About To Get My First Smartphone......Advice?

[+ azdr0710]

am getting good advice from friends, but wanted to ask here, too....

 

will probably go for Android over Apple....

 

Costco is having a (perennial??) "sale" on the Galaxy S6 thru Verizon...is that device now considered to be the good ol' reliable"Chevy/Ford" of the current crop of "devices"?.....I'm pretty sure I don't need a Cadillac phone as I'm sure a Chevy will more than wow me already with the current state of gee-whiz smartphones, right?...thinking Verizon because I'm told it's good in rural areas, in which I'm often located....all providers are apparently fine in urban areas....

 

or would you say stay the hell away from the "Wireless Center" kiosk at Costco?.....

 

is there any great, impartial, comprehensive "Smartphones 101"-type website that is pretty much a primer for learning smartphones and getting the most out of them?.....

 

I'm thinking I'll mostly use it as main personal phone (hoping to get my landline number transferred to it), travel resource (businesses, addresses, maps), regular texting (I have a circa 2004 flip-phone now for that), and whatever else golly-gee stuff I can use it for.....

 

thanks a lot

[bigvalboy]

Not a big tech nerd azdr, but I can only tell you my experience. I don't particularly care for my S6. It's OK, but I'd never buy another one. I've had a few on going issues that don't seem to resolve themselves. The internal speaker seems to be defective, there is a short somewhere, and the only solution is to drive 20 miles to the nearest repair center, which is not going to happen. I much preferred my Apple. I'll keep this for another year before trading it off, and most likely will return to Apple, and you can't beat the customer service. I do like the camera better on the S6, but the sound quality is inferior, and the phone is not as user friendly. IMHO.

 

Lastly...whatever you do, go with Verizon. I used Verizon for years, and loved the reception. I have Sprint, and I have endless issues with connections and reception. On a recent trip to Seattle, when I landed, Sprint kept telling me that I was 'Roaming' and that roaming charges would apply. I called them, and told them I'm in Seattle for Christs sake..they didn't have an answer for me. It took two days before the problem corrected itself. When my contract runs out, I'm changing back to Verizon.

[m.yi]

I bought my smartphone outright, paid the full amount + tax for a prepaid account with Verizon. $45 all in, and yes that includes tax. You'll start with 500MB and a month later will be bumped to 1G, a few months later they bumped me to 1.5G without doing anything. They'll do this as long as you have autopay with VZW.

 

I used to have the postpaid line with them but they overcharge, paid around $100/month. If you need more data, you can purchase increments of 500MB for $5, 1G for $10 and 3G for $20 at BestBuy, 711 or VWZ. Its Verizon, signal between post paid and prepaid is no different from my experience.

 

They don't really advertise this because think of all the $$ they'll be loosing. Insist on this when you enter the store, they also have this "hidden" on their website, so do your digging.

 

Pay for the phone outright, that's the only major thing you need to shell-out. Their smartphones range from $80 to as much as $650+. Imagine just having your phone bill for $45 and having the strength of their signals. Not to mention the extra savings you'll make that you can spend on the gentleman of your choice. Do it now before they change it. I know AT&T was $65 with 2G data/month, I've also heard good stuff about T-Mobile.

 

Extra savings = extra hires.

[Kevin Slater]

Not a big tech nerd azdr, but I can only tell you my experience. I don't particularly care for my S6. It's OK, but nothing to write home about. I preferred my Apple. I'll keep this for another year before trading it off, and most likely will return to Apple. I do like the camera better on the S6, but the sound quality is inferior, and the phone is not as user friendly. IMHO.

 

Lastly...whatever you do, go with Verizon. I have Sprint, and I have endless issues with connections and reception. When my contract runs out, I'm changing back to Verizon.

 

I like the iPhone too, not least of all because it's what everyone has. If you don't know how to do something, turn to the guy next to you and ask. He'll know.

 

I'm one of the few folk who seem to be happy with Sprint. I pay $32 a month (final, including taxes and fees) for unlimited calls and domestic texts. Granted, I only get 1 gig of data each month for that. I think I can bump my data for another $5 or something, but as I don't come close to using what I'm given, I don't care. (Never understood streaming shows and music via a smart phone, especially when not on wifi.) When two buddies and I went kayaking in rural upstate, the others (AT&T and Verizon) lost cell connection before I did. I suspect my data may have been worse, but again, I don't really care.

 

Kevin Slater

[+ purplekow]

I am so fed up with my Galaxy and Verizon, I am considering carrier pigeons for greater reliability and less expense. But if you really want a phone and not a bird, I do not think any of the others are any better than terrible Verizon.

[BSR]

am getting good advice from friends, but wanted to ask here, too....

 

will probably go for Android over Apple....

