Samsung Galaxy S3

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JHZR2

JHZR2

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Im an avid iphone user. Have no real reason to change, though always looking at options. Nothing has provided a better user interface, slimmer design, better operation to date.

I was sort-of in the market for a tablet, really liked the Samsung Galaxy Tab after seeing one on Michigan Ave in Chicago at Christmas. I still am not a tablet owner though.

Anyway, saw the news article on the Samsung Galaxy S3. Looks interesting, a ton of capability, but really???!? 4.8" screen? Starts to be impractical for pocket use. I want a thin phone so I can carry it in my pocket without noticing that it is there. Go too big in any dimension, and it becomes irrelevant. Ill bet the Samsung has.

Anyomne own one of these giant smartphones? How impractical is it to carry in a pocket? My iphone is about as big as Id want to go (not keen on a big screen iphone either). My blackberry bold isnt very comfortable in the pocket...
 
Quote:
but really???!? 4.8" screen?

That is probably one of my biggest gripes about smartphones these days. Please give me a 3.7" screen so that I don't have to buy baggy pants to put it in my pocket.
 
My sansung galaxy s2 has a 3.5 screen and is fairly big but i would never go back to a non android phone and I love my phone. It is a bit on the big side and i can totally tell it is in my pocket but its just fine for me. 4.8 might be a bit too big but i could get used to it. I did with my 3.5 inch one.
 
My HTC Incredible 2 has a 4" screen, and that's as big as I want. My wife briefly owned a Motorola Droid 4 with a 4.3" screen before she traded it for her iPhone. The Droid 4 was too big.

I, too, am a pocket phone guy. My next phone won't be a millimeter larger than my current HTC (and in all likeliness, will be what my wife just got).
 
Currently using the biggest one on the market as my work phone, Samsung Note with a 5.3" screen. I honestly hate it. Can't do a lot of things with one hand on that phone. Dialing a number is difficult with one hand. To me, 4.3" is about as big as phones can get without becoming an annoyance.
 
I have a nexus s and love it. Although the galaxy s3 looks great, the screen is too big for my liking. IMO, a 4 inch screen is best on a smartphone and nothing bigger.
 
My phone has a 4.3 screen, which seems to be a good compromise. It is not too big for the pocket, and the keyboard is large enough to be workable in either orientation for my big fingers. I do think 4.8" would be cumbersome.
 
My phone has a 4.5" screen and it fits fine in my pocket and I can hold it fine in my hands. My old one has a 4" screen and after using my new one, I actually prefer the bigger phone. On the contrary, the iPhone 4 is too small for my hands and I can't grip it well and typing is a pain with my fingers. Maybe I just have big hands
21.gif
. Wonder how the SGS 3 feels in hand.
 
While not quite as giant, my Bionic is close. I'm coming off of a Samsung Omnia, which is identical in size and shape to the Iphone. Here's a link to a picture of all of these for some perspective: LINK.

Here are my thoughts: It felt big at first, but now I rarely notice it. I generally keep it in my front pocket, or in a jacket pocket if I'm wearing a jacket. It's big enough that I prefer not to have it in my pants pocket if I have a choice, but honestly I was the same with the Omnia. When I'm riding I stick it in a jersey pocket and it's not annoying at all (I even leave it in my pocket for weekday races, since I'm riding to the race).

As far as function, it feels fine in my hand while using it as a phone, and I'm on the phone a fair bit. There are no issues there. The big difference for me is browsing, sending e-mail, looking at spreadsheets etc. The extra space makes all of the difference for me. It's big enough (and the Swype keyboard works well enough) that all of this stuff is reasonably pleasant to do on the phone. If it were any smaller, I'd use if much less in this capacity.

So for me, the phone really strikes a balance between tablet and phone and as a bridge to my computer. After using it for a few months, I think I'll probably stick with a phone this size versus getting a smaller phone and a tablet. The tablet+smaller phone has some appeal, but I like the simplicity of having one less device and this form factor really does work well for me. All that said, it's nice that there are options out there.
 
Why so militant? Maybe some prefer the smaller screen?

Companies are free to sell what the market will take. Maybe that's 5" screens, maybe not. To me it is too obnoxiously big to fit in a front dress shirt pocket, where my iPhone (and surely the galaxy s2) hides neatly.
 
JHZR2, I don't mean to pick on you but I hear this from iphone users all the time and I don't get it. While the iphone might have a smaller screen, it is thicker and heavier than some of the most recent high end androids. Why is it that so many iphone users single out the 3.5 inch screen as if it is some kind of a major virtue? Do they all like using a tiny screen and typing on a tiny keyboard. Try watching a movie or youtube on the iphone versus a 4.5 inch screen and the difference is pretty noticeable. In fact, I have never met an iphone user who likes big screens. Surely, iphone users can't be this homogeneous can they? This leads me to believe that this is probably post purchase fanboy rationalizations because the iphone has very few other feature advantages over top in androids. And yes, I have had an iphone and an Android and you get used to size differences within a week. It just isn't that big of a deal.
 
I'm quite happy with my SGSII for the time being, though I am still waiting on ice cream sandwich for it.



Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
JHZR2, I don't mean to pick on you but I hear this from iphone users all the time and I don't get it. While the iphone might have a smaller screen, it is thicker and heavier than some of the most recent high end androids. Why is it that so many iphone users single out the 3.5 inch screen as if it is some kind of a major virtue? Do they all like using a tiny screen and typing on a tiny keyboard. Try watching a movie or youtube on the iphone versus a 4.5 inch screen and the difference is pretty noticeable. In fact, I have never met an iphone user who likes big screens. Surely, iphone users can't be this homogeneous can they? This leads me to believe that this is probably post purchase fanboy rationalizations because the iphone has very few other feature advantages over top in androids. And yes, I have had an iphone and an Android and you get used to size differences within a week. It just isn't that big of a deal.


Honestly? The reason is because a lot of people that own iphones will defend to the death anything that apple does. Which is why it's hilarious that the new iphone will have a bigger screen, because all the apple *fans* who have been rabidly defending apples decision to use a smaller screen, citing all kinds of "good reasons" that they did. This happens with basically everything apple does, I see it all the time. Apple products can't possibly have any flaws, according to a large percentage of the ownership. they are "perfect". And that kind of attitude is a big part of the reason that I don't own and never will purchase an apple product.
 
Originally Posted By: Nick R
I'm quite happy with my SGSII for the time being, though I am still waiting on ice cream sandwich for it.



Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
JHZR2, I don't mean to pick on you but I hear this from iphone users all the time and I don't get it. While the iphone might have a smaller screen, it is thicker and heavier than some of the most recent high end androids. Why is it that so many iphone users single out the 3.5 inch screen as if it is some kind of a major virtue? Do they all like using a tiny screen and typing on a tiny keyboard. Try watching a movie or youtube on the iphone versus a 4.5 inch screen and the difference is pretty noticeable. In fact, I have never met an iphone user who likes big screens. Surely, iphone users can't be this homogeneous can they? This leads me to believe that this is probably post purchase fanboy rationalizations because the iphone has very few other feature advantages over top in androids. And yes, I have had an iphone and an Android and you get used to size differences within a week. It just isn't that big of a deal.


Honestly? The reason is because a lot of people that own iphones will defend to the death anything that apple does. Which is why it's hilarious that the new iphone will have a bigger screen, because all the apple *fans* who have been rabidly defending apples decision to use a smaller screen, citing all kinds of "good reasons" that they did. This happens with basically everything apple does, I see it all the time. Apple products can't possibly have any flaws, according to a large percentage of the ownership. they are "perfect". And that kind of attitude is a big part of the reason that I don't own and never will purchase an apple product.


So, a big part of why you refuse to never buy an Apple product is because of some complete strangers (to you) perceived attitude about the products they own. . .

Ok.

I will say that I had a big 4 inch htc sensation 4g. However, I like the iPhone 4s I have now better, for reasons that matter to no one but me. Having said that, I am a Apple fan and heck I'd even say fanboy.

Why would my or any ones attitudes of a product or company, influence you so much? I would understand if you do not prefer the OS, offered hardware specs, price, looks, U.E., ect. . .

But my view point and attitude on Apple is a big part of why you will never own a Apple product? I had know idea I had that much power! Lol
 
I think there is way too much emotion invested in technology. Fanboys and anti-fanboys are two sides of the same coin. I have owned Apple products and may own them again in the future but it will depend on one thing - how many features you get for your money. Right now, the iphone is falling behind in that department.

What I don't get is how Apple fanboys keep harping on one dimension of size - the screen - while ignoring other dimensions like thickness and weight. I like compact phones as much as the next guy, but it seems to me the screen is where you want to sacrifice the least. Yet, somehow, rabid Apple fans are willing to sacrifice screen size while putting up with thickness and weight. What am I missing here?

Regardless, I still like to see Apple, the company, doing well. I was recently in Australia and everyone owned an iPhone and I was proud in a strange way. Love them or hate them, this is a great American company and if we pull out of the economic stagnation, market leaders like Apple will have to have a big part in that. But right now, I think Google offers more bang for the buck.
 
I really think the iphone 4s screen is perfect size for normal browsing and photos, etc.
Galaxy looks nice, but for SOME individual users (who don't watch a lot of videos or play games) that screen size just adds to the clunky-ness.
 
Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
I think there is way too much emotion invested in technology. Fanboys and anti-fanboys are two sides of the same coin. I have owned Apple products and may own them again in the future but it will depend on one thing - how many features you get for your money. Right now, the iphone is falling behind in that department.

What I don't get is how Apple fanboys keep harping on one dimension of size - the screen - while ignoring other dimensions like thickness and weight. I like compact phones as much as the next guy, but it seems to me the screen is where you want to sacrifice the least. Yet, somehow, rabid Apple fans are willing to sacrifice screen size while putting up with thickness and weight. What am I missing here?

Regardless, I still like to see Apple, the company, doing well. I was recently in Australia and everyone owned an iPhone and I was proud in a strange way. Love them or hate them, this is a great American company and if we pull out of the economic stagnation, market leaders like Apple will have to have a big part in that. But right now, I think Google offers more bang for the buck.


