Upgrading from iphone 5 to samsung s4 or s5, bad or good idea?

[overthehill74]

Just that really! I feel like a change away from apple and really fancy a samsung now. Not sure whether to go for s4 or s5. Or would it be a big mistake? Anyone got any tips/advice/opinions? I'm so indecisive and would be glad of the input!

Bump

I switched from an iPhone to a Samsung S4. Apart from the auto correct if is a much better phone. Glad to be rid of iTunes. I won't be buying Apple again we got an Android tablet as well now.

I haven't used an S5 so can't help with that bit.

I'm also considering doing this! Although got a Samsung tab instead of an iPad, and think I might wish I had stayed with Apple, but don't know why!

Thanks littleducks and wonderpants! I also don't know why I want to do this, just have an urge lol. I have a hudl tablet and am hoping my DH buys me a chromebook for my birthday too, so will be able to sync photos easier etc too. iTunes is a pain! Am scared I'll regret it too but think I'll take the plunge! Dunno if it's worth paying the extra monthly fee and upfront cost of the new s5. Camera is supposed to be awesome.

I switched last upgrade to Samsung (Camera was the biggest draw). I last a week and then sent it back for a iphone 5

I loved the Samsung, but I like my phone simple and didn't have time to learn how to use it.

I've just bought ds a lower end Samsung though

I have a Samsung s3 which i got after being fed up with the iphone. It's basically a step down from the s4 and i absolutely love it- the camera is fab, you don't have any faffing about with itunes and the like, much simpler to work than an iphone- not least because the choice of apps is much better when you're not limited to apple. You can get apps that you can sync between all your devices- i use dropbox and i can sync the photos from my phone and have them on my ds' tablet too.

I really don't think you'll regret it, i'm into my second year with this phone now and not aching for anything new yet, where i normally would be by now.

My mum has the s4 and loves it- not sure how techy you are it might not be worth shelling out extra for the s5 if it's for lots of things you wont use.

Oh no honeydragon, was it very complicated? I don't really mind sitting having a play and working it all out, I'm rather sad like that . I just need to know that it's reliable and not rubbish lol as I'm on a 2 year contract! I text and what's app quite a lot and use Facebook, mumsnet, twitter, Instagram etc (can you tell I'm a SAHM who doesn't get out much lol)

Thanks runnerbeen, sound exactly what I want! I'm quite good at phones have no life so love working it all out. So glad yours has been a success! Edging closer to samsung!

S5 only just out on 11th April. I am on it now. I had s2 before and loved it but couldnt wait for s5. Its easy to use, the camera is out of this world, the screen and resolution is fab. Once you have it set up, you'll love it. I have only had an ipod touch with apple and hated it so never went down the road of apple products.

Carphone warehouse have a good deal were they will give you £100 on top of your trade in for ANY old phone which will over the cost of the handset. I traded in DHs old slide up samsung which was about 5/6yrs old.

Carphone Warehouse are actually doing £100 cashback on all upgrades and new contacts right now. It's a no brainer!

Also someone mentioned auto correct. But the beauty of Android is that you can download a new keyboard like Swiftkey which has outstanding auto correct and learning.

Not complicated I just think owing Apple products has made me lazy

If you are going from an iphone to an Android then it can and will be a bit of a shock at first. Certainly the sheer amount of flexibility to do things the way YOU want can be overwhelming.

A friend of mine put basic mode on her phone for the first 4 months just to avoid setting it all up.

But for me the pro's far outweigh the cons once you get used to it. Once you've set it up, there's honestly not loads of difference in the day to day use of the phone.

What sells the Android/Samsung for me is the fact I can add more memory simply by adding a 16GB/32GB microSD card for £10-20 if I run out of space. I can carry a spare battery then swap it if juice is getting low. Ideal if you are travelling a lot. Essential a year or two down the line when your battery is old and won't hold as much charge anymore.

Oh and the screen is just so much bigger & better on the S4/S5. Since I got my Samsung Note & even now I've switched to the S3, i don't use a tablet anymore. The screen is big enough.

Niceguy

Can I hijack you? I've just ordered the Samsung Galaxy Young for ds (nearly 11) mainly because the Y, Ace and Fame are still on Gingerbread, and no one could be straight as to whether they'd upgrade to Jellybean etc.

That will be an adequate phone won't it? I think he'll really only use it for text, photos and connecting to wifi.

Wow thanks everyone! Looks like samsung and android is the way to go! I like the thoughts of expandable memory too. Will let you know when I've made my new purchase. Think I'll have to pay out of my O2 contract but I'll get cash back for my iphone so will cancel itself out. Could be a few weeks yet though

Yy to extra memory as well! And another big plus for me is that i could put all my own music onto the Samsung whereas i couldn't get anything onto the iphone without shelling out again for it.

Good luck with whatever you pick!

@HoneyDragon

I think it depends on your expectations of adequate and his. You'll probably consider being able to surf Facebook and take the odd photograph as adequate. My 12 yr old wants to play games on his too. Clash of Clans etc. And for that the Young is not going to be good enough.

The screen size/resolution is too small/low and the processor is very low powered to fit within a budget. Therefore it'll be pretty slow.

If it's not too late I'd seriously consider either the Motorola G (especially if you have Tesco Clubcard vouchers to trade) or even a used Samsung Galaxy S2. There are plenty of them around and quite a few sellers on eBay are offering warranty with them. My son has the S2 and he's pretty happy with it. Especially since i bought him two batteries so he can swap.

He has a mahoosive iPod for games etc, but I was worried that he'd not be able to chuck on any apps at all.

It's a catch 22 as I was told Gingerbread made apps slow now, but the Young hasn't got a lot of space/oomph, but I didn't want to get an S2 at the moment (even used) as there's been a spot of bullying and phone theft. So I really don't want him to stick everything on his phone in case it does get lost or nicked iyswim?

Understood. But I'm not sure how desirable an S2 is nowadays. Bear in mind that there's been 3 generations of phones since (S3, S4 & S5). It's the equivalent of driving a 1980's Ford Fiesta.

That's how I feel about them Niceguy but were having some erm issues within our locally secondary school system so I thought I'd see how capable he was of managing a phone first then moving on.

I must admit I looked at the refurbished s2's but all his mates have smaller ones now

I went into the O2 shop today and had a 'play' with the new S5. I WANT ONE!! They are amazing! The display is so bright and clear! I can't wait to get one. It'll still be a few weeks yet though .

How are you getting on with your s5 headlesslambrini?im hoping to go and get one today. I'm so excited. I'm still scared that I'm making the wrong decision though cos this is a big purchase for me! My phone is my lifeline as a SAHM and I'll be stuck with it for 2 years!

I'm still loving it. The camera is amazing on it. I've been back in work today and had the headphones plugged in listening to music, did a bit of MNing at lunch, surfed the net shopping etc and it still had 76% battery when I got home at 4.30pm.

Did you get yours today?

Hi headless, yes I did! It's amazing so far! The camera is fab and am loving the bigger, brighter screen! Great for MN and social networks. Not tested the battery life yet but will do today, as am off out with the DC!

Fab enjoy playing around with it.

All my fb friends who have switched to S4 are deeply regretting move from iPhone because all have had problems with the screen cracking for no reason - make sure you get insurance for costly repairs and be prepared to lose your phone for a few days per year! One friend put on their status that it's a brilliant camera but a crap phone!