New cell phone iPhone or Droid - help me make a decision

[Iggipolka]

My Lotus cell phone literally broke in half this weekend. I want (lust) for an iPhone, but my spouse is appropriately concerned about the cost, both initial and monthly. In addition, she just bought me the latest biggest iTouch, so I have all of the gizmo's, minus the phone part.

Our Sprint contract is up as of April 1st and if I got another phone from them, we'd be locked into a 2 year contract. I am eligible for a phone upgrade discount through Sprint I'm looking at the Hero for $99, which is a Droid phone and seems to be the closest to the iPhone. No eTicket app though.
If I buy the Hero now, I won't be eligible for a phone upgrade discount when their new 4G phones come out in June or July. *arugh*

To get the iPhone, it will cost me $200 for the 16gig 3GS, $120 a month for data, phone & text service, plus a $36 activation fee for a grand initial total of $356.

Not sure what to do. I really wish for two things that are beyond my control.
1. eTicket was available on the Droid platform
2. Sprint's 4G network was available now.

So, should I just spring for what I really want (iPhone), or be reasonable and just get the Hero now and grumble when the 4G's come out. I can't wait until July to get a new phone, that's just not an option.

 

[eeyorelvr09]

I am an iPhone owner and absolutely love it! I have gotten in many an srguments abot which service is better (I dropped Verizon for AT&T). I have had no problems since I have switched. I paid about $400 initially(phone,case,bluetooth included) and my monthly is $104. If you can afford it, go for it. Im on the DIS any chance I can get with this phone. With my Verizon phone I would be charged for internet service. In my opinion, the cost of this phone has been well worth it in the 2 months that I have had it.

 

[Iggipolka]

Well, I think I'm just going to sadly suck it up and stay with Sprint. We pay $120 a month for two phones with unlimited voice, data and messaging. Just doesn't make financial sense to pay twice that much when we don't have to.

Bummer

 

[Minniemouse07]

I have had a Motorola Droid since the day they were released and LOVE it. We have had Verizon for years (dh's work is compatible) so the Droid was a wonderful "upgrade" for me from my BlackBerry Pearl.

I find it super easy to use and extremely reliable. I consider the built in GPS app and voice search worth the price of admission all by themselves!

I have a list of my favorite apps if you would like. I have yet to pay for any!!

 

[FozzieFan]

I love my iphone, but if you don't have one already, now is not the time to buy. All sources point to a new phone coming out this summer so I know I'd be kicking myself if I spent money now( locked myself in for 2 years) and a new iphone came out in less than 6 months. I pay $80 a month for my bill, 200 texts, 450 minutes, unlimited night/weekend minutes. I think my boss who just got a family plan for her and her husband for an iphone and one non iphone was less than $130 a month but not positive.(they do have family plans that's what I'm trying to say)

Anyway the best thing you could do now is if you have an old sprint phone or if you know someone else who has an old sprint phone, use that one. That way you can wait until the Sprint 4g comes out or think more about the iphone.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

I'm not familiar with the phone companies in the US, but I wouldn't restrict myself to the Droid. The beauty of the Android OS is that there are a number of phones by a number of phone makers. Pick the one that suits your needs the best. By the end of this year, Android apps are forecasted to be equal in numbers if not moreso than the restrictive iPhone platform.

Just my opinion, but I try to support open systems (Android) over closed systems (Apple), especially after some of the heavy handed tactics Steve Jobs has been doing lately.

Whetever phone you do choose, pick one that suits your needs now, don't pay extra for features you may or may not use in the future.

 

[Kimberle]

Just an FYI, you can get a new phone w/out "locking" yourself into a 2 year contract. You get a bigger phone discount by signing up for 2 years. You can get a smaller discount and only sign up for 1 year or you can pay full price and have no contract.

 

[MM32830]

I have had my iPhone for about a year and a half. When my contract is up, I believe I am going (back) to Verizon and getting a Droid. Not sure which one but my next phone won't be an iPhone.

I think the iPhone is a marvelous piece of technology. Too bad it's on AT&T. When I got my iPhone there wasn't anything that came close to it's capabilities. Not so anymore. The Droid phones are, in some ways, superior to the iPhone.

The biggest drawback to the iPhone is how much control Apple likes to exert over the phone. No memory card slot, no external battery, a closed system of approving apps, etc. etc. Some may say that this is what makes the iPhone so great. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Again, I have NO complaints with my iPhone. I just see better service and more features by going with a Droid phone on Verizon.




________________
Armand

 

[FireDancer]

Well, I think I'm just going to sadly suck it up and stay with Sprint. We pay $120 a month for two phones with unlimited voice, data and messaging. Just doesn't make financial sense to pay twice that much when we don't have to.

Bummer

It is a no-brainer...if you are staying with Sprint wait for the HTC EVO 4G.

