What Android would you buy right now?

[rockitdog]

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.

I'm a T-Mobile customer and have found very little T-Mobile Bloatware on their Android devices. Samsung and HTC pre-installed bloatware is another issue.

T-Mobile's new "un-carrier" and JUMP plans have made it too easy for scammers to sell phones and then claim them as stolen after the fact. There's almost nothing you can do to protect yourself except for buying a new device so that's why I'm leary about buying a used phone.

 

[Lloydbm41]

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?

Unlocked phones in the US is not the same as in Europe. When you buy from AT&T, the phone can only be used with AT&T. Even after the contract ends, you still have to get the carrier to unlock it so another SIM card can be used.
This is why we buy 'unlocked' and off-contract. So we aren't beholden to any carrier for 2 years of our lives and paying twice the cost of the phone during that time period.

European carriers are much better than US carriers when it comes to this sort of thing.

 

[Brittany246]

Nexus 5 because of software updates. I wouldn't get an S4 after seeing my brother return it because of stuttering.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Unlocked phones in the US is not the same as in Europe. When you buy from AT&T, the phone can only be used with AT&T. Even after the contract ends, you still have to get the carrier to unlock it so another SIM card can be used.
This is why we buy 'unlocked' and off-contract. So we aren't beholden to any carrier for 2 years of our lives and paying twice the cost of the phone during that time period.

European carriers are much better than US carriers when it comes to this sort of thing.

This is pretty similar to how things work in Australia as well. The only additional thing is that for phones on a contract the carrier legally had to provide you with warranty for the contract period. Eg. If you go on a 2 year contract, they have to provide you with a 2 year warranty, even if the factory warranty is only 1 year.

If you go on a contract here you never pay anything up front either.

 

[thadoggfather]

Nexus 5. It's the one I did buy

 

[danakin]

If money is no object:
The Xperia Z1 Mini -when it comes to North America; especially if the rumours of an IPS screen, along with the reported benchmark scores of the Z1f, are true.

If budget is a concern:
Nexus 5; an excellent, unmucked, all-around phone.
Moto X; an excellent, mucked in a good way, all-around phone.

 

[thehustleman]

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?

Actually it's cheaper to buy it unlocked because you end up spending less over time.

They have to increase the price of your monthly bill to cover the price of the phone and when the contract is up, it doesn't decrease.

So you are actually paying too much buying on contract

 

[daveathall]

Nexus 5. It's the one I did buy

Same here.

 

[0000757]

I'm seriously considering switching to an HTC One Mini or a Droid Mini.

I love the HTC One Mini because I love the build quality of the device. It's just as good if not better than the design and style of the iPhone 5/5S.

The only issue I have with the Mini is that they greatly comprised specs. I mean, sure they gave us a device with a smaller screen, but they also lowered the RAM, processor quality, camera quality...

That's why I'd also strongly consider a Droid Mini. They give me what I want (A smaller 4.3 inch screen), while still offering specs that blow everything else out of the water.

Why are Android handset makers so obsessed with 5 and 6 inch phones?! They're too big! Give me the power of those 5 and 6 inch phones but with a 4 inch screen! Gah!

 

[tbayrgs]

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.

Sorry but untrue, especially with US carriers and definitely with my carrier, AT&T. Proof is in the fact that my Galaxy Note II ran significantly better once flashed with a custom ROM (CleanROM to be specific) which was essentially a de-bloated version of the OS. Carrier bloatware is called bloatware for a reason.

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?

And usually, the carrier version is delayed even further. My HTC One is an unlocked Developer Edition so no ties to a specific carrier. The GPE received 4.4 quickly after it was released in November and the Dev Edition later that same month (it's second major update in 2 months--started with 4.1.2 and now on 4.4). The AT&T variant? Nothing yet, supposedly later this month. So don't tell me it doesn't make a difference.

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.

Apparently skipped over the part where I said I don't want to be (and shouldn't have to) bothered with manually flashing ROMs to get my updates.

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.

Well, I was sharing my own personal choices/experience so, I only care about my carrier (AT&T) and they LOVE to fill their devices with tons of useless garbage.

