by "Tristan" (casselts)
Published 02/07/2017 at 23:08
by "Tristan" (casselts)
Published 02/07/2017 at 23:08
No Tags
STARS: 0
I once had an iPhone 4. It was brilliant. It worked flawlessly and lasted for years. It went all around the world with me and never let me down. Then I downloaded iOS 7. Shortly after that, I upgraded to an iPhone 5s. It was so good, I’ve sworn to never buy another Apple product again! Then came the Samsung Galaxy S5. I like Android, but the phone itself is a total POS. Gobs of Samsung “feature spam”and cheap plastic construction. After about 8 months, it’s time to get another stupid phone. This stupid Samsung’s screen has this fun feature where it won’t turn on unless the phone is at or near the same temperature as my body. Pull it out of my pocket? It works fine. Set it on the table for 12 seconds? Too cold. No go. Also, everyone tells me they can’t hear me, so I have to practically yell into the thing. It’s especially annoying when I call my hearing-impaired dad.
I HATE spending money on this garbage. All I want is a good, solid, reliable phone that will allow me to Facespace, Kinja, Gmail, YooToobe and make calls.
So, any recommendations for something thats:
1. Solidly constructed
2. Reliable- will last 3-4 years.
3. Has a fast enough processor that I won’t be tempted to smash it to bits while waiting for an app to load.
4. Doesn’t cost $700 f%^&ing dollars (sub $200 is nice, sub $150 is better)
I don’t want the newest and best, but I don’t want a $50 cheapie with a crap processor. My top contender is the Lumia 650, but I’m not sure about Windows phones... never messed with one. Also, a refurb Motorola Droid Turbo can be had for sub $200... bad idea?
I’d rather just not spend the money and have this stupid Samsung work... but that isn’t an option. Also, my Samsung TV recently caught fire. And the whole Note 7 thing. No Samsungs, plz.
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
02/07/2017 at 23:12, STARS: 5
Back when I was an Apple fanboy, I had “friends” constantly telling me Apple sucks and that Android phones are better, specifically the Galaxy. Lo and behold, I got a Galaxy S5 a couple of years ago. If I didn’t break off contact with them, I’d be reminding them every day how much of a piece of shit it is.
"lone_liberal" (token-liberal)
02/07/2017 at 23:12, STARS: 0
Personally, I Pixel in order to get that sweet pure Android. It’s available with installments or subsidized on contract if you use Verizon but otherwise you gotta pay up.
"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
02/07/2017 at 23:14, STARS: 1
No joke, I had that exact same Motorola bag-phone in the picture.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
02/07/2017 at 23:14, STARS: 0
I’ve been using a Galaxy S5 for a while. No real complaints.
"smobgirl" (smobgirl)
02/07/2017 at 23:15, STARS: 1
I’m still using a 5S. I got nothin’.
"atfsgeoff" (atfsgeoff)
02/07/2017 at 23:16, STARS: 1
I’ve had a galaxy S5 that’s been working flawlessly for over 2 years now. I just recently replaced the battery but only as a preventative maintenance thing. I quite like this phone, and since I put it in a protective case, the plastic exterior doesn’t matter anyway. I might upgrade to the S8 in about a year if the discount is high enough from Verizon.
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
02/07/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 0
iPhone 7. It’s pretty great. Replaced a S5 and don’t. Is that wretched POS a bit.
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
02/07/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 1
I’d go for a Google Pixel. Holy crap, that thing is amazing. It’s pretty powerful, the camera is amazing, and there’s so much cool stuff you can do with it. If you don’t want to splash out on that, there’s also the OnePlus 3T. Really solid, reliable phone that’s incredibly fast. You probably aren’t going to get something good for around $200 unlocked until Black Friday, so you might as well aim high.
"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
02/07/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 0
I’m currently on a Samsung S6 edge and it’s fine after a year. No cracks or scratches. Still plenty fast. My iPhone 4 was for sure a champ. Even after the back broke off entirely when I dropped it on some concrete.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
02/07/2017 at 23:18, STARS: 1
1. Solidly constructed
2. Reliable- will last 3-4 years.
4. Doesn’t cost $700 f%^&ing dollars (sub $200 is nice, sub $150 is better)
https://www.nokia.com/en_int/phones/nokia-105
More seriously, Windows Mobile is a wasteland, don’t buy into it.
