Apple or Samsung Phone?

Also worth mentioning that I have $150+ in movies, games and music on my Apple account - something hard to give up if I bought an Android.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4, if you want everything in delicious 4K :)

"hardcore hater or blinded supporter" - i suspect most of the steamgifts community falls into that category ;P

that being said, i'm a blinded supporter of apple, but i've used both android and apple (though not a new-fangled samsung), both do have their own merits but now i'd find it really hard to stop using apple lol

ETA: if android, i'd suggest getting a Sony

I do not personally own either, but I do support cell phones for a living and hear plenty of customer viewpoints on them. And honestly, if I were ever nuts enough to think I must have a smartphone, I'd go for a Samsung myself. Probably a S4 mini or Galaxy S4 Active going off the currently sold models, but mostly because I find the Notes to be a bit too big for my tastes. If I had bigger hands, I'd totally go for a Note 4 or Note Edge.

The reason why I say this is because I really just have a bad taste in my mouth for numerous things that Apple does. For one, the phones are highly overpriced for their actual specs. For another, you barely get any choice as far as size of phone or how durable it is. Samsung has a bunch of models that are likely to suit the preferences and budget of anyone. Apple has two current models and some older models available. Apple also has a tendency to make it so iOS won't work on the older phones after a couple of years. A lot of older Galaxy models are still working just fine even with the newest Android versions. I've seen customers still using Galaxy S2 and S3 phones, and even some of the original Notes and Note 2s with no problems or complaints about the phone or device issues. And one big thing to keep in mind, most Samsungs have expandable memory via SD cards. iPhones still lack expandable memory. That alone can be a huge benefit and money saver.

I also hear plenty of horror stories about Apple's support and warranty. Keep in mind that you only get 90 days of Apple Care support with your phone. After that, if you need to call them for anything besides a phone replacement under your warranty, they will charge you unless you buy the Apple Care plan to get support. Your phone carrier will not be able to assist with anything related to iTunes or your Apple ID and all warranty service is handled by Apple directly, and that stuff is pretty much going to cover about anything device related. The other thing I hear is that the screens on iPhones shatter pretty easily. If you do opt to get an iPhone, make sure you invest in an OtterBox as well for it and even with that, take good care of it and do not put it in your back pocket. Now, I'll admit Samsungs aren't perfect either, but there are some models made with more durable glass for the screens. The Active series are also water resistant. I also find the Android OS is overall easier to use and is far more customizable than iOS is. Apple also has yet to get an iOS update out that doesn't break your ability to use wifi until they release a fix days later in recent years. While Android updates aren't always perfect, typically minor issues there, loss of wifi is pretty major if your carrier doesn't have unlimited data or throttles data.

Also, be sure to really shop around as far as a carrier goes. Plans for smartphones definitely are more than they are for fliphones because smartphones require data and data is expensive and to be quite honest, I don't know of any carrier that doesn't limit data in some way either by having tiers or throttling once you use over a certain amount. And if you are looking at an iPhone, you'll be a bit more limited in carriers you can go with since not all of them can sell the iPhone thanks to Apple's pickiness. So you may want to consider what carrier you want first, then look at the phones they have because you are going to be paying that phone bill every month. If you get your heart set on one phone, you may find yourself limited to only bad choices in carriers since not all carriers have all phones.

Anyway, hope that was some logical enough advice from the point of view of a person who supports phones for a living and still has yet to buy one herself.

Do you want a closed platform with a simple to use interface, limited in options in terms of software customization and phone choice, and no ability to replace your battery?

Or an Android?

I've got my first iPhone recently and I couldn't be happier with it. My wife bought phone with android and it's great too, but all the minor glitches I hated using my previous antiquated android phone seems to still be there, while iOS is steady as a rock. Android is more flexible tho, but that doesn't mean much for me anymore, I'm happy with what I've got.

The question is, why is it only Apple or Samsung? There are more manufacturer than those two...

But first I'll recommend an android device. Just because it's customizable and with apple you get a closed system and have to work with what they want you to work with.

I remember I saw a comparison between a Samsung Galaxy S5 and a Motorola MotoG. Clearly the MotoG does have a weaker hardware. BUT speedwise the system was faster to open simple apps like a browser google chrome. Because the Samsung phones are bloated with a shitty "overlay" which is called touch wiz. It slows down everything basicly...

If you want a high end device go for the OnePlus One for games and shit. If you don't need games get the MotoG 1. Generation with LTE and microSD slot.

Buy something that's not manufactured in a suicide factory

Better yet get a Windows Phone. I'd choose Apple if I had a lot of money to waste, but I don't so I'd rather go with WP phones since they are cheap yet good. Check out Lumia 730, 735, 830. They're great. Or go with XiaoMi

go for motorola or htc, there aren't only that 2 brands and in my opinion there are better ones with the right price for the devices. samsung quality has lowered in the last 2 years, only to inform

Samsung.

I just switched from iPhone to a Samsung Galaxy S4 (old, I know, but super cheap!). This is not my first Android though. I've been using both for years.

I much prefer the flexibility of Android myself, but I'm a computer nerd.

I still have my iPhone too, so it's not like I'm losing access to all my games and apps, they're just less convenient since I won't be carrying them around with me all the time anymore.

As for my iTunes music, that's (mostly) portable to Android with the right apps, so I'm taking that with me.

For me, the switch is (mostly) all upside and no downside.

motorola or nexus

your first phone doesnt have to be a smartphone(honestly its not worth it, get a pay as you go phone for low usage, or say a monthly plan(those 10 dollar a month plans for X minutes.texts per month), and save $500+/yr)

I have had my same phone for almost 3-4years(cant remember if its 3 or 4 this holiday).. still has 4 days battery life(it had 5 when new) before having to recharge(aka 1 bar on battery), and I have dropped it.. I want say about 100 times already

$20 phone(I still recommend picking one up, even if you don't maintain a contract/minutes for pay as you go, as an emergency phone(you will always be able to dial 911))
$50-60 annual cost of minutes and texts that I use

once you determine you truly desire a smartphone choose then

Nokia 3310!

Definitely an android phone.... Samsung

neither: OnePlus One

Watch this video before you make a decision.

Nexus 5

Go for Android.
If you want Samsung, go for one of their flagships otherwise buy from other manufacturers like Sony, Moto and LG.

Could anyone recommend me a low budget Android phone? Up to 200 euros please. My iPhone 4 still works fine but hardware is way outdated, wanna play those newer games :).

+1 for Samsung.