General What phone should I buy next? -- Not sure what device to buy? Ask here!

KidCarter93 · Aug 21, 2012

Hi everyone,

This thread is a continuation of this thread.

This is here so you can discuss what your next phone/tablet should be, if you're not sure what to pick.

Also, if you need advice as to which device is better than another, then feel free to ask those questions in here aswell.

This is an attempt to clear out all the similar threads being created around these forums.

*NOTE* I will be requesting thread maintenance as and when it is needed, to remove any SPAM comments

puddi · Dec 8, 2016

samsung galaxy note 4 or lg nexus 5x ?

OMGBuck · Dec 9, 2016

smartphone with possible long-term official support , budget upto $230

Hi,
I don't have a job right now and don't know when gonna get.

So, I'm under-budget right now, have around $230 in pocket right now. I've done watching many reviews and comparison.

So far I've considered four phones as per my requirement. LeEco Le 2 , Moto G4 plus, Redmi Note 3 and Mi Max.
As much I concerned about the camera+performance, concerned about Branding too!
my last smart device was Galaxy Y duos three years. Since then, I was sick about the smartphone(as they evolve so fast, forgetting the past ones). Thus I'm noob about the daily performance experience on this new gen phones.
I need to choose a good phone with day to day performance with long-term support form the company (as most of them stop getting updates after a year or so)
I don't want sit around with same UI/ Android version while others enjoying new versions. I felt that after a year of buying Galaxy Y. It felt so irritating that I hated that phone so much.
Company support important to me because I'm not rich fella and can't afford new phone before 3-4 years, so I've to live with that.

As per the reviews/current updates,

Le 2 currently on EUI 5.8 and even users don't know if next update gonna release or not ( keeping myself far as possible, but design and performance pulling me in)
G4 plus currently on Android M and officials not declaring any notice on next N update (truly impressed by the camera+mediocre performance , but almost at end of life)
RN3=True performance, but RN4 already on the way. Can it(RN3) still keep up with next-gen?
Mi Max also on miUI 8, but too much big as primary device. Also everything same as RN3 except the display size. I should keep it out list.

There's few other devices which compete with these, but I didn't consider them because of some noticeable cons. So that's all from me.

Please help me choose between these devices.
Also, If anyone has any suggestion or review on another device (upto $230) please give a response. Future support really matters to me so keep that in mind.
Thank you.

treams · Dec 9, 2016

Getting ready to pay off my GS7 Edge on SPRINT and want to know what i should look for in a replacement. I dont really take may pictures and RAM, Storage, Battery life are my biggest concerns. Also has to be something with a better than 60% chance of getting the bootloader unlocked and really being rooted and tweakable much like my old LG G2 and GS3

GuestD2690 · Dec 10, 2016

zsoltpopa said:
Hi guys. I just changed from iOS to Android, after research I chose Xiaomi mi5, but I had a lot of problems with it, so I decided to sell (very weak GPS, weak wifi, very weak Bluetooth). Now I'm wondering what to buy. I read that OnePlus 3 is good, but also has issues like latency. Then there is honor 8. To tell the truth, I was trying moto g4 plus, and found it quite smooth and nice too, most importantly stable. Which one would you suggest for me, is there any other possibility bellow 400usd? Was I just unlucky with mi5? the most important is stability.

Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk

not sure if it's really a good thing

Xplorer4x4 · Dec 10, 2016

I'm in the market for a new phone. I have a Galaxy S4(M919/I9505) so specs should be a slight step up(although I can live with the same size screen) at least. I want something with a removable battery, SD card,unlocked/unlock able bootloader and active development of CM14. I am looking at probably getting an LG G4 but the buttons on the back is a bit of a turn off but I guess I could learn to live with that. Can anyone recommend another device besides the LG G4?

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Nitro1max1 · Dec 12, 2016

Xplorer4x4 said:
I'm in the market for a new phone. I have a Galaxy S4(M919/I9505) so specs should be a slight step up(although I can live with the same size screen) at least. I want something with a removable battery, SD card,unlocked/unlock able bootloader and active development of CM14. I am looking at probably getting an LG G4 but the buttons on the back is a bit of a turn off but I guess I could learn to live with that. Can anyone recommend another device besides the LG G4?

