Sometimes being an android fan sucks

[Sensamic]

There are many android devices I would like to buy or try and can't.

I'm a stock android fan and live in Europe, so I can't buy any of the Google edition devices: SGS4, HTC One, Z Ultra or G Pad.

I can't also buy the Moto X because it hasn't been released outside the US either. It would have been a great choice for me because of the nearly stock experience.

Oh, and even better, I can't even buy most nexus devices! Google Play doesn't ship to where I live. Last year I had to buy my Nexus 10 used in eBay for example. I can't buy the Nexus 4 or 5 because they aren't available with carriers either... Well, the Nexus 4 is available on one online shop I saw, and the 5 is on Amazon, but only the 16GB (and I want the 32GB).

More examples. I like the newly announced Galaxy J, with its metal body. Still can't buy it...

This really sucks. In the end I can only buy what's available here, and they aren't always the best choices...

 

[mattopotamus]

move to the US

 

[Sensamic]

move to the US

Trust me, I've thought about that!! I would be able to buy sooooo many gadgets that aren't available here!! Not just Android stuff.

 

[Jessica Lares]

I live in the US, and I can't afford to buy a phone off-contact unless it's less than $200. Same thing with on-contract.

Well, I could, but being that a phone is my least used tech out of everything I own, it's not worth having a really, really nice one.

It's not about having the latest and greatest, it's about having that one tool that really works well for you and sticking to it.

 

[Shanghaichica]

It sucks not living in the US. That's what it boils down to. When you live outside of the US you have to wait for everything.

 

[mclld]

Find someone in the US to ship stuff for you.

 

[vikingjunior]

Buy a LG G2.

 

[viskon]

I believe EBay has an international buying section. That's an option.

 

[ChazUK]

Buy a regular HTC One and fully convert it to GPE.

Great device that way, and in the colour of your choosing.

 

[DannyDrama]

Yeah, or an S4. I have a 9505 with KK and it's great. No need for Google Editions here

 

[Sensamic]

I'm not a big fan of ROMS. They never work 100%. Sometimes it's the GPS, others the BT, etc. They also drain the battery faster.

My SGS3 with custom ROMS drains really fast and the camera has much worse quality.

I actually found today some companies that can order online for you in the US and ship globally, but most of them have terrible terrible reviews all over the internet. They charge a LOT for everything: 10$ for signing up in the website, 15$ monthly charge, 70$ for shipping costs, 10% of the cost of the product if they buy it for you, etc. WOW. Many bad reviews all over the internet, of people getting charged 150$ for a pair of shoes or stuff like that

Now eBay doesn't seem so bad!!

 

[MRU]

There are many android devices I would like to buy or try and can't.

I'm a stock android fan and live in Europe, so I can't buy any of the Google edition devices: SGS4, HTC One, Z Ultra or G Pad.

I can't also buy the Moto X because it hasn't been released outside the US either. It would have been a great choice for me because of the nearly stock experience.

Oh, and even better, I can't even buy most nexus devices! Google Play doesn't ship to where I live. Last year I had to buy my Nexus 10 used in eBay for example. I can't buy the Nexus 4 or 5 because they aren't available with carriers either... Well, the Nexus 4 is available on one online shop I saw, and the 5 is on Amazon, but only the 16GB (and I want the 32GB).

More examples. I like the newly announced Galaxy J, with its metal body. Still can't buy it...

This really sucks. In the end I can only buy what's available here, and they aren't always the best choices...

It's the same here in Ireland....

----------

It sucks not living in the US. That's what it boils down to. When you live outside of the US you have to wait for everything.

Your right, I'll just have to make do with our free public healthcare system for all and our draconian 'idiots can't own guns' style laws

 

[mclld]

Guns are awesome imo

 

[GoingDark]

I don't really understand what's so great about "stock Android." Granted, some of the skins are really terrible (I'm definitely looking at LG and Samsung here) but I have an HTC One and I think Sense is great. I had the option of either Google Edition or Developer Edition (i.e. with Sense but unlocked and with no carrier bloat) and I chose the Developer Edition.

The Google Play Edition has a much worse camera interface and you lose a bunch of useful features (Zoe, infrared, etc). In the end I didn't see any advantage to it, but lots of disadvantages.

And for the record, my "skinned" phone got updated to Kit Kat only 8 days after the Nexus 4 did, for all its "stock Android" bona fides.

