Which Android Phone?? Samsung/HTC or get an iPhone?

dlambirl

Hi Everyone!

I'm in the market for a new phone. I previously had a budget of €150 - €200 but I didn't like any of the phones Vodafone PAYG had on offer/they hadn't what I wanted which is a decent Android phone that looks good and is capable of downloading countless pointless apps which I will undoubtably do!

So, from looking on the website I've narrowed down my search to:

1. Samsung i9000 Galaxy S 8GB
2. HTC Desire
3. Apple iPhone 3G/4 ( I know its not Android

)

What I want is a phone I can download apps to, not that hard to use as I'm not overly "technically minded" and one that is easy to use everyday, to talk and text. Good battery life would be a bonus but from what I've heard about Android phones, the battery life isn't great because of all the power the phone has/uses.

So, could anyone point me in the direction of what is the better phone??

Any help would be appreciated as I have myself demented looking over the Vodafone website

Thanks in advance,
dlambirl.

Keano

You say you are not technically minded and with Android internally memory is limited so you wont be able to download countless apps unless your partition the SD card and while that is easy enough if you know how then iphone might be a better choice for this reason alone.

Have a read of the many threads on here and they should help make your mind up.

Goodshape

Keano A Legend wrote: »

You say you are not technically minded and with Android internally memory is limited so you wont be able to download countless apps unless your partition the SD card and while that is easy enough if you know how then iphone might be a better choice for this reason alone.

Galaxy S has 8gb on board, and the Desire HD has 1gb, so not really an issue with those phones.

Also, Android 2.2 allows saving apps to the SD Card without any hassle or partitioning.


Having said that... iPhone is the easier phone to get to grips with if you aren't 'technically minded'. Android is capable of more but you sort of have to get in there and do it yourself sometimes. Depends what you want really.

Battery life is about 1 day with any smart phone at the moment (iPhone, Android, whatever). Charge it every night or have no phone tomorrow.

PogMoThoin

Get the Galaxy, it has the best screen and is the fastest of the lot. You'll not be disappointed. The only single omission I can find with it is the camera has no flash, other that that its the perfect phone. Be sure to upgrade android to 2.2 as soon as You get it.

Abelloid

PogMoThoin wrote: »

Get the Galaxy, it has the best screen and is the fastest of the lot. You'll not be disappointed. The only single omission I can find with it is the camera has no flash, other that that its the perfect phone. Be sure to upgrade android to 2.2 as soon as You get it.

Worst of the three IMHO, I had one for a couple of weeks and couldn't wait to go back to my Desire. Go iPhone if you already use itunes regularly.

PCPhoto

Dont know much about the galaxy ... got myself a HTC desire just after christmas .... girlfriend has the iphone.

its pretty much whatever feels better in your hand - Personally I would say go with the iphone....I enjoy my HTC, I use it for what it is ... a phone with the internet, not big into the whole app thing myself.

Dravokivich

using the galaxy meself and havent had any issues. everything pretty much works out of the box. just got a different browser. havent really needed anything else.

as above would recommend updating to 2.2 also. bit better with the battery, but also updates google maps significantly.

Gaffs89

I'm very happy with the Galaxy.

PogMoThoin

JustinOval wrote: »

Worst of the three IMHO, I had one for a couple of weeks and couldn't wait to go back to my Desire. Go iPhone if you already use itunes regularly.

Those two screens couldn't be further apart, Galaxy has a 4-inch AMOLED screen, Desire's only 3.7-inch OLED. Galaxy wins hands down on screen front.
http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/htc-desire-vs-iphone-4-vs-samsung-galaxy-s-702739?artc_pg=2

Then there's this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVlsRCMltDg

Abelloid

PogMoThoin wrote: »

Those two screens couldn't be further apart, Galaxy has a 4-inch AMOLED screen, Desire's only 3.7-inch OLED. Galaxy wins hands down on screen front.
http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/htc-desire-vs-iphone-4-vs-samsung-galaxy-s-702739?artc_pg=2

Nobody asked which had the better screen.

dlambirl

After some talking to friends I totally eliminated the iPhone.

