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

Raresh T · Sep 24, 2019

terky69 said:
I actually have a note 10 plus. These phones are for my parents so they can play movies on their car stereos, like I can with my rooted note 4.

Im in the us. They can be second hand. I'm not gonna spend 1000 for a phone that will literally never be used or come out of the car. All I need to do is be able to circumvent android auto blocking Plex playing videos, so they can stream movies on long road trips. More than anything I just want to see if I can do it.

My mom has a verizon note 8, my dad has a verizon note 5. Neither one seems to be rootable. I didn't
want to spend much, maybe 100 max. Was hoping I could just get a prepaid android phone and be able to root it.

I would prefer samsung, just cuz I like samsung but it doesn't really matter.

Also, the title of the thread is literally "not sure what phone to buy? Ask here!" I guess I was mistaken when I took that literally.

where did you searched mate ? i literally searched 5 minutes and found forums on xda on how to root note 8 and note 5 with success. gives the preference for samsung and the price tag, you could go with a ex flagship, between the samsung s3 - s6. they have custom roms with pie. learn to search better. dont be lazy and do your homework !!

lu99ke · Sep 24, 2019

terky69 said:
I actually have a note 10 plus. These phones are for my parents so they can play movies on their car stereos, like I can with my rooted note 4.

Im in the us. They can be second hand. I'm not gonna spend 1000 for a phone that will literally never be used or come out of the car. All I need to do is be able to circumvent android auto blocking Plex playing videos, so they can stream movies on long road trips. More than anything I just want to see if I can do it.

My mom has a verizon note 8, my dad has a verizon note 5. Neither one seems to be rootable. I didn't
want to spend much, maybe 100 max. Was hoping I could just get a prepaid android phone and be able to root it.

I would prefer samsung, just cuz I like samsung but it doesn't really matter.

Also, the title of the thread is literally "not sure what phone to buy? Ask here!" I guess I was mistaken when I took that literally.

Try moto C or E series .... Cheap and generally good d be support as they are very popular in Brazil.

Alternatively, Nokia 2 or 3 series. Same thing.

jamescable · Sep 26, 2019

I know its not the 6t, but what's the best tablet with root support and good ROM development. It does NOT have to have T-Mobile capability but would like TMobile sim support. I have issues with someone emulators on my 6t so looking to play in tablets

OhioYJ · Sep 27, 2019

When I went to upgrade from my Nexus 7 tablets a while back the only acceptable replacement I could find was the Samsung Tab S2 (T813 or T713 different screen sizes). Both are unlockable and have good custom ROM support and have official LOS16 support. No SIM card though, just WIFI only. I was able to easily find 4 new ones a couple years ago. Not sure what you'll find now. I looked recently and didn't see support for any newer tablets.

faaramin · Sep 30, 2019

My current phone is Lenovo Zuk Z2 Plus, 4GB 64GB version.
My friend has a OnePlus 6T, 8GB 128GB phone with original screen guard and cover. The phone is still in warranty period and in a very good condition.
I can buy this phone for ₹ 24,000 (~334 USD) from him and my budget is around that.
I'm also a fan of ROM developments, tweaking, and so on. I also found that the development of OnePlus 6T is still there with strong base in XDA.
Please let me know if this deal is a good one or not.
Also please tell if any other phone is there at this range with support in XDA.

midtempo · Oct 1, 2019

https://swappa.com/mobile/buy/oneplus-6t/unlocked

As you can see, $334 is a bit high for a OnePlus 6t in good or excellent condition. If you buy used on Swappa you also gain the ability to buy damage insurance. A claim for damage can be used at certain local repair shops.

The Google Pixel series also has good developer support. Unlike OnePlus, Google Pixels other than the bargain Pixel 3a actually have published waterproofing ratings. Keep in mind that there are 3 likely ways that you will kill your phone:

1. Display damage
2. Water damage
3. Battery life reduction

#1 should be prevented by using a screen protector and a quality rugged case. Even if you do that, #2 is quite likely. Having a waterproof-rated phone like the Pixels will guard against that. If you own the phone for many years then #3 will get you instead. If #3 gets you then you've got the most money out of your phone.

