Looking to move from iPhone 6 to a reliable phone - recommendations?

[Starfox]

Pre-emptive: Please don't tell me that you're not experiencing the issues I'm seeing or try to sell me on the iPhone. Thanks in advance.

I'm in my mid-twenties and I have an iPhone 6 + Apple Watch, and general unreliability has driven me to the point where I'm better off with no phone versus an iPhone. I want to switch.

What I'm after in a phone is reliability: I don't want to deal with the dialer / messages app crashing, and I want no random battery drain issues since I need my phone during the day and use it as an alarm for the morning. I text *A LOT*, and something that supports WhatsApp would be a plus. Mapping would be a nice extra, but I'd rather give it up than deal with bad mapping apps. Something like a more modern Motorola V3i would be perfect, and in general the dumber the phone the better. I don't want a cheap Android that'll never get updates, but I'd live with something as solid as the old Nokia / Motorola phones as-is with no future updates.

I actually looked at the RAZRs and they're like $50 a piece (cheap!), but I was wondering whether there's something newer out there.

 

[Hal~9000]

If I were in that situation the only choices for me are:

• Nexus 6P
• iPhone 6s

 

[Starfox]

I am genuinely amazed at that response given that my first sentence is explicitly asking not to get iPhone recommendations.

 

[Hal~9000]

I am genuinely amazed at that response given that my first sentence is explicitly asking not to get iPhone recommendations.

Nexus 6P is a wonderful phone and a fine option which fits your criteria.

As for the 6s recommendation... you said you have the iPhone 6 (which has 1gb of ram) and wanted to switch due to and issues with:

• app crashing (6s has 2gb of ram to remedy this)
• battery drain (iOS 9 doesn't have any issues on the 6s)
• mapping app (get google maps or here maps if apple maps is an issue for you)

You asked for opinions on what phone to get and I gave it. For me I would only ever go Nexus or iPhone (for consistent updates and reliability)... nothing else.

 

[Tig Bitties]

First off, congrats to waking up and realizing the iPhone is a scam job, lame basic dumb-smartphone.

For sure I'd highly recommend the Nexus 6P. It's the best smartphone available today, and you won't be trapped in that scary walled garden anymore.

 

[Starfox]

Eh, I don't want to sensationalize or name-call, the iPhone is for other people and that doesn't mean they're sheep, it's just not for me. I'm not a big fan of Android, and I'm after a phone that's as dumb as possible. I don't want a phone to manage / update, etc. - I want a phone appliance. I'm willing to give up most apps and cameras etc. for this.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Eh, I don't want to sensationalize or name-call, the iPhone is for other people and that doesn't mean they're sheep, it's just not for me. I'm not a big fan of Android, and I'm after a phone that's as dumb as possible. I don't want a phone to manage / update, etc. - I want a phone appliance. I'm willing to give up most apps and cameras etc. for this.

OK...so do you just want a flip phone or something ?

Or a Blackberry ? They have some nice newer phones released this past year, one is very easy to one hand, feels great in hand, and just does the basics if you want. One of my colleagues has one, and it's shockingly nice, great build quality, super cool shape, feels awesome in hand. I hear it's the best phone ever for texting with the real keyboard, and Blackberry's are known for all day battery.

 

[Tig Bitties]

http://www.engadget.com/2015/02/10/blackberry-classic-review/

 

[mi7chy]

Nexus 6P is a wonderful phone and a fine option which fits your criteria.

As for the 6s recommendation... you said you have the iPhone 6 (which has 1gb of ram) and wanted to switch due to and issues with:

• app crashing (6s has 2gb of ram to remedy this)
• battery drain (iOS 9 doesn't have any issues on the 6s)
• mapping app (get google maps or here maps if apple maps is an issue for you)

He also mentioned he wants a reliable alarm which iOS has always had problems with regardless of DRAM so that rules out all iPhones.

