If don't understand why the iPhone is a flagship already, then we're going to have to agree to disagree. Certainly the flagship market sales disagree. iOS, tight integration between all Apple devices, their App store, most usable cameras, etc - it's rarely been about chasing specs like Android devices. Case in point - their 8MP camera competes neck and neck with the S6/Note 5/G4 camera b/c of it's fast launch speed, fast focus, and consistent results in all conditions.
- The OP2 doesn't have minimal bezels. The screen to body ratio is worse than the Note 4 whereas the Note 5 is even better. The OP2 is good - it's just not near the best in 2015.
- The OP2 camera isn't as good as the above phones, especially in low light - whether in IQ, focus speed, or time to take photos. Again, it's basically good for 2014.
- The OP2, like all S810 devices, does ok in benches in the first run but throttle downs aggressively. I will give that for most people it's good enough, but again a flagship means you don't have to compromise for that year.
- The screen is a step down from the Note 5, not just in resolution. Touch response is average.
There's no need to try to proclaim that the OP2 is the best phone you can buy - it isn't and you'll lose credibility trying to bulldoze people into that opinion. The camera alone isn't in the league of the best phones of 2015, much less whatever the iPhone 6S Plus brings - and is enough to take it out of the discussion.
It's a good phone - be happy with it without trying to convince yourself it's some Jesus phone.
iPhone Camera
Sorry but behind the curve. If I am right, iPhone 6S will have more megapixels.
Color accuracy is inferior to S6 / G4. You are living in 2014 if you think the iPhone 6 camera still holds its own. Color accuracy delta is around 8.5 whereas S6 and G4 are around 4-5.
Sharpness is also not a strong point and every blind test I have seen shows the limitations of the iPhone's 6 camera.
Likewise daily operation is a bit low, Apple animations are a tad slow, not as snappy as on competing devices.
I agree that Apple milk the best out of underspecced hardware, better than competing brands. But it is all the more frustrating that they do not upgrade their hardware! Instead of being ahead of competition they are just content trailing along.
Ecosystem is a moot point. To some it is a boon, to others it is a curse.
Apple is about the Apple brand and status symbol that it represents. But I don't think the iPhone 6Plus did too well considering Apple didn't publish any figures. And I am not in the market for a smaller device..
Regarding bezels, the dimension that counts is the width. And weight repartition. for example the iPhone 6 Plus is top heavy, which makes shifting the hand vertically perilous.
The OP2 actually has better color accuracy on the camera than the iPhone 6 with a delta of 6,4. It also has better video recording. In other areas (shutter speed, low light) the iPhone 6 has the edge. I will reserve judgement until after the camera OTA update, as it is obvious the camera was unfinished at launch.
But even at its current level, I know I will be able to get the kind of results I want. Still not G4 or S6 beastly level but good enough.
I have not said that OP2 is the best phone, I have given you criteria which for MY personal use make it the best phone. To reiterate:
- iPhone 6 Plus is too cumbersome and well runs iOS
- Galaxy S6/N5 runs knox and Touchwiz -I have had 4 galaxy devices, sorry but not gonna happen. They do well in battery tests because most test at low brightness, which favors LED but in every day life they drain fast (especially for web browsing and texting). Every reviewer agrees to say that OP2 has better battery life than S6 (which is not even a compliment).
- Note 5 I think will have good battery life and is a great device overall, but again knox for me is a big no no, and since I don't like to use a case on already large phablets, glass design would be my last choice (not to mention it is not very grippy).
- LG G4 has really nice display on par with OP2 and better camera, but I feel like battery life with the QHD display will be too weak compared with my OP1 and even OP2. Also has larger bezels than LG G3/OP2.
OP2's only small weaknesses are currently being ironed out.
- Battery life improvements were made with the last OTA - retesting is starting now.
- Camera update is due early September, which is meant to enhance the camera app with manual controls, raw support, improved low light performance and shut speed, etc.
but battery life is no worry to me. It is currently just a tad lower than OP1, but it has better standby and call time. I feel it only needs tweaking, as it is clear the phone is using too much power for video playing, 4G browsing or 4K video recording. With a custom Kernel and considering the 3,300 mAh size I think overtime the OP2 will be a battery champ.
But that's of course based on prior experience. I remember the S801 overheating when it was first launched and eventually through iterative updates the SOC became very efficient.
I think Qualcomm rushed with their 64bit architecture with unfinished chipset drivers.
Those are the reasons why the OP2, for me, will be the best phone. If Samsung had a more friendly stance towards custom ROM's, probably I would have gotten myself the N5, because everything else is nice about the phone (apart from that glass design).
But Sony, HTC, LG have not convinced me this year. LG came the closest with excellent camera (the best for me). It is just now is not the time to be buying a QHD display device when the S820 is just around the corner...makes no sense whatsoever if like me you are after the best battery life. I would only condone buying a QHD device if it is has a 14nm processor.