When there is a choice between an open and closed platform I always go open.

 

[yitbos96bb]

My Lotus cell phone literally broke in half this weekend. I want (lust) for an iPhone, but my spouse is appropriately concerned about the cost, both initial and monthly. In addition, she just bought me the latest biggest iTouch, so I have all of the gizmo's, minus the phone part.

Our Sprint contract is up as of April 1st and if I got another phone from them, we'd be locked into a 2 year contract. I am eligible for a phone upgrade discount through Sprint I'm looking at the Hero for $99, which is a Droid phone and seems to be the closest to the iPhone. No eTicket app though.
If I buy the Hero now, I won't be eligible for a phone upgrade discount when their new 4G phones come out in June or July. *arugh*

To get the iPhone, it will cost me $200 for the 16gig 3GS, $120 a month for data, phone & text service, plus a $36 activation fee for a grand initial total of $356.

Not sure what to do. I really wish for two things that are beyond my control.
1. eTicket was available on the Droid platform
2. Sprint's 4G network was available now.

So, should I just spring for what I really want (iPhone), or be reasonable and just get the Hero now and grumble when the 4G's come out. I can't wait until July to get a new phone, that's just not an option.

HEre is what I would recommend... Buy a cheap Sprint phone on Ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/SPRINT-SAMSUNG-...d=ViewItem&pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item5886cab9e9

THe above is one for $35. You can take your sim and put it in that phone. Use the phone until the new Iphone comes out and then make the switch. I did the same thing with a Paygo phone from ATT when my old phone broke 2 months before the 3GS came out. I would recommend the Paygo, but to my knowledge, Sprint doesn't have a cheap disposable Paygo option.

BEst of both worlds

 

[yitbos96bb]

It is a no-brainer...if you are staying with Sprint wait for the HTC EVO 4G.

When there is a choice between an open and closed platform I always go open.

Except open source has it's own set of problems. I've yet to use an Android Phone that was above mediocre. Most of them are buggy, and don't have a tenth of the iPhones apps. The testing just isn't there with most developers which hurts Android greatly.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I have had my iPhone for about a year and a half. When my contract is up, I believe I am going (back) to Verizon and getting a Droid. Not sure which one but my next phone won't be an iPhone.

I think the iPhone is a marvelous piece of technology. Too bad it's on AT&T. When I got my iPhone there wasn't anything that came close to it's capabilities. Not so anymore. The Droid phones are, in some ways, superior to the iPhone.

The biggest drawback to the iPhone is how much control Apple likes to exert over the phone. No memory card slot, no external battery, a closed system of approving apps, etc. etc. Some may say that this is what makes the iPhone so great. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Again, I have NO complaints with my iPhone. I just see better service and more features by going with a Droid phone on Verizon.




________________
Armand

THe Droid barely keeps up with the Iphone 3GS features. It gets blow out of the water by the Iphone 4G. DOn't waste your money.

As for ATT's network... They have been putting a LOT of money into it and from all my travels, it has drastically improved in many areas. Speed Testing Surveys will tell you that ATT now has the fastest 3G network and has for the last few months.

Of course, given the rampant speculation of a VErizon/Sprint Iphone you could also wait for that. Frankly, I'm looking forward to the Iphone on other networks... It will free up the ATT network even further... I have my doubts Verizon's Network would be able to handle the traffic as it currently stands. Plus, it should help ignite a rates war.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I love my iphone, but if you don't have one already, now is not the time to buy. All sources point to a new phone coming out this summer so I know I'd be kicking myself if I spent money now( locked myself in for 2 years) and a new iphone came out in less than 6 months. I pay $80 a month for my bill, 200 texts, 450 minutes, unlimited night/weekend minutes. I think my boss who just got a family plan for her and her husband for an iphone and one non iphone was less than $130 a month but not positive.(they do have family plans that's what I'm trying to say)

Anyway the best thing you could do now is if you have an old sprint phone or if you know someone else who has an old sprint phone, use that one. That way you can wait until the Sprint 4g comes out or think more about the iphone.

Yep, the Gizmodo people are in deep trouble over the Iphone 4G (as its being referred to). Pretty sweet phone... Between the new hardware and the Iphone 4 OS, they pretty much have every feature I added from Jailbreaking, except for Tethering, the Cydia App that turns it into a Mobile Wifi Spot and Video Game Emulators. Funny enough, I haven't used tethering all that much and may just add a mobile internet hotspot to my Clear account... in which case then the Emulators are the only thing and those aren't that big of a deal to me.

For those who have not yet seen the new Iphone 4G hardware, here is the Gizmodo link...

http://gizmodo.com/5520471/the-tale-of-apples-next-iphone?skyline=true&s=i

Some cool new things... better battery, front Camera, etc.

 

[MM32830]

THe Droid barely keeps up with the Iphone 3GS features. It gets blow out of the water by the Iphone 4G. DOn't waste your money.

