Epic 4G Touch or IPhone 4S?

[HM08]

Hello everyone. I'm going to be getting my first smartphone soon and I could really use some help. I can't decide between these two phones and no site has really helped, everyone is always biased against one.

I like the size of the E4GT. A bigger screen means bigger keyboard. I also like that it has the option for 4G and thus fast internet options.

However, Apple is a well known brand and the Siri feature looks awesome.

My main question is though, what about two years down the road? When I upgrade to a new smartphone in two years, what about all my apps? Will I be able to transfer them to a new phone from these phones?

Help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mikedt]

My main question is though, what about two years down the road? When I upgrade to a new smartphone in two years, what about all my apps? Will I be able to transfer them to a new phone from these phones?

Help would be greatly appreciated!

I think if you stay with the same platform, your apps should transfer OK as they're attached your account, not the phone. Assuming whatever phone you buy in two years time is supported by the app. Obviously if you have an Android phone and decide to buy an iPhone two years down the road, you'll have to buy all new apps for it, and vice versa.

 

[jerofld]

Hello everyone. I'm going to be getting my first smartphone soon and I could really use some help. I can't decide between these two phones and no site has really helped, everyone is always biased against one.

I like the size of the E4GT. A bigger screen means bigger keyboard. I also like that it has the option for 4G and thus fast internet options.

However, Apple is a well known brand and the Siri feature looks awesome.

My main question is though, what about two years down the road? When I upgrade to a new smartphone in two years, what about all my apps? Will I be able to transfer them to a new phone from these phones?

Help would be greatly appreciated!

A few more points to consider:

Samsung is also a known brand. The Epic 4G Touch is a variant of the highly successful Galaxy S2 series.

I would recommend that you verify that 4G is in your area. Sprint's WiMAX service is not as distributed as much as Verizon's LTE. LTE is also a bit faster. As a FYI.

Sprint is also distributing their own LTE service and will be shutting down WiMAX in 2015. The LTE roll out for Sprint is happening in the next month or so and the newer phones. Galaxy Nexus, HTC EVO 4G LTE (a variant of the One X) will have LTE. So will the Galaxy S3 (the Epic 4G Touch's successor) and Sprint is rumored to be picking that up by fall - but that is a rumor.

Siri is something I would recommend you try before you make it a deciding factor. The novelty of it seems to wear off as I rarely hear anyone use that feature. 'She' also has a very hard time with accents, so if you have one, I would definitely recommend you try it before you buy it.

As for transferring apps, as long as you want to go iPhone to iPhone, you'll be ok. If you're going from iPhone to iPad, you'll have to buy them, again. But with Android, you can go Android to Android and still keep your apps regardless if it's a tablet or a phone, but only if the app developer makes it so your new device is on the compatibility list. Likely, you'll rarely ever see a problem with new devices not supporting older apps, but it has happened before.

 

[chrlswltrs]

I have an E4GT and an iPad 2 so I am very familiar with both OS's. Personally I think the E4GT is the better choice, especially if you like the size.

As far as Siri goes, Android has voice actions and has had it for much longer than iOS. Also Android's voice to text is much better. There is a microphone button on the keyboard so you can speak anything you want to be typed. It works extremely well, and even handles accents pretty well.

Google Voice integration is also a big plus for Android, and free turn by turn navigation. I personally use GoSMS Pro for SMS, WidgetLocker for my lock screen, and Nova for my launcher. Being able to replace stock apps for a more customized appearance and functionality is a huge advantage for android.

There are a few things that iOS does better like media. Because my phone is rooted I can not rent movies from Google Play. My iPad is jail broken but I can rent movies from iTunes. On my iPad I can stream on demand content from xfinity, but the android app can not. Hulu+ is available for ios, but not for the E4GT officially (there is a modified Hulu+ app that works).

IMO the E4GT is a much better phone with a lot more to offer. Also the GSIII is going to be announced this week, so I would recommend at least waiting to see when that is going to go on sale for Sprint.

