Returning to Android?

[nviz22]

What is the best Android phone to use? My budget is $400 and I am willing to wait until the newer 2018 phones come out so I can get a 2017 model on sale.

Options are: LG G6, Galaxy S8+, and HTC U11. I want to avoid the Huaweis, ASUSes, and other non-mainstream OEMs. Google's Pixel 2 isn't bad, but the price is too high. The Pixel 2's bezels are bad and the virtual keyboard is harder to type on.

With the LG G6, I can get most of the modern flagship amenities including 4gb RAM, a high end processor, QHD screen w/ 18:9 aspect ratio, dual cameras, water resistance, SD slot, facial detection, wireless charging. Only problems are the battery life, slow software updates, and it doesn't have the features the Galaxies offer.

The S8+ is a great phone, but with my luck, Samsung is really problematic. Their warranty support is pretty bad since you have to mail a phone in for repairs. I have had bad luck with software bugs and their phones typically lag after quite a bit for me. I like the hardware and software features, but I am not too keen about going back. The Note 8 was buggy for me and it didn't help I was reliant on T-Mobile for updates. Samsung Pay, Samsung Pass, and the Iris Scanner are three of my favorite features on the Galaxies.

HTC U11 is an interesting choice. It gets the best update support of the 3, but it is also the priciest of the three. It should come down in price eventually. But HTC is missing out any killer features. Battery life isn't the best on it either. HTC has a good camera, nice looking designed phone, and a lot of the modern flagship amenities as well. No facial recognition at the level of Samsung or LG. LG lets you use theirs with the phone screen off. Samsung points you to an Iris Scanner instead. Secured Faces can be easily tricked as well.

Ideally, I would go back to an iPhone X if it were within my budget (wishful thinking). I could still wait for the 2018 iPhones to come out and switch to the X on the cheap since phones lose significant value after one year's time (even if an iPhone). However, my budget is what it is and I can look to go to Android phone in the next couple of months.

I am used to having a reliable experience with iOS. I am worried iOS 12/iPhone 8+ will be meh and Android will continue to surpass it in terms of hardware and software features. I can wait till WWDC, but that isn't too much in the plans. If I could have a good hardware/software experience + good warranty support, I would like to move on from Apple.

TLR - Looking to switch to Android to save $ and have a budget of $400. S8+ odds on favorite due to hardware. Strongly considering LG G6 due to facial recognition working without the screen being on, good hardware, newer experience, and two year warranty support w/ cheap price. iPhone experience is what I am used to, so need something similar to that. Thanks.

 

[daflake]

If you want the iPhone experience, why not get an older model? You aren't going to save that much money as you will have to repurchase all your apps etc... Just reading your post tells me that you won't be happy with Android.

You can get an SE for $349

 

[nviz22]

If you want the iPhone experience, why not get an older model? You aren't going to save that much money as you will have to repurchase all your apps etc... Just reading your post tells me that you won't be happy with Android.

You can get an SE for $349

Already on the 8+ and rather use that than go to a small 4” screen.

 

[daflake]

Already on the 8+ and rather use that than go to a small 4” screen.

Still not clear why you are wanting to switch, but LG and Samsung are good handsets that work well (I have used both) I would probably lean to the Galaxy.

If you have an iPhone 8, then why are you switching? Just curious....

My iPhone 7 runs great.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

If the Note 8 was buggy for you, then you really do have bad luck with Samsung phones.

You claim $400 budget, but your not going to get the phones you mentioned for that price outright, until at least the fourth quarter of this year. So I assume you're going through a carrier?

 

[nviz22]

Still not clear why you are wanting to switch, but LG and Samsung are good handsets that work well (I have used both) I would probably lean to the Galaxy.

If you have an iPhone 8, then why are you switching? Just curious....

My iPhone 7 runs great.

Want better hardware and I have an itch to switch.
[doublepost=1516028528][/doublepost]

If the Note 8 was buggy for you, then you really do have bad luck with Samsung phones.