OnePlus 5 and above are rumored to have some waterproofing but without an official rating, who really knows?

OhioYJ · Oct 4, 2019

jamescable said:
I know its not the 6t, but what's the best tablet with root support and good ROM development. It does NOT have to have T-Mobile capability but would like TMobile sim support. I have issues with someone emulators on my 6t so looking to play in tablets

Found this post in the T813 LOS thread. Looks like you might keep an eye on the Tab S5 section. I maybe upgrading my tablets soon as well.

juanq214 · Oct 5, 2019

faaramin said:
My current phone is Lenovo Zuk Z2 Plus, 4GB 64GB version.

My friend has a OnePlus 6T, 8GB 128GB phone with original screen guard and cover. The phone is still in warranty period and in a very good condition.

I can buy this phone for ₹ 24,000 (~334 USD) from him and my budget is around that.

I'm also a fan of ROM developments, tweaking, and so on. I also found that the development of OnePlus 6T is still there with strong base in XDA.

Please let me know if this deal is a good one or not.

Also please tell if any other phone is there at this range with support in XDA.

Seems like a fair deal. You can also consider a brand new Xiaomi Mi9t Pro at a similar price and with latest Snapdragon chip

Sent from my Redmi K20 using Tapatalk

Badoolo · Oct 7, 2019

So, after using my Samsung S5 Mini for years now it seems to die more and more. Buying a new battery is which was not on stock for years before if about 30€. Also it's getting slower and slower. I am already using crDroid with Android Pie on it, custom kernel settings and tweaks here and there.
I also have a Huawai P8 Lite 2017 here and it's horrible. EMUI, horrible. Also I don't like this company anymore since I've read that they removec the possibility to get free bootloader unlocked codes due to "better user experience". Ah ok ... better for the user to deny this free possibility :good:

So, I would like to buy a new one now. One which is working fine. When the screen is off and I click the "wake up power button" I want the screen to be on in, let's say, less than 1 to 2 seconds like on my S5 Mini.
I don't play on a phone. I use it for reading news in the train and ... for calling. Discord I use too, nothing else. I don't watch movies on it and I also don't listen to music.

Would you recommend the Xiaomi Redmi 7A? It's only 89€ here. If not, what other phones with a similar price you recommend?
Important to me is that I can install TWRP and a custom ROM later as I don't like stock roms. Ah, and Root with Magisk would be fine too.

Thank you!

mario24601 · Oct 8, 2019

Badoolo said:
So, after using my Samsung S5 Mini for years now it seems to die more and more. Buying a new battery is which was not on stock for years before if about 30€. Also it's getting slower and slower. I am already using crDroid with Android Pie on it, custom kernel settings and tweaks here and there.
I also have a Huawai P8 Lite 2017 here and it's horrible. EMUI, horrible. Also I don't like this company anymore since I've read that they removec the possibility to get free bootloader unlocked codes due to "better user experience". Ah ok ... better for the user to deny this free possibility :good:

So, I would like to buy a new one now. One which is working fine. When the screen is off and I click the "wake up power button" I want the screen to be on in, let's say, less than 1 to 2 seconds like on my S5 Mini.
I don't play on a phone. I use it for reading news in the train and ... for calling. Discord I use too, nothing else. I don't watch movies on it and I also don't listen to music.

Would you recommend the Xiaomi Redmi 7A? It's only 89€ here. If not, what other phones with a similar price you recommend?
Important to me is that I can install TWRP and a custom ROM later as I don't like stock roms. Ah, and Root with Magisk would be fine too.

Thank you!

If want older device, try S7. Good rom community and good performance. If want new, get OnePlus 6. I have both and they are both great.