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.

Again, why is it my responsibility to manually handle the updates for my phone? Doesn't matter if I can do it, I shouldn't have to do it. And the quickest way to get these updates is take the carriers out of the equation.

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?

Well, I only get a carrier subsidized update every two years and it's been about at 7 years since I used a phone for longer than a year. As I'm paying full retail between upgrades, I'm not going to be bothered with a carrier locked variant. Also, unlocked versions generally recoup a greater share of their price when resold. After reselling, a phone usually cost me at most a $150-200 to use for that year, same as I would've spend if I'd had a contract eligible upgrade.

 

[Technarchy]

If I was going back to android in order:

GPE GS4
Moto x
Nexus 5

 

[Fried_Gold]

Sold my iPhone 5s and bought a Nexus 5 over the holidays, made an easy £200+ profit and the Nexus 5 is amazing.

 

[Southernboyj]

Moto X or Note 3. I love the Moto X. The Note 3 is awesome, but I hate TouchWiz.

 

[Mackan]

If money is no object:
The Xperia Z1 Mini -when it comes to North America; especially if the rumours of an IPS screen, along with the reported benchmark scores of the Z1f, are true.

If budget is a concern:
Nexus 5; an excellent, unmucked, all-around phone.
Moto X; an excellent, mucked in a good way, all-around phone.

I am also keeping an eye on the Z1s (the likely name), to see if it arrives internationally. There was some rumour that it would be released in China today, but I have heard nothing. In any case, CES is around the corner, so probably hear more there...

 

[TacticalDesire]

I'd buy an unlocked Moto X.

 

[thehustleman]

Sold my iPhone 5s and bought a Nexus 5 over the holidays, made an easy £200+ profit and the Nexus 5 is amazing.

It's always great to make money AND get a better phone!

 

[Fried_Gold]

It's always great to make money AND get a better phone!

Indeed it is sir.

 

[Dontazemebro]

Sorry but untrue, especially with US carriers and definitely with my carrier, AT&T. Proof is in the fact that my Galaxy Note II ran significantly better once flashed with a custom ROM (CleanROM to be specific) which was essentially a de-bloated version of the OS. Carrier bloatware is called bloatware for a reason.

.

That's because roms are also optimized for performance. Especially Scott's roms; kernel optimized, odex/de-odexed/tweaks etc. Its not just the removal of bloatware apps.

 

[sand_man]

Wait for S5.

 

[tbayrgs]

That's because roms are also optimized for performance. Especially Scott's roms; kernel optimized, odex/de-odexed/tweaks etc. Its not just the removal of bloatware apps.

Agreed, but I don't think anyone would disagree that carrier bloatware certainly doesn't improve the OS performance.

My point mostly was that I prefer my devices without carrier interference and to get that experience, I will only purchase unlocked Android devices.

 

[Vegastouch]

The one i bought, a Nexus 5.

 

[Technarchy]

Funny thing about the Moto X; it was a very late bloomer. Here we are months later and there's plenty of people giving it a second look and praise.


The Moto X wasn't even on my radar 5 months ago, but now I find it quite appealing.

 

[sentinelsx]

Moto X right now.

 

[blackhand1001]

Moto x or Nexus 5. I just got my verizon moto x dev edition today and its everything I wanted and more.

Things I love about it:
-Build quality is the best I have felt on any phone period. Feels great, very ergonomics, great size
-Display is very good, this is non pentile (RGB) amoled, not pentile like the galaxy s3, galaxy nexus (way brighter than my galaxy nexus as well)
-X8 processor is butter smooth, extremely battery efficient.
-Extra features like touchless control, active display are not gimmicks. They really work.
-Stock android on verizon, only phone on verizon with it
-Very loud speaker.

 

[sentinelsx]

Funny thing about the Moto X; it was a very late bloomer. Here we are months later and there's plenty of people giving it a second look and praise.


The Moto X wasn't even on my radar 5 months ago, but now I find it quite appealing.

Active display + fast updates + great performance and battery life due to optimization = nothing comes close imo. Active display alone ranks it higher than even the N5 for me.