Should I buy an Android (Optimus M?) now or wait?

[Zafur]

Hello. I lurked a bit so I hope this isn't a repeat thread.
I have been using MetroPCS for a year or two and my current phone is starting to die... (My second from Metro. First would get stuck vibrating. With this one the vibration is getting too weak to be felt in pants pockets.) I've always wanted an Android phone so I was quite happy to finally see two decent phones being offered at Metro, and that they were on sale.
The problems are, however... The Galaxy Indulge seems too expensive, even on sale. I really don't want to spend much more than 200 for a phone, especially one with battery problems. I may be a bit old fashioned in that respect but I don't feel comfortable paying the same amount of money that could buy me a laptop on a phone...
The second problem is... I heard the Optimus M will soon stop being sold... While I don't mind buying a phone that's not the newest, I'm a little nervous about buying a phone that seems is about to become obsolete.

What would be smart to do?

TL;DR:
Should I wait for the new rumoured Android phones to be released and compare prices then? And hope one model or another will be pushed to less than 300?
Or:
Is the Optimus M not obsolete? Should I just buy it?
Or:
Wait until my current phone completely becomes unbearable to use before considering a new one?
Or:
Get a job and pay 300+ for a newer Android.

 

[alfick3]

Even if Metro and LG stop selling the phone, it'll still be a good phone for a year or two.

 

[AndroidxGuy]

The battery issue currently affects all 4G phones and some other phones have been reported to have just as bad or worse battery life than the indulge. As stated before the LG phone will be good for some time as most apps run well enough on it. Don't just take our word for it, make an informed decision based on your budget and usage needs.

 

[Zafur]

Thanks for the opinions, guys. I may buy the Optimus M and use it until it also dies. Still thinking it over.
Would also like any other opinions before I decide.

 

[Darnell0216]

The only new phone that may provide the flexibility of the LG Optimus M is the LG Esteem, which will be a downgraded version of the LG Revolution. It will boast enough new features to surpass the M on all levels and the majority of the other phones as well, becoming the new flagship device. However, it will be 4G so the risk of battery life comes into play. It's not due to be released until September 27th (provided there are no delays). If you feel like waiting and saving, the phone will be worth it provided it doesn't have those "I'm new and people did something testers didn't and broke me" issues. Otherwise get the M, you won't be disappointed and there's a whole community here to help ya out with it. It's aging but it's not out yet. Of course in the end, the choice is all yours.

 

[Zafur]

The only new phone that may provide the flexibility of the LG Optimus M is the LG Esteem, which will be a downgraded version of the LG Revolution. It will boast enough new features to surpass the M on all levels and the majority of the other phones as well, becoming the new flagship device. However, it will be 4G so the risk of battery life comes into play. It's not due to be released until September 27th (provided there are no delays). If you feel like waiting and saving, the phone will be worth it provided it doesn't have those "I'm new and people did something testers didn't and broke me" issues. Otherwise get the M, you won't be disappointed and there's a whole community here to help ya out with it. It's aging but it's not out yet. Of course in the end, the choice is all yours.

Thanks for the help. I'm kind of tempted to wait and see the Esteem's price but by then I'm sure I won't be able to find a new M. Although as an Android n00b, I'm not sure if I should be so concerned about specs as long as they're decent. I've heard the M is around midrange, and even if not, it seems a lot better than the Huawei ones.

What do you mean by flexibility though? Level of customization?

 

[Darnell0216]

... I've heard the M is around midrange, and even if not, it seems a lot better than the Huawei ones.

What do you mean by flexibility though? Level of customization?

You heard correctly, it is midrange. By flexibility I mean it can do a little more than the Huawei's because of better hardware, including a dedicated graphics chip for better video performance and gameplay.

 

[reddarin]

Get the Optimus M. It is only $99 bucks right now and it is a great phone.

That is, if you are serious about not spending a ton of money on a phone. The M has a pretty good amount of built in memory and the 600mHz processor isn't bad either. It comes with the 2gb sd card which is a whole lot of space but you can go up if you want to buy a bigger one. They aren't very expensive.

If you are willing to pay $300+ then save your money and wait till the end of August to see what new phones are added for back to school.

Amazon App Store gives away one free app a day. It is pretty random but they have some really nice programs some days. A couple of weeks ago I got Chuzzle for free - a really cool game.

