Do You Prefer an I-Phone or Galaxy 3 (Android) for Your Real Estate Activities and Posting at Bigger Pockets?

Question

I"m trying to choose between the new Iphone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy 3 and the reviews are mixed, so I thought to ask those who use them regularly here; I also suspect that most of the regular contributers at BP are using their phones to post instead of sitting at laptops/desktops. When I see all the posts by the frequent contributers here, I have to believe alot of them are done while on the run to look at deals and monitor construction progress, etc. 
  
The Galaxy 3 has a larger display and probably works better for texting with a flat screen, especially as I text with "all thumbs". It also avoids being tied to the I-tunes store, which can be expensive for apps, etc.

The I-phone operating system is supposed to be more "intuitive" and it has a better camera. It also requires a special charging cord that doesn't interchange with micro USB cords requiring a person carry multiple cords.

I would like to know what phones work better for your uses surrounding your real estate activities, and also for monitoring and posting at BP while doing anything else besides sitting at a desk. It seems that by having a phone that almost doubles as a laptop a person could avoid owning an I-Pad and require less desk-time  and allow more time looking at deals or driving for dollars etc.

I'm sure there are real estate uses for smartphones many including me, haven't even considered.

Jerry Puckett · Answer

I looked pretty carefully at some Windows phones before choosing the Galaxy. Loved the integration with Microsoft docs, but integration with Google spotty at best...I have 7 different Google accounts.

Also, being a former Palm user, I am familiar with what happens when an OS doesn't take off. (Palm had one of the best OS ever as far as I'm concerned, but was never "popular"). The App market for Windows OS is not particularly strong right now. If the OS doesn't take off as far as gross sales are concerned, there is nothing to attract developers.

May not be that important for you, but where the developers are, the best working and most useful Apps will be.

Kyle J. · Answer

I realize that. However, if I did convert to the iPhone 5 and spend the money to somehow change/convert all my charging cords and docks, I'd be worried about Apple changing their port again on a subsequent model. The problem I've realized all too well with this latest iPhone release is that NOBODY else uses the same port as Apple so they kind of have you between a rock and a hard place. It's going to cost to upgrade to the iPhone 5, or any other phone manufacturer.

If I switch to some other phone, like Samsung, I'd still have to buy new cables/docks like you pointed out. However, the big difference is that I'd likely never have to do it again after that since Samsung uses the more common micro USB port which is used by many other phones and mobile devices.

Manuel A. · Answer

If you want an unbiased opinion, let me give you a hand:

****If you want the gist of this post, scroll to bottom****

First off, if you need the phones to fulfill the needs of a web browser and "Real Estate activities" In all honesty, the Galaxy s3 would probably be your best bet. Why?

The reason is two fold:

- The screen is bigger. It is bigger and easy to use, but do recall the iPhone 5 has more pixels. What do you like more, a bigger screen, or more pixels?

- The batter life lasts three hours longer than an iPhone 5.

- The screen is more durable than the iPhone 5. The Galaxy s3 has Gorilla Glass 2, the iPhone has Gorilla Glass (1). Don't be fooled into thinking otherwise, it's simple specs.

The biggest point being the longer battery life. We all know how annoying it is to run out of batter life... And 3 more hours of phone life is HUGE when you're out and about. These two things are the only things that really matter. Right?

Now, there are plenty of reasons to get an iPhone 5 too though. The only draw back is the "reasons" to get the iPhone 5 deal more with aesthetics and not really any utility or things that actually matter if you're looking at this as a tool and not a fashion piece.

Non-the-less, here is the case FOR an iPhone 5:

- It has a much better camera in dim-light. And when I mean dim-light, I mean ONLY dim-light. So if you are going to be taking pictures in the night time with no lights on in a house, perhaps this is the choice. Otherwise, they are identical.

- Speed - The iPhone 5 is blazing fast. You should only really care about this if you are going to play top-notch games on it though. Not for your business. In everyday operation, you won't notice anything between the Galaxy s3 and iPhone 5. It's like comparing a Lamborghini with an F1 McClaren, sure the F1 is much faster, but are you're notice it when you're just cruising in the city/highway? No, you're only going to notice it when your racing (gaming)...

- It's Sexy - It does look much better than the Galaxy s3/pretty much anything else.

There is one big point we must discuss so you can make a better decision; the Operating System's.

- iPhone 5 - This phone is easier to use. How much easier? Slightly, not much. If someone tells you otherwise, spend some time with an iPhone and some time with an Android and make your own decision. But trust me, it's simple to use both phones.

