YMMV, but I've never liked the feel of any screen protector, and have never had one, nor cracked any screens in the last 15 years of owning "smart phones".

^^^Tempered Glass Screen Protectors?

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
All this talk about T-Mobile for saving money has me thinking....

Check the ACTUAL coverage for your area.

In North Georgia, no one beats ATT for coverage since they took over all of Bell South Mobility’s cell towers when they merged with Cingular(formerly Bell South Mobility). Around here, it goes ATT-Verizon-T-Mobile for coverage.

This is the key thing. All carriers excel in one place or the other. You need to check coverage maps where you intend to use the phone the majority of the time. If considering switching and you have a job, it's super easy. Ask all your coworkers what they use. They can tell you coverage area within work, and if any of them live near you they can give you a clue of service near you residence.

Huzzah!

I recently switched from AT&T to TMobile, have been on iPhones since the 3 version came out.
Briefly tried a Samsung Note, took it back within the 1st week

AT&T is the worst service I’ve ever had from any “utility” provider
TMobile is 20% cheaper and very easy to deal with so far
Coverage is slightly inferior in my area, but it’s well worth the trade off

quote:

Originally posted by ElKabong:
AT&T is the worst service I’ve ever had from any “utility” provider

I despise AT&T. From 2003 to 2015, they were my cellular provider. Never would I go back to AT&T.

quote:

Originally posted by ElKabong:
I recently switched from AT&T to TMobile, have been on iPhones since the 3 version came out.
Briefly tried a Samsung Note, took it back within the 1st week.

Having used both an iPhone and Android phones, I think that change is the most difficult. The IOS infrastructure is so tightly managed by Apple that shifting away from it into the world of Android (that is not tightly managed to put it mildly), really can un-nerve a user. Personally, I think both software environments have their pluses and minuses, so it really comes down to the user's expectations and needs. For me, Android provides me the ability to fully sculpt the user environment to exactly what I want it to be, something I can't do in IOS.

I'm not glued to my phone. Younger people these days- if you took away their phone for a couple of days, it seems they would fall apart. They have their face stuck in the thing constantly. They're never known the peace and quiet of being away from all electronic devices for periods of time. If it wasn't so funny, I'd feel sorry for them.

I've used an Android for nearly seven years but I have an iPad that my wife gave me some years ago when she got a newer iPad, so I'm familiar with the iOS interface. My revulsion for iPhones stemmed not from the devices, but from the company, and from its fanatical users. Many times here, I've said that I'd love to be at one of these "launches" where these people stand in line all night to get the latest iPhone or whatever, to knock them down like bowling pins with a high-pressure fire hose. Wait, let me pause for a moment to reflect on that thought...

I don't make a lot of phone calls, I don't receive a lot of phone calls. I text barely at all. If smartphones disappeared from this planet tomorrow, I'd have a drink and dance a little dance.

Know what I mean?

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
What is this "Wallet" stuff?

Wallet is where you set up your credit card[s] to use with Apple Pay. Using Apple Pay is perhaps the most secure form of in person, electronic payment. If the POS terminal supports Apple Pay, bring up Wallet (double-click the side button), select the card you want to use, hold the phone to the screen, and authenticate with Face ID. Your CC number is never transmitted to the POS terminal. Apple makes up an imaginary, one-time-use number for each transaction.

Parra you scare me sometimes. Your cellphone post caused me to check and see if I had posted it.how two people can think so much alike on so many subjects baffles me.Cellphones are like old men's penises if and when and where they work is always a surprise. don't ask me how I know.

I really liked the old iPhones i’ve owned. Then and Android came along and it was fine.
Now i have an iPhone 12 Pro and i hate it with passion.
It will do as it pleases and not what i intend to do. Wonder what happened with the old models that were smart like me? Really not feeling the love with this “smart” iThingy.

Will run for an Android if this phone suffers an “accident”

0-0

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
Having used both an iPhone and Android phones, I think that change is the most difficult. The IOS infrastructure is so tightly managed by Apple that shifting away from it into the world of Android (that is not tightly managed to put it mildly), really can un-nerve a user. Personally, I think both software environments have their pluses and minuses, so it really comes down to the user's expectations and needs. For me, Android provides me the ability to fully sculpt the user environment to exactly what I want it to be, something I can't do in IOS.

This is what I was trying to say, you nailed it in adult language. So +1 this was my experience changing from Samsung to Apple. I will say it was easy to do though, and can see it being harder the other way around.

The firehose, Amen to that . They line up here like lemmings in the mall. Mindless, sheep lemmings.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Many times here, I've said that I'd love to be at one of these "launches" where these people stand in line all night to get the latest iPhone or whatever, to knock them down like bowling pins with a high-pressure fire hose.

Which is what makes you finally getting an iPhone so funny

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
I don't make a lot of phone calls, I don't receive a lot of phone calls. I text barely at all. If smartphones disappeared from this planet tomorrow, I'd have a drink and dance a little dance.

Know what I mean?

I know what you mean, but I fall into a different category of users.

Like you: I make and receive relatively few calls. One or two a week, if that. I probably text more than you because, if it's not a "right away" communication, I'll text instead of calling.

