|OT| The 'I need a new phone' thread.

[NarohDethan]

I see this thread inevitable pops out on every single forum I read so I might as well take the opportunity.

Right now I'm browsing for a new phone. Mine works perfectly, but since I want a company change and my current one (Mexican AT&T) is a pain in the ass to make them unlock the phone, I'd like to buy a new one.

My budget is $400, I've been eyeing thr Pixel 3A but I'm not sure if I should trust Google full on with it

 

[curi0usBystander]

My budget is $400, I've been eyeing thr Pixel 3A

I bought it last month (since my phone kept getting slower and randomly rebooting), So far is pretty neat.

 

[NarohDethan]

I bought it last month (since my phone kept getting slower and randomly rebooting), So far is pretty neat.

That's great to hear! I'm between that one and a Xiaomi Note 7~

 

[Nahkapukki]

Wife bought Huawei Nova 3 and she's happy. Well I paid for it so ofc she's happy about it.

 

[Flips]

If you're already considering a Xiaomi phone, you might want to wait until the Mi A3 gets released.

This phone series usually offers good specs and Android One at a rather low price. I would have bought the A2 last year but it didn't have NFC (which the A3 will probably have).

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[Kuro]

Wife bought Huawei Nova 3 and she's happy. Well I paid for it so ofc she's happy about it.

 

[Nahkapukki]

Marriage is a racket invented by women.

 

[Gevin]

I want to change my phone but I have not the slightest idea on where to start looking, I guess my budget is something less than $200 but that's it. Any pointers?

 

[NarohDethan]

I want to change my phone but I have not the slightest idea on where to start looking, I guess my budget is something less than $200 but that's it. Any pointers?

The Moto G6 or G7.

 

[NarohDethan]

I've also been eyeing the Samsung A70 but that's a bit more expensive ($500).

 

[MonthOLDpickle]

I bought on a whim an Xiaomi max 2 I think (I wanted bigger screen for reading) for liek 200 bucks

Two years ago. This phone doesn't have NFC (who cares) and has lasted me the longest out of any of the phones I have tried. I even use it when I visit my family back in the states.

I saved a lot of money!

 

[NarohDethan]

I bought on a whim an Xiaomi max 2 I think (I wanted bigger screen for reading) for liek 200 bucks

Two years ago. This phone doesn't have NFC (who cares) and has lasted me the longest out of any of the phones I have tried. I even use it when I visit my family back in the states.

I saved a lot of money!

Apparently the MAX line got cancelled :c

 

[Gevin]

Related: I'll be visiting the States next week and that's when I intend to get the new phone, so far I've been convinced by the Moto G6 (unless someone convinces me the G7 is worth the price difference).

What's the best way to buy a new phone there? Should I just browse stuff on Amazon now and order it, or are physical stores good in prices over there too?

 

[MonthOLDpickle]

Related: I'll be visiting the States next week and that's when I intend to get the new phone, so far I've been convinced by the Moto G6 (unless someone convinces me the G7 is worth the price difference).

What's the best way to buy a new phone there? Should I just browse stuff on Amazon now and order it, or are physical stores good in prices over there too?

Why yea buying in the states? Are phones unlocked there by default now?

 

[Gevin]

Not sure really but I'll be visiting next week and they cost half as much as they do here

 

[JackPineSavage]

any phones still have headphone jack

 

[NarohDethan]

any phones still have headphone jack

Yes! But usually the mid range ones (Samsung A10/20/50/70, Google Pixel 3A, etc)

 

[lashman]

NarohDethan since it's an OT - you might want to add a cover

 

[NarohDethan]

NarohDethan since it's an OT - you might want to add a cover

Will do! As soon as I can think / find a cool one!

 

[lashman]

Will do! As soon as I can think / find a cool one!

awesome ... thanks!

 

[MonthOLDpickle]

Not sure really but I'll be visiting next week and they cost half as much as they do here

Well last time I was in the states (born and raised) it was only cheaper due to being locked and contract (which actually costs you more in the end). Here in Taiwan phones are costlier, but unlocked by default.

 

[NarohDethan]

Well last time I was in the states (born and raised) it was only cheaper due to being locked and contract (which actually costs you more in the end). Here in Taiwan phones are costlier, but unlocked by default.

Phones are usually more expensive in Latin America. For example, the most expensive iPhone here is $1500 USD.

 

[MonthOLDpickle]

Yet are you tired to one carrier or you can freely without having to do anything special?

BTW iPhone cost pretty much over a thousand here.

Though you can use it with any carrier here. Freely.

