Upgrading Smartphone

[gaijin]

2011 Z4 SDrive 30i. Non-iDrive optioned.

It's about time I upgrade my iPhone 4S. It's been four years plus and its battery has deteriorated, no longer holding the charging capacity as designed.

I've searched the forum and have not found any relevant information pertaining to the my Z4 regarding new design Smartphone connectivity and use.

I have been using the BMW OE connector (pigtail) with my 4S and it's been alright in most respects. Excellent calls and decent music streaming.

However, the newer iPhones have since migrated to the lightning connector over the previous flat pin connector design that plugs into my BMW OE connector (center console USB/Jack plug).

I've seen the adapters here and there that is suppose to allow the continued use of the BMW OE pigtail but does it provide same functions?

What about the Androids? Frankly, tired of Apple's design that doesn't allow for user battery replacement (have had multiple iPhone ownership through the years). I'm leaning towards the Samsung Galaxy S6.

If I remain with Apple, it'll be the iPhone 6S.

Inputs are highly appreciated.

[rking117]

i know you said you have the non iDrive version but does that mean you dont have bluetooth? I was under the impression that this was coming standard on all Z4s.

[gaijin]

I have Bluetooth and can make/take calls with my paired smartphone. However, to stream music, I have to use the BMW OE plug connector.

[Mick70]

afaik Pigtail/Snapin is not used for that many phone features beyond charging and some multimedia features on older Iphones. Most features are implemented via bluetooth nowadays, so the snap-in concept is a bit obsolete.

To check a smartphone's features and snap-in capabilities, you might want to try this site:
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...hframedin.aspx

You can also filter for certain features you would like to see in your new phone.

You will be disappointed as only older Iphones (and some VERY old Sony and Blackberry devices) have Snap-in support. This is why I am also sticking to my old Iphone 4s, but only for car telephone use and for parts of my 120 GB music database. It just stays in the car all year long and I have even had a new battery installed for some small $$ by some backyard tinkerer.

However, I have an additional Samsung S6 that perfectly runs with Bluetooth. Music Streaming with Spotify, but also telephone functions are near to perfect and appear to run as reliantly as the old Iphone does.

Please note that streaming via Bluetooth is only possible with ["COMBOX" (SA S6VCA)] and some other features might also depend on special equipment.

Best regards

Mick


Edit: Wrong equipment for bluetooth music streaming replaced with correct equipment (Combox)!

[BMWZ4]

FYI I have a SG6 Edge and the battery (like Apple) is NOT user replaceable. I can't speak to the SG6 however...just the Edge.

[Mick70]

Yes, the battery is not "user"-replaceable in my standard S6 as well (same as my old Iphone 4S). But I believe I can live with that drawback:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2481605,00.asp

Apart from this: The only phone I have used significantly longer than 2 years is the Iphone 4s

Best regards

Mick

[gaijin]

Follow-up. I upgraded our iPhones. Both 5S and 6S Plus using Apple lightning connector to USB (in-car) works great with audio streaming (Spotify). Bluetooth connectivity also works fine with in-car phone calls (send/receive).

Many thanks to that provided their inputs above.