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Smarter Phones...advice needed

KENFU1911KENFU1911 Posts: 1,052 Senior Member
OK........I have had a stupid phone for many years and now I can upgrade.....so...droid..razer.I-Phone........must be Verizon compatible phone.... I know nuthin of these things........wife drug me kicking into a cell phone years ago to be able to text..............so question is is............ ability to access the web...text...take pics........and the most intuitive phone that will not meet a wall or 230 gr Golden Sabre in short order..............thanks guys.......Ken

Replies

  • RazorbackerRazorbacker Posts: 4,646 Senior Member
    iPhone, I too was dragged kicking away from a perfectly serviceable flip phone. A flip phone that could not access the web or take pictures or remind me to do tthings or give me directions in some place I've never been.

    and that was impossibly laborious to text from. I think, if you're like me. you'll use and enjoy it much more than you ever thought you would.

    But I've recently dropped mine and the screen is cracked. It still works but will need to be replaced. My wife is trying to talk me into one you can use a pen like device to write on the screen with. I've no idea of the brand though and I would like a bigger screen.

    Oh, and how could I forget the music?
    Teach your children to love guns, they'll never be able to afford drugs
  • zorbazorba Posts: 25,290 Senior Member
    Stick to the dumb phone.

    Smartphones are way too expensive to acquire, and even more expensive to feed. Screens are too damn small to see much on, and they're extremely fragile as their screen is exposed.

    Now get of my lawn!
    -Zorba, "The Veiled Male"

    "If you get it and didn't work for it, someone else worked for it and didn't get it..."
    )O(
  • RazorbackerRazorbacker Posts: 4,646 Senior Member
    zorba wrote: »
    Now get of my lawn!

    There's an ap for that
    Teach your children to love guns, they'll never be able to afford drugs
  • RazorbackerRazorbacker Posts: 4,646 Senior Member
    Ha, ha, ha...my banner ad is now "Cell phone plans for Seniors"
    Teach your children to love guns, they'll never be able to afford drugs
  • BigslugBigslug Posts: 9,875 Senior Member
    I've been running Verizon on a Samsung G4 for a bit over a year now. Probably don't use even a tenth of what it can do, but it does have a great camera, texts well (be prepared to bitch-slap its auto-correct frequently), lets me internet (the laptop and big keys is better, but it's handy at times), and lets me navigate. Have yet to download a single "app" - not sure I would even if I knew how.

    Superior or inferior to an I-phone? For what we'd do with it, I doubt we'd appreciate any differences.

    And bro, I KNOW you. Whatever you get, get it in an Otterbox before you even leave the store. Mine's blaze orange and Realtree. For you? Straight blaze orange.
    WWJMBD?

    "Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee
  • gatorgator Posts: 1,746 Senior Member
    I have a Samsung S3 on the wal-Mart straight talk plan $45 a month for unlimited talk text and data........zero complaints.
    USMC 80-84
    -96 lbs
  • RugerFanRugerFan Posts: 2,879 Senior Member
    I also have a samsung galaxy s3. No problems at all.
  • Big ChiefBig Chief Posts: 32,995 Senior Member
    Mrs Chief and I have I-phones. I use mine as a dumb phone mostly. For me most of the features I don't use, so it is just a heavy cell phone for me. She uses hers for all kinds of stuff. It is bulky to me and I think I'll get a simple lightweight cell someday for myself.

