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| My old phone, the Samsung Infuse 4G. |
UPDATE: This post was updated on September 8th, 2013 to add the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, on September 13th and 25th, 2013 to add new information regarding the iPhone 5, and on November 13th, 2013 to add Nexus 5 info and to update my phone search status.
NOTE: My phone search has ended! Read below for my thoughts on the current top-model smartphones, or check out my review on my new smartphone, the Motorola Moto X.
In a little under a month from now, I will finally be able to get a new phone to replace my old one. My current phone, the Samsung Infuse 4G
was free and a year old when I got it, and as I quickly learned, you get what you pay for. After spending a frustrating year trying to make the phone function properly, I finally resorted to rooting the phone, which took care of 80% of my phone performance issues. Customizing just about every app on the phone took care of another 10%, which leaves me with a 90% workable phone. 90% isn't terrible, but the phone still gives me problems, such as the phone app crashing periodically (yes, like the part you use to make a phone call crashes while making a call), and waiting sometimes five minutes between the time I press the call button and the time when the phone actually makes the call. These don't make the phone unworkable, but is certainly a hindrance. Combine that with running on an old version of Android that is increasingly unsupported by new versions of apps, and I need a new phone. My son Evan loves to play with this phone now, so he will be very happy when I get a new one and turn my old phone into a baby toy.Since I had such a difficult time getting a free phone, I have decided not to be cheap the next time around. When I get my next smartphone, it is going to be something that I can use beyond my two-year contract. I don't really like switching phones all the time, so I would rather pay more now and keep it for a number of years than get a cheaper phone, be disappointed, and need a new one as soon as my contract allows. This is going to be a phone I hold onto for quite a while.
New Smartphone Reviews
I have narrowed my choices down to seven phones, each having their own advantages and disadvantages. I think I know which one I am going with, however I would really like to get the opinions of real-world users of the phones, because you can only learn so much from professional reviews. This post is as much for me as it is for anyone else, so I can get my thoughts on, well not paper, I guess silicon, or I believe hard drives are still made of an aluminum or glass ceramic. Either way, it is out of my head, and that is what matters.
Motorola Moto X
Price: $99 with contract (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile)
Pros:The Moto X is currently my top choice for my next phone, mostly because it appears to be more of what I am looking for in a phone. I do love the gobs of power put into some of the other phones in my list, but all that doesn't really matter compared to how well the phone actually works day in, day out. What I want is a smartphone with all the newest features, runs well, and has enough battery power to operate all day without needing to be charged repeatedly. That is what the Moto X is supposed to be, and I really like that. The fastest processor doesn't mean much to me if I have to charge the phone constantly and the user interface is so bloated *cough* *Samsung* *cough*. The phone is supposed to be an extension of me, and while I haven't gotten the chance to use the Moto X, I get the impression from reviews that is what I would get.
Part of what makes the Moto X a phone that "just works" is the X8 Mobile Computing System. It is a dual-core primary processor, paired with a quad core GPU, a separate processor dedicated to natural language processing, and another for contextual computing. While the dual-core CPU is a bit slower than the quad-core CPUs on most of the other phones on my list, what makes this phone the top-runner is this X8 design. The interface is designed specifically to work well on a dual-core processor, while other features like the always listening Google Now run on the smaller, less power-hungry, natural language processor. This design makes a lot of sense to me, and if it works as well as Motorola and many reviews suggest, This is definitely the phone for me.
The always listening Google Now is potentially a really cool feature for me. I actually hate talking to computers, especially those ones you get from some credit card companies, because they don't understand natural speech. They will ask me "What do you want?" and in my head I am thinking "Well, I have been having issue X since Monday, but on Tuesday issue Y happened, and I think it is because issue X never got resolved, even though I called you Monday evening and the person I spoke with assured me it would be fixed by the morning." Well, the computer doesn't know what the heck I am talking about, so I start mashing '0' until I get a real person. I really hate this. It is far easier and faster to just give me a menu of options where I press a number on the keypad.
When Siri came out on the iPhone
, I thought it was really dumb, because I would have to talk to it like a computer and not a person, and I still have to unlock the phone and long-press the home button to start asking it anything. Well at this point, I am halfway there, why don't I just type in my question. Plus, if I am in a noisy area, talking to the phone becomes like trying to explain calculus to my dog. I just get, "Uh..... what?" The always-on part is nice and I think I would actually use it if I could talk to the phone while in the car, or as a Moto X commercial shows, while the phone is on my nightstand in the morning. With the natural language processing feature of Google Now, I also think it would be usable, because I could just say what came to mind rather than having to translate it to computer speak. Whether or not this works very well in the real world or not, I don't know, and real-world results are really what I need to determine whether I would use this feature.
