Returning to Android?

[nviz22]

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.

No point in holding onto 2 phones.
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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 And iOS just sucks, feels like something from five years ago and outdated.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.

I tried the Pixel 2 and didn't feel it was worth the $ ($599 + tax USD). Bezels are too big, the phone felt cheaper with the plastic coating at the back, and it was too cramped to type on. Maybe if the Pixel 2 was $300-400 or something I would've been able to adjust to it. I want a Pixel 3 w/ modern amenities to consider later this year.

The OnePlus 5T isn't something I would buy because of their hacking recently. Don't trust them to handle private info right now.

 

[cuzo]

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.

Well for the price of 4 and under I would look at the S8 or s8 Plus honestly. If not Samsung I would look at a Mate 9, I know you don't trust the smaller companies and feel they lack features but if you're after features get Samsung or LG. The Mate 9 is a bad arse phone and it's huge and easy to type on so you don't have that issue. ALso the 18:9 is a plus as opposed to the 16:9 stuff.

If you don't like any of those, I would consider the U11 but I hear hardware issues and just a overall not well built phone, people have been breaking screens from squeezing it lol.

I have a s8 and dislike the 18:9 ratio, typing is too weird and it's too narrow, I am considering trading for a OG pixel XL or a mate 9.

My favorite phone is the HTC 10 imo but that's 2016 but that's a good 210 right now on swappa and well built.

I mean for 400 bucks, you're not gonna get something forum favorite that's top of the line here, outside of samsung what you buy isn't gonna be talked about alot on forums, it's 400 bucks.

LG sucks period and the V30 is 600 used right now.

 

[nviz22]

Well for the price of 4 and under I would look at the S8 or s8 Plus honestly. If not Samsung I would look at a Mate 9, I know you don't trust the smaller companies and feel they lack features but if you're after features get Samsung or LG. The Mate 9 is a bad arse phone and it's huge and easy to type on so you don't have that issue. ALso the 18:9 is a plus as opposed to the 16:9 stuff.

If you don't like any of those, I would consider the U11 but I hear hardware issues and just a overall not well built phone, people have been breaking screens from squeezing it lol.

I have a s8 and dislike the 18:9 ratio, typing is too weird and it's too narrow, I am considering trading for a OG pixel XL or a mate 9.

My favorite phone is the HTC 10 imo but that's 2016 but that's a good 210 right now on swappa and well built.

I mean for 400 bucks, you're not gonna get something forum favorite that's top of the line here, outside of samsung what you buy isn't gonna be talked about alot on forums, it's 400 bucks.

LG sucks period and the V30 is 600 used right now.

I may buy the S8+ if Samsung puts together a strong showing with Oreo and the S9. I am waiting for a huge pride drop, but I think I will most likely remain on iOS.

 

[cuzo]

I may buy the S8+ if Samsung puts together a strong showing with Oreo and the S9. I am waiting for a huge pride drop, but I think I will most likely remain on iOS.

You seem anti Samsung due to TouchWiz regardless how bad arse the s9 may be ypull get annoyed with it. Stick with iOS

 

[nviz22]

You seem anti Samsung due to TouchWiz regardless how bad arse the s9 may be ypull get annoyed with it. Stick with iOS

I don't want Samsung to suck though. I want them to make strong products because Apple has been too complacent for too long. TouchWiz got leaner on the S8, but it still wasn't enough. There were issues of random reboots on the Note 8, which is why I got rid of mine. Samsung and T-Mobile took too long to fix the issue.

Samsung should release a Google Play edition of the S9/S9+ in all seriousness. Would the be the best combo between hardware and software. Samsung has some of the best hardware, but they just need to slim down their software skin and support it better, it's not a hard concept.

 

[mib1800]

I don't want Samsung to suck though. I want them to make strong products because Apple has been too complacent for too long. TouchWiz got leaner on the S8, but it still wasn't enough. There were issues of random reboots on the Note 8, which is why I got rid of mine. Samsung and T-Mobile took too long to fix the issue.

Samsung should release a Google Play edition of the S9/S9+ in all seriousness. Would the be the best combo between hardware and software. Samsung has some of the best hardware, but they just need to slim down their software skin and support it better, it's not a hard concept.

iPhone and vanilla android are for lack of a better word crap in functionality compared to S8/s9. I want a phone that can do a lot of things for me instead of just admiring how smooth the UI is.

