Help me pick a smartphone

[Flying Fox]

Should really wait for windows phone.

Hmm, Do not forget to pay an antivirus company. [/sarcasm]

Just look at the US availability list, it is pathetic.

[Da_Boss]

Wait... So you're in Toronto?

Personally, I wouldn't look any farther than an iPhone 4. When you don't have to deal with AT&T's relatively **** service, the iPhone seems to be a no-brainer (unless you loathe all things iTunes, of course).

I have a Rogers account in Toronto and I've never experienced a dropped call except on my GO train route where there are occasional dead zones. Other than that, you can count on 1.5-5 Mbps down and 0.5-2 Mbps up and any given time. Also, in Canada, tethering is FREE! No jailbreak/excuses required. Long story short: 90% of the things people hate about AT&T are non-issues with Rogers. They'll still nickel and dime you (which Carriers don't), but the service seems to work great. Also, the iPhone is cheaper in Canada than in the US. $169 will net you one over here.

So, unless you have a personal vendetta against iTunes, really enjoy native porn apps, or are on a one-man crusade against Apple's 'walled garden' ideology, I'd say the iPhone 4 is as good as you'll get over here.

P.S. WIND IS CRAP!! Avoid at all costs if you live in the 'burbs. Me and my bro are in Brampton, and he constantly needs to borrow my iPhone because wind coverage is god awful. Also it's 3G is no match for Rogers' 3.5G stuff.

[swampfox]

Wait... So you're in Toronto?

I'm not... and emorgoch seems to have made up his mind already:

Going2 to go with the Galaxy S Captivate in a month when it's released. Thanks guys.

but, he's still waiting a few more weeks, so there's time to convince him

Personally, I wouldn't look any farther than an iPhone 4. When you don't have to deal with AT&T's relatively **** service, the iPhone seems to be a no-brainer (unless you loathe all things iTunes, of course).

Yes, they're cool. But unlocked ones in the U.S. seem to run $1200, for which I could buy two high-end Android phones. I don't particularly care for iTunes on my Windows machines... I think they intentionally make it run poorly so that we'll all switch to Macs and say, "Oh wow - look how much better everything is. iTunes runs so smoothly on my mac." But, conspiracy theories aside, the "walled-garden ideology" does bug me a bit.

Should really wait for windows phone.

Just look at the US availability list, it is pathetic.

The availability doesn't look great. The launch is a bit slower than I was expecting - it is more reminiscent of Android's start, and maybe by next summer there will be more options in the U.S. Worldwide, the availability looks good; not sure why we're getting left out.

[emorgoch]

Some of the reasons I went the way I did: I prefer the flexibility that Android provides over iOS. I prefer my phone to be a phone/information device, rather than a music/entertainment. The way I look at it, I can get an iTouch or iPad separate for that. Combined with Froyo's ability to act as a MiFi device, I get both worlds. Lastly, all the hardware problems that the iPhone 4 has been having doesn't give me a lot of confidence, combined with the fact that most of the techy friends who have gotten iPhones have switched to Android phones themselves.

[Da_Boss]

Some of the reasons I went the way I did: I prefer the flexibility that Android provides over iOS. I prefer my phone to be a phone/information device, rather than a music/entertainment. The way I look at it, I can get an iTouch or iPad separate for that. Combined with Froyo's ability to act as a MiFi device, I get both worlds. Lastly, all the hardware problems that the iPhone 4 has been having doesn't give me a lot of confidence, combined with the fact that most of the techy friends who have gotten iPhones have switched to Android phones themselves.

Hmm... Well I doubt I'll ever understand Android's supposed 'flexibility' advantage, or how the iPhone is any less of an information device. The way I see it, phone experience starts and ends with carriers and vendors when it comes to Android. Just look at some of these Android phones shipping with unremovable bookmarks, bloatware, and Bing search as a default!

http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/07/sams ... te-review/

Most would argue that rooting is necessary in Android. But in that case, why even bother? Why spend all that money on a high-end mobile device on the basis of freedom when you still have to hack it to get permission to change basic things? So, unless the flexibility you speak of is carrier and vendor flexibility, I'm afraid your idea that Android is the epitome of mobile freedom may be a tad misinformed.

MiFi is cool, though. Then again, so is tethering. I guess it depends on how many people you plan on having on your phone's net connection.

Anyways, to each their own. If you're really convinced, enjoy it! Let me know how it works out. For all of Android's annoyances, it still intrigues me.

Yes, they're cool. But unlocked ones in the U.S. seem to run $1200, for which I could buy two high-end Android phones. I don't particularly care for iTunes on my Windows machines... I think they intentionally make it run poorly so that we'll all switch to Macs and say, "Oh wow - look how much better everything is. iTunes runs so smoothly on my mac." But, conspiracy theories aside, the "walled-garden ideology" does bug me a bit.

Personally, I say buy one from Canada's apple store. Not sure if it can be done, but you can get an unlocked iPhone 4 for less than $700 CAD up here. As far as the iTunes theory, I couldn't agree more. It pisses me off that Apple still can't quite get iTunes for Windows right. It's no angel under Mac, but it runs much faster.

Walled gardens used to bug me, but once you realize what a large and quality garden it is, its appeal makes more sense. It may not sell you, but it'll make sense.

[swampfox]

Yes, they're cool. But unlocked ones in the U.S. seem to run $1200, for which I could buy two high-end Android phones. I don't particularly care for iTunes on my Windows machines... I think they intentionally make it run poorly so that we'll all switch to Macs and say, "Oh wow - look how much better everything is. iTunes runs so smoothly on my mac." But, conspiracy theories aside, the "walled-garden ideology" does bug me a bit.

Personally, I say buy one from Canada's apple store. Not sure if it can be done, but you can get an unlocked iPhone 4 for less than $700 CAD up here. As far as the iTunes theory, I couldn't agree more. It pisses me off that Apple still can't quite get iTunes for Windows right. It's no angel under Mac, but it runs much faster.

Walled gardens used to bug me, but once you realize what a large and quality garden it is, its appeal makes more sense. It may not sell you, but it'll make sense.

I will never cease to be amazed at price differences around the world. In Russia, the iPhone 3GS often still costs $1000, and in Central Asia, an iPhone 3G will still set you back $700 and the 3GS is $1100+. It is a testament to a quality product, and to the marketability of "status symbols." People in those areas don't say, "I have an iPhone 3G," they say, "I have an iPhone." It isn't all the same to people who are into technology, but for most people any iPhone will do.

I had not idea they were only $700 CAD... that would have made the decision tougher... but I'm getting a Galaxy S carrier-free and I'm happy with the decision

Thanks everyone for advice!

[framework]

[spam placeholder left in place to explain thread necro --JBI]

[Buub]

Personally, I still think the iPhone is the best smart phone out there. It has the best, most polished user experience. It Just Works. And the way Apple has implemented multi-tasking (and the phone in general), the battery life is generally better than many of the higher end Android devices.

But if you're leaning towards Android, the Galaxy S phones are excellent.