 

[iSheep5S]

I don't really understand what's so great about "stock Android." Granted, some of the skins are really terrible (I'm definitely looking at LG and Samsung here) but I have an HTC One and I think Sense is great. I had the option of either Google Edition or Developer Edition (i.e. with Sense but unlocked and with no carrier bloat) and I chose the Developer Edition.

The Google Play Edition has a much worse camera interface and you lose a bunch of useful features (Zoe, infrared, etc). In the end I didn't see any advantage to it, but lots of disadvantages.

And for the record, my "skinned" phone got updated to Kit Kat only 8 days after the Nexus 4 did, for all its "stock Android" bona fides.

Cause often the overlay slows it down. It's like someone taking iOS and messing with it. Google devices are vanilla and what everything is made for. Sense and touchwhizz just complicates things. HOWEVER to date I still have fond memories of my HTC Desire HD.

 

[unlinked]

It sucks not living in the US. That's what it boils down to. When you live outside of the US you have to wait for everything.

Most worthwhile Android devices are released outside of the US first.
Google is an exception.

 

[mib1800]

I wish I can get those high end specs phones at low end prices from China.

 

[viskon]

I wish I can get those high end specs phones at low end prices from China.

Does anyone know if these China phones come with the Google Play Store?

 

[Savor]

I'm a bit of the opposite. I love being an Android fan and follower. So many different varieties. Some get judged or get pigeonholed unfairly.

Actually when I got my second Android, Cherry Mobile Flare (aka Karbonn A9+), the hardware was so crappy that Android saved it from me actually throwing it out my 30-story window. Camera was awful. Batt life was awful. Reception was awful. It was learning Ice Cream Sandwich and Android as a whole better that made me keep it. Eventually I gave that cheap local branded phone to my stepdaughter.

After seeing my Wife recently have probs with her $150 1.3 GHz dual core/Mali 400 GPU Lenovo A516, I may just stick to more reputable brands like Samsung, HTC, or Sony and their flagships. I want cream of the crop. Not the cheaper crap of the crop. ;-) I would tell her to just return that A516 and try to upgrade to a better Lenovo like the S820 she originally wanted.

I cant say this enough, but the Moto G truly is the best bang for your buck Android phone out there. Dont accept any cheaper alternatives or obscure brands. Snapdragon 400 for $200 is a bargain even if compromises like a weak camera are there. It still comes from a more reputable brand like Motorola, a Google company now. I trust Motorola more than LG. Moto G is even a better deal than last year's Nexus 4 even if that is regarded a flagship with the far better GPU. Nexus 4 had alot of known issues. Moto G just seems to have far less complaints and with a lesser price tag as well.

 

[tbayrgs]

Most worthwhile Android devices are released outside of the US first.
Google is an exception.

Well, that depends on what one considers worthwhile. Like the OP, I'm personally a fan of stock Android and for the most part, all of the devices using vanilla Android are immediately available in the US.

Otherwise though, I believe you're correct--remember the HTC One being released first everywhere but the US and prior to the Galaxy S4, most Samsung devices were released outside of the US first.

 

[Sensamic]

I don't really understand what's so great about "stock Android." Granted, some of the skins are really terrible (I'm definitely looking at LG and Samsung here) but I have an HTC One and I think Sense is great. I had the option of either Google Edition or Developer Edition (i.e. with Sense but unlocked and with no carrier bloat) and I chose the Developer Edition.

The Google Play Edition has a much worse camera interface and you lose a bunch of useful features (Zoe, infrared, etc). In the end I didn't see any advantage to it, but lots of disadvantages.

And for the record, my "skinned" phone got updated to Kit Kat only 8 days after the Nexus 4 did, for all its "stock Android" bona fides.

Think of stock Android as another skin. It's Google's skin.

It's the nicest, fastest, cleanest and the more modern one.

It's like choosing my favorite skin. I prefer Google's skin over Samsung's, HTC's, etc.

For me, stock Android has the best look.

 

[outz]

It sucks not living in the US. That's what it boils down to. When you live outside of the US you have to wait for everything.

it used to be completely opposite. i remember importing a lot of windows mobile phones back in ~2005 from europe... so expensive.

 

[GroundLoop]

I feel the same way as a Windows Phone fan on Verizon. We have the overwhelming selection of 3 phones (Lumia 928, HTC 8X, Samsung Ativ Odyssey). Needless to say, it is pretty painful.

GL