 

[dan330]

^^^ what he said..

also... android has had apps like "siri" for years. there are many to choose from with many different features and functions.

but to answer you... sorry.. i dont think anyone can true answer your question.
because at the end of the day... it is your opinion that matters most.
you just have to play with both for a long time to get the feel of each.
do you have friends with these phones? ask to play with them for 30mins or so each.

are there any particular needs that you must have?
specific questions that we can answer?

 

[HM08]

My friend has the Iphone 4, and I've played with it before and the keyboard gets kind of annoying for me which is why I was sure I was going to go with the E4GT, but then I heard that the E4GT has bad call quality so I'm kind of back to square one. I've played with the E4GT at a Sprint store and loved it just as much as the 4S minus keyboard, but the call quality has me concerned.

 

[chrlswltrs]

My friend has the Iphone 4, and I've played with it before and the keyboard gets kind of annoying for me which is why I was sure I was going to go with the E4GT, but then I heard that the E4GT has bad call quality so I'm kind of back to square one. I've played with the E4GT at a Sprint store and loved it just as much as the 4S minus keyboard, but the call quality has me concerned.

I never really talk on the phone much at all so I can't comment on call quality really. But, if that is a primary concern for you I would recommend you test it out before you make your final decision. That being said, I personally have never had a problem with the call quality.

You could always get the E4GT and keep it a couple weeks to test the call quality yourself, then if it didn't work for you just exchange it within your return period.

 

[scooterinmn]

My friend has the Iphone 4, and I've played with it before and the keyboard gets kind of annoying for me which is why I was sure I was going to go with the E4GT, but then I heard that the E4GT has bad call quality so I'm kind of back to square one. I've played with the E4GT at a Sprint store and loved it just as much as the 4S minus keyboard, but the call quality has me concerned.

I use my phone for work and depend on the call quality for it. My office location has no 4G coverage and a weak 3G signal. I still have not ever had a dropped call with my touch. I upgraded my BB (which was great) to the touch when it first came out and haven't looked back. At the end of the day, it's a great toy with an endless capacity to tinker but if it didn't work well as a phone, I would be back to the BB.

 

[ScandaLeX]

I went from the Motorola Photon with a 4.3" screen to the iPhone 4S. I have equal amounts of money invested in both platforms because I only use paid apps so the choice between OSes wasn't easy. Having an iPad already and having had a previous iPhone meant there was no learning curve (not that one really exists for iDevices). For the life of me I could not find any enjoyment in the 3.5" screen no matter how much I tried.

I returned the 4S for the Epic Touch and haven't regretted that decision. I tell everyone, I'm getting older; not younger so my eyes appreciate the larger display. I don't want to zoom everything just to see what I'm reading.

As far as call quality and clarity I've not had any issues at all and would recommend it in a heartbeat. Going forward my next phone will probably have an even bigger screen (Galaxy Note) but until that time comes I'm satisfied with this one.

My son calls me a traitor because of Android and I'm fine with that. At the end of the day I need a phone that meets my needs and is customizable even without rooting.

 

[SammyGS2]

Gonna get some crap for this but...i say go for the 4s. I absolutely loved mine. Made what to me was a horrible decision and sold for a gs2 skyrocket which is basically the epic 4g touch. It really comes down to you. try both before you decide. Turns out I just prefer ios devices. I sold the skyrocket and went back to my old iphone 4 until the new iphone and new nexus phone are released.

Try both.

 

[KOLIO]

All the above posts have EXCELLENT advice,however, one major consideration exists:

Are you already locked in a contract w/SPRINT?

If not, I'd consider which carrier of the BIG 4 (or regional carriers, if they suit your needs) will serve you best, w/regards to data availability of 3G/4G/4G LTE,pricing of data (unlimited w/SPRINT).

Phones come & go, so, if your not locked in to a contract, I'd expand my search a bit more before deciding on a phone &/or service.

 

[Metroid Prime]

Give it some thought first before making the jump.