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Dreads

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 17, 2015
120
52
ok guys I can honestly say I'm looking at the android world for a change now I own an iPhone 6+and will continue to own it but I'm gonna have a dabble in the android mobile world I've whittled it down to either a z5p or galaxy edge plus... Your thoughts welcome.... Cheers.
 

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
5,692
IMO the best Android phone available is the Nexus 6P, running vanilla stock Android is just so sweet. Especially when coming from an iPhone, I think stock Marshmallow is the way to go, and truly experience the best Android has to offer.

Second best would be the Note 5
 

kasakka

macrumors 68020
Oct 25, 2008
2,389
1,083
I'd probably look at the Note 5 instead of the Edge Plus if you live in a country where it is available.

IMO stock Android in its most basic format is way too limited in configurability. Thankfully for most it's reasonably easy to install a custom ROM should you need more.

I would avoid anything with the Snapdragon 810 chip. They get hot, they can throttle (and thus have judder) and generally don't perform like a flagship chip should. The SD808 or even the old SD801 are better choices as are Samsung's Exynos chips.

There's a lot of Android phones out there from big and small manufacturers. First thing you should do is consider what features you consider a must, how big a device you want and then do some comparison as there are for example lots of 5.5-5.7" phones that have wildly different physical dimensions despite the same screen size.
 

Blaze4G

macrumors 65816
Oct 31, 2015
1,300
1,177
It seems like Samsung will fix its ram management issues with marshmallow update in December for the note 5 so that is a good option.
If you want iOS like experience with all the Android customization and best media consumption Android phone then Nexus 6p. Dual front facing speakers and one of the best screens on Android flagships this year.

If you want the best phone all around barring its software then note 5. It has best camera, processor, screen in the Android world. It's external speaker is meh so you can take that into consideration.
 
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Dreads

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 17, 2015
120
52
i dont think we have the option of the note 5 in the uk as yet I'm
Not sure if we ever will I think Samsung are pushing the edge plus instead but will take a look at the nexus device mentioned above.. Screen size it would be nice to have somewhere around 5.5 a half decent camera and I would be looking forward to a bit of customisation little things you can't really do much on iOS but thank you for your replies guys-:)
 

AustinIllini

macrumors G5
Oct 20, 2011
12,699
10,567
Austin, TX
Go with the Nexus 5. Stock android as Google intended with an excellent battery, a responsive touch idea, and beautiful build and display.
 

hallux

macrumors 68040
Apr 25, 2012
3,443
1,005
I'd probably look at the Note 5 instead of the Edge Plus if you live in a country where it is available.

IMO stock Android in its most basic format is way too limited in configurability. Thankfully for most it's reasonably easy to install a custom ROM should you need more.

I would avoid anything with the Snapdragon 810 chip. They get hot, they can throttle (and thus have judder) and generally don't perform like a flagship chip should. The SD808 or even the old SD801 are better choices as are Samsung's Exynos chips.

There's a lot of Android phones out there from big and small manufacturers. First thing you should do is consider what features you consider a must, how big a device you want and then do some comparison as there are for example lots of 5.5-5.7" phones that have wildly different physical dimensions despite the same screen size.

I have a Nexus 6P. As a test last night I installed Monument Valley. I spent almost an hour straight playing it, played all 10 levels of the base game and didn't have ANY heat concerns, the phone barely got warm. No stutters, the game played smooth as could be. Any other concerns about the SD810? Sure, it's one game but it's a processor-intense game, heavy graphics and the phone hummed along with little heat.

I can ABSOLUTELY suggest this device. I'm loving the fingerprint unlock - just place a registered finger on the sensor and it unlocks, no button pressing to get there - battery life is a full day, performance is on par with other high-end phones and it's pure Android. While you can't customize some elements that TouchWiz or LG's skins allow, the phone also isn't bogged down by those additional skins and everything they bring with them.
 
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MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
ok guys I can honestly say I'm looking at the android world for a change now I own an iPhone 6+and will continue to own it but I'm gonna have a dabble in the android mobile world I've whittled it down to either a z5p or galaxy edge plus... Your thoughts welcome.... Cheers.

Z5 Premium is honestly not worth it. Yes in 'theory' you get a fancy 4k screen. But given the fact 95% of the time ALL content and apps will be shown at 1920x1080 on it, you are paying the 'premium' for bragging rights and not necessarily real 'benefit'. Indeed the jump from 500ppi to 800ppi may seem in numbers massive, but on a 5.5" screen where you already can not discern pixels, that jump becomes just a law of diminishing returns.