If you want a solid, reliable phone, that will actually be supported in 3-4 years, you’re gonna have to pay $700 fucking dollars, IMO. Your choices are the current iPhone, or the current Pixel. Pixels get 2 years of OS version updates, 3 years of security updates. iPhones get more support.
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
02/07/2017 at 23:19, STARS: 2
You’ve already answered your own question. You liked the two iPhones you had before. Get yourself an iPhone 6 or 6S. The iPhone 7 is the current model, so the older models will be a little cheaper but will still last you a long time. I’d recommend the 6S (the smaller one, not the 6S Plus which is phablet sized). Although doing a quick google search right now, the Plus is cheaper than the smaller sized 6S.
It’ll be a little more expensive than your budget but you know you won’t have to replace it in less than a year.
"for Michigan" (formichigan)
02/07/2017 at 23:34, STARS: 2
In my experience, if you spend $150-200 on a phone, it will last you a year before it becomes inoperable. Just like a $300-400 laptop. You really have to get into the $400+ retail range to get something with any sort of longevity.
My recommendation would be something along the lines of a Nexus 6P, Google Pixel, or iPhone 6s/7. You’re not going to get the quality, performance, or longevity you’re looking for otherwise.
"Chuckles" (chucklesw37)
02/07/2017 at 23:36, STARS: 0
I’m about 2.5 years into my Galaxy S5 and I’ve got no complaints. I use it daily for phone calls, messaging, and internet and it’s been close to flawless. Occasionally I wish that the battery would hold a charge better, but that’s it.
"Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)" (galileo-humpkins)
02/07/2017 at 23:36, STARS: 0
Wait, is that accurate that Pixel will only get 2 years of OS and 3 years of security updates? I’m assuming the “included with purchase” is implied. So will people who don’t want the upgrade to Pixel G1.2.3S+ 2020 V.1 (or whatever it will be named) in 2-3 years have to then pay?
"Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing." (granfury)
02/07/2017 at 23:36, STARS: 1
I have an LG Volt 2 that I picked up over at Target for $30 as a plaything/remote control. Decent for the price. But my real daily phone I use a 128gb iPhone 6S Plus. Yes, it’s expensive, but at $25/mo. it doesn’t feel too bad financially-speaking. I loved my old 4S, but this one is worth every penny.
"Tristan" (casselts)
02/07/2017 at 23:44, STARS: 1
My sarcasm threw you off... I “liked” the 5s so much I swore I would never buy another miserable, shitty, slow, laggy, overpriced Apple anything again.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
02/07/2017 at 23:52, STARS: 0
Oh, and that’s after release. So, the Pixel and Pixel XL that were released in October 2016 stop getting guaranteed OS updates after October 2018, and security updates after October 2019 (unless they get sold further than 18 months after release through the Google Store, then it’s for longer).
If you want any new versions of Android that come out after October 2018, or you want security updates after October 2019, and you don’t want to run third-party ROMs, you have to buy a newer phone. That’s actually part of why I replaced my Nexus 5 (well, OK, the battery was worn out, too).
Now, those are only guarantees, it’s possible that they’ll release newer versions of some things anyway, but I think the last updates my Nexus 5 got for security were November 2016.
Consider that this is basically the best support model in the Android world, too (although it’s not as good as Apple’s demonstrated behavior on iOS - but then Apple doesn’t outright commit to a support lifecycle). If you want your smartphone to actually stay secure, you’re gonna have to shell out.
"Kat Callahan" (kyosuke)
02/08/2017 at 00:02, STARS: 0
iPhone 6S for Japan. iPhone 4 for in-car music and world phone (I use T-Mobile for the US).
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
02/08/2017 at 00:08, STARS: 2
Sorry. It’s been an extraordinarily long day. I’m usually better with the sarcasm.
I still suggest the 6S, though. I’ve got one. Had it for about a year now. I love it.
My sister had some bad issues with an earlier model of the iPhone. Seriously, she kept getting factory rejects, even after she’d return them under warranty. It was uncanny. But she’s got a 6S now, too. Just got it. She’d sworn off getting another iPhone until her husband got her this one a couple of months ago. She loves it, too.
A lot of people criticized the 5S because it was practically a non-upgrade. It was a 4S with minor specification differences and a weirder size. Subsequent versions haven’t been so half-assed.
Like I said, I’ve had a 6S for about a year now. I plan on keeping it for a couple more years yet. Before that I had a 4S that I kept until the software updates finally outpaced the ability of its hardware to keep up. That was just over four years.