- Galaxy s3 - The biggest difference between the two operating systems is in the iPhone 5, your home page just displays apps. In the Galaxy s3, your home page displays widgets and apps. What are widgets? Cool "extras" that let you display weather, appointments, alarms, pictures, bookmarks, notes, etc... on your home page for more functionality.

**********This is the gist of the post***********

In the end, I would opine that it comes down to aesthetics vs utility:

So if you like that extra screen Real Estate, much longer better life, and better screen durability, go for the Galaxy s3.

If you like the better dim-light camera, blazing fast speed for games, and sleek and sexy looks, go for the iPhone 5.

It's all up to you! I hope you pick what you feel is best!

As for me, I've owned an Android and iPhone. I like them both, but I just prefer the functionality and utility of Android's over iPhones.

In all honesty, you can't go wrong with choosing either. You WILL be satisfied with either product. They just have some advantages over each other, so in the end don't worry about making a "bad" decision because there is none in this case! :D

Manuel

Scott Costello · Answer

I've never owned either phone you are talking about, but I've owned an Iphone 3gs and my current phone is an Motorola Atrix (android).  So I have experience with both platforms.

Each has their pluses and minuses for sure.  I like the larger screens on android phones and also LOVE Google maps.  I don't use widgets so that isn't a discerning feature for me.

What I liked about the iPhone better are the apps and ease of use. Plus the iPhone is integrated with everything these days.  The android would work, but always had to jump through some hoops to get it to work.

If something works with the iphone, it works with the iphone.  As for android, it works with android unless your particular phone variant supports it.

All that said, I'm still torn between my next phone purchase come next spring.  I'm actually waiting to see how Windows Phone 8 devices fair.  I'm a windows fan more then a apple fan so my ideal technology toolbox would be....

PC with Windows 8
Tablet with Windows 8
Phone with Windows Phone 8

In my view the integration between all three devices would be seamless.  I'm particularly excited about bring a Windows 8 Tablet with me everywhere and being able to run my lead management software (that I developed) on it.  ooohh baby!

Ricardo Morales · Answer

Hi Burt,
Go with the iPhone.  Most developers find it easier to create apps for the iPhone than for any other platform.  In addition, the app store has a surplus amount of apps for all real estate needs.

Grant P. · Answer

I love my s3, and wouldn't change it for the Iphone until they make some major advances.

Shannon M. · Answer

C. None of the above.
Let me throw another option out there.
I currently have an IPhone 4. I was thinking about the 5, but as I looked at it, I didn’t see enough upside to justify the upgrade.
My next phone will likely be one of the new Windows 8 phones coming out late fall. Like others have mentioned I am growing weary of Apple ITunes walled garden. That and I have a short attention span so I would like to try a new operating system.

Jerry Puckett · Answer

My Wife just got a new Blackberry Bold. It's 4G like my Galaxy and very fast. Love using a real keyboard for texting (used to have a palm pixi that I loved,,,). Took me a long time to get used to touch screen texting.

As to the preference of Galaxy to I Phone..... I've never had an I Phone. Never even considered it, and mostly because of all the proprietary crap already mentioned.

But one thing that sold me on the Galaxy was the integration with Google and the way it handles my Email, G Voice, and Drive accounts. I can run my business from anywhere with this phone. I can get anywhere on line I need to be, can access all of my business docs, property info and pictures; I can post to BiggerPockets or update my own or a clients website on the go.

I think the camera is outstanding and don't even bring my Sony to shoot houses any more. Takes great video also for property tours.

John H. · Answer

This probably won't help you, but I like the iphone for cost reasons.
I still rehab houses myself so my pockets are full of sand and screws all day long so the iphone gets abused.  I get about a year out of them before they stop working.  I buy them used on craigslist for $80 to $100 for older models.

If your rural like I am and need ATT or Verizon, I like Straight talk, $45/month unlimited data/txt/calls.  All the cheaper ones, Boost,Virgin etc have no towers out here.

Rob K. · Answer

Does anyone know which phone is best if you're farsighted? I have a Blackberry which is great for texting and email, but the internet is very slow. I can use the keyboard without my glasses, which is nice since I don't where glasses when I drive.

I'm looking for a phone with fast internet, good camera, and a keyboard that is easy to see and use. I'm not concerned with music. I had a Droid Incredible for a while and the keyboard was too hard to use and the battery didn't hold a charge for more than 6 hours.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Do You Prefer an I-Phone or Galaxy 3 (Android) for Your Real Estate Activities and Posting at Bigger Pockets?

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