Honestly if you are looking at the Z5P, I'd say save the extra $ and look at the standard Z5.

Personally between the two I would go with the S6 Edge + simply because it can be picked up cheap and honestly you are at least going get the benefits of that 2K screen ALL THE TIME rather than be saddled with a display that is stuck at 1080p for majority of time and yet you paid for a 4k screen.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
I have a Nexus 6P. As a test last night I installed Monument Valley. I spent almost an hour straight playing it, played all 10 levels of the base game and didn't have ANY heat concerns, the phone barely got warm. No stutters, the game played smooth as could be. Any other concerns about the SD810? Sure, it's one game but it's a processor-intense game, heavy graphics and the phone hummed along with little heat..


Ye I concur... My Moto X Pure with the 808 and my Edge + with it's exynos get a lot warmer in use than the Nexus 6P doing the same things. Not all 810's are the same ;)
 

AustinIllini

macrumors G5
Oct 20, 2011
12,699
10,567
Austin, TX
Why is it lame (in particular for someone who isn't a fan of larger phones)?
The 5X is a great device, but it's in the same price range as a number of strong contenders. If you're a pure Android believer and you don't mind the compromises typical of the Nexus program to this point, go 5X. Otherwise, try a bunch of devices at that price point and do your research.

If I'm looking at third party OEMs, I'm really interested in the Nextbit Robin. That thing looks awesome.
 

C DM

macrumors Sandy Bridge
Oct 17, 2011
51,392
19,461
The 5X is a great device, but it's in the same price range as a number of strong contenders. If you're a pure Android believer and you don't mind the compromises typical of the Nexus program to this point, go 5X. Otherwise, try a bunch of devices at that price point and do your research.

If I'm looking at third party OEMs, I'm really interested in the Nextbit Robin. That thing looks awesome.
Out of curiosity, as I haven't really looked into Nexus devices too much (although would likely consider them first over other Android devices), what are the compromises that you mention that are typical of the Nexus program/devices?
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Out of curiosity, as I haven't really looked into Nexus devices too much (although would likely consider them first over other Android devices), what are the compromises that you mention that are typical of the Nexus program/devices?

Usually.

1. Lack of basic functionality. A nexus / stock device has an amazing lack of customisability out of the box. You can't even change your home wallpaper independently from your lock screen for example. The stock launcher lacks ability to arrange the app drawer into your own order or have folders in there.

2. Camera hardware traditionally has been lacklustre compared to the OEM flagship android devices. This has improved especially this year, however the software hasn't. You still have a poorer camera software experience compared to HTC, Samsung, LG, Sony etc.

3. Battery optimisations. Despite stock android being very swift generally performance wise, android nexus devices traditionally have mediocre battery life. Even with Marshmallow and 'Doze' optimisations battery life on the Nexus 6P with a 3450mah battery is poorer than the Note 5 with a 3000mah battery and that's not even using power saving mode on the Samsung device.

Likewise power saving feature on Nexus with lollipop and Marshmallow has a hideous side affect. It turns your status bar and buttons red and it just looks bloody hideous. Why a simple power saving icon couldn't have been used instead of this we will never know.


Here is my 6P normally

573ba62b97de0e12dee217d301d09b8b.jpg


And with power saving features turned on you have to put up with this God damn unsightly mess

a79b87f8b796f691d80831f8d3ab548a.jpg
 
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Blaze4G

macrumors 65816
Oct 31, 2015
1,300
1,177
Out of curiosity, as I haven't really looked into Nexus devices too much (although would likely consider them first over other Android devices), what are the compromises that you mention that are typical of the Nexus program/devices?

The 5x imo is not a good package overall for the price. If you don't mind big phones I think the moto x pure and the one plus two are better value.

With the current nexus devices, there isn't any compromises as before (camera was meh until now). If you compare nexus devices to other android devices, you may say there is compromises in the software. Nexus devices are bare bones (like an iPhone...which can be a disadvantage or advantage). However the user is free to add features.
 
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Blaze4G

macrumors 65816
Oct 31, 2015
1,300
1,177
Usually.


3. Battery optimisations. Despite stock android being very swift generally performance wise, android nexus devices traditionally have mediocre battery life. Even with Marshmallow and 'Doze' optimisations battery life on the Nexus 6P with a 3450mah battery is poorer than the Note 5 with a 3000mah battery and that's not even using power saving mode on the Samsung device.

LOL. I am still confused why the battery saving feature must look like that. I guess it is some sort of reminder that it is on. Would much prefer an option to turn off the orange bars when using battery saving feature. It is definitely not attractive.
 

hallux

macrumors 68040
Apr 25, 2012
3,443
1,005
Usually.