 

Costco is having a (perennial??) "sale" on the Galaxy S6 thru Verizon...is that device now considered to be the good ol' reliable"Chevy/Ford" of the current crop of "devices"?.....I'm pretty sure I don't need a Cadillac phone as I'm sure a Chevy will more than wow me already with the current state of gee-whiz smartphones, right?...thinking Verizon because I'm told it's good in rural areas, in which I'm often located....all providers are apparently fine in urban areas....

 

or would you say stay the hell away from the "Wireless Center" kiosk at Costco?.....

 

is there any great, impartial, comprehensive "Smartphones 101"-type website that is pretty much a primer for learning smartphones and getting the most out of them?.....

 

I'm thinking I'll mostly use it as main personal phone (hoping to get my landline number transferred to it), travel resource (businesses, addresses, maps), regular texting (I have a circa 2004 flip-phone now for that), and whatever else golly-gee stuff I can use it for.....

 

thanks a lot

It would be helpful if you told us how much Costco's "on sale" Galaxy S6 is going for. Full retail price via the Verizon Wireless site is $576. Is it substantially less at Costco?

 

There's nothing all that amazing about the S6. It's a pretty solid phone with (what is now) standard capability. If you need super-long battery life or plan on loading tons of stuff onto the phone (some people have thousands of songs on their phones), then the S6 won't work for you because it doesn't have a switchable battery or micro-SD slot. You can get an unlocked (that is, take it to any carrier and get it activated) LG G4 thru Amazon for just $430. The LG G4 has more or less the same capabilities as the Galaxy S6, but with the added benefit of a switch-out battery and micro-SD slot. Other similar, and less expensive, alternatives to the S6 are the Motorola Nexus 6 ($350 Amazon unlocked) and the Sony Xperia Z3 ($442). Since you're not a geeked-out power user (at least not yet), any of these phones should suit your needs just fine. You can google reviews of all these phones. If you've narrowed it down to two and can't decide, just google (for example) "Nexus 6 vs. LG G4." Just be advised, some phone reviewers can get a little nutty with tech details that might zoom right over your head.

 

I like m.yi's suggestion of paying full retail price and going with Verizon prepaid. It's cheaper than postpaid, and he's right, there's no difference in quality of coverage.

[IndyGuy]

I have an Android for personal use, and an IPhone for work. I prefer the Android. I just find it easier to use. As for the provider, I personally have sprint and love it. I don't think there is a whole lot of difference from provider to provider personally. If it were me, I'd simply go to a Verizon store and do everything. That is what I do. I think they're more well versed on the products, can answer questions, show you things, and help you pick out the right phone for you.

 

The main thing is just take the leap to a smartphone...you'll be glad you did and wonder why you waited so long!

[Epigonos]

Until last December I used a prepaid old flip phone. One hundred dollars a year at one dollar a minute which worked for me as I seldom used it and usually ended the year with minutes left over. At that time, on the recommendation of a friend, I purchased a LG Android and absolutely love it. I am fortunate in that I have coffee every morning with the friend who recommended the phone and thus if I have any questions he is readily available to help me. I use it for everything, calendar, online banking, texting, internet searching and emailing. MY provider is Verizon and I've had no problems and my monthly bill is about $70.00. Several other friends have IPhones and love them but I've never been a big Apple fan.

[whipped guy]

I didn't read the above so I'm not sure if I'm duplicating any other advice, but I went with Apple and love it even though I'm a PC guy when it comes to computers. It's easy to use and eventually I got an iPad mini. It synchronizes all my contacts, notes, and calendar events. I even use it to check what's going on here on occasion. I prefer a smaller phone so I currently have the 5s. The only Apple caveat is to not jump on the bandwagon when they upgrade their new operating systems. Wait for them to workout any bugs. A certain escort and I got into trouble just about a year ago due to that very reason. Other than that I have had absolutely no problems with the two Apple phones that I have owned. Their AppleCare support and insurance is a decent deal. If you go with Apple my advice would be to buy it at an Apple Store if there is one located near you. They will be very helpful setting it up for you as a newbie. With the iPhone iPad combo I hardly use my computer. That's reserved for spreadsheets and editing music etc.

 

I have Verizon because that's what works best (or at least what worked best) in the two areas of the country that I frequent. Of course Verizon just changed their pricing so you need to compare rates and the deals available. With the new Verizon plans you buy the phone and pay less per month. I got the phone at a reduced price, but am paying more per month.

 

Once you get smart you'll never want to go back to a dumb phone ever again. Just be careful as the info that's at your fingertips can be addictive, be it sports scores or whatever.