But, unlike you, I use my mobile device for a lot of non-communications purposes. E.g.:

• Weather
  
• Navigation (both on- and off-road
  
• Calendaring (appointments, event reminders, etc.)
  
• Alarms
  
• Home security system and automation
  
• Controlling my hearing aids
  
• Encrypted keyring (password safe)
  
• Electronic funds (Apple Pay, Venmo, PayPal, banking)
  
• Learning apps (Golf training, language)
  
• Fitness tracking
  
• Camera
  
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
  

And more

So, for me, it's as much a pocket computer as it is a communications device. Thus: While I'm not glued to it, per se, day-in and day-out, I do use it every day and would sorely miss it were it taken from my life.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Many times here, I've said that I'd love to be at one of these "launches" where these people stand in line all night to get the latest iPhone or whatever, to knock them down like bowling pins with a high-pressure fire hose.

Which is what makes you finally getting an iPhone so funny

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
I don't make a lot of phone calls, I don't receive a lot of phone calls. I text barely at all. If smartphones disappeared from this planet tomorrow, I'd have a drink and dance a little dance.

Know what I mean?

I know what you mean, but I fall into a different category of users.

Like you: I make and receive relatively few calls. One or two a week, if that. I probably text more than you because, if it's not a "right away" communication, I'll text instead of calling.

But, unlike you, I use my mobile device for a lot of non-communications purposes. E.g.:

• Weather
  
• Navigation (both on- and off-road
  
• Calendaring (appointments, event reminders, etc.)
  
• Alarms
  
• Home security system and automation
  
• Controlling my hearing aids
  
• Encrypted keyring (password safe)
  
• Electronic funds (Apple Pay, Venmo, PayPal, banking)
  
• Learning apps (Golf training, language)
  
• Fitness tracking
  
• Camera
  
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
  

And more

So, for me, it's as much a pocket computer as it is a communications device. Thus: While I'm not glued to it, per se, day-in and day-out, I do use it every day and would sorely miss it were it taken from my life.

I'm in about the same position as ensigmatic with respect to the use of my iPhone, except I don't control my hearing aids or do fitness tracking, but I'll add travel apps and storing my boarding passes and Mrs. Flash's on my phone.

Regarding the dial lens apertures on the iPhone- I asked the T-Mobile guy about this and he said "It helps the focus." Well, that's one way of putting it. The second lens is a macro lens, correct? And a damn good one, from what I hear. I haven't played with the camera much as of yet.

The camera has always been an attractive feature. Software does pretty good.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Regarding the dial lens apertures on the iPhone- I asked the T-Mobile guy about this and he said "It helps the focus." Well, that's one way of putting it. The second lens is a macro lens, correct? And a damn good one, from what I hear. I haven't played with the camera much as of yet.

Like all things photo capture, there's a learning curve if you want to take advantage of "all features great and small". (see what I did there ) I try to lean the things most useful to me. My wife... nope activate the camera and fire off the shutter. She get's some pretty good looking images despite not tweaking things. I think Apple makes it that way.

quote:

Originally posted by NavyGuy:
I think Apple makes it that way.

And they do a very good job of it. Something I never thought I'd say about Apple.

I designed, redesigned and programmed around 700 situation rooms all over the United States, and had to design the GUI for the touchpanels for all of them so I can appreciate a well done GUI.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
How about the world's clearest, toughest, cheapest screen protector?

I have, for several iPhone models, used the ESR brand tempered glass screen protectors. On my current phone, an XS model purchased 3 years ago (purchased 6 months after its 2018 release), I am still using the ESR screen protector that I originally installed. They cost a bit more, but come in a 2 pack. There is absolutely no interference with the touch screen.
 
As to cases, many good recommendations have been made. I have always gone with the Apple leather case, though. It adds hardly any thickness, width, or length. And the leather model (vs the similar silicone one), slides in your pocket easiest, while still giving some "grip" to the otherwise very slippery phone itself. Perhaps a bit more expensive than some other brands, but I keep a phone for a while, and it gives excellent protection. My current leather case is all scuffed and scarred, but the phone is pristine.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
I don't make a lot of phone calls, I don't receive a lot of phone calls. I text barely at all. If smartphones disappeared from this planet tomorrow, I'd have a drink and dance a little dance.

Know what I mean?

I know what you mean.

I bought my first iPhone in 2009, a 3G, upgraded to a 4 several years later, then switched to a Samsung a couple years after that. Two years ago, after a dozen years, I got off the smartphone merry go round and went back to a basic dumbphone with no data service, a Sonim XP5s. 20 day battery life, even after two years. I'm more than satisfied with this, voice calls, occasional texts, and rare low grade photos are all I need. My current phone is almost an invisible device, since I don't hold it constantly, look at it, fiddle with it at all.

I won't use a phone to pay for stuff, to look at menus, to start my car, etc. Not for me.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
"Apple News"? Yeah, no bias there, I imagine.

It’s not a news service like CNN, it’s just compiles news stories from around the internet. You can also tell it to ignore any news site you don’t want to get news from. Under the “Following” tab, you can add in websites and topics to tune your news preferences.