    All I need is a to be able to make phone calls, have a list of contacts and get voice mail/missed calls. My battery last a lot longer than hers because I don't use it much and seldom take pics/videos or look up stuff on the move away from the home computers.
    It's only true if it's on this forum where opinions are facts and facts are opinions
    Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
    I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
  • Farm Boy DeuceFarm Boy Deuce Posts: 6,083 Senior Member
    I have a Samsung Galaxy S5. I really like it. The S5 is water resistant, I know because I sat chest deep in a river with it in my back pocket for about 15 minutes. I thought I had left it in the pickup. That didn't phase it at all. Also whatever phone you get get the Otter Box, well worth the money.
    I am afraid we forget sometime that the basic and simple things brings us the most pleasure.
    Dad 5-31-13
  • tennmiketennmike Posts: 27,457 Senior Member
    If I lived in suburbia I might have need for a smarty pants phone...........but I don't. I live out in the boonies. I have a flip phone that can make a call to the po-po if that is necessary, or call someone when I'm traveling. I have GPS unit for travel with a 'beach in the box' voice to tell me when I made the wrong turn "RECALCULATING:angry:" :roll2: And I have cameras for pictures. And the tiny screens on even the biggest smart phones just don't work for me. Some of the first personal computers with 9" screens were superior to those little smart phone screens now. And those touch screens are delicate, and expensive to replace; if you get one, do not fail to get the insurance on the phone.
      I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don't know the answer”
    ― Douglas Adams
  • minnesotashooterminnesotashooter Posts: 832 Senior Member
    Another iPhone user here. My only complaint is that after 2 years, the battery sucks. I'm charging every 5-6 hours. I will upgrading to the iPhone 6plus any time now
  • bullsi1911bullsi1911 Posts: 12,440 Senior Member
    iPhone. Somewhere I have the video of my kid when he was 3 picking up the Wife's new iphone, unlocking it, and starting to use it. It is intuitive, easy to use, and the integration is frikking seamless.

    There are some true advantages of the Apple iOS ecosystem. First, if you don't download any apps, there are NO ADS! This is the reason Apple kicked Google maps to the curb a few years ago. Google wanted to build in ads and target them to you based on your location. Apple refuses to have any standard apps on the phone that target you with ads. So, that caused the whole Apple Maps debacle. Also- by having everything tested and vetted by Apple before it's posted to the App Store, you don't end up with spy apps, battery suckers, and apps that steal your data from other apps and sell it to other places. The OS and hardware is made by the same company that intensively vets the 3rd party apps. This means things just WORK.

    I don't speak about this from a fan-boi position. My job just issued me an Android phone- a Moto G- and it is a raving hunk of feces. I use it for ONLY work purposes, and it is kludgy, bluetooth sucks, call quality is horrible, Google FORCES you to enter personal information to target ads at you, and when you get down to it, Android is a copy of the iOS.

    Also, it comes down to philosophy. Apple wants you to buy an iPhone so that you will end up buying apps, music and stuff from the Apple Ap store, and also buy an iPad, a MacBook, etc...
    Google wants you to buy an Android phone so they can get as much information about you as possible and sell your info to other people, and target invasive advertising to you. Google makes it's money from ads. The whole point of gmail, Google Drive, the search engine, Maps, youtube, etc... is to get as much and as detailed information about you as they can to make sure that they can charge companies more for targeted ads. Personally, I'd rather not help them with that.

    Yes, Apple can do the same. But I trust them just a smidgeon more than Google.
    To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
    -Mikhail Kalashnikov
  • JayJay Posts: 4,629 Senior Member
    I just went from dumbfone to my first smartphone about 10 months ago. iPhone 5S. I don't know why I waited so long. I really enjoy it. Predator call app, basic ballistic program app, weather, maps, web access, siri, all my music is on it, Pandora, youtube.... The list goes on. I've had mine in an Otterbox (camo/blaze orange) since I walked out of the store with it. Have taken it out a couple of times and it still looks nearly brand new. And I use it. Goes everywhere with me. Around the farm, work.... I went with the iPhone because I got an iPod touch as a gift and started using it. It is nearly worthless except as a music player unless you are connected to wifi. So the iPhone was an easy transition. Just had to sync it and all my stuff from my iPod was on the phone. Never looked back. I personally have had no urge to get an iPad or switch to a Mac. But when my laptop dies, maybe I'll consider a Mac. Not sure.

    I will mention this; I wish I had gone with a bit more storage on my phone. I got the 16 gig, thinking I'd never use it all up. I find myself having to delete stuff frequently now. Every time I need to update iOS, I have to delete a few things to have enough memory available for the update. But I have 6.5 gigs of music alone on my phone. Pictures and especially videos take up quite a bit of memory as well. Next phone will be at least a 32 gig.

