Most popular Android phones

[WilderPegasus]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Because it's year-old hardware. HTC, Sony, LG, Asus, Panasonic, Motorola, etc. have all released more powerful Android handsets than the S3.

It's still a good device. "Dated" and "Good Device" aren't mutually exclusive. Like Rathji said - it's just probably a questionable choice to get one on contract today.

What about the Note 2? Newer than the Galaxy S3. Bell has it for $50 on a contract but the price goes up tomorrow. Bell has always allowed me a hardware upgrade 2 years into a contract.

The S4 or HTC One are probably going to be a lot more than $50 on release.

I'm looking to move on from my iPhone 4 and I've found the Note 2 can fit in my pockets. The idea of MultiView appeals to me and I like the idea of writing down notes with the pen.

[Daradon]

I know it's not at the pinnacle of technology right now, but I'm very happy with my S2.

Got it in Oct for one of those free +$150 cert (Future Shop) deals and it was a no brainier.

It recently got the S3 type software update to it and it breathed new life into the phone. In the past I have had trouble with these big updates, the often mess the phone up, but this made it noticeably better. And 18+ mos from now I'll probably be able to slide into the S5 for next to nothing.

Doubtful anyone can still get one, but I just brought it up to mention how happy I am with the Samsung brand. Even the S2 works like a charm now.

[Kiran403]

Nice...thanks for all the input guys.

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by Frankster

How easy is it to take the phone to stock andriod OS? I really want the latest updates so I can have lock screen notifications, but it doesn't seem to be coming any time soon through Samsung/Telus.

Everything you will ever need is on xda-developers.

I've installed and ran custom roms on several phones and it ranges from "dead simple" to "part-time job", depending on the hardware. In general, the more popular the phone, the more time has been spent making it an easy process.

In general, once you get the bootloader unlocked and a recovery image flashed, things get very simple. There are some very good tools out there.

[GrrlGoalie33]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Everything you will ever need is on xda-developers.

I've installed and ran custom roms on several phones and it ranges from "dead simple" to "part-time job", depending on the hardware. In general, the more popular the phone, the more time has been spent making it an easy process.

In general, once you get the bootloader unlocked and a recovery image flashed, things get very simple. There are some very good tools out there.

Thanks for the help!

[Kiran403]

Follow up question: If you were getting an app developed for Android, what phones would you make it compatible for? Are the samsung phones and HTC the most commonly used Android hardware in Canada?

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by Kiran403

Follow up question: If you were getting an app developed for Android, what phones would you make it compatible for? Are the samsung phones and HTC the most commonly used Android hardware in Canada?

All of them

Generally, I'd target OS-specific compatibility before manufacturer-specific compatibility.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Because it's year-old hardware. HTC, Sony, LG, Asus, Panasonic, Motorola, etc. have all released more powerful Android handsets than the S3.

It's still a good device. "Dated" and "Good Device" aren't mutually exclusive. Like Rathji said - it's just probably a questionable choice to get one on contract today.

And I guess what I'm pointing out is even though it is a year old, it still has close to the same processor speed of the so-called "new" devices, pretty much the same screen size and 2GB of RAM.

Just really doesn't seem "dated" to me other than coming out a year ago. I got mine a few weeks ago on a new plan, paid nothing for it and I think got a great deal and a phone that can compete with most of the "new" devices.

Not to mention, an update to Key Lime Pie when it's released.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Igster

And I guess what I'm pointing out is even though it is a year old, it still has close to the same processor speed of the so-called "new" devices, pretty much the same screen size and 2GB of RAM.

Just really doesn't seem "dated" to me other than coming out a year ago. I got mine a few weeks ago on a new plan, paid nothing for it and I think got a great deal and a phone that can compete with most of the "new" devices.

Not to mention, an update to Key Lime Pie when it's released.

And while this fact makes it a very good phone to get right now, it doesn't mean that it is not "dated".

