New Phone?

Jared

Jared

Sysnative Staff, BSOD Kernel Dump Expert
Joined
Feb 3, 2014
Posts
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I wasn't really sure where to post this particular thread so I thought it'd be best to place it here.

Does anyone recommend any new smartphones as it's time for an upgrade?
I'm leaning towards either the Amazon Fire phone or a Windows Phone but I'm not sure yet.
I don't really want to go with Apple (bendy iphones) or samsung as I'm just not keen on android very much.
 
I'd avoid the Fire Phone, it's not got the best reviews: Review: Amazon?s Fire Phone offers new gimmicks, old platform growing pains | Ars Technica. I've never liked FireOS (it's Android, but customised very heavily by Amazon).

What's your budget? Are you buying outright and then getting a SIM only plan or are you going to get it on contract? Contract means a lower upfront fee, but you'll pay more each month. If you're currently on a contract, it can make sense to upgrade because often you can get your contract bumped up if you ask.

I'd like to think I'm fairly knowledgeable about phones, specifically Android. I currently have a Moto G (fantastic budget phone - if you have a small budget, I wholeheartedly recommend it and so do almost all reviews of it) and I have a rooted Nexus 7 tablet running a custom version of Android on a new filesystem. I've really gone to town with that Nexus 7 :p

Samsung phones would not be my first choice, the TouchWiz skin they use is very heavy and bloated and they are full of useless gimmicks IMO.

What have you got against Android?

I used a HTC Radar Windows Phone before my Moto G and enjoyed it, but the platform still isn't mature enough for me. Apps are lacking and it doesn't offer the customisability of Android.

Any features you really want (good camera, large screen, 4G...?)

Stephen
 
I haven't got anything against them as such, I'm just not keen on the OS and layout very much.
The budget would be around £45 per month on contract which is what I'm on now.

As for features there isn't really much apart from 4G, unlimited data would be very nice but it's difficult to get, in fact I think 3 are the only company who do it now.

I've heard HTC are good but I've never looked into it much.
 
Android is something you really do get used to, and can be customised heavily.

You've got quite a high budget then :) I'm on £15 a month!

Carrier wise, 3 are the best for data allowance, but their signal is the worst out of the lot in my experience, at least around me. Vodafone have great support, but you pay a premium for them and their service isn't the best again. EE's support is pretty poor, but they have good signal, fast speeds. Prices are reasonable, but not as good value as 3.

HTC are good, but I don't like their Sense skin on Android. If you really like HTC and Windows Phone, they make their flagship M8 with both Windows and Android. That phone is good, but too large for my liking - it's very tall!

I've got to go for now, but I'll see if I can compose a full reply tomorrow. I have a few ideas in mind.

-Stephen
 
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I've heard 3 were good.
I'm with O2 at the moment and they're terrible, especially their network signal and speed...
 
Stephen do you live down South?
If so then it might be an issue down there, as with Harry because up North near Sheffield where I live it's apparently pretty good as most of my friends have 3 and they say it's really good.
 
I second John's recommendation on the Samsung Galaxy. My first smartphone was a Galaxy S3 and I am still using it to this day. Even knowing that I have a upgrade available, it's that good of a phone. I have reviewed and used the S3, S4, and S5 along with the HTC One. If you want to you read my reviews on the different Galaxy phones here:

A Fifth Generation of the Galaxy Phones ? A Samsung Galaxy S5 Review | Tech Support Forum

The Galaxy Line Continues! A Samsung Galaxy S4 Review | Tech Support Forum

This Phone goes beyond the Galaxy | Tech Support Forum
 
Okay, I'm at a tie between the HTC One M8 and the Sony Zperia Z3.
Both look really good but I'm unsure which to get really.

Anybody got any experience with HTC and Sony phones?
 
I think you've got a good choice there, they're both very good phones. They're both too big in my opinion, I prefer a smaller phone. The Z3 Compact by Sony is a good choice if you're looking for a smaller phone: Sony Xperia Z3 Compact review: Not your usual suspect - GSMArena.com

Both of those phones are running fairly heavily skinned versions of Android, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. From a pure spec point of view: Sony Xperia Z3 vs. HTC One (M8) - GSMArena.com.

