s2 now or wait for s3?

[nealc]

Hi everyone

So i am thinking of getting a new phone, sooner the better but I could wait if necessary. Basically I'm thinking of either the Galaxy S2 now or waiting for the S3. I can get an S2 for under 200 at costco i think, I'm on tmobile. So i was wondering, is that a good deal, or should I wait for the s3? when do you think the s3 will be available on tmobile in USA, and how much do you think it will cost with contract?

Thanks!
-Neal

 

[thelastdraco]

I'm just rationalizing not sure if this will actually happen...
If the S3 launches in May 29 in UK, then the US version which is suppose to have LTE will hopefully launch by end of June/beginning of July before the Olympics. They kind of hinted there were going to be two versions one with 4G LTE and another with 3G Exynos Quad in the US but I might be mistaken.

I say that since the S3 is only a few months away, you should just wait for it. Larger screen, ICS, larger battery, and quite a few Samsung enhancements. Of course the price will also be around $300 so you're going to have to shell out a few extra bucks.

 

[Omar Days]

Just hold out for s3. That's what I'd do in your situation.

 

[chanchan05]

Hold out for S3, because even if it happens to be not your liking (screen size or whatnot), the S2 would be cheaper by then.

 

[breadnatty08]

What is your current situation? Are you living with a dying phone? Do you HAVE to upgrade or just want to? The SGS2 is still a very solid phone. True, the 3 is a great upgrade but nothing to blow a wad of money on if it's simply burning in your pocket. Also, it likely won't hit the states until late June, early July anyway.

 

[styxfire]

So if I understand correctly: despite waiting and waiting for the release date of S3, it has finally been released and yet it still DOESN'T REALLY exist in any purchasable way? And in fact, nobody actually has any clue of when it truly WILL be for sale (in U.S.)??? Should I assume the same thing will happen for iPhone; i.e. they will have a fake date called the "release date" but it still won't really be available for purchase?

 

[chanchan05]

It's available for preorder and will be released in Europe end of May.

 

[Covart]

So if I understand correctly: despite waiting and waiting for the release date of S3, it has finally been released and yet it still DOESN'T REALLY exist in any purchasable way? And in fact, nobody actually has any clue of when it truly WILL be for sale (in U.S.)??? Should I assume the same thing will happen for iPhone; i.e. they will have a fake date called the "release date" but it still won't really be available for purchase?

Can't compare Samsung to Apple for release times of hardware. Apple has always released their phone and ipad in the U.S. within about a week of the keynote annuncement. Maybe not every single time, but nearly. I can't recall every event and release.

As for the S3, you can sign up to be one of the first people tbe notified by Samsung when they plan to release the S3. Just go to Samsung's homepage and sign up. But it is pretty obvious, Samsung will have it in North American hands before the olympics start! So, 2 more months max!

To the OP - WAIT! The S3 is a significant update ver the S2. You won't be sorry you waited.

 

[Metroid Prime]

I would wait for the S3. Sure, the S2 is a very good phone, but the S3 is going to be even better thanks to the guys at Samsung. I would just wait for it to come out, but like dreadnatty said, don't go throwing money away at it if it's burning a hole in your pocket unless you're do for an upgrade now or by the time it's out. Take a while to decide, do research and think about it and you'll make the right choice.

 

[styxfire]

I think most of you are probably right in advising to wait for the fabulous S3. Unfortunately, due to phone damage a couple days after my first comment (#6), I ended up having to make a fast decision. I went ahead and got the S2 Skyrocket instead of waiting for S3.

The good news is that I only paid $9 from AT&T. Apparently the announcement of S3 has reduced the cost of the lesser models. I feel okay about the purchase because the Skyrocket itself is only 6 months old (I think). So instead of waiting and waiting for the BEST THING, I got the 2nd-BEST-THING right now in my hands, for (almost) free. Additionally, the Skyrocket has been out long enough that people have already had time to publish handy guides for rooting it and for upgrading to ICS.

