Ok, back to the new phone drawing board

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein) 09/10/2017 at 11:37 • Filed to: None

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After a brief foray with attempting to replace my Moto X Pure with an LG V20, I !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I’m considering some options. Nothing is making me quite ready to pull the trigger. Here’s what I’m looking at.

I’m on Total Wireless, which is Tracfone’s prepaid brand that uses Verizon’s network. They just revised their plans and I have a screaming deal of a 15 GB 2-line plan for my wife and I for $60/month. So I want a Verizon-compatible phone.

Here are the things I like about my Moto X Pure:

5.7” high res screen in a body that’s still easy for me to hold 1-handed

Verizon and global compatibility

Nice clean Android software without a bunch of extra crap

Solid photo quality in good light from the 21 MP camera when using HDR

Front-facing stereo speakers, which are nice, but I use them rarely

The only things I don’t like about X Pure are:

It’s stuck on Marshmallow. Motorola tested a Nougat update back in April but abandoned it. Nobody thinks any more updates are on the way.

No fingerprint sensor

Low-light photos aren’t so great

Overall, I’ve had this phone for 2 years now and I’m still happy with it. If it didn’t have a wobbly USB port, I would just keep using it and not be concerned with replacing it.

In addition to addressing the few dislikes about the X Pure, I’d like to improve the CPU and RAM from its Snapdragon 808 CPU and 3 GB of RAM, to at least a Snapdragon 820 and 4 GB of RAM. All while not giving up too many of the things I like about the X Pure.

Before anyone says Samsung, their Android skin bugs me, and I hate that they reverse the back & recent apps buttons (at least they finally did away with that on the S8/Note 8). The cheapest Samsung phone that meets my criteria is the Galaxy S7 Edge which is still $670 for an unlocked one and I don’t really like the curved screen.

Refurb Moto X Pure - $150

This is what it would cost me to do an advance exchange with Motorola for a refurbished phone. They send me a fresh phone, I wipe mine and send it back to them. The end.

ZTE Axon 7 - $370 (gold) - $380 (grey)

Pros:

Snapdragon 820, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage

AMOLED screen instead of IPS LCD

Ever-so-slightly smaller than the Moto X Pure

Front-facing stereo speakers

Verizon and global compatibility

Fingerprint sensor

Fancy DAC for higher quality audio if I ever plugged in headphones (which is rare)

It’s on Nougat now and ZTE has been good at updating it

ZTE does put a skin on Android but it’s pretty mild, supposedly

20 MP camera isn’t much better in low light but at least adds image stabilization

Cons:

5.5” screen is a little smaller

Capacitive back/home/recent apps buttons

Some folks say the fingerprint sensor is not the most responsive, especially if you have sweaty fingers, and I’m a gym addict

It has a notification light, which some people like, but after having had phones both with and without notification lights, the light drives me a little bonkers

ZTE lets you do a bunch of customizing of the quick settings pull-down menu, but they completely removed the do-not-disturb toggle from the quick settings menu

There might be enough nits for me to pick about the software, according to this guy...

But really, while all of the things the dude points out in this video are perhaps mildly annoying, none of them are like the things that annoyed me on the LG V20, namely things like auto brightness and do-not-disturb scheduling that straight up don’t work correctly. The slow-responding ZTE lock screen can apparently be fixed by just setting a static wallpaper, because the delay is caused by ZTE’s lock screen trying to download a new image every time you wake the phone up. You can still have auto-refreshing wallpapers if you use something like Google’s Wallpaper app that downloads a different wallpaper each day. Who needs a new wallpaper every time you wake the phone anyway?

Huawei Nexus 6P - $385

(If you’re wondering where I’m getting this, Walmart is selling Total Wireless branded 32 GB Nexus 6Ps. As far as I know they’re still unlocked.)

Pros:

5.7” AMOLED screen, i.e. the only phone on this list that has the same size screen as my X Pure

Front-facing stereo speakers

Verizon and global compatibility

Fingerprint sensor

Pure Android and even though it’s 2 years old, it’s at least going to get up to Oreo

Camera has some HDR+ tricks but it’s not as fancy as the Pixel

Cons:

Snapdragon 810 + 3 GB RAM is only a marginal upgrade in horsepower

Sorta kinda does quick charging thru USB-C but it’s not Qualcomm Quick Charge

No microSD card slot. I can probably make do with 32 GB but I’d rather have more space.

Reports of issues with sub-par build quality and reliability in general

Moto Z Droid - $420

This is the only Moto Z version I like because it doesn’t have ShatterShield, Motorola’s built-in screen protector nonsense. It might help keep your screen from cracking but it collects ugly scratches like crazy.

