Looking at new phones.?

Question

So I've been looking into getting some more phones, and I'm wondering if anyone has some input on which are better for whatever reasons, if you have one how you like it, etc.

The choices are (and why I would want it, why not)

iPhone 5 : Well, it's an iPhone. Pretty fast I guess, will last long, and has a great resell value whenever I'm done with it are the main reasons I may want to get it. However, it's my understanding that the Apple app store is kind of limited compared to Android (idk if this is true). Also, it's not open source, and as I'm studying Computer Science, I think it'd be nice to have an open source OS to mess around with or w/e.

Sony Xperia ZL 4G : 1.5ghz quadcore snapdragon (supposed to be cutting edge, I think?) 1920x1080 resolution, 5 inch screen. Seems like a solid phone. It's android, so that's a plus.

HTC One : 1.5 ghz quadcore, 32gb integrated memory, no sd slot, non-removable battery.

All of them would be $200 with a 2-year contract, which is what I usually do anyway. I've had really bad luck with my current phone, samsung exhibit 4g. The screen has broken a few times (not physically broken, like cracked, but something inside is wrong and it just doesn't work, does stuff one its own without me pressing stuff) and is still broken, just stops working sometimes. It cost me $50 with a 2yr contract, so I'm spending a bit more this time to hopefully get a better quality phone.

If anyone has any suggestions or information, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Personally, from a person who uses three of the major mobile Operating Systems (Android, iOS, and Windows Phone), the Xperia ZL is already outdated. The processors may not be radically different between the HTC One and the Xperia ZL (the One's CPU clock speed is overclocked to hell at 1.9ghz while the ZL remains at 1.5ghz). However, here's the pros and cons of each phone (in my eyes since I've used the original Xperia Z (not too different from the ZL), the One, and the iPhone 5).



Xperia ZL



PROS

-pretty much the most rugged out the three phones

-Biggest screen out of the three phones, which means watching videos are a pleasure.

-Closest to stock Android in looks.

-Camera photos are very nice

-1080p display

-Dedicated camera button!

-Tons of app support in the Play Store or other app stores (Amazon for example).

-Expandable storage

-Adobe Flash player supported browser (you have to sideload the Flash Player app though due to Android 4.1.x not supporting Adobe Flash player anymore)

-More freedom to download apps



CONS

-Not waterproof like its brother, the Xperia Z

-Viewing angles are terrible

-A little thicker than the other two phones.

-Slow updates

-Battery life is questionable (not as good as the other two phones).

-Going to be replaced with the Xperia Z1 soon.



iPhone 5



PROS

-Build quality is awesome

-Camera is probably on par with the Xperia ZL or just a bit better.

-Resale value is a lot better than Android devices

-Apps are properly optimized for any iOS device.

-Fast updates from Apple



CONS

-iOS looks the same as it did almost 7 years ago. (even with iOS 7, the look is purely cosmetic).

-You can get easily bored with the phone after a while

-You're limited to only the app store (unless you're jailbroken).

-iPhone 5S is also coming soon.

-Not even a true 720p display.

-You're going to be stuck with iTunes if you want music. You can add music from other sources, but you have to transfer them all to iTunes.

-No expandable storage



HTC One



Pros

-Build quality is awesome!

-Good viewing angles

-Good camera in dark lighting

-Very smooth when compared to older HTC phones in the past

-1080p display

-Tons of app support in the Play Store or other app stores (Amazon for example)

-Adobe Flash player supported browser (you have to sideload the Flash Player app though due to Android 4.1.x not supporting Adobe Flash player anymore)

-More freedom to download apps



CONS

-No expandable storage

-Awkward two button layout

-Mushy power button (happens after a month or so of usage)

-Camera sucks pretty much at everything else. Doesn't feel like a high end camera for a flagship device.

-Really slow updates



That's pretty much all I can think of that I found with either device. Hope this helped and have a good day.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

That HTC One is looking like it.



I have a Galaxy S3, and I just left the iPhone because I broke my first S3. However I will warn you, with all honesty -iPhones are not all they are cracked up to be AT ALL. You will get real bored with it real quick, you cannot watch videos on the browser because Apple does not allow Flash like Samsung, Sony, HTC do. The best thing about an iPhone is when it breaks, you can still half way keep it... but you will not be able to have freedom as far as music and computers - for instance



On my S3 I can go to my computer and put my music on there, and then to my friend's take some of hers, then to my moms computer take some of hers... very simple and quick.



With the iPhone you cannot do that. You will HAVE to delete all your music in order to get music from another computer. Apple overall is just really restricting and people only pay for the NAME. The insurance on it will also be higher.



I say HTC or Sony good companies with little restriction.

Answer 4

Hi there.. just want to contribute ideas.. how about this one.. Sony Xperia M



I think its good also:



Specs:

Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)

1GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8227 processor

1GB of RAM

4GB of internal storage

microSD card slot up to 32GB

4-inch FWVGA (480 x 854) capacitive display, 245ppi

4-point multi-touch feature with scratch-resistant glass

Adreno 305 GPU

5MP autofocus camera with LED flash

720p@30fps HD video recording

VGA (0.3MP) front-facing camera

Dual SIM / Dual Standby - Xperia M Dual only

GPS with A-GPS support

NFC Support / microUSB v2.0

Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP, ANT+

ClearAudio+, xLOUD and 3D Surround Sound (VPT)

Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot

Stereo FM radio with RDS / Multimedia Player

GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (Quad-band)

HSDPA 21Mbps / HSUPA 5.76Mbps

Accelerometer, proximity, compass

Li-Ion 1,750mAh battery

124 x 62 x 9.3mm (dimension)

115g (weight)



Its also $200..



Just saying. :)