118 replies to this topic

[toeknee2]

Optus are calling because i'm up for a new phone but what should i get? They're offering a new iphone for less than my current deal and with a better calls/internet deal.

Keep in mind I want to use the phone to store and play my digital music (I currently take the digital signal from a iphone using a purei20 into a belcanto dac2).

Thoughts, pros/cons, I can have any brand...

[LuzArt]

Samsung Galaxy SII. Love it.

[houdinifangs]

iPhone 4s as you can buy from a choice of docks now that bypass the internal DAC - I don't think any phone has this option. However you could just keep your current iPhone on the i20 dock and get any other phone...as a phone. BTW I just went from the 3G to the 4s. The 4s is soooo much better - WiFi is much faster and the camera and screen embarrass the older iPhones. Still no Flash though. I use my phone more for lazy web access and music than as a phone...

[rantan]

There is really only 2 choices and it depends on which camp you choose to occupy.

SG SII or iPhone.

I don't own either, but I know of many people who swear by one or the other and wouldn't ever change.

[GregWormald]

Answer these:
How prepared are you to learn a new system and to operate the related applications?
What will you be doing on the different system that you aren't doing now?

Greg

Edited by GregWormald, 19 January 2012 - 09:29 PM.
clarity

[Jake]

iPhone 4s as you can buy from a choice of docks now that bypass the internal DAC - I don't think any phone has this option. However you could just keep your current iPhone on the i20 dock and get any other phone...as a phone. BTW I just went from the 3G to the 4s. The 4s is soooo much better - WiFi is much faster and the camera and screen embarrass the older iPhones. Still no Flash though. I use my phone more for lazy web access and music than as a phone...

Mine has a flash. And I bet your's does too

[houdinifangs]

Ah yes, the camera has a flash, I meant Flash web content - I see where that went wrong...

[proftournesol]

It seems people are either iPhone people or see Apple as the evil empire and love their Android phones. If you've already got an iPhone, is there any compelling reason to change? If not, go with the iPhone, you already know how it works, there are lots of good apps and you can take a direct digital signal from it with the right dock. The camera is pretty good too, you can now even use a DSLR lens on an iPhone with the right attachment!

[nofixedaddress]

Samsung Galaxy SII. Love it.

Second that one.

But if you have everything set up for the iPhone then go with that.

BTW the 4s has about 1/2 the grunt of the SII both in processor and ram if that matters to you. The SII also takes micro SD cards where iPhone doesn't have additional storage options.

Oh and you can change the battery on the SII.

NFA

Edited by nofixedaddress, 20 January 2012 - 01:15 AM.

[Luc]

Just thought I'd pop a link in here to an android to iPod Dock cable http://technabob.com...o-iphone-cable/

Have squiz, it does add more flexibility if your tempted to go Android but have ancillary equipment for your IPod/iPhone also if you already have an Android and want to connect to the 'Evil empire' then you can do it now.

[Bomber Rock]

I recently switched from iPhone to Android (Galaxy SII) and will never look back. Amazing, I could get rid of my iTunes account and uninstall iTunes from my PC and yet am still able to able to make phone calls... stupid apple.

Having said that, if you like your phone to be simple to use, you cant go past the iPhone. It is probably the only smart phone that my parents can use intuitively.

[Batty]

I jumped onto the Android bandwagon with a Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc. I am very happy with it, the 8.1mp camera is excellent quite a few of the pictures I post on here are taken with it. very easy to use and sq is quite good too. The squeezebox commander app especially good. Screen is a bravia job so pretty good. It even has HDMI out. Oh yes it works well as a phone too.

[toeknee2]

I'm not a tech head so I want to keep it simple. The 3g iphone I currently use has crap reception and I have been told always compresses music files. Apparently the 4s has far better reception and can take lossless music.
The main questions I want answered are can the samsung load itunes songs? (most of my music comes from itunes)
And what music sites (if any) am I missing out on because I use an iphone?

At the moment I'm leaning towards another iphone but i would like a case made against it.
My wife has a new samsung but I don't like the way it doesnt flow. Its more rigid (or robotic) than the iphone but i could get used to that if there is a good reason.

