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AIBU?

To give up with Apple/iPhone and go for something else?

39 replies

PansOnFire · 03/11/2013 08:34

I've always been impressed with Apple and loved my iPhone 3, when the obligatory 18 month contract ended I upgraded to an iPhone 4S and since then I've had nothing but problems. It was fine for the first 12 months, but after the warranty ran out it's been useless. I updated the software on it which knocked off the wifi and Bluetooth, it also made the phone run very slowly. Texts stopped coming through on time, texts took ages to write and send, picture messaging stopped working etc, etc, etc. I rang my useless phone company who told me to restart the phone, wipe it, back it up from the restore on my laptop, restore it from iCloud - nothing worked and I must have spent about 4 hours on the phone to various different people one day.

The phone company are saying it's Apple's problem so I rang them - exactly the same advice was given, nothing worked and then they said it was a hardware issue that was the responsibility of the phone company. This was batted backwards and forwards for about 4 months before I gave up. The phone company sent me a normal sized SIM card so I could buy a different handset to use and still keep my number. They said my options are to a) send the phone away and pay the repair cost, I wouldn't be entitled to a free replacement should the phone not be possible to fix, or b) pay the rest of my contract upfront and upgrade early, entering into a new contract of 24 months and have an iPhone 5.

Paying off the contract isn't as bad as it sounds, I've got 2 months left to pay at this point. I've deliberately not done it sooner because I'm not sure I want to be a loyal customer to them anymore. When I told them that I couldn't access many features of the service they were providing they told me it was not their problem because they were providing it! Their network has gone down completely on at least 4 occasions, each time their customer service was on lock down and customers were left to wait it out. It also seems that those who shouted loudest got the most compensation for the lack of network (discrepancies between friend's treatment were huge - a free month as opposed to free 6 months).

I'm furious, none of my photos and videos stream to iCloud anymore because I don't have wifi, it no longer is recognised by my laptop when I plug it in to update it manually. I've managed to get my photos and videos off after having it plugged into the laptop for about 6 hours but iTunes wouldn't work whilst it was plugged in.

What should I do? AIBU to tell both Apple and the phone company to shove it and go with a different phone and a different company? If so then what do I get instead? I don't want a frying pan and fire situation! Help! I'm in the UK btw.

OP posts:
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scarletforya · 03/11/2013 08:35

Samsung.

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kali110 · 03/11/2013 08:41

I fucking hate apple. Only been a year with 4s and had it replaced. Hate it. 2 chargers already broke. They make it so certain cheap ones wont work so you have to buy their massively overpriced ones.
This one is only 2 months old but things already not working properly.warranty now expired ofcourse. . Looked forward to getting an iphone for so long.
Soon as last year is up im gone.

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CoteDAzur · 03/11/2013 08:43

I also have a 4s and the new software does make it run slowly.

However re your wifi & Bluetooth problems - just connect your iPhone to iTunes and "restore".

If the problem is really a rare hardware problem, in your place I would get the new iPhone.

Other phones can be nice too but iPhone works so seamlessly with the rest of my stuff (Mac laptop, Apple TV, iPad) that I'd rather rest within the Apple fold Smile

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livingzuid · 03/11/2013 08:44

DH and I made the switch from Apple to Samsung s4 for him and s4mini for me. Best decision ever I was so over apple although I did love my iPhone 4 when it was first out. Samsung is great. Takes a bit of getting used to but still very good and much more adaptable.

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trixymalixy · 03/11/2013 08:47

DH has the wifi/Bluetooth problem on a 4S too, will try the restore thanks.

I have a Blackberry Z10 work phone as well as a personal iPhone. I'm actually surprisingly pleased with the Z10. Still prefer my iPhone though.

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StandingInLine · 03/11/2013 08:50

I have an iPhone as I love the simplicity of it. But before this I was always an android girl :) you can whatever the iPhone can do but a hundreds times better and more. You have a lot more freedom and you can use an SD Card for your pics and whatnot. Samsungs best :)

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minniemagoo · 03/11/2013 08:58

Another recommendation for the Samsung S4. As a plus their tablets are pretty good too so got them for the kids and its great we can all have the same apps etc.

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Mumofalittlegirl · 03/11/2013 09:15

I have a 5 and it's my first iPhone and I hate it too. Sadly I'm stuck with it for another 18 months

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hollyisalovelyname · 03/11/2013 09:20

The way your phone company treated you I certainly wouldn't stay with them!
Change provider and get a phone recommended here by posters.
BTW I am on my 2nd iphone. So far so good, fingers crossed.

