Smart Phone Recommendations- iphone, Samsung, LG, Other?

[janee]

I work in a techy job so when I started down this path 8 years ago or so the techs in the office were pretty unanimous in their advice to get an android which I did.  They based this on there were so many more capabilities for android.  Since I am not a techy it all worked fine but I moved to Apple for my next phone.  The real advantage for me is the Apple is so much easier to learn and use.  I do email, text, phone, camera, calendar, news, alerts, etc.  (what I consider normal stuff) and it just works great.

My DH who is NOT techy took the iphone so ease of learning and use is a biggie.

Good luck whatever you decide!

[Deleted]

Well, I've had iphones and androids and I think iphones are overpriced and kind of a PIA the way they force you to do everything their way, but others love them.  I've had Samsungs the past 8 years and have been happy with them, but they're expensive.  I usually buy a couple models down.  Right now I have an S5. 

The Moto G5 Plus is getting tons of followers lately.  It's an android, but low cost, not all the bloatware Samsung likes to put on, fast and lots of storage.  My son had owned nothing but iphones for the past 5 years and I gave him a Moto for Christmas after his iphone SE crapped out one week after the one year warranty expired.  He LOVES the Moto. 

[grumpyhermit]

I am a pretty faithful Samsung user, currently have the S7. If you are used to a heavy duty flip phone, maybe ask to see the Galaxy S8 Active. It is supposed to be a "rugged" phone. Regardless, just make sure you get a screen protector for it.

Everyone that I know that has had an iPhone has gone through many screens.

[Cookies Galore]

I'm also a faithful Samsung user. I've had Samsung phones since the non-smartphone days. I currently have a Samsung Galaxy S7. I try to use other people's iphones and they're just awful to me. Guess I'm android for life!

[Deleted]

Jun 6, 2018 9:38:34 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

I'm also a faithful Samsung user. I've had Samsung phones since the non-smartphone days. I currently have a Samsung Galaxy S7. I try to use other people's iphones and they're just awful to me. Guess I'm android for life!

Seriously, the no "back" button is what kills me the most.  WTF won't they add a damn back button?!?! 

[wvugurl26]

Jun 6, 2018 9:39:37 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Jun 6, 2018 9:38:34 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

I'm also a faithful Samsung user. I've had Samsung phones since the non-smartphone days. I currently have a Samsung Galaxy S7. I try to use other people's iphones and they're just awful to me. Guess I'm android for life!

Seriously, the no "back" button is what kills me the most.  WTF won't they add a damn back button?!?! 

I have one for work and I struggle so much. My personal phone is Android based.

[taz157]

I have an iPhone and I like it. Part of the reason I like it is it intergrates with my iPad. I do use a Windows laptop computer and just email what I need when needed. I do print to our wireless printer with no issues.

Knock on wood, both and I have not had our screens replaced.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Jun 6, 2018 9:22:30 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Well, I've had iphones and androids and I think iphones are overpriced and kind of a PIA the way they force you to do everything their way, but others love them.  I've had Samsungs the past 8 years and have been happy with them, but they're expensive.  I usually buy a couple models down.  Right now I have an S5. 

The Moto G5 Plus is getting tons of followers lately.  It's an android, but low cost, not all the bloatware Samsung likes to put on, fast and lots of storage.  My son had owned nothing but iphones for the past 5 years and I gave him a Moto for Christmas after his iphone SE crapped out one week after the one year warranty expired.  He LOVES the Moto. 

I also upgraded my Samsung S3 to S5 only a couple of years ago. When the S5 craps out, I will be on the hunt for an S6. One of the reasons I replaced S3 with S5 is because that is the last model that the battery can be removed from the phone.

I tried a Moto X Pure for awhile and really did not like it. Samsung's hearing accessibility features are much better than what was available in the Moto X Pure.  

I don't think I will ever go to an iPhone for the reasons you mentioned. I do have an iPad though and do love that.

DH and his son both have flip phones. Neither of them talk on the phone much and when they do, the want something that functions as a PHONE! 

[steph08]

I have a Galaxy S6 Edge. I have had it for over 3 years and really enjoy it. My only issue is that I wish I had more memory - I think I have 32GB, and with pictures and videos of the kids, the space becomes a problem. I do backup all of my images and videos, but then I hate to delete them from the phone because I want to watch them on the phone sometimes instead of the computer! 

