There are too many handset choices, too many compromises..

[GilbertGrape]

(Not trolling)

I've come to the conclusion that it would be so much simpler to buy an iphone, rather than wait on 'the next best thing' in android hansets. At least with the iphone, you have a good year knowing you have the latest in what they're offering.

Apple = One operating system for all, not, 2point this or 2point that...but only if you have the right phone..

I love the android concept, but it's very frustrating to me.

Rant over.

 

[Stuntman]

Instead of buying the next best thing from Android, why not just buy the current best thing from Android?

Even if you get the iPhone, there's a new one coming very soon anyway. Are you going to wait for the next best iPhone? It will arrive in much less than a year.

 

[GilbertGrape]

How long does an Android handset stay current?

When buying an iphone, you know you'll recieve any updates that become available. The same can't always be said for an android handset.

Do we know for sure that the Galaxy S 2, or any current android will get ICS?



ETA: No, I'm not planning to buy an iphone.

 

[cds0699]

How long does an Android handset stay current?

When buying an iphone, you know you'll recieve any updates that become available. The same can't always be said for an android handset.

Do we know for sure that the Galaxy S 2, or any current android will get ICS?



ETA: No, I'm not planning to buy an iphone.

Look up an announcement from Google at Google I/O 2011 that stated a agreement between them and the major US carriers, and manufacturers, that phones would receive updates for 18 months from date of purchase (which is in line with the normal upgrade eligibility from carriers in the US), as long as the hardware permits.

 

[Stuntman]

What's wrong with not getting the latest update of any software the moment it becomes available? I certainly don't upgrade all of my apps to the latest version the moment it comes out. I'm quite happy with my phone as is, OS version and apps. I have the HTC Desire Z which is still on Froyo. So far, I haven't ran into a situation that needs Gingerbread. What does remaining on Froyo prevent me from doing?

 

[cds0699]

What's wrong with not getting the latest update of any software the moment it becomes available? I certainly don't upgrade all of my apps to the latest version the moment it comes out. I'm quite happy with my phone as is, OS version and apps. I have the HTC Desire Z which is still on Froyo. So far, I haven't ran into a situation that needs Gingerbread. What does remaining on Froyo prevent me from doing?

Gingerbread is mostly "under the hood" enhancements for performance stuff, only minor noticeable differences visually.

And OP, you might want to look into and consider the Nexus lines of phones, they're "pure Google experience" phones and always get updated 1st.

 

[daveybaby]

@OP: Indeed, why make a difficult choice between many phones each with minor compromises, when you can to choose the iPhone which combines all of those compromises into one phone. Smart thinking.

(trolling)

 

[Crashdamage]

When I wanted to stay with one choice I got married. I don't want to marry Apple an d Emporer Jobs.

 

[takeshi]

I've come to the conclusion that it would be so much simpler to buy an iphone, rather than wait on 'the next best thing' in android hansets. At least with the iphone, you have a good year knowing you have the latest in what they're offering.

Don't focus on having the "latest thing" and, instead, shop based on your needs. If you fixate on having the latest and greatest just for the sake of doing so then you'll constantly be disappointed no matter what option you go with. Tech doesn't stand still.

There are too many handset choices, too many compromises...

Every decision in real life is a compromise. There's no such thing as an all benefit option. If you max out one aspect you do so at the cost of another aspect. It's just a variation of "you don't get something for nothing". What are you looking for that you're not able to find? What do you feel you're having to compromise too much on? How does the iPhone alleviate that? It has its own set of compromises as well and it sounds like you're just romanticizing the iPhone as some sort of solution to all your concerns.

How long does an Android handset stay current?

Depends on the device. Also depends on whether the user is willing to root and use custom ROM's. I'm not sure why people assume that their device is obsolete once something newer comes out. My Droid didn't suddenly stop meeting my needs just because of every newer Android device released since the Droid. Again, if you have that mindset you'll be constantly disappointed with any tech purchase. The problem isn't Android but consumers that have the "newer must be better mindset". Marketing loves such consumers.

If you insist on having the latest shiny new toys then you need to be prepared to pony up and pay for new devices on a constant basis. You can't keep one device forever no matter which platform you decide upon.

When buying an iphone, you know you'll recieve any updates that become available. The same can't always be said for an android handset.

...and that is completely false. iOS releases don't always support all former models. Look at the models that iOS4 supports. Not every iPhone or iPod Touch is listed. That's one reason for my comment above that you're romanticizing the iPhone.

 

[fredsmith]

Perhaps the iPhone is the best choice for you, then. It's a fine device with many features and a great o/s.

 

[A.Nonymous]

How long does an Android handset stay current?

When buying an iphone, you know you'll recieve any updates that become available. The same can't always be said for an android handset.

Define current. I've got a Droid Incredible. I'm extremely happy for it. I've had mine for over a year, but they've been out longer than that. There are at least half a dozen if not a dozen phones on the market that can run circles around it spec wise and are running more current versions of the OS. I can't say that I'm unhappy with my phone at all though. I'm eligible for an upgrade in February, but I'm currently leaning toward just sticking with what I have.

Why do you need to receive the latest updates? I've never seen the appeal if what you have is currently working. If what you have doesn't work, you shouldn't have bought it is my thinking.

 

[Stuntman]

Apple = One operating system for all, not, 2point this or 2point that...but only if you have the right phone..

What if the iPhone isn't right for you? Then you have no alternative but to get a phone that is not right for you. With Android, if a phone you see is not right for you, then there may be another one that is slightly different that is right for you.

When I went to get my first smartphone, I felt the iPhone 3GS (the one available at the time) wasn't right for me. I had to get a non-iOS phone because there were no other iOS phones other than the iPhone.

 

[dan330]

hhhhmm..... very interesting..

choices can make things more complicated .. when you dont know what you want.

after reading the OP and this thread....
it seems to me.... taking away your ability to choose... giving you only 1 option.. makes you feel more comfortable with your choice (1 option only).
you cant make a wrong choice.. because there is only one!
so in your sub-conscience mind (genius marketing strategy).. you made the right choice.

please fall in line behind stevejobs.. do as he says... easier.. but dont hold it wrong!

 

[John Redcorn]

With an iphone no other iphone user can ever have a bigger sd card than you, a newer os than you or be able to access rich websites that you can't, no one's going to be able come up to you and make you feel like a 2d-screen-having schmuck by saying "hay look at my new iphone 3d" I guess that's got to be sort of a comforting feeling if you buy tech for some sort of... I'm at a loss for good words here but it would be what crap websites like salon would call a "geek chic fashion statement."


What do you think your dad thinks of you being into fashion? huh?

 

[Stuntman]

you cant make a wrong choice.. because there is only one!

You can make a wrong choice. Just because there is only one choice does not imply that it is the right one.

 

[dan330]

ok.. it is the right wrong choice?

 

[A.Nonymous]

ok.. it is the right wrong choice?

Depends on what you want/need out of a phone.

 

[dan330]

or the wrong right choice?