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FortyDoorsToNowhere · 03/11/2013 09:22

I love my iphone. If however you don't like it then I would get a phone you might like.

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flagnogbagnog · 03/11/2013 09:36

I think there were huge problems with the iphone4. DH and I went through 3 between us and none of them lasted the 2yr contract. I had an iphone 3 previously and had no issue with it. I'm now on iphone 5s though as I wasn't ready to give up on iphone yet. But I will be far more on the ball this time, slightest hint if a problem before the 1yr warrantee goes I will hound EE for repair/replacement.

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Jinsei · 03/11/2013 09:43

I have an iPhone and a samsung. I prefer the iPhone.:)

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Shlurpbop · 03/11/2013 09:46

Love Samsung. Changed my iPhone and I pad to Samsung phone and tablet. Much happier!
Really disliked iTunes and all the Apple based paraphernalia!

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TidyDancer · 03/11/2013 09:47

Hate hate hate Samsung. No end of problems with two Samsung phones I've had. iPhones have been far better.

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MindyWiller · 03/11/2013 10:00

You're not with Orange/EE by any chance? i had the same problems with them on an iphone 3GS with over a year left on my contract.

i changed to o2 when my contract was up and now have a samsung s3 which is fantastic. i have had it for six months now and not a single problem, it does everything an iphone oes but smoother. you have much more freedom and as someone else said you can use an SD card for storage and you are not restricted to crappy itunes. the only blip i have is that the voice recognition is a bit pants, but i never use it so it's not even an issue, and it could be my scottish accent.

definitely go for a samsung. i had samsungs for years before my iphone and rarely a problem there either.

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MoreTeaPenguin · 03/11/2013 10:00

I have a Nexus 4, similar spec to the s4 but cheaper. I love it, though find the screen a bit big, especially now I have a bulky case to stop my toddler smashing the screen again! You can buy a Nexus 4 from the Google store and use it for the last 2 months of contract then find another provider. Virgin media do decent phone deals at the moment with phone insurance included.

Probably a silly question, but have you checked your WiFi is working properly, rebooted the router etc? It does sound like it's a problem with your phone, but if your husband is having wifi problems too?

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MoreTeaPenguin · 03/11/2013 10:02

Oh sorry misread that - someone else's husband has wifi problems, whoops!

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valiumredhead · 03/11/2013 10:39

I've always had Mac/apple at home but have a Motorola RAZR phone which seems very similar tbh in its simplicity and ease of use. Dh had just got a galaxy and it seems really plasticky and cheap in comparison, he hates it too, luckily it's a work phone so he can hand it back. 3 friends who have always had iPhones have changed recently as they've had enough of them, battery life seemed to be a big issue. One has gone for a Sony xperia and is delighted with it.

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Brokensoul · 03/11/2013 10:45

Hi
I have I phone 4s and my dh Samsung.
I regret getting I phone- sooo many problems like you and its 24 months contract ( 18 left) and he NEVER experienced until now any problems. It runs smoothly and it's fast,
no delays . So I can't pay the rest of the contract , it's a lots of £££but for sure I will get next time Samsung.

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Caitlin17 · 03/11/2013 10:54

Any Android which is as expensive as an iPhone will be a far better option. As will any Android which is cheaper.

I have a Motorola Razr Maxx and Asus tablet, both of which I love. DP has a BlackBerry for work which he hates and a fairly cheap Samsung for fun which he likes a lot. DS has a bought by me Sony Xperia phone and a Nexus 7 tablet. The latter in particular is great.

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ArthurPewty · 03/11/2013 10:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

3MenAndMe · 03/11/2013 11:03

Samsungs at home x3(OH and 2D)
I have an old BlackBerry and so Envy

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3MenAndMe · 03/11/2013 11:03

2 DS, sorry

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lborolass · 03/11/2013 11:04

You really have to admire the Apple marketing machine, how on earth have they managed to brainwash people into thinking that there is no alternative to their products?

Nothing bad will happen to you if you buy a non Apple phone so buy the one you like the best can afford/comes in the colour you want but whatever you do make your own choice.

Obviously you ANBU to buy a different phone, you didn't really think otherwise did you?

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valiumredhead · 03/11/2013 11:28

Apple rested on its laurels for far too long, the rest of the phone works caught up!

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