Edited by toeknee2, 20 January 2012 - 09:56 PM.

[rantan]

if you like your phone to be simple to use, you cant go past the iPhone. It is probably the only smart phone that my parents can use intuitively.

Exactly.

As much as people like to bag Apple, there is no harm in designing something that is intuitive and which is actually easy to use. There is nothing cathartic about having a device that does 1,487 functions which cannot easily be used unless you are under 25 or a tech geek.

[nofixedaddress]

Exactly.

As much as people like to bag Apple, there is no harm in designing something that is intuitive and which is actually easy to use. There is nothing cathartic about having a device that does 1,487 functions which cannot easily be used unless you are under 25 or a tech geek.

Ha funny......not having a squillion functions used to be the catch cry of iPhone owners. Now that units out perform iphones the only thing left is picking on a different GUI.

There are several here that have gone from iphone to the others and surprisingly still seem to be happy. Me personally, having never used a smart phone before and without reading the manual, I can run the SII - doesn't seem to be that difficult.

FYI the SII handles these audio formats MP3, OGG, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB
AMR-WB, WMA, WAV, MID, AC3, IMY, FLAC, XMF. Note itunes is AAC.

The iPhone S4 handles AAC, HE-AAC, MP3, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX and AAX+), ALACs, AIFF and WAV.


The only question it doesn't answer is can the SII handle the protected DRM AAC. Maybe those who have experience in this can answer that. Didn't iTunes ditch DRM a while ago?

Hard to argue against iPhone if one is entrenched into the Apple system. Question - what is the trigger to opt out of the system? At some stage that has to happen. No company can stay with the pack indefinitely. There are multiple reports of distributors cutting back their orders for the S4 and iPads and I keep seeing articles popping up of Apple starting to loose it's cool factor with the new generation. Some hacks say Apple's best years are behind it. May be....may be not?

The fact you are looking around suggests that the Apple is loosing it's grip. A couple of years ago there would have been no question of what to get.

NFA

Edited by nofixedaddress, 20 January 2012 - 11:01 PM.

[Luc]

+1 NFA. The functions on the S11 are as difficult as touching the screen or swiping it with your finger and you dont need to be under 25 or a tech geek, I'm neither and I work my S11 with ease and tweak it as well, my wife who could never be considered geeky or under 25 (though you look it...just in case she's spying...) and has an iPod loves her S11 and she has no problems DL apps and installing them.

To my mind it's a complete furphy that anything but an iPhone is difficult to use and especially the S11: touch screen,touch icon, move through functions and screens by swiping...that's it simple.

[Batty]

All the recent android phones I have played with are quite easy to use, as Luc says, just a touch or a swipe. I guess it's down to which shape and colour you prefer and the features the manufacturer includes.

[josh0571]

+2 NFA: for someone who has virtually no experience using a smart phone at all that's a useful summary - thanks:)

Edited by josh0571, 21 January 2012 - 08:54 AM.

[GregWormald]

Try a basic Google search--Apple, consumer, satisfaction, survey.

It will add to the information you have in order to decide.

Greg

[Stump]

If you don't have a IPhone

Then you don't have a IPhone

[Batty]

I guess I don't have an IPhone then

[toeknee2]

Ok I've read all of the above and I'm pretty sure I should just stick with the iphone. It sounds like there isn't a strong enough "music" reason to change so I won't bother. Having said that should I be downloading WAV to assist my cd burning? I noticed Flac is not on that list. (I don't even know if that question makes sense.)

To be honest with you all I wouldn't own a mobile phone if I didn't own a business. And the only reason I have an iphone instead of a cheapy is it stores my music and takes photos/videos. If it cost any more than a cheapy I probably wouldn't bother.

[Drew]

I switched from iphone to Android last year and as per others have never looked back. IMO android is far superior.....It is more flexible, far less controlled, less contrived, unpretentious and works brilliantly.

Pesonally can't stand the way Apple have to control the user experience so much. Really isn't a competition....Iphone isn't in they same league.

