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Best Smartphone?

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Is the Note II really worth the $299 price tag? It looks awesome, but not sure if I want to pay that much..

Yeah I agree it is pricey. The way I think of it is this: this phone has multiple functions including camera, mp3 player, navigator, and a ton of other gadgets. I would save around $100 dollars on a digital camera if I bought this phone (the camera is fantastic). Then I would save another $100+ dollars because it is an mp3 player. Then I would save another $100 because it has a navigation system. And I would probably be saving money in many other ways as well (that I don't know yet), again because I bought this phone. So if you think of it this way it is worth it.

SIDE NOTE: customer reviews on cnet for the Note II are higher than both the iphone and galaxy S3.
 
You guys don't find nite ii too big to carry around?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile
 
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You guys don't find nite ii too big to carry around?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile

I have a GS3 and the more I see the Note 2 around the more I think it wouldn't be a pain to carry around. Kind of wish I had waited and gotten it instead.
 
I have a GS3 and the more I see the Note 2 around the more I think it wouldn't be a pain to carry around. Kind of wish I had waited and gotten it instead.

On my flight home for Christmas last month I sat next to a guy with a Note 2. There's no way in hell I could carry that around daily. I felt like he was using a mini ipad as a phone. He loved it, though.

Still rockin the 4S....oh wait, I've only had it for a year.

I've had my 4 for 2.5 years. 😳

It's as good as the day I got it, but the sleep button on top has begun to stick. I'm going to try to fix it and sell it. They're still worth $200 +
 
You guys don't find nite ii too big to carry around?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile

Some how my more recent phones seem to get bigger and bigger. Before my Note II, I had the Droid X (only slightly smaller than the Note II).
 
Re-engineered from a recent post...

I recommend the iPhone 4s or the Samsung Galaxy 3 as the new phone if you're in the market for a new device is really portable and you're not stuck on having the fastest 4G LTE network with its associated battery issues. Definitely stick with Verizon either way for the best coverage in the big cities as well as the tiny towns that you may be rotating through. None of them is worth giving up an unlimited data plan if you still have one, so keep that in mind.

The iPhone 5 and the Galaxy III can both do LTE, but they may require charging every day and the 5S still needs the whole maps issue and a few other items sorted out for a few stable update releases before I'd seriously look at it again. Thanks to Google for being a good sport about all this.

Buy and external usb battery or "power bank" off of ebay for your phone and you should be able to recharge your phone at least once if your trips to FB get out of hand.

"Rooting" or Jailbreaking" is possible on both, so you can put whatever you want on either one for a substantial discount if that's driving your decision. If you've done that, you can transfer files back and forth whatever way you want and avoid iTunes completely. Torrents of medical apps, ebooks and movies are illegal but the price is right for some people with the technical skill to get them on any device and that's I'll say about that. TOS=Followed.

Either of these phones are also reasonably priced now that the next device is soon to be out in the next 6 months to a year. This is the way it is every year with Apple and Android phones. Any of these will fit in your white coat without a problem. Stay with iOS 5.x for iPhone and at least Jelly Bean releases that they run on for the best functionality and compatability with everything else.

I wouldn't buy a tablet as a med student but I absolutely recommend Samsung mini and full tablet devices if you feel you absolutely have to have one as they're great quality, reasonably priced and allow for a lot more customization than the Apple devices.

Just please don't be "That Guy" that sits down in the lunch room of your school and proceeds to take the iPad out to plug it into his laptop USB to sync, then his phone into the laptop to charge and sync and finally plugs the laptop into the wall outlet to make sure he doesn't run out of power. I've seen this a lot recently and it's really easy to see that his priorities may not be in the right place.

My story for the fun of owning a tablet is the same:
You will quickly find out all the problems you'll have doing a physical exam with the chance of hitting the patient with the tablet or iPad as you lean over them. What about shared lockers or just a coat rack or having no safe place to lock it up if you have an urgent admission and have left it somewhere else? If you're scrubbed in on a surgery or leaving it in your doctor's office while seeing patient, that defeats the purpose of having something portable. Buy one without a cell phone component and you save a ton of money if you already have a phone.

