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The Hammer
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Ullungdo 37.5 N, 130.9 E, altitude : 223 m
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 Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:04 pm Post subject: 2011 Smartphone Thread for Dummies |
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There are a lot of people that want to get smart-phones here in Korea. If you have any useful advice for what to purchase please share your thoughts here.
I want to get a smart-phone, but I'm not sure whether to get the Galaxy S, iPhone4, or something else. What's the best buy and why?
I was wondering if it will be available in Korea:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/samsung-infuse-4g-announced-for-atandt-4-5-inch-super-amoled-plus/ |
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Drew10
Joined: 31 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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It depends on your needs/wants.
The iPhone is a great phone, however there are more drawbacks to owning one in Korea than benefits in my humble opinion.
The Galaxy S is the supposed "best smartphone in Korea" but there is some tough competition that could easily take the top spot. Also, that's just my humble opinion.
What would you use the device for?
Phone/text?
business-related apps?
heavy gaming?
There are different options i would suggest for each category. |
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The Hammer
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Ullungdo 37.5 N, 130.9 E, altitude : 223 m
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| Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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What would you use the device for?
I want to use: Phone / text / Facebook / Youtube
No video games. |
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akcrono
Joined: 11 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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| The Hammer wrote: |
What would you use the device for?
I want to use: Phone / text / Facebook / Youtube
No video games. |
I think a cheaper option would fit your needs. Original Iphone or any android. Do you care about the camera, battery life, speed, media (aside from streaming video)? |
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Drew10
Joined: 31 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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The iPhone has a 3.5" screen with a resolution of 960x640
The Galaxy S has a 4" screen with a resolution of 400x800.
The Desire HD has a 4.5" screen with a 400x800 resolution.
The Dell Streak has a 5" screen, 400x800 resolution.
400x800 seems to be the standard resolution for smartphones. I haven't seen one that matches the iPhone yet.
If you plan to also use it for a media player i would highly suggest using an Android based model. There's no conversion for video files, and the mp3 files are drag & drop as opposed to using iTunes.
Most of the Android based models are much cheaper than the iPhone and have better support, this especially holds true for Korean manufacturers (Ever, LG, Samsung..ETC).
Another advantage to Android phones is the ability to upgrade memory very easily. With an iPhone you're pretty much stuck at 16 or 32GB. With an Android phone all you have to do is swap out the micro SD cards and you can have as much or as little memory as you require.
Most Android phones come with 16GB, but the Optimus One comes with a 4GB card standard.
If you're interested in numbers i'd be happy to help you out through PM.
Or, if on the off-chance you're in Gyeonggi-do a bit south of Suwon or don't mind making the trip out to my store i'd be happy to help you in person. |
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andyrider
Joined: 20 Oct 2010
Location: NYC
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| Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Drew10 wrote: |
The iPhone has a 3.5" screen with a resolution of 960x640
The Galaxy S has a 4" screen with a resolution of 400x800.
The Desire HD has a 4.5" screen with a 400x800 resolution.
The Dell Streak has a 5" screen, 400x800 resolution.
400x800 seems to be the standard resolution for smartphones. I haven't seen one that matches the iPhone yet.
If you plan to also use it for a media player i would highly suggest using an Android based model. There's no conversion for video files, and the mp3 files are drag & drop as opposed to using iTunes.
Most of the Android based models are much cheaper than the iPhone and have better support, this especially holds true for Korean manufacturers (Ever, LG, Samsung..ETC).
Another advantage to Android phones is the ability to upgrade memory very easily. With an iPhone you're pretty much stuck at 16 or 32GB. With an Android phone all you have to do is swap out the micro SD cards and you can have as much or as little memory as you require.
Most Android phones come with 16GB, but the Optimus One comes with a 4GB card standard.
If you're interested in numbers i'd be happy to help you out through PM.
Or, if on the off-chance you're in Gyeonggi-do a bit south of Suwon or don't mind making the trip out to my store i'd be happy to help you in person. |
Could you recommend one for my case?
I need a good phone (talking) and some texting.
