I need to upgrade my family's phones (4 of them) wondering if I should jump off the iphone bandwagon or carry on

What do you think is the way to go, what is the best smartphone?

I just got an iphone 5 a few days ago and I'm pretty happy with it. Crazy fast, pretty user friendly, gets great service offshore with AT&T. I was considering the S3 but it's just TOO BIG. I have big hands and it seemed more like a tablet than a phone. Seriously, it's huge.

The only thing I don't like about the iphone is the lack of customization options with the OS. On android you can really change things around to the way you like it, in terms of layout, widgets, etc. The iphone is much more locked in. I need to play with it some more to get it set up how I like it.

Both phones are very well reviewed and I don't think you can go wrong with either. The size was just the determining factor for me.

i just got the GS2 and i am not happy with the battery life, the GS3 has the same issues with the battery, this is something to consider.

My son got the HD version of the galaxy and the battery life is 30 hours...that's a lot. It is great but kevin is right about the size being an issue. Phone whores prefer the samsung for a lot of reasons.

I saw the samsung "note" in a store...that thing is huge. I don't think I can get it in my pocket. The GS III phone seemed not too big but bigger than the iphone. Having Iphone 3's and 4's now the crew is entrenched in the apple music, apps and alike and I think the switch to android might be painful and awkward. The kids use tablets for websurfing most of the time and to be honest I think the phone is a music/texting/ap machine mostly. I will probably drag my feet for a little while but am getting to a point where my contracts have expired and I am "free" to do something else.

I know many more people that have switched from andriod to iPhones and been happy with the the iPhone. The iPhone is a single, optimized platform with an app store that requires strict quality controls. The Android platform is a solid system that then becomes bastardized by whichever manufacturer has altered the OS for their own purposes.

Galaxy S3
You you be better served to view website forums dedicated to smartphones versus a fishing website.
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iPhone
-The phone backs up when I plug it into the computer. If I were to destroy or lose the phone I could simply plug a new one in and have all my contacts and other info on the new phone in a matter of minutes.
-Resale value when you go to upgrade.
-iPhone is user friendly
-It seems like other manufacturers are coming out with a new phone all the time instead of upgrading the current ones.

I just got an iphone 5 a few days ago and I'm pretty happy with it. Crazy fast, pretty user friendly, gets great service offshore with AT&T. I was considering the S3 but it's just TOO BIG. I have big hands and it seemed more like a tablet than a phone. Seriously, it's huge.

The only thing I don't like about the iphone is the lack of customization options with the OS. On android you can really change things around to the way you like it, in terms of layout, widgets, etc. The iphone is much more locked in. I need to play with it some more to get it set up how I like it.

Both phones are very well reviewed and I don't think you can go wrong with either. The size was just the determining factor for me.

I've had an Android powered phone since they first came out and have always been very happy with the OS but size may drive me to my first ever iPhone as well. If I wanted a tablet I'd buy one. I'm also just curious, having never had an iPhone...

The not quite as slick Google and gMail integration have held me back as well as the lack of customization you mentioned but if my trusty 3+ year old Droid Incredible kicks the bucket I'd likely get an iPhone 5. Probably going to keep the Incredible until it finally gives up though as it just works and is in my mind the perfect size. As a fan of having the newest tech it's weird to say this but nothing on the market really makes we want to upgrade as my current phone does nothing wrong. The HTC DNA with a full 1080p 5" screen gets me excited, then the practical side of me realizes there's almost no scenario in which I'm going to watch an HD movie on a 5" screen.

I had a rather seamless integration from gmail... I saved all my contacts on my old evo to my gmail account, then exported the contact file which was simple to load on the iphone. It has some issues with merging emails and phone numbers, but it's not horrible... Just took a little time on the icloud website to clear it up.

That's another neat feature- I sync my phone via icloud whenever I have a wifi connection (home, work). And I can edit things on my phone by using the computer (much easier).

The size of the screen on S3 is ideal for watching videos, especially youtube.

First impressions prior to purchase was that it is a big phone but no any more in fact the iphone appears small.
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I've had an Android powered phone since they first came out and have always been very happy with the OS but size may drive me to my first ever iPhone as well. If I wanted a tablet I'd buy one. I'm also just curious, having never had an iPhone...

The not quite as slick Google and gMail integration have held me back as well as the lack of customization you mentioned but if my trusty 3+ year old Droid Incredible kicks the bucket I'd likely get an iPhone 5. Probably going to keep the Incredible until it finally gives up though as it just works and is in my mind the perfect size. As a fan of having the newest tech it's weird to say this but nothing on the market really makes we want to upgrade as my current phone does nothing wrong. The HTC DNA with a full 1080p 5" screen gets me excited, then the practical side of me realizes there's almost no scenario in which I'm going to watch an HD movie on a 5" screen.

Having an iPhone may just put you into hipster watch alert status. If the iPhone purchase is followed by a case of PBR or some skinny jeans from urban outfitters, we will have to alert the authorities. :)
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I was always anti Mac, Apple etc. I got an I phone and I will never ever buy another phone now. I probably won't buy another PC either
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Oh and by the way for those that claim you do not get 4G speeds out of an IPhone. You do not get 4g speed out of any phone. The 4G switching does not exist once the cell signal hits the ground and goes into the land based network. Which it always does. That switching is being installed now in some locations but the entire land network is not done yet.
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I just upgraded my Iphone 4 for a 5, and got one for my wife as well. I love my Iphone...

htc one is supposed to be right between the samsung and iphone, stealing or borrowing the most popular features from each. coming out soon. i'd go with iphone personally. i actually liked the droid operating system better than the iphone, but that was only when it was working well. iphone service is really good if you have to bring it into a store, i was very satisfied with it anyway.

htc one is supposed to be right between the samsung and iphone, stealing or borrowing the most popular features from each. coming out soon. i'd go with iphone personally. i actually liked the droid operating system better than the iphone, but that was only when it was working well. iphone service is really good if you have to bring it into a store, i was very satisfied with it anyway.

I believe Sprint's version of the HTC One (or One X) is the EVO LTE. It's been out for awhile. I got it last spring when it was first released, and loved it. Lost it at a golf course a month later.

With no upgrade credit I replaced it with a used Galaxy sII. Not as nice as the EVO LTE but it was decent. Until I ran it over after falling on ice while snowblowing the last blizzard. Didn't go throught the auger but got buried in the snow. It now constantly pops up with "charging paused, incorrect voltage", when not even plugged into a charger. Common problem according to a net search. Getting extremely irritating.

I think I might just replace it with a 10 year old flip phone until my contract is up (Spring of 2014). My wallet can't take any more $250 phones that don't last 6 months. Yeah, both were my fault but my previous crappy motorola flip worked for over 5 years.

I have Iphone and GS3. I prefer the samsung, but not by a whole ton. No international on the samsung, that is why i have the iphone.
I really hate all things apple, though.