Smartphones of Summer 2012

niallharty

Ok so let's talk smartphones coming this summer. I'm hoping to get my first smartphone this summer and just want to talk about the line up:

iPhone 5
Samsung Galaxy S III
HTC One X
LG Optimus 4X HD
Added:
Sony Xperia S
Nokia Lumia 900

So what do you think will be the best smartphone this summer?
I know LG has kind of gone off the radar recently. But it is set to make a comeback with it's 1.5 GHz quad core processor, along with an extra "companion core" for multi-tasking

JTMan

Right now is difficult to see how the Samsung Galaxy S III can't win phone of the year 2012. The rumored spec of the HTC One X and iPhone 5 are not close.

niallharty

HTC One X


LG Optimus 4X HD

niallharty

Fungus wrote: »

Right now is difficult to see how the Samsung Galaxy S III can't win phone of the year 2012. The rumored spec of the HTC One X and iPhone 5 are not close.

Yes I agree but with what has come out in The Sunday Times today has made Android on trustworthy. Under the terms and conditions, which most accept without reading, an app can read your texts, look at your call/internet history, store your contacts and even make calls and take pictures without you knowing.
That said Android, Microsoft and Apple are all in talks with app developers about trying to stop this

shot2go

when is the new htc due out? if i had known that i would have held off on my upgrade

pigeon999

samsung has two chips
1.5gz quad core chip
2 gz dual core chip
if the 2gz chip is ready for the galaxy s3 it will blow every smartphone out of the market. quad core wont beat it
i want htc one v as it will hopefully be cheap

Oafley Jones

niallharty wrote: »

HTC One X


LG Optimus 4X HD

Same tired old HTC design language for the one, which is really disappointing. It's not ab ad looking phone by any means, but FFS hire some new designers. It does look like they're toning down Sense finally, but as with all manufacturers I'd rather they get rid of it altogether and have stock Android. That LG looks terrible, how can they hope to increase market share when they produce the likes of the above.

AlmostCared

You left out Sony's first smartphone independent of Ericsson. The Sony Xperia S.

The Xperia S, which debuted earlier this year at CES 2012 in Las Vegas, is powered by a 1.5 GHz dual-core CPU and 1 GB worth of memory. The phone’s rear-facing camera is arguably the best feature – at 12 megapixels, not many other smartphone manufacturers can brag of such a powerful high-resolution shooter.


It can also record video to the tune of 1080p and a front camera is also available, with a more standard 1.3 megapixel resolution. Sure, it may not ship with Android’s latest Ice Cream Sandwich platform, but an update will be made available later in the year.

Customers can also choose from either 16 GB or 32 GB internal storage options. The Sony Xperia S’ display comes in the form of a 4.3-inch, 1280 x 720 touchscreen.

niallharty

AlmostCared wrote: »

You left out Sony's first smartphone independent of Ericsson. The Sony Xperia S.

The Xperia S, which debuted earlier this year at CES 2012 in Las Vegas, is powered by a 1.5 GHz dual-core CPU and 1 GB worth of memory. The phone’s rear-facing camera is arguably the best feature – at 12 megapixels, not many other smartphone manufacturers can brag of such a powerful high-resolution shooter.


It can also record video to the tune of 1080p and a front camera is also available, with a more standard 1.3 megapixel resolution. Sure, it may not ship with Android’s latest Ice Cream Sandwich platform, but an update will be made available later in the year.

Customers can also choose from either 16 GB or 32 GB internal storage options. The Sony Xperia S’ display comes in the form of a 4.3-inch, 1280 x 720 touchscreen.

Yes actually, sorry about that there are 3 new sony branded Xperia phones:
Sony Xperia P
sony Xperia U
Sony Xperia S

niallharty

shot2go wrote: »

when is the new htc due out? if i had known that i would have held off on my upgrade

It could be released as early as March but most likely April... But then again if you just upgraded you don't want to hear that do you?

