Can't decide which phone to upgrade to

[Sensamic]

Hey everyone.

Got a Huawei P20 right now which serves me well, but I've been wanting to upgrade for a while to have an OLED display, slightly bigger display and new features like ultrawide lenses.

But can't decide which phone to buy. I don't want to spend 1K on a phone. My P20 was 400€ new, a bargain at the time. I've been looking also at midrange devices, like the A71, but will I lose camera quality and performance? I got away from Samsung after having burn-in in every device and slow perfomance after updates, but with P20 latest update to Android 10 also has bugs. I'm tired of this s***. I could wait for next iPhone 12 at 800€, but that's a lot also, and for that price I could get an S20+ with 120hz and other nice perks.

But here's the thing, most phones seem to have issues:

- S20 lineup: bad battery life, autofocus issue, not so great camera at night, Samsung UI still lags at times, overheating, slow fingerprint sensor, etc. I'm in Europe, so I would have to buy the Exynos model.

- P30 Pro: better camera than S20? But no 4K at 60fps. Better fingerprint sensor, worse curved edges, more fluid UI, 5x optical zoom, worse video recording quality, UI feels outdated and with less features than Samsung (double tap to wake screen, for example), great battery life, great screen, no 90hz or 120hz, 40W fast charging, but same experience overall as my P20 and I'd like a change.

- S10+: bad fingerprint sensor, less fast charging than my P20, is it really a huge upgrade over my P20?, not so great battery life, no 90hz or 120hz.

- OPPO Find X2 Neo: great size, 90hz screen, feels more fluid than Samsung (slow at opening folders and search menu), 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, medium camera quality?.

- A71.

- Xiaomi MI 9T Pro: bad video recording and medium camera quality.


I dislike curved screens, so If I could get a flat screen that would be awesome. Can't buy the OnePlus Nord where I live, which seems perfect and has a great price.

Any recommendations?

 

[The_Interloper]

My wife has the A71 and it’s a lot of phone for the money. You’d definitely be downgrading the camera from your P20, though.

Don't know if it applies where you live, but Samsung’s online store currently has a 15% off code on all their phones plus generous trade-in values. I traded a broken old Palm smartphone for £75 off the price of an S10 bringing it down to £475. This, to me, is still a better deal than the mid-range Samsung devices.

 

[MarkX]

If you're happy with the size of the A71 I'd go with the S10 lite instead, it has a better camera with OIS and a flagship processor albeit last years one. It's still plenty fast enough.

The S10 lite has a better optical in screen fingerprint scanner than the ultrasonic one.

With the discount online in the UK you will pick it up for about £490.

 

[Sensamic]

The ideal size for me is the Oppo Find X2 Neo, which has a 6,5 screen but with very small bezels. 6,7 screen is too much for me, but I do consider the A71 just because it's very cheap compared to todays flagship phones.

I want something bigger than my P20 but not too much. For example, the POCO F2 Pro is SO heavy. Was an option but due to weight I had to discard it.

 

[Vegastouch]

I am in need of a new phone as well but got so many other things going on, its not a priority so i have to wait some. The A71 is on my list but i think i would rather have the Xiaomi Redmi 10X 5G.

The chip is getting excellent reviews and the camera is good. Price is good as well. Around $330 for the 128 GB storage w/ 8GB RAM or the Pro version is less than $400($370 ish) but it doesnt add enough IMO to need that one....for me anyways.
Just have to wait a while to get it shipped to you.
Its also a bit shorter than the A71 which imo is just BIG. I dont really want a phone that big so though .2" isnt much smaller, its something. And its cheaper than the A71. Doesnt have wireless charging which is the only thing ill miss but but wont miss it a lot.

The ASUS ROG III is another to consider. Its in the $600+ range so thats not bad. More for gaming if you do that but overall a good one.
Im done with spending $800 to 1K on phones.
[automerge]1595796169[/automerge]

My wife has the A71 and it’s a lot of phone for the money. You’d definitely be downgrading the camera from your P20, though.

Don't know if it applies where you live, but Samsung’s online store currently has a 15% off code on all their phones plus generous trade-in values. I traded a broken old Palm smartphone for £75 off the price of an S10 bringing it down to £475. This, to me, is still a better deal than the mid-range Samsung devices.