Edited by Drew, 21 January 2012 - 03:48 PM.

[LogicprObe]

I have a coiple of iphones and am seriously thinking of getting a Galaxy next.

[Drew]

Oh...and DB poweramp app for music player is bloody brilliant...

[rantan]

I must be psychic I figured this thread would morph into an Apple Bash.

Please note: I do not own or use an iPhone and I am no fanboy of any phone /format for that matter. For me, a mobile phone is a [ partly ] necessary evil.

No flames if you please, it's only an opinion and they are like arses............everyone has one.

[Tony M]

Well, I guess I'm swimming against the tide, as usual.

I have always shunned Apple except for buying an ipad about a year ago. This didn't change when I needed a new laptop - the ASUS G74 met all my requirements and then some - lovely machine with full HD screen, 1.5 Tb drivespace and quiet, efficient cooling. The best Apple could offer fell short in several respects. So, when I had to replace my phone last week, I considered all the usual suspects and really didn't want to go Apple.

But, it came down to SG2 vs N9 vs 4s. The Nokia just didn't make sense in terms of app support and pathetic speaker, the Samsung has iffy reception in marginal areas like our place and the Apple just seemed right.

So far, I like it lots. It's totally intuitive and that's what I want in a phone. Absolutely anything I need (and a hell of a lot more) in terms of added applications seems to be available and it does everything I've asked of it extremely well.

I'm not an Apple convert or fanboi - it just seemed the best of the options available to me at the time and I'm happy with it from the outset. The build quality is immediately evident and a bit of a rarity in consumer disposables these days and I'm constantly amazed at what the inbuilt AI (Siri) can do. It really makes the thing fun to use.

Maye it's due to getting older, lazier and less tech savvy, but genuine user-friendliness is a big plus for me and I do like this phone.

[perthpete]

... Maye it's due to getting older, lazier and less tech savvy, but genuine user-friendliness is a big plus for me ...

May as well say: due to getting wiser :-) :-) :-)

[Grumpy]

Samsung Galaxy SII. Love it.

My Son reecently bought one of those and just 2 days a go he was driving back up from underground (he works in the mines in NSW) when the phone fell out of the vehicle and was ran over by a big Dump Truck; It's stuffed of course

[Tony M]

That'll do that to a phone every time, Grumps. Hopefully, it was insured? Dunno what it is with the younger generation, but my son found that a glass of orange juice will kill an apple laptop keyboard. Maybe straight vodka would've been OK?

Edited by Tony M, 21 January 2012 - 09:20 PM.

[mkaramazov]

My HTC Sensation plays back 24/44, 24/28 and 24/96 flac files. I haven't convinced it to play 24/192, but all in all I was pretty amazed that it managed to playback 24 bit anything. The sound isn't extraordinary (its a phone after all) but handy for playing back 24 bit files on the move.

Not sure if it is possible for the iphone to playback these files, although I suspect hi res is around the corner for apple stuff soon.

[LogicprObe]

My Son reecently bought one of those and just 2 days a go he was driving back up from underground (he works in the mines in NSW) when the phone fell out of the vehicle and was ran over by a big Dump Truck; It's stuffed of course

How does a phone 'fall out of a vehicle'?

[Grumpy]

How does a phone 'fall out of a vehicle'?

Opened the door underground and the phone must have slid to the side on the way up and out it fell. it was on the dash. He didn't realise until they got to the top and then went back below and found it on the track just after the dumper ran over it

No insurance Tony!!!

[Drizt]

Samsung Galaxy Nexus is a brilliant phone, highly recommend it. Ill never go back to the crappy iphone.

[LogicprObe]

iphones were a marvel when they first came out.
There was nothing else like it really.

[Tony M]

Samsung Galaxy Nexus is a brilliant phone, highly recommend it. Ill never go back to the crappy iphone.

Drizt

This post would be more useful if you at least hinted at what you found brilliant about the SGN and crappy about the iphone. As it is, it just disparages those who made a different choice to you.

Edited by Tony M, 22 January 2012 - 08:25 AM.

