Help Me Pick A Phone For AT&T

[blairharrington]

Well... from what I've read every single modern phone has been addressed and you come up with a reason why each one of them is a no-go. The G3 sounds like a winner in every one of your categories, but you dismiss it because it "feels so blah". How the hell can we help with stupid qualifiers like "don't want it to feel 'blah'"

I'm with him... good luck. The community has done all they can

I need to rehandle the G3 to get a better opinion on it. You're right. Pump the brakes on your tone.

 

[blairharrington]

I will say this thread supports my argument that the Moto X is the BEST Android.

No it isn't. 1st and 2nd gen both suffer from mediocre battery life and camera. What Motorola should have done was improved on the blueprint created by the 1st gen X. Make the camera better. Give us more battery life (even if it means a slightly thicker device). Many tech reviewers expressed disappointment that Motorola didn't stick with the borderline perfect ergonomics of the 1st gen Moto X.

 

[poofyhairguy]

No it isn't. 1st and 2nd gen both suffer from mediocre battery life and camera. What Motorola should have done was improved on the blueprint created by the 1st gen X. Make the camera better. Give us more battery life (even if it means a slightly thicker device). Many tech reviewers expressed disappointment that Motorola didn't stick with the borderline perfect ergonomics of the 1st gen Moto X.

Damn, I can't disagree with any of that. You are 100% right, the Moto X 2014 was a missed opportunity. When my loki-able S4 broke recently I almost ran to the Moto X 2014 because the 2013 device was so close to perfection that I hoped they nailed it round two. I went to the AT&T store held it and liked it. I played around on Moto maker and made a configuration. Then right before I bought I read a few actual Moto X 2014 reviews and after like three I was convinced to get an M8 instead.

A little better battery, a little better camera, or just having a 64GB model on launch (like the 2013 X eventually got and the Nexus 6 had day one) and a Moto X 2014 would be my phone right now. In many ways the Moto X 2014 is the normal sized Nexus for 2014, right down to the traditional crappy battery life and camera.

Obviously the 2013 X has been surpassed in hardware, so its not the perfect device for sure. Heck I don't have one for that reason. Still, I have had two people who wanted a cheaper unlocked phone in real life ask me what I recommended, and I pushed both to that 2013 X with great results. It is kinda amazing, the 2013 X keeps a value on Swappa far beyond its hardware (aka above M7s and S4s). I think part of that was because looking back it was such an excellent phone for the time, the closest to that iPhone-level of quality experience we have had in Android. I was sad when Google sold Lenovo, because that 2013 X showed what happened when Google got input on every part of the hardware process (unlike the Nexus program where some other OEM builds it). If Google would pull a Microsoft or Apple and just sell phones they made directly those would be amazing devices.

Overall I think this thread shows that in 2014 there isn't a clear cut awesome device. Every device has flaws, and quite frankly every sequel device (S5, M8, X 2014, G3) has at least one regression from the previous model. It is kinda a crazy year for Android.

 

[Wingznut]

Well... from what I've read every single modern phone has been addressed and you come up with a reason why each one of them is a no-go. The G3 sounds like a winner in every one of your categories, but you dismiss it because it "feels so blah". How the hell can we help with stupid qualifiers like "don't want it to feel 'blah'"

I'm with him... good luck. The community has done all they can

Actually, I think the Xperia Z3 would be the choice. It has front firing speakers, outstanding battery life, an excellent camera, and it's smaller in every dimension than the G3.

 

[blairharrington]

Damn, I can't disagree with any of that. You are 100% right, the Moto X 2014 was a missed opportunity. When my loki-able S4 broke recently I almost ran to the Moto X 2014 because the 2013 device was so close to perfection that I hoped they nailed it round two. I went to the AT&T store held it and liked it. I played around on Moto maker and made a configuration. Then right before I bought I read a few actual Moto X 2014 reviews and after like three I was convinced to get an M8 instead.