 

[nviz22]

iPhone and vanilla android are for lack of a better word crap in functionality compared to S8/s9. I want a phone that can do a lot of things for me instead of just admiring how smooth the UI is.

Samsung takes out key features like the screen short cuts or using adaptive storage. They won’t quickly patch major exploits and vulnerabilities like Google or Apple. Samsung adds too much of their bloat into their software. Bixby is useless as well.

So that “crap functionality” is more reliable to others than you consider it. The Pixel line is incredibly popular. I rather use the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL over a Galaxy S8/S8+. Can’t beat pure Android in reliability.

 

[Klyster]

Bixby isnt useless to me.
What is this bloat you talk of?
What is bloat?
Pure Android might be nice but the phones it is on are pretty ugly.
I'm not going to spend 1000+ on an ugly phone.

 

[ILowry82]

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.

I have a 128gb Pixel XL I'm looking to unload. Message me

 

[nviz22]

Bixby isnt useless to me.
What is this bloat you talk of?
What is bloat?
Pure Android might be nice but they phones it is on are pretty ugly.
I'm not going to spend 1000+ on an ugly phone.

Bloat would be Samsung’s extra apps they include like Microsoft Office apps or their extra apps doubling up on Google Apps. Basically it’s junk software occupying storage space.

 

[Klyster]

Bloat would be Samsung’s extra apps they include like Microsoft Office apps or their extra apps doubling up on Google Apps. Basically it’s junk software occupying storage space.

And you can't just delete them and they are massive and eat into your 32 GB, hence the word bloat?
Or are we just being a little bit precious?

 

[nviz22]

And you can't just delete them and they are massive and eat into your 32 GB, hence the word bloat?
Or are we just being a little bit precious?

They eat up space. You can disable Bixby but the space is still occupied.

 

[Klyster]

Well you can't uninstall Siri either so...Apple bloat is bad too?
Why would Samsung make a voice assistant with a dedicated button and make it able to be uninstalled?
Now carrier bloat is annoying but,
The space of the app that can't be uninstalled isn't big.
Most phones come with 32GB these days so it's not really an issue.
It may have been when phones had 8-16GB.
As for the usefulness of Bixby, I use it more than I think I would, I can only see it getting better.

 

[nviz22]

Well you can't uninstall Siri either so...Apple bloat is bad too?
Why would Samsung make a voice assistant with a dedicated button and make it able to be uninstalled?
Now carrier bloat is annoying but,
The space of the app that can't be uninstalled isn't big.
Most phones come with 32GB these days so it's not really an issue.
It may have been when phones had 8-16GB.
As for the usefulness of Bixby, I use it more than I think I would, I can only see it getting better.

Difference is the Google Assistant is a much better platform supported on most major Android devices. Bixby is highly unnecessary. Siri is trash, but it is the only native choice in an iPhone. The way Apple implemented Siri into the power button was bad as well.

It’s hard not to get better when Bixby was so bad to begin with. It’s not like S-Voice I’ll give it that.

 

[Klyster]

Bixby is more useful at a device level than the others.

Hence better for me..and not unnecessary imo.

 

[IowaLynn]

Bixby can do do a chain of commands, edit the command, is macro like.

Wake up routine can turn on lights, read news and weather, traffic conditions, what new email and messages you have. Endless possibilities. Want to turn off WiFi and set do not disturb along with other tasks and settings?

Not a fan but Cortina wants to be an iOS assistant.

I wish Samsung Bixby button was more flexible

 

[Falhófnir]

After just spending half an hour (unsuccessfully) trying to accomplish the simple task of syncing a custom ringtone in iTunes, I think I'm about ready to go Android for my next phone... I know Apple likes to make stuff like this difficult to encourage buying your stuff from them, but seriously, customer experience should trump that line of thinking.

 

[nviz22]

After just spending half an hour (unsuccessfully) trying to accomplish the simple task of syncing a custom ringtone in iTunes, I think I'm about ready to go Android for my next phone... I know Apple likes to make stuff like this difficult to encourage buying your stuff from them, but seriously, customer experience should trump that line of thinking.

iTunes is trash and it is a shame that has to be used in a modern day. I am also thinking long and hard. I may cave in and get the S8+ again because it was the closest thing to the iPhone X w/o the absurd asking price. Waiting to see how Oreo does on it and how quick the beta goes into full fledged update. $400 is my limit.