 

[NarohDethan]

I still considering what phone to get :/

 

[EdwardTivrusky]

I just had a notice that i am eligible for an early upgrade from my Pixel 2 but to be honest there's nothing i want to upgrade to. My Pixel 2 is perfectly fine and i don't fancy spending £50-£60 a month for a Samsung or iPhone that i don't really need.

Is there a new Pixel out this year? I might wait for that or just go Sim Only for the first time in years and years until a phone comes out that i want.

 

[NarohDethan]

Can someone else vouch for Huawei?

 

[Ge0force]

Can someone else vouch for Huawei?

My wife has a Huawei P10 and she's very happy with it. I'm swearing by OnePlus myself, the price/quality is amazing!

 

[gabbo]

any phones still have headphone jack

I do believe the LG G8 still has one. I'm using the G7 ThinQ and it has one. Haven't had nay issues with it

 

[NarohDethan]

My wife has a Huawei P10 and she's very happy with it. I'm swearing by OnePlus myself, the price/quality is amazing!

I'm eyeing either a Y9 / P30 lite.

 

[NarohDethan]

Fuck me the regular P30 is beautiful.

 

[NarohDethan]

Okay, since I'm a fucking idiot, now I DO need a new phone. Managed to kill my Z2 display. I can't use it anymore.

 

[lashman]

Okay, since I'm a fucking idiot, now I DO need a new phone. Managed to kill my Z2 display. I can't use it anymore.

good job

 

[NarohDethan]

good job

Is this karma for liking anime?

 

[lashman]

Is this karma for liking anime?

yes

 

[EdwardTivrusky]

Is this karma for liking anime?

Kind of. It is the Gods of Anime and the very Spirit of Anime calling out to you to get a new phone so that your anime experience is enriched.

Faster Phone + Better Screen + More Storage = MORE ANIME-PER-SECOND

The Maths don't lie.

 

[crimsonheadGCN]

I need a new phone, but I won't be buying one till next year. I bought my current one last year and couldn't wait to weeks for the newer version of it. It's a Moto G5 and it's showing its age already.

 

[NarohDethan]

 

[Le Pertti]

Dammit, I've complaining about RAW photography on Android and now Apple comes out with a RAW format that seems perfect for someone like me.

 

[NarohDethan]

Dammit, I've complaining about RAW photography on Android and now Apple comes out with a RAW format that seems perfect for someone like me.

Dude the 12 Pro Max in Blue is fucking gorgeous. Too bad I'm broke

 

[Le Pertti]

Dude the 12 Pro Max in Blue is fucking gorgeous. Too bad I'm broke

Same. The moment I ever have money I'll go back to iPhone.

 

[ISee]

I'll briefly hijack this thread for my long and 100% unnecessary Pixel 5 impressions:

I decided to stop buying those 900€+ flagships. I was thinking about a 4a 5G, but I was lucky and found a Pixel 5 during a weekend promotion for just over 530€ (-16% discount on everything on a mayor electronics online store over here). Unable to resist the promotion I impulse purchased the phone. To my very surprise the phone arrived about one week later. I'm using it now for four days.

wall of text

I've never owned a Pixel phone before, bought Samsung for 80% of the time. I'm not following Phone news and only read up once I need something new.

First let's start with the things I do not like: The Negatives

• Speakers are bad, especially at high volumes. If you want half acceptable sound quality, you need to turn them down to ~60%. Pixel 5 speakers are usable, but I wouldn't want to listen to music on them for longer periods of time.
• Auto brightness is aggressive. I was correcting it all the time and even turned it off today. I'm half sure this will be fixed in an update.
• Max brightness on my (now defect) S10 was better and altogether it had the nicer looking display (when not in motion!). That said the Pixel 5 is good, the colors are more natural and pleasing. I'm just noticing the difference in resolution.

Now let's talk about what I love: The Positives

• While talking about the Display: 60Hz vs 90Hz make more of a difference than I thought. After four days on the pixel 5, picking up a phone with 60Hz and scrolling suddenly feels stuttery. (Every PC gamer in here is now shocked, I know)
• Battery time is incredible compared to my old S10 (Exynos edition). For the first time, in a long time, I stopped worrying if a phone will carry me through the day. There are days when I'm extensively using my phone and the Pixel 5 powers through that. Awesome!
• The camera is good, though I have the feeling like it needs particularly good, bright light to be excellent. No matter what: It's a significant upgrade over the s10. People were complaining about a long processing time. I do not perceive it as long though; it's not bothering or even in the slightest annoying.
• I like the fingerprint scanner on the back. But I'm one of those people holding the old LG G2 in high regards. The home and volume buttons were on the back there.
• It's so small and comfortable to hold. Everything feels fast and snappy. Awesome!
• The Wifi on the Smartphone is fast.
• Stock Android 11 is pure joy to use. This paragraph would deserve its own thread, but I'll try to make it simple.
  • I love the new gestures, instead of the "three buttons" approach that Samsung is still holding on to. Though I had trouble adapting for the first day.
  • I love the new notification bar. It's finally organized and works! The music player integration and the ability to change streaming devices on a wimp is genius.
  • Connecting something through Bluetooth, Wifi scanning, even my bank authentication app is significantly faster. Despite being on a weaker CPU. Less OS bloat?
  • Short: It's simplistic, never stands in my way, it's comfortable to use and as snappy as it gets. 10/10 for android 11.

