which $250 .. $300 android is pretty close to iphone 6 ?

[Subu]

Hi

I've been a iPhone user for long, currently using a 6 (1.5 years old), all legit NO jailbreak

Wish to explore an Android as a second phone, and later try an android watch and see how it goes

I'm a pretty basic user meaning use a phone for calls, text, browsing, you tube, whatsapp, FB, twitter, photos etc. NO GAMING, NO elaborate videos...

speed is essential. trouble free operation is essential.. (iPhone 6 gives me both very well)

Which $250 ..$300 android comes close to iPhone 6 (NOT 6s) ..wish to use it right out of the box without much tinker IF possible ...

I see some OLD threads but nothing new, clear ... so I'm here

thanks in advance
regards
subu

 

[thegrants82]

Hi

I've been a iPhone user for long, currently using a 6 (1.5 years old), all legit NO jailbreak

Wish to explore an Android as a second phone, and later try an android watch and see how it goes

I'm a pretty basic user meaning use a phone for calls, text, browsing, you tube, whatsapp, FB, twitter, photos etc. NO GAMING, NO elaborate videos...

speed is essential. trouble free operation is essential.. (iPhone 6 gives me both very well)

Which $250 ..$300 android comes close to iPhone 6 (NOT 6s) ..wish to use it right out of the box without much tinker IF possible ...

I see some OLD threads but nothing new, clear ... so I'm here

thanks in advance
regards
subu

Nexus 5

 

[se1000]

Nexus 5x

 

[dyt1983]

edit: to remove possibly personally identifying information no longer relevant to the thread.

 

[Subu]

thanks @theqrants82 and others who recommended Lexus 5

Appreciate your replies

If I may ask some follow up questions ....

I checked that Lexus 5 out. The variants ( 16 / 32 GB) I saw come with a 1.3 M front camera ? I thought iPhone 6 had better from camera ... am I seeing a wrong Lexus phones? also it's not clear IF these are upgradable to latest Android ... TIA for any clarifications ... all questions with view to choose the best phone (not to critique ! )
[doublepost=1460230559][/doublepost]

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. (Since the Z5 is out now @ $450, the Z3 is around $280-320.)

(Move to Alternatives forum in 3... 2... )

I've already read a little about the Z 3
Yes the camera , specks are good ...
But there is a constant complaint of overheating
and many claim, that's why Sony moved to Z4 , Z5 etc so soon
Pls correct / update me
TIA
regards
Subu

 

[thegrants82]

thanks @theqrants82 and others who recommended Lexus 5

Appreciate your replies

If I may ask some follow up questions ....

I checked that Lexus 5 out. The variants ( 16 / 32 GB) I saw come with a 1.3 M front camera ? I thought iPhone 6 had better from camera ... am I seeing a wrong Lexus phones? also it's not clear IF these are upgradable to latest Android ... TIA for any clarifications ... all questions with view to choose the best phone (not to critique ! )
[doublepost=1460230559][/doublepost]

I've already read a little about the Z 3
Yes the camera , specks are good ...
But there is a constant complaint of overheating
and many claim, that's why Sony moved to Z4 , Z5 etc so soon
Pls correct / update me
TIA
regards
Subu

Sure thing. I meant to say 5x though.

 

[se1000]

First, Nexus, second, get the updated 5x not the 5

The FFC on the 5x is 5mp

 

[Subu]

also, in the droid world is a 2 GB RAM good enough (with a 16 GB / 32 GB ROM ) on latest versions of Android OS ?
[doublepost=1460230829][/doublepost]

First, Nexus, second, get the updated 5x not the 5

The FFC on the 5x is 5mp

AH !

that makes sense to me now !!
[doublepost=1460230886][/doublepost]

Sure thing. I meant to say 5x though.

great ! makes sense ! let me read

the 32 GB variant is a bit costly ..still 16 GB seems ok priced

Thanks a bunch !! made the search easy

 

[se1000]

also, in the droid world is a 2 GB RAM good enough (with a 16 GB / 32 GB ROM ) on latest versions of Android OS ?
[doublepost=1460230829][/doublepost]

AH !

that makes sense to me now !!

The price of the 32GB version isn't much more than the 16GB, depending on your use, I'd say it's worth the price. As for the RAM, Nexus devices are minimalist, they use a lot less memory stock than other Android devices. The 5x has plenty of memory.

