S3 or wait for S4 next month

[Cam501]

I'm currently on Verizon with my old Droid Incredible and it's time to retire it. I'm on a budget, but is it worth waiting for the S4 to avoid having something nearly obsolete when I purchase it?(though i guess compared to my dinc, it would be lightning fast). Any suggestions?

 

[jhawkkw]

Though the s4 will be announced on March 14th, it might still be some time before it's available for purchase. The s3 was announced in may last year, but the Verizon version wasn't available until mid July. If you can hold out, I would; but if not then the s3 is still a good phone and won't disappoint.

 

[trparky]

I asked this question myself, turned out that the general consensus was to wait for the S4. With the unveiling of the Galaxy S4 being in the US this time around as versus in another country, it could mean that the US may be one of the countries to get first dibs on the new phone. Obviously, it depends upon what carrier you have since some carriers are slower than others.

 

[funkylogik]

If it was ME, id save up and buy an s3 outright (it keeps getting cheaper and wont go obsolete any time soon) and get out of the subsidised/contract trap if possible :thumbup:

 

[Kamau]

Wait for the S4 to drop, then buy the S3 at a nice price. It's still a hell of a phone.

 

[Johnny Cakes]

This article seems to suggest that the S4 has many problems and will not be revolutionary at all.

It's only a couple weeks, so waiting is not that big of a deal, but like others have said, the smart money move might be wait for the S4 but buy the S3.

 

[Sdahe]

Get a Nexus 4... You gonna love it

 

[rayhipkiss]

This article seems to suggest that the S4 has many problems and will not be revolutionary at all.

It's only a couple weeks, so waiting is not that big of a deal, but like others have said, the smart money move might be wait for the S4 but buy the S3.

I wouldn't put too much stock in that article to be honest. Forbes online are predominantly Apple fanboys who can't stand other phone manufacturers. They published a really terrible article recently on the Nokia Lumia 920 simply because it outshone the iPhone 5 at launch and practically every other review site praised the Lumia and expressed their disappointment with the iPhone 5.

 

[Mostly Harmless]

I would at least wait for the announcement and make the choice then. You will definitely see a flood of used SGS3's hit the market so keep an eye out for them.

 

[rcsrich]

I would at least wait for the announcement and make the choice then. You will definitely see a flood of used SGS3's hit the market so keep an eye out for them.

I'm with M.H., wait for the official announcement & see what you're actually dealing with...

 

[Kamau]

Plus, remember this.
When it comes to cell phones, the next big thing is ALWAYS just a couple months away from the last one. Don't ever try to play catch up with smart phones. When you come across something you like, go with it, and don't second guess your decision a few months later because something else dropped that seems better.

 

[trparky]

Someone once told me that if you are in the market for a new phone, buy the newest and most advanced phone that you can afford. That someone was someone right in this forum. He (or she) told me that when I asked whether or not it was worth buying the S3 with the S4 right around the corner. I have to agree with that person.

Yes, you can get an older model on the cheap since the carriers are attempting to unload what existing stock they have in the warehouse to make way for the new model but don't let that low priced sticker fool you. You are essentially buying a year old phone.

A year doesn't seem like much but in terms of the technology world, a year is like dog years. With that in mind, if you are signing a contract you are shackling yourself to that phone for two years. While that phone may seem fast and snappy now, what will it be like in two years?

Then you have to factor in the idea that once the new phone is released the manufacturer is going to be even less inclined to release software updates for it. Face it, that's something that Android has an issue with.

So again, buy the newest phone you can so you can at least get a year's worth of updates out of them.

 

[sherlock5545]

Well, it's up to you, if you can afford it, wait for the S4. However, don't expect to be on the latest all the time. Even the S4, a few months after its release, will be overtaken by other phones, the same way each months there are newer phones coming out. You have to face it, most of the other company such as HTC come up with a higher phone very often, they don't wait a whole year for a new flagship release, as Samsung and Apple do. At this point, yeah, given that you don't have an S3 yet, wait and see if the S4 is what you want. You have plenty of choices, I'd personally have a look at the Xperia Z, but I don't have the money for it, now.

 

[GTWalling]

First off it is not written that all carriers in the US will carry the S4. You will need to wait and see. As of today T-Mobile does not know if it will carry it.

Feb 26, 2013 9:44 AM (in response to scott941) Correct AnswerRe: Galaxy S4? Hi scott941,
At this time we do not have any information on whether or not we will release the SG4. Keep an eye on Official News, Press Releases and Kits | T-Mobile for future device announcements.
Link>>Galaxy S4? Support | T-Mobile

 

[powdbyrice]

the jump in performance from s3 to s4 wont be nearly as great as the jump from inc to s3

youll be safe with an s3, then wait for an s5.

 

[Gmash]

This article seems to suggest that the S4 has many problems and will not be revolutionary at all.

It's only a couple weeks, so waiting is not that big of a deal, but like others have said, the smart money move might be wait for the S4 but buy the S3.

Wow, do they hire random bloggers to write articles for their website? Terrible writing, and not just that article.

 

[funkylogik]

Even the caption in the very 1st pic is wrong lol.... its i9300 s3

 

[rcsrich]

Hey OP, are you tied to Verizon? If not, wait for the S4 to drop, then make the rounds & try out all the flagship phones being offered at the time, see which one you like the best & has a good deal & then go with it.

Ultimately though, make your purchase when the time is best for you & try to get the most phone for your money on the cheapest plan with the best coverage...I guaran-frickin-tee you that as soon as you purchase the "latest", the bar will be raised by someone else. Just like buying a computer, be prepared to be made to feel like a fool when a month later, a cheaper & faster model is released.

Welcome to technology.

 

[Rigmaster]

Though general getting a phone that again outpaces the signal. In addition, you can get S3 at a great price without signing a new contract. 2) S4 will have bugs just like all other new devices. As SS tries to incorporate new guts, there will be hiccups. I'm not confident that intro'ing a new device makes sense even with SS might and resources. 3) Much of the really cool, advanced internals aren't ready - there's a reason why SS keeps indicating things that won't be in the S4. By the time these issues are fixed, it'll be this time next year (if we're lucky) and more than SS will be using them as standards. That's means better options from multiple makers. That's not even counting the fact that LTE will go through a few enhancements and upgrades in the next few years.

My S3 is solid, and I don't see a reason to replace it with anything that's been announced or rumored. They're all minor internal and needless style upgrades. I expect to be able to get a good 2-3 years from it since I don't really fall into the upgrade as soon as possible camp. I'm also a little disappointed SS never brought the 64GB models to the table like announced so will be looking at other players down the road that offer the 64-128GB internal + microSD card option + some type of solar recharge capability built into the phone body or external case. That's not the S4 as it's coming out.