I am a fan of Samsung phones, I had the first Samsung S, and most recently have the S4.
S4 is a good piece of hardware, I got it launch day, patiently awaited the community here to root and put on the Google Edition Rom. All was well. Problem is I smashed the screen and had to use the insurance to get a replacement. Got a brand new phone, that's how new the whole thing was. Soon after smashing, I dropped it and got a small crack in the corner. That ended up running across the phone, and with all the damage I decided to shed the case and a few months later, I had an accident that rendered the phone useless. So it sits in my drawer.
I still have the insurance, and have only replaced it once, so I have one more. The cost to replace is $200. Which is absurd. But that's where we're at.
One of the setbacks I had once I got the new phone is I rooted but never turned off the OTA's. So, ended up on MK2. I'm a casual recreational phone modder. So not being able to use CWM, or put a custom rom on had pretty much killed all my fun...
But now I have no phone at all...
I did find out I'm eligible to upgrade my phone to the NEXT plan on AT&T. So technically I could get a whole new phone, pay quite a bit but spread it over the year, and be eligible for an upgrade again next February. Not sure if that plan is all it's cracked up to be.
Here are my choices:
1) Pay $200 and get the Galaxy S4 - I would be eligible for a new phone in March 2015.
2) Stick with an old Iphone 4 for a couple of months, wait for the S5, and jump on that with the NEXT plan.
3) Sign up for the NEXT plan and get a different phone, one that's more mod friendly. Options like:
- LG2
- HTC One
- Moto X
- the LG curved phone
- Are any of these phones starting to get shut down like the S4?
4) Sign up for the NEXT plan and suck it up and get the Note 3, which is locked down like the S4, but is a phone I really want.
5) Stick with the used slow Iphone 4 I'm using now indefinitely.
6) Get a Nexus 5...does that even work on the At&T network?
7) Some other option I haven't considered...
What do you think?
Save your money where ever you can from ATT and take that money and buy the S5 from T-Mobile or International as long as we can still root them and they don't have locked bootloaders.
I don't plan on giving ATT another dime on any locked up phones... Ever
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
Nexus 5, all day long.
If you want to flash Roms and mess with your phone go with the n5, overall day to day use that's stock android fast and stable go moto x all you need is root and gravity box and nothing more. Not much ROM support for the moto x because its pretty much perfect the way it is.
Sent from my XT1058 using xda premium
Wait a couple months for the S5 to come out, hopefully the S4 prices will drop, then get an S4 on bargain.
Related
Anyone moving on from the vibrant? What phone / carrier are you looking at? Is there a way to tell what will have working miui and GPS? I've had it with this phone ...GPS never works when you need it ...great when you don't. Now the 911 thing ...
Any suggestions?
Sent from my T959 using XDA App
S3! Waiting for something like vibrant that u can use for more then a year an not feel like I need a new phone! Only Samsung for me!
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Never another Samsung (unless its got Nexus in the name). Google phones for me from now on.
Im stuck in this phone for about another year. Don't want to pay to exit fee, and don't want to sign up for another 2 years to get a phone.
Not paying 500+ for an unlocked phone either - no money.
Moped_Ryder said:
Never another Samsung (unless its got Nexus in the name). Google phones for me from now on.
Im stuck in this phone for about another year. Don't want to pay to exit fee, and don't want to sign up for another 2 years to get a phone.
Not paying 500+ for an unlocked phone either - no money.
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Yea contracts aren't cool never again! Unlocked S3 is my next unless they have hardware button cuz updates are beast on unlocked Sammy phones there getting ics leak this week!
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These are my same sentiments. I'd love to get the Galaxy Nexus if it came to T-Mobile.
Though, I hope I can hold out until the S3...
I would potentially look at another samsung, I bought it as soon as it came out and almost a year and a half later I am still very happy with it. As of right now I would lean towards a nexus device, I guess it really depends on what is the new hot phone is out over the summer.
Does anyone know if any manufacturers have a better updating reputation than samsung?
Question for you guys. When my contract ends with T mobile can i go to non contract plan and save some money every month? So that i can get unlocked phone from out side. Also galaxy nexus seems the only phone that works with t mobile 3G bands. So we are pretty much stuck with one option if we want to get our own phone and still be on t mobile.
