Nexus 6 might be too big for me. Any good "smaller" phones out there?

[Nvidiaguy07]

Ive been on my nexus 4 for a LONG time now and its getting pretty slow.

I was waiting for the nexus 6, but its more expensive than I thought, and I dont know if I really need something that big.

I would like to see a device that is decently powerful, but with a 4.5-4.7 inch screen, with great battery life (720p is more than fine for me). Also being able to run stock android, or at least a phone with good xda/cyanogen support is also very important.

I keep seeing deals on the HTC m7 pop up. Maybe thats what im looking for?

If the nexus 6 were 500 or less Id pay up and get used to the big screen, but I really cant justify spending that much on a phone anymore.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

OnePlus One.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

OnePlus One.

Ive heard a ton of horror stores about bad customer service (non-existent), sending back used and still broken phones as replacements, and touch screen issues. Id rather avoid that if I could.

I should mention I dont mind buying used from one of the places if the price is right. Might consider the N5 as a temporary.

 

[jiggyest]

There aren't many choices in the 4.5-4.7" screen size range. Off the top of my head, the Sony Z3 compact is your best bet for great battery life. However, it does not run stock android. Since you mentioned the M7, wow about the M8 for something slightly larger and has good xda support?

FWIW, I thought the size of the Nexus 6 would be too big for me but I got used to it very quickly.

Ive been on my nexus 4 for a LONG time now and its getting pretty slow.

I was waiting for the nexus 6, but its more expensive than I thought, and I dont know if I really need something that big.

I would like to see a device that is decently powerful, but with a 4.5-4.7 inch screen, with great battery life (720p is more than fine for me). Also being able to run stock android, or at least a phone with good xda/cyanogen support is also very important.

I keep seeing deals on the HTC m7 pop up. Maybe thats what im looking for?

If the nexus 6 were 500 or less Id pay up and get used to the big screen, but I really cant justify spending that much on a phone anymore.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

There aren't many choices in the 4.5-4.7" screen size range. Off the top of my head, the Sony Z3 compact is your best bet for great battery life. However, it does not run stock android. Since you mentioned the M7, wow about the M8 for something slightly larger and has good xda support?

FWIW, I thought the size of the Nexus 6 would be too big for me but I got used to it very quickly.

So both the m7 and m8 have good support? Or just the M8?

Ive seen the M7 for 200 and the m8 for $350, so maybe that might be an option. If the sony doesnt run stock, and cant run cyanogen correctly, ill probably pass on that.

Im sure I would get used to the size (of the nexus 6), but on the other hand I dont need it if it means more $$$. I really just need a little boost in battery life and speed.

I bought the N4 because I got it for 200 a few months before the N5 came out. I really dont think I should have a 600+ dollar device in my pocket with the things that I do to my phones. Ive never broken any of them, but on the other hand, I dont like the idea of walking around with something so expensive, and something that can easily get lost or stolen. I can deal with breaking or losing a 300 dollar phone. 600 is pushing it.

 

[Strk]

I'd check out the Moto X. It runs nearly stock Android and it is a bit smaller than the Nexus 6.

 

[Zivic]

if on verizon, get the Droid turbo.

otherwise the new moto X or one plus one, but both are pretty good size phones

maybe the Z3 compact as mentioned. I personally don't like the HTC phones, they have too much bezel for my liking, but that's subjective

 

[gorcorps]

Sony z3c is your only choice for a modern phone of that size with high end specs. However I don't know about the ability to run other roms on it. It's fairly new and I don't know how large the community has gotten for that device.

The m7 from HTC is pretty dated these days, which is probably why you can find a decent deal. I don't think it's going to be much of an upgrade over what you have (same GPU, same amount of ram, though a bump in CPU)

 

[blackdogdeek]

Ive heard a ton of horror stores about bad customer service (non-existent), sending back used and still broken phones as replacements, and touch screen issues. Id rather avoid that if I could.

I should mention I dont mind buying used from one of the places if the price is right. Might consider the N5 as a temporary.

Look for a used OnePlus One on Swappa. You can get an idea if the phone has issues before you purchase it.

I got mine from a user on these forums and it's been great.

 

[Radeon962]

Sony z3c is your only choice for a modern phone of that size with high end specs. However I don't know about the ability to run other roms on it. It's fairly new and I don't know how large the community has gotten for that device.

The m7 from HTC is pretty dated these days, which is probably why you can find a decent deal. I don't think it's going to be much of an upgrade over what you have (same GPU, same amount of ram, though a bump in CPU)

+1 on the Z3 Compact if you want a smaller phone

OnePlus One is the best phone you can buy at $350 new.

