[Peter J]

As a sort of stop gap, we moved my wife onto Verizon's Share Everything plan and bought a wifi/Verizon ipad 3, which we took on a recent trip. I'll keep the dumb phone for now and see how it goes.

I can see why people like Apple stuff, it's very straight forward and intuitive. I loved having it along on the trip. Last night my very non-techy wife was gushing about here first Skype. And recently joined Facebook, and plays online games...totally bitten by the bug, kinda funny to watch!

[mr_bill]

Might depend how old you are or your eyesight.

iPhone screen getting smaller to me over the past 2 years (age 49 now)

I'm very happy with it, otherwise and have met no one that hasn't been.  Would trade up to an iPhone 5 if it has Siri and a larger screen, however.  Here's to hoping for that 

I have an Iphone 5 on order and it will arrive this week.
Went to Verizon yesterday and looked closely at the Galaxy S3 and Iphone 5 and the Galaxy S3 is much easier for me to see as I am 52 and nearsighted without bifocals.
I may take the Iphone 5 back and get the Galaxy S3.

Anyone else have my experience?

[*Scotty*]

I have had an iPhone 4 for 2years,AT&T, and have progressive lenses, NEARSIGHTED and went to progressive lens when I hit 50. So far no problems with seeing the screen. I like the simplicity and the apps that are available. I live in DC and use the map and Around Me frequently. Every time I get off the Metro train and come above ground out of the station I am turned around and need the damn map to figure out which way to start walking. Yeah, it's pathetic I know. Before I moved here I didn't need no stinking maps.
Scotty

[Jon L]

I've really disliked all the iPhones including up to 4s, with a lot of it having to do with how small the screen is (IMO) and how I really hate iTunes in general.  Obviously, I am a dyed-in-the-wool Windows user. 

I don't see how iPhone 5 will change anything for me personally, and I really like my Samsung Nexus, which has turned out to be so much more problem-free and functional than I initially expected.

As a side note, my Nexus just received the Verizon Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update from Ice Cream Sandwich, and oh boy, the speed of Nexus at least doubled!  The speed of how UI responds and how instant it is to flip through different apps and pages is lightening quick now. 

[RPM123]

The study below should help those with vision issues to make a decision. There was also another study that found the G3 to have the dimmest display of of several phones tested and may account for the longer battery life.

DisplayMate posts an extensive analysis of the new iPhone 5 screen and also provides detailed comparisons against the iPhone 4 and the Samsung Galaxy S III.

They conclude that the iPhone 5 represents the best Smartphone screen they've tested.
Based on our extensive Lab measurements the iPhone 5 has a true state-of-the-art accurate display – it’s not perfect and there is plenty of room for improvements (and competitors) but it is the best Smartphone display we have seen to date based on extensive Lab measurements and viewing tests.

In particular, they note that the iPhone 5 has much lower screen reflections, a much higher image contrast and screen readability in high ambient lighting and notably improved color accuracy and picture quality.

Here is their Overall Assessments chart comparing the iPhone 4, iPhone 5, and Samsung Galaxy SIII. They conclude the iPhone 5 significantly outperforms the other two units:


The remainder of their charts detail differences in Reflections, Brightness and Contrast, Color and Intensities, Viewing Angles, Power Consumption and Battery Impact.

[Rclark]

Windows phone user here. Highly underrated phone, if only people knew. I am patiently waiting for the next version of this in the new Gen version with an s3 sized screen.

Never interested in iPhone, too trendy. Trendy tends to not be the best choice in gadgets. And anyway I run a PC so Windows phone connects in tailor made fashion.

Two friends have the S3 though and it looks fantastic. I'm just waiting for the Windows OS version.


 The heck with it, I just ordered a replacement battery for my Focus. I'm going to leapfrog this gen entirely.

[launche]

Funny, the first thing I think of when I think of a gadget is the word trendy.
I was anti-apple for years as well and probably for no good reason other than not being that crazy about proprietary products.  I went from an Android Thunderbolt to and iphone 4S.

