Looking for a New Phone

[fuzzybabybunny]

Check out Swappa for a used phone.

You can get an S5 for $100-$150.

I have one (the T-Mobile version)

- 1080p screen
- clean ESN guaranteed by Swappa
- 2GB RAM
- 128GB microSD
- four batteries
- Android 7.1.1 using LineageOS, which is a clean Android experience. Runs pretty buttery smooth and is a markedly smoother experience than Android 5 and 6 due to (I think) better management of the 2GB RAM.
- Great camera using Open Camera.

 

[manly]

That's an option in Android 6.0 and up. It's called "adoptable storage" -- it's good if you know you'll rarely if ever remove your SD card, and you're really just using it for extra space.

I just turned on adoptable storage last weekend, and it's working fine. I've been a little hesitant because users often say the feature is somewhat buggy, but perhaps they are using crappy SD cards. There is always a risk that if the adopted SD card fails, you'll lose data.

At any rate, I would say do not use adoptable storage unless you have to. "Portable" storage is fine if you need a big storage pool for media storage. This generally describes the vast majority of users. I'd use adoptable storage only if your device is constrained, and you truly need more space for apps and app data. I'm hanging onto a lowly Moto G 2nd gen for now, so that is precisely my scenario.

 

[desura]

I think the best value in smartphones right now is the LG G5. It is probably the only metal phone with a user replaceable battery. Has android 6 and I think 7 probably. Snap820, and yet you can get a used/refurb one for around $200.

I am using the HTC One M8. It is good enough for all of my needs, and I can't justify upgrading from it. It can be had really cheap, like $130. Fantastic value. Battery life has been surprisingly good. I also carry around a power bank battery pack.

I would stay away from Motorola. Since Lenovo acquisition they seem a bit off. I would also stay away from Samsung. They always manage to screw up android somehow. HTC is generally a good bet.

 

[bob4432]

Found a good deal on a T-Mobile Galaxy S5 and it is inboud , so happy I will be able move away from this HTC One X and not have to charge what has now become up to 4x daily - the battery is getting worse by the day. Will probably run on Marshmallow for a bit and get comfortable upgrading roms on the multiple HTC phones I have that honestly do not matter if they get bricked (but do not plan on that either even on the old phones). Looks like reading on XDA for a while and get a new AT&T sim inbound . Ended up just getting 1 at the moment as the wife is ok w/ her HTC One X as she does not have the battery issue I do. I was about to pull the trigger on the Moto G5+ but saving $100+ on this phone was a no brainer at this time, especially considering the medical bills that hit me. Thanks for all for the input, it was all taken into account and I appreciate you taking the time helping me out.

@fuzzybabybunny - can I ask how your experience has been running Android 7.x via LineageOS? Also, for shooting video I will be shooting @ 1920x1080 (if possible as I do not have any 4K screens and do not see one in the next couple years), can I ask which sd card are you using since I am assuming you are not having any issues? I plan to keep the sd card as separate storage the more I have read since I will have more than enough memory with the way the phone comes - 2GB/16GB for my apps and such.

All have a good one,
Bob

 

[DhruvAgarwal]

If you are looking for new phone and as you have suggested you want no drama to be attached to your new phones like hassles and hiccups then i must say you should ditch HTC. If you have been using HTC from a very long time then you have been missing a lot on mobile world. According to your budget, I would suggest Honor 6X. This is one heavy duty phone and always say no to compromising. It runs smooth while you are using most demanding apps and looks elegant.

 

[bob4432]

Ended up picking up 1 T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S5 w/ MM 6.0.1 on it. Got it network unlocked and am now doing the necessary research to put Lineage 14.1 (Android 7.x) on it and be a pretty pure Android environment. Not sure what phone my wife will end up with but have a bit of time as here battery is not near as bad as mine was.
Even though I know this S5 has the worst update for MM, it is a night & day difference between it & my old HTC One.
Many thanks for all the replies .
Bob

 

[Scarpozzi]

Steer clear of Motorola. I bought a phone from an Amazon reseller and they won't support a failing digitizer (dead zone near the bottom of the screen) 7 months after I shelled out $300.... It was a new in box phone...mint condition. I've never dropped it and it's always been in the case. I submitted my receipt and gave them my IMEI and they told me they won't honor the warranty. Anyhow, I'm going to replace my screen because it's not all that tough, but it's costing me $57 in parts...once I do that, I'll be selling this one and shopping for a new phone.

