use.I also find the size to be perfect for me too although thats not an issue coming from a droid x. I know people complain that the iPhone dosen't have live wallpapers or widgets but even a tech support rep from htc told me to conserve battery i should use widgets at a minimal and use a static wallpaper instead..I'm just looking for a phone i can depend on and not worry about it crashing on me and losing everything.

I do alot of browsing but its mostly research and reading, listening to music, videos,taking pics, etc. And of course a phone that has good reception and can keep a reliable signal. I have two weeks to decide because i am going on vacation. Sorry about the long post but i just wanted to share my experiences and get opinions from my fellow community members.And yes i am in a 4G area but because of the data issues i don't mind using a 3G phone. My contract will be up in July 2012 so i need a phone to last me until i'm ready to buy something else. So there it is, should i stay with DROID or will your opinions make me jump ship to the i4!

Cheers

JaySean

ArchAngel_32 · ‎04-22-2011

I have had both types. I will never go back to an iPhone. I know you will do what you want in the end. I'm sure that people won't be able to change your opinion on the iPhone either. However, I do want to give my two cents just to say that I did. Since I have had both, I think I am a more reliable source than people who have only read about them. Also... I have played with almost every single Android phone that is out. Only a few have gotten past me! That being said, Let's roll!

When I first got the iPhone, I thought it was an amazing little machine. (Not to mention, I finally felt that feeling of Accepted by the rest of the world. Since having an iPhone means you are "cool" and having an Android means you are a "wanna be")

I played with that phone for hours on the first day. I took those hours learning the tricks and shortcuts that were possible. And after I had them all down, I felt complete. Then it was time to start getting apps. (Yay!) I looked up the most popular ones first. Then after seeing the price on some of them, I looked at the ones that weren't so popular. I started selecting which ones to get. Here it came! The big moment of downloading my first app on my new iPhone. WOW!!! Ten minutes later.... I had Google Earth. (I was not on WIFI) Okay.. ten minutes isn't terrible, is it? YES! The next one, some stupid game that I ended up having to go through iTunes on my PC to get it on my phone. I didn't want iTunes on my computer. Had to happen though.Then I wanted to make a ringtone that was specifically for my wife. Guess what... after spending the time to download the app that would allow me to make Custom Ringtones, (You guessed it..) I had to go through iTunes. After a few more shocking discoveries about needing iTunes for EVERYTHING but making a call, I broke out of the "My phone and I care cool" stage. I realized that compared to my G1 (The FIRST Android phone) this phone wasn't for me.

I went back to the Android phone for a couple weeks before my wife wanted my G1. I took the iPhone back, but I didn't want to.

I grew more and more unhappy with it until I had it Jailbroken. Now it was a decent phone. Except... I could now download apps that would harm my phone. I didn''t like that, so I hardly used the Cydia market place to get things.

Now, my story is over because I got sick of the iPhone. I hated being under Steve Job's rules. I want Flash on my phone! I want to download an app in under a minute without being on WIFI since I am not always around a WIFI connection.( I work in substations, not an office where I can link up to a connection all day). I want to use the phone I paid for to do things, not have to sync up to "Big Brother" iTunes for every little thing. By the way, Making a ringtone with an Android phone on requires music on your phone, and ONE APP called Ringdroid. (Or the countless others like it!) I want to have shortcuts to calling people I call regularly. Direct Dials are a blessing! And I DO NOT... I repeat DO NOT want to have to HACK into (Jailbreak) my phone to make it do what I want it to do.

When you buy an iPhone.... you are paying a good deal of money for it. You shouldn't though. You want to know why? I'm gonna tell you regardless! When you buy it, you can only do what they let you do. Apple made a phone and said "Here you go! Please use OUR PHONE all you want." When Google took that incredible concept that Apple created, but opened it up for other folks to use, here is what they said...." Here you go! Please use YOUR PHONE all you want."

Android has more freedom. iPhones only let you do what Apple says you can do. Yes... the Android market has some issues. It isn't any different than Apple's Store! Android doesn't have as many apps... here is why. iPhone app makers make an app for one PHONE. Android makers have to try to make them work for hundreds of different models. Way harder than making an app that works on one kind of phone.

In my opinion... and that is all it is, Android wins HANDS DOWN. Apple created this Monster and I am thankful for that. However, I am even more thankful that Google perfected it. Slowly, the iPhone will lose its luster to so many more. Due to prices... and other Rules they tack on.

You probably wanted something short and sweet. I'm sorry I got off on a big old rant. I wanted to say that to everyone... not just you. Thanks for reading... if you made it this far.