Id say galaxy nexus, if it ever came to tmobile. I wont spend full price on another android phone that is not a nexus.
from now on its....nexus or get lost. (simply because of updates)
streetrider nick said:
I would potentially look at another samsung, I bought it as soon as it came out and almost a year and a half later I am still very happy with it. As of right now I would lean towards a nexus device, I guess it really depends on what is the new hot phone is out over the summer.
Does anyone know if any manufacturers have a better updating reputation than samsung?
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Only one that comes close is HTC Samsung problem is dealing with carriers but there unlocked phones have excellent upgrades
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I bit the bullet and got a Galaxy Nexus before Thanksgiving, and I'm glad I did. I will never get hamstrung by another carrier branded phone again as long as the Nexus phones are available. I had the Vibrant for a year. The Froyo update barely happened. Gingerbread? Yeah right. ICS....keep dreaming. Even CM doesn't want this phone anymore. I don't blame them either, the 911 issue was definitely a problem.
With the Nexus, I finally have a GPS that actually works (and works indoors). I get locks in a few seconds instead of waiting 5 to 10 minutes if it locks at all. Sure, I could have got an S2 - which IMO is another redheaded stepchild of the GS2 family and locked on TMO. One of my driving factors is that the international Nexus is pentaband. No phone is future-proof but this one suits my needs for a while.
iPhone 4S on AT&T. Don't have to spend $600 upfront and never have to worry about if it will fall out of support in less than a year.
Android is not reliable that way, and even the Nexus phones here are carrier locked. I'm not importing a phone.
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N8ter said:
iPhone 4S on AT&T. Don't have to spend $600 upfront and never have to worry about if it will fall out of support in less than a year.
Android is not reliable that way, and even the Nexus phones here are carrier locked. I'm not importing a phone.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Buy from amazon no import neded an have fun with that
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Doesn't solve the upfront cost issue nor does it solve Android's built in problems. Plus, iMessage is hot and almost everyone here that I know has an iPhone.
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I've had my vibrant since it came out in July last year. I hadn't thought of getting a new phone until I heard about the galaxy nexus. I'm going to wait for prices to drop, then choose between the gs2 and the galaxy nexus (depends on if the s2 actually gets ics). After having a phone with an amoled screen protected by gorilla glass, I can't go to something dull in comparrison and easily scratchable/breakable.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
My problem is with choosing a phone is....
If I want to go to get a 2yr contract again, then I'd go for either S2 or Amaze... BUT... Here's the dilema:
What really IS the truth behind those two phones... People have been saying S2 is great, and there are others that say PIXEL is worse, go with Amaze. ARGH!
If I want to go OFF contract, then definitely no question: Galaxy Nexus.
Right of this moment, I'm using my friend's Nexus S, we swapped, because he wants to dev on my Vibe, and I want to flash happy on the Nexus S. Until he's satisfied of what he's doing to my phone, then I'm happy to be on Nex S for the mean time. Besides, if he bricks that damn Vibe, he'll get me a SGS4G. So I'm not too worried.
BUT, here's the dilema...
THE DAMN PRICE OF THE GALAXY NEXUS!
ndwgs said:
My problem is with choosing a phone is....
If I want to go to get a 2yr contract again, then I'd go for either S2 or Amaze... BUT... Here's the dilema:
What really IS the truth behind those two phones... People have been saying S2 is great, and there are others that say PIXEL is worse, go with Amaze. ARGH!
If I want to go OFF contract, then definitely no question: Galaxy Nexus.
Right of this moment, I'm using my friend's Nexus S, we swapped, because he wants to dev on my Vibe, and I want to flash happy on the Nexus S. Until he's satisfied of what he's doing to my phone, then I'm happy to be on Nex S for the mean time. Besides, if he bricks that damn Vibe, he'll get me a SGS4G. So I'm not too worried.
BUT, here's the dilema...
THE DAMN PRICE OF THE GALAXY NEXUS!
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Agreed. A $600-700 phone is not in my budget at the moment. I have more important things too spend my money on (bills, 4mo old, etc). As much as I'd love to have the Nexus, it's just not going to happen and it won't come to tmo anytime soon (if ever).
Been looking at the sgs2 and Amaze the past few days. Going into the store this weekend and probably walking out with one. My Vibrants days are numbered.
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To me service is more important than phone. That's why I'm gonna ditch tmo/att for Sprint. Would rather put up with slightly slower 4g that's unlimited than to have "the nation's fastest network" at 2 gig a month.
