Galaxy Note 3 or iPhone 5s

[clock]

Coming from an iPhone 4, the larger screen is enticing.
Any feedback is appreciated.

[texex91]

It's definitely a Ford Chevy thing. For me I always had Apple, tried Galaxy 4, and returned it. I didn't like the interface, apps or email integration. Ended up getting iPhone again. It's a pure Android vs iOS thing. For me Apple.

[salem65]

I prefer iOS over Android, so I chose iPhone 5. It just integrates with my life better considering all of my computers are Macs.

[donas]

I have had iphones in the past and switched to android a few years ago. I currently have the Note 3 and love it; hands down the fastest phone and the brightest, clearest screen I have ever experienced with a phone.

My personal reason for liking android more is the phone is allot more customizable than the ios operating system. If you take a week to get used to where everything is, you'll love it. As far as the Note 3, I use the S Pen feature quite a bit, very handy for me.

The above comment is correct, Samsung does not play well with Macs. I use a Mac Pro, there are work arounds, but they don't like each other.

[Soly20]

I prefer the iPhone by far.

[GradyPhilpott]

Android is a very good OS and I think you'd like it a lot, if you'd give it an honest shot. Some things about Android don't work as well as iOS does, such as Siri, but where as Siri is a nice touch, it's not perfect, either and Google is a better alternative than either Siri or S-Voice, in my opinion.

I have an SIII and I like it a lot. Granted it took some time to configure everything, because everything is configurable. It sometimes seems difficult to do, but really once you get accustomed to the OS, it becomes second nature.

I can't speak for the Note 3, but it is a strong contender for my next phone, because truth be told, I use my phone more as a tablet than a communication device.

The decision will boil down to whether or not I can comfortably fit a Note 3 in my pocket with an Otter Box attached and whether or not it's features fit my needs as well as the S4 or whatever will be the next S phone.

A lot of my friends have iPhones and they like them a lot, but, as it is here on this board, they like iOS because it's less configurable and less complicated in many things.

One big advantage to Android is expandable memory and also the ability to just download music from my computer to my SD card for use in my phone, without having to fiddle with iTunes.

One of my friends dumped his iPhone for that reason alone.

It depends on how important configurability is to you and whether or not you use your phone as a music player, which I do, because my SIII syncs with my car's stereo by Bluetooth and all I have to do is get in my car and I'm good to go. When I download new music to my computer, it takes me about a minute to get the SD card out and then the download takes however long depending on how much music is involved.

This can be done with a cable, but I find it easier to just download to the card.

So, iPhone, if you really like ease of use in most areas and Android, if you like nearly complete control over every feature.

[xjeeunitx]

Note 3 has far more features than the iPhone. Hands down.

[xjeeunitx]

To play music on the android, you copy and paste files onto an microsd card. You plug it into your phone and you're done.

On the other hand with the ios, you need to go through the hassle of using itunes......... I hate that program soooo much.

[watchf]

I got myself a Note 3 and it is the BEST phone I have ever owned. It is superbly smooth, fast and can take a serious beating in loading as many apps and applications as you can throw at it with its 3gb of ram! The S-pen and its associated function is a very nice add on as well. The handwriting recognition is surprisingly accurate, Samsung did a great job there. Its size doesn't really faze me as I can merge the function of a tablet and a smartphone all into one device and use it anytime...seriously who carries their tablet with them everywhere.

The only thing is its physical size when you wear something tight, but I have my old 4 inch phone for those times as a substitute since I don't really use my phone when I'm all dressed up and having a good time!

If you want an Android phone with the fastest current processor and is not keen on a bigger phone then have look at LG G2 or the newly released Google Nexus 5, all uses the same processor as Note 3 but obviously not as well equipped. Both of these have screens larger than 4 inch though.

[clock]

Is transferring photos from the the Galaxy onto a Mac straight forward and easy?

[kilyung]

I just wanted a simple phone that didn't look like it belonged in a museum. Ergo iPhone.