As a Apple Fan(boy), i'll offer my view point. . .

There is a notion, not just in smartphones, but everywhere that if X product does not have what Y product does, it is inferior.

Screen size, weight, thickness. These things are aspects of a smart phone. They are not what MAKE a smart phone.

Screen size. Yes, Apple (for now) has stuck with the 3.5inch screen size for all there iphones and ipod touches. That is a unfragmented product line. Every app, ever written, on the App Store, work for every iPhone. Unlike Androids app market, which is quite fragmented. Not all apps work for all phones.

Screen size is only important if YOU feel it is. It's not like a stack of cash. Bigger does not automatically equal better. If you prefer a larger screen, then that is an important feature for you. There are many options out there. And the whole "larger equals better" mindset in the market now even has Apple designing a larger screen for the next iPhone. That is the way the market has swung. I personally dont mind the 3.5 inch screen. I came from a HTC android with a 4inch screen. I will say the Retina display is fantastic to look at and if Apple puts out a larger screen for the next iPhone, I will be happy to use it. The screen size is not a issue with me, since I am satisfied with the 3.5 inch size. I do not "NEED" a larger screen to satisfy my desires.

Weight. Its subjective. I will NEVER go back to a CHEAP feeling plastic phone again. The Galaxy S 2, HTC EVO, ect. . . are all made out of plastic. While weight saving, it offers a different feel in the hand. A timex weighs less than a rolex. Means exactly that. A timex weighs less than a rolex. Nothing more. Nothing less. Weighing less, again, does not automatically equal better. Anyway, the iPhone is really not that heavy. There are many android phones out there that weigh more. But if weight is important for you, shop accordingly.

Thickness. Again, Subjective. Thickness is just ONE of three important measurements for a phone. The iPhone 4/4S is quite thin. Thinner than most of the Android phones on the market today. And it is fairly smaller in the length and height department as well. It feels quite good in my slacks front pocket or my button down shirt's breast pocket. . .

What works for you works for you. It's as easy as that. Your not missing anything. Your just trying to use your personal viewpoints as industry standards that everyone should understand. (many MANY fanboys, anti Fanboys, and independents do) I think this is the best. It is the best. Why don't these morons understand???
21.gif


LOL

We all do it. I do it.
 
rg200amp, I respect your honesty and perspective. Being a VW owner draws some of the same sort of flak as being an Apple owner - a lot of non-VW owners just don't get why we love our cars. Hard to explain at the end of the day.
 
Originally Posted By: Nick R
I'm quite happy with my SGSII for the time being, though I am still waiting on ice cream sandwich for it.



Originally Posted By: VeeDubb
JHZR2, I don't mean to pick on you but I hear this from iphone users all the time and I don't get it. While the iphone might have a smaller screen, it is thicker and heavier than some of the most recent high end androids. Why is it that so many iphone users single out the 3.5 inch screen as if it is some kind of a major virtue? Do they all like using a tiny screen and typing on a tiny keyboard. Try watching a movie or youtube on the iphone versus a 4.5 inch screen and the difference is pretty noticeable. In fact, I have never met an iphone user who likes big screens. Surely, iphone users can't be this homogeneous can they? This leads me to believe that this is probably post purchase fanboy rationalizations because the iphone has very few other feature advantages over top in androids. And yes, I have had an iphone and an Android and you get used to size differences within a week. It just isn't that big of a deal.


Honestly? The reason is because a lot of people that own iphones will defend to the death anything that apple does. Which is why it's hilarious that the new iphone will have a bigger screen, because all the apple *fans* who have been rabidly defending apples decision to use a smaller screen, citing all kinds of "good reasons" that they did. This happens with basically everything apple does, I see it all the time. Apple products can't possibly have any flaws, according to a large percentage of the ownership. they are "perfect". And that kind of attitude is a big part of the reason that I don't own and never will purchase an apple product.


Honestly? When I was upgrading to my iPhone 4S, I asked for thinner options and most ALL (maybe the sammy was a tad thinner) were NOT thinner.

Hopefully you are right, but form factor isnt a major benefit to most of these android products.

Why people (on either side, its not like the non-apple folks arent militant to this stuff) want to start wars on it is beyond me. The apple people like their stuff because it is well integrated, straightforward to use and well-made. The Droid folks like their cheaper gear with more customization and greater options. Great.

When we are talking size, just list the facts, and let them speak for themselves. Big screens make for larger phones and more power hungry devices, but also have more space for battery. Bigger batteries cost arguably more per individual part than the individual electronics gadgets for safe, high quality battery variants. I like smaller but good capability. I like the smaller screen. If an iphone 5 was 4.5 inch, would I want it? Likely not.

My conversation about the S3 was not that the S3 is lousy because it is android or samsung. It was that the screen is becoming impractical in size for people (business people who wear buttondown shirts or otherwise). When I saw the Sammy S2 in its big screen size, I already didnt like its size because it was too big to me. I prefer the 3.5" screen, and dont want much larger than that, regardless of manufacturer. How tough is that?
 
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