My phone traveled with me everywhere and was big enough to read off of any app, especially "pinching" the area I wanted to see up close. If you have to buy one of those "Inspector Gadget" white coats with 12 pockets for your devices, you're going in the wrong direction. I thought much higher of the Residents and Attendings that had a small amount of stuff on them than those that seemed to carry everything on them, as if they didn't know enough after being a doctor for several years.

More money spent now means less money for UWorld and interviews later when it really counts.
 
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Re-engineered from a recent post...

I recommend the iPhone 4s or the Samsung Galaxy 3 as the new phone if you're in the market for a new device is really portable and you're not stuck on having the fastest 4G LTE network with its associated battery issues. Definitely stick with Verizon either way for the best coverage in the big cities as well as the tiny towns that you may be rotating through. None of them is worth giving up an unlimited data plan if you still have one, so keep that in mind.

The iPhone 5 and the Galaxy III can both do LTE, but they may require charging every day and the 5S still needs the whole maps issue and a few other items sorted out for a few stable update releases before I'd seriously look at it again. Thanks to Google for being a good sport about all this.

Buy and external usb battery or "power bank" off of ebay for your phone and you should be able to recharge your phone at least once if your trips to FB get out of hand.

"Rooting" or Jailbreaking" is possible on both, so you can put whatever you want on either one for a substantial discount if that's driving your decision. If you've done that, you can transfer files back and forth whatever way you want and avoid iTunes completely. Torrents of medical apps, ebooks and movies are illegal but the price is right for some people with the technical skill to get them on any device and that's I'll say about that. TOS=Followed.

Either of these phones are also reasonably priced now that the next device is soon to be out in the next 6 months to a year. This is the way it is every year with Apple and Android phones. Any of these will fit in your white coat without a problem. Stay with iOS 5.x for iPhone and at least Jelly Bean releases that they run on for the best functionality and compatability with everything else.

I wouldn't buy a tablet as a med student but I absolutely recommend Samsung mini and full tablet devices if you feel you absolutely have to have one as they're great quality, reasonably priced and allow for a lot more customization than the Apple devices.

Just please don't be "That Guy" that sits down in the lunch room of your school and proceeds to take the iPad out to plug it into his laptop USB to sync, then his phone into the laptop to charge and sync and finally plugs the laptop into the wall outlet to make sure he doesn't run out of power. I've seen this a lot recently and it's really easy to see that his priorities may not be in the right place.

My story for the fun of owning a tablet is the same:
You will quickly find out all the problems you'll have doing a physical exam with the chance of hitting the patient with the tablet or iPad as you lean over them. What about shared lockers or just a coat rack or having no safe place to lock it up if you have an urgent admission and have left it somewhere else? If you're scrubbed in on a surgery or leaving it in your doctor's office while seeing patient, that defeats the purpose of having something portable. Buy one without a cell phone component and you save a ton of money if you already have a phone.

My phone traveled with me everywhere and was big enough to read off of any app, especially "pinching" the area I wanted to see up close. If you have to buy one of those "Inspector Gadget" white coats with 12 pockets for your devices, you're going in the wrong direction. I thought much higher of the Residents and Attendings that had a small amount of stuff on them than those that seemed to carry everything on them, as if they didn't know enough after being a doctor for several years.

More money spent now means less money for UWorld and interviews later when it really counts.

Thanks for the post! Very helpful. 👍
 
I have the Windows Phone HTC 8X. Pretty kick ass... I've had the S3 and the iPhone 4s.

I think the HTC 8X isn't as "geek friendly" as the others, but I love it and the interface is slick and it's easy to type on too. It's also pretty light and I would recommend the Windows Phone with a close 2nd to the GS3

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us

👍👍👍👍👍
 
Has anyone said iPhone 5 yet

iPhone 5.

Its battery outlasts the 4s, if you dont like Apple Maps you can use google maps (free app), iOS apps are still a bit better/at least there are more of them, it works well for when you get an iPad like 90% of the physicians using a tablet, great camera (sensor, lens and software), you can now jailbreak (untethered), its easy to hold in one hand but still big, its incredibly simple to use nearly all of its features (unlike the note2, which is awesomely capable, but convoluted to the point of becoming nearly impractical) ...
 