For something cheap, reliable but probably won't get updates beyond Kit Kat (preferred) or maybe Lollipop is Moto G 2013 which is similar in spec to iPhone 6. Was as cheap as ~$20-25 for Verizon pre-paid version.

 

[QuarterSwede]

You aren't going to find a device more reliable than the iPhone unless you can do without a smartphone period.

I use an Android device for work and it's flakey as hell, even on Lollipop. Blackberry is almost dead. Good luck.

 

[Goatllama]

Allow me to introduce....... the LG Dare.
http://www.cnet.com/products/lg-dare-verizon-wireless

This tank of a phone has lasted me 6 years now. Still has great battery life. Gets the job done. I recommend it to everyone. Screen won't shatter if you drop it. Nice camera. If all you do is text and make calls, this is all you need.

 

[Tig Bitties]

You aren't going to find a device more reliable than the iPhone

LOL not.

My Android phones " Just work " they are butter smooth, warp speed fast, and NEVER restart themselves, or act flaky or stutter, or lock up, never once. Android flagships for me, have been rock solid stable. Can't say that for the two iPhone's I have owned; Lag city, and freeze ups.

 

[kevinof]

You aren't going to find a device more reliable than the iPhone unless you can do without a smartphone period.

I use an Android device for work and it's flakey as hell, even on Lollipop. Blackberry is almost dead. Good luck.

That's strange. Every time I take my s6 edge out to make a call it seems to work just great. Same with sending email.

Seems like a very reliable phone to me

 

[MRU]

I'll be honest ... The grass isn't always greener in the other field.

Many of the issues you have affect android users just as much regardless of OEM / Manufacturer. Random battery life / wake locks / apps crashing are just as prevalent in the android hemisphere as the iPhone iOS world.

Essentially if you are approaching android as some sort of 'answer to your prayers'; you may be disappointed. There are many benefits to android over iOS (and vice versa) however immune to those issues your currently having they are not.

So I am not saying android is a bad move or you shouldn't do it - merely be aware that you could have much the same issues on it as you currently have on IOS. If you are willing to accept that risk then there are a myriad of good android phones from the

Nexus 6P
Moto x Pure
Galaxy S6 / Edge / Edge + / Note 5
LG G4
One Plus 2

If you are willing to just 'test' the waters as it were - you could look at something like the Moto X Pure 2014 version (pure as in carrier free) which currently retails at $199 on Amazon. The Pure edition will get Marshmallow support and you get a very good phone for entry level pricing right now.


Either way - I hope you find a device which offers you a more palatable experience - just be aware that as I say "the grass isn't always greener - sometimes it's just the same grass in a different field."

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I've been very satisfied with my S6 edge from day one. I have no reliablity problems whatsoever. Battery life is good for the size of the battery. Pretty sure the S6 Edge Plus and Note 5 are even better that it has 1gb more ram and bigger battery.

 

[tbayrgs]

Something I never expected to see myself write...I agree with mi7chy. Well, sort of...

I can't believe nobody else has suggested a 2015 Moto G. It's a relatively midsized, decent spec'd device with very near stock Android. Hell, it's even water resistant and has expandable memory. And in the US it starts at $179. Until recently I'd have said that it's also your best best at getting relatively timely software updates but considering Moto's recent stance on updates for some of their devices, I wouldn't count on it.

If reliable updates are important, your ONLY option are Nexus devices but considering your needs, I think the Moto G would be perfect.

 

[MRU]

Something I never expected to see myself write...I agree with mi7chy. Well, sort of...

I can't believe nobody else has suggested a 2015 Moto G. It's a relatively midsized, decent spec'd device with very near stock Android. Hell, it's even water resistant and has expandable memory. And in the US it starts at $179. Until recently I'd have said that it's also your best best at getting relatively timely software updates but considering Moto's recent stance on updates for some of their devices, I wouldn't count on it.