, I thought it was really dumb, because I would have to talk to it like a computer and not a person, and I still have to unlock the phone and long-press the home button to start asking it anything. Well at this point, I am halfway there, why don't I just type in my question. Plus, if I am in a noisy area, talking to the phone becomes like trying to explain calculus to my dog. I just get, "Uh..... what?" The always-on part is nice and I think I would actually use it if I could talk to the phone while in the car, or as a Moto X commercial shows, while the phone is on my nightstand in the morning. With the natural language processing feature of Google Now, I also think it would be usable, because I could just say what came to mind rather than having to translate it to computer speak. Whether or not this works very well in the real world or not, I don't know, and real-world results are really what I need to determine whether I would use this feature. |
| Motomaker lets you customize the color of your phone, including the front, rear, button color, case color, personalized boot screen, and accessories. |
My second issue is the screen resolution, which it 720p instead of 1080p, though I don't really think this is a big deal for me. It does save on battery life to have a lower resolution screen, and it is far better than mine is now, so this is not a real deal breaker for me.
The biggest drawback for me is the lack of a removable battery. This is how the iPhone is designed, which makes for a better-looking and easier to build phone, but it is a red flag for me, a father with a seven month-old child. I have not had an issue with my current phone getting wet, but if the Moto X were to end up in a toilet, there is no ability to quickly pull the battery and dry the phone. I am really on the fence whether I am okay with not being able to remove or swap the battery.
I have also heard that the camera is not great. This is unfortunate and is a drawback for me, but from what I use the camera for, I don't see a real issue. The camera is far nicer than the one on my current phone, and I find this one very workable. It is a 10 megapixel camera, which is better than the 8 MP on my current one, though worse both in resolution and color than any of the other cameras on the phones in the running.
I have also heard that the camera is not great. This is unfortunate and is a drawback for me, but from what I use the camera for, I don't see a real issue. The camera is far nicer than the one on my current phone, and I find this one very workable. It is a 10 megapixel camera, which is better than the 8 MP on my current one, though worse both in resolution and color than any of the other cameras on the phones in the running.
Price: $349/$399 (16/32 GB)
Specs: click here
Pros: There is not much known about the Nexus 5 as it has not even beet announced yet, but just the fact that is a Google spec phone puts it at number two in my list. Rumors bounce back and forth whether LG or Motorola will make it, Though if Motorola makes it and it is similar to the Moto X, this may be my number one phone. If it were an iteration of the Moto X, I expect it to have similar features, but with a larger battery, better screen, wireless charging, and the newest version of Android. Whether or not any of that is true, however, is still not known.
Cons: One of the limitations of the Nexus devices is that they don't come at a discounted price with a new phone contract. I don't mind paying a higher price up-front and a less for the monthly plan, except here in the US, at least with AT&T, I don't get a discount for the plan. That means I will be paying more for the phone and the same for the plan, with the only advantage being that I could leave my plan with AT&T without worrying about breaking a contract. As much as I am not a huge fan of AT&T, I am not a huge fan of any other carriers either, so having that flexibility is not much of a concern. Until this phone is actually released, however, the Google Nexus 5 is going to be a wild card.
Price: $299 with contract (AT&T)
Specs: click here
Pros: I have always liked the Galaxy Note line of phones, and my friend even replaced his iPhone with an original Galaxy Note last year. The Note 3 is definitely the beast of this list, with a 5.7" screen, 3 GB of memory (1 GB more than all the other options), the fastest processor of the bunch, and it comes with the built-in stylus which I actually like. While Samsung phones are known for being plasticy, the Note 3 has changed the back of the phone to a faux leather, which for me is nice because I tend to put my phones in leather cases anyways. Paired with the Samsung flip cover
, I think this would be a nice look and much thinner than an full case. The large screen could become cumbersome, but I like that it would be large enough to function as a tablet since I enjoy my iPad
very much, but it getting old and becoming less useful. Whenever I can combine devices and carry less around the better.
, I think this would be a nice look and much thinner than an full case. The large screen could become cumbersome, but I like that it would be large enough to function as a tablet since I enjoy my iPad very much, but it getting old and becoming less useful. Whenever I can combine devices and carry less around the better.