For work, good email (more receiving and reading); I don't send too many emails. Need both English and Korean input.
Good battery life (should last a full day and some with calls and some browsing).
Good browsing. I don't care about youtube but need full rendering and such.
I don't use too many apps but may use some. I may use Twitter and Facebook.
I don't need games at all.
But, most important is the reception and calls. Personally, even if it's a smartphone, I think it should be a decent phone first. Good clear sound for listening and for the other person should be important. |
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Drew10
Joined: 31 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 9:17 pm Post subject: |
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| andyrider wrote: |
| Drew10 wrote: |
The iPhone has a 3.5" screen with a resolution of 960x640
The Galaxy S has a 4" screen with a resolution of 400x800.
The Desire HD has a 4.5" screen with a 400x800 resolution.
The Dell Streak has a 5" screen, 400x800 resolution.
400x800 seems to be the standard resolution for smartphones. I haven't seen one that matches the iPhone yet.
If you plan to also use it for a media player i would highly suggest using an Android based model. There's no conversion for video files, and the mp3 files are drag & drop as opposed to using iTunes.
Most of the Android based models are much cheaper than the iPhone and have better support, this especially holds true for Korean manufacturers (Ever, LG, Samsung..ETC).
Another advantage to Android phones is the ability to upgrade memory very easily. With an iPhone you're pretty much stuck at 16 or 32GB. With an Android phone all you have to do is swap out the micro SD cards and you can have as much or as little memory as you require.
Most Android phones come with 16GB, but the Optimus One comes with a 4GB card standard.
If you're interested in numbers i'd be happy to help you out through PM.
Or, if on the off-chance you're in Gyeonggi-do a bit south of Suwon or don't mind making the trip out to my store i'd be happy to help you in person. |
Could you recommend one for my case?
I need a good phone (talking) and some texting.
For work, good email (more receiving and reading); I don't send too many emails. Need both English and Korean input.
Good battery life (should last a full day and some with calls and some browsing).
Good browsing. I don't care about youtube but need full rendering and such.
I don't use too many apps but may use some. I may use Twitter and Facebook.
I don't need games at all.
But, most important is the reception and calls. Personally, even if it's a smartphone, I think it should be a decent phone first. Good clear sound for listening and for the other person should be important. |
Sounds to me like you would want something with a larger screen. Browsing on anything less than 4" can be a pain in the...well you know.
I personally own a Galaxy S, even then reading some long-winded posts on dave's can be a bit...rough on the eyes. Sure, there's the pinch zoom feature (which is standard on most smartphones) but scrolling left, right, up and down gets old fast.
Battery life depends more on how your phone is set up, if you have alot of background tasks running..it can drain your battery pretty quick.
My Galaxy is excellent for calling/texting and even some mild browsing, however, as previously mentioned there are some things better suited for reading on a computer screen.
The Gmail sync with Android is pretty good. I've had no issues with it so far.
Korean/English input is standard on 99% of smartphones here.
For you i'd reccomend either a Galaxy S, or a Desire HD. Mostly for the larger screens, it makes reading Emails and webpages easier regardless of the resolution. Both come with 2 batteries and charging docks so even if your battery drains semi-quickly a swap isn't too hard to do. The only drawback to that is having to carry the extra battery with you.
The major plus of the HD over the galaxy is the dual LED flash on the camera, the ability to take 720p HD videos and 8MP still shots, and the extra .5" of screen. Plus, the UI is much smoother than samsung's Touchwiz (even though that can be remedied by using Launcher Pro on the Galaxy).
The Dell Venue is a nice compromise between the two, and all are pretty similar in price. The Venue and Desire HD are through KT and the Galaxy S is through SK if that makes any difference. |
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Caffeinated
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 9:39 pm Post subject: |
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The number and availability of apps for the iPhone make it a clear choice for me followed by the build quality and great service for my Apple purchases so far.