I had an iPhone 4 (?) prior to this phone and it was decent enough. I hated that I basically had to get rid of it when the newest system upgrade came out because it slowed down the phone, drained my battery, and basically made it 10 times harder to operate because the older phone couldn't handle the update. This is a consistent problem across Apple devices. 

[Annie7]

Jun 6, 2018 10:20:09 GMT -5 steph08 said:

I have a Galaxy S6 Edge. I have had it for over 3 years and really enjoy it. My only issue is that I wish I had more memory - I think I have 32GB, and with pictures and videos of the kids, the space becomes a problem. I do backup all of my images and videos, but then I hate to delete them from the phone because I want to watch them on the phone sometimes instead of the computer! 

I have a Galaxy S7 and there was a free offer of a 256G SD card or a VR headset when I bought it. I took the SD card offer and have never regretted it. I have set up my camera to store the photos directly on the SD card. Any downloaded docs go on the SD card, etc. I've only used 20 GB on the SD card in the past 1.5 years. You should probably buy a SD card and do the same.

The main reason I went to Galaxy S7 from an iPhone 5 was the ability to add a SD card to the android phone. The better photos on android was another seller (maybe the iPhone X has improved - don't know). And the lack of separate headphone jack and power charger in the then new iPhone was the final straw for my move from iPhone. I don't regret moving to Galaxy S7 at all.

[grumpyhermit]

Jun 6, 2018 10:20:09 GMT -5 steph08 said:

I have a Galaxy S6 Edge. I have had it for over 3 years and really enjoy it. My only issue is that I wish I had more memory - I think I have 32GB, and with pictures and videos of the kids, the space becomes a problem. I do backup all of my images and videos, but then I hate to delete them from the phone because I want to watch them on the phone sometimes instead of the computer! 

I had an iPhone 4 (?) prior to this phone and it was decent enough. I hated that I basically had to get rid of it when the newest system upgrade came out because it slowed down the phone, drained my battery, and basically made it 10 times harder to operate because the older phone couldn't handle the update. This is a consistent problem across Apple devices. 

Another reason I always refused to make the switch to an iPhone was the lack of upgradeable storage via external SD. My phone doubles as my iPod, and I have something like 30GB of music files. I think Samsung released one of the Galaxy line without external SD support (maybe the 8?) and people threw such a fit it was quickly added back to the next phone.

Storage just isn't that expensive, and the prices that Apple charges for it are ridiculous.

[toomuchreality]

I also have a Samsung Galaxy S7 and I love it!

Seriously, the no "back" button is what kills me the most. WTF won't they add a damn back button?!?!

What do you mean? My S7 has what I would call a "back" button.

At the bottom of my phone I have   CLOSE   HOME  and   BACK  keys.    

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Jun 6, 2018 10:41:35 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

I also have a Samsung Galaxy S7 and I love it!

Seriously, the no "back" button is what kills me the most. WTF won't they add a damn back button?!?!

What do you mean? My S7 has what I would call a "back" button.

At the bottom of my phone I have   CLOSE   HOME  and   BACK  keys.    

I think MPL was referring to the iPhone. There is no back button on it.

[toomuchreality]

Jun 6, 2018 10:47:24 GMT -5 Cheesy FL-Vol said:

Jun 6, 2018 10:41:35 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

I also have a Samsung Galaxy S7 and I love it!




What do you mean? My S7 has what I would call a "back" button.

At the bottom of my phone I have   CLOSE   HOME  and   BACK  keys.    

I think MPL was referring to the iPhone. There is no back button on it.

Oh.       Thanks!  

[steph08]

Jun 6, 2018 10:34:28 GMT -5 Annie7 said:

Jun 6, 2018 10:20:09 GMT -5 steph08 said:

I have a Galaxy S6 Edge. I have had it for over 3 years and really enjoy it. My only issue is that I wish I had more memory - I think I have 32GB, and with pictures and videos of the kids, the space becomes a problem. I do backup all of my images and videos, but then I hate to delete them from the phone because I want to watch them on the phone sometimes instead of the computer! 