 

[Falhófnir]

iTunes is trash and it is a shame that has to be used in a modern day. I am also thinking long and hard. I may cave in and get the S8+ again because it was the closest thing to the iPhone X w/o the absurd asking price. Waiting to see how Oreo does on it and how quick the beta goes into full fledged update. $400 is my limit.

Yeah it's pretty clunky, why apple can't just allow drag and drop I don't understand. I followed all the instructions earlier and it just wouldn't have it, it transferred the tone to music where it's useless to me even if I tried to add it to Tones I have been seriously looking at a Nokia 8, that offers a package reasonably similar to a 7+ at a better price (and slightly smaller). I've hit the good enough is good enough wall with smartphones personally, as long as I can browse on the go, play a few games and social media, and snap some pics I'm happy at this point. Having said that, there's rumours circulating about a Nokia 10 with a 5 (back) camera set up - a successor to the camera monsters that were the 808 purview and Lumia 1020... and running pure Android not an EOL OS or the unwanted ginger stepchild of Microsoft! Might be worth waiting and seeing what happens with that as I do value camera quality quite highly

 

[ackmondual]

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.

Does that support mean much since it's been revealed that performance gets throttled after 2 years of battery usage? If you can pay the $29 to replace your battery, then great. Otherwise, could be an issue if Apple Store won't let you do so. I don't know if taking potential hits in major iOS upgrades (x.0 versions) was just a battery issue, or iOS really is falling behind these days. However, I've known folks who will NOT update their iPhone past 1 or 2 major releases of iOS that it originally came with.

 

[ichii]

I was about to say, I have the same problem lol. I have a iPhone X, but still looking for deals for Android phones.

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

 

[sman789]

I picked up a first gen pixel and recommend it (or the Pixel XL). I want to test out Project Fi. Oreo is super slick, it automatically does picture in picture for maps or video playback if you like to multitask. I don't know if that came with Nougat but I don't have it on my V20.

Android is a strange beast, no phone is going to do everything that is capable on the platform. Right now, my V20 can miracast to my Samsung TV but the Pixel can't (though it can Chromecast to other TV's with that installed). When I had a S8, it had an outrageous feature where I could cast whatever was playing on the TV to my phone!

Maybe, one day, when phone's go up to $1,500, we'll get my dream phone that will rule the roost.

 

[nviz22]

I picked up a first gen pixel and recommend it (or the Pixel XL). I want to test out Project Fi. Oreo is super slick, it automatically does picture in picture for maps or video playback if you like to multitask. I don't know if that came with Nougat but I don't have it on my V20.

Android is a strange beast, no phone is going to do everything that is capable on the platform. Right now, my V20 can miracast to my Samsung TV but the Pixel can't (though it can Chromecast to other TV's with that installed). When I had a S8, it had an outrageous feature where I could cast whatever was playing on the TV to my phone!

Maybe, one day, when phone's go up to $1,500, we'll get my dream phone that will rule the roost.

My problem is no Android phone will meet all of my needs. I want updates, gotta go Pixel 2 XL or HTC U11. If I want facial detection/Iris Scanning, gotta go LG/Samsung/OnePlus. If I want ton of software features, gotta go Samsung.

If I want something to match my iOS experience with tons of support, fast updates, clean software, then gotta go Pixel or Moto.

 

[mclld]

No point in holding onto 2 phones.
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I tried the Pixel 2 and didn't feel it was worth the $ ($599 + tax USD). Bezels are too big, the phone felt cheaper with the plastic coating at the back, and it was too cramped to type on. Maybe if the Pixel 2 was $300-400 or something I would've been able to adjust to it. I want a Pixel 3 w/ modern amenities to consider later this year.

The OnePlus 5T isn't something I would buy because of their hacking recently. Don't trust them to handle private info right now.

Arent the bezels similar to the 8+'s?

 

[nviz22]

Arent the bezels similar to the 8+'s?

8+ was a gift, so no say there. I definitely want a device with 18:9 aspect minimum.