Cons: The size. This is by far the largest phone in my list. My current phone, the Samsung Infuse 4G, has a 4.5 inch screen, and I already struggle to use it with one hand. The other phones on this list all have larger screens, but the phone itself is about the same width and height. The Note 3 is far larger. I will absolutely need to use it with two hands, which takes away some of the convenience factor. I will have to hold one in my hand and actually play with it, but I am concerned this phone will be too large and become a burden.
This phone also costs $100 more than the other phones that are paired with a two-year contract, so that is certainly a factor. I don't want to go cheap, but whether I can justify forking over $300 for a phone is is left to be seen.
, has a 4.5 inch screen, and I already struggle to use it with one hand. The other phones on this list all have larger screens, but the phone itself is about the same width and height. The Note 3 is far larger. I will absolutely need to use it with two hands, which takes away some of the convenience factor. I will have to hold one in my hand and actually play with it, but I am concerned this phone will be too large and become a burden.This phone also costs $100 more than the other phones that are paired with a two-year contract, so that is certainly a factor. I don't want to go cheap, but whether I can justify forking over $300 for a phone is is left to be seen.
LG G2
Price: $199 with contract (AT&T)
Specs: click here
Pros: The LG G2 took the fourth spot over the Samsung Galaxy S4 because it has a similar look that I like, a slightly larger screen, and doesn't have the Samsung bloatware the S4 comes with. That isn't to say the G2 does have any, but I don't think anyone can compete with Samsung for the amount of features added that I will never use. The nearly edge-to-edge look of the G2 is nice too, which they accomplished by moving the power and volume buttons to the back of the phone. I really don't know how I feel about this, it could be really nice or really terrible.
Cons: The power and volume buttons are on the back. This could also be the most annoying location for these buttons on any phone ever devised by man. LG insists this is better for the user. I hope they are right, but I am really iffy on the functionality of this setup.
Cons: The power and volume buttons are on the back. This could also be the most annoying location for these buttons on any phone ever devised by man. LG insists this is better for the user. I hope they are right, but I am really iffy on the functionality of this setup.
Samsung Galaxy S4
Price: $199 with contract (AT&T)
Specs: click here
Pros: The Galaxy S4 is a nice phone, with a 1080p, 5 inch, screen, good look, and that single hard-button, which I sort of like even though it is very iPhone-esque. I like that they made the phone smaller than the S3 in every dimension, while at the same time packing in a better processor, larger screen, better camera, more memory, and a larger battery. For these reasons, The S4 used to be on top of my list back when it came out earlier this year. If my plan had been up for renewal back in May or June, this would be my phone right now.
Cons: The Samsung Galaxy S4 was my top pick a few months ago, however it has been supplanted by a phone with a slower processor and a phone that doesn't exist yet. Why? Samsung, that's why. I currently have a Samsung, and I really like the look of the S4 (at least the front), but what kills me is the software. There are a number of features in the S4 that are not available on the Moto X or (I assume) on the Nexus 5, but as Samsung has become famous for recently, the features tend to come in a shotgun approach, that is there are a ton of features that work alright and don't necessarily work together well. There are also a number of apps on the S4 that I will likely never use. I was going to list a few, but after reviewing this features page, I determined I will likely use NONE of the Samsung-specific features that come with the S4. That is not to say that they aren't good features, I just doubt I will use them because none of them are a real time saver or a feature I have been longing for. They are fluff, and I really hate having fluff on my phone. If I were to get an S4, I would more than likely root it immediately.
Of course the ultimate fluff is the Samsung Touchwiz interface, which has not only become uglier than the stock Android interface, but it runs slower and is a bigger system hog. Why Samsung insists on pushing out this outdated interface is beyond me. It wasn't too bad back when Android was still young and didn't have a good, clean look, but now it is just bloatware.
HTC One
Apple iPhone 5s
Cons: The Samsung Galaxy S4 was my top pick a few months ago, however it has been supplanted by a phone with a slower processor and a phone that doesn't exist yet. Why? Samsung, that's why. I currently have a Samsung, and I really like the look of the S4 (at least the front), but what kills me is the software. There are a number of features in the S4 that are not available on the Moto X or (I assume) on the Nexus 5, but as Samsung has become famous for recently, the features tend to come in a shotgun approach, that is there are a ton of features that work alright and don't necessarily work together well. There are also a number of apps on the S4 that I will likely never use. I was going to list a few, but after reviewing this features page, I determined I will likely use NONE of the Samsung-specific features that come with the S4. That is not to say that they aren't good features, I just doubt I will use them because none of them are a real time saver or a feature I have been longing for. They are fluff, and I really hate having fluff on my phone. If I were to get an S4, I would more than likely root it immediately.