    I'll also throw this in there. My dad is really technologically challenged. He got an android phone for his first smartphone. He recently switched to the iPhone 5S and enjoys it much more. It is a personal choice, but for simplicity and all around convenience, it's hard to beat the iPhone.
  • zorbazorba Posts: 25,290 Senior Member
    tennmike wrote: »
    If I lived in suburbia I might have need for a smarty pants phone...........but I don't. I live out in the boonies. I have a flip phone that can make a call to the po-po if that is necessary, or call someone when I'm traveling. I have GPS unit for travel with a 'beach in the box' voice to tell me when I made the wrong turn "RECALCULATING:angry:" :roll2: And I have cameras for pictures. And the tiny screens on even the biggest smart phones just don't work for me. Some of the first personal computers with 9" screens were superior to those little smart phone screens now. And those touch screens are delicate, and expensive to replace; if you get one, do not fail to get the insurance on the phone.
    :agree::that:
    -Zorba, "The Veiled Male"

    "If you get it and didn't work for it, someone else worked for it and didn't get it..."
    )O(
  • zorbazorba Posts: 25,290 Senior Member
    cpj wrote: »
    The screens really aren't as delicate as folks think. Yeah, you can break one. But they are surprisingly tough. Especially when coupled with a good case.
    Magpul makes iPhone cases, and I think some for android based phones.
    I managed to destroy a Motorola Tundra "indestructible"...
    -Zorba, "The Veiled Male"

    "If you get it and didn't work for it, someone else worked for it and didn't get it..."
    )O(
  • VarmintmistVarmintmist Posts: 8,305 Senior Member
    It was suicide

    He left the camera on while belly dancing
    It's boring, and your lack of creativity knows no bounds.
  • zorbazorba Posts: 25,290 Senior Member
    You guys never fail to entertain! :jester:
    -Zorba, "The Veiled Male"

    "If you get it and didn't work for it, someone else worked for it and didn't get it..."
    )O(
  • bisleybisley Posts: 10,815 Senior Member
    I got a cheap smart phone, so I could text if I wanted to. Come to find out, I don't want to. But, it's easier to use than a flip top, so I'll keep it till it craters.
  • Big ChiefBig Chief Posts: 32,995 Senior Member
    cpj wrote: »
    Never said you couldn't break one.
    Besides, you're a freak.

    So cpj is sayin they ain't "GI Proof" as we used to say in the Army.
    It's only true if it's on this forum where opinions are facts and facts are opinions
    Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
    I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
  • Big ChiefBig Chief Posts: 32,995 Senior Member
    I'm still waiting for a Video of Zorba doing his Thing!
    It's only true if it's on this forum where opinions are facts and facts are opinions
    Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
    I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
  • ilove22silove22s Posts: 1,540 Senior Member
    i would do some homework first.

    1. look at what size screen you want. If your eyes are getting old and have trouble reading fine print, a larger screen will be nice. The drawback is that you will have a larger phone to deal with.
    2. Look at how long you would like the battery to last.
    3. look at if you want a user replaceable battery
    4. look at if you can install extra memory or if you will need it
    5. look at the other ports used on the phone.. USB 3, USB 2 or something unique if you want to down/up load pics or ?

    then theres the saying...."you can lead a horse to water...... "
    The ears never lie.

    - Don Burt
  • VarmintmistVarmintmist Posts: 8,305 Senior Member
    Big Chief wrote: »
    I'm still waiting for a Video of Zorba doing his Thing!
    motozorba_zpse423ac27.jpg
    It's boring, and your lack of creativity knows no bounds.
  • zorbazorba Posts: 25,290 Senior Member
    Big Chief wrote: »
    I'm still waiting for a Video of Zorba doing his Thing!