One thing that I always consider when trying some new gadget is that you will almost never know what you want because you don't know enough about the gadget till you've tried it. So the $99 phone is a cheap way to get acquainted with Android. You can get to know what is possible and what is available and in a year or two make an informed purchase that fits you to a tee.

 

[j31]

the samsung admire wich features a 3.5in screen android 2.3 will be released in early sept for $129

 

[TRS-80]

Don't forget, the Optimus is NOT a 4G phone! That is a huge difference, and why you are paying $300 for the Indulge. Also the Indulge has a much faster processor (1 Ghz vs 600 Mhz), better screen, better GPU. It is much snappier than the Optimus.

Remember, on Metro, if you don't have 4G, you revert back to 1X-RTT, which is extremely slow (100 kbps, think dialup). There are currently confirmed rumors of Metro testing a "real" 3G network in some areas (seems mostly FL and TX right now) but who knows when that will come online "officially" (hopefully soon).

As for the price, you have to remember the $300 is an unsubsidized price. On a traditional (postpaid) carrier, of course they will be happy to give you a $400 phone for $200 or even $150 because they are gigging you to the tune of $100+ every month! On Metro, you only pay $50 per month for everything! Do the math of total cost of phone + service for 2 years, and you will be coming out way ahead of any other carrier on a comparable plan (smartphone with unlimited minutes, LD, + unlimited "real" 3G or 4G data).

For all these reasons, I recommend one of the 4G Androids: the Indulge, or wait until the new "Bryce" comes out. I don't understand the point of getting any of the other Androids on Metro that only support 1X. I suppose the Optimus could be "OK" if you are around wifi a lot and therefore could live without the 4G. But the data rates will suck if you are anywhere without wifi!

As for "Bryce" vs. Indulge, I like my Indulge's slide out keyboard and so will probably be keeping the phone even after the Bryce comes out. But the Byrce should have some slightly better specs than the Indulge, and will become Metro's new flagship phone. At that time, you may see a price drop from Metro on Indulges.

Another consideration is that the Indulge has had a lot of dev + battery support now. At the current time we enjoy full root, wifi tether, and now even a couple of custom ROMs. Also extended batteries are being manufactured for our phone now (remember, all LTE phones suck teh battery, including those from Verizon, etc...). It took a while, but the Indulge is finally at a point that it is realizing it's full potential. When the new Bryce comes out, that process starts all over again from zero... (although hopefully won't take as long).

 

[Zafur]

Thanks for all the help so far, guys.
Because of the recent decision to switch to 4G, (same price a month anyways) and because my phone is too horrid to last any longer with the constant freezing... (temporarily switching back to my other phone) I'll be waiting until the end of September for Bryce/Esteem to be released. I'll probably end up getting the Indulge, especially if it has a price drop. So far the specs seem pretty much identical, and the physical keyboard is very luring. If the Esteem is revealed to have anything noteworthy, I'll consider it. But so far the cameras aren't justifying it over the Indulge. I just hope Metro gives the Indulge a price drop. :/ Kinda sucks they literally only have 2 4G phones out right now.

 

[astmd1655]

Hello. I lurked a bit so I hope this isn't a repeat thread.
I have been using MetroPCS for a year or two and my current phone is starting to die... (My second from Metro. First would get stuck vibrating. With this one the vibration is getting too weak to be felt in pants pockets.) I've always wanted an Android phone so I was quite happy to finally see two decent phones being offered at Metro, and that they were on sale.
The problems are, however... The Galaxy Indulge seems too expensive, even on sale. I really don't want to spend much more than 200 for a phone, especially one with battery problems. I may be a bit old fashioned in that respect but I don't feel comfortable paying the same amount of money that could buy me a laptop on a phone...
The second problem is... I heard the Optimus M will soon stop being sold... While I don't mind buying a phone that's not the newest, I'm a little nervous about buying a phone that seems is about to become obsolete.

What would be smart to do?

TL;DR:
Should I wait for the new rumoured Android phones to be released and compare prices then? And hope one model or another will be pushed to less than 300?
Or:
Is the Optimus M not obsolete? Should I just buy it?
Or:
Wait until my current phone completely becomes unbearable to use before considering a new one?
Or:
Get a job and pay 300+ for a newer Android.

Yup, not sold online anymore. Just saw the website.