 

Regarding data, that will depend on where and how you are going to use the phone. If you are going to be watching videos then you'll need a bunch. If you are just going to send emails and view web pages such as on this site a small plan will do. If you will be near wifi then a small data plan is sufficient. I have never gone over my one gig data plan even when spending time in areas with little wifi service. I just am careful not to log onto YouTube or may the gods forbid a porn site.

 

You seem like a really smart guy. I know that you will do your homework and make the decision that works best for your needs. Best of luck!

[geminibear]

Your going love having smart phone of any kind Pinto.

 

I can just imagine all the adventures your going to have once you figure out how it works.

[Tonyko]

The BEST advice anyone gave me is BUY THE SAME PHONE YOUR BFF OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW AND SEE A LOT HAS Having someone to run to and say WTF DID I DO I HIT THIS AND NOW THIS HAPPENED ETC ETC ETC

[+ Charlie]

I guess I will be the last person on this site without a smart phone. I recently took my flip phone to Europe and paid AT&T's "passport" add-on for one month, just for insurance, but I never even turned the phone on while I was there. Of course, I only use the phone about a half dozen times per year even at home. I did use my iPad every day in Europe, basically for email and checking the news, but I have never understood the attraction of doing anything else with it, or with a phone, instead of interacting directly with what is around me when I am outside my house. Call me antediluvian.

[+ Gar1eth]

I've been happy with my iPhone. I'm currently on my third (a 6 plus). I'm not too sure about Verizon. The problem is that from what I can tell in most cases the phone is locked to Verizon.

 

When I bought my current iPhone, I paid for it outright. I wanted an unlocked phone, but at the time they didn't have them. The best I could get was an unlocked phone designed for T-mobile which is compatible with companies that are on GSM (such as AT&T) as opposed to Verizon's CDMA network.

 

Currently I'm on an unlimited minutes, text, and 4G internet plan at MetroPCS for $60 dollars a month. MetroPCS is owned by t-mobile and uses their network. The only problem is that I know there are dead spots where I can't get service as compared to when I was on AT&T. I don't know whether being on the actual t-mobile would make a difference.

 

Let me caution you about getting rid of your landline. I've mentioned it before. But for longer conversations, I still think landlines-and maybe cable company VOIP-gives a slightly clearer call. On cells there seems to a very slight delay that can make having an in-depth conversation difficult. I sometimes feel as if my voice is rising in volume over the course of a cell conversation because subconsciously it seems as if the other person can't hear me-or maybe it's just old age and increasing deafness.

 

Gman

[Kenny]

S6 Edge. The differences between Samsung & iPhone are now pretty much moot, but the Galaxy 6Edge has a bigger screen. That won it for me, so I dumped iPhone and I've been very happy with Samsung.

[+ azdr0710]

thanks to all for the great comments......as Gman says, one basic reason I have clung to my landline is the unbeatable voice quality.....as he says, I feel I have to speak louder if on a cell.....

[+ VeryHappyCustomer]

Best advice: If you have a BFF who keeps track of this stuff, ask him to go shopping with you. A few suggestions:

 

Start by checking coverage where it matters to you. Don't believe the carriers' maps. Check crowd-sourced maps like this one:

http://opensignal.com/

 

Are you in a city? Large buildings can block reception, creating "data shadows". Ask a current customer to verify reception at your office/house/apartment/gym...

 

Go to a store and try all three operating systems.

 

Try all the phones you're considering.

 

It's always cheaper to pay for the phone up front, and the plan month-to-month.

 

Very important: Smart phones are designed to collect information about you.

[+ sync]

I went with the S6 edge. Great bells and whistles, but I can't get the volume up for incoming calls and people I call complain that they can't hear me. I checked the Internet and found it ablaze with posts about the same problem. Samsung is allegedly looking into it.

[bigvalboy]

I went with the S6 edge. Great bells and whistles, but I can't get the volume up for incoming calls and people I call complain that they can't hear me. I checked the Internet and found it ablaze with posts about the same problem. Samsung is allegedly looking into it.

 

EXACTLY....Sync's post has got me all fired up...do I sound frustrated. YES!!!! No one has an answer. AND...if I'm in the bedroom, on incoming calls people say they hear every third word. I move to the living room and they can hear me, but barely. I have to go outside to get decent reception, and even then, the caller will stop, and say that they just can't hear me. Changing to 'speaker' seems to help, but then you lose your privacy. What the hell was I thinking when I left Apple behind for this POS.

[whipped guy]

thanks to all for the great comments......as Gman says, one basic reason I have clung to my landline is the unbeatable voice quality.....as he says, I feel I have to speak louder if on a cell.....

EXACTLY....Sync's post has got me all fired up...do I sound frustrated. YES!!!! No one has an answer. AND...if I'm in the bedroom, on incoming calls people say they hear every third word. I move to the living room and they can hear me, but barely. I have to go outside to get decent reception, and even then, the caller will stop, and say that they just can't hear me. Changing to 'speaker' seems to help, but then you lose your privacy. What the hell was I thinking when I left Apple behind for this POS.