FYI - Since Lenovo bought them, Motorola support is very poor and the quality of the phone builds are going downhill despite the technology still getting better and better. This is likely because they're attacking the bottom tier of the market and going for the $300 range of phones instead of trying to keep up with Apple. I'm sad to say I'm on my last Motorola phone....I'll be switching to Samsung, LG, or something else after this one dies. Motorola is now on my list of companies to avoid....once you deal with their support channels, you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[bob4432]

Steer clear of Motorola. I bought a phone from an Amazon reseller and they won't support a failing digitizer (dead zone near the bottom of the screen) 7 months after I shelled out $300.... It was a new in box phone...mint condition. I've never dropped it and it's always been in the case. I submitted my receipt and gave them my IMEI and they told me they won't honor the warranty. Anyhow, I'm going to replace my screen because it's not all that tough, but it's costing me $57 in parts...once I do that, I'll be selling this one and shopping for a new phone.

FYI - Since Lenovo bought them, Motorola support is very poor and the quality of the phone builds are going downhill despite the technology still getting better and better. This is likely because they're attacking the bottom tier of the market and going for the $300 range of phones instead of trying to keep up with Apple. I'm sad to say I'm on my last Motorola phone....I'll be switching to Samsung, LG, or something else after this one dies. Motorola is now on my list of companies to avoid....once you deal with their support channels, you'll see what I'm talking about.

Sounds good that I have never had to call their tech support for anything and will steer clear of their phones. I have had good luck with their 'Thinkpad' line of laptops from when they were made by IBM (at least branded) through the Lenovo changeover, have had probably 6 or so in that time and never an issue other than them just getting old and literally worn out, thus the need to upgrade the 2 I currently have.

Appreciate the FYI,
Bob

 

[Raduque]

The warranty thing is sadly standard in the cellphone industry. Unless you buy from a certified Lenovo/Motorola retailer, you won't get warranty support.

You'll get the same from Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, etc.

 

[bob4432]

Thanks to fuzzybabybunny for letting me know about Swappa, that is where I will get my "new" phones. Between Swappa and the protection that PayPal gives you, you can't go wrong going that route.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Thanks to fuzzybabybunny for letting me know about Swappa, that is where I will get my "new" phones. Between Swappa and the protection that PayPal gives you, you can't go wrong going that route.

Typically even those protections expire after a period of time. I was covered through a few different means, but they both expired a month ago. The problem I'm having is screen defect....it's a non-dropped, adult-used phone...no damage. The digitizer just started freaking out and developed a dead spot. The phone is still usable, but very finicky and some buttons won't work due to their location on the screen. I've troubleshot the crap out of it and it's hardware failure. Luckily, the price of those things has dropped, so for $50 I'm able to get a new screen and $6 more gets me new adhesive to glue my phone back together.

I'm going to switch to Samsung based on the recommendations of all my friends. Motorola is dead to me....they're lumped in with American Airlines in my book.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Typically even those protections expire after a period of time. I was covered through a few different means, but they both expired a month ago. The problem I'm having is screen defect....it's a non-dropped, adult-used phone...no damage. The digitizer just started freaking out and developed a dead spot. The phone is still usable, but very finicky and some buttons won't work due to their location on the screen. I've troubleshot the crap out of it and it's hardware failure. Luckily, the price of those things has dropped, so for $50 I'm able to get a new screen and $6 more gets me new adhesive to glue my phone back together.

I'm going to switch to Samsung based on the recommendations of all my friends. Motorola is dead to me....they're lumped in with American Airlines in my book.

Both Samsung phones I've had have died from eMMC related defects (Galaxy 2 Sprint, Note Edge Verizon). I've personally written them off for high end phones.