With so many handheld devices at hand, it is easy for students to be confused by options and commercials when it comes to selecting the right phone for their personal needs, so the Current went shopping for you.
On the journey to the market, the Current hand selected the iPhone 5 with iOS 6 operating system, Samsung Galaxy S3 using Android technology, and the Windows HTC 8x that is scheduled for release in November.
iPhone 5
Pro: The iPhone 5 is slightly bigger than the previous models, allowing the user to use the device with one hand. The shell is all aluminum and, according to apple.com, the new model is 18 percent thinner and 20 percent lighter.
The intelligent assistant Siri will come equipped on the new iPhone 5, along with with an eight-megapixel camera on the rear and a face camera capable of recording 720p HD video. The rear camera is capable of capturing a panoramic view of up to 240 degrees in 1080 HD thanks to the help of 1 GB of RAM with the new A6 chip.
The A6 chip enhances the overall performance by giving the user eight hours of browsing time, eight hours of talk-time and a big 10 hours of video playback time.
Cons: Unfortunately, the device is predictable and almost unaffordable to low-income families. If a contract is preferred, then the iPhone 5 can be purchased at Verizon Wireless for $199 for 16 GB, $299 for 32 GB and $399 for 64 GB. If there is a contract already, or it is too early for an upgrade, then the device will cost the consumer $649 for 16 GB, $749 for 32 GB and $849 for 64 GB.
Samsung Galaxy S3
Pro: Samsung sung a whole new tune with the Galaxy S3, giving this phone an edge over the iPhone 5. The GS3 gives the user 4.8 inches of screen to view Quantum Leap reruns, as opposed to 4 inches, and 2 GB of RAM that will prove its speed when transferring a playlist from one GS3 to another GS3 device by simply tapping them together using S Beam.
The website for AT&T describes that the GS3 runs on an Android 4.0 operating system that will simultaneously run other tasks, eliminating the need to close and restart video files. The eight-megapixel camera will take three photos per second.
Cons: The most noticeable difference that the GS3 has compared to the iPhone 5 is the architecture of the protective shell that protects the software. The GS3 is covered in hard plastic oppose to metal and will cost $549.99 with no commitment. Or the phone can be bought for $199.99 with a very convincing 2-year agreement.
Windows HTC 8x
Pros: For those who feel that Apple phones are overrated, then the up-and-coming Windows HTC 8x is scheduled to release in early November; however, the phone can be pre-ordered at select Best Buy locations on Oct. 26, 2012.
The HTC 8x will have a built in amplifier powered by Beats Audio, according to htc.com, and will display graphics on a 4.3 inch screen, giving Ben Matlock plenty of room to be seen in his television legal drama. It will be accompanied with an eight-megapixel camera with an additional 2.1 megapixels for the front camera, allowing for clearer face-to-face talk time in 1080 HD unlike the iPhone 5 that has only half of the amount of pixels on the front camera.
Windows 8 will operate this system with 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage, and will be assembled with HTC’s ImageChip technology that helps color and image accuracy.
Cons:HTC will only have 1 GB of RAM, whereas the GS3 has 2 GB of RAM. Plus, waiting until November to find out price agreements will be a bummer for Windows advocates.