I have a Galaxy S7 and there was a free offer of a 256G SD card or a VR headset when I bought it. I took the SD card offer and have never regretted it. I have set up my camera to store the photos directly on the SD card. Any downloaded docs go on the SD card, etc. I've only used 20 GB on the SD card in the past 1.5 years. You should probably buy a SD card and do the same.

The main reason I went to Galaxy S7 from an iPhone 5 was the ability to add a SD card to the android phone. The better photos on android was another seller (maybe the iPhone X has improved - don't know). And the lack of separate headphone jack and power charger in the then new iPhone was the final straw for my move from iPhone. I don't regret moving to Galaxy S7 at all.

I would but the S6 Edge doesn't have an SD slot.  

I don't really want to pay the prices of new phones, so I will stick with mine until it dies! Then I will make sure to get an SD slot in the next one!

[TheOtherMe]

I am on my 3rd iPhone.  Had one android and did not like it.

[Anne_in_VA]

I have an IPhone for work and a Galaxy 7 for personal use.  I much prefer the Galaxy for ease of use.  Also, when I want (or need) to upgrade AT&T will take everything off my old phone and port it to the new one.  I use it for talk, text, data, alarms, just lots of things.  

[Cookies Galore]

Jun 6, 2018 10:20:09 GMT -5 steph08 said:

I have a Galaxy S6 Edge. I have had it for over 3 years and really enjoy it. My only issue is that I wish I had more memory - I think I have 32GB, and with pictures and videos of the kids, the space becomes a problem. I do backup all of my images and videos, but then I hate to delete them from the phone because I want to watch them on the phone sometimes instead of the computer! 

I had an iPhone 4 (?) prior to this phone and it was decent enough. I hated that I basically had to get rid of it when the newest system upgrade came out because it slowed down the phone, drained my battery, and basically made it 10 times harder to operate because the older phone couldn't handle the update. This is a consistent problem across Apple devices. 

Can't you access them on Google Drive or other cloud storage from your phone? All my are backed up and I can delete all images and video, but it is still hard to delete them all from my phone even though I know where they all live! I just do phone a purge from time to time to rein it in.

[saveinla]

Me and my DH have iPhones and my son has an Android phone now.

He has the Huawei Mate 9 with 64 GB memory and the camera is very good. It is also cheaper  - cost 400$ on Amazon. He uses it for most of his requirements now.

Edit - it is an unlocked phone, but only a few carriers support it, so please check if your carrier supports it. 

[schildi]

Are you looking for an unlocked phone (that you'll pay for out of pocket) or will you be under contract and do monthly payments on the device?

[grumpyhermit]

Jun 6, 2018 13:15:05 GMT -5 deminmaine said:

Jun 6, 2018 11:33:03 GMT -5 schildi said:

Are you looking for an unlocked phone (that you'll pay for out of pocket) or will you be under contract and do monthly payments on the device?

I will probably be under contract.  

I don't really understand what locked vs. unlocked means though?

Phones, by default, are "locked" to the carrier. Meaning if you buy it from AT&T it will only work on AT&T. If you were looking to buy a phone from a third party (like Amazon/Ebay/etc.) you would need make sure it was either 1) the same carrier you have or 2) unlocked to work on any network. Of course, it would need to be the correct TYPE of network, (CDMA vs GSM).

Or, if you don't want to think or worry about any of this, just get it directly from your cell carrier.

[dannylion]

I have a Samsung Galaxy S5, which is not the latest version, but I plan to cling to it like grim death until it ceases to function altogether because, as I understand it, it is the last version of the Samsung smart phone for which the consumer can swap out the battery. I have some spare batteries (purchased at about $10 each from Amazon) that I keep charged and always have a spare with me, so I generally do not have to worry about whether it is going to have enough power at any particular time.

It also has the advantage of being one of the Samsung models that has not demonstrated any inclination to burst into flame or explode without provocation. I consider this to be a good feature in a phone.

[movingforward]

I have had a moto phone the last few years. I swear by them because it has been dropped too many times to count and it has never cracked. I accidentally dropped the stupid thing 3 floors onto concrete and it still didn't break.

I am not an Apple fan so will probably never have an iPhone. Like MPL, I think they are kind of a PITA.