Thats still over $600 American dollars. The A71 at T-Mobile is $600,... you can get the international version on Amazon for under $400 but it wont have 5G if one cares about that. That wouldnt matter to me.
I just think the Xiaomi looks to be a better phone for even less.
I havent done much research on the Oppo Realme phones but from what i have read, they seem pretty good as well.

 

[ian87w]

Just to second the S10 lite. If you can get one within your budget, it's basically a cheaper flagship. Meanwhile, the A71 is still a mid ranger class, and Samsung seems to only focus their camera quality on the S models.

I would avoid Oppo. They don't seem to have consistencies in when they update their software. If you like their design, get Realme X50 instead if the brand is available. It's probably cheaper. Or, consider the OnePlus Nord. They're all come from the same factory as Oppo (same parent group company).

P30 pro is a great device, but you have to consider the short software support it will have. You might be stuck with Android 10 on it forever.

For Xiaomi, get the Poco F2 pro if it's available in your country.

My vote goes to the Samsung S10 lite or OnePlus Nord. At least those will still give you flagship feel in their qualities, and some assurance of OS updates.

 

[Sensamic]

S10 lite is 469€ right now in my country with an offer.

But then I think s10+ might be a better phone, since it's a little bit smaller, better lenses, stereo speakers and water resistant. That's 629€. Worth the difference?

The thing that puts me off is Samsung's slow animations and slow fingerprint sensor.

 

[Sensamic]

I can get a brand new S10 128GB for 400€ or a brand new S20 128GB + free Galaxy Buds Plus for 668€.

Is the difference worth it? For me the biggest improvement would be the less exaggerated screen curve. Also better in hand feeling plus longer software support.

But the S10 at that price is really tempting and still a good phone and good upgrade from my P20.

 

[ian87w]

I can get a brand new S10 128GB for 400€ or a brand new S20 128GB + free Galaxy Buds Plus for 668€.

Is the difference worth it? For me the biggest improvement would be the less exaggerated screen curve. Also better in hand feeling plus longer software support.

But the S10 at that price is really tempting and still a good phone and good upgrade from my P20.

Yup, the S10 is really tempting at that price. It's definitely a better deal than the S10 lite since the regular S10 has IP68 rating while the S10 lite does not. The S10 is still a great phone as it receives One UI 2.1 that has the new camera features introduced on the S20 like single take. If you don't mind not having the Galaxy Buds and prefer 3.5mm jack, get the S10.

But then some things can really affect the enjoyment of using your phone, like the less curvy screen of the S20. It doesn't have a headphone jack though, something to really consider if it's a dealbreaker.

Personally, I would go with the S10 since I'm a "cheapskate" I mean the S10 will still get Android 11, and then will still enjoy regular security updates a year after that. That's a great deal in Android world.

 

[Vegastouch]

Well, the Xiaomi Redmi 10X 5G is out for me. Really wanted it but it doesnt have enough T-Mobile bands and is missing the important 5G 71 Band and a few other 4G bands. Just think ill have some connection issues and havent seen hardly any USA reviewers and their experience with it on T-Mobile to ease my concerns.

No big, ill get the A71.

 

[Sensamic]

Well, the Xiaomi Redmi 10X 5G is out for me. Really wanted it but it doesnt have enough T-Mobile bands and is missing the important 5G 71 Band and a few other 4G bands. Just think ill have some connection issues and havent seen hardly any USA reviewers and their experience with it on T-Mobile to ease my concerns.

No big, ill get the A71.

A71 is out for me because of proximity sensor issues. I've seen several people talking about it on forums of that device. If Samsung fixes it then it could be an option, but I'm seeing interesting deals lately on flagship devices from last year.

I'm really liking also the P30 Pro, which I could get for 500/550€. I love the feeling in hand, great battery life and camera.

 

[ian87w]

A71 is out for me because of proximity sensor issues. I've seen several people talking about it on forums of that device. If Samsung fixes it then it could be an option, but I'm seeing interesting deals lately on flagship devices from last year.

I'm really liking also the P30 Pro, which I could get for 500/550€. I love the feeling in hand, great battery life and camera.

I wouldn’t get the P30 Pro if you could get the S10 for less. The P30 is on its last leg of software support due to the Huawei ban. Currently it’s on Android 10, but you wouldn’t know for sure its OS roadmap after that.