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vereyezuhn · ‎04-19-2011

JaySean wrote:
I am a DROID guy, plain and simple. I love the droid line of phones and i enjoy using Android. BUT, it dosen't come without its share of problems. The droid x is my favorite phone but I have had to replace it 3 times because of many lock ups and freezing and constant rebooting. My third droid x screen went out. I now have the HTC Thundebolt. Its been working fine but on and off. I am having alot of data issues and its frustrating. Htc said fixes are coming and verizon offers me a replacement..And the thing that led me to this post was that my thunderbolt suddenly crashed on me, i lost everything on my SD card. I wanted to wait for the droid x2 but i have had enough. I don't like replacements because i always buy my phones full retail, so thats not a problem.
I have used my aunts iphone for a bit and find it to be quite elegant and simple to use.I also find the size to be perfect for me too although thats not an issue coming from a droid x. I know people complain that the iPhone dosen't have live wallpapers or widgets but even a tech support rep from htc told me to conserve battery i should use widgets at a minimal and use a static wallpaper instead..I'm just looking for a phone i can depend on and not worry about it crashing on me and losing everything.
I do alot of browsing but its mostly research and reading, listening to music, videos,taking pics, etc. And of course a phone that has good reception and can keep a reliable signal. I have two weeks to decide because i am going on vacation. Sorry about the long post but i just wanted to share my experiences and get opinions from my fellow community members.And yes i am in a 4G area but because of the data issues i don't mind using a 3G phone. My contract will be up in July 2012 so i need a phone to last me until i'm ready to buy something else. So there it is, should i stay with DROID or will your opinions make me jump ship to the i4!

Cheers
JaySean

Your post confuses me... You say you buy your phones full retail, but then say your contract runs out in Jul 2012, and that you need a phone to last you until then... Why would it matter how long it lasts if you have the luxury of purchasing them at full retail price?

It seems as though you've answered your own question, as well. You say you like using your aunt's iPhone and like how it feels, runs, etc. There's your answer. If you have the money to blow on it, why not just get one and you can switch back to your Droid and sell it if you end up not liking it

JaySean · ‎04-19-2011

Thank you for your reply, and sorry about the confusion. I do buy my phones full retail but right now i don't have time and money to waste on buying one every month. If i buy one now i need it to last until my contract is up in july 2012.. I have been leaning towards the iphone lately and like you said i answered my own questions but its always nice to get opinions and hear what other iphone/droid users have to say.

21stNow · ‎04-20-2011

Reading your background story, I say get an iPhone and an Android tablet. That way, you have a phone that may be more reliable than your past experience with Android phones, but also get the enjoyment of Android on a less essential device.

I have two points of hesitation with this advice. One is that you may have to buy apps twice, since they won't cross platforms. My other hesitation is that you mentioned using an SD card. You can't use an SD card on current iPhones.

Finally, I am really curious. Do you live around a power plant or something? What are you doing that you have gone through four Android phones in a year? I'm not being harsh, I just want to know, as a fellow Android lover. There may be something that I need to watch out for!

JaySean · ‎04-20-2011

thanks for the input..appreciate it, i never really thought about getting an Android tablet ,interesting. It may have just been bad luck or moto didn't do a good job with the X, which i doubt because alot of people have it and love it.

My first DROID X: September 2010 and first smartphone was due for an upgrade so got the X for only $40 was so excited only to open the box to a defective phone..

My Second DROID X: worked well and made me fell in love with android and the droid x became my favorite and i became a droid guy..until it started to lag and freeze, to the point where i had to get a replacement

My Third DROID X: smooth sailing, loving android once again until the lags and freezing again constant rebooting even when i ran stock because i thought it may be one of the apps..one night my screen went out, took it to the store the screen was dead, so i bought the thunderbolt at full retail.

droidsw · ‎04-20-2011

Not trying to be skeptical, but I read several phone forums and browse "the enemy's", including this one and experiences like your's are rare. Doesn't make it any less significant to you, but it is not the norm.

In the real world, I know far more smartphone owners that have gone from IOS to android, not the other way around.

The reasons are numerous and will only open up another debate about which operating system is better, lead to name calling and folks going off on lots of tangents.

It comes down to personal preference, "systems" and experience.

It sounds like your previous purchases indicate you favor android on the first two and have been disappointed by experiences.

My thought is if you do try an iphone, you may very well have a better experience (or maybe not, iphones aren't prefect, either), but in the long run you will come back to android.

Whatever you decide, it will be interesting if you report back.

JaySean · ‎04-20-2011

yes you are correct about everything , i do favor android..i love it , but have been let down by my past experiences. your key words ''in the long run i'l come back to android'' makes me wonder if i should just stick with android but which phone do i go with, thanks for the input and i will report back.

rcschnoor · ‎04-20-2011

I'm still at a loss as to the contradiction between "I always buy my phones at full retail" and "my contract will be up in July 2012".

If you buy your phones at full retail, you did not sign a contract. If you did sign a contract, you either bought that phone at the subsidized price or you got swindled by your salesman.

Good luck with finding a phone that works for you.

