Help Me Pick A Phone For AT&T

[blairharrington]

Xperia Z3C came today. Speaker performance is noticeably worse than my 2013 Moto X. Much to my surprise. Despite being dual speakers versus my X's single it doesn't matter. Audio is clearly more muffled and potentially even quieter compared to my X.

I like everything else about this phone but the speaker performance is very important to me.

I know the Z3 has better speakers so that's an option. I don't really want a larger phone but will consider it for the speaker performance alone. There is a part of me that thinks the Z3 will still not be as good as the Moto X I have with respect to speaker. I know at least one forum member has swore that the Z3 speakers are superior to the Moto X's. Also feeling kinda blah about buying new docks. The ones I use now (Phillips bedside and Seido for the office) work but not so hot with the Z3C/Z3.

I will not entertain the M8 for a variety of reasons.

I'm not desperate to upgrade necessarily but I'm not sure I want to wait until the S6 is unveiled to make a decision.

I've considered the 2014 Moto X but it appears to have the same blah camera and battery life of my current Moto X.

I don't want a phablet but if it means killer battery life and an excellent speaker, I'll at least consider it. (Ugh.) Either the 6 Plus or the Note 4.

I'll also consider the iPhone 6. Kinda weary of its battery life though.

Let me know your suggestions. Must be able to use with AT&T.

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

I'm in the exact same situation as you, cant even decide between IOS and Android at this point! But with an older phone, the S3. Anyways, keep fightin the good fight man, we'll figure this thing out. Hopefully some good insight comes on this thread.

Also, just went on a trip and my phone's battery life was a very, very serious issue (I actually had my girlfriend get stranded at one point thanks to phone dying). The matter is dire at this point, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[blairharrington]

I'm in the exact same situation as you, cant even decide between IOS and Android at this point! But with an older phone, the S3. Anyways, keep fightin the good fight man, we'll figure this thing out. Hopefully some good insight comes on this thread.

Also, just went on a trip and my phone's battery life was a very, very serious issue (I actually had my girlfriend get stranded at one point thanks to phone dying). The matter is dire at this point, as far as I'm concerned.

Your situation is more dire than mine. My Moto is relatively new. I just want to upgrade sooner than later and I want it to be a phone I use for at least 2 years. Tired of jumping phones.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Motorola moto Maxx, which should work with AT&T.

 

[RossMAN]

Motorola moto Maxx, which should work with AT&T.

Is this the same phone, has it really been over a year? Time sure does fly.

As for connectivity, the Droid Maxx comes with the usual set of CDMA and Verizon-friendly LTE bands (700 / AWS, to be specific), as well as quad-band 42 Mbps HSPA+ (850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100) and quad-band GSM / EDGE (850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900) for international travelers who want to use a local nano-SIM. The phone is unlocked, so we were able to use the Maxx on HSPA+ with an AT&T SIM.

I'd buy it in a heart beat if it were cheaper or goes on sale during BF/CM.

 

[blairharrington]

Motorola moto Maxx, which should work with AT&T.

Are you talking about the Droid Turbo? I feel like every Motorola phone has a mediocre camera. Also I need LTE.

 

[Wingznut]

So, let's see if I got all this. You want a phone that:

- Has good speakers
- Has LTE on AT&T
- Not really a phone as big as the Z3
- But might consider a phablet?
- Definitely not a M8
- Better battery and camera than the 2013 Moto X
- Definitely not another Motorola
- Works with your current dock

Umm... Good luck.

That being said, go to a T-Mobile store and check out the Xperia Z3. Hold it, listen to the speakers. That'll help you decide.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Are you talking about the Droid Turbo? I feel like every Motorola phone has a mediocre camera. Also I need LTE.

OK, so Moto is out.

At this point I have to ask: why are you dodging phones like the Galaxy Alpha or One Plus One?

 

[Wingznut]

OK, so Moto is out.

At this point to have to ask: why are you dodging phones like the Galaxy Alpha or One Plus One?

The Alpha isn't going to have a great speaker, and the OnePlus One is even bigger than the too big Z3.

 

[lopri]

Not sure about the dock but perhaps Amazon Fire phone might have a decent speaker.



