Looking to Try Android, Need Advice!

[gregrose]

Hi Everyone,

With the latest bummer rumors of iPhone 7, I am ready to give Android a test run and see how I like it. I am on Verizon so I am limited on my selection.

I am looking at used phones under $200, so far my options I am looking at:

LG G3 ($100 range) or G4 ($200 range)
Droid Turbo ($130-150 range)
Nexus 5x ($200 - $230 range)
Nexus 6 ($200 range, might be too big for my taste)
Galaxy S5 ($200 range)

Right now I am leaning towards the Droid Turbo since it seems to be the best bang for your buck, but I would like some opinions on what everyone thinks. If you have any other recommendations please share!

Thank you!

 

[ramram55]

Go with nexus in case you do not like verizon, go with project Fi.

 

[BrettApple]

Well, I have owned or used the LG G3, Turbo, 5x, 6, and an S5. I would NOT get the G3 due to it's battery life, and the S5 is bloat-tastic with Touchwiz.

I'd aim for the 5X or a 6P if you can swing it. I owned the 5X for a while and generally like it but it got really slow and laggy from time to time and the camera would freeze and reboot the phone. BUT this was literally weeks after launch and I'd assume things have greatly improved. It's a solid phone, SD808 + 2GB RAM is a good combo and a FHD screen. Works on any carrier too. I'd shoot for that.

I picked up an HTC 10 last month and have been absolutely loving it, but it's new and still pretty pricey so for a first Android phone it would be a bit of an all out decision there.

I should also mention that the Camera on the 5X is pretty great and will destroy the one on the Nexus 6, plus the 6 is simply huge. As in, harder to handle than the 6 Plus if that gives you any perspective. I went form a Plus to the 6S simply because I didn't like the size after using it a whole year. Then to my HTC which is a great in-between. The 5X is a good size too. It also runs stock Marshmallow and is guaranteed updates for the next couple of years.

It's also looks great in Carbon, though it is a bit fingerprint prone.

 

[gregrose]

Thanks for the input! How did you like the turbo at all? Also on nexus 5x, is there any type of knock on to turn on screen or do I always have to use finger print scanner on the back?

I've heard great things with android N beta on 5x.

 

[hallux]

The "knock on" feature is usually a manufacturer add-on so it wouldn't be on the 5x. As for the fingerprint unlock, you could always use a PIN but the FP unlock on my 6P is quick and generally works on the first try (maybe 2-3x a week it flat fails to recognize my finger and I have to use my PIN).

Right now, you can get a 16 GB 5x for $199 (32 GB is $50 more) if you sign up for Fi and activate the account. Choose to get a new number, "use" it for a couple days then cancel the plan. You get to keep the phone and get the savings. The only stipulation for the $199 price is that the phone is activated on Fi within 30 days.

 

[JamesMike]

Before I got my Note5 I had a Galaxy S5 it worked very well.

 

[aneftp]

Thanks for the input! How did you like the turbo at all? Also on nexus 5x, is there any type of knock on to turn on screen or do I always have to use finger print scanner on the back?

I've heard great things with android N beta on 5x.

If u like screen to respond. Try the Moto X pure 2015 version. Prices dropping new. Around $250 now. Obvious Motorola makes the Droid line for Verizon. But the Moto X pure works on all carriers

 

[M5RahuL]

All I will say is stay away from the Nexus 6 !

- Poor battery life
- Issues with screen tint at dimmest setting
- Outdoor screen visibility ( daytime, Sunlight ) is piss poor!

 

[gregrose]

Ended up getting Galaxy s6 for $240 on eBay. It's in great condition too, excited for it to come.

 

[MRU]

Ended up getting Galaxy s6 for $240 on eBay. It's in great condition too, excited for it to come.

Enjoy.

The back of the N6 is very slippery and a complete fingerprint oil magnet. A dbrand skin really helps give the device a bit of grip and remove the finger print mess. Dbrand.com

 

[nj-morris]

Maybe try the Moto G4. My friend got one yesterday and it looks really good. Plus, it offers a lot for the price.

 

[mclld]

Ended up getting Galaxy s6 for $240 on eBay. It's in great condition too, excited for it to come.

Horrible battery life is the killer for that phone. Also make sure you get a real one, there are tons of clones out there

 

[AintDutchNotMuch]

Ended up getting Galaxy s6 for $240 on eBay. It's in great condition too, excited for it to come.