 

[Squirreladd]

Hi

I've been a iPhone user for long, currently using a 6 (1.5 years old), all legit NO jailbreak

Wish to explore an Android as a second phone, and later try an android watch and see how it goes

I'm a pretty basic user meaning use a phone for calls, text, browsing, you tube, whatsapp, FB, twitter, photos etc. NO GAMING, NO elaborate videos...

speed is essential. trouble free operation is essential.. (iPhone 6 gives me both very well)

Which $250 ..$300 android comes close to iPhone 6 (NOT 6s) ..wish to use it right out of the box without much tinker IF possible ...

I see some OLD threads but nothing new, clear ... so I'm here

thanks in advance
regards
subu

All of them Jk

None tbh will equal the iPhone 6 but some are damn good devices for the value.
The One plus x (https://oneplus.net/x)
The Moto x (https://www.motorola.com/us/motomaker?pid=FLEXR2)
And finally the Nexus 5x is a great one but that one starts at 349 normally. If you wait a few weeks they often get a fifty dollar discount here and there. Also right now you can get one for 199 from project fi. No one knows how much longer the promotion ended 4/7/2016. That one requires you to sign up for Fi service within 30 days. Minimum month payment is 30$ do the math. (goo.gl/tJrPec). May have to Google project Fi.

 

[dyt1983]

edit: to remove possibly personally identifying information no longer relevant to the thread.

 

[Subu]

All of them Jk

None tbh will equal the iPhone 6 but some are damn good devices for the value.
The One plus x (https://oneplus.net/x)

thanks !!

that one plus seems VERY interesting (at least the specifications)

but how is this so called Oxygen OS ? heard both good and terrible comments

any experience yourself ?

regards
Subu

 

[se1000]

Big fan of Sony phones, I've had the Z2 and Z3 but they haven't been doing so good in the US.

Also, a big concern is depending on carrier, the Z line may or may not support all the features of that carrier. That's also what's unique about the Nexus 5x, you can freely use it on all of the major carriers and still enjoy all of the advanced features, much like the iPhone

 

[Subu]

Don't compare the Z3, Z3+ (Z4) and Z5 to the Z3 Compact...

thanks

Don't compare the Z3, Z3+ (Z4) and Z5 to the Z3 Compact... the Z3 Compact was replaced by the Z5 Compact, more than a year later. Yearly updates are to be expected in flagship phones (iPhone, Galaxy, Nexus).

Aha ! I missed the "compact" !! Will check

As a primarily-iPhone user, the Z1 Ultra and Z3 (similar specs) were the first Android phones that I found gave a smooth user experience. It's kind of funny because the iPhone is starting to lose the smoothness with so much introduced lag in later iOS versions.

you mean Z3 compact right ?

Also I feel the Sony build quality is pretty good compared to most Android phones.

I'm running 5.1.1 Lollipop on my Z1u and Z3c, there are Marshmallow ROMs available, with official support coming, but I'm in no hurry.

yes agree Sony quality ... I too bank on that ... I was VERY close to going for that Z3 but backed out reading so much about the heating while video !! :-(

Ok..will check Z 3 compact

regards
Subu

 

[Squirreladd]

thanks !!

that one plus seems VERY interesting (at least the specifications)

but how is this so called Oxygen OS ? heard both good and terrible comments

any experience yourself ?

regards
Subu

I have not used oxygen OS myself. From what I can gather the old itself is a reaction to cm13 being exclusive to one manufacturer in India. The OS has a small team so you can't expect to get updates extremely fast. It's mostly stock with a few tweaks ui wise.

 

[Subu]

I have not used oxygen OS myself. From what I can gather the old itself is a reaction to cm13 being exclusive to one manufacturer in India. The OS has a small team so you can't expect to get updates extremely fast. It's mostly stock with a few tweaks ui wise.

hmm... will await others' experience with Oxygen OS ... (If I'm lucky some one will pass by)
[doublepost=1460231870][/doublepost]

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. (Since the Z5 is out now @ $450, the Z3 is around $280-320.)

(Move to Alternatives forum in 3... 2... )

How does one move this thread to another forum ? Sorry complete novice in this matter !! :-(

 

[dyt1983]

edit: to remove possibly personally identifying information no longer relevant to the thread.

 

[Subu]

searching for Droid phones, I ended up reading (only reading) about a costly Huawei , a particular "..Mate 8 .." then I read this review, which is SO common (of many GOOD droid phones I've read)

Goes like ////////
Good Android Smartphone with camera resolution below expectations
Huawei delivers great hardware yet again and the Kirin 950 sets the benchmark for performance in 2016 but a poorly conceived user experience and mediocre camera detract from what could have been a great smartphone, .....
//////////

I DO NOT wish to badmouth any phone or manufacturer, but in very many droid phone I check , a lot of reviews I read, the complaint is like "...great hardware or good hardware, spoiled by a bad UI / bad software.." , "... went from good to bad to worse after the OS update.." etc etc

How could so many droid manufacturers get it so wrong ?

regards
subu

PS : this is NOT a flame ... mods may please delete this IF this looks like one

 

[Paddle1]

The reason people would most likely say that is either because they don't like Android, or because of the launcher, other software tweaks, and/or pre-installed software. The Nexus 5X is by Google and has stock Android.