I'll probably end up getting the evo3d cuz after my Vibrant experience I'm not thrilled with the way Samsung fails to update their products.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
For those who are getting tired of their vibrant you should head over to the dev section and flash deranged9 by jcc. I just flashed it yesterday and it feels like I have a completely new phone.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I wish galaxy nexus it seems very powerful,
any one can send it to me from usa ??
I just switched TO this phone a week or two ago and couldn't be happier.
I got the Vibrant for $100 on Craigslist and signed up for the month to month T-mobile plan.
Dual core or not there's nothing I ran on the G2x that I can't run on this phone (Even Tegra only games with Chainfire).. except video conferencing with FFC, which I never did, but could always add a FFC later.
I'm getting the same data rate on this "3G" phone as I did on the G2x "4G" phone AND I'm not locked into a contract.
One of the reasons I got it was it's MIUI supported.
I've tried MULTIPLE smartphones since the first iPhone, iPhone 3G, 3Gs then switched to Palm Pre.. then to Android - MyTouch, HTC Hero, DroidX, Samsung Intercept, LG Optimus V, G2x, Motorola Triumph and now the Vibrant.
By far the best one of all those I've mentioned.
I know it's a year old, but I won't be switching anytime soon.
I need to keep up. Just picked up a used i9100 for the wife here on XDA last week. I could have given my i9100 to her and bought this. Now I want it and already we have 2 i9100s. I am hesitant to sell mine because it would make a great back up although it would go far to bring down the initial cost.
We are upgrade ready at ATT but I don't want a Carrier device and don't want to blow my upgrades on phones that won't bring a premium like we got with a couple of iPhone 3GS before they went to all the carriers.
Since we don't have LTE here and it's not expected until 2013 we are on the UL data dumb phone 3G+ plans. We use over 200MB but well under 2 GB a month so I did not want to pay $30 each for data. $10 each is great and offsets the cost of the devices as well.
That said the Dell streak failed but somehow I think the Note will be the device to have for those of us who want a bigger screen and a tablet but don't to carry around a bevy of technology.
Edit your Subject .. "i1900"
You are missing a lot by not getting the GNote,I also kept my HD2 for backup,but I'm afraid the battery will totally run out flat dead since its never been used for over six Weeks now.
My wife thinks my lifespan will be extended at least by couple of years after buying this gadget!!!.
OK so there are alot of posts from people stating this or that, but i haven't actually seen anybody who really is confirming if they are getting the device or not. Long story short, Who is actually waiting for the galaxy S5 to release, and what carrier? I am also interested if any Devs chime in to confirm they are going to be developing for the device. etc.
THANKS GUYS!!!
UPDATE: Leaning towards the M8.
:good::good::good::good:
Providing all things to do with sound is on par with s4/note 3 then defo yes.
so a loud loudspeaker
loud earpiece
loud enough audio in headphones
If root doesn't screw things around (Knox), I'll get one. Can't wait to see the blue one personally.
I'll be getting it the day it drops as well -- AT&T. I've got my eye on the "electric blue" model.
karmuh said:
I'll be getting it the day it drops as well -- AT&T. I've got my eye on the "electric blue" model.
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Click to collapse
Yep, same here, at&t and Elextric Blue. I cant friggin wait to be honest! been saving my upgrade for a while now.
Let's see I have the Vivid which on my AT&T plan is way overdue for an upgrade.
I waited for the Nexus 5 then wasn't happy with the reviews so decided to wait for the S5 but now see the HTC M8 is coming soon followed by the Note 3.
At this rate I'll just sit back and watch all these good phones come and go while I stay with my Vivid!
I will probably get the S5, it' silly being on an AT&T contract and not taking advantage of the subsidized phones.
Of course I'll buy the oppo find 7 instead
Not unless a 32GB developer edition for VZW comes out. NoMo locked bootloaders for me.
I ordered the black one the day after the presentation at Barcelona, while not impressed at all by the presentation this phone will certainly be competent enough for me to hack away on for a good time coming :good:
I really like the soft shape and materials of the S5, its called user friendly!
I'm getting it on sprint, but I'm really curious to see if the premium version rumors are true, so I'm going to wait till May.
stas333 said:
I'm getting it on sprint, but I'm really curious to see if the premium version rumors are true, so I'm going to wait till May.
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My feelings exactly....I want the S5 but.....if another version is coming in may. I will wait for that one....
jamezr said:
My feelings exactly....I want the S5 but.....if another version is coming in may. I will wait for that one....