Idleater

niallharty wrote: »

shot2go wrote: »

when is the new htc due out? if i had known that i would have held off on my upgrade

It could be released as early as March but most likely April... But then again if you just upgraded you don't want to hear that do you?

Chances of it being on an irish carrier ~0 so I wouldn't be too upset.
Quite like the look of the HTC myself.

niallharty

Idleater wrote: »

Chances of it being on an irish carrier ~0 so I wouldn't be too upset.
Quite like the look of the HTC myself.

You could get a good price on an unlocked one on Amazon.de or Amazon.co.uk which ever is cheaper.
Then I would advise using the 3 prepay offer of €20 top up to get Free any network texts, free any net. calls at weekends and unlimited data

niallharty

HTC have announced that the One X will have beats audio like the Sensation XE/XL

Oh and sorry for leaving out any windows phone fans... This is the latest competition from their team. Although it's single core 1.4 GHz can't beat the other companies 1.5GHz quad core

readmylips

oooh, I love this thread....what about the Galaxy Note vodafone are hyping up...does it even compare to the s3??? or is it the same thing???

niallharty

readmylips wrote: »

oooh, I love this thread....what about the Galaxy Note vodafone are hyping up...does it even compare to the s3??? or is it the same thing???

Well the screen is 5.3 inches in the Galaxy Note but the Galaxy S III is likely to be 4.8 which is better if you want it to fit in your pocket !
The camera and processor will be a lot better on the S3. Also the galaxy Note is outdated it came out in October last year and was on Amazon since November! I would wait for the S3 if I were you, just get an unlocked one online on Amazon - as they are trustworthy.
Glad you like the thread!

bd250110

Im liking the look of the ONE s, myself. It seems like a sensible size phone. Some of the new phones are nuts. A 5.3 inch phone, really? For me that is just not practical for single handed use.
I had the SGS II before and realistically it was just too large. I don't mean in my pocket - as it was so thin it was perfect, but I mean comfortably holding and using it with one hand, it was just too much of a stretch - it's not like I have especially small hands either - Size 7.5 surgical gloves.

readmylips

niallharty ...SOLD...thank you, thats all I needed...any idea when vf will release s3 for upgraders ????? batt life supposed to be a vast improvement is it not??

marcbrophy

I love the look and design of the Xperia S, but I have a feeling that the SGS3 will be better tech specs wise.

I personally dislike HTC's design in general, so I wouldn't bother with the one range.

Nokia's WP7 phones have me a little interested, but I think I'll stick to android.

Nokia's 808 Pureview, with it's 41MP camera is an absolute no go for me. I'm not a professional photographer, and have rarely used any camera ever on any phone. Plus, I've grown to hate symbian in the last few years, they should have put it in a WP7 phone.

There's so much more due to come out or be announced, I could be here all day, but it's safe to say that it's gonna be a great year for smartphones

evolutionqy7

marcbrophy wrote: »

I love the look and design of the Xperia S, but I have a feeling that the SGS3 will be better tech specs wise.

I personally dislike HTC's design in general, so I wouldn't bother with the one range.

Nokia's WP7 phones have me a little interested, but I think I'll stick to android.

Nokia's 808 Pureview, with it's 41MP camera is an absolute no go for me. I'm not a professional photographer, and have rarely used any camera ever on any phone. Plus, I've grown to hate symbian in the last few years, they should have put it in a WP7 phone.

There's so much more due to come out or be announced, I could be here all day, but it's safe to say that it's gonna be a great year for smartphones

Well as much as i would like to see the 808 on Windows Phone. Nokia been working on this for 5 years. Windows Phone wasnt even in the picture then. Some software limitations in WP7 prevent them from putting that on Windows Phone 7. But I imagine given sometime because Nokia can customize the OS more and once Windows Phone 8 hardware comes out they will be able to implement their camera technology into the phone.

Personally I think half of the Android phones coming out this year are going to be absolute rubbish.

One reason. Screen size, most of the people i deal with think, especially new smartphone buyers or even older smartphone owners that wouldnt be tech savy like most of us here think that 4.3" screen is pushing it.