You claim $400 budget, but your not going to get the phones you mentioned for that price outright, until at least the fourth quarter of this year. So I assume you're going through a carrier?

Outright and factory unlocked. I snagged the S7 for less than $300 in Feb 2017. I could do that with the S8+ for $400 on like a one day sale.

The Note 8 had random rebooting issues. My dad’s Note 8 messes up his home screen icons each time he reboots his phone.

 

[sammieboy]

Get the S8+ unlocked version. Since the latest software update, my phone is working amazing....zero lag and hiccup free....best phone I've used to date!

 

[nviz22]

If the 8+ works fine for me, should I just wait till WWDC and the 2018 iPhones to see what I would do next? I might get the itch to go back to iOS again and again. I want to see FaceID, 4gb RAM, and an OLED panel on the entry level 2018 model as well.

 

[Cryates]

I want to see FaceID, 4gb RAM, and an OLED panel on the entry level 2018 model as well.

Yeahhhhh...I don't see that happening, at all.

 

[nviz22]

Yeahhhhh...I don't see that happening, at all.

Well, Ming Kuo predicted 3 models. The TFT-LCD model could still offer Face ID and 4gb RAM.

 

[Mivo]

I went with a Nokia 6, but my phone needs are fairly simple. I looked at the Nokia 8 (closer to your price point), but it cost more than I felt I should spend. The main criteria for me were vanilla or close-to vanilla Android, and regular security updates (plus, in my case, that the phone would get Android 8). Most other entry/mid tier Android phones don't seem to get updates regularly (or at all), or only with a rather long delay, so the new Nokia phones were one of the only candidates for me (in my price range anyway).

 

[ILowry82]

You mentioned no Huawei but you should really look at the Honor 7X. It costs $199 and performs extremely well. You’ll have some money left over for accessories

 

[LovingTeddy]

I went with a Nokia 6, but my phone needs are fairly simple. I looked at the Nokia 8 (closer to your price point), but it cost more than I felt I should spend. The main criteria for me were vanilla or close-to vanilla Android, and regular security updates (plus, in my case, that the phone would get Android 8). Most other entry/mid tier Android phones don't seem to get updates regularly (or at all), or only with a rather long delay, so the new Nokia phones were one of the only candidates for me (in my price range anyway).

Nokia 6 is decnet, but hardware specification is rather low.

For people who want stock or close to stock Android, other than Pixel, they should look at Xiaomi Mi A1 (just got Android O update) or Moto X4 or HTC U11 Life. These Android One phones all have better specification sheet and low price point.

If OP is using iPhone 8, none of these phone will close to iPhone 8 be honest. Definitely not Nokia 6. OP should look for high end Android phone that is in deep discount.

Myself using Huawei P10 and Mate 10. These are great phone for good price as well

 

[mjschabow]

Op. You and I would get along. I do the same thing with switching. My friends make fun of me pretty bad.

 

[Shanghaichica]

With all the phones you go through OP, it’s hard to see how you can save money by switching again.

 

[nviz22]

With all the phones you go through OP, it’s hard to see how you can save money by switching again.

Sold my Note 8 for profit, lost no $ on the X, made a profit on my SE sale, and got the 8+ for free.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Sold my Note 8 for profit, lost no $ on the X, made a profit on my SE sale, and got the 8+ for free.

Well I suppose if you know how to make money then go for it lol

 

[Tsepz]

Stick to iPhone

 

[nviz22]

Stick to iPhone

That ended up being the plan now. I am holding onto the 8+ for one of three things to happen:

1. iOS 12 being amazing w/ split screen multi-tasking and PIP mode as major features. The iPhone X drops in price and is not EOL'd. I can trade in the 8+ to snap up the X for "free" on a 2 year agreement.

2. Same as #1, but the iPhone X is too expensive or is EOL'd. I would get the $649-$749 base model iPhone w/ Face ID, LCD screen, 4gb RAM, A12 processor, and whatever else is included.