[Catherine Barkley]

BTW the 4s has about 1/2 the grunt of the SII both in processor and ram if that matters to you. The SII also takes micro SD cards where iPhone doesn't have additional storage options.

Actually...
http://www.redmondpi...android-phones/

[Batty]

Just had a look at that report, it seems they only selected a couple of makes of phones to test against, i.e. no Sony Ericsson phones tested. Maybe they were looking for a particular result....

[pchan]

+2 NFA: for someone who has virtually no experience using a smart phone at all that's a useful summary - thanks:)

You can have that knowledge too Josh0571 and you dont have to own either, look in the specification of the product and you will find it.

The iphone 4 is one of the best smartphone that I have ever used, but as a phone and a modem it is the worst. Reception on the phone is below acceptabilty at the best of times and as a muti function device the I4 cant handle incoming calls, while downloading on a modem or receive messages simultanously that I require on my day to day business. Funny enough the Nokia E71 can do all this without a hitch and I was with 3. But in say that the iphone is really a ipod with a phone and modem functionality built in where the E71 is a dedicated phone and modem. Again you have more fun with the I4 than an E71.

[LogicprObe]

Opened the door underground and the phone must have slid to the side on the way up and out it fell. it was on the dash. He didn't realise until they got to the top and then went back below and found it on the track just after the dumper ran over it

No insurance Tony!!!

Dang!
I've seen them slide across the dash and out the open window whilst cornering!

[pchan]

Dang!
I've seen them slide across the dash and out the open window whilst cornering!

Did you go and look for it and check it out! I have seen one on a roof of a car travelling out of a shopping centre! Just like in oner of those ads on tv, and I though it only happens on tv!!! LOL

[pchan]

Come to think of it, my best friend dropped one in the toilet, everytime it rings I refuse to answer it!! lol

[Grumpy]

My mobile doesn't even have a camera or music ability - Just how i like it.

[Luc]

Just had a look at that report, it seems they only selected a couple of makes of phones to test against, i.e. no Sony Ericsson phones tested. Maybe they were looking for a particular result....

I'd like to see those tests done with ice cream sandwich loaded on the android devices

Edit:- Before you ask, here is all you need to know about it>>http://www.techradar...-1043150/review

Edited by Luc, 22 January 2012 - 12:29 PM.

[Captain Crunch]

Ha funny......not having a squillion functions used to be the catch cry of iPhone owners. Now that units out perform iphones the only thing left is picking on a different GUI.

There are several here that have gone from iphone to the others and surprisingly still seem to be happy. Me personally, having never used a smart phone before and without reading the manual, I can run the SII - doesn't seem to be that difficult.

FYI the SII handles these audio formats MP3, OGG, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB
AMR-WB, WMA, WAV, MID, AC3, IMY, FLAC, XMF. Note itunes is AAC.

The iPhone S4 handles AAC, HE-AAC, MP3, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX and AAX+), ALACs, AIFF and WAV.


The only question it doesn't answer is can the SII handle the protected DRM AAC. Maybe those who have experience in this can answer that. Didn't iTunes ditch DRM a while ago?

Hard to argue against iPhone if one is entrenched into the Apple system. Question - what is the trigger to opt out of the system? At some stage that has to happen. No company can stay with the pack indefinitely. There are multiple reports of distributors cutting back their orders for the S4 and iPads and I keep seeing articles popping up of Apple starting to loose it's cool factor with the new generation. Some hacks say Apple's best years are behind it. May be....may be not?

The fact you are looking around suggests that the Apple is loosing it's grip. A couple of years ago there would have been no question of what to get.




NFA

Yet I've spoken to people who have gone from Android to iPhone and say that iPhone is infinitely superior. Bottom line is that Apple got big based on the fact that their products worked well, are easy to use and have style, a far cry from the rubbish produced by Microsoft et al. Also, they have created the template that Android has copied from. Anyone can copy, very few have what it takes to be original. No doubt Apple will come up with the next leap forward followed by Android copies 6 months later and Android lovers will again say isn't Android the best!