What are they going to be thinking when their going to be walking into shops and see phones half the size of the tablet. I dont think the average consumer market will be too pushed towards above 4.3" screen smartphones.

I have a Titan myself with a 4.7" screen and in some ways sometimes it proves to be hard to navigate it with one hand if you pick it up the wrong way, proves to be hard to hold with one hand trying to watch a video or play a game while in bed or so.

I dont mind 4.3" screens but i think the perfect sweet spot for most people would be around 4" that just want the phone for some emails internet browsing and for some occasional media and apps.

marcbrophy

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

Well as much as i would like to see the 808 on Windows Phone. Nokia been working on this for 5 years. Windows Phone wasnt even in the picture then. Some software limitations in WP7 prevent them from putting that on Windows Phone 7. But I imagine given sometime because Nokia can customize the OS more and once Windows Phone 8 hardware comes out they will be able to implement their camera technology into the phone.

Personally I think half of the Android phones coming out this year are going to be absolute rubbish.

One reason. Screen size, most of the people i deal with think, especially new smartphone buyers or even older smartphone owners that wouldnt be tech savy like most of us here think that 4.3" screen is pushing it.

What are they going to be thinking when their going to be walking into shops and see phones half the size of the tablet. I dont think the average consumer market will be too pushed towards above 4.3" screen smartphones.

I have a Titan myself with a 4.7" screen and in some ways sometimes it proves to be hard to navigate it with one hand if you pick it up the wrong way, proves to be hard to hold with one hand trying to watch a video or play a game while in bed or so.

I dont mind 4.3" screens but i think the perfect sweet spot for most people would be around 4" that just want the phone for some emails internet browsing and for some occasional media and apps.

I agree with you about screen size. People are very wary about screens getting bigger. I think 4.3 is fine, but most phones this year will make that look small!

I also think apple may venture past the 3.5 inch screen for the first time this year, but time will tell on that.

I think WP8 will be a great mobile OS when it hits the market!

evolutionqy7

Yeah but i dont see the iPhone going beyond 4.3". My prediction its either gonna stay the same size or go up to 4" .

niallharty

readmylips wrote: »

niallharty ...SOLD...thank you, thats all I needed...any idea when vf will release s3 for upgraders ????? batt life supposed to be a vast improvement is it not??

Well it will be during the summer I expect, June at the earliest. Are you getting a contract with vodafone?

IncognitoMan

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

Yeah but i dont see the iPhone going beyond 4.3". My prediction its either gonna stay the same size or go up to 4" .

Will apple make the screen bigger though. I remember them saying before that they felt the 3.5" screen was the perfect size as the holder could reach across both sides of the screen with their thumb.

readmylips

well my existing contract will be ready for upgrade then(yes vodafone)...and im a tech addict...why, have i a better option dya think?

AlmostCared

Any ideas when the Samsung Galaxy S3 is being announced?

Toasterspark

As someone has said, the size of these new phones are beyond ridiculous. How big are they going to make them before they stop?

Mobile phones should be, for the main part, mobile. That is, small and easy to carry around. The iPhone is around about my limit for phone size - any bigger is just making things awkward. What's next, putting an tablet to your ear to make a call? Or are they slowly phasing out the 'phone' part of smartphones?

I like lots of the features of the new phones, but the size of the phones themselves is making me discount them immediately.

I understand that bigger equals more room for viewing webpages, but that's what I use my laptop for. Smartphones are useful for checking emails, maybe use an occasional app that brings you Facebook/Twitter/a game. I don't want my smartphone to replace my laptop.

AlmostCared

Toasterspark wrote: »

As someone has said, the size of these new phones are beyond ridiculous. How big are they going to make them before they stop?

Mobile phones should be, for the main part, mobile. That is, small and easy to carry around. The iPhone is around about my limit for phone size - any bigger is just making things awkward. What's next, putting an tablet to your ear to make a call? Or are they slowly phasing out the 'phone' part of smartphones?