But the best way to decide, really, is to just go into a store and play around. You can look up different phone specs online, and ask people for advice all day long, but we’re not you. What I like, or someone else here likes, may be something you find annoying, or don’t like the look or feel of. Go to a store. Pick up the phones that interest you. Go home and think about it. And then choose. :) Good luck.
"RonnyPStiggs" (dyeg96)
02/08/2017 at 00:11, STARS: 0
I’ve got a Moto X, which I have had no issues with so far, and feels solid. They apparently build them in Texas too. My brother has a 1+ phone, which is a high end smartphone that comes with no applications until you install them, NONE. I’m intrigued but don’t know too much about them. I liked the feel of my brother’s, it felt weighty with quality.
"Monkey B" (monkeyb)
02/08/2017 at 00:46, STARS: 0
Pixel is the nicest phone on the market IMO...but that cost. My wife just got one, and I would too except money is tight this time of year. Spent a lot of time talking with the Google guy at my local BB, he carries a Pixel and an HTC 10. He also worked for Samsung for 3 years and won’t go there again. He said the same about LG only not as bad
I will never Samsung again, too many issues with the hardware. When I had a Galaxy S3 my wife got into a car accident, I only knew because her friend came to the house to tell me. Halfway there I start getting missed calls and texts. I double checked with AT&T to make sure there were no outages, there wasn’t and I had great coverage at the house as I called her from her friends iPhone as soon as she got there. That was just one example of the hardware issues...TouchWiz and bloat the other.
Had a bunch of Moto phones since the OG MotoX...Lenovo’s ownership has taken them out of the equation. Hardware issues and horrid customer service abound.
I grabbed a Nextbit Robin for $160 (Amazon) a month ago as I needed something cheap to get by as my Moto was letting me down. It’s not a bad phone and is basically stock Android, but they just sold to Razer and as of now support will only continue until 1/18. I can’t recommend it even though it’s not been bad for a cheap solution as I’ve not heard what Razers plan for the brand is past a year. My son is getting it as he dropped his Nexus 6 and shattered the screen, leaving me to shop again at the worst time for me financially as it’s my slow time of year. Add to that coming off Christmas and both kids birthdays directly after.
An hour ago I ordered an Honor 8 (Huawei) on sale direct for $319 plus a box of extras for a Valentine promotion. The phone retails for $400 so it’s a nice buy...I hope. I don’t know much about them to be honest. I hear mixed reviews on the UI they use but have heard glowing hardware reviews. I got my wife the Huawei watch for her birthday and it’s far nicer than the Moto 360 I had and it’s been so far so good after 2 months. I handled the honor 8 at Best Buy and was impressed...we’ll see. 15 day return policy so it’s worth a shot. If it sucks I’ll suck it up and get the Pixel.
"Monkey B" (monkeyb)
02/08/2017 at 00:49, STARS: 0
Oh yeah forgot, it’s not just Samsung phones. When I installed TV’s they were the troublesome brand. Friends with appliances have had bad luck as well. I told my friend not to buy a stove but he liked the buy he got...it’s been 3 weeks and his stove still doesn’t work. Samsung has been horrible with CS. I would have taken it back after a week of that crap. Not sure where things are now...but no Samsung anything for me.
"Monkey B" (monkeyb)
02/08/2017 at 00:56, STARS: 0
And totally forgot, the OnePlus 3t is probably my second choice after the Pixel. You can get a 32gb for just over $400.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
02/08/2017 at 01:05, STARS: 0
I’ve had a Moto X Pure Edition since it first came out in Sept 2015 and it’s held up great so far. At the time I cheaped out and got the 16 GB version and use a microSD card. It’s mostly fine but there’s a limited amount of stuff you can move to SD and the roomier versions are now cheap. It’s on Marshmallow and may get Nougat.
My wife has a cheapie ZTE ZMAX 2 that I picked up on Black Friday 2015 and it’s also still going strong. It’s basic, plasticky, no 802.11ac wifi, 720p screen, no NFC, etc. It’s on Lollipop and unlikely to be updated. But it’s totally fine for her.
That said, because these features are plentiful nowadays, I’d go for at least a 1080p screen, and 32 GB memory, because that should be enough to avoid juggling crap onto an SD card.
Not sure which carrier you’re on but of these, I believe only the Motorolas are Verizon compatible.
Moto G4 32 GB
- $199
5.5" 1080p
Snapdragon 617
2 GB RAM
Quick Charge
No fingerprint sensor
ZTE Blade V8 Pro
- $229
5.5" 1080p
Snapdragon 625
3 GB RAM
32 GB ROM
Dual cameras like iPhone 7
Quick Charge
Fingerprint sensor
Huawei Honor 6x
- $249
5.5" 1080p
HiSilicon 655
3 GB RAM
32 GB ROM
No quick charge
Fingerprint sensor
Moto X Pure 64 GB
- $269
5.7" 1440p
Snapdragon 808
3 GB RAM
64 GB ROM
Quick charge
No fingerprint sensor
OnePlus 2 64 GB
- $279
5.5" 1080p
Snapdragon 810
3 GB RAM
64 GB ROM
Quick charge
Fingerprint sensor
Moto G4 Plus 64 GB
- $299
5.5" 1080p
Snapdragon 617
3 GB RAM
Quick Charge
Fingerprint sensor
Better camera than regular G4
All of these have at least 3 GB of RAM except the base Moto G4 which has 2 GB. In my experience, that extra gig of RAM is very useful on Android to prevent browser tabs and apps from reloading all the time when switching between them.
Both G4 versions have the weakest CPU here—the regular G4 is a good value but the G4 Plus is basically just adding more memory, a bit nicer camera, and fingerprint sensor. I’d only pick it if you really want those features and are on Verizon.
If you want “clean” Android and the highest spec CPU it’d be the OnePlus 2 or the X Pure. The OP2 is a Snapdragon 810 vs an 808 in the X Pure but the 808 is still fast and better on battery.
The ZTE has a dual-lens camera like the iPhone 7 and its assorted tricks.
"mazda616" (mazda616)
02/08/2017 at 01:13, STARS: 1
Had iPhone 4 for 2.5 years. No problems.
Had iPhone 5 for 2.5 years. No problems until very end. One warranty replacement due to a faulty lock button.
Had iPhone 6 Plus for 2 years. No problems ever.
Have iPhone 7 Plus now. No problems so far.
I have had good luck and have been fortunate so I have no desire to change.
"promoted by the color red" (whenindoubtflatout)
02/08/2017 at 01:16, STARS: 0
The Galaxy S5 is like a Jeep Wrangler. The build quality (and quality in general) leaves something to be desired, but it can take crazy abuse and can be customized with different backs, batteries, and memory cards.
Updating mine is a PITA because Samsung & Verizon jammed that sucker full of default apps (that count against the default 16GB) so I’m manually moving apps to an SD card because I have no space left.
"Autofixation" (Autofixation)
02/08/2017 at 01:50, STARS: 0
I have a Motorola Droid Turbo 2. I really like it. Have an OtterBox case on it and it takes a beating. Great phone.
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
02/08/2017 at 01:59, STARS: 0
apple iPhone SE?
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
02/08/2017 at 02:07, STARS: 0
I too had an iPhone 4, and I loved it till I updated to iOS 6, and it all went downhill from there. I don’t blame the phone, I think it just didn’t have the power to properly run that iOS. I replaced it with an iPhone 6, which I recently replaced with a 6S, not because I needed to, but there was a really good Boxing Day deal to switch carriers and get a newer phone. The 6S is a bigger upgrade from the 6 than I would’ve guessed. Noticeably faster, noticeably better camera, and slightly heavier which I like. I have no doubt it’ll last me 2+ years easily, which is a long life when it comes to smartphones. 4 years should be doable, but it’s not necessarily realistic. As others have said, there isn’t really anything that beats the Pixel when it comes to Androids, which I know is out of your desired budget, but I can’t think of any phone that cheap that I’d assume would live for 4 years. Oh yeah and there is the iPhone 7, which I considered, but I wanted the headphone jack. Plus the 6S is cheaper.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
02/08/2017 at 07:10, STARS: 0
I really am liking my sony xperia z3 compact. I am SUPER against giant phones, an SD card slot was number 1 on my priority list, and amazing battery life was a major requirement. But also in conjunction with that, I wanted something well made and would run fast. This phone had mid-high range specs in 2014 and had the price to go along with it. But now these can be had in barely used (maybe even new) for ~$200. I’ve had mine for about a year now and it is the first phone that I actually want to keep for a long time. I can easily get 2 days of battery out of it since most days I charge it at around 50%-60%. This combines real well with my 20,000 mAh charging pack, I can go off the grid for at least a week while actually using the phone still.