Of course the ultimate fluff is the Samsung Touchwiz interface, which has not only become uglier than the stock Android interface, but it runs slower and is a bigger system hog. Why Samsung insists on pushing out this outdated interface is beyond me. It wasn't too bad back when Android was still young and didn't have a good, clean look, but now it is just bloatware.
HTC One
Price: $199 with contract (AT&T)
Specs: click here
Pros/Cons: The HTC One is a great phone, and is very similar in specs to the Samsung Galaxy S4. It is almost a toss-up between the S4 and the One for me, though I tend to prefer the look of the S4, even though the HTC One's body is metal while the S4 is a fairly unattractive plastic. I also like the fact that it is not made by Samsung, which means there is not as much junk software on it as there is on the S4. I also like that it has Beats Audio, though I cannot see myself ever actually using it in a manner that would utilize this. I have nothing bad to say about the One, it just doesn't do it for me.
Apple iPhone 5s
Price: $199 with contract (AT&T)
Specs: click here
Pros: The iPhone is a great phone. Don't get me wrong. There is a reason they are so popular, and it is not just marketing. The phone just works. It may not have the fastest processor or latest features, but it works. For most people, this is what they want. I used to have an iPhone, and I liked it for what it did, and could rely on it to perform as advertised. These are some of the reasons why I like the Moto X, because in many ways, it is modeled off of the iPhone. Not in design, but in providing features that work, and work well together. The iPhone is a true extension of my hand. With the new additions coming with iOS 7 including the new fingerprint scanner, I am considering going back to the iPhone, but it still sits at the bottom of my list, for a couple huge reasons.
Cons: What ultimately keeps the iPhone as the last phone on my list is proprietary software and design. Apple tried to make the iPhone a bit larger with the iPhone 5, but it is still smaller than the mini Android phones. I used to think a three and a half inch display was enough, but after getting a phone with a four and a half inch screen, I don't think I could go back. There is just so many things I can do on a four to five inch screen that are far more difficult on the iPhone.
iOS 7 makes the user interface better, but I still like the look of the Android widgets, if done right. My home screen is so much cleaner and organized (not to mention symmetric) than on the iPhone. I hate that every app I download must sit on one of my main pages, while on Android I can hide them in my app drawer if I hardly ever use them. The iPhone interface is great for some people, but for me it is seriously outdated.
By far my least favorite aspect of the iPhone is the proprietary nature of most of the features. Facetime is cool, but only works with someone else using an iPhone or iPad. Why? Because Apple wants me to buy an iPhone, and wants all my friends to buy one too. It is a great marketing strategy if you can drive demand as well as Apple does, but it drives me mad. It triggers something very emotional inside me. I want Apple to provide the same features to iPhone and Android, and let the market decide which product they like better. This is what Google does, I can use Google Hangouts between my Android and my friend's iPhone, and they are doing just fine. I realize this is not how Apple functions, but it still bothers me.
Cons: What ultimately keeps the iPhone as the last phone on my list is proprietary software and design. Apple tried to make the iPhone a bit larger with the iPhone 5, but it is still smaller than the mini Android phones. I used to think a three and a half inch display was enough, but after getting a phone with a four and a half inch screen, I don't think I could go back. There is just so many things I can do on a four to five inch screen that are far more difficult on the iPhone.
iOS 7 makes the user interface better, but I still like the look of the Android widgets, if done right. My home screen is so much cleaner and organized (not to mention symmetric) than on the iPhone. I hate that every app I download must sit on one of my main pages, while on Android I can hide them in my app drawer if I hardly ever use them. The iPhone interface is great for some people, but for me it is seriously outdated.
By far my least favorite aspect of the iPhone is the proprietary nature of most of the features. Facetime is cool, but only works with someone else using an iPhone or iPad. Why? Because Apple wants me to buy an iPhone, and wants all my friends to buy one too. It is a great marketing strategy if you can drive demand as well as Apple does, but it drives me mad. It triggers something very emotional inside me. I want Apple to provide the same features to iPhone and Android, and let the market decide which product they like better. This is what Google does, I can use Google Hangouts between my Android and my friend's iPhone, and they are doing just fine. I realize this is not how Apple functions, but it still bothers me.
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