[emingeRek]

So the fiance and I are finally going to get smart phones (gasp!) The problem is we cannot decide on which ones. We go through US Cellular.

Here are the phones available from them:
http://www.uscellular.com/uscellular...questid=136719

We can afford the top phones ($200 phones after mail in rebates.) but that doesn't necessarily mean we should get them. We just don't want to get a $75-125 phone and regret it when we should of just bought a better one. I've done tons of searches and looked at reviews, but overall it seems every single smartphone has issues, so you just gotta live with it.

Phones we are looking at:
Motorola Electrify - $130
Motorola Electrify 2 - $200
Samsung galaxy S II - $150
Samsung galaxy S III - $200
HTC One V - $130
HTC Merge - $100

Stuff we would prefer:
Reception/call quality (us cellular has amazing regional reception so don't think that will be an issue)
Good camera, HD video (prefer 1080p)
Dual core processor
Good size screen/screen quality

They have cheaper phones like the Samsung Galaxy S Aviator but that thing is just getting hammered by shitty reviews.

I've read that the galaxy S3 isn't worth if if you got an S2, and the electrify 2 isn't better than the first. We've never owned a smartphone so anything is an upgrade.

We plan on getting one in a day or two, so any input would be nice. Thanks!

[phernikas]

Samsung Galaxy SII

[biannaruh]

1: Samsung galaxy S II - $150

still good,smart looking and I own one


2: Samsung galaxy S III - $200

very good phone hardware wise,but to be its fugly and to gimmicky.

[2CNWXAqN]

Thanks for the input, the Galaxy S2 does seem to be the best for the money. For $150 it's in-between them all and seems to be a sweet phone.

Would love to hear others input.

[Nesskissabe]

very good phone hardware wise,but to be its fugly and to gimmicky.

What are you considering gimmicky? My mate has one and loads of the stuff I thought would be a gimmick is actually pretty useful more than once.

[Opperioav]

for 50$ difference I would pick S3 any day...
Work colleague got himself a S3 and it's very very nice phone. Still prefer my Gnex but it's tempting to switch.

[chzvacmyye]

Thanks for all the input guys. We have both decided to go for the Galaxy S3. We figured that while looking at the S2 and other phones around $130-150, yeah, why not just spend $50 and get the new one and be done with it. We're going to pick them up later in the evening. Looking forward to it, we're both use to dinosaurs phones, should be exciting!

[prkddfokic]

What are you considering gimmicky? My mate has one and loads of the stuff I thought would be a gimmick is actually pretty useful more than once.

SIII, that's the one that's only a little smaller than the new iPad, right?

[molaunterbizone]

SIII, that's the one that's only a little smaller than the new iPad, right?

If you're used to an S2 you won't notice much difference in size. It's a whole lot bigger than a lot of phones though.

[Enfonebew]

Didnt realize it was so big! on the left is the Note, and i have seen that. Looked and felt to big to use as a phone.
Anyone use that beast on a daily basis?

[cbUDaNFRu]

Considering the OP said this was his first smart phone, he's probably not used to the S2.

Even so, looks like he plumped for the S3 anyway.

I was responding to QD, not recommending it to the OP.

[FalHaitle]

So?



..

So maybe you should consider that threads are not linear conversations?

[espabamar]

If you're used to an S2 you won't notice much difference in size. It's a whole lot bigger than a lot of phones though.

Yeah I don't have any pants that have big enough pockets to carry around that behemoth. Samsung should be bundling free laptop carrying cases with the SIII.

[kucheravka]

Yeah I don't have any pants that have big enough pockets to carry around that behemoth. Samsung should be bundling free laptop carrying cases with the SIII.

LOL - it's not as big as you think. It easily fits in jeans pockets.

[Ornamiviant]

LOL - it's not as big as you think. It easily fits in jeans pockets.

Yeah, my S2 fits with ample room even in these new jeans I got from Republic with noticeably small pockets. Note would fit any normal jeans pocket except the ones that have openings at a 45-degree angle, I guess.

[Uzezqelj]

I have owned the SGS2 and the SGS3 and would pay the extra $50 in a heartbeat.

Faster CPU
Larger Screen
Higher Resolution
Larger Capacity battery
NFC

US model advantages:
LTE
Twice the RAM

Regarding size, it just a smidge larger than my Galaxy Nexus but lighter and thinner with better radios, battery, and screen.

- The gimmicks mentioned are actually very handy such a direct dial when I am in a text conversation, I can just lift my phone to my head and it calls the person.
- Press my hand on the screen to mute media, sounds, etc.
- Stay awake where the camera watches your eyes so the screen doesn't dim.
- You can just say "snooze" or "stop" to the alarm clock
- Say "accept" or "reject" to answer and decline calls as well as many other features

All of it has granular controls so you only use some or you don't have to use any.

[Symnunidanimb]

Just got back from the store with our new S3's. Yeah, it's big, but I don't see how it could ever be an issue of being "too big". It fights in my pants pocket with no issue, tried some other pants/short pockets, no problems. Fits in the fiance's grocery bag (large freakin purse) just fine.

We're very happy with it, thx again guys

[kucheravka]

So maybe you should consider that threads are not linear conversations?

I'm going to write that one down...

[pitoufsd]

Actually I think that my Gnex (About the same size as S3) is a lot better fit to my pocket than any other previous phones.
Why?
Every other phone I've had always tried to "fall" sideways. And then it was really annoying in the pocket. This phone stays in up position.

[Sopzoozyren]

I'm going to write that one down...

LOL - I know, I know. The very design of a forum thread is linear, but the content generally isn't.