    Look under "galleries" on my website. Newer videos are better than the older ones - and I need to get a couple more posted.
    -Zorba, "The Veiled Male"

    "If you get it and didn't work for it, someone else worked for it and didn't get it..."
    )O(
  • KENFU1911KENFU1911 Posts: 1,052 Senior Member
    Thanks guys.looks like it will be an IPhone 5c......... overall reviews seem good.....seems to be a less pesky OS than the Galaxy .......... and it's available free*.....some of the others are 99.99 and up.even when I renew for 2 years......which I always do because where I'm at...it's pretty much Verizon or nothing........................anyone know about the iPhone5c???.......can I add more real memory.....as in a SD card...or do I have to up the cloud thing...........and how safe is this cloud thing????........yes I am a knuckle dragging Neanderthal............Ken
  • TugarTugar Posts: 2,480 Senior Member
    I work for Verizon as a Tech Supervisor so I know the 5C. No Iphone can add more memory as they never have an SD card slot. You can add a case that has an embedded SD card and use it like an external HD, but it's not as useful. Nothing wrong with the Iphone as long as you do a few things regularly.

    - NEVER be the first in line to accept and update for iOS (software). My preferred nickname for iOS 8 is Virus 8. Every year Apple has to come with weekly patches for about 3 or 4 months.

    - If you take a ton of pictures. Consider installing Photobucket or DropBox. Both are online storage, so not quite as private, but you can add thousands of pictures for free.

    - The Verizon Cloud WILL NOT store anything but contacts, so you will have to use iCloud ( web based) or iTunes (PC or Mac based). I advise both. One fails, the other may not.

    - Not Apple specific, but read the fine print on a super case if you buy one. Lifeproof requires registration and will not kickback if the phone is water damaged. Not sure about Otterbox, though they have a better rep. Add the Total Mobile Protection on your plan or get the store insurance. ( some homeowners policies may cover it under certain circumstances.)

    Now....I am not an Apple fan. They are too intrusive for my tastes, though they do build a decent phone. If you want an SD card or removable battery ( I will not buy a phone without them) your options are a bit more limited but there are some good ones out there. Androids are a bit more techy, but nothing I can teach you in a post or two. Much easier to move stuff around and customize as well.

    1) Kyocera Hydro Elite. Not the biggest phone but solid specs and nearly waterproof. O-ring on the battery door keeps it sealed. Plus the glass is hooked to the speaker for better sound in noisy places.

    2) Samsung SIII, S4, S5 and the Note 3 and 4. The S series are large and the Notes are all phablets. Very large, but they really work for my fat fingers and older eyes. Samsung Kies runs rings around iTunes for backups as well.

    IF you can wait a bit, I would advise you to. It will be a bit of a rush, but on the Black Friday weekend and whatever they call Monday, there will be outrageous deals. They may waive upgrade fees and better phones at a lower price.

    Let me know if you have any more questions.
    Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
    Winston Churchill
  • DoctorWhoDoctorWho Posts: 9,496 Senior Member
    It was suicide

    He left the camera on while belly dancing

    No, he tried an up skirt selfie while twerking the batusi and the phone had a suicide app and it committed ritual suicide. LoL
    "There is some evil in all of us, Doctor, even you, the Valeyard is an amalgamation of the darker sides of your nature, somewhere between your twelfth and final incarnation, and I may say, you do not improve with age. Founding member of the G&A forum since 1996
  • TugarTugar Posts: 2,480 Senior Member
    Also the HTC Desire. SD card but non-removable battery. Solid specs and free on 2 year contract with Verizon.

    http://www.verizonwireless.com/smartphones/desire-612/
    Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
    Winston Churchill
  • jbp-ohiojbp-ohio Posts: 10,943 Senior Member
    Tugar wrote: »
    Also the HTC Desire. SD card but non-removable battery. Solid specs and free on 2 year contract with Verizon.

    http://www.verizonwireless.com/smartphones/desire-612/

    My wife just went thru an free upgrade deal to 10GB, then oldest Step-son and I got new Droid Turbo's yesterday on the edge plan for $25 a month, BUT they give her a credit for $50 on the phones, so they were FREE! Just had to pay $40 in tax on each phone, and turn in our old phones.

    It's a bigger phone than my Razr M which makes texting so much easier with my fat fingers....
    "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." Thomas Jefferson
  • jbp-ohiojbp-ohio Posts: 10,943 Senior Member
    Writing this on my new phone. See if it puts the " sent from" data on.....

    edit; Nope. It didn't
    "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." Thomas Jefferson
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