Which mobile?

[John]

So at the moment, I have a Samsung Galaxy Y which is great for calls and texts but nothing else (my other half proved this).

I have just started a new job and I have to choose my new company mobile.

Phones are not really my bag so I am struggling a bit on what to go for.

They have a spare iPhone 5S but I don't really want one - I feel they are more for the "Apply fan boi" rather than serious phone users (style / marketing over substance).

I am leaning towards a Nokia Lumia running Windows.

What phones do people like and why / why not (feel free to contribute if you are an Apple fan boi!).

TIA.

 

[kingronnie]

I was a senior editor at Coolsmartphone until my job stopped me having any spare time, I so I have a fair knowledge on the subject.

I have a Samsung Ativ S running Windows and a OnePlus One on Android.

Whenever anyone asks me what the best phone is I always reply in the same way: it depends on your use case.

Do you just want to email, text and call? Or do you want to listen to music, surf the net, play games, watch cat videos?

Windows is a great operating system if you want something fast and basic. Nokia phones also tend to have pretty good cameras.

However, the app situation is sadly lacking (even after all these years), so anything more than just your basics and you'll need an Android based device or an iPhone.

Let me know your use case and we'll see where we can go from there.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I'm not an IT geek so I find the Apple hate/worship thing hilarious, both 'sides' get worked up so much it's embarrassing.

Ever since I bought an iPhone 3GS many moons ago I've found them do whatever I've needed, as a former Nokia devotee it seemed as though Apple had taken that clarity of thought, refined it and then advanced it (not for the first time either!).

As an independant, non technical view, I'd say don't be afraid to try that 5S. You never know, you might like it...

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The 5S is a great phone, iPhones are generally pretty good. Never the best, but often more than enough for most people, look and feel nice, work seamlessly with other hardware/software, and once you're used to it they have a very consistent user interface. The Nokia of the moment.

Android is also pretty good, and some manufacturers really push specifications, especially Nexus devices. There's plenty of choice depending upon manufacturer preferences too, and a handset for every pocket - the cheaper ones can be surprisingly good.

Choosing either an iPhone or an Android phone is an easy decision.

However choosing a Windows phone is much more difficult. They are less popular, and so app compatibility and availability can be an issue for both personal and corporate. Unless you're really into Microsoft (interest or corporate) or you like to be different, think twice before pulling the trigger.

 

[chinamanuk]

I was a senior editor at Coolsmartphone until my job stopped me having any spare time, I so I have a fair knowledge on the subject.

I have a Samsung Ativ S running Windows and a OnePlus One on Android.

Whenever anyone asks me what the best phone is I always reply in the same way: it depends on your use case.

Do you just want to email, text and call? Or do you want to listen to music, surf the net, play games, watch cat videos?

Windows is a great operating system if you want something fast and basic. Nokia phones also tend to have pretty good cameras.

However, the app situation is sadly lacking (even after all these years), so anything more than just your basics and you'll need an Android based device or an iPhone.

Let me know your use case and we'll see where we can go from there.

Agree choice depends on what you using it for and how much you know about tech stuff.

I have a one plus and I can't fault it, does everything I want it to do like games, facebook, photo, videos.....

And its cheap lol

 

[Dryce]

I am leaning towards a Nokia Lumia running Windows.

I had a couple of Lumias. I liked the navigation and the 'in your face' simplicity of the Windows big square buttons interface.

SWMBO has an iPhone but having played with it I don't really think it's worth it - at least for me.

As an experiment I switched to a Moto G. Cheap and cheerful. And it works well for me. Sat navigation not as good as the Lumia but the app ecosystem is stronger and there's more other stuff available. Feels less locked in than Windows Phone but it also seems to update bits every other day and while the interface is notionally less clunky than Windows it's actually less efficient in daily use as a phone IMO.

My feeling now is I'd stick with Android, not be upset by having a Lumia, and take an iPhone as third choice if I had to.

They're only phones ..... and to me they only have so much value.

 

[gIzzE]

I tried the Lumia, lasted a week, not my thing.
I then tried the Xperia Z2, lasted about 3 months and was a good phone, but.......not as good as an iPhone.

Don't get me wrong, it did everything ok, but things I took for granted with the iPhone I really missed, imessage (every one I know has an iphone), cloud based back ups (complete image of your phone, very handy if you ever have an issue), syncing seemlessly with itunes, airplay and finally certain apps were just missing.

I loved tweaking the others, but after a week or so you realise you just want everything to be on the home screen (which they all do) and for everything else to happen seemlessly, which only happened with the iPhone, so I went back.

