New smartphone options? Help me!

[noisyturtle]

Well I planned on keeping my Incredible 2 for another year, but the charge port 'fried'(that's how the tech. put it.) It's time for a new phone and I've narrowed it down, but the choices are so close I cannot make a decision. I do not want an iPhone, Droid 4 life although I did take a hard look at the Windows phone 8x. So the reasonable options are:
1. Droid Razr HD
2. LG Spectrum 2
The specs are so close, but I am leaning slightly towards the Razr. Does anyone own/have hands on experience with either of these phones? Things that matter is screen clarity, OS, battery life, apps. I don't care about the camera or voice activation stuff. Other options are the Razr Maxx HD and Galaxy Note II, although the specs for the Note and Maxx are close enough that I can't really justify dropping an extra $100 for the Galaxy, and I've heard negative things about it's interface.

[Turbo Slaab]

Note 2 if you want a huge screen. RAZR Maxx HD or GS3 if you don't. Samsung is really killing it in the mobile market these days.

[Jocelyn]

The LG has a better screen (IPS vs. Super AMOLED), while the Motorola has a bigger and longer lasting battery. I'd personally go with the Razr HD or even the Razr Maxx HD over the LG.

This is coming from a Note 2 owner and I can understand why someone would not want to spend the extra $100 for the Note 2 over the Razr Maxx HD. Also, no idea who is saying negative things about TouchWiz (Samsung's UI). I could understand HTC Sense, but not TouchWiz

Edit: Why not wait for the GS4? It'll be available soon, but you are on Verizon meaning it could be awhile lol

Note 2 if you want a huge screen. RAZR Maxx HD or GS4 if you don't. Samsung is really killing it in the mobile market these days.

FTFY. One of the best things about Samsung phones is that they all have removable batteries and removable storage.

[noisyturtle]

Hmm, the GS3 is actually a very attractive option. More battery life and double the storage over the Spectrum.

edit: the specs on the GS4 are pretty impressive and preorders are in 2 days, but $250 is pushing it and who knows when they will actually ship. I could be without a phone for months. Maybe there will be a price drop on other models on the 16th.

[Permeability]

You should think long and hard if you're upgrading on Verizon, they changed their policy and said that you can now only upgrade a phone after 24 months on the contract instead of the previous 18 months. So basically you have to wait out a 2 year contract after this next upgrade in order to upgrade again. I would suggest the GS3 or Razr Maxx. GS3 still performs pretty well and the Razr Maxx battery life is awesome

[tjcaustin]

Or if you're out of contract right now and just need a phone, hit craigslist up for something affordably used to hold you until the GS4 hits for some sweet sweet contract extension then.


Local example, but yeah - http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/mob/3713182158.html

[noisyturtle]

You should think long and hard if you're upgrading on Verizon, they changed their policy and said that you can now only upgrade a phone after 24 months on the contract instead of the previous 18 months. So basically you have to wait out a 2 year contract after this next upgrade in order to upgrade again. I would suggest the GS3 or Razr Maxx. GS3 still performs pretty well and the Razr Maxx battery life is awesome

I don't have a ton of option on the contract. Right now I'm on a family plan with unlimited data that effectively cuts the price I pay in half from what it would be solo. I don't do anything particurally crazy with my phone, I just need to reliably send and receive documents and email and make phone calls. Plus I'm on a student budget right now, which limits my options in regards to the $200+ models. I really don't want to spend more than $100.

[Permeability]

Then I'd take the GS3 over the regular Droid Razr HD then, but if you could spend the extra cash go for the Razr HD MAXX for the battery life, it really depends what you want. Oh and Verizon got rid of grandfathering Unlimited data plans too, so get ready for tiered data plans if you go upgrade. At least it should be that way, i'm not sure if there are ways to convince verizon to let you keep your unlimited plans

[Turbo Slaab]

Then I'd take the GS3 over the regular Droid Razr HD then, but if you could spend the extra cash go for the Razr HD MAXX for the battery life, it really depends what you want. Oh and Verizon got rid of grandfathering Unlimited data plans too, so get ready for tiered data plans if you go upgrade. At least it should be that way, i'm not sure if there are ways to convince verizon to let you keep your unlimited plans

There isn't. I'm just going to add a line for the subsidized phone then swap it to my current number and drop data on the new line. It'll be cheaper up front for a new phone and *hopefully * I won't lose my unlimited data.

[MarkPharaoh]

Just wait for the GS4? Is the HTC One coming to Verizon?

[Turbo Slaab]

Just wait for the GS4? Is the HTC One coming to Verizon?

Yes. But not at launch.

[noisyturtle]

Went with the Maxx HD after literally spending the last 4hrs weighing options. It came down to: Best battery life on the block. The Note II is huge. The Maxx was $150 cheaper. Note has lag issues. Maxx is rated for better reception and voice clarity. I have read a lot of reviews of Note owners going back to the Maxx after a month or so. I need a phone now and the GS4 is at least 3 months away from release and is almost twice the price, plus there is no reason for me to need all that power on a phone and features I would likely never use.

[Grim Fandango]

Just wait for the GS4? Is the HTC One coming to Verizon?

I have also looked into it. I find the flagship models HTC and Samsung offer the most appealing of the bunch. Personally would wait for the GS4 as well. Though of course, hold off on any purchase until you have seen some feedback.

I could never buy a Motorola again. Had some horrible experiences with them in the past. That is just one observation, and says little about their products in general, but sometimes something can leave such a bad taste in your mouth that it can turn you away from a brand entirely. Here in Europe I do not think they are half as popular as in the US. Hardly ever see one.