Pros:

Snapdragon 820, 4 GB RAM, 32 GB storage + microSD slot

AMOLED screen instead of IPS LCD

Noticeably thinner and lighter than the Moto X Pure

Verizon compatibility

Fingerprint sensor on the front where it should be

It’s on Nougat now

(Mostly) nice clean Moto Android experience, with Nougat

Cons:

5.5” screen is a little   smaller

No global compatibility

No stereo speakers

Verizon bloatware

Unlikely software updates

Mediocre battery life

Camera is a step down from 21 MP to 13 MP and doesn’t improve the low light performance

The only way to protect the camera lens that sticks way out is with a case that sticks way out

LG G6 - $450

Pros:

Snapdragon 821, 4 GB RAM, 32 GB storage + microSD slot

Extra tall screen gives you more real estate in a smaller package

Verizon and sorta/kinda global compatibility

Fingerprint sensor

Camera is pretty decent and has a nifty wide-angle lens

Water resistant

Cons:

LG’s crappy software that can mostly be re-skinned to stock looking with some work

Wonky auto brightness.

Just like the V20, Do Not Disturb scheduling only occasionally works for people, according to reports like !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I had an LG G2 before my Moto X Pure and that phone also had DND scheduling problems. What gives, LG?

Even though it’s a 5.7” screen, it’s a lot narrower than 16:9 5.7” screens, and even 5.5” ones too

No front-facing speakers

Battery life is a mixed bag

Google Pixel XL Grade-A Refurb - $500 (32 GB) - $550 (128 GB)

Pros:

Snapdragon 821, 4 GB RAM, the 128 GB version is plenty of storage

AMOLED screen instead of IPS LCD

Verizon and global compatibility

Fingerprint sensor

That sweet, sweet Pure Android action with prompt software updates for longer into the future

Excellent camera

Cons:

No microSD card—the 32 GB version might be ok but kinda pushing it  

5.5” screen is a little   smaller

No stereo speakers

That’s a lot of money for a refurb phone

Of these choices, my front-runners, in no particular order, are another Moto X Pure, the Axon 7, and the Nexus 6P. While each of them has some compromises, they all tick the majority of my boxes and their prices are semi-reasonable.

Oppo, what say you?

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > Textured Soy Protein 09/10/2017 at 11:47

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I have an Axon 7, and I’m very satisfied with it. So much so that the wife got one about 4 months later. I just wish I paid American prices >_>

I’m about 1 year into ownership, have had about 3 major updates, including “7.1". The skin is light, as mentioned above; LG and Samsung skins are far more intrusive.

Monkey B > Textured Soy Protein 09/10/2017 at 11:50

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I have the Pixel, I regret not getting it sooner. Just got Oreo a few days ago. It’s the best Android phone you can own IMO.

djmt1 > Textured Soy Protein 09/10/2017 at 11:56

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I have a Nexus 6P. It’s one of the most functional phones ever made and seems to do it all. Quality camera, charges relatively rapidly and holds that charge for more than a day of heavy use. Front facing speakers are just joyous for both media and phone calls and man, stock Android leaves me dreading the day I ever have to leave it. That said....

Don’t buy it under any circumstances because Huawei couldn’t put a phone together to save their lives. I should mention that I’m currently writing this on my 4th 6P in less than 2 years. If something can go wrong, it will go wrong and then something else will go wrong for good measure.

I’d say get the Pixel if they’re still on sale and if not then probably the Axon. I heard nothing but good things about it.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Textured Soy Protein 09/10/2017 at 12:19

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I have a pixel XL. Fantastic. Biggest complaint is speaker location. Actually, that’s my only complaint. Sometimes I’ll cover the speakers just by how I’m holding it and get no sound at all. They really should’ve made the speakers front facing.

The Snowman > Textured Soy Protein 09/10/2017 at 12:44

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Love my pixel.

lone_liberal > Textured Soy Protein 09/10/2017 at 12:46

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I went from an OG Moto X to a Pixel and for the most part have been satisfied. It is missing a few of the nice little features the X had but having pure Android makes up for that. And it was very recently updated to Oreo. A speedy update like that is usually unheard of for Verizon.

horizonsofkhaos > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 09/10/2017 at 13:40

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Yup that’s probably my biggest complaint. Low light photos leave a little to be desired. Otherwise I’m a big fan of mine. Great phone overall.

Textured Soy Protein > djmt1 09/10/2017 at 13:50

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You’re not the first person who has said something about Huawei having quality issues. I’m going to add that to the list of cons in my post.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Textured Soy Protein 09/10/2017 at 13:51

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Again, the Pixel is by far the best phone I have ever used and well worth the cost.

