3D or 1GB RAM?

[shikhargpt]

Well, I'm in Singapore and will be getting a new phone soon. I am going to buy a phone from Singtel, and have narrowed down my choices to the Samsung Galaxy R, and the LG Optimus 3D. I have looked at every facet of each phone and have realized that on paper, the only difference is the offering of 1GB RAM of the Galaxy vs 512MB RAM on the Optimus, compared to 3D capability on the Optimus vs 2D on the Galaxy. I am in favour of the LG, as the 3D appeals to me, and I have had bad experiences with Samsung, but most people recommend the Samsung, without proper explanation. I would like a good argument with the Pros and Cons listed out, not just specs or biased opinions, and if you have anything to advise on each phone (good or bad), please do. And PLEASE don't ask me to consider other phones, my mind is set on these two. Thank you.

Regards,
Shikhar

 

[EarlyMon]

With more ram, you can run apps a bit more smoothly.

I have a 3D phone by HTC and I really enjoy the 3D feature.

The LG sounds like the right phone for you.

 

[Shocky]

I would get the Optimus 3D over the Galaxy R.

Galaxy R is nothing special.

 

[saptech]

If 3D is a big feature for you then go ahead and get that phone. Though it does only have 512mb of memory. Just my thoughts.

 

[shikhargpt]

If 3D is a big feature for you then go ahead and get that phone. Though it does only have 512mb of memory. Just my thoughts.

Well, not really a big feature, just seems cool, but I don't know about the memory. Will that 488MB of memory loss come back to haunt me if I buy the LG?

Regards,
Shikhar

 

[shikhargpt]

With more ram, you can run apps a bit more smoothly.

I have a 3D phone by HTC and I really enjoy the 3D feature.

The LG sounds like the right phone for you.

Not meaning to sound rude, but, please define 'a bit'.

Regards,
Shikhar

 

[AndroidAdvntge]

The difference in ram is so minute, that you can't even notice a difference, especially if you have dual core processing to carry the weight. It is so minute, that it shouldn't even be a factor.

With this in mind, I still would go with the Galaxy, just because I feel that 3D phones haven't been optimized to their full potential. When you can view 3D mode and play the games without feeling like you are doped up or about to pass out, then you should capitalize on it.

Just my 2 cents!

 

[CdTDroiD]

The Samsung is a better phone easy

 

[chanchan05]

My ideas is, I'd rather go for the 1GB RAM rather than the 3D. I'd rather have hardware that is more future proof than having a gimmick display, albeit the gimmick being indeed very cool. That said, get an Evo 3D if you want a 3D phone. At least that phone's specs is better than the G2X AFAIK.

 

[chanchan05]

The change in ram is so small, that you can't even observe a change, especially if you have combined primary running to have the bodyweight. It is so small, that it shouldn't even be a element.

Small? 1GB to 512MB is not small. Its almost double the RAM. This leads to a smoother user experience simply because if you have a lot of stuff running, there won't be a need to wait for the cache to empty out a lot of stuff first, and you can run a lot of things at the same time without issues of reloading and such.

 

[EarlyMon]

Not meaning to sound rude, but, please define 'a bit'.

Regards,
Shikhar

That will depend on the launcher and apps you are running.

512 MB is plenty for most any task, but as you add more tasks (by switching between various apps for example) your phone will need to start hibernating apps more rapidly than if it had more memory. That can lead to a noticeable lag in response, from when you tapped, scrolled or updated a screen, to when it actually happens.

If you prepare for that and manage how you configure things, it may be negligible. If you plan on running Facebook and twitter constantly in the background, it might be so noticeable as to frustrate you.

Bear in mind that a slice of the ram on the LG, because it uses the OMAP4430 processor, is going to get reserved as graphics memory. The Qualcomm S3 is the same way, but I am not sure which processor that particular Samsung you are looking at uses. Anyway, if you like 3D, the smaller memory will do, but you will want to be careful about how much you can expect to run at once, and still be satisfied.

 

[shikhargpt]

That will depend on the launcher and apps you are running.

512 MB is plenty for most any task, but as you add more tasks (by switching between various apps for example) your phone will need to start hibernating apps more rapidly than if it had more memory. That can lead to a noticeable lag in response, from when you tapped, scrolled or updated a screen, to when it actually happens.

If you prepare for that and manage how you configure things, it may be negligible. If you plan on running Facebook and twitter constantly in the background, it might be so noticeable as to frustrate you.

Bear in mind that a slice of the ram on the LG, because it uses the OMAP4430 processor, is going to get reserved as graphics memory. The Qualcomm S3 is the same way, but I am not sure which processor that particular Samsung you are looking at uses. Anyway, if you like 3D, the smaller memory will do, but you will want to be careful about how much you can expect to run at once, and still be satisfied.

Well, I am thinking of replacing the default one with GOLauncher. Also, I will root my phone. Just asking, approximately how many apps can GO and the default (LG) handle simultaneously?

 

[chanchan05]

It will also depend on the type of apps and their rate o resource usage. Not all apps use the same amount of RAM and CPU cycles, so its fairly difficult to say how many apps can run at the same time.

 

[shikhargpt]

Okay everyone, thanks for your help. You guys have really helped me in deciding which phone to buy, and I have settled on the Samsung, even though Samsung has come back to bite me in the ass (the Omnia i900). I think Samsung has improved. I used my cousin's Galaxy SII for nearly 3 weeks and am impressed. So, thank you everyone.

Regards,
Shikhar

P.S. Moderator? I think this thread can be locked now. Thanks.

 

[EarlyMon]

Glad you got the answers you needed, and best luck, enjoy your new phone!

If you have some last-minute doubt, drop me a private message by clicking on my name here and I'll cheerfully reopen this for you.