Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Looking for Android purchase advice...

nviz22

nviz22

Cancelled
Jun 24, 2013
5,277
3,071
So my friend is in a similar situation in terms of choosing his next phone. He had the OnePlus 3 and decided to get the iPhone SE like me, except his was $199 (minute cost me $185 unlocked). He missed the customization, a proper file system, better notifications, and Android. So he asked me about the OnePlus 5 and the Moto G5 Plus. I teased him about going back to the OnePlus with the 5 because I knew he loved to get the best bang for his buck without breaking the bank.

So he wanted to wait for the OnePlus 5. Rumors started out great: QHD screen, water resistance, dual camera, VR support, 8GB RAM, Snapdragon 835 for about $400-$450. Next, it became FHD screen, 6GB RAM, 835 processor, dual camera, and $480 price tag. He said fine "I will go get the Moto G5 Plus even though it doesn't have NFC in the US." He is going for the 4GB RAM model from Amazon with ads for about $256 after tax in grey. Clean Android, fast charging, 4k camera, Android 7.1.1, splash proof, Moto features, a FP sensor, good build quality, and long lasting battery life.

I would wait for the OnePlus 5 before deciding because it still up in the air with rumors. We have an idea it will have 6gb RAM and a 835 processor, but I am not sure about other features like VR and a QHD screen. I cannot wait to hear about the OnePlus 5 nevertheless.
 
hallux

hallux

macrumors 68040
Apr 25, 2012
3,443
1,005
sk1wbw said:
You didn't have a case. Now piss off with your holier than thou ********. I'm way too old for that.
Click to expand...

I'm not the person that you told to bug off but let me help you out...

Sounds Good said:
I'm not sure how I'll feel about Android vs iOS and it will take more than a typical return period for me to really know for sure. Therefore, I don't wanna pay top dollar for my very first Android phone. I was ready to order the upcoming OnePlus 5... but now I'm wondering if I should just get a Moto G5 Plus so I can test the waters on a cheap (but decent) Android phone. If I like it, I can always upgrade to a better Android down the road. If I don't like it, I can go back to iPhone without having wasted too much money.
Click to expand...

The OP is asking about a low-cost phone to dip their toe in the Android waters. Suggesting a $550+ flagship is NOT a low-cost device for this purpose. I (and I'm sure others that agreed) still stand by the agreement that the Moto is an EXCELLENT device for this purpose.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Channan
bufffilm

bufffilm

Suspended
May 3, 2011
4,227
2,536
sk1wbw said:
You didn't have a case. Now piss off with your holier than thou ********. I'm way too old for that.
Click to expand...

Saving over $250 is a big deal.

Apparently, you don't think so.

Ok...but plenty would disagree.
 
Last edited:
bufffilm

bufffilm

Suspended
May 3, 2011
4,227
2,536
But he hates micro-USB...he says it sux balls.

Buy the Blackberry for the win!!!

He's a riot.
 
bufffilm

bufffilm

Suspended
May 3, 2011
4,227
2,536
sk1wbw said:
It has USB C dumbass.
Click to expand...

Keep looking stupid.

So you would advise the OP to spend $550 for a phone that has USB-c and not buy the Moto which has the sux balls micro-USB for $250?

That seems to be what you're saying. Man, you hate micro-USB that much?

It's laughable.
 
Last edited:
Channan

Channan

macrumors 68030
Mar 7, 2012
2,890
3,119
New Orleans
A phone having Micro-USB instead of type C is not a reason to not get the phone, especially if it's an otherwise good deal. There's no supreme advantage of type C and there's nothing wrong with Micro.

Hell, at least you can find chargers for the Moto everywhere.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LIVEFRMNYC
S

Sounds Good

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 8, 2007
1,692
57
Well, today is the day we find out what the OnePlus 5 is all about and if it's worth the extra expense to me.
 
R

ramram55

macrumors 6502a
Jul 27, 2012
829
189
Huawei phones are interesting with carrier like sprint and verizon customers cannot use it , it is too bad for them.
 
M

mib1800

Suspended
Sep 16, 2012
2,859
1,250
Sounds Good said:
Well, today is the day we find out what the OnePlus 5 is all about and if it's worth the extra expense to me.
Click to expand...

Samsung phones usually have more features (like Samsung Pay, Secure Folder, Sidesync, Connect, Health) than most other Androids, so it may also be good to check out the mid-range Samsung A-series or C-series as a first try android.

For china phones please be mindful some are very aggressive in managing background tasks. Most will stop tasks like iphone does. So you need to dig in the settings to set exclusions so certain apps can work normally.
 
S

Sounds Good

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 8, 2007
1,692
57
UPDATE: Okay guys, here's what I decided to do...

I was waiting for the OnePlus 5 to be announced to see the final specs and price. I then watched and read a bunch of reviews on it. Many of them were comparing the OP5 to the Samsung S8 but most said the S8 was still the better phone (which makes sense, it's more expensive). I started looking into the Samsung S8 and found out that Samsung is offering a $200 trade-in deal plus a $100 discount which brings the price of the S8 down to $425. WOW! That's less than the OnePlus 5 and not really that much more than the Moto G5 Plus!

I'm a bit skeptical about this trade-in deal but I felt it was crazy not to at least TRY. So I ordered a Samsung S8 (currently back-ordered) and we'll see what happens. If they charge my credit card for more money I'll be returning the S8 back to Samsung. But if it all goes through as advertised, my very first Android phone will be a Samsung S8. For $425 plus tax. Wish me luck! :)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: macfacts and co.ag.2005
co.ag.2005

co.ag.2005

macrumors 68020
Jun 17, 2009
2,365
1,810
Fort Worth, TX
Sounds Good said:
UPDATE: Okay guys, here's what I decided to do...

I was waiting for the OnePlus 5 to be announced to see the final specs and price. I then watched and read a bunch of reviews on it. Many of them were comparing the OP5 to the Samsung S8 but most said the S8 was still the better phone (which makes sense, it's more expensive). I starting looking into the Samsung S8 and found out that Samsung is offering a $200 trade-in deal plus a $100 discount which brings the price of the S8 down to $425. WOW! That's less than the OnePlus 5 and not really that much more than the Moto G5 Plus!

I'm a bit skeptical about this trade-in deal but I felt it was crazy not to at least TRY. So I ordered a Samsung S8 (currently back-ordered) and we'll see what happens. If they charge my credit card for more money I'll be returning the S8 back to Samsung. But if it all goes through as advertised, my very first Android phone will be a Samsung S8. For $425 plus tax. Wish me luck! :)
Click to expand...

Are you in the US? if you also want, the unlocked S8 is going for ~$500 brand new on Swappa from people using the deal you mention to make a few $100 in the process.
 
S

Sounds Good

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 8, 2007
1,692
57
co.ag.2005 said:
Are you in the US? if you also want, the unlocked S8 is going for ~$500 brand new on Swappa from people using the deal you mention to make a few $100 in the process.
Click to expand...
Yes, I'm in the US. In fact I ordered an unlocked version of the S8. If this Samsung trade-in deal falls through maybe I'll take a look at Swappa.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom