[AnnieKelly]

I will happily admit I have been Apple's b**ch ever since the iPhone came out. But now I'm due an upgrade on my phone (currently on iPhone 5) and for the first time I'm seriously considering going over to Android.

I'm mainly considering the Samsung Galaxy 5 but would be open to other handsets is there a better one. But just before I make this giant leap and divorce myself from my long-term mobile partner,

1. Am I doing the right thing?
2. Is there a better option than the Galaxy?

Gulp!

[Zee_Bukhari]

HTC One M8 or even last years HTC One M7 are much better options than the galaxy. You're defiantly doing the right thing by moving from Apple, but don't go for Samsung it will make your android experience horrendous.

Another great choice is the up coming Nokia Lumia 930 due for release next month, this is the phone I am getting.

You could give us some idea if what you're looking for and which apps are important for you, size, weight etc...

[enapace]

As Zee says HTC even though they aren't banded about a lot over last two years have knocked out some stellar phones. Xperia Z2 is worth a look as well. Honestly it completely depends on the person I wouldn't suggest upgrading from the 5 to the 5S unless you on Vodafone/O2 and want LTE support.

Samsung devices are good but are certainly not the best android devices they just get the most marketing of any device in the world. It honestly depends I don't like Touchwiz you might like the look of it. A good summary of a samsung phone is if you like lots of gimmicks and everything thrown in possible go for it. But if you want a solid device that contrasts on other things don't get one far better options.

A good cheap android device that is coming out soon is the Moto G LTE all the brilliantness of the original G but with LTE support as well.

The LG G3 is going be an awesome phone as well. At moment honestly you can't go wrong with whatever phone you get like say a Diamond ring you get a solid thing whatever you buy just there is variety.

[swordman]

Read some independent reviews of the phones is your best bet. I would not listen to anyone knocking or claiming any manufacturer are rubbish simply nonsense. Every flagship phone Samsung produce is always in the top 3 phones if not the top.

At the moment HTC, Samsung, Sony flagships (M8, z2, s5) are the best phones available and there is little between them overall but there may be some things you prefer in any one.

There are however some very good phones not far removed from these that offer very good performance for quite a bit less. nexus 5, LG g2, htc One, galaxy s4.

As for doing the right thing you certainly are, there is a whole unrestricted world our there take the leap

[Lyceum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnieKelly

I will happily admit I have been Apple's b**ch ever since the iPhone came out. But now I'm due an upgrade on my phone (currently on iPhone 5) and for the first time I'm seriously considering going over to Android.

I'm mainly considering the Samsung Galaxy 5 but would be open to other handsets is there a better one. But just before I make this giant leap and divorce myself from my long-term mobile partner,

1. Am I doing the right thing?
2. Is there a better option than the Galaxy?

Gulp!

Only you can decide if it's the right move for you.

Had chance to have a play with the HTC one M8 yesterday. Absolutely gorgeous phone. Feels like utter quality and by all accounts is.

The nexus 5 is also a great phone. Especially considering its price tag.

[coachtrip_fan99]

Absolutely.... Well done for seeing the light. Apple isn't the be all and end all of the smartphone industry....

Another vote here for the HTC.... I've got one of last year's HTC ones and its been absolutely fantastic....

[paulker]

I like being in Apple's closed eco system. It makes life a lot simpler. Their computers are awesome. Love the iPad too. The only reason I would have for changing my iPhone is for a bigger screen but thats coming.

HTC M8 is a lovely phone. Its a shame they didn't make the camera good though. The S5 is a laggy mess. It does however have a great screen, a good camera and is water resistant which to me is a big plus.

[jonmorris]

I'm a Mac user, for home and work, and I see Android as working better with OSX than a restricted iOS.

Sadly, Apple appears to be trying to make OSX more closed with each successive update than opening up iOS.

[GeordiePaul]

Save your money and go for a Nexus 5.

I went from an iPhone 5S to the Nexus, and even despite the difference in price, for me the Nexus 5 is clearly better.

The more expensive Samsung, HTC and Sony phones are good, but even now the N5 had the edge in day to day use in terms of speed and responsiveness. The others offer some other features, but they sure aint worth 2x the price. You can get a 32Gb N5 for under £300 without much effort. No brainer.

For the things I use it for, I wouldn't spend more. Takes nice pictures, is ridiculously quick and responsive, Vanilla Android is still the most polished, acceptable for music listening, screen is lovely. Can't really ask for much more....

[Quackers]

If i was going to have a Mobile running Android today it would NOT be a Samsung. After having the Galaxy S2 for just over a year it was the worst phone i have ever had in my whole smartphone life. Felt cheap in the hand, dire call quality, slightest bit of wind and thats all the other end hears, battery life was poor and would freeze / lock up regularlly . Everyone i knew personally with the S2 experienced the same issues and have now all swapped to iOS. The HTC M8 would be my choice if i was going to go back to the Android OS, then maybe a Nexus, but never ever a Samsung device again, but I'm happier with iOS than i ever was with Android.

[jabbamk1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeordiePaul

Save your money and go for a Nexus 5.

I went from an iPhone 5S to the Nexus, and even despite the difference in price, for me the Nexus 5 is clearly better.

The more expensive Samsung, HTC and Sony phones are good, but even now the N5 had the edge in day to day use in terms of speed and responsiveness. The others offer some other features, but they sure aint worth 2x the price. You can get a 32Gb N5 for under £300 without much effort. No brainer.

For the things I use it for, I wouldn't spend more. Takes nice pictures, is ridiculously quick and responsive, Vanilla Android is still the most polished, acceptable for music listening, screen is lovely. Can't really ask for much more....

To be honest I'd go for the LG G2 over the Nexus 5. LG's UI isn't too bad and has a few advantages over stock android plus the whole design and spec of the phone is better.

[jonmorris]

The G2 is certainly better than the Nexus 5, but was originally way too expensive (in comparison) - but now that difference has reduced a lot.

The biggest problem of the otherwise fantastic N5 is the battery life. It's not terrible, but it's definitely poor compared to just about every other device with a similar or higher spec.

Getting the Play Edition software is always an option to speed up a bloated Samsung too.

[jabbamk1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

The G2 is certainly better than the Nexus 5, but was originally way too expensive (in comparison) - but now that difference has reduced a lot.

I agree. I'm surprised how cheap it is on Amazon right now as £290 is an absolute bargain for a phone of this calibre.

The LG G2 really was one of the best phones of last year if not the best. And the LG G3 (based on what I've seen personally) is ready to take that title for this year (in the UK). Can't wait for June.

[jonmorris]

I think the Xperia Z3 will be quite special too, as well as the Note 4.

Special is subjective though. In reality, much of the increased specs will be just willy waving and total overkill!

[jabbamk1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

I think the Xperia Z3 will be quite special too, as well as the Note 4.

Special is subjective though. In reality, much of the increased specs will be just willy waving and total overkill!

Got to love Sony with their new flagship phone coming out every two weeks

But yeh, Note 4 will be good for people who want a phablet and probably will have the best spec. But my LG G Pro 2 is good enough for now and better than a Note 3 imo.

As you say though, most of this year will be incremental specs and gimmicky software features to create a USP. HTC sicken me with their "all new motion features" that came on their old phone like 4 years ago. Fair enough there is new stuff as well but don't throw in the old stuff with the new stuff then label it all as new.

[swordman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quackers

If i was going to have a Mobile running Android today it would NOT be a Samsung. After having the Galaxy S2 for just over a year it was the worst phone i have ever had in my whole smartphone life. Felt cheap in the hand, dire call quality, slightest bit of wind and thats all the other end hears, battery life was poor and would freeze / lock up regularlly . Everyone i knew personally with the S2 experienced the same issues and have now all swapped to iOS. The HTC M8 would be my choice if i was going to go back to the Android OS, then maybe a Nexus, but never ever a Samsung device again, but I'm happier with iOS than i ever was with Android.

It is made up nonsense like this that makes iPhone users look ludicrous

[FlyinBrick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quackers

If i was going to have a Mobile running Android today it would NOT be a Samsung. After having the Galaxy S2 for just over a year it was the worst phone i have ever had in my whole smartphone life. Felt cheap in the hand, dire call quality, slightest bit of wind and thats all the other end hears, battery life was poor and would freeze / lock up regularlly . Everyone i knew personally with the S2 experienced the same issues and have now all swapped to iOS. The HTC M8 would be my choice if i was going to go back to the Android OS, then maybe a Nexus, but never ever a Samsung device again, but I'm happier with iOS than i ever was with Android.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swordman

It is made up nonsense like this that makes iPhone users look ludicrous

I know.
After reading the Quackers comment I could be forgiven for thinking that my old S2 must have been the only one in existence that worked perfectly well (and still does, my wife has it now). I like the way it felt in the hand, it was a lovely size and very comfortable to hold. Call quality was and never has been an issue, battery life isn't great, but it's not bad either. The only time it locked up on me was when I rooted it to put vanilla android on it to get rid of the Samsung bloatware, but that was my fault..

All in all it's still a great little phone.

ETA. Oh, and one advantage of Samsung phones is Odin, and the incredibly easy ability to mod them, I don't know about other brands and how hard or easy it is to mod them.

[jonmorris]

It's pretty easy to mod any Android device, or certainly the more popular models.

That's one of the big advantages of the OS.