So its between the Samsung S and the HTC Desire.

Although the Samsung has a better screen and what seems clearer, the HTC is smaller and has a flash on the camera.

*Question - how do I upgrade to 2.2 straight away??

srsly78

That's the problem, Samsung phone is rubbish unless you update it yourself. If you have a branded one (like vodafone or 3) it's even worse. Just get a HTC unless you are comfortable with following lots of annoying technical instructions. Yes the Galaxy is technically better hardware wise, but it's not worth the grief.

LukeS_

PogMoThoin wrote: »

Get the Galaxy, it has the best screen and is the fastest of the lot. You'll not be disappointed. The only single omission I can find with it is the camera has no flash, other that that its the perfect phone. Be sure to upgrade android to 2.2 as soon as You get it.

What are you on about? The Galaxy S has the best screen? It varys on which Desire you get. Some have SLCD and some have AMOLED screens. Not too sure on the screen resolutions but I presume they're about the same.

But just on the screen thing, nothing has a better screen than that of the iPhone 4 Retina display.

I think your best bet is to go with the iPhone. The screen is small, but 3.5" is all you need really.

Abelloid

dlambirl wrote: »

After some talking to friends I totally eliminated the iPhone.

So its between the Samsung S and the HTC Desire.

Although the Samsung has a better screen and what seems clearer, the HTC is smaller and has a flash on the camera.

*Question - how do I upgrade to 2.2 straight away??

The Desire (HD or old one) will have it already, Galaxy should too... but if it doesn't you could have a nightmare connecting it to your PC (running Samsung Kies software) to update.
HTC updates are all OTA, and just require a Wifi connection on your phone, no PC connection.

Google 'Kies problem' and see how many hits you get.

Going on your stated requirements I would say the Desire is the more user friendly option, as it never requires a PC connection for anything.

mickoneill30

I've had the Galaxy S & I now have the Desire HD.

The Galaxy S was niggly (Kies, lags, the Touchwiz gui). You can overcome all of these niggles though if you're a bit technical. It is a fantastic phone and if you've never used Android before it's a great introduction for you.

Now I'm using a Desire HD and I wouldn't go back. The HD is a stable phone with less crashes than I got on the Samsung.

If you hold the Samsung beside the HD the Samsung has the superior screen. However if you use the HD by itself this isn't something you'll notice as the screen on the HD is great anyway. Anybody I've shown the HD to has said they love the size of the screen and when you show a video they think it looks great.

I got pretty much the same battery life from both phones (1 day of reasonable use of apps / surfing / phone or 2 days if you just use the phone & texting).

As to space for apps, I download loads of apps and haven't hit the limits of memory yet and I haven't bothered saving apps to SD because I just don't need to.

Dravokivich

srsly78 wrote: »

That's the problem, Samsung phone is rubbish unless you update it yourself. If you have a branded one (like vodafone or 3) it's even worse. Just get a HTC unless you are comfortable with following lots of annoying technical instructions. Yes the Galaxy is technically better hardware wise, but it's not worth the grief.

JustinOval wrote: »

The Desire (HD or old one) will have it already, Galaxy should too... but if it doesn't you could have a nightmare connecting it to your PC (running Samsung Kies software) to update.
HTC updates are all OTA, and just require a Wifi connection on your phone, no PC connection.

Google 'Kies problem' and see how many hits you get.

Going on your stated requirements I would say the Desire is the more user friendly option, as it never requires a PC connection for anything.

I haven't had any issues with updating my Galaxy S.

There were a few problems with Kies, but updating that should sort it out.

In saying that, I've had issues with OVI, should I tear apart my Nokia 5800, over an unrelated client issue?