If reliable updates are important, your ONLY option are Nexus devices but considering your needs, I think the Moto G would be perfect.

$179 is that for for the 8gb storage 1gb ram ?

TBH the $199 Moto X 2014 Pure version which will get updated from lollipop to marshmallow is far better bang for buck right now than the G at least in the USA. Just don't buy the carrier version - make sure its carrier / sim free and your good for Android M and the Snapdragon 801 is way better than the snapdragon 400 in the G. Alongside build quality / materials.

 

[Zwhaler]

Allow me to introduce....... the LG Dare.
http://www.cnet.com/products/lg-dare-verizon-wireless
View attachment 597745
This tank of a phone has lasted me 6 years now. Still has great battery life. Gets the job done. I recommend it to everyone. Screen won't shatter if you drop it. Nice camera. If all you do is text and make calls, this is all you need.

Oh man that brings back memories... I actually had that for a short while before I couldn't stand it anymore and got the iPhone 3G. The phone was ok but the pressure sensitive touch screen was not pleasant to use for me.

 

[Zwhaler]

I'd recommend the S6. Even if you never update the software or apps it should perform basic tasks well.

 

[tbayrgs]

$179 is that for for the 8gb storage 1gb ram ?

TBH the $199 Moto X 2014 Pure version which will get updated from lollipop to marshmallow is far better bang for buck right now than the G at least in the USA. Just don't buy the carrier version - make sure its carrier / sim free and your good for Android M and the Snapdragon 801 is way better than the snapdragon 400 in the G. Alongside build quality / materials.

Where is it $199? I just checked Motorola.com and it says it starts at $299.

And yes, while I agree that last year's X is a superior overall phone, it sounds like most of that is lost on the OP (ok with a feature phone), I believe the G generally gets better battery life (bigger battery with lower res display) and is cheaper. That was my logic for the recommendation. All of these other flagship recommendations seems like tremendous overkill considering the OP's requirements.

 

[MRU]

Where is it $199? I just checked Motorola.com and it says it starts at $299.

And yes, while I agree that last year's X is a superior overall phone, it sounds like most of that is lost on the OP (ok with a feature phone), I believe the G generally gets better battery life (bigger battery with lower res display) and is cheaper. That was my logic for the recommendation. All of these other flagship recommendations seems like tremendous overkill considering the OP's requirements.

Seems like they've all sold out or was very short period

https://plus.google.com/+AndroidAuthority/posts/dCB2nEfGKUb

http://www.androidauthority.com/moto-x-2014-amazon-deal-653007/

 

[ThinkDifferent24]

Pre-emptive: Please don't tell me that you're not experiencing the issues I'm seeing or try to sell me on the iPhone. Thanks in advance.

I'm in my mid-twenties and I have an iPhone 6 + Apple Watch, and general unreliability has driven me to the point where I'm better off with no phone versus an iPhone. I want to switch.

What I'm after in a phone is reliability: I don't want to deal with the dialer / messages app crashing, and I want no random battery drain issues since I need my phone during the day and use it as an alarm for the morning. I text *A LOT*, and something that supports WhatsApp would be a plus. Mapping would be a nice extra, but I'd rather give it up than deal with bad mapping apps. Something like a more modern Motorola V3i would be perfect, and in general the dumber the phone the better. I don't want a cheap Android that'll never get updates, but I'd live with something as solid as the old Nokia / Motorola phones as-is with no future updates.

I actually looked at the RAZRs and they're like $50 a piece (cheap!), but I was wondering whether there's something newer out there.

I don't know what happened to iphone since the ios9 update my phone has gone haywire

 

[Starfox]

Mods please kill this thread with fire thx

 

[Michael Goff]

Darn. I was just going to start telling you why the Lumia 1520 would be the best phone for you.

 

[MRU]

Mods please kill this thread with fire thx

For any particular reason ?

Or are you simply intentionally being rude & disrespectful to people who have tried to proffer advice to your initial quandary.