 

[Squirreladd]

searching for Droid phones, I ended up reading (only reading) about a costly Huawei , a particular "..Mate 8 .." then I read this review, which is SO common (of many GOOD droid phones I've read)

Goes like ////////
Good Android Smartphone with camera resolution below expectations
Huawei delivers great hardware yet again and the Kirin 950 sets the benchmark for performance in 2016 but a poorly conceived user experience and mediocre camera detract from what could have been a great smartphone, .....
//////////

I DO NOT wish to badmouth any phone or manufacturer, but in very many droid phone I check , a lot of reviews I read, the complaint is like "...great hardware or good hardware, spoiled by a bad UI / bad software.." , "... went from good to bad to worse after the OS update.." etc etc

How could so many droid manufacturers get it so wrong ?

regards
subu

PS : this is NOT a flame ... mods may please delete this IF this looks like one

Most of them attempt to one up the another. They want to make what they think is an ideal improvement to android and it falls flat on its face. If you look at some of the beloved companies such as Motorola you will see that their phones are more stock android then others. Samsung has been toning down their customization and at the same time their ratings have been going up for each phone. Some customization are good but when you go so far that it is unrecognizable as android you run into the problems these companies do. Some things on android require that the company does its own work to create. Camera Software is one of those things that generally requires the company to code themselves its why many android phones have a physical camera superior to the iPhone but they have **** software that makes it all for not.

You are not bad mouthing anyone. I myself use android as my primary OS but I only use CM or Nexus released android software. Some of the software is atrocious on all levels while coupled with great hardware. (Cough LG)

 

[se1000]

I was surprised that they were so popular in Japan after seeing that they are almost non-existent in the US. I'm using AT&T in the US so no carrier compatibility issues. I guess that's why they have Verizon-specific versions. But I have to admit, if you're looking for a whole package, the 5x with Project Fi is a pretty good deal.

They really need to change their US strategy. Even with ATT, you miss out on HD Voice (AMR-WB) and WiFi calling (ATT is starting to roll this out).

Z5 is also in a precarious position right now, it's got the much hated 810 and already a gen behind with the new X series being released. They also disabled the fingerprint sensor in the official US version.

Sony needs to regroup and release their new phones here in a competitive time frame with carrier compatibility. I'd pay just about anything for a X-Performance on T-Mo.

 

[nviz22]

Nexus 5X or HTC One M9. The M9 is the best bet for a cheaper android device that's not a Nexus. HTC has great speakers, clean software, a nice build quality, and decent support. But the Nexus 5X is the best overall budget device imo because it has an amazing camera, top of the line fingerprint scanner, all the LTE bands, USB Type C charger, and the latest android updates.

 

[macfacts]

If you want a phone close to the iPhone 6, why are you limiting your choices to $250 phones when the iPhone 6 costs $550?

Edit: regarding reviews talking about bad ui on various Android phones, it is easy to install the stock Google now launcher from the play store.

 

[Flow39]

Nexus 6, of you don't mind something big. It is better than the 5x IMO and packs superior hardware.

 

[ozaz]

thanks @theqrants82 and others who recommended Lexus 5

Appreciate your replies

If I may ask some follow up questions ....

I checked that Lexus 5 out. The variants ( 16 / 32 GB) I saw come with a 1.3 M front camera ? I thought iPhone 6 had better from camera ... am I seeing a wrong Lexus phones? also it's not clear IF these are upgradable to latest Android ... TIA for any clarifications ... all questions with view to choose the best phone (not to critique ! )

As has been mentioned by others, you can't limit your budget to $300 and expect you will get as good a camera as you'd get on an iPhone. But if you ignore the camera, you can have an excellent experience on Android for $200-$300. A phone with stock Android or close to stock Android would probably be best for you. Given it would be your second phone, I'd suggest Moto G. If you want something a bit better, but just above the top end of your budget, go for Nexus 5X.

If you must have a camera that rivals iPhone, you'll need to look into getting a used flagship from last year, e.g. Galaxy S6.

If you want to guarantee you'll stay updated to the latest version of Android in the future, your only choice is Nexus.