A little better battery, a little better camera, or just having a 64GB model on launch (like the 2013 X eventually got and the Nexus 6 had day one) and a Moto X 2014 would be my phone right now. In many ways the Moto X 2014 is the normal sized Nexus for 2014, right down to the traditional crappy battery life and camera.

Obviously the 2013 X has been surpassed in hardware, so its not the perfect device for sure. Heck I don't have one for that reason. Still, I have had two people who wanted a cheaper unlocked phone in real life ask me what I recommended, and I pushed both to that 2013 X with great results. It is kinda amazing, the 2013 X keeps a value on Swappa far beyond its hardware (aka above M7s and S4s). I think part of that was because looking back it was such an excellent phone for the time, the closest to that iPhone-level of quality experience we have had in Android. I was sad when Google sold Lenovo, because that 2013 X showed what happened when Google got input on every part of the hardware process (unlike the Nexus program where some other OEM builds it). If Google would pull a Microsoft or Apple and just sell phones they made directly those would be amazing devices.

Overall I think this thread shows that in 2014 there isn't a clear cut awesome device. Every device has flaws, and quite frankly every sequel device (S5, M8, X 2014, G3) has at least one regression from the previous model. It is kinda a crazy year for Android.

Personally I see 2014 as a terrible year for mobiles. M8 got bigger and heavier but still has a crap camera in daylight. S5 looks stale, TouchWiz is still blah, again bigger and heavier. G3 is nice but it's big. Borderline phablet. Z3/Z3C might be the only sequels, non-phablet, that were clear steps forward in every regard. I like the iPhone 6 but it's just a touch too big for one handed use in my use and it's kinda big for a 4.7" smartphone.

Moto X 2013 is still a great phone in many ways. I expect mine to resell quickly when it comes to that point. Listening to the Z3C made me really appreciate how good my Moto X speaker is.

 

[blairharrington]

Actually, I think the Xperia Z3 would be the choice. It has front firing speakers, outstanding battery life, an excellent camera, and it's smaller in every dimension than the G3.

I would probably take a chance on the Z3 before opting for the G3.

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

From whats been said so far, it seems like the Note 4 should be in the lead right now. It seems the only problem you'd have with it is size. The iphones are also still in the running. And...what about that huge nexus 6?

 

[blairharrington]

From whats been said so far, it seems like the Note 4 should be in the lead right now. It seems the only problem you'd have with it is size. The iphones are also still in the running. And...what about that huge nexus 6?

Note 4 and iPhone 6 Plus appear to have superior battery life to the Nexus 6. I also think the 6 Plus would be easier to pocket due to its thinness.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I like my wife's Note 4. If you want a phablet I think it is a clear winner this year.

 

[blairharrington]

I like my wife's Note 4. If you want a phablet I think it is a clear winner this year.

Wish Samsung didn't place the speaker on the back of the Note 4. IMO it should always be on the front or the bottom.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Yeah, but it is pretty loud and fairly clear though. Much much more so than my S4 ever was. Not in the same galaxy as my M8 for clarity (nothing is), but almost as loud.

 

[blairharrington]

Yeah, but it is pretty loud and fairly clear though. Much much more so than my S4 ever was. Not in the same galaxy as my M8 for clarity (nothing is), but almost as loud.

If I went that big, I'd probably get the 6 Plus. Bottom firing speaker. Thinner.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Seems like if the M9 knocks it out of the park (smaller, ditch ultra pixel camera, etc.) it could be a clear winner for you. Maybe a bandaid is needed until spring.

 

[blairharrington]

Seems like if the M9 knocks it out of the park (smaller, ditch ultra pixel camera, etc.) it could be a clear winner for you. Maybe a bandaid is needed until spring.

No reason to think it will be smaller. I believe the rumor is a 5.2" screen. So they'll probably fit that on the current M8 footprint or do what they did this year and make the phone, *sigh*, bigger.

 

[poofyhairguy]

So they'll probably fit that on the current M8 footprint

Say what you will, but a M9 with screen where we have bezel on the M8 and a real camera would be a pretty awesome device. The M8 isn't so much big as it is tall, maybe that could be shaved down some.