A couple of neutral things:

• I miss Bixby as my wake-up morning call. Waking up to a smooth tone, with a friendly voice greeting me and reading the news was good. Yes, there are google routines, but it's just not as smooth and pleasant.
• I miss the quality and variety of cases made by Samsung. They are overexpansive but good, better than any third party offering in my experience. So far, I have found nothing that feels good to hold. I'm sure Google's fabric cover is good too, but I'm also sure it would be moist and dirty the way I use my smartphone. Maybe somebody has a recommendation for a case that feels good to hold and isn't ultra-thick?

Things I have not tested:

• Gaming. I don't play games on my smartphones.

Conclusion (tl/dr):

For 530€? I love it: It's a good, powerful, small, comfortable phone with excellent features, awesome battery durability and great software. Feels like a steal for that price.

This is still no unreserved recommendation: Speakers aren't good enough for that. If you are listening to music on your phone, without external speakers, smart speakers, Bluetooth devices or headphones. You should look elsewhere. It's a bit sad because the pixel 5 is so close to being a perfect recommendation. Especially once more promotions and black Friday deals start.
But for me? Nearly perfect device. Keep that strategy up Google. Quality, price, battery-life, and a comfortable, good, open, snappy OS over shiny specifications!

 

[Li Kao]

You should discuss this topic in the correct thread !

Community - MetaSteam | March 2021 - The Home of Obscure Indie Gaming

Any and all credit for the concept of these threads goes to the amazing MRORANGE! Big thanks for taking part in those monthly threads! No monthly highlights YET AGAIN, because Tizoc is a lazy butt Chronicle of Innsmouth: Mountains of Madness Mountains of Madness is the second chapter...

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Spoiler

 

[Le Pertti]

I went back to iPhone, I got the 12 mini and I love it! Got it through a phone plan so didn't have to sell my butt on the street.

 

[Li Kao]

I went back to iPhone, I got the 12 mini and I love it! Got it through a phone plan so didn't have to sell my butt on the street.

Doesn’t this plan murder your monthly budget ? I’m asking because each time I check Orange plans the discount is either ridiculous or the plan super pricey.
I mean I already pay 50 euros or so for Internet, Phone, Mobile Phone. I really can’t consider adding 30 or more each month.

And yah, for all the hate I have for Apple ecosystem, their stance on privacy is cool. If they weren’t that pricey...

 

[NarohDethan]

I went back to iPhone, I got the 12 mini and I love it! Got it through a phone plan so didn't have to sell my butt on the street.

I will upgrade my iPhone soon, I have a XR which still works good but an upgrade wouldn't be bad.

 

[Li Kao]

How many kidneys have you people ?

 

[Le Pertti]

Li Kao Its only 20 euro plus per month, but I have pretty much stopped buying steam bucks which I usually spent 20 euro on each month. Having a xbox and game pass does make me stop buying new games.

NarohDethan Last iPhone I had before this one was the iPhone 6, so feels great to be back. Also my favorite iPhone is 4 and the 12 mini is pretty much that!

 

[NarohDethan]

Li Kao Its only 20 euro plus per month, but I have pretty much stopped buying steam bucks which I usually spent 20 euro on each month. Having a xbox and game pass does make me stop buying new games.

NarohDethan Last iPhone I had before this one was the iPhone 6, so feels great to be back. Also my favorite iPhone is 4 and the 12 mini is pretty much that!

iOS are great. 'It just works!' but like for real.

 

[Le Pertti]

So I got tired that lightning and type c connections suck so much on phones when it comes to listening to music that I caved in and bought AirPods and I'm actually surprised just how well they work. I actually love them and that I didn't think I would, I just got them so I could exercise without having to get out the phone to press play every time the cable moves.

 

[NarohDethan]

So I got tired that lightning and type c connections suck so much on phones when it comes to listening to music that I caved in and bought AirPods and I'm actually surprised just how well they work. I actually love them and that I didn't think I would, I just got them so I could exercise without having to get out the phone to press play every time the cable moves.

Did you see that Discord will be preventing iOS users from using NSFW servers? fuck that!