For me a phone's a phone, most class leaders seem to do 95% of the same things I don't worry about a feature here or there.  I chose Apple for one main reason...CUSTOMER SERVICE.  They have been more than fair to me even when I was at fault and thus have earned my loyalty in the short term.  I like that when I have a problem I can go speak to someone in person who can be helpful as opposed to someone by phone in lord knows where or someone who doesn't know the product well.

[Tyson]

Yes, I agree, the Apple customer support is a differentiator for me.  I buy Apple because I can just use the device and don't have to be my own "IT Department" like I do with Windows machines.

[Rclark]

Well that's the thing, the Windows phone is mobile os 7, and is absolutely brilliant. I haven't had one issue with the phone in the near two years I've had it. Nor Windows 7 for that matter. It's a great phone. At the time, I was looking hard at Galaxy S and iPhone, but chose the Windows platform because I run a PC, and I really liked the phone's OS and layout far more than the overly busy Android. And that last gen's iPhone had a crap screen compared to the OLED in the Focus. Plus I think iPhone is kind of tame.

[cujobob]

Which phone to choose all comes down to personnel preference. The Windows phones have had a lot of QC issues and they really don't have near the support that iOS or Android users have access to. Smartphones use apps and for this reason, I wouldn't discuss the Windows phones just yet (perhaps in the future).

Why get the Galaxy S3? Samsung's Galaxy S phones have a lot of high quality parts used along with a big screen and solid battery life. If you want a large screen, non-iTunes interface, Google Maps (the finest navigation currently available) or like the customization Android offers, this phone is a great choice.

Why get the iPhone? Apple's new iPhone 5 has the best of a few things. They offer some of the fastest 4G (thanks to the chipset used), the best camera, a great A6 processor, the finest display on any smartphone, the best apps on any device, the most supported OS (Android phones typically don't get updates after about a year because they aren't straight Android OS'), the best accessories, and the phone is very useful with one hand (and ultraportable). You are a bit handcuffed by iTunes with your media, but if that doesn't bother you and the screen size works for you, I'd recommend this route.

iOS6 introduces Apple's new Maps app which replaces Google's Map app....why? Google Maps didn't allow Turn by Turn on the iPhone, basically because they wanted to keep that for their own product lineup. So Apple acquired a few companies and has it's own Map App now, the issue is that it's brand new software. It actually has some advantages over Google Maps, but in it's infancy, you might find that it will lack some of the detail in cities that Google's app provides.

Both phones have a Personal Assistant app, Siri takes the cake there from all the reviews I've read. I got it on my iPad 3 (New iPad, whatever) and it's quite useful for setting up reminders or setting alarm clocks. That's pretty much all I use it for.

The display, as the website mentioned above tells, is better on the iPhone, too. It has better pixel counts per inch, better colors, angles, and is more power efficient (OLED isn't as efficient at this point). I've had an HTC Evo 3D which is a narrow screen that is tall and I'll be honest, I think the iPhone's size will be perfect for me. Like many others, the old one was just too small for my needs. Not by much, but by enough. The site mentioned that the GS3 does not have the brightness to match the iPhone 5 display because of it's inefficient technology, so that could be an issue for some.

The camera, both are quite good I've read. The iPhone is supposed to have the upper hand but for most people, either will be good enough for it's intended purpose. That's how good this tech has come..amazing IMHO.

Battery life, there aren't a lot of fair tests to really compare in this area just yet so the verdict is out. Probably close or an edge to the S3.

One last thing worth mentioning is that Samsung and Apple sued each other, Apple so far has come out on top. Because of that, who knows what might happen should they need to find workarounds for their patent violations.

(further reading: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-57510802-233/iphone-5-vs-galaxy-s3-vs-lumia-920-by-the-numbers/ this has little info on the iPhone 5, obviously....http://www.displaymate.com/Smartphone_ShootOut_2.htm display stuff)

[cujobob]

It's on my wish list. That's not actually a phone but sooner or later someone will make one. Hey, I'd like to say I have deep pockets but sadly it ain't so. Still, I just measured 140 x 230 mm, which will fit a pretty big phone...