OK, I kid. But to be serious, you really can't expect much from smartphone speakers. They are like.. 1~2W max? I do not know what you are looking after, but a 5W Bluetooth speaker will give better sound. Or maybe stereo earbuds. There are good ones out there. Which aspect of speaker are you thinking of, loudness or fidelity?

 

[blairharrington]

So, let's see if I got all this. You want a phone that:

- Has good speakers
- Has LTE on AT&T
- Not really a phone as big as the Z3
- But might consider a phablet?
- Definitely not a M8
- Better battery and camera than the 2013 Moto X
- Definitely not another Motorola
- Works with your current dock

Umm... Good luck.

That being said, go to a T-Mobile store and check out the Xperia Z3. Hold it, listen to the speakers. That'll help you decide.

I tried that with the Z3. Can't get a proper idea on the speaker unless I'm in a silent room.

Not sure why you are making my guidelines to be an impossible search.

 

[poofyhairguy]

The Alpha isn't going to have a great speaker,

Better than S5, a bottom fire one!

I have read the LG G3 has the second best speaker to the M8. It feels small in the hands for the screen size.

 

[blairharrington]

OK, so Moto is out.

At this point I have to ask: why are you dodging phones like the Galaxy Alpha or One Plus One?

Def not the Alpha. Blah battery. Limited storage space.

One Plus One has a meh camera, reversed USB port, and haven't heard much about the speaker.

 

[blairharrington]

Not sure about the dock but perhaps Amazon Fire phone might have a decent speaker.



OK, I kid. But to be serious, you really can't expect much from smartphone speakers. They are like.. 1~2W max? I do not know what you are looking after, but a 5W Bluetooth speaker will give better sound. Or maybe stereo earbuds. There are good ones out there. Which aspect of speaker are you thinking of, loudness or fidelity?

I need a loud and clear speaker. For podcasts. I listen at times where connecting to a speaker wouldn't be time effective.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I need a loud and clear speaker.

But NOT the M8? I vote G3 all the way then.

 

[blairharrington]

But NOT the M8? I vote G3 all the way then.

Judging by reviews the G3 probably satisfies my desires for battery, camera, and speaker. Yet when I hold that phone I feel so blah about it for some reason.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Judging by reviews the G3 probably satisfies my desires for battery, camera, and speaker. Yet when I hold that phone I feel so blah about it for some reason.

Really? I think it's cool. Screen looks great with minimal bezel.

 

[blairharrington]

Really? I think it's cool. Screen looks great with minimal bezel.

I like it better than the S5 and M8 for sure.

 

[Wingznut]

Not sure why you are making my guidelines to be an impossible search.

I just echo'd what you had already stated... Did I list anything that was inaccurate???

 

[Wingznut]

So, let's see if I got all this. You want a phone that:

- Has good speakers
- Has LTE on AT&T
- Not really a phone as big as the Z3
- But might consider a phablet?
- Definitely not a M8
- Better battery and camera than the 2013 Moto X
- Definitely not another Motorola
- Works with your current dock

- Definitely not a G3
- Definitely not a Galaxy Alpha
- A better camera than the OnePlus One
- A non-reversed USB port

 

[blairharrington]

I just echo'd what you had already stated... Did I list anything that was inaccurate???

"Umm......good luck" clearly implies my search is impossible in your eyes.

 

[lopri]

I liked G3 but its text rendering on web is very very messed up. Check it out in person at a store. It is definitely software thing so they might have fixed it but when I saw it last time the text was borderline illegible on its default web browser. I thought it strange no reviews mentioned it. Was I seeing things?

 

[Crono]

I'm going to agree with Wingznut. You'll either have to get a phone that makes you feel "blah" or compromise on one or two of your guidelines. If you can't do that, you probably should wait for something better or maybe you don't really need a new phone.

 

[gorcorps]

Judging by reviews the G3 probably satisfies my desires for battery, camera, and speaker. Yet when I hold that phone I feel so blah about it for some reason.

"Umm......good luck" clearly implies my search is impossible in your eyes.

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

 

[poofyhairguy]

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