JaySean · ‎04-20-2011

let me clarify that yes when i signed the contract i bought the phone at a subsidized price but what i meant by full retail is that i don't wait for upgrade dates, if i saw a phone that i really liked i have no problem buying at at the full price. But i have learnt that it dosent always work out because that money goes to waste if i needed a replacement. So thats why i want a phone that would last me from now until my contract is up, then i will buy another device.

mdram4x4 · ‎04-20-2011

many people feel the iphone is rock solid

many people feel some droids are too

you have to answer some questions to yourself

do you like itunes? its required with the iphone iirc

do you mind purchasing apps again you already have?

is there anything about the iphone you dont like? and can you live with that?

is there anything about an andoid you must have thats not onthe iphone?

is there anything about the iphone thats a must thats not on android?

droids and iphones have thier pluses and minuses, and appeal to diff people.

the only person that can aswer the question really is you.

dbbrass · ‎04-20-2011

Excuse me, but please keep the Android love and iPhone hate on your own forum!

That aside...

uh... I'm in the real world and I can say that I know more people that have dumped Android for the iPhone... myself included and I don't miss my Android phone one bit. But that aside, as you stated, it is a matter of opinion...

But as for Android's popularity, lets not forget that there is an endless rabble of different manufactures and models out there available from every carrier known to man from free to $249.00 (with a contract). There are two available iPhone models (3GS & 4) and only two carriers in this country sell them (well except for the 3GS which is AT&T only). So really it's carrier, contract and dollars which drive the market. Comparing Android to the iPhone is like comparing apples (no pun intended) to oranges. The business model is not the same.

So anyway, getting back to the original thread, ultimately try them both and then decide. I agree no smartphone is perfect. Ultimately it's what works for you.

-- What gets me is that the many Apple haters out there have never even tried an Apple product. Now do I need to go over and troll the Android forums and spread an anti-Android message?

rcschnoor · ‎04-20-2011

dbbrass wrote:
-- What gets me is that the many Apple haters out there have never even tried an Apple product. Now do I need to go over and troll the Android forums and spread an anti-Android message?

No need. There are already plenty that do. There are plenty of haters that spread messages(over and over) in ALL of the forums; Apple haters, Android haters, data plan haters, calling plan haters, and most of all Verizon haters.

dbbrass · ‎04-20-2011

Man, you are so right!

JaySean · ‎04-20-2011

its true that it boils down to personal prefrence, and yes i have lived with android but never with ios..Like you said no smartphone is perfect but based on the luck i have had with android and the droid x, i may try something different but at the end of the day nothing is perfect you just have to get something you like and stick with it.

kaebfly · ‎04-20-2011

As already mentioned, since you stated that you liked the iPhone experience you have had with your aunts (?) then you have already answered your own question. You are an Android user but for now you are an unhappy one. Since paying full retail is not a issue for you it would seem that if one posters theory of you coming back to Android shouldn't really be an issue for you. If you go back to Android in the future it shouldn't have anything to do with your current decision to switch. For now, it seems that the iPhone meets the needs you are looking for. Asking any one on a forum only leads to others opinions...but only YOU know what has worked for you in the real world...go with what feels right to you today. Technology is constantly changing. Who knows...by the time you get ready to upgrade again their may be a platform out there that is better than both iOS and Android.

droidsw · ‎04-20-2011

kaebfly's suggestion has merit, but consider this. Now is not the best time to but yet another phone.

Iphone 5, Droid Bionic (or whatever semblance of it) and scores of other phones with 4G, dual core, etc., are just around the bend.

You mentioned using your Aunt's iphone for a "bit". Is that hours? Days? Weeks?

You could always buy an iphone and give it 14 days of tryout. But, if you weren't happy with it I would have no other suggestions, since you've been disappointed with the TB and Droid X and they are two of the best android's at the moment.

If you like it. Keep it until the iphone 5 comes out and get that phone, or by then you may decide (and I think you will) to return to android.

kaebfly · ‎04-21-2011

droidsw wrote:
kaebfly's suggestion has merit, but consider this. Now is not the best time to but yet another phone.

Iphone 5, Droid Bionic (or whatever semblance of it) and scores of other phones with 4G, dual core, etc., are just around the bend.

You mentioned using your Aunt's iphone for a "bit". Is that hours? Days? Weeks?

You could always buy an iphone and give it 14 days of tryout. But, if you weren't happy with it I would have no other suggestions, since you've been disappointed with the TB and Droid X and they are two of the best android's at the moment.

If you like it. Keep it until the iphone 5 comes out and get that phone, or by then you may decide (and I think you will) to return to android.

Since there is no real info or proof that the iPhone 5 will be available soon (maybe later this year but the next question becomes does VZ get it at that time). No one knows but the insiders at Apple...so telling people to hold out for that particular phone may lead to disappointment. Besides, the OP already stated that they have no problem paying full retail for a newer phone if they really want it. Even though they would like to have a phone last until their contract ends it's possible that if something else comes out that they really want they might buy it. Luckily, the iPhone 4 has a very high resale value so if the rumored 5 releases for VZ before then they could easily sell their 4 and get a decent amount of money on it. You can't say the same about a lot of other used phones.

droidsw · ‎04-21-2011

Excellent. Then the OP will be able to get most of his money back. And he will want it back.

ArchAngel_32 · ‎04-22-2011