Sent from my SM-N935F using Tapatalk

Badoolo · Oct 8, 2019

Sorry, both way too expensive. I don't need high end hardware.
Just wanted to know about the Xiaomi if it's recommended, not other phones.

Raresh T · Oct 8, 2019

Badoolo said:
Sorry, both way too expensive. I don't need high end hardware.
Just wanted to know about the Xiaomi if it's recommended, not other phones.

Well, my Samsung S6 from 2015 has almost the same specs, just the screen a bit smaller. The phone is adequate, given if you buy the 3gb of ram version. The ones with just 2gb of ram, you are going to have problem with the memory. The S7, as suggested in the previous post, is the flagship from 2016. Still supported by Samsung. If you want something more inclined towards battery, you could go with the Samsung M20 or M30. They have been recently launched in India, for some moderate prices. Word of advice, buy something more expensive than 90$ and popular. That would ensure the device is getting updates from the mother company and custom rom from the community. Take my s6 for example. Samsung supported it from lollipop (Android 5.0) till Nougat (Android 7.0). The community supported it till Pie (Android 9.0). I can bet some day i will be running Android 10.

Badoolo · Oct 8, 2019

What about the Xiaomi Redmi 7A? It has Android 9.0 when buying already.

The Xiaomi Redmi 7 (the one with 32 GB of memory) even has 3 GB of RAM instead of 2 like the 7A and is also has Android 9.0.

Raresh T · Oct 8, 2019

Badoolo said:
What about the Xiaomi Redmi 7A? It has Android 9.0 when buying already.

Have you considered all your alternatives ? I mean the phone is somewhat good. It kind of has some lower specs for 2019. I sometime struggle with my s6, with the same specifications. Struggle meaning i cant run one social app, one news app and youtube at the same time without freezing.

Badoolo · Oct 8, 2019

Raresh T said:
Have you considered all your alternatives ? I mean the phone is somewhat good. It kind of has some lower specs for 2019. I sometime struggle with my s6, with the same specifications. Struggle meaning i cant run one social app, one news app and youtube at the same time without freezing.

If it's faster than my old Samsung S5 Mini which takes 1+ second for unlocking the screen everything is fine. Opening the Discord app takes 6 to 7 seconds, opening the phone app 2 seconds etc.

Nick87298 · Oct 16, 2019

Gamer Phone Advice

Hello i would like to know which of the following is the best in your opinion:

1- Honor View 20
2- Honor Mate 20
3- Pocophone F1
4- Honor Play

Btw if you have some other options feel free to tell me (budget not more than 350euro)

Cheers

phaleg · Oct 16, 2019

Nick87298 said:
Hello i would like to know which of the following is the best in your opinion:

1- Honor View 20
2- Honor Mate 20
3- Pocophone F1
4- Honor Play

Btw if you have some other options feel free to tell me (budget not more than 350euro)

Cheers

I would go with Pocophone F1, I like it a lot ^^

snoerme · Oct 17, 2019

Tablet or Phone with MHL or HDMI

Hi there,
I'm looking for a device with at least Android 8.1 that has a physical Video output like MHL or HDMI.
It don't need to play games, but it should play HD videos without lag.

Any guesses?
Cheers

Raresh T · Oct 18, 2019

snoerme said:
Hi there,
I'm looking for a device with at least Android 8.1 that has a physical Video output like MHL or HDMI.
It don't need to play games, but it should play HD videos without lag.

Any guesses?
Cheers

Well, since you didn't add any preference for price range, for how new a device should be, I suggest the Samsung S5. It has MHL support, Android 9 custom rom.

Frustrated_modder85 · Oct 19, 2019

I have the sms727vl j7 sky pro, just cant get it rooted. Im a galaxy fan but i really want to get into modding, gaining SU access and just seeing where it leads. Im on a budget though so,where would i start when looking for a low cost, with the best modifacation platforms. Kinda wanna split the difference since im stil learning. Thanx 4 the help

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