Samsung provides more predictable OS upgrade roadmap for their handsets.

 

[MarkX]

I wouldn’t get the P30 Pro if you could get the S10 for less. The P30 is on its last leg of software support due to the Huawei ban. Currently it’s on Android 10, but you wouldn’t know for sure its OS roadmap after that.

Samsung provides more predictable OS upgrade roadmap for their handsets.

Software support for Huawei devices released prior to the ban hasn't been affected. They're still being updated as before. The P30 pro will easily get Android 11.

 

[ian87w]

Software support for Huawei devices released prior to the ban hasn't been affected. They're still being updated as before. The P30 pro will easily get Android 11.

Any official documentation on that for global version?

 

[MarkX]

Any official documentation on that for global version?

Official, no, but then again there never is.

Equally there isn't anything out there to say that there won't be an update for the P30 Pro.

 

[Sensamic]

I wouldn’t get the P30 Pro if you could get the S10 for less. The P30 is on its last leg of software support due to the Huawei ban. Currently it’s on Android 10, but you wouldn’t know for sure its OS roadmap after that.

Samsung provides more predictable OS upgrade roadmap for their handsets.

My P20 has gotten Android 10 after the ban, so I assume the P30 Pro will get Android 11.

 

[ian87w]

Official, no, but then again there never is.

Equally there isn't anything out there to say that there won't be an update for the P30 Pro.

I believe the default assumption would be a no. Why would you assume there would be a definite update to emui 11 for global version?

And before you are making claims about me, I actually do have a Huawei phone, the Homor View 10, as my daily driver.

Also, if OP could get the S10 for less, that's a better deal Imo.

 

[ian87w]

My P20 has gotten Android 10 after the ban, so I assume the P30 Pro will get Android 11.

My Honor View 10 also managed to score emui 10, which is great.

But eMUI11? I have doubts. Chinese version will probably be updated, but I have doubts on global version.

 

[MarkX]

I believe the default assumption would be a no. Why would you assume there would be a definite update to emui 11 for global version?

And before you are making claims about me, I actually do have a Huawei phone, the Homor View 10, as my daily driver.

Also, if OP could get the S10 for less, that's a better deal Imo.

Why would i make claims about you?

Also, what does having an Honor View 10 have to do with it? Its a late 2017 phone so there is no reason to expect it to be updated to Android 11, the P30 Pro is an early 2019 phone which is well within the time frame to receive the expected 2 Android version software updates.

 

[ian87w]

Why would i make claims about you?

Also, what does having an Honor View 10 have to do with it? Its a late 2017 phone so there is no reason to expect it to be updated to Android 11, the P30 Pro is an early 2019 phone which is well within the time frame to receive the expected 2 Android version software updates.

Does Huawei actually specified they will provide 2 Android version updates for the P30 pro global officially somewhere?

Since people are only going to argue instead of looking for the real info, I actually researched this myself.
So we will find out what will be supported by eMUI 11 in the Huawei Developer Conference event in September 11. (interesting date for the announcement)

However, before you are rejoicing, the rumor is eMUI 11 will be using Harmony OS 2.0. This won't be an issue for the Chinese versions, but it begs the question what will happen for the global versions. We shall wait and see in September.

To the OP: I would still take that S10 deal. It's cheaper.

 

[MarkX]

Does Huawei actually specified they will provide 2 Android version updates for the P30 pro global officially somewhere?

Since people are only going to argue instead of looking for the real info, I actually researched this myself.
So we will find out what will be supported by eMUI 11 in the Huawei Developer Conference event in September 11. (interesting date for the announcement)

However, before you are rejoicing, the rumor is eMUI 11 will be using Harmony OS 2.0. This won't be an issue for the Chinese versions, but it begs the question what will happen for the global versions. We shall wait and see in September.

To the OP: I would still take that S10 deal. It's cheaper.

I too did research and have found information to the contrary. Here is an excerpt from XDA Developers regarding HDC 2020:

For instance, HDC 2019 was the first event where Harmony OS was first shown off, and for HDC 2020, we are expecting Harmony OS 2.0 to make an appearance. Further, we also expect EMUI 11 based on Android 11 to be shown off.