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if there is no premium, i would jump all over the xperia z2 if it came to sprint, but most likely it wont, so GS5 may be my only option. Still will be a good upgrade from GS3.
stas333 said:
I'm getting it on sprint, but I'm really curious to see if the premium version rumors are true, so I'm going to wait till May.
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Click to collapse
Ditto, but on AT&T. If no premium version comes out I'd be fine with the S5, if I like how it feels in-hand.
My S2 is still ticking, but I'm itching for an upgrade.
Hope it supports voodoo
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
I can't wait to get a chance to test out the S5 in store as well as the M8, in my opinion that's the only way to get a true feel/judgement for the phone. At the moment I am heavily leaning towards the S5 but the Oppo Find 7 has me a bit excited.
Sent from my MZ604 using Tapatalk
I have an upgrade in April and 2 in June so the plan is for the s5 to get me by til then and hopefully the new HTC and the new LG will both be available by then. I always enjoy Samsung devices when i first get them, but they grow stale quickly and i want something new to play with.
Waiting for release and initial price drop to normal to buy....
Sent from my C6802 using xda app-developers app
Not going to buy it, for the featured specs it's too big and I don't need a fingerprint sensor (don't trust things like that) and all the fitness gadgets. Also not a big fan of all the bloatware "worth" $500.
Going to wait for the premium version if that doesn't happen, I'll be be buying the S4 Advanced or Blackberry Q20
I was going to get the S5, then said no and got the Note 3. After a week I realized it was just too big for daily use so I did some comparisons on S4's and other devices in the 5" range. I returned it to AT&T and decided to wait for the S5. I immediately pre-ordered my Spigen case and Glas.tR Slim tempered glass protector for mid April time frame. I don't see the 2GB vs 3GB of RAM as an issue since I never really used the 3GB ever on my prior Note 3's (Verizon or AT&T) and when I had the GS4 I never used the 2GB of RAM so I don't see that as an issue. HRM isn't the draw for me, fingerprint isn't either. But 32GB of storage, microSD and what appears to be finally a solid camera IS the draw.
MAYBE.
I will FOR SURE NOT GET the ATT or Verizon S5 (I am on ATT network) I have had the ATT Galaxy S, ATT S2, ATT S3, ATT S4 BUT I was lucky to get my S4 before they locked the bootloader down hard. So I was able to use the great Motochopper +Casual root and twrp recovery. So I can flash ANYTHING like normal in the past. ASOP BASED/GE/TW BASED Roms.
The problem with the S4 after MF3 4.3 firmware was it was locked down HARDER and you can only use safestrap. This ONLY allows flashing SOME Roms and NO asop/CM/aokp/GE Roms AT ALL. Just check out the ATT S4 forums for details on using safestrap which is the only type of recovery available for 4.3. Nothing for the 4.4.2 at this time. So IF I got my S4 at a later date there is NO way I would have dealt with it flashing only a limited variety of anything.
ATT already stated they will NOT use any phone except bootloader locked in the future. So I am out. This is the same for Verizon.
Now IF I say YES that I am getting the S5 it will HAVE to be either T-Mobile or International version as at least with the S4 they do NOT lock the bootloaders. So I will be buying it NOT on contract.
So save your money for a unlocked bootloader model rather than using your upgrade. Cause I can guarantee you with ATT or Verizon you will NOT be flashing Roms and stuff very easily or at all. It will most likely be locked down harder than the S4 is now. The 4.4.2 firmware has been out about a month for the ATT S4 and a bootloader bypass has not been found yet.
Even if there is a good bypass (I say good not GREAT) like Safestrap I will NOT spend my money and upgrade on. IF a true bypass to the bootloader is found (like MotoChopper) then I would do it. But MotoChopper only worked on the first two firmwares the S4 had. So IF YOU WANT TO FLASH Roms and such Do Not purchase from ATT or Verizon. This will ALSO limit devs and Roms coming to the locked bootloader versions.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
So I had issues with my S4 and it was still under warranty. Sent it in to Square Trade. The phones they sent back to me I had issues with as well. Square trade offered me to send in my phone and they will send me a check for 449.99. for my phone.
I'm debating on taking this offer.
My upgrade is Oct 30. I have a back up phone it's the S2.
Should I take the Money?
Another - Any suggestions on a new phone?
Thanks!
I'd definitely take the check. A brand new Galaxy S4 now can be bought for around $220 so $449.99 is more than you will ever get if you tried to sell it.