Apps I use regularly:
- dictionaries and thesauruses for a handful of languages
- phrasebooks for several others
- flashcards and learning guides for various language tests, also academic ones
- commuting guides such as subway maps and train schedules for several countries
- app for keeping track of my strength training and cardio workouts
- app for keeping track of random info I encounter while browsing or going about my day
- expense tracking
- cooking guides
Of course there's apps for Android available but Apple's headstart on these has built an ecosystem of popular, high quality apps the consumer can choose from. |
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akcrono
Joined: 11 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Drew10 wrote: |
| andyrider wrote: |
| Drew10 wrote: |
The iPhone has a 3.5" screen with a resolution of 960x640
The Galaxy S has a 4" screen with a resolution of 400x800.
The Desire HD has a 4.5" screen with a 400x800 resolution.
The Dell Streak has a 5" screen, 400x800 resolution.
400x800 seems to be the standard resolution for smartphones. I haven't seen one that matches the iPhone yet.
If you plan to also use it for a media player i would highly suggest using an Android based model. There's no conversion for video files, and the mp3 files are drag & drop as opposed to using iTunes.
Most of the Android based models are much cheaper than the iPhone and have better support, this especially holds true for Korean manufacturers (Ever, LG, Samsung..ETC).
Another advantage to Android phones is the ability to upgrade memory very easily. With an iPhone you're pretty much stuck at 16 or 32GB. With an Android phone all you have to do is swap out the micro SD cards and you can have as much or as little memory as you require.
Most Android phones come with 16GB, but the Optimus One comes with a 4GB card standard.
If you're interested in numbers i'd be happy to help you out through PM.
Or, if on the off-chance you're in Gyeonggi-do a bit south of Suwon or don't mind making the trip out to my store i'd be happy to help you in person. |
Could you recommend one for my case?
I need a good phone (talking) and some texting.
For work, good email (more receiving and reading); I don't send too many emails. Need both English and Korean input.
Good battery life (should last a full day and some with calls and some browsing).
Good browsing. I don't care about youtube but need full rendering and such.
I don't use too many apps but may use some. I may use Twitter and Facebook.
I don't need games at all.
But, most important is the reception and calls. Personally, even if it's a smartphone, I think it should be a decent phone first. Good clear sound for listening and for the other person should be important. |
Sounds to me like you would want something with a larger screen. Browsing on anything less than 4" can be a pain in the...well you know.
I personally own a Galaxy S, even then reading some long-winded posts on dave's can be a bit...rough on the eyes. Sure, there's the pinch zoom feature (which is standard on most smartphones) but scrolling left, right, up and down gets old fast.
Battery life depends more on how your phone is set up, if you have alot of background tasks running..it can drain your battery pretty quick.
My Galaxy is excellent for calling/texting and even some mild browsing, however, as previously mentioned there are some things better suited for reading on a computer screen.
The Gmail sync with Android is pretty good. I've had no issues with it so far.
Korean/English input is standard on 99% of smartphones here.
For you i'd reccomend either a Galaxy S, or a Desire HD. Mostly for the larger screens, it makes reading Emails and webpages easier regardless of the resolution. Both come with 2 batteries and charging docks so even if your battery drains semi-quickly a swap isn't too hard to do. The only drawback to that is having to carry the extra battery with you.
The major plus of the HD over the galaxy is the dual LED flash on the camera, the ability to take 720p HD videos and 8MP still shots, and the extra .5" of screen. Plus, the UI is much smoother than samsung's Touchwiz (even though that can be remedied by using Launcher Pro on the Galaxy).
The Dell Venue is a nice compromise between the two, and all are pretty similar in price. The Venue and Desire HD are through KT and the Galaxy S is through SK if that makes any difference. |
My only problem w/ that recommendation is that the galaxy is a rather expensive phone. There are some older model android phones that should suit his needs fine. |
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Drew10
Joined: 31 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Caffeinated wrote: |
The number and availability of apps for the iPhone make it a clear choice for me followed by the build quality and great service for my Apple purchases so far.