1. Lack of basic functionality. A nexus / stock device has an amazing lack of customisability out of the box. You can't even change your home wallpaper independently from your lock screen for example. The stock launcher lacks ability to arrange the app drawer into your own order or have folders in there.

This is really kind of the point of the Nexus devices. Nexus devices are the standard to which app developers are suggested to write their apps. It was originally intended as a developer platform. While that's still the case, it has grown into more but Google hasn't allowed that to change the way it handles the device. There's a REASON Nexus devices are first in line for updates and a reason Google posts the factory images for them and ENCOURAGES flashing those images as soon as they're released (even providing the instructions). Nexus has morphed into the most-suggested "brand" for fluid Android performance but that certainly wasn't what Google intended when it started releasing "Nexus" devices.
 

AustinIllini

macrumors G5
Oct 20, 2011
12,699
10,567
Austin, TX
Out of curiosity, as I haven't really looked into Nexus devices too much (although would likely consider them first over other Android devices), what are the compromises that you mention that are typical of the Nexus program/devices?
Up until the Nexus 6P, the Nexus line was really aimed at developers. As a result, oftentimes the hardware isn't the premium you'll see in other devices. Whether it be build quality (like the Nexus 5), camera quality (Moto and LG Nexus lines), or even more critical things like battery life, Nexus phones have been for those who want the latest and greatest software and a pure Google experience.

The 5X is a spiritual successor to the traditional Nexus (Google even says the "X" is for the core of Ne"x"us). Overall, a solid device with some big compromises. The 6P ("P" for "Premium") is a departure for Google. The Nexus 6P is a shift from a developer phone to a flagship killer. For example, the Nexus 6P has a more premium camera, solid metallic build quality, and solid battery life. at 7:00 PM every night, I have about 50% battery left. The feel is so premium and the price is fantastic (especially considering the base model has 32 GB of storage space).

Basically, if you are the type of person who looks at a Samsung or HTC device and thinks "Man, that software kind of ruins a great android phone", the Nexus is certainly for you. If you really dig the OEM skins or you want a stylus or you don't mind software that dabbles in different ideas (OEMs tend to introduce new features faster than Google, ie fingerprint and voice search), try the great collection of OEM devices running android.
 
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C DM

macrumors Sandy Bridge
Oct 17, 2011
51,392
19,461
Up until the Nexus 6P, the Nexus line was really aimed at developers. As a result, oftentimes the hardware isn't the premium you'll see in other devices. Whether it be build quality (like the Nexus 5), camera quality (Moto and LG Nexus lines), or even more critical things like battery life, Nexus phones have been for those who want the latest and greatest software and a pure Google experience.

The 5X is a spiritual successor to the traditional Nexus (Google even says the "X" is for the core of Ne"x"us). Overall, a solid device with some big compromises. The 6P ("P" for "Premium") is a departure for Google. The Nexus 6P is a shift from a developer phone to a flagship killer. For example, the Nexus 6P has a more premium camera, solid metallic build quality, and solid battery life. at 7:00 PM every night, I have about 50% battery left. The feel is so premium and the price is fantastic (especially considering the base model has 32 GB of storage space).

Basically, if you are the type of person who looks at a Samsung or HTC device and thinks "Man, that software kind of ruins a great android phone", the Nexus is certainly for you. If you really dig the OEM skins or you want a stylus or you don't mind software that dabbles in different ideas (OEMs tend to introduce new features faster than Google, ie fingerprint and voice search), try the great collection of OEM devices running android.
If only they offered a smaller sized "P" version as well. Perhaps in the next update.
 

AustinIllini

macrumors G5
Oct 20, 2011
12,699
10,567
Austin, TX
If only they offered a smaller sized "P" version as well. Perhaps in the next update.
That's really the trick for a number of people. Android Central recommends the Galaxy S6 as a smaller premium option and there are certainly some smaller mid level phones worth considering (although, recently carrier bands have become more critical to consider), but the iPhone 6 and the GS6 are becoming dinosaurs quickly, it seems.
 

C DM

macrumors Sandy Bridge
Oct 17, 2011
51,392
19,461
That's really the trick for a number of people. Android Central recommends the Galaxy S6 as a smaller premium option and there are certainly some smaller mid level phones worth considering (although, recently carrier bands have become more critical to consider), but the iPhone 6 and the GS6 are becoming dinosaurs quickly, it seems.
The downside with those is that they aren't the pure Android experience that are also set to get updates as they come out directly from Google basically.
 
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