iPhone 5 or Samsung Galaxy III

It is embarrassing having an older cell phone.  Like my "old man clothes" that my wife urges me to replace (which I have), my flip phone dates me.  I like to think of it as prudent.  It is old enough that my son has had four cell phones since I purchased it.  In fact, when I bought a new one this past week, the Verizon representative could not even find a picture of my old phone in their system. A real relic !

I take some comfort in the fact that I put others in my family first.  My wife has an iPad, iMac, and  iPhone.  My 19 year old son has an iPhone.  My 9 year old daughter has a Kindle Fire and an iPod Touch.

Having received a gift of cash for Christmas, I knew it is my time for an upgrade.

As a person who makes prudent purchases (at least some of the time) and takes good care of belongings (yes, my cell phone is over eight years old), I am not what you would consider a spontaneous purchaser.  My contributions to keeping our economy cranking through consumer purchases are adequately justified by my wife's buying habits.  Between the two of us, she makes up for my miserly purchasing habits.

Back to the reason for this article.  Should I, or you, buy the iPhone 5 or Samsung Galaxy III ?  It depends, you say.  Yes, I know, it depends.

The ease of use of the iPhone is appealing; but the screen is smaller.  And with 53 year old eyes, I can use all the screen real estate that I can afford (that still fits in my pocket and doesn't look dorky - have you seen someone talking on a phablet ?)

And the iPhone has a good operating system, more quality applications, is easier to set up, and a good mobile browser.  What about a good solutions for maps when I travel you ask ?  Should I expect that a respectable Apple maps application will soon be available ?

And being that we use Google Applications for our work, the Samsung operating system (Android) will work better with our corporate Gmail.  And Google Maps is hard to beat.  Will I have the patience to do what it takes to set up the Android device to my liking ? 

Taping myself giving talks with the iPhone 5 will give me better quality video.  And the iPhone is easier to use one handed. I guess I'll have to drive with my knees while texting with two hands if I get the Samsung (only in states where that is legal - are there any ?).

And, Siri sure is fun to use.  

Being that time does not allow me to be a gamer or download and listen to music, the fact that Apple media tools rule is not a factor for me.

Being a contrarian at heart, the news that Apple is losing its luster and Samsung is gaining market share incites my interest in an Apple phone.

Sorry, Microsoft and RIM, you did not make the short list.

So what did I decide to buy. The iPhone 5 for these reasons:

• Durability - I've seen the beating our 19 year old gives to his iPhone and the same treatment my wife's iPhone phone gets from our 9 year old.  Both of the phones are in tact after considerable use 
• Better videos - I believe the quality of the videos I use will be better with the iPhone
• Easier to use - I sense that the iPhone will be easier to use and will make using my wife's iPad easier
• Variety - this is the first Apple product I will use for myself
• Voice recognition software - for those of you who have used both the Android and Apple products, you know Siri wins that game
• I feel less likely to have a security issue (due to Apple's vetting process for applications)
• Being able to text and drive with the one handed Apple (really, I am just kidding about this officer)
• Being able to easily video conference with my daughter (Facetime is easy)
• Better media (if and when I have time for avocational activities such as these)

What am I losing:

• easier use of our corporate Gmail
• my eye site due to squinting when I read my iPhone screen (actually the iPhone 5 screen is not much smaller than the Galaxy S3 screen)
• Good Mapping capabilities