TomG2
Central Illinois
Senior Member
Joined: 03/07/2004
View Profile
|
I want an Android phone, whether I need one or not. I see models with Version 2.2, 2.3, etc. Will all versions run most of the apps or just the latest? Of course prices range from $50-$300 and while I do not require the top of the line, I certainly don't want something too lame. I am in a good coverage area for Sprint, which is what Straight Talk uses for their smartphones, so that is not a factor.
|
padre44
Clarksville, tn
Full Member
Joined: 12/11/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
Just get the newest one you can afford. I have 2.3 and it runs most things as far as I can tell, although sometimes it seems to load slowly. When my contract is up I'll get a new Samsung Galaxy 3S or a Droid Razr Max.
|
srt20
Wisconsin
Senior Member
Joined: 02/15/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
Dont get anything older than 2.3. Im not sure there is anything out there that is sold new with older versions anymore, but maybe on some off brand stuff. Some of the apps dont work on the older stuff. 4.0.4 is the newest AFAIK, unless a new one was released this weekend.
|
magicbus
LBI, NJ or Nantucket, MA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/16/2002
View Profile
|
My Galaxy S2 is on 2.3.6 and, while I have an outstanding upgrade to the latest (4.0 I guess) I see no reason to make the change. I am VERY happy with my Galaxy and my iPhone 4 equipped wife is suffering Android envy. 
Dave
Our new RV... the adventure continues.
|
Robert78121
San Francisco Bay Area
Senior Member
Joined: 03/17/2005
View Profile
|
As with anything operating system the older it becomes the greater the chance of not being supported by third party applications. Android, however, is all over the place, and I'm sure developers hate the fact that they have to keep up with the OS changes and still support older versions as time goes by. But thus far they have done so for the most part. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Most phone manufacturers have supported at least one major revision change with their hardware so far, so that's the good news.
Living full-time in the San Francisco Bay Area
Camper: 2004 Damon Daybreak 3285 WorkHorse 8.1
Toad: 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman S - BlueOx
Toy: 2012 Ninja 650 - Versa Haul VH-SPORT-RO
|
|
|
donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
Senior Member
Joined: 04/21/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Android phones are constantly being upgraded. Get the one you like and the first time it connects to the system it will download the latest updates for it.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
Resident Know It All 
|
Yusonge
Not here
New Member
Joined: 05/10/2012
View Profile
|
The current best on market is the Samsung Galaxy S3. I would wait a month or so and see what google previews as the new Nexus and decide at that point what you would want.
|
bwanshoom
Darnestown, MD
Senior Member
Joined: 05/29/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
4.1.1 (JellyBean) is the latest.
2.3 is Gingerbread and is very common. 4.0 is Ice Cream Sandwhich which is making its way to devices now. JellyBean is pretty much only on the Nexus 7 tablet and on custom ROMs at this point, but it's going to hit some select devices very soon.
I agree with others - go to a store and check out different models to find one you like. Just make sure that Straight Talk supports it.
2010 Cougar 322 QBS
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD LLY CC/SB 4x4 SLT
Pullrite SuperGlide 18K
|
srt20
Wisconsin
Senior Member
Joined: 02/15/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
donn0128 wrote:Android phones are constantly being upgraded. Get the one you like and the first time it connects to the system it will download the latest updates for it.
Not exactly true. At least with VZW, which doesnt support many older phones anymore. Like Thunderbolt wont see ICS unless rooted. Droid X wont see ICS. I believe the OG droid doesnt even get 2.3.6. And you lose out on apps with the old stuff. You cant get foxfi on OG droid, unless rooted, and in that case you can get better apps for wifi. They stop supporting older devices, so people are forced to buy newer phones to get the good stuff.
I know it may not be relevant in this case, but just pointing this out.
I wouldnt hold my breath for jellybean, look how long it took for ICS.
AFAIK, most everything works on 2.3.6 and its a good software. I have 4.0.4 right now, and while it was cool because its new, the newness and coolness is wearing off. ICS is less buggy than GB, but GB is easier to navigate.
|
pulsar
Lewisville, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 12/30/2001
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
I would get a phone with Jelly Bean, the latest OS, and not worry about updates, which may are may not be made available for the phone.
Jelly Bean (4.1.x) was released in June of the is year and is currently on 1% of all Android phones. Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.x) is on 16%, although it was released 10 months ago. Gingerbread (2.3.x) has 61%.
There is a 3.x version, Honeycomb; it is a tablet only version.
Tom
|
|
|