My phone is also a moto 2 and still zero issues. I don't know any iPhone users who have been able to keep their phones as long as I have without issues.

ETA: I am so not really a phone person. I serve the web a little on it, use my moviepass app, etc. That's about it. Don't really care about fancy phones. I would still have a dumb phone if I didn't occasionally need a smartphone for work.

[finnime]

I recently replace my Note 3(!) with the Note 8+ when the 3 finally gave up the ghost. I had been using it for years with a cracked screen. That happened when my DH ran over it when he was using a wheelchair. Then I dropped the new phone in the ocean Memorial Day weekend, so I promptly bought another. I really love the Notes.

[justme]

I just got the galaxy S9. The S8 wasn't enough cheaper to make it worth it. I love it. Fyi supposedly it's more rugged than the S8. But it's only that and a few other things that are different for the S9.

[justme]

Jun 6, 2018 10:03:31 GMT -5 Cheesy FL-Vol said:

Jun 6, 2018 9:22:30 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Well, I've had iphones and androids and I think iphones are overpriced and kind of a PIA the way they force you to do everything their way, but others love them.  I've had Samsungs the past 8 years and have been happy with them, but they're expensive.  I usually buy a couple models down.  Right now I have an S5. 

The Moto G5 Plus is getting tons of followers lately.  It's an android, but low cost, not all the bloatware Samsung likes to put on, fast and lots of storage.  My son had owned nothing but iphones for the past 5 years and I gave him a Moto for Christmas after his iphone SE crapped out one week after the one year warranty expired.  He LOVES the Moto. 

I also upgraded my Samsung S3 to S5 only a couple of years ago. When the S5 craps out, I will be on the hunt for an S6. One of the reasons I replaced S3 with S5 is because that is the last model that the battery can be removed from the phone.

I tried a Moto X Pure for awhile and really did not like it. Samsung's hearing accessibility features are much better than what was available in the Moto X Pure.  

I don't think I will ever go to an iPhone for the reasons you mentioned. I do have an iPad though and do love that.

DH and his son both have flip phones. Neither of them talk on the phone much and when they do, the want something that functions as a PHONE! 

I would suggest skipping the S6. For one, it was the model they decided not to allow SD cards - a big pain in the ass since most models are only 32g. It also has battery issues that could be a problem if you buy used - I was attached to battery packs until the battery finally decided to expand and popped the back off. A friend that has worked in the industry for a while has stated that was a horrible model for them.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Thanks for the heads up, justme!

[justme]

Oh! I forgot, the other big change from S8 to S9 is the fingerprint reader is in a weird spot on the 8. I didn't try it, but the reader is super convenient on the 9.

[MN-Investor]

I have an iPhone 8 Plus (upgraded from a 7 Plus which I smashed in a van door ).

I went with iPhone for several reasons -

First, when my Palm PDA needed to be replaced in 2011, the iPod Touch was the only real good alternative. It's essentially a lower end iPhone without the phone. So I got used to using it.

Second, my husband used an iPhone at work, so when he retired, it was easier if he just got an iPhone.

Lastly, I had used a Google Nexus mini-tablet (about the same size as the iPad mini). It needed to be replaced and Google didn't have a tablet I liked at that time, so I bought iPads for both my husband and me. Oh, my husband loved his iPad!

So, since I was used to an iPod Touch, and since my husband had an iPhone, and since we had iPads already, I got one an iPhone when my dumb cell phone needed to be replaced. It was easy to just keep everything Apple.

By the way, I was never a big Apple fan. I will always have a Windows PC, never a Mac. Since I was disgusted that I ended up buying an iPod Touch in 2011, I decided that I would buy Apple stock and have its dividends and increase in value offset what I ended up paying for my iPod Touch. I bought $15K of Apple stock in 2011 in my IRA. It's now up to almost $45K. That pays for all my computing needs!

[bookkeeper]

DH and I both have the Samsung Galaxy S5.  I fried mine last fall and the local repair place had a replacement phone for $180.  What a work horse.  I just returned from Italy and Greece.  I simply switched out the micro SD card for the trip and took as many photos and videos as I wanted.  Came home, popped the card in my laptop and vacay pictures were done!


I like the video call option too.  We own Samsung TV's as well.  Very satisfied with the products they sell.