[bamsefar]

I'm trying to figure out which Android based phone to choose from, any suggestions and experience to share ?

[SimonB]

I haven't yet got my F30, but I recently changed over rom my iPhone 5, after having an iPhone since the 3GS, to the HTC One and LOVE IT. It's a similar build quality and feel to an iPhone and the firmware / software is just great. The flexibility, ability to change things, the UI etc, is just great. Just little things like actually telling you that the WiFi pwd has changed and is no longer current and allowing you to easily fix it, vs the stupid iPhone way of just not connecting, having to go in and 'Forget this network' and then reconnect.

I figured the iPhone 5S was just going to be a variant of the 5, so changed. I may, however, get an iPod Touch for the car though now that BMW is finally going to better integrate Siri :-)

[n55x3]

HTC One is easily the best phone I have ever used. It is amazing. I actually moved from VZW to ATT just for this phone and haven't regretted it once. It keeps impressing me.

[34.50]

Originally Posted by n55x3

HTC One is easily the best phone I have ever used. It is amazing. I actually moved from VZW to ATT just for this phone and haven't regretted it once. It keeps impressing me.

I actually did the same - but for another reason. I travel a lot internationally, and the world pretty much uses GSM, so that was my reasoning. The HTC One is an excellent phone, and I upgraded from a Verizon Galaxy Nexus. I just miss my unlimited data from Verizon.

To OP - I'd keep your existing GS3. What's wrong with it? It's still a great phone, and fast too. I'd put the money saved into the car :P

[JFREEZISM]

I was debating the same question...I owned iPhones and got bored with the simplistic OS, but its perfect for the wife...I went to a Samsung Infuse and now to the S3...the S4 I hear is very nice with some nice added features.

I am debating the deal AT&T is offering for the S4 at $199 with the Galaxy Tab2 4GLTE at $199...I made a mistake purchasing an iPad 2 that was wi-fi only, so I said I would get a 4G tablet the next time...seems like a good deal.

Still torn though, nothing wrong with the S3, so I think I will sit on it for a while, the deal is good till Sept 2013 so there is time to decide.

So I would say stick with the S3 for now...at least until Christmas.

[bamsefar]

I think I need to add WHY I am looking for a new phone:

My current Samsung Galaxy S3, from Android 4.1, does not support telephone phonebook transfer (PBAP, Phone Book Access Protocoll, as it is called in Bluetooth). It is broken. Now the S3 is Bluetooth 4.0 compatible, so it should work right ? Wrong, Samsung has messed up from Android 4.1 and forward. I'm stil hoping for Samsung to get there act together but I am not shure they understand... Now int 4.0.4 it did work perfectly, but since Samsung forces the user to upgrade the firmware it is not an option to select the version of OS that works... And all this is in my E92 335 from 2008.

So in a month I will receive my new BMW Individual 335xi - new car, new possibilities, so a new phone that works with phonebook and all that. Not just like the current S3 that only supports handsfree (but no access to the phonebook or anything else).

My experince, in my current E92, is that Sony Xperis S (not the Z I have mentioned above) works 100%, so did my old HTC Desire. The Samsung Galaxy S3, with Android 4.1 or later does not work. And reporting this error to Samsung, because it is a Samsung error in the software, makes NO difference, nu customer support what so ever.

[uberspeed]

Try here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/

[bamsefar]

Yea I know about XDA - that is not the answeer as far as I can tell.

There is also a forum, more or less dedicated for Bluetooth access:
http://forum.android-rsap.com/index.php

[Kankles]

I'm thinking about the Galaxy S4 Mini...can't stand the larger phones

[johnofcross]

Whichever phone has a solid Bluetooth 4.0 compatibility. The F30 supports 4.0, which includes media art for streaming, among other features. HTC One seems to have 4.0 so I'd go with that. And it's quite beautiful. I wish Verizon would support it.
http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one-5313.php

[chrisv_335EBII]

I have no trouble using my Galaxy S4 in my F30 335.

It took me a while to decide between HTC ONE & Galaxy S4. I was coming from a Iphone 4S. I chose the Galaxy S4 because Samsung has a strong relationship with Google. They have a history of updating their devices quickly. HTC unfortunately does little to support their phones after it is released.

[JFREEZISM]

I have the S3 with a 4.1.2 OS or something like that, I know its 4.1.? But my phone works with my F30 with downloading contacts via Bluetooth, whenever my phone is connected I can use the knob on the middle console to search and roll through my contact, compress the knob and it calls the person.

However, I have standard USB and Bluetooth so I cannot stream music via bluetooth etc...but the support telephone phonebook transfer does work.

[bamsefar]

Originally Posted by JFREEZISM

I have the S3 with a 4.1.2 OS or something like that, I know its 4.1.? But my phone works with my F30 with downloading contacts via Bluetooth, whenever my phone is connected I can use the knob on the middle console to search and roll through my contact, compress the knob and it calls the person.

However, I have standard USB and Bluetooth so I cannot stream music via bluetooth etc...but the support telephone phonebook transfer does work.

Okay - So I might start with testing my S3 on the new F30, which has the same Bluetooth version as your car (I have no use for streaming, since all music I need is on a USB and/or the comming hard drive...). Thanks for sharing !

[JFREEZISM]

Originally Posted by bamsefar

Okay - So I might start with testing my S3 on the new F30, which has the same Bluetooth version as your car (I have no use for streaming, since all music I need is on a USB and/or the comming hard drive...). Thanks for sharing !

No problem - But FYI I just picked up the S4 yesterday ironically and it works as well. 4.2.2 version of Android.

[DC Newbie]

I preferred the HTC One (beautiful phone), but went with S4 because of swappable battery and memory expandability. It's worth mentioning in response to the OP that BMW is working with Samsung to offer better compatibility.