 

[Red C220]

I have a Blackberry Z10 which is a business phone for me.

Upsides:

Good for calls, good for texts and emails.

I can open PDFs, word documents, excel files straight out of the box with no need to buy software. I think I had to download adobe reader but it was free.

It runs the XE app so I can keep an eye on exchange rates.

Great battery life.

Web browsing is reasonably fast, it's 4g ready.



Downsides:

Apps are restricted, we bank with Barclays and I can't get that working on it but that's a minor irritation.

The camera isn't great quality but does what it needs.



Unknowns:-

I really don't get involved in social meeja so I have no idea of it's good for twatter or faceache etc.
I don't use iTunes
I don't need clouds to store my data it's all on an NAS and a separate back up drive.


In short

It's really a business tool for me so I can can keep an eye on orders through our website, our eBay store and our Amazon store and keep a check on emails. It does that very well. I've owned this over a year now.

 

[davidjpowell]

I'm a fan of apple - not because of the styling, but because it just works and for work I have apps for most things which mean that I can get close to running my business when away from home on the phone.

There are some good game apps etc. but I try and avoid those as otherwise the kids drain the battery. (oh yes - **** battery life!).

 

[markjay]

My view - not factual opinion - is that iPhone is the de-facto phone for non-technical people who want phone, email, Internet and apps with relative ease.

Android is the OS of choice for power-users who want more control over - and better understanding of - what their phone does. Said that iPhone has a lot to offer to power users as well.

Windows is the also-run here - it is not as sleek as iOS and lacking in apps and compatibility compared to Android, in short it really has no USP to justify going for it.

So JohnEBoy - I would say just get an iPhone, but if you don't want one then get an Android - but I don't see the advantage of a Windows mobile phone.

 

[John]

I am in IT (yes, I know) but phones are not and never have been my bread and butter - although I am technically proficient with phones. They are simply a personal tool, for sending texts or phoning someone (with occasional Google Sat Nav) or a work tool.

I want something that has a good battery life, not an enormous phone (Nokia Lumia looked about right size wise - 3" screen I have now is too small but I don't want something the size of a mini tablet either), can do email and can browse the WWW.

I don't do social media either or Apps really at the moment.

 

[gIzzE]

I'm exactly the same as you, and for me that is why the iPhone works.

 

[Red C220]

Take a look at the Blackberry Passport.

 

[tec]

I work in the telecoms industry, and most people have either iPhone or Samsung S3/S5.

The Samsung S5 I have now is the best phone I have owned.

I have never been a fan of Apple mobile products as they are too restrictive.

 

[Dryce]

Windows is the also-run here - it is not as sleek as iOS and lacking in apps and compatibility compared to Android, in short it really has no USP to justify going for it.

Just not as cool. And therefore somewhat under-rated.

We've done some technical stuff that works across Windows on servers, desktops, tablets, and phones and it integrated really well.

But just like Apple it seems to be that MS try and make it harder than it should be to work with across their tablet and mobile platforms.

Pity.

MS are have chucjked / are chucking away a whole opportunity by looking at Apple and trying to copy their lock in.

 

[dan-mb]

Samsung S6 it great

 

[kingronnie]

You might find that the Nokia suits you fine for what you want. I'd also say that if you went for something Android that's clean and quick, like the Moto G 4G, then you'll have more flexibility should you want to try some decent apps, etc. without going for the full on Galaxy S6 or iPhone experience.

I'd go in to your local Carphone Warehouse and have a play. They're normally pretty good with people who are genuinely undecided. The Network branded shops tend to try to push you into a premium phone on a premium tariff, no matter what.

Hope that helps.

 

[John]

Thanks all - most useful.

I'm exactly the same as you, and for me that is why the iPhone works.

I don't think the Apple does well with battery time does it?

 

[markmifsud]

I don't think the Apple does well with battery time does it?

Whilst I dislike all things "i", none of the decent phones have a very good battery life, stick to an old Nokia if you want a week from one charge. I have stuck with Samsung, and am soon to get a S6 Edge.

 

[Piff]

I'm on my second Lumina - 925
Good camera (son tried to disprove with his i phone & had to admit defeat)
Good satnav
Simple interface
I know there aren't as many apps, but then I don't use many. Only one I thought I needed but couldn't get was a BT app to allow you to call from abroad with calls charged as if they are made from your home phone, then if it was really important to me I'm sure there must be voice over internet things like skype which are available.
Screen really sensative & can be used with gloves on