Apps I use regularly:
- dictionaries and thesauruses for a handful of languages
- phrasebooks for several others
- flashcards and learning guides for various language tests, also academic ones
- commuting guides such as subway maps and train schedules for several countries
- app for keeping track of my strength training and cardio workouts
- app for keeping track of random info I encounter while browsing or going about my day
- expense tracking
- cooking guides
Of course there's apps for Android available but Apple's headstart on these has built an ecosystem of popular, high quality apps the consumer can choose from. |
Apple does have the market cornered for apps (for now).
The thing about android apps are the actual handsets. There are 170+ (unconfirmed) android devices the developers have to tailor the apps to, which means some phones will have compatibility issues. Where the iPhone has 1 set of hardware specs to develop around. The Android market is catching up, and there are plenty of apps that are available for Android that are also available for iPhone, however each has their exclusives.
I still stand by my earlier statement that the support would be better on a Korean brand handset. Apple has excellent support, but like most apple products that comes at a premium.
I also forgot to mention the iPhone 3G in my earlier post. I'm not too familiar with the specs on it because my store doesn't carry that model, but i'm sure it will be adequate for calling/texting/facebook/youtube/emails and is more than likely a heck of a lot cheaper than the 4G.
Caffeinated, all of those apps you mentioned can be easily found on Android models, and I would go as far to say apps like Google Translate function better on Android. |
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Italy37612
Joined: 25 Jan 2010
Location: Somewhere
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methdxman
Joined: 14 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 12:13 am Post subject: Re: 2011 Smartphone Thread for Dummies |
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Is price an issue?
People are giving good advice here but it's pretty clear that the iPhone 4 and the Galaxy (any model, they're virtually all the same since they have the same innards) are the two best smartphones right now (in the world).
Expect to pay 800,000 KRW (over a period of 2 years if you want) for either of them. You can't go wrong with either of them.
I'm an Apple guy but I bought the Galaxy K (through KT/Qook) because I really like the Android OS and because I can switch out the battery. The Galaxy comes with an extra battery and an extra battery charger. Also, I use so many Google services and Android phones have better Google integration than Apple (understandably).
You can't go wrong with either phone; however, there is a waiting list for the iPhone. |
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Drew10
Joined: 31 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 12:33 am Post subject: Re: 2011 Smartphone Thread for Dummies |
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| methdxman wrote: |
Is price an issue?
People are giving good advice here but it's pretty clear that the iPhone 4 and the Galaxy (any model, they're virtually all the same since they have the same innards) are the two best smartphones right now (in the world).
Expect to pay 800,000 KRW (over a period of 2 years if you want) for either of them. You can't go wrong with either of them.
I'm an Apple guy but I bought the Galaxy K (through KT/Qook) because I really like the Android OS and because I can switch out the battery. The Galaxy comes with an extra battery and an extra battery charger. Also, I use so many Google services and Android phones have better Google integration than Apple (understandably).
You can't go wrong with either phone; however, there is a waiting list for the iPhone. |
If you want an iPhone4...i can get you one Today. No waiting list.
However, my store charges a fee that most other KT stores don't charge. Mostly because we deal with military clients who don't have the option of going to other KT stores. |
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Caffeinated
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 12:52 am Post subject: |
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| Drew10 wrote: |
| Caffeinated, all of those apps you mentioned can be easily found on Android models, and I would go as far to say apps like Google Translate function better on Android. |
Yes, those apps may be available for Android but since the Apple app market only has only Apple devices to support developers are more inclined to develop for Apple first and maybe Android after. The result is that the best and most tested apps tend to be on Apple first. Less worrying about getting your money's worth when purchasing.
| Quote: |
| I also forgot to mention the iPhone 3G in my earlier post. I'm not too familiar with the specs on it because my store doesn't carry that model, but i'm sure it will be adequate for calling/texting/facebook/youtube/emails and is more than likely a heck of a lot cheaper than the 4G. |
If price is an issue, get an iPhone 3GS instead of an iPhone 4. |
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lalartu
Joined: 29 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:16 am Post subject: |
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get Galaxy S, best option in Korea imo
as for reading text, if you get Opera browser, it formats the webpage to fix the screen so you dont need to scroll or pinch anything |
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