I've had the Galxy S since November and only problems I had with it "Stalling / Lagging" was due to crappy software I got on the Market.

Chet T16

Having finally had a play with a galaxy s i can safely say that the desire is a much nicer phone to hold and use, the galaxy is very cheap feeling. Specs wise theres not enough in it to pick between but hold them both in your hand and the answers easy!

dlambirl

Thanks folks - decided on the HTC


Went to get one today but nowhere had any in stock :(

But one salesperson in one vodafone shop said that Vodafone weren't going to do the HTC Desire anymore, just the HTC Desire HD - anyone know why or its thats the truth?? Why would they stop selling it?

So, I got to see the HTC Desire HD and I have to say its a MASSIVE phone, maybe too big. Is it worth the extra money?? It seems more awkward than the original Desire but has a HD screen and 8MP camera.

What would people here recommend the Desire or the Desire HD??

Chet T16

Desire and Desire HD have the same screen resolution, just different sizes. HD is too big for me

dlambirl

Thanks.

The salesperson in Vodafone threw me a little when they said that Vodafone weren't going to sell the Desire anymore, just the HD.

In the first Vodafone shop I was in I thought the Samsung Galaxy S was too big for me, so decided on the HTC but when I seen the HTC Desire HD in the second shop it was even bigger!!

But.....if it was a "better" phone.... I would rather get a good one that "second best" IYKWIM

Abelloid

Get the HD, you won't notice the size after a week or so.

bogman

Thats true, ive one in my shirt pocket at the moment and hardly know its there

Galaxy vs Desire....Galaxy wins
Galaxy vs Desire HD.....no contest............HD all the way
Iphone..............no interest in cult phones

San Francisco.........class android phone, suggest you look at it

dlambirl

I know, probably get used to the size of the HTC Desire HD after a while. I like the original HTC Desire, like its size but if Vodafone are going to take it from its range I would rather go with the Desire HD - I don't want an "out of date" phone if you know what I mean....

Is the HTC desire out of date compared to the new Desire HD???

charlesh

bogman wrote: »

Thats true, ive one in my shirt pocket at the moment and hardly know its there

Galaxy vs Desire....Galaxy wins
Galaxy vs Desire HD.....no contest............HD all the way
Iphone..............no interest in cult phones

San Francisco.........class android phone, suggest you look at it

Having got my hands on SF today , I too would suggest a look at this.
For the price its MUST be unbeatable.

DonJose

dlambirl wrote: »

Is the HTC desire out of date compared to the new Desire HD???

Want to ask the same question, I've looked on Vodafone and all they offer is the HTC Desire.

srsly78

DonJose wrote: »

Want to ask the same question, I've looked on Vodafone and all they offer is the HTC Desire.

The differences are minor. Apparently the HD has a smaller battery but bigger screen. The main advantage (screen aside) is the HD has more internal storage, so can hold more apps. This is a big deal for some people (ocd types) and not a big deal for others.

mickoneill30

srsly78 wrote: »

The differences are minor. Apparently the HD has a smaller battery but bigger screen. The main advantage (screen aside) is the HD has more internal storage, so can hold more apps. This is a big deal for some people (ocd types) and not a big deal for others.

I must be OCD. I had a Desire before. Not rooted. With Apps2SD I had about 20Mb free on the phone and frequently had to remove apps. I know you can get around this with rooting but I wasn't bothered. If I was still on the Desire I probably would have rooted it by now to allow me to install all apps to SD.

Now I've the HD (also not rooted). With way more apps installed and not moving anything to SD (yet as I don't need to) I've 706Mb free.


The HD is also faster although I'm not sure how this equates in the real world as on both the Desire and the HD you're never hanging around waiting. In Quadrant Standard my HD is currently getting 1788.

The final difference is the resolution of the cameras. 5Mb on Desire. 8Mb on HD but again on both the quality of photos I've ever gotten are good enough for me.

