I've been thinking about returning my iPhone 4 within the 30 day window and switch over to Android with the release of Captivate.

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MarkPharaoh July 18, 2010

I've been thinking about returning my iPhone 4 within the 30 day window and switch over to Android with the release of Captivate.

Probably the main thing holding me back is the amount of apps I have collected from owning a 3G and 3GS. I also have some fear of Samsung's past record with timely Android updates.

I'm married with AT&T (family plan, I pay virtually nothing), so the Captivate is my only real choice for an Android handset (not considering the Nexus One).

The most important parts of a phone to me is its overall speed/performance (multitasking, app loading), browser experience, and apps. My least important features are picture, video, and call quality.

Is this the right moment to jump ship from Apple (I do have reception issues, including consistent WiFi drops), or should I hold back hoping that HTC makes a bigger splash in the coming months when Gingerbread comes close to release?

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mrk 2 years ago

I have not personally touched a Captivate (Galaxy S) but everyone who I know that has claims it feels like a cheap, plastic knockoff of the iPhone 3GS.

Above that, I think my main caution is the software - Samsung always seems to really make a mess of it, even Android. So don't buy one without trying it out.

On the other hand an iPhone is not for everyone, so what are your other options? In my opinion there are two: a Droid 2 (NOT the Droid X and I know wrong network) and a Nexus One (I know you aren't considering it).

I have personally had an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, Motorola Milestone (GSM version of the Droid), HTC Hero, HTC Magic, Palm Pre and Nexus One in one of my pockets in the last month.

The iPhone 4 is by far the best (assuming you have coverage).

The Nexus One is great and with Froyo it can be used as a WiFi hotspot (always handy).

The Droid (Milestone) is good, but the keyboard is bad. Motorola is fixing it with the Droid 2. At that point I'd recommend it highly.

Since you've ruled them out I think your best bet is to wait for something new in the Android department from HTC. They seem to consistently deliver great phones.

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MarkPharaoh 2010-07-18 11:17:13

Thanks for the info, going to the store later today to check it out. The back is completely different from its international cousin, and from what I've read it only lags when you have the wallpaper animated. But yea, even if the TouchWiz works great I'm still very worried about Samsung putting out timely updates after Froyo. If that turns out the be the case I could see the resale value of the phone dropping (another big plus for iPhone for me, after eBay and PayPal fees I more or less break even when upgrading every year).

I think that tomorrow I'm going to Apple to have my iPhone 4 replaced for the second time (first time was because the back glass cracked like nothing) to see if I can get consistent WiFi with the device. If I can't I simply can't keep the phone because I have bad service in my rural home, and sometimes have to hard reset the phone just to get out of no service.

The thing that worries me about the Nexus One is its age. I've seen it side by side with things like the Galaxy S that blow it away in speed and graphics.

jstg 2010-07-18 14:30:24

I really haven't heard much of anything but bad concerning AT&T and Android. AT&T apparently being a little too controlling about what you can and can't do. Seems to go against the open source base of Android itself. Or perhaps I've read into it wrong.

But if the iPhone isn't working for you, you don't seem to have much choice. The only other decent smartphone option would be a RIM phone I think.

MarkPharaoh 2010-07-18 15:39:17

At&T doesn't allow you to sideload apps, but there are work arounds with the SDK from what I've read.

jstg 2010-07-18 15:43:53

I've heard that. Just didn't know how much actual proof there was in it. I don't know personally know anyone with an Android device, let alone an AT&T Android device

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cn31672 2010-07-19 15:48:19

I just did that exact thing. Returned my iPhone4 and moved the the Captivate. Glad I did... I think it's smooth and very responsive. Very, very customizable, almost intimidatingly so coming from the iPhone. Luckily, I have an iPad, so my apps will still be used, but I am happily on the android kick....
My best advice is to do what feels right. ATT will not let you return a second phone unless it's defective, so you're stuck with your next choice.. Make it count!!!!!!
Good Luck!

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mausolo 2010-07-23 19:55:25

The problem I had was that I had an iPhone 3G and was completely married to the whole iTunes music thing. But I've had me Captivate for almost a whole week and it's been great!!! I downloaded a iTunes client from cnet.com and it syncs my Captivate with iTunes. I also got the Google App named Listen, which is free, and it syncs with my Google Reader and I get all of my podcast!!!! battery hasn't been as good as my iPhone but it lasts all day. Great phone and waiting for Froyo!!!

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blackax 2010-07-18 15:14:52

I just got the Captivate and its not bad. (its a spare phone till my nexus one breaks) I'm not a fan of TouchWiz crap but thats just me. Give the phone a few sec after you turn it on to get everthing sorted (its slow for about the first min) but after that its as fast as my n1 that runs foryo.

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