3. iOS 12 disappoints, along with the 2018 iPhones, I'll go back to Android. Preferably Pixel 3 w/ QHD screen, 18:9 aspect ratio, dual rear cameras, stronger build quality and ergonomics, 4gb RAM, Snapdragon 845. If not, S9+ for free via 2 year EIP w/ clean software, timelier updates, strong hardware, dual stereo speakers.

Whatever I get will be cost-effective and include waiting for deals. Reviews will help as well.

 

[dumastudetto]

That ended up being the plan now. I am holding onto the 8+ for one of three things to happen:

1. iOS 12 being amazing w/ split screen multi-tasking and PIP mode as major features. The iPhone X drops in price and is not EOL'd. I can trade in the 8+ to snap up the X for "free" on a 2 year agreement.

2. Same as #1, but the iPhone X is too expensive or is EOL'd. I would get the $649-$749 base model iPhone w/ Face ID, LCD screen, 4gb RAM, A12 processor, and whatever else is included.

3. iOS 12 disappoints, along with the 2018 iPhones, I'll go back to Android. Preferably Pixel 3 w/ QHD screen, 18:9 aspect ratio, dual rear cameras, stronger build quality and ergonomics, 4gb RAM, Snapdragon 845. If not, S9+ for free via 2 year EIP w/ clean software, timelier updates, strong hardware, dual stereo speakers.

Whatever I get will be cost-effective and include waiting for deals. Reviews will help as well.

You should never forget iPhones are typically supported with updates for five full years. You may pay a bit more for an iPhone, but you won't be abandoned after two years if you choose to keep your device. This is the reason why I continue to argue iPhone is the best investment over any Android device.

Of course if you want to try something new, are tired of iOS for whatever reason, the value of Apple supporting your iPhone for many years may not mean anything to you.

 

[nviz22]

You should never forget iPhones are typically supported with updates for five full years. You may pay a bit more for an iPhone, but you won't be abandoned after two years if you choose to keep your device. This is the reason why I continue to argue iPhone is the best investment over any Android device.

Of course if you want to try something new, are tired of iOS for whatever reason, the value of Apple supporting your iPhone for many years may not mean anything to you.

It’s more of Apple not keeping up with features mid range Androids offer. A $49 Moto E4 could support multi-window. My iPad offers it with an A8 processor. So it really is disappointing that the + model doesn’t offer that stuff despite the real-estate.

 

[mjschabow]

It’s tough because the ecosystem pull remains firm in me but damn I miss my Note 8. Best phone I’ve ever owned.

 

[widgeteer]

It’s more of Apple not keeping up with features mid range Androids offer. A $49 Moto E4 could support multi-window. My iPad offers it with an A8 processor. So it really is disappointing that the + model doesn’t offer that stuff despite the real-estate.

Then why don't you just buy a midrange Android phone?

You do not want an LG G6 as of 2018. 821 chip will be ancient by year's end. You should just spend the extra $100 on an OP 5T. If you're not on ATT or TMO, then wait for price cuts on the Galaxy s8 line after the s9's are announced.

 

[elf69]

I have an Huawei mate9 and waiting to upgrade to mate10 pro.

these things have the eumi which actually keeps phone running as fast now as day one.

with the mate10 out mate9 could be an option?

Huawei phones are very good and they are on the up as at least here in uk more carriers are starting to stock them.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Absolutely ditch the iPhone, I always wonder why people still use iPhone's, except the targeted audience of grandparents and young teenagers that don't care or know much about tech. And iOS just sucks, feels like something from five years ago and outdated.

The Google Pixel line is the way to go today, maybe you can find a good deal on the 2016 Pixel's ? Or get the OnePlus 5T.

Only smartphones I would recommend right now are;

- Pixel phones
- OnePlus phones

iPhone's LOL no way. Samsuck, I mean Scamsung, nah, I'd pass.