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Galaxy S3. Iphone 5 feels like a piece of crap it weighs so little.

.


Hmmm, plastic on plastic vs aluminum on glass. Which one felt like crap?


There are a few decent arguments to chose a galaxy over an iPhone, but build quality isn't one of them. But, if you want a heavier phone, here ya go...


martincooper_540.png
 
Hmmm, plastic on plastic vs aluminum on glass. Which one felt like crap?


There are a few decent arguments to chose a galaxy over an iPhone, but build quality isn't one of them. But, if you want a heavier phone, here ya go...


martincooper_540.png

Bro, everyone knows Zach Morris is the gold standard when referencing large mobile phones.

tumblr_mcravf6IZW1rihh0ho1_500.gif


But I agree...iPhone 5 is the way to go.
 
Bro, everyone knows Zach Morris is the gold standard when referencing large mobile phones.

tumblr_mcravf6IZW1rihh0ho1_500.gif


But I agree...iPhone 5 is the way to go.

I actually had a Zach Morris pic, but I felt that he added too much coolness to the photo so as to counter my entire argument! So, I went with the old man, haha
 
I actually had a Zach Morris pic, but I felt that he added too much coolness to the photo so as to counter my entire argument! So, I went with the old man, haha

Thats probably true. Zack Morris always brings the cool...hang loose
tumblr_m8tuh9hLLA1qlcuyqo1_500.gif
 
Thats probably true. Zack Morris always brings the cool...hang loose
tumblr_m8tuh9hLLA1qlcuyqo1_500.gif
Kenobi, so many possible Droid double entendres and you choose to continue with the Zach stuff??? I'm very disappointed and he's definitively not the droid we're looking for or want to look at.
 
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Hmmm, plastic on plastic vs aluminum on glass. Which one felt like crap?


There are a few decent arguments to chose a galaxy over an iPhone, but build quality isn't one of them. But, if you want a heavier phone, here ya go...

I will probably catch flak for suggesting it again, but build quality on the Droid RAZR HD line is far superior to either.

Sent from my Droid RAZR MAXX HD. Typos may be present. I hope there are some hilarious ones.
 
Bros, Samsung Note II fo real.

It's great. I used to have an iphone 4 and no regrets with the Note II. ya it looks huge but after a few days, it feels great. No one-handed ness but I text with two hands anyway. ****s faster that way. The swype keyboard is amazing, but sometime's it doesn't get the word right. No biggie. My friends' iphones all look like toys. This is a powerhouse of a machine.

Downtime somewhere away from your books/laptop/tablet? I can pull up lectures using dropbox and I don't have to zoom in. I can throw up Anki and start doing some flash cards. Battery life is great and I don't have to charge everyday. Widgets are amazing. I don't call many people anyway. I usually text. The giant phone next to my ear is no big deal. I'm sure I'll have no problem keeping my 5.5" phone in my white coat on rotations as a reference guide.

Just do it.
 
I will probably catch flak for suggesting it again, but build quality on the Droid RAZR HD line is far superior to either.

Sent from my Droid RAZR MAXX HD. Typos may be present. I hope there are some hilarious ones.

No flak from me on this one! The RAZR is actually very well built...very solid. My brother has it and loves it.

Its a heavy little guy, so actually a good suggestion for medPR.


I still prefer the iPhone for iOS, camera and lightweight, but thats me.
 
Kenobi, so many possible Droid double entendres and you choose to continue with the Zach stuff??? I'm very disappointed and he's definitively not the droid we're looking for or want to look at.
Haha. Slater?

Either way, I'm sorry for letting you down J. As a token of my goodwill, I present to you a gift: these two droids.


star-wars-sexy-bikini-girl-hot-05.jpg
 
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Kenobi, so many possible Droid double entendres and you choose to continue with the Zach stuff??? I'm very disappointed and he's definitively not the droid we're looking for or want to look at.

Whoa J, speak for yourself... I wouldn't mind looking at him 😉
 
Whoa J, speak for yourself... I wouldn't mind looking at him 😉
Each elf for himself and with whomever, I guess. I always wondered about that eerie elfish smile...