I like lots of the features of the new phones, but the size of the phones themselves is making me discount them immediately.

I understand that bigger equals more room for viewing webpages, but that's what I use my laptop for. Smartphones are useful for checking emails, maybe use an occasional app that brings you Facebook/Twitter/a game. I don't want my smartphone to replace my laptop.

I think large phones are much better. I'm planning on buying the Samsung Galaxy Note as I love the huge screen. However, I don't see the point in Tablets. It's a computer with less capabilities, you cant fit it in your pocket, and the iPad doesn't even have flash.

ofcork

Does anyone know when O2 will have or if they are getting the htc one x,out of contract with vf in april and have to go with O2 or tesco,vf have it on their coming soon section already.

niallharty

readmylips wrote: »

well my existing contract will be ready for upgrade then(yes vodafone)...and im a tech addict...why, have i a better option dya think?

Well I'd have to know how much your paying a month first... €30/€40/€50?

AlmostCared wrote: »

Any ideas when the Samsung Galaxy S3 is being announced?

Should be in mid March at the latest April!

Toasterspark

AlmostCared wrote: »

I think large phones are much better. I'm planning on buying the Samsung Galaxy Note as I love the huge screen. However, I don't see the point in Tablets. It's a computer with less capabilities, you cant fit it in your pocket, and the iPad doesn't even have flash.

I wish they'd release smaller-size phones though. It seems that smaller screen sizes are only being paired with the budget-end versions of phones (the ones with inferior features).

As a guy (that doesn't have a handbag or manbag), I value a small-ish phone that fits neatly in my pocket but also can snap a good picture, or let me check a web page/email on the fly. They don't appear to offer that at the moment, and none of the new announced phones offer it either.

I understand some people love the big screen real estate, but surely there's a chunk of the market that would prefer a smaller, pocketable phone as well?

vicM

The HTC x and Sony Xperia S really look good and are top contenders. For me Screen is vital and having Used AMOLED cannot really go back to LCD technology.

Im thinking Samsung will really have to come up with something special for SGSIII or there will be blood. Hearing romours of a 4.7" screen which imo is too large.4.3" is the sweet spot

Glad I got the SGS2 when it came out last July (Took a punt with Vodafone prepay and the phone was unlocked and actually cheaper then the rest ). In another month or so ill get ICS and it will be a whole new toy

niallharty

Just wondering what ye think, should I add the just announced Huawei Ascend D

You can purchase an XL version with a whopping 2500mAh (regular one being 1800mAh) Also has a quad core 1.5GHz processor and a 4.5 inch screen

Alanstrainor

niallharty wrote: »

Just wondering what ye think, should I add the just announced Huawei Ascend D

You can purchase an XL version with a whopping 2500mAh (regular one being 1800mAh) Also has a quad core 1.5GHz processor and a 4.5 inch screen

Looks pretty sweet. I'll be really curious to see what the pricing is like on this. I've got ichy feat at the minute and want an Android device...this looks interesting!

readmylips

perfect choice access plus, 45 ish, total bill per month works out about 55 euro !

quietriot

Gah, am due an upgrade and was contemplating moving from my iphone (3gs) to the SII. Now that there's an SIII in the works, I don't know what to do.

AlmostCared

Toasterspark wrote: »

I wish they'd release smaller-size phones though. It seems that smaller screen sizes are only being paired with the budget-end versions of phones (the ones with inferior features).

As a guy (that doesn't have a handbag or manbag), I value a small-ish phone that fits neatly in my pocket but also can snap a good picture, or let me check a web page/email on the fly. They don't appear to offer that at the moment, and none of the new announced phones offer it either.

I understand some people love the big screen real estate, but surely there's a chunk of the market that would prefer a smaller, pocketable phone as well?

I totally agree with you on that point.

readmylips

quietriot, hold out for sIII, heard the s2 had very short battery life, and i read somewhere that samsung have "addressed" this with the sIII.... just what ive read however, not actual experience !

niallharty

readmylips wrote: »

perfect choice access plus, 45 ish, total bill per month works out about 55 euro !

