Need a phone

[Mr. Pedantic]

Ever since my SGS3 died a few months ago I've been (barely) surviving with my SGS. I didn't realise it when I bought it, but the SGS really is just a cheap knock-off of the iPhone 3GS - it looks exactly like the 3GS, it tries to act exactly like the 3GS, and on both counts it imitates well, but overall is a huge failure experience-wise.

Long story short: it's as slow as a lead brick carrying a dead snail.

I think I've had about enough, and I'm looking for a flagship as a replacement. I live in New Zealand, so the advantages/disadvantages of various US carriers don't really apply to me. In most cases the US versions are reasonably similar to the International versions, but there are some differences.

* No iPhone
* No Samsung phones

I'm looking at the HTC One, Moto X, LG G2, and Nexus 5. I like the build quality emphasis of these phones, very turned off by the glossy plastic on the SGS4. Given the G2 seems reasonably similar to what the Nexus 5 will eventually be, not sure if I should wait for it to come out. The camera stuff on the HTC one is appealing to me, not sure what other Android phones are going for bigger/better pixels instead of just pixel count.

What phone should I get? Any phones I don't know about?

 

[Bman123]

Lg g2 or moto x is what I would do. The g2 is basically a nexus 5

 

[pm]

I'm still a fan of the HTC One. That would be my suggestion.

I love the look of the One - I think it looks futuristic and solidly built. I love the look of the screen - colors seem vibrant. The phone size is big (to me) but not unwieldy - I prefer the size of the Moto X more, but I'm a fan of smaller phones. I like the camera of the HTC and it feels smooth in use. I haven't tried the LG G2 - I haven't actually seen it - but I have played with the Moto X (another very nice phone) and my preference is still with the HTC One.

Still, if it were me, I'd wait to see what Google is going to announce (tomorrow?) at the Kit Kat release event. It looks like they are going to sell the equivalent of the LG G2 for $350 no-contract which in the US is a pretty great price.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I'd wait for the Nexus 5. I'm not a fan of the stuff Samsung and others do to Android, so I prefer sticking with the Nexus line. And I dont' think the Nexus 5 will be very much longer.

The LG G2 looks nice (I have no experience with LG phones other than my Nexus 4). I'm just not sure about the button placement. And I like the soft touch looking matte back of the Nexus 5 more anyway.

 

[s44]

The OG Galaxy S is still quite usable when flashed to JB (I suggest CM10 -- 4.1.2).

Nexus 5 if storage isn't an issue.

 

[boomhower]

I'd wait and see what Google has in store but outside of that the Moto X would be my choice.

 

[dawheat]

Doesn't the G2 also use glossy plastic? Nice phone but I don't recall thinking the build was any better than the S4, at least in the US. The Nexus 5 doesn't seem much better either in pics - just a different type of plastic.

For build: HTC One or one of the new 5" Sony phones

For screen (non-phablet): LG G2

Phablet: Note 3

For battery life: LG G2 or Note 3

For value: Nexus 5

If you use Google Voice a lot: Moto X or Nexus 5

For dev community: Nexus 5 or S4 GPE

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

I feel like I should get the G2, it's got almost everything I want, and it's supposed to have longer battery life than the Nexus 5...except it has that stupid glossy plastic.


Maybe I'll just get a case for it and hopefully never notice.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

What about the Sony Xperia Z? It's waterproof...

 

[IamDavid]

100% android?
if not the Nokia 1020=Amazing.

 

[jacktesterson]

Moto X

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

100% android?
if not the Nokia 1020=Amazing.

Not that into the camera, I'm really not the Instagram type. Definitely better is good, but I think building a whole phone around it is going a bit far.

And the things I've heard about Windows Phone haven't been exactly glowing.