What smart phone should I get?

[Melbosa]

So my BB9810 is pretty much done.  Work has approved me for a replacement.  But I don't know what I should get...

We are no longer bound by having just Blackberry devices at NAIT.  I can pretty much pick anything I desire.  But I am so out of the phone market I have no idea what to look for. 

What I want:

• Good Screen Resolution and Responsiveness
• Tactile Keyboard (but I think that is not going to happen with most modern ones)
• Something that complements a tablet, which the one of choice for me is my Microsoft Surface Pro - which does suggest Windows Mobile, but I know they are the special bus team right now
• Good battery life
• no iOS device - so Apple is out for me - I don't like iPhones
• Expandable Storage

So I guess I have narrowed it to Blackberry, Android or Windows Phone.  I have been playing with the Tab 2 the last two days, and while Android looks good on it, I am struggling with likes and dislikes.  I know Samsung does customize their Android OS builds on their products, so I might just be experiencing that issue.

Your guys thoughts?

[Darren Dirt]

I know that some of the Samsung Android phones have a slide-down keyboard, one of my daughters had one and loved it. Battery life for Samsung is fantastic, especially compared to Apple.

The rest of your request seems pretty subjective considerations, you will surely here from the other folks hear...

[Lazybones]

If iOS is out then some form of Samsung Android is probably best. The form factor of choice will really be up to you for size.

BB and MS are currently really small players with fewer Apps and accessory options.

Other than some minor Xbox stuff there isn't much tie in on windows phone and MS is fragmenting it self already with very limited upgrade paths as they figure out what windows phone is. They may or may not be merging again with the next release so if you want an upgrade path greater than 1-2 years stay away.

Netflix doesn't even support BB10 if that gives you an idea of the level of traction that platform has.

[Thorin]

Wife and son seem to like the Samsung Galaxy S-III.  I've got a Samsung Galaxy S-II-X, which was quite a bit cheaper and has a cheaper plan through Koodo.  But I assume you don't care.  On the Galaxies, we can use Swype input.  Basically, don't lift your finger just go from letter to letter and it almost always figures out what word you meant.  I find this quicker than a tactile keyboard (and I used to hate the idea of not having a tactile keyboard).

[Mr. Analog]

I love my Galaxy Note II, though it is pretty much just a small tablet with a phone app.

[Lazybones]

It is an Apple or Samsung smartphone world.

I am on my 3rd iPhone 3G/3GS/4S however now that the apps and major UI issues are mostly resolved I would not have a problem going with an Android.

[Tom]

I'm really happy with my Nexus 4. If you want a phone like it, but better (microsd slot, better thermal handling), there's the LG Optimus G.

One not so great feature of the the G is it comes with LG's stupid custom bits.

[Thorin]

I love my Galaxy Note II, though it is pretty much just a small tablet with a phone app.

Also a good choice if you want something bigger than an iPhone / Galaxy.

Lazy's right, though, the forerunners are Apple and Samsung.  Which explains all of the animosity and lawsuits between them

[Darren Dirt]

I'm really happy with my Nexus 4. If you want a phone like it, but better (microsd slot, better thermal handling), there's the LG Optimus G.

One not so great feature of the the G is it comes with LG's stupid custom bits.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_Nexus
Google + Samsung = BOBW?

[Thorin]

PARKOZ TRANSFORMER: http://youtu.be/Y8BmiqbnrXQ

[Melbosa]

I am really put off by the Galaxy phone sizes... I don't need a phone with that big of a screen.  I think it looks silly when people use it as a phone... lol

[Lazybones]

Going back to the first post:

    Good Screen Resolution and Responsiveness
- hard not to get this on any current model device unless you go with a budget phone

    Tactile Keyboard (but I think that is not going to happen with most modern ones)
- There is a BB10 with this in the works. It would probably be a good tactile phone however to tell you the truth I got used to typing on a touch screen very quickly.

    Something that complements a tablet, which the one of choice for me is my Microsoft Surface Pro - which does suggest Windows Mobile, but I know they are the special bus team right now
- Other than USB/Bluethooth tethering or WiFi hot spot I don't know of much other integration..
- iPads can get GPS from an iPhone via WiFi hotspot but other than that nothing that I know of matters.

    Good battery life
- Please define. If you want a decent color screen 1 day is about it for most, and sadly iOS devices still tend to out perform Android.

    no iOS device - so Apple is out for me - I don't like iPhones
- What don't you like, this might help narrow alternatives

    Expandable Storage
- When you carry 16-32GB on board this tends to be less of an issue but does help narrow choices.

[Tom]

Good battery life
- Please define. If you want a decent color screen 1 day is about it for most, and sadly iOS devices still tend to out perform Android.

Depends on usage.

With medium/light usage with some browsing of the web on the bus, I get 2~ days. Even with a long call. Mostly idle I get 4+ days.

I'd say get a nexus 4 if you didn't absolutely desire expandable storage. I haven't /once/ needed it. I got the 16G model, and haven't even touched it, even with a bunch of apps, games, and music/files. They may bring out a version with more flash, but who knows when.

The nice thing is its a google experience phone. No custom firmware, and firmware updates for 2+ years.

[Lazybones]

Good battery life
- Please define. If you want a decent color screen 1 day is about it for most, and sadly iOS devices still tend to out perform Android.

Depends on usage.

With medium/light usage with some browsing of the web on the bus, I get 2~ days. Even with a long call. Mostly idle I get 4+ days.

Everyone use is variable, the amount of drain depends on screen size, screen time on and radio time (how often you are on a call or sending receiving data) the most... Well short of games that run the screen and CPU full time.

I have seen people get days out of an iPhone, I have also run one down in a few hours playing Infinity Blade.

Coming from and OLD SCHOOL BB you will feel like ALL current smart phones have short battery life.

[Tom]

The one thing that drains my phone faster than Id like is GPS, and when facebook or gmaps likes to forget to turn the GPS radio off. Otherwise it reliably gets 2-4 days.