Well Billpay, in my opinion isn't the best way to go. I mean let's say you pay an average of €50 a month, where as on pay as you go with three you pay €20 (free texts to any network, free calls to three, free any network calls at the weekend and unlimited data). That means you have to pay €30 extra for less data and texts, 50 x 18 month contract = €900. That as well as the Samsung Galxy S3 costing about €200 (estimate) on Billpay is €1100! A Prepay S3 would be €500 plus €20 x 18 = €860. 860 is the most because your not on a contract so you only have to pay when you feel like it

readmylips

ya have a point there..but is 3 coverage not a bit, well, em, flaky????

IncognitoMan

3 coverage is fine where I am. I live in a small town in the west. I joined from 02 about 2 months ago because of their pity full data allowance and so far its been very good

readmylips

fine for voice and 3G coverage???, cos the 3g coverage here (between turloughmore n corofin) is rubbitch !! uv got me thinking !!

IncognitoMan

Go to the three web site and order a free sim and try it out in a phone and see. The all you can eat data plus texts and minutes (cant remember how many) for a 20 quid top up is a real deal clincher for me anyway. Plus you still have the 20 top up for calls or text or whatever

Owen

I quite liked Panasonic's Eluga Power offering. Slim handset with a decent battery life, and can do a rapid charge in 30 mins. 5 inch screen, 1.5Ghz Dual Core processor, waterproof (They submersed it in one gadget site video), and will get ICS very shortly.

I like the idea of a QWERTY slider though I must say. My next phone will have to have that. I've had the Boxwave Keyboard Buddy Case for my iPhone and gotten really used to physical buttons.

Here's the Panasonic :

niallharty

Owen wrote: »

I quite liked Panasonic's Eluga Power offering. Slim handset with a decent battery life, and can do a rapid charge in 30 mins. 5 inch screen, 1.5Ghz Dual Core processor, waterproof (They submersed it in one gadget site video), and will get ICS very shortly.

I like the idea of a QWERTY slider though I must say. My next phone will have to have that. I've had the Boxwave Keyboard Buddy Case for my iPhone and gotten really used to physical buttons.

Here's the Panasonic :

Yeah I was just going to add that but it's processor only being dual core and the 5 inch screen is too big in my opinion 4.7-4.8 is my max. The other phones I've posted here are all quad core, except for The Nokia Lumia 900.

The Xperia Pro is an alright phone which will be upgraded to Android 4.0 shortly and has a qwerty slider, but it lags behind the HTC One, Huawei Ascend, the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the others here

niallharty

Samsung Galaxy S III will launch in April! For a summer release which will be pushed by samsung advertising during the olympics

niallharty

Well this thread went very quiet for the last 2 months but I have some big news for those of you who didn't now samsung was holding a major event in London today. The Galaxy s iii was announced:
The new beast is 8.6mm thin, weighs 133g, has a 1.4Ghz Exynos 4 quad core processor, 1GB RAM, 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1280×720, 2100mAh battery, 16/32/64 GB variants, eye tracking, a rear facing 8MP camera and a front facing 1.9MP camera.

pigeon999

niallharty wrote: »

Well this thread went very quiet for the last 2 months but I have some big news for those of you who didn't now samsung was holding a major event in London today. The Galaxy s iii was announced:
The new beast is 8.6mm thin, weighs 133g, has a 1.4Ghz Exynos 4 quad core processor, 1GB RAM, 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1280×720, 2100mAh battery, 16/32/64 GB variants, eye tracking, a rear facing 8MP camera and a front facing 1.9MP camera.

Wireless charging, nfc, Bluetooth 4 and other things which Sammie called smart_____

readmylips

Wireless charging...cool....

readmylips

Release date?....

evolutionqy7

readmylips wrote: »

Release date?....

28 of May if I remember correctly. That was said for Europe, no exact date for Ireland. Probably half a year down the line as usual

readmylips

Really!,,?... Balls