 

The main reason that I keep the landline is due to the fact that is how my burglar alarm is set up. So I have the least expensive plan with limited long distance and use my mobile phone for most long distance calls.

 

I really have had no problem with cell service or volume issues regarding my iPhone and that includes using it on speaker phone.

 

For the record about 13 or 14 years ago I did have an issue similar to what BVB mentions. However, it was not the phone, but a problem with a local cell tower. I called Verizon and the next day the"can you hear me now guys" we're in front of the house taking all sorts of measurements. I got a call the next day thanking me for reporting the issue as incredibly nobody else had complained.

 

I'm not sure if it's relevant to the S6 issue, but it might be so it's worth a shot.

[+ azdr0710]

thanks again for all the generous comments.....ended up going to a company-owned Verizon store only a few blocks from my house....helpful salesperson easy to talk to.....because of the S6 voice volume comments here, I drifted toward a Droid Turbo and got that with a Verizon 1G data plan and 0% interest on the phone cost spread over 24 months....total bill (data ($30) plus one-phone on the plan ($20) plus amortized phone cost ($20) plus tax) = ~$78/month.....

 

I know I have to pay off the phone if I change it in less than 24 months....he offered an $11/mo. extended warranty, but I declined it.....I have a buddy who will help me with it and Verizon offers free classes on the phones....lots to learn.....

[+ Gar1eth]

thanks again for all the generous comments.....ended up going to a company-owned Verizon store only a few blocks from my house....helpful salesperson easy to talk to.....because of the S6 voice volume comments here, I drifted toward a Droid Turbo and got that with a Verizon 1G data plan and 0% interest on the phone cost spread over 24 months....total bill (data ($30) plus one-phone on the plan ($20) plus amortized phone cost ($20) plus tax) = ~$78/month.....

 

I know I have to pay off the phone if I change it in less than 24 months....he offered an $11/mo. extended warranty, but I declined it.....I have a buddy who will help me with it and Verizon offers free classes on the phones....lots to learn.....

 

 

Azdr-just a point-unless you are going to be connecting up your phone to a home wifi network -1 GB of data is nothing if you plan to surf the web on your phone. For example-my wifi connection at home is horrible. So I usually use my phone to access the Internet much more than I do my computer. And because my wifi is so slow, I use my phone's internet connection because it's much faster rather than connecting it to my home wifi network.

 

So in August I used 24.4 GB of data. In September I started watching some movies and television shows on my phone and I used 51.4 GB of data. So far this month, I've already used 5.26 GB of my phone plan, and 3.43 GB from my home wifi connection.

 

 

 

Gman

[Despardo]

I bought an Amazon Fire when they first came out just over a year ago. Mistake! Not that it isn't a good phone--it is. Problem is it is incompatible with a lot of the apps and other services out there today. For example, you can't download apps from Google Play Store. Also, it will not interface with my new Sony camera, which feature the camera offers, but not Amazon.

 

So, I checked my contract with AT&T and they allowed me to upgrade to a Galaxy S6. I chose the S6 Active (because I am so active--yeah, right.) The active has a tougher case that is dust and water proof and feels more substantial in the hand. Also, it has a slightly larger screen (great image quality) and a larger battery that holds its charge 30% longer. It is not as slick and slim and pretty as the S6 or the Edge (glass front and back,) however, it eliminates the need to buy a protective case in which to hide the slick and pretty models (which I think defeats the purpose,) since the tough case is already built in. Saves a whole step. Besides, it is perfectly good looking and in some ways a better phone. There is some trade off of features, but I gained some I really like and lost some I didn't care about anyway (like fingerprint ID activation.)

 

I chose the Android over the iPhone mainly to annoy a close friend who is a huge Apple fan.

[mike carey]

I chose the Android over the iPhone mainly to annoy a close friend who is a huge Apple fan.

Lol, some Apple enthusiasts are so precious!

[Brian Kevin]

my 2 cents is go Android !!!!!!!!!1

[+ sync]

EXACTLY....Sync's post has got me all fired up...do I sound frustrated. YES!!!! No one has an answer. AND...if I'm in the bedroom, on incoming calls people say they hear every third word. I move to the living room and they can hear me, but barely. I have to go outside to get decent reception, and even then, the caller will stop, and say that they just can't hear me. Changing to 'speaker' seems to help, but then you lose your privacy. What the hell was I thinking when I left Apple behind for this POS.

 

BVB, it was a long time coming. A system upgrade named Marshmallow just came through for me from Samsung, which seems to have corrected the low-volume problem for me. I hope it works for you and others also. I really like the S6 Edge otherwise.