I'm glad you guys are on board with the Samsung stuff, it's probably the best buy for the build quality, if for no other reason.
 
Each elf for himself and with whomever, I guess. I always wondered about that eerie elfish smile...

I'm glad you guys are on board with the Samsung stuff, it's probably the best buy for the build quality, if for no other reason.

Ok, now most of the reasons to buy Apple vs Samsung can be seen as subjective. But, since you mentioned it, build quality is maybe the only area (besides camera performance) where the Apple is objectively better. It usually costs more because of it...but we're talking plastic vs aluminum and gorilla glass.

So, maybe say something about the big screens or Android operating system...but not build quality! 😀
 
Ok, now most of the reasons to buy Apple vs Samsung can be seen as subjective. But, since you mentioned it, build quality is maybe the only area (besides camera performance) where the Apple is objectively better. It usually costs more because of it...but we're talking plastic vs aluminum and gorilla glass.

So, maybe say something about the big screens or Android operating system...but not build quality! 😀

Samsung been using gorilla glass since before iPhone started using it.

I agree however that the apple feels more expensive in the hands. The aluminum and glass gives it a premium feel, however that also makes the phone more fragile.

The Samsung with plastic back and all feels a bit cheaper, but doesn't feel as fragile.

Sent from my Galaxy S2
 
Samsung been using gorilla glass since before iPhone started using it.

I agree however that the apple feels more expensive in the hands. The aluminum and glass gives it a premium feel, however that also makes the phone more fragile.

The Samsung with plastic back and all feels a bit cheaper, but doesn't feel as fragile.

Sent from my Galaxy S2

I was wondering where you were for this convo! 😉

But about gorilla glass, thats a common myth. In fact, if it werent for Job's, gorilla glass would have never come to be (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorilla_Glass). Apple used it, but didn't release that info until later to keep it under wraps.


I love Samsung...have a samsung TV! I think they are next best to Apple for now, and maybe will be better. But, I cant say that I agree that aluminum, which we use on airplanes, can be called fragile! Especially compared to plastic.

So, if you compare phones, iphone5 vs galaxy 3, just in build quality you have same glass. Even. But then you have plastic vs Aluminum. Point Apple. You could also argue that the larger galaxy screen is more likely to crack...but I will hold back there.

I think build quality still goes to apple for now.
 
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idc if it's aluminum or plastic. You drop it from a decent height and it's fuked either way. My wife is 5'3 and her iphone slipped out of her pocket and screen was shattered. I mean completely cracked in every direction. Before that, her home button sensor on her iphone 4 wasn't working because it became loose inside just from normal wear and tear. Let's not forget the issue with not being able to change the battery which pretty much guarantees you'll upgrade to the next phone. My brother-in-law only upgraded his iphone 4 because it wouldn't hold a charge longer than 8 hours anymore.

Iphone was great. It's still great to a lot of people. However, I forsee Samsung continuing to widen the gap in the future. There's a difference between being progressive and rehashing the same ol' thing.
 
idc if it's aluminum or plastic. You drop it from a decent height and it's fuked either way. My wife is 5'3 and her iphone slipped out of her pocket and screen was shattered. I mean completely cracked in every direction. Before that, her home button sensor on her iphone 4 wasn't working because it became loose inside just from normal wear and tear. Let's not forget the issue with not being able to change the battery which pretty much guarantees you'll upgrade to the next phone. My brother-in-law only upgraded his iphone 4 because it wouldn't hold a charge longer than 8 hours anymore.

Iphone was great. It's still great to a lot of people. However, I forsee Samsung continuing to (CLOSE) the gap (FROM BEHIND) in the future. There's a difference between being progressive and rehashing the same ol' thing. (FTFY) 😉


Ok, if you want a drop proof phone, you get to choose from this top 10 list:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2381435,00.asp

Ugly. Also, I dont use a case and have dropped my iPhone several times without problem (luckily!)

All anecdotes aside, I still dont think there is an objective arguent that will make plastic better build quality than aluminum. Apple wins build quality.