I have had mine since July with no issues and it has beat out every other phone I have bought to try (including the Z3C).

I buy out of my phones used from Swappa. M7's go for under $200.

 

[razel]

4.5 to 4.7 is the size I think is perfect for most guys who put phones in their pocket, but I gave up looking for one with high end specificiations. I ended up with the Nexus 5 and couldn't be happier. At $250 used and unlocked (all Nexus' should be) from a Verizon store, used on a Ting (Sprint network) it was a no brainer.

I still wish it was 4.5, but at this point there is nothing else that comes close with performance or stock Android that you can update and root yourself without restriction... well you often immediately lose warranty. If your Nexus 4 is slow, you may want to install the Lollipop factory image. I believe the majority of the rotting performance was due to TRIM which was only introduced on your Nexus 4 with version 4.3.

 

[gorcorps]

4.5 to 4.7 is the size I think is perfect for most guys who put phones in their pocket, but I gave up looking for one with high end specificiations. I ended up with the Nexus 5 and couldn't be happier. At $250 used and unlocked (all Nexus' should be) from a Verizon store, used on a Ting (Sprint network) it was a no brainer.

I still wish it was 4.5, but at this point there is nothing else that comes close with performance or stock Android that you can update and root yourself even with some help from Google without restriction.

I fit my Note 4 + case in my pocket without issue. It's not nearly as big of a distraction as I was worried about (thought I'd have to get a holster or something) so if fitting in pocket is a concern it really shouldn't be. Can't tell much of a difference between it and my S4 before it.

 

[Graze]

Ive been on my nexus 4 for a LONG time now and its getting pretty slow

What are you doing on this phone to make it seem so slow!!!

 

[Gooberlx2]

What are you doing on this phone to make it seem so slow!!!

To be fair, I think google royally fucked up the lollipop release for this phone. I recently wiped and reflashed the factory image on my N4. Aside from the bugs that still aren't ironed out (deep sleep of death, calls, battery drain), certain simple things like the dialer lag quite a bit more than they used to.

 

[blackdogdeek]

I fit my Note 4 + case in my pocket without issue. It's not nearly as big of a distraction as I was worried about (thought I'd have to get a holster or something) so if fitting in pocket is a concern it really shouldn't be. Can't tell much of a difference between it and my S4 before it.

I'm 5'6" with a 29" inseam and I fit my OPO in my front pocket. It only becomes a slight issue when I'm wearing tight jeans and I squat down to tie my shoes. With work pants and sweats I never have issues.

 

[lopri]

The Nexus 5 is the best ~5" phone IMO. If you are looking at HTC One series, M8 over M7 is strongly recommended. Frankly any phone* running on venerable S800/S801 should provide an improved experience over the Nexus 4.

*Any phone that is reasonably competent

 

[Commodus]

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact -- it's down to $400 as I write this, and it's easily better than many larger phones in terms of performance, design and camera quality. And hey, it comes in green if you like!

 

[poofyhairguy]

So both the m7 and m8 have good support? Or just the M8?

Ive seen the M7 for 200 and the m8 for $350, so maybe that might be an option.

The M8 has a GPe ROM which means you can get a really stable stock OS experience (something you can never get with some CM kang IMHO). I love mine.

I also think the Nexus 5 and Moto X2 are good options.

 

[riahc3]

Yeah, is there a reason you don't consider upgrading from the Nexus 4 to the Nexus 5?

 

[blankslate]

As others have said maybe look into the Nexus 5 as an update for a Nexus 4 if you have had a good experience with the 4.



....

 

[Denithor]

Been using an M7 for about 4 months now, bought off eBay for $200 in like new condition. Love it! Perfect size for my needs, anything larger is just too big in my book.

 

[ImDonly1]

If you are on ATT, best buy is selling the M7 new for $200 off contract.
The Moto X ATT version is also $200 off contract.

http://slickdeals.net/f/7579186-32g...in-black-silver-or-blue-200-free-shipping?v=1

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

ok so after researching, pretty sure im gonna pick up a oneplusone, since its by far the best deal. My only concerns are:

1. Im used to lollipop, and dont wanna go back. What is the status of lollipop on this device? I saw CM released a nightly, but is that how updates are on this phone?

2. Cyanogen skin. I really like just plain old boring stock android. Is there a way I can flash this? Or make cyanogenmod look/work like this?

3. quality control. Ive heard some bad stories, but not enough that are gonna keep me away from buying. But it is a small worry.

 

[GTaudiophile]

What about the HTC One M8 Google Play Edition?

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

What about the HTC One M8 Google Play Edition?

too much $$$

Just ordered a new OPO 64gb for 350. They are selling them without an invite until 9 if anyone is interested.