As for ATT's network... They have been putting a LOT of money into it and from all my travels, it has drastically improved in many areas. Speed Testing Surveys will tell you that ATT now has the fastest 3G network and has for the last few months.

Of course, given the rampant speculation of a VErizon/Sprint Iphone you could also wait for that. Frankly, I'm looking forward to the Iphone on other networks... It will free up the ATT network even further... I have my doubts Verizon's Network would be able to handle the traffic as it currently stands. Plus, it should help ignite a rates war.

I have a friend in Orlando that has a Droid phone and it's nothing to sneeze at. It has some nice features that are lacking on an iPhone. And it's substantially faster than an iPhone 3GS.

Granted, Droid has fewer apps but there are 30,000 Droid apps right now and that keeps increasing daily. How many apps do you REALLY need? I've looked at all the apps I have on my iPhone and there are comparable apps for the Droid phones.

As for AT&T spending money on beefing up their network, it's too little too late. Yep, they have the fastest 3G network but their coverage plain old sucks. Dead spots all over the place. I have a Verizon phone also (for work) and whenever I get no (or little) signal on my iPhone I check my Verizon phone and they always have lots of signal. This is really frustrating.

If the iPhone becomes available on Verizon I may go that route. Since I can't switch until August at the earliest I will know whether the iPhone will be an option.



__________________
Armand

 

[jemmouse]

I debated this very issue a little over a month ago. First and foremost what compnay has better signal strength in your area? In mine it was definately Verizon and also for our summer home. I didn't want to be somewhere and have no dial tone. Secondly I found the Droid easier to use. ALthough I didn't get the Droid, I bought the Droid Eris, and I LOVE it...Have no complaints. I beleive the Eris is comparable to the Hero. At the end of the day it is a phone and it does have more bells and whistles than plain ones. Good luck...Also for me my DH gets a discount at both Verizon and At&T but Verizon was SOOO much better......

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

Despite what the obvious iFanboys on here say (my my, we've drunk gallons of the iKoolaid, haven't we), it's very important for any person buying a phone to see what features they will actually use, and don't buy all the bells and whistles just to be "cool".

Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Nokia, Palm, are all quality, proven phones lines. Bragging about how many apps you have is like a 2 year old bragging about how many toys they have in the schoolyard. As long as your phone has what you need, then who really cares? I'll take a quality, reliable phone with a replaceable battery, removeable memory card and a much cheaper data plan over the flavor of the month any day.

 

[Spaceace5150]

Granted, Droid has fewer apps but there are 30,000 Droid apps right now and that keeps increasing daily. How many apps do you REALLY need? I've looked at all the apps I have on my iPhone and there are comparable apps for the Droid phones.


__________________
Armand

Quite frankly, I find most of the Apple apps useless, and couldn't agree with you more. There are a handful I use, but most are not helpful. I should note that I am looking at this from a productivity point of view and not a game point of view...

 

[Hedy]

I have had a Motorola Droid since the day they were released and LOVE it. We have had Verizon for years (dh's work is compatible) so the Droid was a wonderful "upgrade" for me from my BlackBerry Pearl.

I find it super easy to use and extremely reliable. I consider the built in GPS app and voice search worth the price of admission all by themselves!

I have a list of my favorite apps if you would like. I have yet to pay for any!!

I have a Droid Eris (I vastly preferred the HTC interface to the Droid's). I have a decent number of apps, and it is awesome. I'd look at getting a sprint HTC phone if I were you.

 

[FireDancer]

Except open source has it's own set of problems. I've yet to use an Android Phone that was above mediocre. Most of them are buggy, and don't have a tenth of the iPhones apps. The testing just isn't there with most developers which hurts Android greatly.

Any Android 2.1 device I have used has been quick and had every app that I want, and there are only three I want: Google Voice, Google turn by turn GPS, and a web browser.

I wouldn't use an iPhone if it was given to me for free and paid for every month because I won't support any company that attempts to control a device I own the extent they do. Call it a philosophical choice or a political choice but open and not perfect is superior to closed and perfect as far as I am concerned. Others will have different criteria in their electronics but that is mine.

 

[dpuck1998]

Any Android 2.1 device I have used has been quick and had every app that I want, and there are only three I want: Google Voice, Google turn by turn GPS, and a web browser.

I wouldn't use an iPhone if it was given to me for free and paid for every month because I won't support any company that attempts to control a device I own the extent they do. Call it a philosophical choice or a political choice but open and not perfect is superior to closed and perfect as far as I am concerned. Others will have different criteria in their electronics but that is mine.

Frank has control issues, but we still like him

I'm getting a new phone in June, unless Verizon puts out an iPHone I'll be buying a Droid. I don't buy apps, so I'm not concerned about the buckets full of worthless (to me) apps on the iPhone.