So I don't think the Desire is out of date but there are a couple of major differences.

dlambirl

DonJose wrote: »

Want to ask the same question, I've looked on Vodafone and all they offer is the HTC Desire.

I know!

The Vodafone store said that Vodafone were "doing away" with the Original Desire and only going to stock the Desire HD. Yet, its only the original Desire online??

What would people here recommend??

Abelloid

dlambirl wrote: »

What would people here recommend??

Get the HD, sell it in a sealed box and buy a Nexus S in Carphonewarehouse UK.

dlambirl

No, stuck on the HTC, just want people's recommendations on whether to get the original Desire or the HD?

user1842

Get the HD, it looks cooler.

I had the desire and never liked the way it looked so I got a Motorola Defy instead before Christmas. Class phone, dropped it in the bath over Christmas and it still worked no problem. Bounced it off the ground this morning and not a scratch on it. Could not recommend it highly enough.

Abelloid

dlambirl wrote: »

No, stuck on the HTC, just want people's recommendations on whether to get the original Desire or the HD?

I only trying to confuse the matter.

In that case the only reason not to get the HD is the size, which really isn't a big difference when you hold the two phones together.

Goodshape

JustinOval wrote: »

really isn't a big difference when you hold the two phones together.

^^ This. I wouldn't be too turned off by the extra size of the HD. The physical size difference is less compared to the difference in actual screen size (i.e. you get a much bigger screen but only slightly bigger phone).

I have the Desire, my boyfriend has the HD. You get used to the extra size in no time.

LibraMan

Having done the research on all of the above, I had decided to go for the Desire HD. However, O2 don't do it and I don't know anyone on Vodafone so I'm reluctant to port over and lose the free calls to family and friends. Does anyone have an inside track in O2 that would know if/when they plan to supply the Desire HD?

Goodshape

Might get lucky:
Win a SIM Free HTC Desire HD smartphone
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=70122229

LibraMan

Checked with O2 and they confirmed they have no plans to offer the Desire HD.

Sofiztikated

I was looking for a Hd, couldn't swing it before Chrimbo, but now I'm out of contract, and Meteor seem to have stopped doing them!

SachaJ

I've been with O2 for around the last 6 or 7 years. On Saturday I ported to 3. Got the Desire HD, €40 a month (18 months), Unlimited landline calls, 350 units (1 unit = 2 texts or 1 minute to any network), 2Gb data and I can use bundled units in the North & UK.

I went into a 3 store and paid €149 for the phone but you can get it online for €139. I think I also get something like €50 off my second bill (but I don't know much about that - might have had to sign up online to get it) and 3 months free insurance.

I think O2's cheapest "Advance" plan is €45 a month, 150 minutes, 100 texts and 500Mb data. 3 have far better deals.

I've had the Desire until my 10 month old puked on it and shorted something. The HD is a far nicer phone.

dlambirl

SachaJ wrote: »

I've been with O2 for around the last 6 or 7 years. On Saturday I ported to 3. Got the Desire HD, €40 a month (18 months), Unlimited landline calls, 350 units (1 unit = 2 texts or 1 minute to any network), 2Gb data and I can use bundled units in the North & UK.

I went into a 3 store and paid €149 for the phone but you can get it online for €139. I think I also get something like €50 off my second bill (but I don't know much about that - might have had to sign up online to get it) and 3 months free insurance.

I think O2's cheapest "Advance" plan is €45 a month, 150 minutes, 100 texts and 500Mb data. 3 have far better deals.

I've had the Desire until my 10 month old puked on it and shorted something. The HD is a far nicer phone.

Your happy with the HD are you Sacha??
Would you prefer it to the original??
How did you get used to the MASSIVE screen??

SachaJ

dlambirl wrote: »

Your happy with the HD are you Sacha??
Would you prefer it to the original??
How did you get used to the MASSIVE screen??

Yes, I think it's far better than the older Desire. I was a bit apprehensive about the big screen as I wanted a Desire Z (same size as the old Desire).