I have an LG G4 and I love it, although many people had problems with the bootloop problem. Fast phone with a great camera, beautiful screen. Get the unlocked version of it if you want to root and unlock the boatloader. I said the same things about the buttons, but you get used to them and they feel really good to use. Plus double tap to wake is great so you don't need to use the power button all the time.

---------- Post added at 02:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:28 AM ----------

Looking at getting a new phone, either a Galaxy S7, LG G5 and an IPhone 6S. Anyone have any other suggestions?

polartux · Dec 12, 2016

Hello, I am looking for a smartphone that meets a following criteria:

Fully Open Source firmware (I don't want closed source firmware blobs)
Fully Open Source system (pure AOSP, CyanogenOS, Copperhead OS and such are also fine)
Linux kernel
Active/Passive GSM intrusion protection (A5 tracer, UnPing, TMSI monitoring, Channel Lock, IMSI-catcher detector, and others)
No fingerprint sensor
A decent CPU that doesn't heat up as hell on multitasking (Kirin is a good example of these)
Long battery life
Possibility of getting a root privilege in a stock ROM without headaches, but this functionality should be well designed.

I believe this is a very hard configuration to meet on the market, but maybe someone is aware of such devices or someone who can build one (I can cover extra necessary hardware building expenditures) ?

I will consider any budget.

Deedend · Dec 12, 2016

polartux said:
Hello, I am looking for a smartphone that meets a following criteria:

Fully Open Source firmware (I don't want closed source firmware blobs)

Fully Open Source system (pure AOSP, CyanogenOS, Copperhead OS and such are also fine)

Linux kernel

Active/Passive GSM intrusion protection (A5 tracer, UnPing, TMSI monitoring, Channel Lock, IMSI-catcher detector, and others)

No fingerprint sensor

A decent CPU that doesn't heat up as hell on multitasking (Kirin is a good example of these)

Long battery life

Possibility of getting a root privilege in a stock ROM without headaches, but this functionality should be well designed.

I believe this is a very hard configuration to meet on the market, but maybe someone is aware of such devices or someone who can build one (I can cover extra necessary hardware building expenditures) ?

I will consider any budget.

I am looking for something like that from ages, but seems that we are too little to have our voices heard. The market goes in the opposite direction

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 Special Edition "kate"

GV00 · Dec 12, 2016

Dual SIM, rugged, and rootable.

Hello all,

I'm looking for a smartphone that is rugged (IP67 / 68, preferably) and unlocked with dual sim support (I use AT&T & T-Mobile). Preferably moderately easy to root or at least recover from root attempts as well.

Open to any budget, so long as relatively long life is expected.

Right now I've got a Runbo X5. Initially I was pleased with it, but shoddy manufacturing caused it to cease being watertight after about a year and a half, and the OS has always been a little flaky. Support was nonexistent, and as far as I know nobody ever rooted one. To make matters worse, AT&T's network upgrades are kicking it off their network this month, despite it being a 3G device. For some reason it's incompatible with their 3G network.

I was eyeing the Cat S60, but in their infinite wisdom Cat has ensured that the dual sim model isn't supported by AT&T and the domestic model has only one SIM slot. No good. Rooting ability is also exceptionally questionable as of right now.

Suggestions?

dikime · Dec 12, 2016

Hey folks!
Any recommendations for top-specs Android phone with SD card and active development? I love tinkering with devices, and an SD card that can be popped out, loaded with life saving files, and put back is a must for anyone crazy enough to flash a ROM while in a bus/train. Price and availability are no issue. Thanks!
My previous phone is Galaxy S4 (I9505) and it just got CM14, but the hardware is starting to fall apart so I must replace it soon.

JHW3 · Dec 13, 2016

Xplorer4x4 said:
I'm in the market for a new phone. I have a Galaxy S4(M919/I9505) so specs should be a slight step up(although I can live with the same size screen) at least. I want something with a removable battery, SD card,unlocked/unlock able bootloader and active development of CM14. I am looking at probably getting an LG G4 but the buttons on the back is a bit of a turn off but I guess I could learn to live with that. Can anyone recommend another device besides the LG G4?