Another positive note: My 2-yr contract will end several months sooner than if I had waited for a S3. (Freedom, so elusive )

The S2Skyrocket seems great to me on all counts EXCEPT battery life. I only get 1 day of use out of the battery. I've purchased an extended battery on eBay; hasn't arrived yet.

I don't quite remember anymore what the differences are in the Skyrocket vs the S3. The camera is the same. And the lauded quad-core won't be for sale in the U.S. anyway. Thus I don't feel that I lost out on much by buying the lower model early. However, if anyone can remember the compelling reasons to get the S3, please post them for the sake of helping others in their decisions.

Thanks so much to all of you for sharing your knowledge!

 

[kristalsoldier]

I think most of you are probably right in advising to wait for the fabulous S3. Unfortunately, due to phone damage a couple days after my first comment (#6), I ended up having to make a fast decision. I went ahead and got the S2 Skyrocket instead of waiting for S3.

The good news is that I only paid $9 from AT&T. Apparently the announcement of S3 has reduced the cost of the lesser models. I feel okay about the purchase because the Skyrocket itself is only 6 months old (I think). So instead of waiting and waiting for the BEST THING, I got the 2nd-BEST-THING right now in my hands, for (almost) free. Additionally, the Skyrocket has been out long enough that people have already had time to publish handy guides for rooting it and for upgrading to ICS.

Another positive note: My 2-yr contract will end several months sooner than if I had waited for a S3. (Freedom, so elusive )

The S2Skyrocket seems great to me on all counts EXCEPT battery life. I only get 1 day of use out of the battery. I've purchased an extended battery on eBay; hasn't arrived yet.

I don't quite remember anymore what the differences are in the Skyrocket vs the S3. The camera is the same. And the lauded quad-core won't be for sale in the U.S. anyway. Thus I don't feel that I lost out on much by buying the lower model early. However, if anyone can remember the compelling reasons to get the S3, please post them for the sake of helping others in their decisions.

Thanks so much to all of you for sharing your knowledge!

So...if I am understanding you correctly, you are saying that the S2 has not-so-good battery life? Been thinking about a new phone too and the S2 was/ is on my list. But I do need better-than-average battery life....for 3G + tethering + music.

Cheers.

 

[styxfire]

Each of my first 3 days, the phone has lasted only 1 day. And I haven't been on the internet much either. And I am killing all apps each time before letting it hibernate.

 

[sntaylor]

S2 battery life is much the same add any other phone, it comes down to how you use it etc.

Routing can help to increase the life if you get a good ROM and the extender battery seems to make a difference, as will charging when possible.
Personally I've had my phone a year and charge it every night, usually will charge it for a brief time during the day if possible.

Best bet is to get a spare battery....

 

[chanchan05]

You're not getting less battery life because you're killing the apps.

 

[B2L]

You're not getting less battery life because you're killing the apps.

Also the Skyrocket supports LTE, which can be a huge battery drainer.

 

[styxfire]

Just received the eBay "extended battery" for the Skyrocket today. I'll charge it up tonight and see how many days the extended battery lasts.

UPDATE: Well, the battery fit the Skyrocket, but like all extended batteries it's thicker so it requires a special back cover. Unfortunately the back cover they sent (w/ the battery) is for some other-shaped phone. So I can't give a battery-update yet. Well, I spent only $9.99 and got a functioning battery out of the deal, so not a total loss.

Just make sure when you're buying from Chinese sellers that you check the photos VERY carefully. (It's too expensive to return faulty items to HongKong. Just have to take the loss and be smarter next time.)

 

[mjohns12]

No question, you should wait for the S3

 

[moon19th]

Personal opinion, wait for S3.

 

[sweeds]

Can anyone confirm, is the S3 expected to come to Verizon as well?

If the deadlines are accurate, I would hold out a few months for the improved phone.