What Android would you buy right now?

[rockitdog]

If you were going to sign up for a new 2 year agreement, what Android would you agree to keep for 2 years as of today (w/out considering Note 3 or LG G2)?

Is the Galaxy S4 still worth buying today, does the Nexus 5 have long term potential?

 

[smwatson]

I'd buy a Moto X, but I can't so I've bought a Nexus 5 instead.

The good thing about the Nexus is that it's cheap and you don't need to be committed to a 2 year contract. I'm happy that I can flog it after a few months (or less), or replace it with the next Nexus next year without losing too much money.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I wouldn't get anything on contract now. A ton of latest model phones are just around the corner.

 

[AppleDApp]

Only suckers commit to contracts

 

[pdqgp]

Bought a note 3 and haven't looked back. New stuff is out all the time. Not a big deal.

 

[F123D]

(w/out considering Note 3 or LG G2)

Those would've been my two choices if I had to lock myself into a 2 year contract. Third would be the Nexus 5. Otherwise, I'd wait for the next wave handsets coming out this year.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I've already got the S4,but supposing I didn't have it I'd get the S4 or note 3 on contact for 2 years.

 

[Stooby Mcdoobie]

If I had an upgrade available right now, I'd probably use it to flip a Note 3 or iPhone; wouldn't use it to purchase a personal device as I'm perfectly happy with my Nexus 5. If the N5 didn't exist, I could see myself using it on a Moto X -- had one earlier this year and really liked it.

 

[mac00l]

Got a Moto X on a 2 year contract a few weeks ago.

It's the handiest phone that I've ever had. Switching from an iPhone 5 to a Moto X doesn't feel like a downgrade, and that is something.

 

[Dontazemebro]

Galaxy F

 

[xchampx13]

Probably nexus 5 or note 3

 

[Sensamic]

LG G2, Note 3 or iPhone 5S.

Nexus 5 is the best phone. True. But as a phone it's not that good: can't feel the vibration when in mute inside my pocket (this is a huge problem for a PHONE), audio problems when recording video (again huge problem for me because I record a LOT of videos using my phone), 16GB only (get the 32GB) for 2 years or more is not enough, battery not that great either (phones need to start using 3000mha as a standard), etc.

Nexus 5 is awesome. Really great UI, speed, customization, etc. But if we're talking about phones first, it's one of the worst ones. Google seriously needs to use better phone parts first and then comes everything else.

 

[Lloydbm41]

If you were going to sign up for a new 2 year agreement, what Android would you agree to keep for 2 years as of today (w/out considering Note 3 or LG G2)?

Is the Galaxy S4 still worth buying today, does the Nexus 5 have long term potential?

Why would you even consider locking into a contract when there are top of the line phones that can be had (unlocked and off contract) for around $350 or less. Or hell, get yourself a Moto G to hold you over for a few months (and you only have to spend $175 (or less) for an off contract phone.

Or, you can try those new programs where you pay for a phone in monthly installments and if you aren't satisfied with the phone, you can upgrade every 6 months by turning the phone back in. (Kind of like leasing a car).

 

[Sensamic]

Why would you even consider locking into a contract when there are top of the line phones that can be had (unlocked and off contract) for around $350 or less. Or hell, get yourself a Moto G to hold you over for a few months (and you only have to spend $175 (or less) for an off contract phone.

Or, you can try those new programs where you pay for a phone in monthly installments and if you aren't satisfied with the phone, you can upgrade every 6 months by turning the phone back in. (Kind of like leasing a car).

Yeah.

Go and try to buy a Note 3 for 350$ if you can. Most top phones stay 600-500 for 7 months or more.

When I upgrade my contract I can get almost any phone for 0$. I turn in my old one or sell it in eBay and with the money I can get any phone.

For me it works better this way.

 

[blackhand1001]

The moto x is great. Its on sale for 400 dollars now no contract. Its free on contract at most carriers.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Yeah.

Go and try to buy a Note 3 for 350$ if you can. Most top phones stay 600-500 for 7 months or more.

When I upgrade my contract I can get almost any phone for 0$. I turn in my old one or sell it in eBay and with the money I can get any phone.

For me it works better this way.

Good for you. You do realize you end up paying around $800-$1000 for that phone over the 2 year cycle? Or pay those ETF's and still be out more than the cost of the phone. If that works for you, then cool. I don't bend over for carriers. Homie don't play that game.

 

[2298754]

Galaxy Note 3 is the only legit choice right now on contract

We're kind of in an odd time right now. I wouldn't buy a GS4/HTC One right now.