[TAKUYA]

i will get note 3 for sure. i did compare galaxy s4 (which i'm using now) with my friend 5s and note 3 from another friend. Note 3 is winner!!! very beautiful screen, quad score processor, longer battery life, great pics and sound for sure, and S pen benefits, etc.... first i thought it will be bigger than another 2 like the note 2, but surprised it's very slim and light. you can put it in your pocket and very comfortable.

*one thing i don't like that is faux-leather case back made from cheap plastic, but not a big deal i will put another thin plastic cover on the back case to protect anyway.*

Good luck with your decision!!!

[Lucky777]

I went from a blackberry to iPhone 4S and haven't looked back. I picked up the 5S because I am so familiar with the iOS platform I never considered the samsung.

[daveathall]

Out of the two you mention I would get the Note 3 in a heartbeat.

[Roll the Lex]

I've owned 3 iPhone and 2 Android phones since 2009; last phone was a S3 and just picked up a 5S.

A few years ago I would have argued against getting an Android phone. Not anymore. I think both platforms are equally good now and it all comes down to what you want. Both will be able to do everything you would want a modern smartphone to do, but it just comes down to what you like more; kinda like picking out a Sub vs. GMT- can't go wrong with either.

Apple
More choice with accessories, better 3rd party apps, more secure app store, very good applecare+, better aftercare support with Apple stores, can use Google services, easy to sync if you have iTunes, better if you have a huge iTunes library, when the OS upgrades you are guaranteed to get the next OS upgrade (although with not all the bells and whistles), better resale.

Android
More customization options (widgets, different homescreen setups; no iOS grid of icons), vast choices of phones (different screen size, microSD, removeable battery), far, far better Google integration and better Google apps, you are less locked down with Android, if you want to pick up a used phone you can pick one up cheap, Android puts out more OS updates (but you may not get them or have to wait months or years) and I feel they are pushing out more innovation on the software side of things.

[samson66]

Note 3, there's just no substitute for screen size. My friend has the 2 and absolutely loves it - and he was a former iPhone owner.

[clock]

Originally Posted by Roll the Lex

I've owned 3 iPhone and 2 Android phones since 2009; last phone was a S3 and just picked up a 5S.

A few years ago I would have argued against getting an Android phone. Not anymore. I think both platforms are equally good now and it all comes down to what you want. Both will be able to do everything you would want a modern smartphone to do, but it just comes down to what you like more; kinda like picking out a Sub vs. GMT- can't go wrong with either.

Apple
More choice with accessories, better 3rd party apps, more secure app store, very good applecare+, better aftercare support with Apple stores, can use Google services, easy to sync if you have iTunes, better if you have a huge iTunes library, when the OS upgrades you are guaranteed to get the next OS upgrade (although with not all the bells and whistles), better resale.

Android
More customization options (widgets, different homescreen setups; no iOS grid of icons), vast choices of phones (different screen size, microSD, removeable battery), far, far better Google integration and better Google apps, you are less locked down with Android, if you want to pick up a used phone you can pick one up cheap, Android puts out more OS updates (but you may not get them or have to wait months or years) and I feel they are pushing out more innovation on the software side of things.

I needed to experience the Sub C before I
concluded I much prefer the GMT Ceramic.
It looks like I will try the Note 3 (Verizon allows 14 days to try a phone) and if I find it too large or prefer the iOS, I'll go for the 5s.

If I find the Note 3 too large, which other
Android should I consider: HTC, G2 ?

[Wesley Crusher]

IMHO, when it comes to android, stock android is the only way to go. The Nexus 5, HTC One Play Edition and S4 Play Edition all use stock android.

[finaloption]

i've used both platforms and i just prefer iOS.. so, i just live with the smaller screen

i think a 5" iphone would be perfect for me

[watchf]

Originally Posted by clock

If I find the Note 3 too large, which other
Android should I consider: HTC, G2 ?

Originally Posted by watchf

If you want an Android phone with the fastest current processor and is not keen on a bigger phone then have look at LG G2 or the newly released Google Nexus 5, all uses the same processor as Note 3 but obviously not as well equipped. Both of these have screens larger than 4 inch though.

[clock]

Originally Posted by watchf

thanks!