Would you mind clarifying how much memory left in your phone?
Your first post (I guess 12.2 GB capacity before installing any app) and last post (starting with a device with a 25% loss) is consistent.
However in on of your previous posts you say "I started this as a new phone, have installed some apps, and I'm down to 2 GB free with iTunes showing 6 GB of other".
So 2 questions:
1) I really wonder what apps you installed that took you down to 2GB or 6GB? (IMHO you must have done either of these to drop your memory that much: transferring photos and/or videos to the stock photo app, or syncing songs to the stock music app, or installing many games). Please kindly elaborate on how approx. many photos/videos/games you transfered/synced/installed to drop your memory such severly.
2) After the transfer/sync/installation, did your memory drop to 2GB or 6GB? Please elaborate on the disparity.
Thanks!