Thing I don't understand is why Apple only makes one phone? I mean, Mac comes in several (physically different) versions - Pro, mini, 2 x iMac, 2 x Air, 3 x Macbook Pro. So what's the big deal with making phones (or iPads) in different sizes?

Thought I'd answer this way later

My understanding is that different size devices were seen by the leaders of the company as being unnecessary and also as making it more difficult for the guys making all of the apps. The general thought by a lot of experts (Bill Gates and Steve Jobs included) was that you'd have one tablet computer around 10" or so, a smartphone mostly for communication, and another computer. This was discussed in an interview the Gates and Jobs did together. I'm guessing the idea behind the original size phone was to make all apps built for one size (besides iPad apps), it was convenient to carry around, and they didn't see a huge market for giant phones compared to what most people would want. iPad sales have been amazing and consumers still want big phones. Go figure. Since getting my iPad I've used my phone much differently.

[pardales]

Which phone to choose all comes down to personnel preference. The Windows phones have had a lot of QC issues and they really don't have near the support that iOS or Android users have access to. Smartphones use apps and for this reason, I wouldn't discuss the Windows phones just yet (perhaps in the future).

Why get the Galaxy S3? Samsung's Galaxy S phones have a lot of high quality parts used along with a big screen and solid battery life. If you want a large screen, non-iTunes interface, Google Maps (the finest navigation currently available) or like the customization Android offers, this phone is a great choice.

Why get the iPhone? Apple's new iPhone 5 has the best of a few things. They offer some of the fastest 4G (thanks to the chipset used), the best camera, a great A6 processor, the finest display on any smartphone, the best apps on any device, the most supported OS (Android phones typically don't get updates after about a year because they aren't straight Android OS'), the best accessories, and the phone is very useful with one hand (and ultraportable). You are a bit handcuffed by iTunes with your media, but if that doesn't bother you and the screen size works for you, I'd recommend this route.

iOS6 introduces Apple's new Maps app which replaces Google's Map app....why? Google Maps didn't allow Turn by Turn on the iPhone, basically because they wanted to keep that for their own product lineup. So Apple acquired a few companies and has it's own Map App now, the issue is that it's brand new software. It actually has some advantages over Google Maps, but in it's infancy, you might find that it will lack some of the detail in cities that Google's app provides.

Both phones have a Personal Assistant app, Siri takes the cake there from all the reviews I've read. I got it on my iPad 3 (New iPad, whatever) and it's quite useful for setting up reminders or setting alarm clocks. That's pretty much all I use it for.

The display, as the website mentioned above tells, is better on the iPhone, too. It has better pixel counts per inch, better colors, angles, and is more power efficient (OLED isn't as efficient at this point). I've had an HTC Evo 3D which is a narrow screen that is tall and I'll be honest, I think the iPhone's size will be perfect for me. Like many others, the old one was just too small for my needs. Not by much, but by enough. The site mentioned that the GS3 does not have the brightness to match the iPhone 5 display because of it's inefficient technology, so that could be an issue for some.

The camera, both are quite good I've read. The iPhone is supposed to have the upper hand but for most people, either will be good enough for it's intended purpose. That's how good this tech has come..amazing IMHO.

Battery life, there aren't a lot of fair tests to really compare in this area just yet so the verdict is out. Probably close or an edge to the S3.

One last thing worth mentioning is that Samsung and Apple sued each other, Apple so far has come out on top. Because of that, who knows what might happen should they need to find workarounds for their patent violations.

(further reading: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-57510802-233/iphone-5-vs-galaxy-s3-vs-lumia-920-by-the-numbers/ this has little info on the iPhone 5, obviously....http://www.displaymate.com/Smartphone_ShootOut_2.htm display stuff)

nice analysis.