After reading your opening post, I was going to advise you to buy an S6 for a few extra dollars. You've made a great decision buying it for that price.

I have the S6 for 10 months now and I'm still incredibly happy with it (coming from an iPhone 6). It's still a powerful little beast with a great screen, excellent camera and good enough battery life. It's also proven to be very durable, considering the abuse it's gone through while it's still in good condition. I've got the white pearl color and use it without a case or screen protector. Beautiful phone that looks and feels premium. Enjoy your S6!

 

[gregrose]

thanks guys, hopefully the battery is on par with my iphone 6 now, the phone should be here on thursday.

Any advice on some great apps or widgets to get for android?

 

[Channan]

My dad got a Galaxy S6 Edge. He loved the phone, but went back to his iPhone after a few days only because of the battery life. He could get 3-4 hours SOT, but his iPhone was just better and he didn't like having to worry about his phone dying.

He mainly bought it to try out VR, so he didn't want to spend a lot of money on it. That's why he didn't spring for the Galaxy S7 Edge. I have a Galaxy S7 Edge and the battery life is phenomenal. If you wind up liking everything about the Galaxy S6 except the battery life, I would definitely recommend upgrading.

 

[gregrose]

S6 battery is really that awful? Any way to help improve it ?

 

[lowendlinux]

It's a common complaint on social media but my daughters seems to be OK on the battery..

 

[mrex]

thanks guys, hopefully the battery is on par with my iphone 6 now, the phone should be here on thursday.

Any advice on some great apps or widgets to get for android?

Nova launcher.

 

[aneftp]

S6 battery is really that awful? Any way to help improve it ?

Issue with android (and I have used android from days of 1.0) is many apps are rogue with their battery and Google has never done a good job mananging battery no matter what you read about things like doze mode in android 6.0

1. Facebook app (and I disabled just anout everything I can) is well know to drain battery

So i just use the web browser for Facebook.


My advice is to not install any apps. Use the basic software than install ur favorite apps one by one to see how battery life is.

 

[Loco Emperor]

Prepare yourself for lag and hope you get updates.

lol I'm kidding. At least slightly anyway.
Given Samsung likes to copy Apple your transition shouldn't be too difficult.

 

[MRU]

Issue with android (and I have used android from days of 1.0) is many apps are rogue with their battery and Google has never done a good job mananging battery no matter what you read about things like doze mode in android 6.0

1. Facebook app (and I disabled just anout everything I can) is well know to drain battery

So i just use the web browser for Facebook.


My advice is to not install any apps. Use the basic software than install ur favorite apps one by one to see how battery life is.

But... Chrome actually has a higher level of performance drain & memory usage than the Facebook app itself. Swapping the app for chrome in this instance would be a false economy.

Facebook app isn't too bad these days especially with doze.

However if you really want to limit it simply use METAL or tinfoil for Facebook, both on the play store.

 

[admob71]

Ended up getting Galaxy s6 for $240 on eBay. It's in great condition too, excited for it to come.

Enjoy, gorgeous screen, great camera, get a simple gel case, it's a slippy sod without one.
[doublepost=1470348522][/doublepost]

Horrible battery life is the killer for that phone. Also make sure you get a real one, there are tons of clones out there

Are they? Genuinely not aware of this?

 

[gregrose]

Well, had the S6 the last few days and I am returning it. Battery life is pathetic, I wake up at 6am and by 9am its already down 25%. Also the rams is always being 80% used with nothing "open"...Samsung's touchwiz while its nice, eats away at system memory I guess...Maybe ill try a Nexus 5x or 6 if I see a good deal available, otherwise just going to stick with my Jailbroken iPhone 6.

Edit: I will add - the bloatware is pathetic as well, screw Verizon with all the crap they tr to add on.

 

[aneftp]

But... Chrome actually has a higher level of performance drain & memory usage than the Facebook app itself. Swapping the app for chrome in this instance would be a false economy.

Facebook app isn't too bad these days especially with doze.

However if you really want to limit it simply use METAL or tinfoil for Facebook, both on the play store.

So which browser for android uses the least amount of battery?

Android has never been as good at managing standby battery as iOS. I can leave my iPhone on standby for 3 weeks and phone would still have battery (obviously not touching it).

Android phone would be out of battery after 7 days even with doze mode.

 

[ramram55]

You have time to wait another month or so to get hold of 5x or 6p, should not be disappointed, had a chance to try out nexus 5x for a week, beats apple iphone hands down.