Everyone really did give them crap about that logo bezel. You have to assume its gone, hopefully.

Honestly I have liked the M8 way more than I thought I would. I saw it as a bandaid to next year, but I might keep it.

 

[gorcorps]

Yeah, but it is pretty loud and fairly clear though. Much much more so than my S4 ever was. Not in the same galaxy as my M8 for clarity (nothing is), but almost as loud.

True

I'm surprised at the volume of the Note 4 speaker. For a back facing one it's actually not bad at all.

 

[soulcougher73]

Moto x 2013 is still my favorite phone to date. Camera is its only real weakness, my battery has been fine, but others not so well. But of all the phones I've owned it's only one I didn't have upgraditus from lol

 

[dawheat]

True

I'm surprised at the volume of the Note 4 speaker. For a back facing one it's actually not bad at all.

When there's nothing behind it (your hand, desk, etc) the sound is pretty hard to hear, even in relatively low ambient noise. One of the very few things I'd like improved with the Note 4.

 

[blairharrington]

Say what you will, but a M9 with screen where we have bezel on the M8 and a real camera would be a pretty awesome device. The M8 isn't so much big as it is tall, maybe that could be shaved down some.

Everyone really did give them crap about that logo bezel. You have to assume its gone, hopefully.

Honestly I have liked the M8 way more than I thought I would. I saw it as a bandaid to next year, but I might keep it.

You're playing the hypothetical game. We have no idea if HTC will give us a larger screen on the same footprint. If I were to wait for the M8 then I'd wait for the S6 too. So we are talking Feb/March of next year. Am I willing to wait that long? I don't know.

If I upgrade before the end of the year, I think it's down to the Z3, iPhone 6, 6 Plus.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I would be curious what you thought of the iPhone if you go that direction.

 

[blairharrington]

When there's nothing behind it (your hand, desk, etc) the sound is pretty hard to hear, even in relatively low ambient noise. One of the very few things I'd like improved with the Note 4.

This is a huge flaw with phones rocking back speakers with flat backs. Lay them on a flat surface and it renders the sound useless. With my Moto X, you can lay it on a flat hard surface because there is a curve to the back. Doesn't distort the sound. But if I place my X on my bed, a not hard surface, back first, forget it.

Like I said earlier, I really only truly like the speaker to be on the bottom or the front.

 

[blairharrington]

I would be curious what you thought of the iPhone if you go that direction.

I know I prefer Android over iOS but I don't think the right Android hardware exists for my needs.

The debate between 6 and 6 Plus would take some homework on my part. The 6 is ideal for my needs with respect to one handed use. The 6 Plus however I believe has a longer battery life and louder speaker.

 

[poofyhairguy]

To me its not even close- iPhone 6. The 6+ basically has the same SoC power (which in some respects like RAM is Android 2012 levels) with way more pixels. Plus (pardon the pun) it has that neat potentially bending feature. The 6+ has the better camera and battery, but is it needed?

When the iPhone 6+S hits and that frame has a SoC like the iPad Air 2 has (and a fix for the bend) it will be the best phone on the earth for an entire cycle.

 

[foghorn67]

To me its not even close- iPhone 6. The 6+ basically has the same SoC power (which in some respects like RAM is Android 2012 levels) with way more pixels. Plus (pardon the pun) it has that neat potentially bending feature. The 6+ has the better camera and battery, but is it needed?

When the iPhone 6+S hits and that frame has a SoC like the iPad Air 2 has (and a fix for the bend) it will be the best phone on the earth for an entire cycle.

It's hard to turn down an iPhone 6. I went with a Z3 because my 5c work phone will be replaced by a 6.

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

This thread is pulling me even closer to the Note 4. Best screen in the business. Best camera in the business. Best (nearly best?) battery in the business. Very few shortcomings, as evidenced in this thread. Did not want a huge phone but...I think my decision may already be made.