Now, as for being progressive? I wonder how Samsung is progressive? The galaxy phones and pads are copied directly from the iPhone and iPad, right?

I mean, look at samsung gear before Apple created those markets. I'd have to give Apple the award for progress as well.


Samsung gets award for variety and big screen.
 
Ok, if you want a drop proof phone, you get to choose from this top 10 list:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2381435,00.asp

Ugly. Also, I dont use a case and have dropped my iPhone several times without problem (luckily!)

All anecdotes aside, I still dont think there is an objective arguent that will make plastic better build quality than aluminum. Apple wins build quality.


Now, as for being progressive? I wonder how Samsung is progressive? The galaxy phones and pads are copied directly from the iPhone and iPad, right?

I mean, look at samsung gear before Apple created those markets. I'd have to give Apple the award for progress as well.


Samsung gets award for variety and big screen.

I agree Apple wins build quality. Also I have to admit the iPhone looks sexier. They also have great customer service.

By fragile in my earlier comment I was more referring to how the back has glass on it as well, makes it feel more fragile. That being said my dad switched from an Evo to an iPhone 5 a few months ago and he doesn't have a case and I don't see any visible damage, so it's probably just perception.

Sent from my Galaxy S2
 
Ok, if you want a drop proof phone, you get to choose from this top 10 list:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2381435,00.asp

Ugly. Also, I dont use a case and have dropped my iPhone several times without problem (luckily!)

All anecdotes aside, I still dont think there is an objective arguent that will make plastic better build quality than aluminum. Apple wins build quality.


Now, as for being progressive? I wonder how Samsung is progressive? The galaxy phones and pads are copied directly from the iPhone and iPad, right?

I mean, look at samsung gear before Apple created those markets. I'd have to give Apple the award for progress as well.


Samsung gets award for variety and big screen.

I meant from now onwards. While Samsung did make some plays to catch up once Apple hit it big, but Apple hasn't done much to motivate the market. Iphone 3 4 5 all pretty much the same, just rehashed. 4G LTE over 1.5 yrs late. I was an apple believer. Loved my iphone 4. Iphone 5 was a huge disappointment. Once I crossed over to the dark side, I can't believe how much more I love my Samsung.

Apple made great strides in the last several years, but they aren't the future. Huge growth in Samsung market share will only continue to grow. It would be foolish to disregard Samsung's capabilities.
 
I agree Apple wins build quality. Also I have to admit the iPhone looks sexier. They also have great customer service.

By fragile in my earlier comment I was more referring to how the back has glass on it as well, makes it feel more fragile. That being said my dad switched from an Evo to an iPhone 5 a few months ago and he doesn't have a case and I don't see any visible damage, so it's probably just perception.

Sent from my Galaxy S2

Ah yes...the double sided glass of the iPhone 4. Yeah, I broke the back of mine, so I have to agree with you on that model.

But, yeah, the 5 seems to be pretty solid



Now, the think I will give samsung is the screen size. I dont want the note (though some love it) but a little bigger would be nice
 
I think both Apple and Samsung are good. It just comes down to personal preference.


Sent from my Galaxy S2
 
I think both Apple and Samsung are good. It just comes down to personal preference.

Sent from my Galaxy S2

how dare you throw a rational thought into this thread! 😉


I meant from now onwards. While Samsung did make some plays to catch up once Apple hit it big, but Apple hasn't done much to motivate the market. Iphone 3 4 5 all pretty much the same, just rehashed. 4G LTE over 1.5 yrs late. I was an apple believer. Loved my iphone 4. Iphone 5 was a huge disappointment. Once I crossed over to the dark side, I can't believe how much more I love my Samsung.

Apple made great strides in the last several years, but they aren't the future. Huge growth in Samsung market share will only continue to grow. It would be foolish to disregard Samsung's capabilities.

Well, Im always open for a new company to take the title! Apple used to suck and could again.

But, the iphone has actually changed dramatically in those iterations...I can't see a line of phones that have changed more really.