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Faced with a similar decision recently, I opted to skip the LG G4. The randomness of the boot-loop issue was just too much of a risk for me.
I was coming from an LG G2, which also has the buttons on the back; once you're used to them, they're quite handy (esp. for changing volume during a call).

In the end I bought a Moto X Play. I had also considered the Moto G4 Plus. These aren't quite "flagship" phones like your Galaxy S4 once was, and I'm not sure about the level of active ROM development for the Moto phones (they are pretty popular though) but they do have a replaceable battery and SD card. Hope this helps.

---------- Post added at 10:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:20 AM ----------

My Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro (8.4-inch) is on its last legs (battery issues). I need to buy an inexpensive replacement tablet and want to move to the 10-inch size range.

I could either get a new-ish Galaxy Tab A, or a now-older used Galaxy Tab S for around the same price. I could also save some money by going for the Galaxy Tab Note 2014 edition. The older tablets seem to have much higher screen resolution and better displays than the Tab A, but may lack manufacturer support.

The primary use of the tablet would be watching movies, kids' apps, viewing photos, some light productivity stuff. No gaming.

Any suggestions? Older Tab S or newer but possibly lower-end Tab A? Any other brands I should consider?

sarivera · Dec 13, 2016

Hi there,

i`m a Student in the last year and searching for a cheap Tablet within 200€(the cheaper the better) which i`m going to use at university(Handwriting, dropbox, pdf and power point reader) as couch office and also as a ebook reader, later on maybe for work. Maybe compatible with HDMI Adapter to connect with a beamer.
The Tablet should be 8"(prefered) to 10". A large Battery capacity would be nice, the larger the better, but istn the main crit.
As you see Google Play is no must have. I also dont need mobile data, wifi is enough.

sorry for bad english and thanks for help

sarivera

timonoj · Dec 14, 2016

Hi, my company might give me a choice in picking my corporate phone from a list. Based on the agreement they get with the mobile provider, I believe I might get a choice among these devices:

HTC Desire 10 Pro
Huawei Mate 9
Huawei P9 Plus
Sugar SUGAR S (WTF?)
Alcatel Shine Lite
Alcatel PIXI 4 6
LG V20
LG K8
LG K10
Motorola Moto Z
Samsung Galaxy S7 32GB
Samsung Galaxy J5 Prime
Samsung Galaxy J5 2016
Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime
Samsung Galaxy J7 2016
Samsung Galaxy C7 64GB
Samsung Galaxy C5 32GB
Sony Xperia XZ
Lenovo A6600
Lenovo A7020
LeEco Le2
LeEco LeMax2
ZTE V7 Lite
Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe
ZTE A910
ZTE Axon 7

So...The list is long and I only know a few flagships. No idea about the second tier models. I currently own a Galaxy S7 32GB and I'm happy with it. This is an option on that list, so I might just go with two of them. I was just thinking if I should consider any other option? What do you guys think?

Maiselff · Dec 14, 2016

I will buy, Any device that is NOT ext4

Enviado de meu MB886 usando Tapatalk

polartux · Dec 15, 2016

Maiselff said:
I will buy, Any device that is NOT ext4

lol, buy a windows phone then

siddu_07 · Dec 15, 2016

Hey guys
I need your help in deciding between,

1. Oneplus 2 (via amazon-Rs 20,000).

2. Moto M

Maiselff · Dec 15, 2016

polartux said:
lol, buy a windows phone then

No, i will buy a new kind of legictm androed device, that does not uses ext4.

Soon...

X(

Enviado de meu MB886 usando Tapatalk

polartux · Dec 15, 2016

Maiselff said:
No, i will buy a new kind of legictm androed device, that does not uses ext4.

Just out of curiosity, why do you need a phone not based on ext4 ? It's a pretty good filesystem.

Annunneo · Dec 15, 2016

Hi I'm looking for some phones to buy under 100us, that would be available from amazon or eBay.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

ithehappy · Dec 15, 2016

If I could get the HTC 10 and OP3T at same price, which device would you guys recommend? I mainly need a smooth as ***k UI, more than acceptable camera, quality display. I just sold my Note 4 thinking I will buy the Pixel, but now I am having second thoughts about Pixel's price point, thus the query.

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