Sovande > Textured Soy Protein 09/10/2017 at 14:43

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LG G6 is a great phone. I have zero issues with mine. Battery is good, not great, but it has quick charger and wireless charging. Camera is very good and it is waterproof. I don’t much care what the skin and all that looks like because I just want it to work. Form factor is nice, screen is nice, storage flexibility is nice.

Textured Soy Protein > Sovande 09/10/2017 at 14:51

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Have you tried setting up a schedule for do not disturb? On the V20, I set a schedule for when DND was supposed to turn on and off but it never turned itself on or off.

Sovande > Textured Soy Protein 09/10/2017 at 14:55

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I have not. If I don’t want it to make noise, I turn off the sound. If I do want to hear it, I turn it on. It takes a second.

for Michigan > Textured Soy Protein 09/10/2017 at 14:56

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YMMV. I’ve had my 6P for a year with no issues whatsoever. Battery is great, never had any bootloop problems, runs quickly and smoothly always. The only things I’d change about my phone is I’d prefer something in the 4-5" size range and the auto-brightness isn’t always perfect.

Textured Soy Protein > Sovande 09/10/2017 at 15:01

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I like DND because it turns off notification sounds from apps but the phone still rings and alarms still work. We have some older relatives with health problems so just in case we get a late night call about them. Also handy when traveling and using the phone as an alarm. On my X Pure I turn on DND and set it to auto expire a little before I usually wake up. On the V20, there’s a menu to set up a whole automatic DND schedule, which is great in theory, but it doesn’t actually work even if you set a schedule.

Textured Soy Protein > for Michigan 09/10/2017 at 15:14

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I like big phones as long as I can hold them with one hand with some kind of case. My X Pure is perfect with a slim TPU gel case. The V20 was slightly unwieldy with the first TPU case I tried because that one had a slippery glossy finish unlike the matte one on my X Pure. I tried a few other cases before returning it and did manage to find one that worked for me. The 6P is nearly identical in size to the V20 so I’d have to try a few cases to get the best grip but based on the V20 I should be able to manage WTH the right case.

for Michigan > Textured Soy Protein 09/10/2017 at 15:34

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Having owned the 6P for a while, I can understand why people like big phones, but they’re just not for me. My last phone was a gen 1 Moto X and that was the perfect size. I was bummed that I had to go to the 5.7" 6P to get the same features as my Moto X with stock Android. Then Google came out with the Pixel and I wished I had known to just hold out for that instead of getting the 6P. Even the Pixel XL is closer to what I want than the 6P.

Sovande > Textured Soy Protein 09/10/2017 at 16:27

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I have never tried it, though every thing else works so I would imagine it does as well. I also had a V10 and V20. Neither ever gave me any troubles. I have had Samsung and Sony phones and I have had the fewest issues with the LG’s.

Textured Soy Protein > Sovande 09/10/2017 at 16:39

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The broken DND on LG phones is a big annoyance for me since I use it so much. There were enough little things about the V20 that bugged me that are also present on the G6 so that pushes it down the list for me.

Textured Soy Protein > for Michigan 09/10/2017 at 16:41

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See, I thought the original X was nice clean software but small and underpowered. The 2nd gen was a step in the right direction but the Pure was the first one that really appealed to me.

Nauraushaun > Textured Soy Protein 09/11/2017 at 17:54

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Oneplus?

Textured Soy Protein > Nauraushaun 09/11/2017 at 18:31

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Definitely a phone that interests me but not Verizon compatible.

Nauraushaun > Textured Soy Protein 09/11/2017 at 23:20

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You poor Americans and your carriers :(

Textured Soy Protein > Nauraushaun 09/11/2017 at 23:46

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Yeah, it’s annoying, but Verizon has the best network quality near me (except for a certain part of town where it’s surprisingly crap) and Total Wireless is the best deal on a plan that fits my needs. I’m willing to give up a few phone options for this cheap of a plan.

Honestly the thing that disappoints me the most about Verizon and Motorola is that the X Pure (a.k.a. X Style outside the US) is the last high-end, big screen Motorola phone that’s unlocked with both Verizon and global compatibility.

The reason for this is because Motorola needs help to get its phones in front of ccustomers. Motorola has a long-standing deal with Verizon to promote its higher end phones in the US, and Verizon asked for, and received, exclusive versions of those phones. I don’t know why Verizon insisted on dropping global compatibility though because they often hype that as a selling point on other phones.

My wife’s Moto G5 Plus is unlocked, Verizon and global compatible, and is a great low/mid spec phone but would not really be an upgrade from my current phone. But Motorola partners with places like Amazon and Best Buy for help marketing that phone.

The X Pure happened while Google owned Motorola, and now that Lenovo owns Motorola, they don’t seem interested in making a big, high end, unlocked, carrier-universal phone. Hell, if the X Pure just had a fingerprint scanner, I wouldn’t even bother trying to get something newer.