And LTE was right on time...those companies with early LTE adoption had horrible battery life (less than a day for all of them) and there were like 3 major cities that even supported it. Apple waited til it made sense.

iPhone 5 is actually the best phone apple has made, not disappointing at all. Its ranked 1st or second by every decent review out there too, so its not just me.


BUT, if I had to bet on either Samsung or Apple for the future...I might actually choose Samsung. So Im with you there! Steve Jobs was literally one of a kind for what he did and he's gone.

I just wont give Samsung credit before they DO something. So far, they are just keeping up.
 
Can't wait for Galaxy note 3! Rumored to have that flexible screen Samsung has been working on!

Sent from my Galaxy S2
 
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I'm JGimpel and I approved this picture. This is definitely a droid I'd like to do shots with.

I guess I should clarify; for the money, the Samsung G3 or Note 2 is a better buy, since it and the iPhone are both well built. Once you get past the heavy subsidies the telcos give to lock you into a 2 year $100+ per month contract, the Samsung stuff ends up a bit cheaper so the choice in operating systems and what value you can get out of jailbreaking/rooting the phones will be. If doing none of that, the Droid world has more to offer out of the box. I also hate being told exactly what I can and can't do with my $600+ phone.
 
Hmmm, plastic on plastic vs aluminum on glass. Which one felt like crap?


There are a few decent arguments to chose a galaxy over an iPhone, but build quality isn't one of them. But, if you want a heavier phone, here ya go...


martincooper_540.png

IPhone 5 feels like crap because it weighs so little.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile
 
I'm JGimpel and I approved this picture. This is definitely a droid I'd like to do shots with.

I guess I should clarify; for the money, the Samsung G3 or Note 2 is a better buy, since it and the iPhone are both well built. Once you get past the heavy subsidies the telcos give to lock you into a 2 year $100+ per month contract, the Samsung stuff ends up a bit cheaper so the choice in operating systems and what value you can get out of jailbreaking/rooting the phones will be. If doing none of that, the Droid world has more to offer out of the box. I also hate being told exactly what I can and can't do with my $600+ phone.

Are you shopping for iPhones in dark alleyways?? 😀

they are anywhere from $49 and $99 to $199 and $299. And I still dont know anything useful you can do with droid that cant be done on an iPhone.
 
Are you shopping for iPhones in dark alleyways?? 😀

they are anywhere from $49 and $99 to $199 and $299. And I still dont know anything useful you can do with droid that cant be done on an iPhone.

Can you turn off your ringer volume but still have alarm volume at maximum? srs question
 
Can you turn off your ringer volume but still have alarm volume at maximum? srs question

Good question and yes...

you can also use the new "do not disturb" feature to set up time or GPS info to activate customized ringer settings automatically. (Like, when GPS detects you're at work/school, your ringer goes to vibrate, and when you leave sound goes back on. Or, every night it 12 all sounds/alerts go to silent but alarm still sounds. Things like that. You can set it up any number of ways you want.)
 
Good question and yes...

you can also use the new "do not disturb" feature to set up time or GPS info to activate customized ringer settings automatically. (Like, when GPS detects you're at work/school, your ringer goes to vibrate, and when you leave sound goes back on. Or, every night it 12 all sounds/alerts go to silent but alarm still sounds. Things like that. You can set it up any number of ways you want.)

ok good cuz my wife wants that and i didn't have a clue thx
 
Can you turn off your ringer volume but still have alarm volume at maximum? srs question

GS3 can do these things too.

Good question and yes...

you can also use the new "do not disturb" feature to set up time or GPS info to activate customized ringer settings automatically. (Like, when GPS detects you're at work/school, your ringer goes to vibrate, and when you leave sound goes back on. Or, every night it 12 all sounds/alerts go to silent but alarm still sounds. Things like that. You can set it up any number of ways you want.)

Who leaves their GPS on at all times though? Great way to drain your battery.
 
I'm a few months away from finishing my stupid tmobile contract and will be moving to Verizon. I've had iPhones for the past few years and so am much more used to the iOS. My few interactions with android OS have not impressed me, but still, sometimes I'm tired of my iPhone and would like to try something new. I just have so much invested in apps and the like that I don't know if the switch would be worth it.

Insert first world problems meme here.
 
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