I may have some niche requirements though since there aren’t really any competitors to this phone. Samsung made something comparable but I hate Samsung almost as much as Apple. This phone is really only the perfect choice if you specifically want a phone under 5 inches.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
02/08/2017 at 07:17, STARS: 0
This is totally untrue. That price window is more like if you spend sub $100, then it will last about a year. Something in the $50-$75 range (there are many options that fulfill this on the budget android scene). The quality range is definitely in the ~$200 sweet spot. Anything more expensive than that doesnt add any quality, it just adds features and maybe some premium feel. Of course these can be worth the price depending on your use though.
"Stapleface" (patrickgruden)
02/08/2017 at 07:18, STARS: 0
I have an older Huawei Honor 5X, and it’s been a pretty decent phone for me. I’ve had it about a year now, and once I put Cyanogenmod 13 on it, it’s been rock solid. The stock Huawei software, at least for the 5x, wasn’t so good (major battery drain issues-from full to dead in 2 hours).
"for Michigan" (formichigan)
02/08/2017 at 07:25, STARS: 0
It’s untrue that every $150-200 phone bought by me, my family, and my friends has not lasted more than a year?
That’s strange, because I’m pretty sure that you have no way of proving or disproving the validity of that statement.
Perhaps you meant that your experience is different than my own.
"Rico" (ricorich)
02/08/2017 at 07:37, STARS: 0
I agree with Xylo, iPhone 6S or iPhone SE if you want a smaller phone. Both have been flawless for me and people I know. I just upgraded to a 7 yesterday because I’m on a jump plan. If you get android you’ll be back here in a year with the same complaints.
"Illegitimus Prime" (illprime)
02/08/2017 at 07:49, STARS: 0
Cheap Answer: Moto G
$599 Answer : Huawei Mate 9
"IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda" (iddavo)
02/08/2017 at 07:56, STARS: 0
My first smartphone was a Nokia Lumia 822 that I had for 3 years and I’d still be using if the speaker didn’t go out, but it still works. I replaced it with a Lumia 735 that I’ve had for over a year now and I paid full price for it which was around $200. I love the Windows phones very durable, good battery life, expandable memory, and a replaceable battery. The only downside to Windows phones is they don’t quite have the app selection the Androids or Iphones have, but they have all of the mainstream apps.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
02/08/2017 at 07:57, STARS: 1
Yes, poor choice of wording. That has been my experience. But I have also seen $600 phones last about a year, it just depends on how how well the phone is taken care of.
"Montalvo" (m5goesroundtheoutside)
02/08/2017 at 08:18, STARS: 0
Take a look at some of the phones from OnePlus. I got my 3T from them a few months ago and it’s by far my favorite phone yet.
"Rex Sheldon" (sr337)
02/08/2017 at 10:06, STARS: 2
I’ve got a 6S myself and love it, the other great option is the new SE. Same size as the 5 but as speedy as the 6S. I detected your sarcasm, but even with peoples issues towards iPhones, I’ve never understood why people like Android or Samsung phones, they just never seem to work properly, eat batteries, and are loaded with garbage.
"Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)" (galileo-humpkins)
02/08/2017 at 10:16, STARS: 0
Interesting, I had no idea that’s how it worked on Android. Then again, I don’t deal much with Android anyway. I’ve been on a 2-3 year upgrade cycle with my iPhones (since the original) - the only time I see Android is an occasional client who needs a new email set up and added to their phone, or something like that.
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
02/08/2017 at 10:17, STARS: 0
I think you accidentally responded to me instead of the OP.
"Rex Sheldon" (sr337)
02/08/2017 at 10:44, STARS: 0
Yea you’re probably right. My bad, I thought i was just continuing the conversation that already existed. Sometimes the commenting system on here seems really wonky.
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
02/08/2017 at 16:39, STARS: 1
Galaxy S7 Edge is what I upgraded to after my Note 4. I could only be happier with my phone if I hate a Note 7 or 8 because I miss the pen. Other than that it is the best phone I have ever owned.
"atrombs" (atrombly)
02/10/2017 at 09:43, STARS: 0
Was it ungodly expensive at the time? And yes, I realize I’m 3 days late on this.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
02/10/2017 at 09:45, STARS: 0
...is how I phone.
"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
02/10/2017 at 10:15, STARS: 0
Oh yes, I remember paying around $700 for just the phone (in early 90s money). The monthly service charge was about half of that, depending on how much you used it.
So we are talking somewhere around 4-5k a year just to have the priviledge of calling someone from your car or boat. With something twice the size of a modern laptop, and only about an hour of battery power.
But it was the FUTURE!