LG G2: no thanks, especially on a contract. I've seen them sub-$300 on CL. Pick up a used one

N5: nope. poor screen, battery life, build quality


I wouldn't tie myself into a contract right now. Wait 3-4 months for the next HTC and Samsung flagships. Until then, pick up a used G2 or new Moto X?

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Nexus 5 without a doubt.

----------

N5: nope. poor screen

The screen has been universally praised in almost every review I have seen It is absolutely fantastic.

 

[thehustleman]

Nexus 5

 

[Lloydbm41]

Nexus 5 without a doubt.

----------



The screen has been universally praised in almost every review I have seen It is absolutely fantastic.

It isn't worth replying to AutoUnion when it comes to discussing the N5. Doesn't matter if the entire world says the phone is great, screen is the best, etc... he will slam it. Personally, I love my N5 and have zero issues. Speakers are fine, screen is better than nearly every phone on the market and I personally get extremely good battery life. Not sure WTF he is talking about on build quality either?

But that is just my 'personal' experience with the phone.

 

[WhackyNinja]

Nexus 5

 

[tbayrgs]

I won't purchase any Android phones on contact. I despise carrier bloat and restrictions and the only way to limit this is to buy unlocked versions off contact. I've owned 4 Android devices and only one was a carrier version--a Galaxy Note II, and I immediately had to root and flash a custom ROM to make it tolerable. While I've rooted and played with various ROMs on many of my devices, I'd must rather be able to use a device in its stock condition. Needless to say my time with the Note II lasted about a month.

Only phone I'll buy on contract is an iPhone as they have no carrier bloat, I'm not handcuffed by the carrier when it comes to updates, and I can flip them for a much higher return. Any Android device I get with be unlocked.

After all that, if I was to pick up an Android phone right now, it would be a Dev edition Moto X or Nexus 5, off contract and unlocked, of course.

 

[rhinosrcool]

Note 3. Of course, this year, there will be many new phones coming out. None (excluding the N4) will have the s pen features that are so well integrated. Also, the screen is great. I don't see much, if any, improvement here.

 

[Tarzanman]

N5: nope. poor screen, battery life, build quality

Compared to what? There are quite a few androids at the office where I work (as well as iphones). I own a Nexus 5
The screen certainly isn't poor. Period.

Battery life is going to 100% depend on your coverage and tower range. My Nexus 5 on T-mobile (HSPA coverage) has decent battery life. My wife's Nexus 5 only has about ~85% of the battery life mine has due to being on Sprint LTE all the time (also, she loves to crush candy).

Build quality? Granted its not a metal phone, but neither is the GS4 and the N5 is at least as nice as that.

 

[Sensamic]

I won't purchase any Android phones on contact. I despise carrier bloat and restrictions and the only way to limit this is to buy unlocked versions off contact. I've owned 4 Android devices and only one was a carrier version--a Galaxy Note II, and I immediately had to root and flash a custom ROM to make it tolerable. While I've rooted and played with various ROMs on many of my devices, I'd must rather be able to use a device in its stock condition. Needless to say my time with the Note II lasted about a month.

Only phone I'll buy on contract is an iPhone as they have no carrier bloat, I'm not handcuffed by the carrier when it comes to updates, and I can flip them for a much higher return. Any Android device I get with be unlocked.

After all that, if I was to pick up an Android phone right now, it would be a Dev edition Moto X or Nexus 5, off contract and unlocked, of course.

Do you guys seriously believe an unlocked phone is better than a carrier one just because it doesn't have bloatware?

If a phone has lag in it's carrier version then it will also have lag in it's unlocked version. Proof? LG G2, SGS3, SGS4, etc. It's not because of the carrier bloatware. It's because the software is not optimized by the manufacturer, so it will still lag in the unlocked model.

And what about updates? Any phone that's not a Nexus won't get many updates, and by the time you get the second big update you probably will have another phone. Samsung just released 4.3 for the SGS3 unlocked version, a year later than 4.2 was released! Is it the carriers fault too?

Now that the update is out I don't have to wait for my carrier. I can flash the rom in my carrier SGS3 and done.

And don't forget not every carrier in the world includes bloatware in their phones. My carrier (Vodafone) never includes any type of bloatware. No apps, no marks in the phone, etc. This is not like Verizon or ATT.

And I can always root and install the unlocked rom of the phone, just like I do with my SGS3 so I can get the updates faster.

I don't know why people think unlocked phones are so great. I had them before and all I remember was paying too much for them (600$ for each).

Now I pay 100$ max for every phone. Look at what I've said before: not all carriers include bloatware in their phones, most times the lag is also present in the unlocked version and the updates are not that good with any unlocked phone apart from Nexus, so........ what's the point again with unlocked phones?