As for the new phone suggestions, it depends on what you want in a phone. You can get Galaxy S5 for $300 or LG G4 for $454 or Moto X Pure for $399.99
So basically, you can have newer phone for under $450 or just little more.
xymic said:
I'd definitely take the check. A brand new Galaxy S4 now can be bought for around $220 so $449.99 is more than you will ever get if you tried to sell it.
As for the new phone suggestions, it depends on what you want in a phone. You can get Galaxy S5 for $300 or LG G4 for $454 or Moto X Pure for $399.99
So basically, you can have newer phone for under $450 or just little more.
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Are they rootable phones? I like to keep root if I can. Thank you for responding too!
ms.journie said:
Are they rootable phones? I like to keep root if I can. Thank you for responding too!
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Click to collapse
They're all rootable, but if you like flashing AOSP ROMs and want phone with more development, avoid the Galaxy S5 I linked to. It's AT&T version and they lock their phones pretty heavily, especially Samsung phones. Even developers here still can't unlock bootloader on our S4 and the phone came out 2 years ago!
Moto X Pure is best choice if you enjoy changing up ROMs since Motorola supports development scene. LG G4 is fairly new so there's not much development yet(root is available, though), but seeing LG G3, I'm sure it won't stay that way for long.
Since your upgrade is in October, wait for Google's announcement for their new Nexus phones on September 29. It might be something you like.
xymic said:
They're all rootable, but if you like flashing AOSP ROMs and want phone with more development, avoid the Galaxy S5 I linked to. It's AT&T version and they lock their phones pretty heavily, especially Samsung phones. Even developers here still can't unlock bootloader on our S4 and the phone came out 2 years ago!
Moto X Pure is best choice if you enjoy changing up ROMs since Motorola supports development scene. LG G4 is fairly new so there's not much development yet(root is available, though), but seeing LG G3, I'm sure it won't stay that way for long.
Since your upgrade is in October, wait for Google's announcement for their new Nexus phones on September 29. It might be something you like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this information!
I was on a rom before I sent my phone in. All I'm really wanting with my phone is to be rooted and have Xposed on.
The 29th is right around the corner and I can wait to see what they have going on!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Free mobile app
Well after a year of heavy abuse I finally did it. I was surprised as it was in the case, not terribly surprised as it did fall. Well I can't afford $175 to send it in, I don't trust myself repairing. I bought the Note 5 when it came out and immediately went back to the Nexus 6. So I have JoD but there is no phone I am interested in that they offer. Only OEM phone I am interested in would be the m9 because at least they have a few AOSP roms. Samsung doesn't because of stupid Exynos, LG appears to have a very WIP AOSP. So now I can deal with cracked screen or use my crappy note.
I remember back in the day before security was hot topic almost any flagship could have a Nexus like experience. Now a days your pretty much stuck with stock roms and depending on carrier root may not even be possible. In 2015 looks like only options for AOSP is Nexus, Moto, and HTC(via custom rom).
md1008 said:
Well after a year of heavy abuse I finally did it. I was surprised as it was in the case, not terribly surprised as it did fall. Well I can't afford $175 to send it in, I don't trust myself repairing. I bought the Note 5 when it came out and immediately went back to the Nexus 6. So I have JoD but there is no phone I am interested in that they offer. Only OEM phone I am interested in would be the m9 because at least they have a few AOSP roms. Samsung doesn't because of stupid Exynos, LG appears to have a very WIP AOSP. So now I can deal with cracked screen or use my crappy note.
I remember back in the day before security was hot topic almost any flagship could have a Nexus like experience. Now a days your pretty much stuck with stock roms and depending on carrier root may not even be possible. In 2015 looks like only options for AOSP is Nexus, Moto, and HTC(via custom rom).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it's for sure been a year since you purchased your phone? If not, you have your one year warranty through Motorola still? If you are, that sucks. Fortunately mine occurred within the one year lol
Hope you get it fixed asap. AMOLED displays are expensive, 175 $ sounds fair when you compare that to 90$ of Samsung S3 i9300 display.
Just prepare your wallets for the lg v10. That phone is sick and the drop test is insane. Military grade drop specs
For now using note 5, at least it has a better screen and camera. Even still Nexus is a Nexus. I don't even care about roms and root. I just don't like bloaty skins.
I also bought my phone through T-Mobile so I am pretty sure I don't have Moto care and its probably been a year anyway