Took the chance anyway and delighted with the phone. Maybe it's me but I think the battery is lasting longer than the original Desire and the screen is fantastic. The phone is not that much bigger but you do notice more space on the screen.

I'd take the HD over the old Desire any day of the week.

My issue now is that I'm not getting great mobile reception in my house. Seems fine everywhere else. Might have to bring it back under the 14 day cooling off period.

dlambirl

SachaJ wrote: »

Yes, I think it's far better than the older Desire. I was a bit apprehensive about the big screen as I wanted a Desire Z (same size as the old Desire).

Took the chance anyway and delighted with the phone. Maybe it's me but I think the battery is lasting longer than the original Desire and the screen is fantastic. The phone is not that much bigger but you do notice more space on the screen.

I'd take the HD over the old Desire any day of the week.

My issue now is that I'm not getting great mobile reception in my house. Seems fine everywhere else. Might have to bring it back under the 14 day cooling off period.

Oh??? And did you have reception problems with your old Desire??
Do you mean 2G or 3G coverage?

SachaJ

dlambirl wrote: »

Oh??? And did you have reception problems with your old Desire??
Do you mean 2G or 3G coverage?

I was on "O2" with my old Desire and with "3" now. I think it's just my house the "3" signal is a bit dodgy.

dlambirl

Oh, ok.

Thanks for your help!

user1842

The problem with 3 is that they are a 3G only network. If you cant get a 3G signal they use the Vodafone 2G network as a backup. You cannot select 2G by default in the phone and use your house wireless for your data.

So if you have a marginal 3G signal, 3 will always select it.

I was on 3 and this was a pain. I had loads of dropped and missed calls.

2G has a lot better signal penetration than 3G and should be used when you have a wireless access point. Most smart phones will automatically switch to 2G once a wireless access point connects. 3 will not and if you force it by rooting your phone, 3 can find out and disable your phone.

SachaJ

dmclean1842 wrote: »

The problem with 3 is that they are a 3G only network. If you cant get a 3G signal they use the Vodafone 2G network as a backup. You cannot select 2G by default in the phone and use your house wireless for your data.

So if you have a marginal 3G signal, 3 will always select it.

I was on 3 and this was a pain. I had loads of dropped and missed calls.

2G has a lot better signal penetration than 3G and should be used when you have a wireless access point. Most smart phones will automatically switch to 2G once a wireless access point connects. 3 will not and if you force it by rooting your phone, 3 can find out and disable your phone.

So is there any way around this besides returning the phone to 3 and cancelling my contract?

user1842

SachaJ wrote: »

So is there any way around this besides returning the phone to 3 and cancelling my contract?

Not sure, maybe im being too pessimistic, this was an issue over a year ago when I cancelled my contract. Maybe they have a fix for it now but it does not look like it based on your experience.

I actually talked to 3 about this and they said that they have a legal obligation not to let you select the 2G network as a default. This is due to 3 only having a 3G mobile licence not a 2G one.

Again this was over a year ago so things might have changed, can anyone confirm this?

theintern

Sofiztikated wrote: »

I was looking for a Hd, couldn't swing it before Chrimbo, but now I'm out of contract, and Meteor seem to have stopped doing them!

Was literally in the Meteor store on Shop Street in Galway 10 minutes ago and they have a good few of them, so many that he put one on reserve for me just in case I want to buy it next week.

XUnknownX

dmclean1842 wrote: »

Get the HD, it looks cooler.

I had the desire and never liked the way it looked so I got a Motorola Defy instead before Christmas. Class phone, dropped it in the bath over Christmas and it still worked no problem. Bounced it off the ground this morning and not a scratch on it. Could not recommend it highly enough.

Did you get the defy on meteor?

Davy

XUnknownX wrote: »

Did you get the defy on meteor?

Please dont post the same question multiple times. Start a new thread rather than dragging up old ones if you cant find an answer using search