Historically, smart phones have had a limited lifespan due to a few factors, OS support and/or ability to run current apps being the primary issues that creep up after time. Right now, your phone is a year old, so obviously there will be no issues. When you are at the end of your 3 year deal, and have a 4 year old phone, there is less chance that you will be able to have the newest Android OS and be able to run the most current apps.

As hardware advances, and rooting your phone to maintain the current OS is proving valuable in keep a phone up to date, this issue seems to be getting less prevalent for sure. I don't think it eliminates the concern though.

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by Igster

Just really doesn't seem "dated" to me other than coming out a year ago. I got mine a few weeks ago on a new plan, paid nothing for it and I think got a great deal and a phone that can compete with most of the "new" devices.

"Dated" is probably a subjective term. To me a smartphone is dated when every major Android handset manufacturer has a flagship device that's surpassed it in power, and the phone has a known, imminent successor.

That said - you did get a great deal. A free S3 might be the best deal going in smartphones, period. (Though an off-contract Nexus 4 might have something to say about that.)

[Igster]

It does suck though the second you get a phone it will be replaced by something else in the Android world. Even someone who gets an S4 will have a "dated" phone in no time...lol.

Regardless, I think as phones progress the way they did up to the S3 and the last released HTC, the new phones won't surpass them as quick as they did even a year or more ago.

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by Igster

It does suck though the second you get a phone it will be replaced by something else in the Android world. Even someone who gets an S4 will have a "dated" phone in no time...lol.

Regardless, I think as phones progress the way they did up to the S3 and the last released HTC, the new phones won't surpass them as quick as they did even a year or more ago.

I think they will but it will be in different areas. I can't see screens going a lot higher than 1080p anytime soon, for example, but I can see batteries getting up to ridiculous capacities.

[Igster]

Sure, but for speed of the phones, RAM, etc, not too much more they can do. I mean, I know my S3 is not the fastest phone anymore, but holy, how fast do you want contacts to load? It can't come up any faster. I don't play games, so just using the phone for messaging and phone calls, I really don't need any more speed.

[sa226]

This is just my completely uninformed opinion. But in the device market I think we are nearing a crossroads as far as hardware, software and battery is concerned.

Battery power is still a hot topic in the device market and we have reached the limit with that technology. Look at the surface pro. Great powerful device but has an identity problem. It wants to be a mobile power house but can't last more than 4 hours without an outlet.

The onus is on the software and to a lesser extent hardware engineers to keep mobile devices relevant in the mobile market

For these reasons I think the dated thing is less of an issue now than it was a few years ago. The Galaxy Nexus is how old now? It is still a great device.

The makers will still make gobs of money though because like me, most people are distracted by shiny new things

[Igster]

Originally Posted by sa226

The makers will still make gobs of money though because like me, most people are distracted by shiny new things

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by Igster

Sure, but for speed of the phones, RAM, etc, not too much more they can do. I mean, I know my S3 is not the fastest phone anymore, but holy, how fast do you want contacts to load? It can't come up any faster. I don't play games, so just using the phone for messaging and phone calls, I really don't need any more speed.

That's totally fair, and probably excludes you from the target market of the flagship device arms race.

Smartphones are approaching game consoles in terms of power and exceeding them in terms of functionality. My iPhone doubles as a Plex client to stream real-time transcoded media to any of my HDTVs. I get that those types of functionality aren't for everyone - but that's why they keep getting faster.

[browna]

Probably the most indepth and well written review/analysis/borderline dissection, I've read on any piece of tech, ever...just published today.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6747/htc-one-review

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by browna

Probably the most indepth and well written review/analysis/borderline dissection, I've read on any piece of tech, ever...just published today.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6747/htc-one-review

There's so much to read....but I'm enjoying it.

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by browna

Probably the most indepth and well written review/analysis/borderline dissection, I've read on any piece of tech, ever...just published today.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6747/htc-one-review

Awesome review.

[Brannigans Law]

amazing review. im worried though because the big 3 here in canada seem to be sticking with a 32 gig version. i dont know if a 64 exists in america or outside out borders but how can 32 gigs seem to be enough? i have to compress my music to make that work. boo. boo urns. boo urns i say.