GSM Arena also did a comparison between the M8 and Z2, so that may be worth a read: HTC One (M8) vs Sony Xperia Z2: Unsafe mode - GSMArena.com

If you've got a Carphone Warehouse sorry, Dixon's Carphone (the most ridiculous company name ever IMO!) near you, I'd recommend you go take a look at them both. The reason I say carphone warehouse is because they normally have fully working phones on display unlike most other shops.

They're both good phones but as I say, try them out first. You may find you don't like the feel of one of them in your hand, or don't like the UI. Trying them is the only way to know.

Stephen do you live down South?
Click to expand...
Indeed I do - perhaps 3 is better up North then.

Stephen
 
Seeing as how you're moving from a data phone to a smart phone, you'll also want to keep security in mind.

It was my understanding that the dodgy apps on Google Play are removed fairly quickly but this article from May tends to imply otherwise: Malware authors target Android phones. Regardless, I would avoid installing apps from outside Google Play and read the reviews.

A part of your decision should include how you plan on using your smartphone. Sure, I have access to Twitter, Facebook, forums, maps, weather, search, etc., with my smartphone but most definitely don't live on the phone.
 
Jared said:
Okay, I'm at a tie between the HTC One M8 and the Sony Zperia Z3.
Both look really good but I'm unsure which to get really.

Anybody got any experience with HTC and Sony phones?
Click to expand...

The HTC One M8 is the better choice in my opinion. You'll get more support for applications and a better experience with the M8. HTC has really gone all out in making a smartphone that can compete against the rest. Plus the front facing speakers are just outstanding!

Corrine said:
Seeing as how you're moving from a data phone to a smart phone, you'll also want to keep security in mind.

It was my understanding that the dodgy apps on Google Play are removed fairly quickly but this article from May tends to imply otherwise: Malware authors target Android phones. Regardless, I would avoid installing apps from outside Google Play and read the reviews.

A part of your decision should include how you plan on using your smartphone. Sure, I have access to Twitter, Facebook, forums, maps, weather, search, etc., with my smartphone but most definitely don't live on the phone.
Click to expand...

Likewise, you could protect your phone using MBAM:

https://www.malwarebytes.org/mobile/
 
Tekno Venus said:
Masterchiefxx17 said:
You'll get more support for applications
Click to expand...
Err.. Both run Android KitKat. What are you basing this on?
Click to expand...

Yes, they both run 4.4.2 but app makers can restrict certain models from running a application. This is quite rare, but I have seen applications say they are designed and made for phones like the Galaxy line and not others.

Any app designer is always going to make sure the Galaxy and M8 line users are happy rather then the 2% (random number) of Sony users. If that makes sense....
 
Well I've had a little bit of a mind change.
I'm undecided between the HTC One M8 and LG G3.

The camera first bother me as I never take pictures.
I like the HTC speakers but I do like the LG G3's resolution and removable battery.
The metal frame on the HTC is nice and the sense UI looks nice.

Is the LG G3 wireless charging technology as good as it dsounds or is it merely a cheap unreliable advertising gimmick?
 
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I have a S4 that has a wireless charging pad, and I have to say it isn't anything special. It's easy to drop the phone and forget about it, but if you happen to charge your phone in multiple places then what's the point anyways? Also you will have to buy the wireless pad as an add-on, they will not include it for free.
 
Well I got the HTC One M8, I have to say it's a great phone.
The speakers and metal case are the main things, the build quality feels great.

The only issue I've had with the phone is what would seem a poor battery life, well sort of.
I've read online the battery life is meant to be great although mine seemed to drain quickly until around 40% when it slowed down (do note that I did have power saving mode on for a while).
I went to the Three shop and told them, they said to drain the battery fully, leave it off for around 30 minutes then charge it fully.
(They said you can just charge it when you get the phone as it was already on around 50% when we got it).
That's what I am trying to do now, although the battery is taking forever to drain as I'm getting tired...

I spoke with their customer service via the phone as the automated system couldn't transfer my old number form O2 over, they sorted that out, when I was on the phone I mentioned this problem and they said that because I'm within 14 days of purchase I can simply get a replacement.
 

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